{color chronicles #2} Autumn’s Jewels

…in the crisp air of a Sunday autumn morning, dew kissed leaves take flight and land where they may to blanket the streets like a jewel toned tapestry. After breakfast in bed for two, an afternoon drive on winding country roads leads to the discovery of a magical place by the creek…

{color chronicles} Patina & Gold

…if a picture can truly tell a thousand words, how many beautiful pictures does it take to imagine a story?

Patina & Gold

The Cloche

One of my favorite items to use when decorating living spaces and weddings are cloches. Their elegance raises the level {no pun intended} of sophistication whenever in any space. Available in various sizes, cloches can be used as part of a table setting, your home décor, and looks wonderful in the garden to protect the gentlest of flowers. I have a few cloches of my own and I am always looking for ways to incorporate them into our eclectic yet classic décor.

{the fromagette}

I love the idea of using cloches for each individual place setting. So elegant!

{via unruly things}

This festive porch décor with the red ornaments in the large cloche are the perfect welcome for your guests. This can also serve as the centerpiece for your holiday tablescape.

{via bhg}

Ornament filled cloches are a darling addition to your holiday decor .

{via bhg}

I wish all my shoes could be displayed this way!

{via Brabourne Farm}

My favorite way to use a cloche is in every day décor as pictured above. Eclectic and chic.

{via décor 8}

Naughty or Nice ?

Imagine the surprise of your guest when you bring out this lump of sparkling coal for dessert! Berkeley-based artist Anandamayi Arnold’s sparkling lumps of black coal, otherwise known as “surprise balls” {stop it Alison!} are not quite what they appear to be. These delights are filled with goodies and treats. To get to the goodies you unravel the ball {made of ribbon and papier-mâché} and in the middle is the surprise. Where did I come across these devilish lumps? Anthology’s Winter Gift Guide, of course!

 So which were you this year…naughty or nice? I was both…in a very good way!

{via Anthology’s Winter Gift Guide}

Crate Inspiration

Whenever I do a post about something rustic, I get an email message or two from friends that say, “I did not know you were into rustic décor?” or “You would design a rustic wedding?” My answer is always, “I am a professional I do it all and yes I do love some rustic elements!” Yes, I am a city girl but living in the south for ten years has definitely exposed me to the lovelier provincial things in life…and one of them is rustic decor.

I was on the hunt for an idea and I came across an amazing one. I am so in love with it that I am trying to think of a way to create a miniature version of it for my own home! It is so charming! This amazing idea comes from Jill Ruth & Co. Find a crate, fill the crate with Spanish moss then fill the spaces with dried flowers…and that’s it! Simple and rustic!

Dried flowers placed in an old Coca Cola bottle crate makes the perfect display for a wedding or even a beautiful accent piece in your home! Love!

{via Jill Ruth}

{DIY} Vintage Cake Plates

Like many of you, I too love BHLDN however, I am not always a fan of their prices…I am being honest. All of their wedding décor is amazing and I fell in love with these vintage cake plates the minute I saw them.

{via}

Until I saw the price! At $68 to $88 a piece I thought there has to be a way to make these at a better price point. So I went on the hunt for a more economical solution and I found one on the blog, Out of Hand {love the concept of a group of women creating and working together!}. I have to say that I actually like their vintage cake plates better! Take a look!

vintage plate

vintage wine glass or glass candlestick

two part epoxy

Mix the epoxy and spread on the base of the glass base and affix to the cake plate. I suggest measuring the plate to find the center. You do not want the yummies falling over because the cake plate is not centered. Apply pressure to the base and let it sit overnight.

How gorgeous and economical, right?

Beautiful right? So glad I came upon this lovely DIY. Please be sure to visit Out of Hand for more fun stuff and check out their shop while you are there!

A Rockabilly Wedding!

Happy Monday, lovelies! Hope you all had a great weekend! Do I have a treat for you and a first for my blog! I do not think I have ever posted a Rockabilly inspired post before but when I saw this, I knew that was going to change! As a stylist, you have to appreciate the gorgeousness of it all.

I was visiting Charleston Weddings {online} and came across this amazing sweet buffet that was created for a couple who wanted a touch of homemade with a touch of, you guessed it, ROCKABILLY. I wonder if the bride wore a Rockabilly wedding dress with a big poufy crinoline to complete the look. Isn’t this darling! The creativity blows me away! Take a look and tell me what you think… {My favorite is the cake!}

{Photographs by Gayle Brooker via Charleston Weddings}

{ideas & inspiration} Nature’s Candle Cozy

Sometimes it’s the simplest of ideas that make the best, like this idea I call “nature’s candle cozy”. Colorful autumn leaves wrapped around votives secured with ribbon or raffia makes the perfect accent  for an autumn wedding or Thanksgiving tablescape. No need to look further than your local craft store and backyard for a few of the supplies. Pick the brightest red and gold leaves to use. Not only is this simple, it is earth friendly, too. I love that!

{via All Beautiful Things}

Chic Halloween Dinnerware DIY

I’ve never been to keen on orange and black. Don’t get me wrong…I’m all for giving away chocolate and treats to the neighborhood kiddies but I’m not going to decorate my home in anything orange and black…period. Now don’t start thinking that I am the Grinch of Halloween. I just love my Halloween a bit more neutral…a bit more grown up.

While visiting one of my favorite blogs, Everything Fabulous {a brilliant blog that features the best in décor, fashion, food, and entertaining} I came across this chic Halloween DIY BUT it can definitely be tailored to fit any holiday or special event like a wedding!

Here’s what you will need:
* Plain  white plates
*  A porcelain 150 pen
* Blue painters tape 
* A small stencil

Place a single strip of blue painters tape to use as a guide to keep straight  the writing straight and start copying the text across the rim of the plate.

Place a small adhesive stencil  the one below is of a raven from Martha Stewart’s crafts line. Apply I off center then fill stencil in with the ink. Be sure to let it dry completely before removing the stencil from the plate.

Allow the ink to dry completely and follow the baking instructions on the pen to seal the stencil on the plate permanently and your done!

Don’t you love how versatile and easy this DIY is? It’s a perfect way to personalize your dishes for a special event.

{via Everything Fabulous}

Sweet Rustic Chic!

It does not matter if the design is vintage chic, modern eclectic, or in this case rustic chic,  good design appeals to all. This burlap and lace sweet table, designed by Jenny’s Cookies, is perfect in every way. Burlap and lace seem to be a match named  in rustic chic heaven…and for all of you who think that the rustic chic will slowly fade away like the other wedding fads…I beg to differ! P.S. This is actually from a wedding! Please be sure to visit Jenny’s Cookies wonderful blog and say hello!

{via Jenny’s Cookies}