BLACK + WHITE BLISS: EVENTS

I have a confession to make, white - I have been cheating on you with black.

For those of you who are new here... my obsession with black and white is endless and the new trend toward classical events with contemporary flair has me singing its praises...

Even better, my cousin J got engaged this week! congrats J+D. 

in the event she solicits my help planning her big day... the gorgeous combination of the standout beauty of these anemonies paired with the sleek black glass would be showstopping...

and the way I see it... these little calligraphic numbers are a must!

[via] martha stewart, pinterest

IF JUST FOR ONE MORE DAY...

Today it's blustery and freeeezzzing out. And while I have been enjoying the fall, today leaves me lusting after one more summer day...

and maybe something like this on my countertop...

[via] pinterest

OH SO LOVELY ORCHIDS

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend.. I'm so excited to be back! 

This monday morning, I am so inspired by the simply elegant beauty of orchids. They are generally easy to care for, and look beautiful for a long time. One plant is able to add a touch of luxury to any room that accessories just can't...

Orchids are so beautiful and fitting any time of year...

and can work with any room decor because of their stunning color palettes. Pure whites, whites with hints of purple, yellow,  the list goes on...

But, best of all, they can be found for very affordable prices. I know.. you are thinking "Yea RIGHT!" and I thought so too! However this weekend I made a trip to a flea market on the outskirts of town, at first, I was so bummed because antique find wise, it was awful... but to my surprise I found the beautiful orchids below for only $5 a plant. I felt like I was stealing, but the deal really was that good! 

[ via ] country living, southern living

Check out your some of the flea/farmers markets on the outskirts of your town and see what you can find!  I love that these beauties will be around for the next 6 weeks, and I only spent $20!

Dining Room Do-Over

Yesterday, one of my readers commented asking what she could do with her dining room.  It has all white walls which she can't paint, but still wants to make it seem decorated. As a renter, I completely sympathize with this, and I think it is something that lots of people stuggle with. While I focused my energies on creating a great dining room, these ideas could be transferred to any space in a home.  

And just because white isn't always bad... heres a pretty white dining room to get us started!

If you want a colorful room, but have a boring dining set already. Try painting your table a muted color, and your chairs something brighter. Chairs are generally cheaper to replace than a table, this way you can keep the table and replace the chairs if and when you feel like it. If you have a set that you like, then keep it just the way it is and create your look around it!

Bringing the outdoors in is always a great way to bring life into a room, not to mention vases are a great space filler and design accessory.  This lovely table is one of my favorites! The luscious full vases with towering branches is so beautiful. This would be a great centerpiece for the room.

If you want a more classic look, than go for a unified look with matching frames and similar photos, or photos that have all been printed in sepia or black and white. To bring some color and or texture into the room go with a menagerie of frame fillers and or frames. 

 

If photo collages aren't your thing, but collections are, maybe you would be more inclined to displaying them in your dining room after these inspirations

     

Or... if you really are dying for the wallpapered look. Try a wall decal. They are easy to put on, and just as easy to take off. The best part? No one will know they are stickers! Byrdie graphics on Etsy has tons of wall patterns to offer. 

 If you have windows, create depth and coziness in the space with some great curtains. 

If your space is smaller, and not many options apply to you, work from the ground up with a unique floor covering that is thin and easy to clean.

Finally, consider the lighting.  Lighting is generally easy to install and uninstall and can make a huge impact on the room!

[ via ] absolutely beautiful things, ikea, google images, decorpad, lonny magazine

Garden Party Guest Post!

Today I am guest posting over at Where the Sidewalk Begins for the lovely Sarah! I think it is my favorite post ever! I am going to tease you here with the inspiration board (sorry!), but head over there for all the tips and tricks for putting together the perfect garden party, and of course her awesome blog!

Spring Blossoms

To fill a really tall vase, I bought some tall flowering branches. I am absolutely in love with how it draws the eye in, and softens the room, and so are all my guests. I have gotten complements from everyone who has been over in the last few days! These flowering branches (there are many different types, think cherry blossoms) are a great diversion from short vase flowers, and really bring nature inside! If you are looking for a more long term solution, Jo Ann Fabrics has some surprisingly real life flowering branches for $2 a stem. 

[ via ] this is glamorous, deliciously organized, google images

I just can't get enough, they are soooooo pretty!

Spring Flowers

Yesterday I bought some beautiful very light pink roses. Originally I bought them for a staging job, and was solely focused on the color at hand, however, these little pretties really freshened up the house, and put a little pep in my step towards spring. Winter is beginning to end, and I think its time to add some fresh and light color to every room!

{via} house beautiful + flickr

How Does Your Garden Grow?

There is something so fresh and whimsical about a terrarium in a jar. They are a really great way to bring nature inside without having plants in the open (if you're anything like me, I just can't seem to keep indoor plants alive). The jar gives the presentation a little extra pizazz, and can mask the fact that your plants inside may not be all that real.

For this fun little project, you can find the supplies for the inside at Pottery Barn, and the jars and such at Michaels or Home Goods

photos via viva terra and apartment therapy

Happy Fall Flowers

a little punch of color to brighten up your afternoon...

image via concrete and honey

 LOVE the peacock vase!

Inspiration via Molly

 I hope these flowers can bring some light into your life today, and give you sunny outlook for the upcoming weekend! Thanks to Molly for the little reminder about something I love so dearly. Flowers can make such an impact in your home, and bring a sweetness to your life. My friends always comment that I have fresh flowers in my home, and thats because I think if nothing else is your day is going right, at least you can look at your pretty flowers and feel good about them!

This would be such a beautiful arrangement at a breakfast or brunch with lots of fresh berries and maybe even some blueberry pancakes

Fall is such a nice time of year to find some inspiration from change. I think more than any other time, you can get away with some of the beautiful deep reds and browns in flowers

This table reminds me of the plant tables that I have seen on other blogs in the last couple weeks, but glamorized. This is such a fun idea, and really takes no effort, collect a couple glass bottles (water, wine, etc) over the next couple weeks, and you could achieve a very similar look

At the end of the day, a simple vase like this on your desk is inviting and pretty.

all photos via concrete and honey and peacock feathers

Organic Tabletops

Flowers add so much warmth to a room,  as do other forms of nature. After  a little inspiration from a plant table seen on a variety of other blogs, I thought I would share with you some earthy ideas for your dining tables.

doesn't every little girl dream of a fabulous party with cupcakes and candy galore? Even as a grown girl, I certainly do!

how cute are the little peep birds with the robins eggs candies?

This is so christmasy and cozy. A tradition in my own family is to get a small gift at the diner table as well as one of those paper crowns in a party popper, and while the apothecary jars are fabulous in and of themselves, filling them with little gifts and goodies would be fun for guests.

some photos courtesy of totally tabletops