Friday, April 2, 2010

Inspiration: Take Me Out To The Ball Game


Just in time for the Red Sox to start their season, here's an inspiration board that looks to classic baseball for influence and imagines an afternoon wedding as a day out at the old ball game. In dusty shades of brown and tan, with a few touches of red and blue, it is a simple, relaxed style, and has a casual charm about it. I've included some really great groom and groomsmen details to round out the look-- cufflinks made from old maps of Boston, Fenway Park, and Lansdowne Street, Van sneakers emblazoned with the wedding date, custom made cigars, and personalized beer steins. Here at Beantown Bride we tend to show a lot of love for, well, Beantown Brides, but today we thought we'd focus a bit more on all the Beantown Grooms out there. And, lest we forget, I've included man's best friend, dressed up quite dapper for a wedding day. (I couldn't resist, as a certain adorable Boston Terrier is our mascot of sorts here at Beantown Bride.) Go Sox!

Clockwise from top left: "Take Me Out To The Ball Game" Concessions Tray by Rebecca Thus, Boston Terrier Wearing Vintage Bow Tie Print by Christine Edwards on Etsy, Boston Map/Fenway Park Cufflinks by dlk designs on Etsy, Groomsmen in Suspenders by Kyle Hale, Baseball Wedding Invitation by Byvik Ink letterpress on Etsy, Blue Boutonniere by Shyla Photography, Cigars with Custom Designed Bands by Boston Cigar Factory, Couple Under Parasol by Samuel Lippke, Vans Personalized with Wedding Date by Patricia Lyons, Bride and Groom Cake Toppers by Embellish My Wedding, Personalized Etched Glass Beer Stein by Personalization Mall 

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON APRIL 2, 2010

Thursday, April 1, 2010

write on

It is April. Already. Is it just me or is this year flying?

Spring in Boston thus far has been a mix of torrential rain and unseasonably warm weather. Thanks, global warming!

Indeed, April is the cruelest month, aaand with that in mind, it's also National Poetry Writing Month!

I've been feeling a little bit lost with my writing in recent weeks, or rather I should say, I find that hours I aim to spend doing creative writing at my computer have very easily been flitting away. When I spend a decent amount of my time, some of it for work, scouring the internet that is not at all difficult to do. I'm the kind of person who if there is text in front of me I need to read it. If there are pretty pictures in front of me I need to see them. So online that amounts to needing more, more, more and just falling farther and farther down the rabbit hole, and then hours pass until I reach information overload.

So. I have started again, wait for it... putting pen to paper. And writing in a journal. Nightly. As opposed to sporadically. In various journals and on scraps of paper. (I still do that too, which is totally fine though.) Which has led to all sorts of amazing developments. Like going to bed earlier. Reading even more. Checking in with my planner at the end of one day, planning the next, and being more productive overall. Wearing my retainer. (Yes, seriously, as it's home is on my night table by the aforementioned journal.) All of these things. I think when writing anything of length it is easier, for obvious reasons, to work at a computer. But it's such a good way to focus, and, well, to quiet the ever buzzing mind to unplug in this way. I find that to cut out some computer time helps me make better use of my time when actually behind the keyboard. And I've been feeling more motivated and inspired as a result. So I'll be doing the whole NaPoWriMo thing-- in the journal, not on here-- and hopefully come out of the month with some more good raw writing.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Yet again...

Yikes, I know, it's already the end of March, the last month has flown by so quickly, and so on and so forth. Does this sound like my last post? Rather than say once again, oh no, alas, I have not written, I will instead just write.

Should you care, here's a quick update: Over the last month I've been a busy little bee and had a lot of stuff happening. I left my job! That's right! I left my job! With only a vague plan for how to, you know, make a living! Bold, right? Seriously though, it's a good development, so it calls for a great big HOORAY! And now I trying my very darndest to do work that I really care for and enjoy, so we'll see how all of that goes! I've also spent a good amount of time organizing my very wee studio and archiving my writing. And organizing creative chaos can be quite a chore. I've been at work on some fancy lil' accoutrements, have launched my Etsy site (for real), and will be adding about half a dozen new items each week. Aaand I've been busy with writing and design work for Beantown Bride, and actually just had a lovely night out with all of the ladies who do work for the site-- it was splendid to meet the rest of the talented crew and put faces to names. So I've been, you know, just generally getting my creative life in order., which is what I aimed to do. Lots of good happenings, which obviously call for some blog celebration, aka lots of exclamation points!!!

So long story short, now that all of that has been taken care of, my writing will find a home here much more regularly. I promise! And you'll also see some fancy schmancy changes made to the blog's layout soon. (Blogger has new custom layout tool, which is awesome news and long overdue. Do you know this? You should know this!)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Time To Cook

Isn't it splendid when you try your darndest to remember where you found an amazing recipe, or article, or video, and then, voila, google helps you get there almost immediately? I've had a beautiful fresh bunch of dandelion greens sitting in the fridge for a few days, and in the back of my mind I knew that not too long ago I had stumbled upon an amazing recipe for greens and potatoes, googled as much, and sure enough it was a Minimalist recipe. I should have known. While not entirely Irish (it is an Italian recipe), it does amounts to green potatoes, so I'll argue that it's completely appropriate for St. Patrick's day, especially for this lil' mutt.

And so with the dandelion greens, some potatoes sitting in the back of the pantry that were starting to grow eyes, copious amounts of extra virgin olive oil, hearty homemade breadcrumbs, and gobs of garlic (this was my own addition, as my own Italian grandmother always makes delicious bitter greens in this fashion-- diced, cooked briefly in oil, and then threw the blanched greens in quickly before adding them to the potatoes), I whipped it all up in a jiffy. Needless to say they were delicious. And addictive. This will certainly become a new staple meal. Creamy potatoes, bitter greens, sweet oil, crunchy bread-- yum, yum, yum!

And, in case you're wondering, why yes, this was my first casserole as a newly married lady! (I know, quite a milestone.) It's worth noting that since leaving work about two weeks ago I've been cooking a lot more, and it's been such a wonderful thing. I adore cooking when I have the time to really enjoy the process and then linger over the finished product with good company. I often think of my mum when cooking, and when making this dish today I thought of her own mother, my Grammy Emily, who, when I would speak about or even vaguely reference doing anything a little outside of the box as far as career choices go, would worry, and say, "How will you feed yourself? How will you cook? How will you eat three good meals a day?" And so I couldn't help but think about how, even in these last few weeks, just a short while after having stepped away from a 9-5 desk job to try and focus on doing creative work that I care for, it's now that I find myself pouring over recipe books, standing over a stove in the early evening, and cooking delicious meals for myself and my husband. It's funny how things work out. But I think she would be happy. And I'm happy.

Aaand the casserole made a perfect meal before gearing up to see fairy sprite Joanna Newsom play her harp on campus tonight. Eeeee! Can't wait!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Inspiration: Graphic Nature


If I were to suggest that you use all things floral as the crux on which to base a wedding design, you may very well have nightmarish visions of all things stuffy and frou-frou-- the sort of style that's outdated and one that you'd certainly prefer to avoid. Don't fear my compatriots, there are a lot of modern florals are out there are anything but. They're playful, modern, and even fashion forward. And if you pick a flower that's graphic to begin with-- like poppies, used as the springboard for my inspiration here-- half of your work is done. Right off the bat you've got a color palette, suggested a mood, and have a signature image to use throughout your day. A little goes a long way, which will help to keep both fuss and spending to a minimum. The actual floral arrangements seen here certainly speak to this aesthetic: spare peonies in simple ceramic vases or a singe bold bloom wrapped in a dapper bow speak volumes and don't break the bank. And this high-impact look invites the chosen flower to show up in even more surprising places: in graphic prints in dress fabric, in repeated form on the invitation suite, and even in sculptural style thanks to the use of interesting materials, like paper, felt, and sugar seen in the decor hanging over tables, in adornments for hair, hand, and dress, and of course, in tiers of desert. And the shoes-- golly, hand painted and with floral clips-- don't forget the shoes! Overall it's a look that's modern and bold, fashionable and fun, and the palette of poppy red with touches of leaf green and pale yellow is incredibly contemporary-- certainly not for wallflowers!

clockwise from top left: 
Pippa Orange Poppy and Emerald Floral Necklace by Luxe Deluxe on Etsy; Invitation Suite by ExQuisiteInVitation on Etsy; Poppy Boutonniere from Once Wed; Oversized Felt Flower Brooch by Starz Selection in Etsy; Table Setting from Project Wedding; Rosette Fascinator by Giant Dwarf on Etsy; Poppy Fields Silk-Lined Clutch by ViaBella on Etsy; Red Bloom Muff of Fabulousness by Birdism on Etsy; Kate Spade Graphic Floral Print Dress from Real Simple; Maddie Floral Shoe Clips on Hand Painted Shoes by Chloe & Maddie on Etsy; Poppy Wedding Cake by Polka Dot Cookies and Cakes

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON MARCH 5, 2010

Friday, February 26, 2010

bright, shiny, new

Oh dear goodness, I haven't updated in ages! (Disclaimer: I think this post will amount to little more than a Dear Diary... so sorry that I haven't written... kind of entry... cue imaginary violins.) Life has been busy, busy, busy over the last month, but fortunately it's been full of a lot of new exciting happenings. I've got some fun new work ventures, well, in the works, some creative projects on the horizon, and will have a lot more free time on my hands going forward which I trust can only be good for the art-making. Mysterious, no? Rest assured I will be writing here more often and making this a home for a decent amount of my creative writing going forward. Organizing all of that is on my to-do list to as well. (Ha!) On that note, happy Friday! Tonight I'm off to celebrate the great wild yonder that is my future with a Paula Vogel play, some cheap Chinese food, my secret twin Carrie, and assuredly some drinks.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Inspiration: American Classic


When I think about the phrase "American classic" my mind can't help but wander to tried and true fashion, food, and music. Truth be told, this probably says a lot more about me than it does the term. Regardless, I think of Levi's worn until they're paper thin and Converse sneakers so well-loved they're tattered at the seams. A red and white gingham dress in a classic cut topped off with a bold shade of red lipstick. Apple pie, milk and cookies, and a heaping helping of comfort food. A great guitar that mellows with age and dancing with your sweet heart to old love songs on vinyl. Strung together they're something like an incantation for simple pleasures and simpler times, but when grouped in this fashion there's something really hip about their pairing. Both qualities of which are worth taking note of: you can easily build a beautiful day that's equal parts familiar and modern with items and that are near and dear to you. Rather coincidentally, this inspiration board came together in shades of red, white, and blue, with touches of greenery and shades of sepia to compliment. Because in addition to the triumvirate listed above, classic Americana also makes me think of landscapes full of sun and old photos brimming with smiles. Cool, casual, and a tad sentimental, it's a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll.

Clockwise from top left: Leaping Converse All-Stars via Santa Barbara Chic; Chenille-Dot Tulle Veil with Bow by Suzanne Couture Millinery at Martha Stewart Weddings; Table Setting via Snippet & Ink; Apple Pie via Martha Stewart; Guitar Shot by Katerine O.; Red and White Gingham Anqelique Dress by petapledger on Etsy; Just Married Sign by Modern Press via Kiss The Groom; Farmhouse Photo by Jasmine Star via J'adore Details; Cookies and Milk by Martha Stewart Weddings

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON FEBRUARY 19, 2010

Friday, February 12, 2010

Inspiration: (Hand)Made With Love


While many people bemoan Valentine's Day as nothing more than a commercial construction meant to take advantage of consumers (and certainly this view isn't without reason), I believe that the holiday at its most basic is a truly lovely one: a day for sending kind words of love to those we care for, be they sweethearts, family, or friends. Even when we first began dating, the hubby and I have always aimed to keep the day sweet and simple ourselves. While we don't use the occasion to spoil each other with big ticket items, we always manage to make the day special by carving out time to share a really great dinner and to gift each other with a penned poem or card, sometimes a mixtape, on at least one holiday when we lived apart a brown paper package covered in a cartoons drawn by yours truly, and, almost always, gobs of chocolate. (It should be noted that this last item is one that I'm always and forever, without any shame, glad to consume in either context of the word.) And as we continue to celebrate the holiday in this fashion, I've come to realize that the tradition is rather close to what I first knew of Valentine's day as a child. Then it was a day for crafting valentine's out of construction paper, doilies, and paste smeared with a popsicle stick, a day for penning juvenile verse and writing cards for family, friends, and classmates, a day for helping to make cookies in the shape of hearts and, again, eating gobs of chocolate. And really, I think the day at it's most ideal operates somewhere along those lines, as an occasion to give something made with love to those you care for. As a child my parents always told me that the best presents were those that were made by hand, and the older I get the more I believe this sentiment to be true. Truly, there's little better than getting something made just with you in mind, even if the gift is as simple as words on a page. Indeed, in an era when email is ubiquitous, when is the last time you were given a love letter you could hold in your hands? Could there be any more marvelous a gift? Inspired by this, I was moved to create an inspiration board that was a grownup version of the Valentine's Days I knew as a child and the ones that I now aim to create. And so it's full of items made with love, in various shades of red and blush. All of the items included contain handmade elements, be they the wax paper and crayon hearts hanging in a window (similar versions of which you may have made as a child- I know I did), the paper moon constructed for a sentimental wedding, or the hand worked flower detailing on both the dress and shoes. Handmade touches always lend a certain amount of warmth and charm to any look, but this is a style that manages to be chic and elegant at the same time. The frayed edges of fabric, the curving calligraphy, the envelopes sealed with string- these crafted elements all radiate a sort of perfect imperfection inherent in their design, which is, I think, a lot like love. Much love to you all, dear readers! Happy Valentine's Day!

Clockwise from top left: 
Handmade Envelopes by Martha Stewart; Hand Lettered St. Valentine's Day Menu by Cynthia Warren Design; Blume Printed Peep Toes Heels in Papaya Dots by J. Crew; Needle Felted Conversation Hearts by felt cafe; Dessy Bridesmaid Dress Style 2780 in Flame by The Dessy Group; Waxed Paper and Crayon Hearts by Martha Stewart; Paper Moon via Snippet & Ink; Rose Heart Centerpiece by Martha Stewart; Genova Brass Locket by Japonicas Boutique on Etsy

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON FEBRUARY 12, 2010

Friday, February 5, 2010

Inspiration: Sunny Disposition


Dear Winter, 
I don't wish to be harsh but I must confess... I think we need to take a break from this whole, you know, whatever it is that we have between us and spend some time apart. Please understand: i
t's not you, it's me. The cold hands, the wet socks, the dry skin... well actually, maybe it is you. But seriously, how soon until you pack up your bags and head south? 
(Far From) Affectionately Yours,
 
Pamela

While I adore the fact that living in New England means that I get to experience four distinctly beautiful seasons, I'm also the first to complain about the cold and lack of sunlight this time of year; both features of winter really do me in during these darker months. Fall, summer, spring- all of these seasons I'm glad to greet. But winter, along with all of it's chilly accouterments, falls at the bottom of my list of loves. As such, this inspiration board was born out of my need to inject a little sunshine into my aesthetic life! Yellow this bright makes quite the statement and even color therapy suggests the shade perks you up. That this would be a great look for spring or summer goes without question- it is fresh, bright, and incredibly peppy- but the addition of a few richer citrus hues makes for a style that could also easily work for fall. And, for all the same reasons, wouldn't it be a lovely way to fight off the winter blues if you're having a wedding while there's still a chill in the air? I know that I, for one, would love to walk into a wedding in the dead of winter that was this warm and cheerful. Good day, sunshine!


clockwise from top left: Just Married Personalized Sunshine Banner by Earmark on Etsy; Yellow Boutonnieres by Martha Stewart Weddings, Yellow Baroque Wedding Invitation by Peak A Boo Designs on Etsy; Light Catcher Earrings from Anthropologie; Polaroids via Snippet & Ink; Bride with Bridesmaids in Field via Green Wedding Shoes; Yellow Bouquet by Martha Stewart Weddings; Yellow Shoes Photo by Simply Bloom via Green Wedding Shoes, Couple with Floral Spectacles via Snippet & Ink

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010

Friday, January 29, 2010

Inspiration: Purple Reign


You probably already know that purple has long been used to denote royalty, but just for fun, here's a brief lesson in costume history. Tyrian purple, used by the Romans to dye and denote royal togas, was a pigment collected from tiny snails found in the Mediterranean and was considered a great luxury. Luxury indeed; purple does always seems to communicate an air of just that. It is a bold color choice and makes a regal statement any time of year. I happen to think that this sort of a look would be most appropriate for a winter wedding, and when paired with gold it becomes even more luxurious, bordering on opulent. Something about the combination feels incredibly rich and warm. But while it appears rather ornate don't let this look fool you- there's plenty of room to incorporate DIYs and save some major money. Because both colors make such a big impact, you can make a statement with just a few well chosen pieces. And to accent your tables with leaves painted gold in lieu of vases teeming with flowers, aside from being incredibly striking, would certainly save you a bundle, especially in the colder months when a lot of the flowers you might be coveting are not to be had locally. Which is money that, you know, you can use to spend on other little luxuries. Perhaps by treating yourself and your partner to some pre-wedding pampering or by spoiling your guests with a few well-chosen details that will make them feel like royalty. Forget playing princess in pastels at your wedding... long live the queen!

clockwise from top left: Golden Branches with Seating Cards by Martha Stewart Weddings; Northern Lights Dress by Njur Designs on Etsy; Victoria Star Bright Hair Comb by KD Design Studio on Etsy; Gothic Lolita Cameo Ring by Ghostlove Jewelry on Etsy; Purple Bouquet by Martha Stewart Weddings; Priscilla of Boston wedding gownPurple Fabric and Feather Bouquet by Jillians on Etsy; Golden Branch Centerpiece by Martha Stewart Weddings; Candle Arrangement from Elizabeth Anne Designs; Purple Letterpress Invitations by East Six

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON JANUARY 29, 2010

Friday, January 22, 2010

Inspiration: Parisian Pink


Oh, Paris... le sigh... le swoon... city of light, love, and unending aesthetic inspiration! Never having visited myself, it is on my ever-growing list of places to someday travel. My husband speaks a small amount of French, though as for myself the extent of my knowledge is almost exclusively limited to children's songs and a term of endearment that roughly translates to mean "my little cabbage." Romantic, no? Regardless of my common ways, Paris is a big pull for me... the art, the literature, the food, the fashion... it's all enough to inspire substantial allure. The hubby and I have been talking a lot about travel lately, and all the while we've been compiling a list of both domestic spots to travel in the next year and international places we dream of visiting father down the road. Paris belongs to the latter group, so until then I'll have to get my French fix through Proust, Godard, Parisian Vogue, and worldly friends who travel abroad. Rather recently, a friend who spent a long holiday in Paris gave me a striking deep pink scarf as a gift when she returned home. A classic piece in a surprising hue, the scarf has now become a wardrobe staple, and like any great accessory it seems to brighten up my most basic ensembles. As such, I thought a board in shades of deep, bright, and pale pink paired with smoky lavender would make for an utterly romantic day. It's sweet but not cloying. Lively and flirty, it makes no apologies for being utterly feminine. This look could work for a cocktail party that lingers well into the evening or even an afternoon fête. Either way, très magnifique!

Clockwise from top left: Eiffel Tower Photo via Trip Advisor; Pink Macaroons via NicNacManiac; Divine Deco Claudette Necklace by EMbridal on Etsy; Pink Bouquet by Martha Stewart Weddings; Boutonnieres by Martha Stewart Weddings; Daybed via Matters of Style; Tutu and Top Hat by Glamour via coco + kelley; Eiffel Tower Ring Box by Studio d. Sharp.

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON JANUARY 22, 2010

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Sonic Joy

Just bought tickets for this!



And this!



Sweet! Who wants to come?

Friday, January 8, 2010

Handmade in Boston

Golly! I just read on my love for you is a stampede of horses, a Boston-based art blog, that there is a screening of Handmade Nation: The Rise of DIY, Art, Craft and Design in the city on January 18th. Put it on your calendar! I will have to round up my crafty lady friends so that we can attend this together as a gaggle. Crafty ladies unite! Speaking of, I should host a 2nd Crafty Ladies Unite afternoon at the apartment sometime soon. I should mark both such things on my calendar.

If Looks Could Kill


How did I not know about this???
Mad Men has a fashion blog!
Oh! I die! It's great! Janie Bryant writes about the costume choices, fashion history, and, of course, there are oodles of lovely pictures. Costume and fashion history in popular culture! LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! I can barely stand to wait until the next season starts. Until then I will pour over this.

New Year! New Happenings!


Beantown Bride is now live- YAY!!! The screen shot above is from my first post, an inspiration board inspired by the new year. Also of note is the fact that at the bottom of the image is an ad for my Etsy shop! Most excellent! This weekend I'll be having a tres chic photo shoot for my Flutes & Fabric designs on Etsy so that it can be fully up and running. I'll also be tidying up this place up over the next few days and preparing it to, er, well, I guess be a bit more public than it is already. All good things! So if you're joining me from any of these other places, hello there!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

The Living Page










Just yesterday, over dinner and drinks (for me: a margarita, extra salt, for the boy: pumpkin beer), D and I were discussing dying magazines, newspapers, and the advent of blog culture.
I think the manner in which the Internet allows for new contributors to shimmy up to the table is a beautiful demonstration in democracy, and the fact that you can seek out anything and everything imaginable (differing points of views, new music, a new needle for my ancient Fisher Price record player), is incredibly empowering. Personally, I find myself increasingly turning to well-curated online sources over magazines. And when it comes to art and culture, stumbling down rabbit holes has been particularly beneficial for me, as I've found sites with aesthetics and outlooks that very much agree with my sensibility- a great joy indeed! This is especially the case since some of my favorites glossies bit the dust, Blueprint and Bust included. I do still get a few, ReadyMade, Vogue, and W are favorites, but then I stumble upon stunning, beautiful, images like these, and suddenly I'm convinced I need to pick up or subscribe to some of the international fashion magazines. Scratch the subscription idea... much to expensive...yikes. Wendy Bevan, whose gorgeous work is above, has done a lot of lovely shoots for Italian Marie Claire. These shots are from a shoot that is something of a swing era, beach-side, weekend-long party. I want an invite! (And there are even cheeky nude bathtub shots- reminds me of college- ah-ha!) And Tim Walker, who studied with Richard Avedon, has done work for Italian and British Vogue. While his images cannot be reproduced, rest assured they're amazing- they include baby elephants, balloons, oversized accessories, and exquisite composition. Both sites are a goldmine for stunning photography. And when it comes to such images, there is something to be said for real, tangible, glossy pages in front of you. Really, it's quite a way to showcase for stunning art and design.
But {shudder} don't even get me started on the topic of dying print in general. No, I am not ever getting a Kindle.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Dear Diary




Oh. Swoon. I love rabbit holes. I've somehow stumbled upon a beautiful blog, The Unicorn Diaries, the whole of which is something akin to poetry in website form. The author hasn't posted in a while, but everything that's there is beyond lovely. I've found myself repeatedly pouring through it over the last few days. Above is a book created by the author. Below another tiny treasure, a haunting video from the site. Love.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Small Joy: Happy Accidents

Today while at work I quickly lifted some papers off my desk, which somehow resulted in me clumsily knocking over my coffee thermos, which then rolled into my cell phone, which then tumbled off the edge of my desk and into my boot which was sitting on the floor below, the force of which caused the boot to fall over into my trash basket, out of which rolled a discarded apple core. It reminded me of this.

Monday, January 4, 2010

Rare Bird of Fashion






The Irreverent Iris Apfel exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum closes in almost a month! I must go soon! This is the sort of fabulous old lady I aim to someday be.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Inspiration: New Year


By now the countdown is long over, the confetti has since been swept up, and we should all be caught up on our lost sleep. But still, there's something about New Year's Eve that gives a girl great reason to wear ample sequins, statement jewelery, and fancy dancing shoes without apology. It's an occasion for counting down the minutes until you kiss your sweetie, thinking of the past, and looking to the future. And, while you're at it, add some bubbly, a bit of revelry, and several good friends to that list. So really, it already has all the makings of a fabulous wedding. And so to kick off the series, this inspiration board draws on all things fun about the holiday that is a herald of new beginnings. The design is celebratory, thoroughly modern, and a little bit irreverent, in shades of midnight black, platinum, and gold. 

clockwise from top left: 
Black and Silver Cupcakes by Crumbs and Doilies Cupcakes; Sequin Stripe Bubble Dress from Arden B.; Live What You Love Letterpress Print by Hijirik Studio on Etsy; Black Feather Fascinator by eeek.designs at Etsy; Polka Dot Room photographed by Tim Walker for Vogue Italia via Oh Joy!; Dorothy Gown by Vera Wang; Starry Champagne Glass from Anthopolgie;Starlight Friends Pave Star Ring by Marc for Marc Jacobs at Shop Bop; Reptilian Sheen Oxfords at Anthropologie


ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON JANUARY 2, 2010