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

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: it'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

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 gown; Purple 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

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

Sonic Joy

Just bought tickets for this!



And this!



Sweet! Who wants to come?

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.