Once Upon a Time in Mexico

My boss has been on her honeymoon in Mexico since Monday. I've thought of her often this week as I slave away without her in the frigid Arlington cityscape... And decided that it would be awesome to have a Mexican themed wedding, perhaps even taking place in Mexico.

This image of Frida Kahlo inspired the board below—gold and crimson—and it's a stunning portrait of the famed Mexican artist.



Ruffled capelet from Kate Towers; dress by Alfred Angelo; groomsman image from Wedding Tactics; vintage gold earrings from Cayuse; crimson bride bouquet image from Beginning2End; Aztec wedding cake image from Great Wedding Cakes; gold "Bretelle" sandal by Christian Louboutin; bridesmaid dress and shawl from Bill Levkoff; rosary made by Rosebud Rosaries; San Antonio mission shot by Walt Hubis; mariachi photo by throughsarahseyes; Guatemalan Wedding Dress bag made by Stacy Leigh; gold flake martini from Trendhunter.

Chalkboard Love

How cute is this? Not only good for weddings, you could use a chalkboard for fun at class reunions, kids' birthday parties... the possibilities are endless. I wish I could have one for our Super Bowl party next week... Hmmm.... :)


Via Once Wed

My Birthday Party

Unfortunately, between the holidays and the apathy/lethargy that accompanies them, I haven't been as diligent with my posts as I maybe should be. This is me acknowledging that the holidays are over and it's back to reality. *sigh* Anyway...

Tomorrow is my birthday! I'm not having a party, but if I was, there are several key elements that I'd like to incorporate:

• Karaoke. I've always wanted to try it, but have been too shy every time. What better place than a room full of friends for your first time singing in public? After all, these are the people who will remember and taunt you with the memories for the rest of your life.
• Red velvet cake. By far the greatest type of cake there is. When it's bad, it's horrible—but when it's good it's great. And if it could be in the shape of an armadillo with gray icing and all, it would be literally the best birthday cake EVER. (Armadillo from the INCREDIBLE DebbieDoesCakes in Oakland!)
• Asian-inspired elements. I especially would love to have Pad Thai (no forks allowed!) and I'd get some awesome henna on my hands and feet—I've always wanted it but never had a reason to get it. Do you even need a reason??
• Of course I'd want my bestest friends there—people make the party for me. I don't really need anything else!
  

A Kid's Christmas Birthday Party OR How the Gingerbread House Transcends Christmas

I'm not sure how many kids actually have their birthdays on Christmas, but I can tell you from experience that having a birthday anywhere within the 2 weeks before and after means that you get ripped off with the whole presents and party deal. I think this means that you have to try extra hard to make the birthday special amidst all of the other excitement going on.

After reading YogaMum's account of making gingerbread houses with her kids, I thought yes, it sounds like a mess, but I often make just as much of a mess by myself... and how much fun did those kids have?? So I think especially around Christmas making gingerbread houses at a birthday party would be awesome. (Probably splitting kids into groups of 3 or 4 and having an adult at each house would help with the damage control and sharing issues. Recruit some friends to drink some nog and eat some candy with you!)

When I was a kid our family had a collection of cast iron molds for cookies and cornbread and a gingerbread house mold like this one. It was pretty great because it had trees and other accessories besides just house walls and roof. From what I hear, you can also buy one-time kits at Trader Joe's and Ikea. Also, if you're super talented, you could just roll out some dough and design your own house from scratch. I'd suggest this if you are an engineer, an artist, an architect, or anything but a perfectionist. :)

Suggested toppings: anything really, but red hots, gumdrops, mini candy canes, peppermints, sprinkles of all colors, etc. are the common adornments. To truly make this party a birthday party and not just a Christmas party, I'd suggest adding some food coloring to the royal icing to make different color options and branching out from the traditional candy to include tootsie rolls, Nerds, that candy that's shaped like fruit—what's that one called??—anything to make it more fun and more just a big candyfest instead of Christmas:

Reflex Blue Wedding

I love reflex blue!!! It's a color in a standardized matching system (PMS) that printers all over the world use—I have a PMS swatchbook, and it's such good inspiration for finding just the right shade. Anytime I'm out and see something this shade, I am immediately drawn to it. To me, reflex blue is bold, powerful, and strong; its counterbalance would be a bright yellow. If these colors were used somewhat sparingly with mostly neutral surroundings, a modern minimalist wedding would emerge. My inspiration board:

From top, l to r: Gorgeous bridesmaid dress from Nordstrom; simple but elegant cake from the Knot (I love the brooch-like accents!); tie by Krisar; beautiful yellow bouquet featured by Olde Town Florist Weddings; Top of the Town in Arlington; Beaded purse and heels from Asos; blue bouquet seen on Something Blue; gorgeous submerged yellow flowers from a real wedding on the Knot; a fun arrangement with willow branches seen on Project Wedding; vintage glasses from my personal collection :)

I haven't been to Top of the Town yet, but I think their view is so impressive that it almost doesn't matter what the inside looks like! I want to go sometime to soak up the view and try the food... ah, research is so grueling! :)

Dead Flowers?

No... dried flowers. Big difference!

It's hard to think of non-floral fall centerpieces that don't include pumpkins. Nothing wrong with pumpkins, this bride just didn't want to include them for her October wedding! This is what we came up with for her rustic wedding in the woods:

These centerpieces were made from different dried botanicals, including wheat and lavender, with pheasant feathers and cattails. Anchored by small river rocks in Mason jars and tied with twine, they were surrounded by larger river rocks and simple votive candles.

On the other half of the tables, we used store-bought wreaths of fat grasses and placed hurricanes with tall pillars in the middle. The pillars were anchored by—guess what?—lentils. Why buy craft sand when you can buy lentils for 89¢ per 16 oz. bag? :) Plus, it just added to the outdoorsy feel of the decor.

All photos by the fabulous Rachel Naft!

Skiing Anyone?

Inspired by this weekend's ski trip, I thought it would be fun to imagine a skiing-themed wedding. Enjoy!

What a fun groom's cake—"Another One Bites the Dust" via SkimbacoLifestyle.com

I love the incorporation of the mini pine cones in this bouquet via Captured Soul's Flickr spot.

Gardenia centerpieces via Red Envelope (obviously would not buy them all from here!) Gardenias smell so great, but would be bad for anyone with sensitive noses or allergies.

How adorable?!! I wonder if you got all bundled up you could pull this off in the winter too?? Photo by Kari Douma by way of Awesome Photographs

So unique and personalized! From WeddingCakeToppersIdeas.com

I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything about this dress from Love by Enzoani. The color, the draping, the embellishments... Photo from The Knot.

By Pattern

I came across this great site tonight: ReproDepot. So many great ideas if you are looking for a party theme to tie things together. It could be an all-out theme (I think an Alice in Wonderland party would be so fun!) or just a few details to make the event flow and make everything mesh.

This bold pattern really caught my eye—I love the combination of a really bold architectural frame with the soft freeform of botanical elements—so mod but still fun. Everyone loves a black and white party; it's a theme but people don't have to look "dorky" to participate.

I picture this vase with bright yellow roses as centerpieces and using the fabric as placemats at a white table with black chairs, bright yellow plates (like Fiestaware or something equally chunky), and some really great black and white drinks: Black or White russian, Blackout, Piña Colada, Cement Mixer (recipe from a vast source), and Guinness beer (close enough!). Additional yellow accents here and there would add that necessary kick of color.

Playlist:
Pearl Jam—Black • Jefferson Airplane—White Rabbit (so awesome and fitting with the modness!) • AC/DC—Back in Black • The White Stripes • My Chemical Romance—The Black Parade • Barry White • Amy Winehouse—Back to Black • Cream—White Room • Black Velvet • Black Crowes • Velvet Underground—White Light/White Heat • Procol Harum (or Elliot Yamin)—Whiter Shade of Pale • Plain White Tees (they have better stuff than just "Delilah") • Black Eyed Peas • Black Flag • Dido—White Flag • Blaque • The Black Keys • Vanessa Carlton—White Houses • Michael Jackson—Black or White (oh yeah, I went there!)

P.S. Someone pleeeease give me a reason to use this fabric/theme (Lea???):