Inspired By Plaid and Houndstooth - Our Favorite Prints for Fall!

The air is crisp, boots have been dusted off and the smell of pumpkin spice is everywhere.  Its fall and we are thoroughly enjoying all this season has to offer.  We are busy working on a fall inspired event and enjoying mixing warm colors, textures and patterns.  We've decided to incorporate plaid into this project and it has made us realize how much we are loving plaid at the moment!  We can't say too much yet, but we thought we'd share the inspiration board with you.  The concept is "Rich Fall Meets Warm Boho".  Our vision is rustic, elegant, bohemian, warm, cozy and indulgent.  This unexpected color palette (mustard... where have you been all our lives?!?) is stunning and so very "fall"!

We love plaid because it comes in so many colors and sizes and if done right can be oh so chic!  Another one of our favorite fall patterns is houndstooth.  Although it is classic and has been around for quite some time, it seems to be making a big comeback this fall.  It is everywhere - and for good reason!  It is simple yet bold, classic yet modern and equally appropriate on both men and women.  These two prints are the perfect addition to your holiday entertaining designs.  You can incorporate them in a big way or subtly - whatever suits your fancy.  Below are a few of our favorite ways to use plaid and houndstooth in both decor and at events.

We love these place settings.  The top setting's houndstooth napkin is the perfect touch and looks fantastic agains the tribal linen.  The lower setting's plaid placemat is holiday festive but in an understated elegant way.  We love it!

Photos courtesy of Glitter (houndstooth and tribal print) Everything Fabulous (plaid)

Plaid bridesmaid dresses are not common, but we think they are super cool.  We especially love the large plaid because it is so unexpected.  Consider wearing something like this to a holiday party this season.

Photos courtesy of Bride Power (single model) and Elizabeth Anne Designs (bride with bridesmaids)

We love the simplicity of the blue plaid napkin tied with an orange bow on the place setting.  Blue gingham is featured in the photo on the right.  Gingham is plaids adorable cousin.  Although typically more appropriate during spring and summer months.  We do however, feel the blue gingham paired with the orange cocktail makes for a very "fall" appropriate combination.

Photos courtesy of Ruffled (place setting) and (drink)

Oh houndstooth.  Isn't it lovely?!  The bow tie shown below is perfection and the favor bags couldn't be cuter.

Photos courtesy of Wedding Chicks (bow tie) and Ruffled (escort cards)

These invitations are so striking and unexpected.  Whether used for a wedding, holiday party or any other celebration, we'd love to get something like this in the mail!

Photo courtesy of Hey Wedding Lady (houndstooth) and Rustic Wedding Chic (plaid)

Lastly, we wanted to share with you a few chic ways to incorporate plaid and houndstooth in your own home holiday decor.  These would make great gifts as well!

Photos courtesy of William Sonoma (plaid plates) and Joss & Main (houndstooth pillows)

xoxo,

The Sterling Team

Star's Favorite Things: Spruce Up Your Tailgate!

The time has come to bid farewell to our bikinis and flip flops and replace them with scarves and boots.  Today marks the first day of fall and with fall comes football.  I'm not so much a fan of football, but I love a good tailgate!  Especially when it is filled with gourmet food options, unique beverages and adorable decor.  Football season is already in full swing so I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite tailgate pics.  They put a fun spin on traditional tailgate fare, and will make your tailgate unique and just a little bit chic! :)

1. 1. This ice chest will keep your drinks as cold as the basic plastic ones, its just so much cuter! -  Peterboro Basket Co. 
2. 2. Package napkins and utensils in these adorable little chevron paper bags.  Brown and white would be cute (the colors of a football) or use your team's colors! - Etsy shop Cherished Blessings 
3. 3. If you are not a beer drinker, you can still sip your wine in (unbreakable) style :) -  Pinterest 
4. 4. I'f you'll be barbecuing at your tailgate, I don't think any other grill will do.  This one is both adorable and functional! -  Strauss Inovation 
5. 5. My love affair with paper straws has not ended (see previous post).  They come in every color so it is easy to match them with your team colors. - Etsy shop The Simply Chic Shop 
6. 6. No tailgate is complete without Cornhole.  It quick to set up and can easily be played with a few drinks in you :)  Love this retro design! -  Gifts.com 
7. 7. Keep those brewskies cold with these cute personalized koozies. - Etsy shop Happy Thoughts Gifts 
8. 8. I love these football cupcake toppers!  They'd also look great topping pigs in a blanket, potato skins, or any other tailgate delight.  - Etsy shop Cute and Useful

Beer is generally the drink of choice at a tailgate so you want to make sure you have plenty of it on hand.  In addition to a variety of frosty bottles, consider mixing up a signature "beer cocktail" as well. Virtue Feed & Grain in Alexandria VA serves up this delicious beer cocktail.  Its a masculine cocktail with a touch of sweetness for the lovely ladies.  With the little bit of maple syrup, it is the perfect fall beverage!

Photo courtesy of Honest Cooking

Shock Me

1/4 cup brown ale beer

2 tbsp. bourbon

1 tsp. Southern Comfort

1 tsp. pure maple syrup

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. 

Gently stir for 10 seconds.  Strain into an Old Fashioned glass.  Makes 1 cocktail.

And for the perfect dessert - Blue Moon Cupcakes.  I shared this recipe last year, but I thought I'd mention it again because it is so delicious and perfect for a tailgate!  Click here for the recipe.

Lastly, I wanted to share the little surprise I made for my hubby on the night of his favorite team's (the San Diego Chargers) first game.  Inside was a new Chargers T-shirt.  He loved the gift and appreciated that although I am not into football, I still understand how excited he is that the season has started :)  Consider wrapping up a T-shrit or jersey for that football loving honey before a big game!

Happy tailgating!!

-Star

Color Trends Part One - Inspired by Emerald

We can't believe we've made it more than half way through the year without paying tribute to the Pantone color of the year (better late than never, right?!).  This year's color is edgy, luxurious, and unexpected!  For those of you unfamiliar with Pantone, it is the world-renowned authority on color across various industries.  Every year Pantone names a color of the year.  The process of choosing a color is a lengthy one as Pantone combs industries throughout the world (entertainment, travel, art, technology, fashion, decor, beauty, etc.) searching for inspiration and influence.

Emerald is the 2013 Pantone color of the year and for good reason.  According to Pantone.com, it is "Lively.  Radiant.  Lush... A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony."  The color Emerald can be seen throughout history and it continues to sparkle and fascinate.  "Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today's complex world.  This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors." (Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute).

This stunning color was our inspiration for the tabletop we produced for the Girari Sustainable Event Furnishings' tabletop design event at the Peterson Automotive Museum in Los Angeles last spring.  The entire look was placed inside a clear bubble structure from Casa Bubble.  For more information on this event, click here.

Our tabletop was described as "Edgy Emerald" when it was published in a recent issue of South Asian Bride Magazine 

Photos courtesy of Christopher Todd Studios

We are in love with this color because it oozes elegance and glamour (how could we forget Angelina Jolie's earrings at the 2009 Oscars?!); however, it can also be very earthy and sensual.  Its gorgeous for Fall!  This bold jewel tone exudes confidence and is so fresh and a bit unexpected at a wedding, which makes it so interesting!  Below are some of our favorite ways to incorporate emerald into a special event.

A bold color like emerald can quickly become overwhelming if overused.  This table is a beautiful example of how using just a bit of emerald can make a big statement and really showcase the color.  Emerald and metallic look stunning together and are a natural combination.  We like how the emerald is sprinkled in with blush pink, gold and ivory.

Photo courtesy of Sugar Branch Events

If you are not ready to commit to such a bold color, consider adding splashes of the color here and there.

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Adding emerald through accessories is a way to incorporate the color into your big day.  These emerald shoes are adorable!

Photo courtesy of Ruffled Blog

This dainty little bracelet would add a splash of emerald to your wedding day ensemble.  It would be gorgeous for Bridesmaids as well!

Photo courtesy of Jewel Sugar

And ofcourse, the most perfect pair of emerald earrings...

Photo Courtesy of Hollywood Makeup

We've enjoyed paying tribute to the Pantone color of the year and can't wait to share some of our color predictions for 2014 in our next post, "Color Trends Part Two".  Keep an eye out for it!

Featured Wedding: Myesha and Craig at Cafe Pinot

Myesha and Craig met four years ago while working on the Obama campaign. They are a smart and sophisticated power couple but they also know how to have a good time! Myesha envisioned a clean, simple and modern wedding with pops of fall colors. She decided on an orange and gray color pallet which was the perfect choice for their September 29th wedding at Cafe Pinot!  Located in the heart of Downtown LA, across from the famous Los Angeles Public Library, Cafe Pinot was the perfect backdrop for this modern couple's nuptials to take place.  Adrienne Gunde did a stellar job documenting all of the wedding day details!

Myesha's gorgeous Watters gown was oh so chic and had ruffles in all the right places.  Her shoes were simply stunning and PERFECT!  We've featured them a few days ago via a Shoe Shot Sundays post!

Myesha and Craig's love for one another is quickly apparent to anyone who sees them together. They had such a heartfelt and even tearful first look - It is clear they were meant to spend their lives together. 

 

The Bride and Groom prepared for their big day at the Millennium Biltmore in Los Angeles which happens to be a few short blocks from their venue and one of our favorite getting ready locations. After their First Look, Myesha and Craig, along with their Bridal Party, headed to Cafe Pinot for their ceremony.  

I just loved Craig's light gray suit which was highlighted by his Groomsmen's charcoal gray suits!

Myesha's Bridesmaid's Jim Hjelm dresses were a stunning shade of charcoal - her "Bridesman" also looked quite handsome in a matching charcoal suit!

The Happy Couple moments before their ceremony.

We love the design of the rose petals on the isle, Inna with Butterfly Floral Design went above and beyond for the happy couple and we were so grateful. 

As we mentioned, this couple knows how to have fun! Myesha is Jamacian so they decided to tie their escort cards to mini bottles of Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum which allowed them to use them as favors. 

Together, Butterfly Floral Design and Designer Specialty Linens did a beautiful job of making the Bride and Groom's color palette of orange and slate come alive! The shantung linens in various shades of gray achieved Myesha's request for modern elegance while the bright florals added the perfect pop of color.  The design elements were so sleek and modern and so... them!  The paper lanterns strung over the dance floor were a great touch and looked amazing at night!  We can't thank Brad with Stagelabs enough for the amazing lighting contribution he added to this special day.  It sparkled to perfection!

Guests danced the night away to a variety of romantic tunes, popular dance music, sprinkled with a bit of Jamaican reggae.

Alex fell in love with these stairs and begged Adrienne to grab a quick shoe shot here... How fun are the different languages!

All in all it was a beyond successful day and we were so grateful to be a part of it.  Congratulations Myesha and Craig!!

Wedding Production Team Love 
Accommodations: Millennium Biltmore, Los Angeles
Bridesmaid Gowns: Jim Hjelm
Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Ceremony Music: Pacific Coast Strings  
DJ: Rich Sanders aka DJ Richy Rich
Event Design and Production: Sterling Engagements
Favors: Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum 
Floral Design: Butterfly Floral Design
Hair: Andrea Pezzillo
Lighting: Stage Labs
Linens: Designer Specialty Linens
Makeup Team: Fiore Beauty
Officiant:  A Ceremony of the Heart
Photography: Adrienne Gunde Photography 
Photo Booth: Snap Shotz Photobooth Rentals 
Rentals: Chivari Chair Rentals
Venue and Catering: Cafe Pinot
Videographer: New Classic Wedding Films
Wedding Gown: Watters
Wedding Invitations: Paperee

Star's Favorite Things: Halloween Fun!

Happy Halloween!  We celebrated Halloween this past weekend by hosting a casual get together in our home.  It featured yummy festive and fall inspired treats and lots of DIY decor.  Below are a few photos of some of the fun elements.  All photos were taken by the talented Christine Collins of Collins Clan Photography! 

I made a ghost out of cheesecloth and fabric stiffener. This was an easy craft and extremely inexpensive! Thank you Pinterest and the Everyday is a Crafting Day blog for the idea! 

A few years ago I purchased a couple cases of mason jars from my local grocery store and use them all the time!  They make great vases, candle holders and of course, beverage glasses!  I tie ribbon, tulle or raffia around the top in various colors depending on the occasion, and I end up with a decor element that appears to be tailor made for the event at hand.  As you know, I love paper straws (as you can see from my previous post) and utilized black and orange ones for the beverages which were served in mason jars tied with black tulle.  This was super quick, inexpensive and so much more fun than plastic cups! 

A friend of ours brought over the adorable carved pumpkin.  Love the simple yet creative little face on it!
 

Lots of delicious snacks and goodies were served... below are some of my favorites! I've been making the chocolate dipped apricots for a while now and they are super easy. Simply dip dried apricots in melted chocolate until they are halfway covered, lay on parchment paper and top with a whole almond before the chocolate dries. Simple and delicious and very Halloweenie!

We served carrots and ranch in little shot glasses which made for perfect little portions.

The marshmallow people were hand dipped in food coloring then in chocolate and finished off with little chocolate eyes. This was so fun, I know I'll be making them again in the future and I'll definitely share the DIY tutorial with you. Stay tuned!

Cheetos were served in little paper cones and I glued googalie eyes to them to add a little fun!

Because in my opinion, you can't have a party without cake, chocolate cupcakes were served alongside delicious caramel apples slices (which I happen to think are the perfect Halloween treat)!

This is our our little man's first Halloween and we've had so much fun introducing him to all that this holiday has to offer! We even stuck him in a pumpkin for a quick photo. He wasn't too sure what to do so he just started gnawing on the side!   

Happy Halloween from the Sterling Team!

XOXO,

Star

Featured Wedding: Amanda and Luis

Amanda and Luis were married in November of 2008 at the Westlake Village Inn in Westlake, CA. Their ceremony was at Agoura Bible Fellowship in Agoura Hills, CA. Amanda wanted fall colors for her color scheme and since it was November the season itself was a perfect backdrop for this beautiful wedding.

Flowers: Flowers by Stacey Martin
Photography: Chris Schmitt Photographers
Videographer: Charles Lauren Films
Entertainment: Mike Brandt, LA DJ Exchange
Cake: Jill's Cake Creations
Linens: LA Event and Design
Lighting: Romance Lighting
First Dance: Angel by Jack Johnson
Honeymoon: Tahiti and Bora Bora


























For their placecards, we constructed a beautiful manzanita tree filled with clusters of flowers and surreounded by candles. Instead of using stickers or colors to notify the catering department which entree choice their guests chose, we decided to use Autumn leaves to compliment the overall theme of the evening.

For favors, Amanda purchased boxes with ribbon and filled them with handmade truffles. They were the talk of the evening and guests could not get enough of them.










Since Luis loves Funfetti Cake, Amanda chose to surprise him and have one of their layers be Funfetti, filled with rainbow sprinkles and yummy frosting.

Check out this awesome reel that Kelsey and David from Charles Lauren Films sent us too!