Shot Shot Sunday: Lindsay and Chris

I'm a secret lush for a super fun, charming wedding.  Lindsay and Chris' is exactly that and I'm so excited to share some super lighthearted, funky and of course fun shots with you. This wedding was featured originally on Style Me Pretty New York and was captured by the talented team of Art Beauty Life:  Jenny Ebert Photography.

I have to admit,  I'm a sucker for Converse on the wedding day for the men but add some fun socks in the mix and then you'll have me swooning! 

All photos courtesy of Art Beauty Life:  Jenny Ebert Photography

DIY With Star: Perfectly Pink Coffee Filter Peonies

Oh peonies, how I love thee (as you can tell by my previous post "Perfect Peonies")!!  Unfortunately, peonies are only readily available for a few short months every year and since peony season is coming to an end I thought I would make my own version of this beautiful flower.  I still find it amazing that I was able to create a peony look alike out of coffee filters and I love that I can now have peonies around my house year round!

These coffee filter ponies fill a vase in my kitchen bay window when I don't have live flowers to display.  I prefer to have fresh flowers around the house, but these make a great substitution when I haven't had a chance to pick up a fresh bunch.  They are quite simple to make, so come on, give them a shot...

1. Supplies: 

• -About 10 coffee filters per flower (give or take depending on how full you would like your flower to be).
• -A glue gun (or other type of glue)
• -Scissors
• -Floral wire
• -A bowl with one drop of red food coloring (you can use more than one drop if you want a darker pink; I however, prefer the super light blush pink)

2.  Trim the coffee filters.  I cut off about an inch.  This step can be skipped if you want very large flowers.

3. Fold coffee filters in half.

4. Continue folding the filters in half until you reach the size shown in the image.

5. Snip the corners to create a rounded top.

6. Unfold the filters and you will have a flower shape.  Complete the above steps with all filters.

7. Gather each filter by the center with the center point facing up.  

8. Dip the edges of the filter in the pink water.  Only hold it in there for a second or two.  The colored water will begin to seep up toward the center.  

NOTE: You can gather all of the filters together to complete these steps; however, if the are all dipped together, it can be difficult to separate them.

9. Let the filters dry by laying them out individually.  Cut a piece of floral wire and poke it through the center of one of the filters.

10. Fold a bit of the end to keep the flower in place, and apply a dab of glue.  

11. Before the glue dries completely, pinch the bottom of the flower.

12. Continue to thread individual filters toward the center flower, pinching and twisting a bit a the base of each one.  

13. Once all of the filters have been threaded, wrap the wire around the base of the flower a few times to secure it.

14. Fluff the flower until you are happy with its shape.  At this point, you can wrap the base and wire with floral tape to polish off the look.

NOTE: I do realize that the flowers appear white in the below photos.  Apparently my camera wasn't able to capture the beautiful blush color.  My apologies.

And that's it!  

I think these coffee filter peonies are just lovely and can almost be mistaken for real peonies when placed in a vase.  

These coffee filter peonies would be beautiful bunched together to make a DIY bouquet for the bride and/or her bridesmaids.  They would also be lovely in an arrangement, placed on tables as a centerpiece, sitting on atop each place setting, or attached to chairs for a pop of color and a bit of romance.  You can truly do so much with these little beauties.  They can be fluffed and re-fluffed without any damage being done, and since they are on wire and easy to maneuver, coffee filter peonies are incredibly easy to work.  The best part is they are non-perishable so they can be made in advance!  

These flowers may seem tedious to make; however, once they are dyed and dried, the assembly process is super fast.  Set up an assembly line and get your bridesmaids together for a peony making party!

I attached one of my coffee filter peonies to a white gift bag to dress up a birthday present for a friend. 

Happy crafting!!

-Star

Star's Inspirations: Unconventional Guest Books

Weddings are often filled with traditions, many of which make the event memorable for the Bride and Groom as well as their guests.  I love tradition, especially at weddings, but I also think it can be fun to add a little twist to an old idea.  Unconventional guest books are a great way to add a bit of excitement to this wedding staple.  An unexpected guest book not only adds something creative to your big day, it leaves you and your hubby with a unique and sentimental treasure you can cherish forever.  There are many wonderful ways a Bride and Groom can ask guests to leave them a special message on their wedding day.  Below are some of my favorites...

Have a custom puzzle with a picture of you and your fiance made.  Ask each guest to choose a piece and write you a message on the back.

Photo courtesy of Etsy Shop: Memory Lane Puzzles

Ask guests to leave you a message on a Jenga block.  This would be fun to play every anniversary!

Photo courtesy of Oh! Weddings

Create a custom "Guest Lib" with things about you and your fiance and ask each guest to complete it. After the wedding, the "Guest Libs" can be complied into a funny little guest book.  Your guests will have a lot of fun with this one!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Set up a recording station for guests to leave you a video message.  You can either hire someone like The Guestbox or designate someone to do the recording for you. Or you can even set up a DIY station with directions for your guests.  After the wedding, combine all of the clips into a slide show.  You can even include music and text (if you are good at that sort of thing :)

Photo courtesy of Love & Lobster

This is one of the most unique ideas, and possibly my favorite!  Have a dictionary (maybe a beautiful vintage one) and ask quests to choose a word that best describes you as a couple, circle it and write their message.  Then ask them to tag their word so you know where to find it.  This would be an awesome coffee table book after the wedding!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Ask guests to sign a sentimental object (if it is hand made by a loved one, even better!).  It can be a bench, a large rock, a chair, a storage chest, a frame... the possibilities are endless!  After the wedding you can display the signed object in your home or garden.

Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty

Now this may not count as an actual "unconventional guest book" since it is quite popular but I've decided to include it since it is still considered outside the norm of the basic guest book of the past.  Have a book complied of your engagement pictures made by your photographers and ask guests to leave you a message in it.  It is a nice keepsake and it gives your guests a chance to view your engagement pictures.  Today, this may now even be considered an oldie, but still a goodie and one of the most popular!

Photo courtesy of Wedding Photography Design

As you can see, there are many creative and unconventional ways to collect messages from your guests on your wedding day.  Please let us know if you've come across any other unique "guests books" at weddings you've attended by commenting below.  

Best,

Star

Shoe Shot Sunday: Amazing Shoe Shot!

Sometimes a picture is worth 1000 words as you so often hear and today's shoe shot is no exception.  I came across this photo on Style Me Pretty this morning and my search for my favorite shoe shot immediately concluded because I just love this photo so much. 

 Photo courtesy of Justin and Mary Photography via Style Me Pretty

Often times you'll see this Shoe Shot series post an assortment of photos of the same shoe because it's the shoe I'm after mainly... but this week, we're making an exception for a stunning shot and shoe too of course!  

Happy Feet!   

Inspired by Lavender!

Aloha from Hawaii!  After an incredibly successful Spring and Summer season, the bulk of our busy season has calmed this week allowing me to take a quick breather in Maui.  So grateful for a little much needed rest and relaxation and of course beautiful inspiration too!

Earlier this week, very early in the morning we traveled to the Haleakala National Park to watch the sunrise and then headed to an amazing breakfast at Kula Lodge.  If you plan to travel to Maui anytime soon, I highly suggest this experience... it was incredible!  You can also bike down the park which I've heard from others is pretty epic as well.

Anyway, following our delicious breakfast I begged for a detour to the Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm and it was just stunning.  I felt ever so inspired by this magical place so today's post is dedicated to all things Lavender!

I had to start with this beautiful photo of the actual farm we visited.  I was thrilled to learn that they can accommodate intimate weddings onsite under the gazebo seen in this photo. Wouldn't this be the perfect destination for your Maui wedding followed by a fun reception at the beach...

Photo courtesy of Hawaii FYI

Love this shot.  How sweet is the draped tulle with the mini pots of lavender?  I'm also swooning over this bicycle!  What a perfect backdrop for a bride and groom or even a couple flower girls with ring bearers. 

 Photo courtesy of Pinterest

I also love this place vintage place setting!  The lace placemat over the lilac colored linen with that country plate and the lavender sprigs just take it over the top for me.  Not to mention the super sweet paper flower with the personalized copper name!

Photo courtesy of Heart Love Weddings

Not to mention this blush peach signature cocktail with the lavender sprigs!  I adore the texture the sprigs add and the way these colors compliment each other.

 Photo courtesy of Indulgy

 These bouquets must have the most relaxing and delicious scent.  I bet you'd like to have the aisle seat as these maids walk down it! 

  Photo courtesy of All Things Lavender

The perfect quaint country wedding couldn't be complimented without something extra sweet too right?  How about this lovely lavender inspired Croquembouche?  Pretty sweet right!

Photo courtesy of Swoon

Love this look for a lounge grouping, long belly bar cocktail table or even kings tables as part of a cluster that sweeps down the middle of the table.  The lavender and wheat grass combo is so natural and graceful.   

Photo courtesy of She's Not The Marrying Kind

Very tiny but lovely escort cards with a little goodness tied in.  Love these little ones and I'm sure they smell amazing too!

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Such a perfect bouquet for that rustic wedding at a winery or just outdoors period.  I can see this in the garden, in a field, even at the right destination like Santa Barbara.  So beautiful and so soothing by scent if you can imagine...  

Photo courtesy of Bouquet Bridal

Isn't this just the sweetest of bouts?  I love how delicate it looks but at the same time somewhat complex in texture and neutral with color.  

Photo courtesy of Snippet and Ink

By far one of my favorite photos in the bunch.  Not just for my love for bows but also the texture, the color and again the beautiful aroma this would welcome your guests with!

 Photo courtesy of Etsy

Lavender is also one of the "it" flavors currently in the dessert world.  You'll find it paired with vanilla or a butter cake, with blueberries, honey and even some with chocolate! 

Photo courtesy of Wedding Decor 

I love this!  It can be just the perfect reminder of your inspired by lavender wedding day by giving them a sweet satchel to remember it by.  

Photo courtesy of GCDSpa

Hope these lovely images and ideas inspire you like the fields did for me in lovely Maui.  It's paradise out there but weaving a little lavender in your day is something you can do locally or for your destination wedding anywhere around the world. 

Star's Favorite Things: Perfect Peonies

The Peony is without a doubt my favorite flower!  With their full and fluffy rounded bloom, peonies ooze romance.  They are sweet, elegant, sophisticated, and oh so versatile.  Peonies are the perfect flower for a intimate garden wedding, yet are equally as lovely showcased at a large glitzy affair.  According to The Flower Expert, peonies symbolize "a happy life, happy marriage, good health and prosperity."  That being said, I can't think of a more perfect wedding flower!  I prefer the gorgeous simplicity of peonies bunched together; however, they also look beautiful when combined with other flowers.  

Drew Barrymore recently used a variety of colorful peonies in her bridal bouquet for her June wedding in Montecito. 

Photo courtesy of People Magazine

Here are some other bridal bouquets bursting with perfect peonies

Photo courtesy of Plants World

Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Anne Designs

Photo courtesy of LI Weddings

Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty

Photo courtesy of Wedding Bee

Photo courtesy of One Wed

Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Photo courtesy of Arabia Weddings

And for the Groom...

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

I love these centerpieces showcasing gorgeous peonies too!

Photo courtesy of The Posh Event

Photo courtesy of Glendalough Manor Bride

Photo courtesy of Bridge Water Gardens

Photo courtesy of Fiance 2 Wife

I love the simplicity of a single peony adorning this wedding cake, it is just gorgeous.  I also love the ribbon background... I love ribbons in general.  Check out my previous blog post "Smitten with Ribbons" for more ribbon love!

Photo courtesy of Green Wedding Shoes  

As you can see, I'm in peony love and am thrilled they are more accessible than ever.  They seem to be everywhere from grocery stores, to farmer's markets, to road side flower stands so you can enjoy them not just at your wedding or special event but also in your kitchen window.  I love every color, but if I had to choose, I think light pink peonies would have to be my favorite!  Check out the beautiful bunch I just picked up from my local grocer.  Simply perfect!

Always,

Star

Sneak Peek: Mirella + Scott Say I Do at Vibiana

Mirella and Scott were married at Vibiana on a lovely Friday in April.  We were so honored to be a part of their day as they are just the sweetest of couples and so so in love. 

With an awesome team that included favorites like Room Forty, Peony and Plum, Ryan Phillips Photography and Designer Specialty Linens... We knew this wedding would translate perfectly on film with all the extra special love that was put into the planning of it.

Here's a sneak peek from Rustic Red Studios

Star's Favorite Sweets: Blue Moon Cupcakes

The weather is warming up, summer is in full bloom and BBQ season calls for fun recipes!  I'm not normally a beer drinker but I really enjoy a cold Blue Moon this time of year.  When I came across this recipe for Blue Moon Cupcakes on Pinterest, I knew I had to try it!  These little cakes are exactly what they sound like: yummy cupcakes that look and taste like delicious Blue Moon Belgian Ale. The cake has a slight citrus flavor and you can taste a hint of the wheat in the background from the beer.  The frosting is absolutely delicious!  It is light and fluffy, just like the foam on top of the beer.  The frosting truly is my favorite part of the cupcake and I plan to use it for many various types of cupcakes in the future.  This is such a fun recipe - I just had to share it with you!  

I have now taken these cupcakes to a few different events and they are always a crowd pleaser.  They are a great treat to whip up for summer time events and I can guarantee that the men in your life will be in awe!  Make sure you bring along some beers (Blue Moons, of course) to complete the experience!

Isn't this a beautiful cupcake?!  It just begs to be eaten... and washed down with a cold Blue Moon!

 

Blue Moon Cupcakes

3/4 c unsalted butter, softened

1 3/4 c sugar

2 1/2 c flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla

2 drops red food coloring

10 drops yellow food coloring

1/2 tsp orange zest

1 c Blue Moon beer

1/4 c milk

Frothy White Frosting [recipe follows]

small orange slices, for garnish

Directions:
1. Line 24 cupcake trays with liners. [Use white liners if you can, they become translucent during baking and really sell the mini Blue Moon image]. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking power and salt.
2. In a large bowl beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar a little bit at a time, beating well. Once it's all added beat for 2 more minutes.
3. Add eggs, beating after each.
4. Add vanilla, food coloring and orange zest and beat.
5. Mix beer and milk in a measuring cup. Alternatively add beer / milk mixture and flour mixture to butter mixture in the large bowl, beating after each. End on the flour mixture.
6. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full. Bake for 18 minutes at 375 degrees F until cupcakes are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
7. Once cool, frost each cupcake with a generous amount of frosting. Just before serving, garnish each with a small orange slice.

Frothy White Frosting

2 egg whites, room temperature

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp orange juice

1 c sugar

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1/3 c water

Directions:
1. In a saucepan, mix sugar, water and cream of tartar. Cook on medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is bubbly.
2. In a large bowl, beat egg whites, vanilla and orange juice until soft peaks form. Slowly add hot sugar mixture, beating continuously. Beat for 7 minutes until stiff peaks form.

Recipe courtesy of Miss Make

Happy Baking,
Star

Festive Fridays: Amazing Proposal Video!

So it's the start of a weekend following a holiday so I knew today's Festive Friday ppst had to be a good one. This video is one for the books.  It's romantic, a grand jesture, fun, sweet and a real tear jerker if you're a hopeless romantic like me.  Tori and I watched this one in the office together and by the end were seriously crying our eyes out.  Well she teared, I maybe have let out the waterworks...

Anyway, super excited to share this one with you.  Isaac, the one proposing is truly a creative and really knocked this one out of the park!  Not only because he rallied a village for his proposal but also because he picked the perfect song and made his fiance's moment perfectly unique!  It's just too sweet not to share!  



Hope you enjoyed this one as much as we did.