salad in a...vase?

My latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens had a great idea for a bridal or baby shower theme...an "advice"-themed party. (For some of you that may sound more like a nightmare than a party, but stick with me for a moment.) The invitations were printed in a simple newsprint-type font, and guests were sent cards along with the invitations on which to write some advice for the bride-to-be. Then, the cards were collected into a scrapbook at the party.

But here's where it gets cute: they used large, photocopied versions of vintage advice columns like "Dear Abby", etc. which they covered the table with. And here's where it gets nearly genius: the "Confucius-say Salad Bar" was actually a noodle-salad bar and every topping for the salad bar was in a different-size square glass vase (I guess to pick up on the Asian theme of "Confucius-say"?). Anyway, the images of this salad bar were gorgeous. I have looked and looked online to see if I could find the image from the magazine, but no luck so far. It doesn't appear to be on BHG's website, and I don't have a scanner, so I'm doing my best to describe it. (Pictured here are the same type of vases from Pottery Barn.)


I loved the visual, though: picture different heights and sizes (i.e. both rectangular and square) of glass vases - not bowls - with colorful veggies in them...shredded carrots, shredded purple cabbage, cherry tomatoes...you wouldn't need a centerpiece with such a beautiful salad bar! But, that being said, then they added to the beauty by including a few vases full of luscious, brightly-colored blooms (just one variety per vase). The whole thing was gorgeous and definitely something I want to try in the future.

I was thinking, though, that this could work with any kind of event, and any kind of vases - cylindrical too - or what about using large footed hurricanes? They're beautiful with candles in them - but how much more stuffed full of julienned green peppers! Stunning!

vintage/modern custom wedding invitation

I am dreadfully behind on posting new project photos on my Nesting Instincts website (the real one, not the bloggy one) and so have only just posted the gorgeous photos from the wedding I designed a few months ago. This reminded me that I wanted to show you the custom invitations I created for the event. The bride was looking for a very modern feel, but with a vintage/retro flavor. We accomplished modern with very simple typeface and black border (she brought me a sample of Kate Spade's logo to show the type she wanted).

We incorporated the retro feel by using a sentimental photo of the bride's grandmother on her wedding day in the 1940's. The paper was quality metallic cardstock and delivered a very simple elegance. I love the idea of custom invitations whenever possible. Sometimes it's difficult to incorporate a photo and still have the finished product look elegant...I'd like to think we accomplished both here.

To check out the rest of the gorgeous photography by The Photographers on my website, click here. Also, contact me if you'd like me to design a custom invitation or announcement...I'd love to talk with you!

P.S. - On a different note - Shauntelle at A Beautiful Abode wanted me to send you her way for a fun little contest she's having...so be sure to check it out!

More Wedding Photos

Two posts in one day! It's a bonus day! I just discovered that some of the professional photos of Rachelle & Dan's wedding (the one I designed in December) are already up on their photographers blog. Check out some more photos of the wedding here. I'm working on getting some for my website as well. The Photographers did an amazing job of capturing the romance of the day, and the special love Dan and Rachelle have for each other. I just love their style! (By the way, I think I've recovered from all the hard work, and now am left just feeling warm fuzzies for this sweet couple!)

winter wedding photos

Update: Check out the full line of professional photos from this gorgeous winter wedding at Nesting Instincts.

Perhaps designing the invitations, programs, decor, and flowers all myself was a little too much. But what fun! I thought I'd share a few of the snapshots we took on Saturday.

It was an elegant, candle-lit ceremony with a vintage modern feel. Lots of candles, vintage chandelier crystals, and sparkly silver curly willow branches. Small white globe lights draped from tall poles cast a romantic European glow down the center aisle. The invitations (custom, by Nesting Instincts) used a vintage photo of the bride's beloved grandmother as the backdrop for simple, modern text. Flowers were minimal, but bright, to maximize their impact against a backdrop of black, silver, and champagne. The reception was held in a church hall which we transformed and gave a jazz-club vibe, using cool blue lighting, bistro tables, custom square candleholders, chandeliers, and lots of sculptural silver branches. What a magical event!

the church's fireplace mantel, with photos of the happy couple

the altar table with silver and black wrought-iron candle sticks, draped with crystals

the custom-built arch made of curly willow, twinkle lights, and vintage chandelier crystals

a simple, modern and elegant cake topped with purple orchids and crystals

the arch and unity candleholders

one of the many bistro table centerpieces...silver curly willow hung with chandelier crystals

a church basement transformed into a swanky jazz-club space

the bride's bouquet, with vintage rhinestone jewelry on the handle