Last-Minute Decorations for Thanksgiving (or Thanksgivukkah)

Hi all!

We're down to the wire--Thanksgiving is tomorrow!  Just in case you're not ready for your guests, here are a few quick yet elegant decorations you can make today and still look like a pro.

Pick Your Colors  

A good place to start is by picking what colors you want to use, and the rest will flow from there.  I've put together a Thanksgiving color palette "cheat sheet" for you.  If you'll notice, they're all earthy and edible (except maybe sunflower?), so think about letting your dinner menu inspire your decorations.

Front Door Wreath

The front door is the first thing your guests will see, so make a good impression--decorate it with a wreath!  DIY burlap wreaths are trendy right now, and easy to make.

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You only need 4 items to make this:

• 16" metal wreath form
• 4" burlap material (about 12-15 yards)
• Scissors
• Embellishments (artificial flowers, wooden letters, etc)

Check out the tutorial from Top This Top That Blog.  I especially love her tutorial because at the end she shows examples of how versatile this craft is by making it for other holidays!

Glitter Leaf Garland

I found this beautiful garland idea through the Lauren Conrad website, but it comes from 6th Street Design School.  This can be hung almost anywhere--across a doorway, window, mantle, or along an open space of wall.

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You will need:

• artificial leaves
• glitter
• Elmer's glue
• paint brush
• ribbon
• hole punch
• scissors

Check out the tutorial from 6th Street Design School.  Seems pretty easy!

Rosemary Place Cards

I've always had a bit of an obsession with place cards.  I'm not sure if it's because it's a small personalized detail or because the inner organizer in me wants everything (including my guests) in it's designated place!  Either way I love them, and I love these easy rosemary ones.

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You will need:

• rosemary
• scissors
• twine
• floral wire

Check out the tutorial from Spoon Fork Bacon.  BONUS: they give you a template for the name tag shape.  Too cute!  And I love how nice it looks with the beige linens.

Hurricane Vases Display

I love this idea!  It's so easy and versatile: grab a clear vase (any shape) and fill it with any three things in blocks of color. In this example we see corn kernels, small red beans, and split peas, but really you could use anything: cranberries, nuts, seeds, beans, and of course... chocolate and candy!

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You will need:

• hurricane vase
• corn kernels
• red beans
• split peas
• twine (or ribbon)

Check out the tutorial from Amanda Jane Brown.  Be sure to scroll down and see the Halloween version she did.  Easy as can be and looks fancy, so I say go for it!  BONUS: set a candle on the top--just make sure it's secure while it's lit.

Wheat Bouquet

Going for super easy?  Find a bundle of wheat and use it as a centerpiece.  Here are two ideas.  1) Wrap the bundle with string or rubber bands first, then cover that with pretty ribbon and display it flanked with tall candles.  2) Put a bundle of wheat in a vase that's wider than the bundle and fill in the extra space with cranberries (or corn kernels, seeds, rocks, whatever you have!)

Sources: 1 | 2

You will need:

• wheat
• string or rubber bands
• ribbon

or

• wheat
• vase
• cranberries
• twine

No tutorials here, but I'm sure you can figure it out!

Happy Thanksgiving!

For more decoration ideas check out my Thanksgiving board on Pinterest.  Good luck with your last minute decorations and enjoy a very happy Thanksgiving (or Thanksgivukkah), everyone!

Friday Favorites: Dirty Dancing, Little White Party Dress, Custom Illustrations, Letterpress Card, Blanket Donations

Woo hoo, it's Friday!

And the end of the last week before Thanksgiving!  Are you ready for it?  I know it's a lot of stress, what with all the cooking, cleaning and socializing, but it'll be great.  Let yourself relex and soak in all that love and happiness.

I'm wrapping up the week with an eclectic assortment of goodies.  If nothing else, be sure to check out this video.  You won't be disappointed:

Favorite Wedding Dance: Reenacting "Dirty Dancing"

As many of you know, I'm a complete sucker for choreographed wedding dances. The following is one of my new favorite performances.  This couple worked hard to learn the final dance from every girls favorite rom-com-dance movie: Dirty Dancing... and totally nailed it!!

Favorite Favor Alternative

As seen on Style Me Pretty's Pinterest: "Read the note! Wedding Favors - A donation to a favorite charity. AND a blanket - with a catch. Use it if you're chilly. If left behind it would be donated to an animal shelter. Great idea! Photography: Studio Castillero"

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Favorite Little White Party Dress

Attention all winter brides: I want you to wear this dress to your dress rehearsal!  For the rest of us, wear it to a winter holiday party, or better yet--for New Year's Eve!  The Silver Belle of the Ball on ModCloth.

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Favorite Custom Portrait Illustrations

I stumbled across this lovely artist, Lauryn Green, on Etsy this week.  She offers customized illustrated portraits.  These would make for a good newlywed gift!

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Favorite Letterpress Card

Love these elegant letterpress cards by Steel Petal Press.  Found this in their Etsy shop.  I might have an excuse to buy this :)

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That's all folks!  Go enjoy your weekend.  Be sure to come back next week for some last minute Thanksgiving decor ideas!

Wedding Dress Wednesday: Mori Lee 2512

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Can you believe it's already mid-November?  Thanksgiving is next week!  Before you know it we'll all be gathered around mounds of delicious food, laughing and catching up with wonderful friends and family.  Better get ready!

Today's wedding gown strays slightly from the gowns that normally catch my eye.  Instead of layers of lace, chiffon and organza, I picked a sleek gown made of Duchess satin.  This is the Mori Lee 2512:

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Mori Lee 2512 (Spring 2010) is a Duchess satin fit-n-flare gown that features a lace-up back, sweetheart neckline and a bold masterpiece of embroidery that wraps around the bodice.  For those who are wondering, Duchess satin is a heavy, lustrous, luxurious material that has been used for couture bridal gowns for centuries.  Designers prefer it because drapes well, allowing skirts to keep their full curves instead of fluttering.   

I love the dramatic silhouette and luxurious details.  I can see this on brides with sparkling personalities who love to dance and have a great time no matter where they are.  Brides who spend the six months leading up to their wedding working hard at the gym to look amazing in this gown.  And their receptions are modern, jaw-dropping productions that ultimately end up being one giant dance party with them in the spotlight!  Now that's certainly one wedding I wouldn't want to miss. ;-)

What kind of wedding do you imagine when you look at this dress?  Let me know in the comments!

Friday Favorites: Kate Middleton Costume, Kelly Clarkson Wedding, San Fran City Hall, Roses iPhone Case

It's Friday!  We made it!  The weekend is here again!

Hope you all got lots of adorable Trick-or-Treaters knocking on your door last night.  Maybe you have a Halloween party coming up this weekend, or had one last weekend?  Share some cool pics and costume ideas in the comments :)  Here are some cool pics I found this week:

Favorite Halloween Costume: Kate Middleton and Her Baby

Speaking of Halloween, the first item to kick off my Friday Favorites list is one of my favorite costume ideas inspired by news-worhty events  of 2013: Kate Middleton and her baby boy, Prince George.  (Images from Refiney29--check out their Last-Minute Halloween Ideas post to find links to all the items shown below.)

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Favorite Celebrity Wedding: Kelly Clarkson at Blackberry Farm, TN

Kelly Clarkson, everybody's favorite American Idol, got married on Oct. 20 in a stunning Temperley London gown (see my Wedding Dress Wednesday post about it).  Sources say it was an intimate ceremony in Tennessee.  I can only imagine it was a beautiful, simple, country wedding.  *Swoon*

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Favorite Wedding Venue: San Francisco City Hall

Nothing wow's me quite like a huge panoramic window and elaborate architectural details--like this window inside the San Francisco City Hall.  I love that the photographer took advantage of this jaw-dropping architecture to use as a backdrop behind the happy newlyweds.

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Favorite iPhone Case: Blush Watercolor Garden Rose by Momental Designs

As we are heading toward winter already, I'll have to wait until next spring to rock this gorgeous iPhone case from Momental Designs.

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That's all, folks!  Go enjoy your weekend :)

Wedding Dress Wednesday: Kelly Clarkson Married in Temperley London's "Jessamine"

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I'm sure you've all heard by now that the wonderful Kelly Clarkson got married to her longtime boyfriend, Brandon Blackstock, on October 20 at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee.  She shared three gorgeous photos with the world that have been circulating all over the web and newsstands.  So to celebrate the pop idol, today's dress is her dress: Jessamine by Temperley London.

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About the dress:

Traditionally made French lace is hand finished with heavy floral embellishment in satin stitch thread with metallic edging and silver sequins in the romantic Long Jessamine Dress. Delicate lace sleeves fasten up to the elbow with silk and lace covered buttons, adding to its elegant appeal. The dress features a deep V neck, but comes with a lace modesty patch so brides can choose to what degree to reveal. A long circular train with a lace scalloped edge befit for a fairytale ending finishes off the dress. (Source)

I love that she went with a style that's a little more antiquated and romantic.  (And the sleeves were a good idea for the brisk October weather.)  She's such a huge pop star but still keeps to her southern hometown roots that make her the sweet girl next door we all adore.  Check out her photos by Archetype Studio Inc.:

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Also, how beautiful is her hair?  I love this kind of updo with a sparkly headpiece.  (Kelly's was a custom design from Maria Elena Headpieces.)  And I'd say that bouquet is rather perfect too.  Great fall colors.

What are your thoughts on Kelly's wedding?  Share in the comments!

Friday Favorites: Elie Saab, Outdoor Altar, Initial Necklace Gift, B&W Bridesmaid Dresses

Friday is here!

And the government is up and running once more!  Hope all of you who got furloughed were able to do lots of creative, productive or relaxing activities to occupy yourselves.  Finish off a short week with my favorite beautiful things I found this week.

Favorite Collection: Elie Saab 2012 Spring/Summer Colleciton

So much stunning detail in these dresses.  I would've loved to have seen these on the runway!

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Favorite Altar: Wild Onion Ranch

A beautiful wooden altar draped with fabric that's lined with cascading florals and lanterns down the steps.  And behind that an enormous tree.  Makes for a stunning outdoor altar and backdrop.

The Nichols Photography | Source

Favorite Wedding Gift or Keepsake: Initial Necklace

An adorable gift for the bride: double chain necklace with two initials representing the new Mr. and Mrs.  Understated but incredibly sentimental.

Source: GosiaMeyerJewelry (Etsy)

Favorite 'Maids Dresses: Black and White Stripes

Black and white stripes bring a power punch of class to this elegant wedding.  Very tasteful!

Shannon Leahy Events | Source

Share with me your favorite things from the week in the comments :)

TGIF!

Wedding Dress Wednesday: Lazaro LZ3059

Happy Wednesday!

There's a nip in the air that tells me Fall is really here!  Time to switch out my summer wardrobe for my (dream) fall wardrobe.

Today's gown probably evokes more of a Spring theme than Fall, but it's just too beautiful not to share now.  I spotted it in Elizabeth Anne Designs' Pinterest feed (see the full blog post) and I honestly swooned a little bit.  I am easily seduced by elaborate details in dresses.  This is Lazaro's LZ 3059 from the 2010 Fall Collection.

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Sarah K. Chen Photography | Source

Sarah K. Chen Photography | Source

Real bride, Sylvia, had hers altered to have a shorter dress underneath all the detail | Source

The alterations done by the bride in the picture above is really nice.  She put her own personal touch by making it short and sexy, while still keeping the exquisite detail on top.  It was probably a good idea for warm weather too.  What do you all think of the shorter version?  Could you make a bold decision like that?  Let me know in the comments!

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday Favorites: Autumn Details

TGIF Friends!

In the spirit of a beautiful first week of October, here are a few beautiful ideas for a fall wedding.

Favorite Altar: Sunflower-adorned Arch

I love this small wedding in the woods.  Can't beat being outdoors on a gorgeous, sunny afternoon, surrounded by all the important people in your life.  Also, how amazing is this dress?

Source: tbarton photography

Favorite Placesetting: Triangle Menu and Holly Berry Branch

A simple, creative, triangular menu, accompanied by a holly branch, with warm gold touches.  Lovely!

Source: Sean Money + Elizabeth Fay Photography

Favorite Engagement Photo: Falling Autumn Leaves

What girl doesn't dream of a perfect kiss in the fall?  This photographer sure got it right when she snapped this photo of an adorable couple in the midst of a perfect fall moment.

Source: Lindsey Orton Photography

Happy weekend everyone!  Enjoy the sunshine :)

Wedding Dress Wednesday: Rosa Clara 2014 Collection

Hello Friends!

Hope you're enjoying this most beautiful Wednesday, despite the government shutdown.  If any of you suddenly find yourself at home with nothing to do, you came to a great place!  Today, instead of featuring one dress, I have put together a few of my favorite dresses from the Rosa Clara 2014 Collection.  What do you all think??

260 / Cesar

102 / Cabriolet

123 / Mandy

110 / Umbra

162 / Cibeles

157 / Celia

370 / Cloe

368 / Claudia

167 / Clarisa

213 / Calesa

I came across a two-page spread of the Rosa Clara 2014 Collection in the Oct/Nov 2013 issue of BRIDES magazine.  The 260 / Cesar dress caught my eye immediately.  I love the big layered skirt (with hemmed edges) juxtaposed with the form-fitting bodice.  I also find the embellished horizontal stripes very intriguing and almost daring.

After exploring the online catalogue I quickly fell in love with 102 / Cabriolet for it's Audrey Hepburn style, and then 123 / Mandy for the delicate leaf details and the perfect fit 'n flare shape.  The list goes on and on, but I limited myself to just 10!  There's just too much to love about this collection.

Which one(s) is your favorite??  Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by :)