paper chase: the best watercolor wedding stationery

One of my favorite design trends this spring is watercolor details - in fashion, home decor, and of course, wedding stationery!  Here are a few of the prettiest watercolor paper goods from around the web - stylish, elegant, and whimsical.

Pastel Watercolor Wash invitations by Hooray Creative for Minted

Watercolor Frame by Laura Condouris for Minted

Fine Day Press via Oh So Beautiful Paper

How pretty would this watercolor petal invitation be for a spring

garden wedding?  I love when invitations give guests a sneak

peek of what the style and mood of the wedding will be like.

Free Printable Tags from Swooned

I love these DIY tags from Swooned, which would be great as

escort cards or as tags for spring gifts!

Free Printable Save-the-Date from The Lovely Dept.

Blushing invitation by Design Lotus for Minted

Watercolor Wedding invitation by To and From with Love on Etsy

Escort Cards by Prim and Pixie via Style Me Pretty

Splash of Paradise Wedding Invitation by Cadence Paige for Minted

Ocean Splash invitation by The Best Day Paper Co. on Etsy

Watercolor Roses invitation from Invitations by Dawn

Blue Ocean invitation from That Noise Gallery on Etsy

Watercolor invitation from Ruby May Design on Etsy

Watercolor Script Invitations from Crafty Pie Press

Orchid invitations from Mooseberry Print Shop on Etsy

Fine Day Press via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Confetti invitation from Encre Studio Design and Print on Etsy

Fine Day Press via Oh So Beautiful Paper

Which of these watercolor invitations is your favorite?

Valentine's Day Party Ideas

To celebrate my freshly cleaned and organized townhouse (a result of following along with Apartment Therapy's January Cure), I hosted a little get together with some of my favorite girlfriends last weekend .  I figured it was close enough to Valentine's Day to make that my theme.  It was a fairly low maintenance gathering, so I wanted to share some of the simple ways I decorated and the recipes I used (all from amazing blogs)!

This "Believe in Love" print from Target was a gift at my bridal shower and I've always loved its color scheme.  The metal easel was part of our wedding decor.

I kept decor really stress-free by picking up cute plates, napkins and cups at a big box store.  I'm sure I could have spent time rubber-stamping kraft paper cutlery or something, but honestly?  It's a paper plate.  It's going to end up in the trash can.

I have decided that striped straws are an entertaining essential from here on out.  They put a smile on everyone's face, especially when paired with my other favorite party trick, the old faithful Mason jar.  I found these straws in the $1 bin at Michael's.

Here's a peek at the spread - I went for kind of a sweet shop theme since the best part of Valentine's Day is the CHOCOLATE!  Not pictured: veggies and fruit (they were there, I promise!).

True lazy party planning confessions: I had a Rubbermaid container full of the frozen base for the punch I made for Breeze's bridal shower.  All I had to add was a bottle of Sprite and the pink punch looked pretty adorable and Valentine's-appropriate.

Oh, these cookies.  I made these using a recipe from Averie Cooks.  The secret is using pudding instead of cornstarch - soft, chewy, soft-baked goodness.  I doubled the M&M's instead of adding chocolate chips.

The other dessert I made were these marshmallow-topped brownie bites from A Pumpkin and a Princess.  I had a little bit of trouble getting the brownies out of the mini muffin pan, so if I make these again I will use cupcake liners.  Because it took me so long to get the dang things out of the pan, my marshmallows did not magically melt onto the brownies.

But guess what?  Melted white chocolate chips make EXCELLENT glue for marshmallows.

The heart shaped marshmallows also look pretty adorable in your

hot chocolate when the party's over.  Just FYI.

What are you up to this week?  How will you celebrate 

Valentine's Day this year?

Linking Up With:

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

The Inspiration Exchange at City Farmhouse

Share It at The Winthrop Chronicles

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

The Inspiration Gallery at Craftberry Bush

Be Inspired at Common Ground

Eat. Create. Party at Endless Inspired

Foodies and Crafties at A Peek Into My Paradise

Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest

Spotlight Saturdays at Classy Clutter

Party Time at Three Mango Seeds

get colorful: pink for the holidays

I'm not sure what it is about the holiday season, but every year I seem to get sucked into loving the brightest pink pieces I can find.  The shade of flambé‎ pink that would intimidate me in any other season seems just right during this time of year - so festive and colorful!  This year's colorblocked, striped, and dotted pieces set just the right tone for a holiday celebration.  Let's party!

View this set on Polyvore

1. Banana Republic colorblock sweater  2. Kate Spade earrings from Piperlime  

3. J. Crew Factoryscarf  4. J. Crew Factory Swiss dot blouse (on sale) 

5. Revlon "Fuchsia Fever" nail polish from Walmart

6. Old Navy striped crewneck sweater  7. Banana Republic lucite clutch  

8. Deborah Lippmann "Candy Shop" nail polish from Zappos

inspiration for a poppies and lace wedding

Imaginary weddings take me to strange places sometimes.  This time, I started with the spring 2013 Pantone colors linen and poppy, got sidetracked by literal poppies, and ended up with something very feminine, soft, and maybe even a little bit bohemian.  Perhaps an early afternoon wedding with a light-filled reception?  I can hear a string quartet playing "Here Comes the Sun" in my head right now.

White Lace invitation by Palm Papers from Minted

layered tulle Lorna gown from J. Crew

Wedding Chicks

winter color: pink flambe for the holidays

If today's style board doesn't make you happy, I don't know what will.

One of the most vivid Pantone colors for this season is Pink Flambe!

1. LOFT drop-waist peplum party dress  2. LOFT drop earrings (sold out - similar earrings)  

3. J. Crew neon bubble stud earrings  4. The North Face striped boatneck tee  

5. Mossimo juniors v-neck cardigan from Target 6. Tod's loafer-style mocassins  

7. Webster's dictionary from See Jane Work

I've shared my fear of pink on the blog before, but I would happily wear/carry any of these pieces - especially that North Face tee!  Keep reading for some hot pink accessory inspiration!

spring color & wedding wednesday: a tangerine ombre event

Ombre invitation from Minted

A gradient of bridesmaids' dresses from Deanna Nash Events

Lava Flow drink recipe from Squidoo

Sunday Simplicity #56

Blue Canary Events

Inspired By This

Stately Lady