pinspiration: a farmhouse Easter

Maybe it's the copious amounts of Fixer Upper I've been watching lately (it's the perfect thing when I'm in preggo nesting mode, but too tired to actually clean or work on my own house), but I'm really feeling a farmhouse-inspired theme for Easter this year!

I'm so inspired by the cobalt and terra cotta tones in this very Anthropologie-esque vignette from House By Hoff.

How cool are the Rae Dunn inspired Easter eggs from DIY Beautify?

Using temporary tattoos to decorate eggs is one of those ideas I'd never think of - Lia Griffith is so creative!

To make your holiday extra special, here's a playlist that would be the perfect background music for a farmhouse brunch:

pinspiration: Easter in the garden

What are your plans for this weekend? I'm looking forward to Easter Sunday and getting inspired by floral maxi dresses and full-on garden party vibes. Hopefully it will be warm enough to fire up the grill after church and invite some friends over for brunch on the patio!

If there's one day of the year that a flower crown is acceptable in public outside of Coachella, let it be Easter Sunday.

Love this vintage-inspired garden sign from Ella Claire.

How pretty are these botanical painted eggs from The House that Lars built?

There's lots more Easter inspiration over on my Pinterest boards, and I'm working on a Spotify playlist to celebrate:

wedding wednesday: spring table number ideas.

Since my last post on creative table number ideas was posted two years ago, I wanted to take a look at current trends that savvy brides and party planners are drawing on to help their guests find a spot to sit! While I know not everyone is a fan of numbered tables at events, as a person with anxiety, I personally love knowing exactly where to go and being able to avoid that middle school lunchroom feeling. Table numbers (or names) can also be a great way to tie in the theme of the event or add a subtle nod to the couples' or hosts' interests.

Garden-inspired elements will always be popular for spring events, and this mock table setting from Pressed Cotton (via Snippet + Ink) cleverly uses a twisted fork (perhaps from a flea market or thrift shop) to hold a simple printed card that complements the fresh white linens and greenery of the centerpieces. If this style is too simple, a printed bee or floral design would be a nice element, but with an embroidered tablecloth and textured elements already on the table I think the simple number is breath of fresh air.

Lee Forrest Design | E. Gilbert Photography via Ruffled

Some simple but creative takes on a garden theme: a metal marker and a painted lantern. These ideas could be easily adapted for a smaller event by using plant markers with a fun quote, or using gold Sharpie to write a favorite song lyric or birthday year on lantern glass.

Matushek Photography

A vinyl number on a sparkling-clean carafe adds a modern touch to a traditional tablescape from Life in Bloom.

Meredith Perdue via Style Me Pretty | Maui Maka Photography via Bridal Musings

Hand-painted table numbers go from romantic to bohemian depending on how they're paired with other design features.

Kelsea Holder Photography via Ruffled

A vinyl number on a vintage lightbulb lends an industrial touch to a rustic wedding - this is an idea I'd never have had in a million years, but I love it.

Gemma Clarke Photography via Style Me Pretty

Another industrial-inspired touch paired with a classic centerpiece: this stenciled number on wood lends a rustic look.

Henry and Mac Photo Co. via Style Me Pretty

Finally, I adore this whimsical carved table number paired with mercury glass and pink roses.

What's your take on table numbers - are they

the mark of a pushy host, or a punch of personality?

sunday simplicity.

Kate Zimmerman via Camille Styles

“It is good people who make good places.”

― Anna Sewell, Black Beauty

clicks of note: i'm going home...

get your week off to a colorful start...
LISTEN.

• If you watched this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, you may have spotted North Carolina string band Mipso. They describe themselves as " renegade traditionalists," and I'm loving their music.

SWOON.

Laura Ivanova via Snippet and Ink

• An elegant NY mansion wedding from Snippet and Ink.
• Connie Whitlock shares a moody sand dunes elopement.
• Can we declare Kelly the queen of Christmas decorating?
• A lovely ballet inspired shoot from Mirelle Carmichael.

SMILE.

• Desktops: Minding My Nest, Sarah Hearts, Smashing.
• Jimmy and Rashida's newst holiday remix is perfect.
• The perfect hat for ugly Christmas sweater parties.
• Obsessed with natural-meets-glam holiday decorating.

FLASHBACK.

• Last year I rounded up my December favorites.
• Two years ago, I shared my faves and rounded up black and white wardrobe picks.
• Three years ago, I wrote about our Christmas traditions, reflected on how important caregivers are during the holidays, and put together gift guides for the quirky and glam girls in my life.  I also shared a peek at our Dickens-inspired Christmas decorations.
• Five years ago, Mr. Q and I got engaged and officially started this blog.

wedding inspiration: floral arches

An arch or arbor is becoming a staple of many Christian, interfaith, and non-denominational outdoor weddings. A floral arch creates a welcoming focal point for guests and takes the symbolic place of an indoor altar. They also fill a role similar to that of the chuppah or huppah in Jewish wedding ceremonies. According to the New York Times, "In Judaism, a traditional huppah typically consists of a prayer shawl or other cloth attached to four poles, which is held aloft over the couple by family members, and is intended to signify the newlyweds’ new home. They are purposely open-sided to welcome the guests." In Hindu weddings, a canopy called a mandap represents the universe and the foundation provided by the couple's parents. Whether soft and romantic or bright and bold, floral arbors are full of beautiful symbolism and can be designed to match any wedding theme.

Laura McCarty via Southern Weddings | Sullivan Owen via Style Me Pretty

Love Be Photography via Southern Weddings

Cedarwood Weddings via Style Me Pretty

Adornments Flowers and Finery via Style Me Pretty | The Southern Table via Ruffled

Which of these floral arch designs is your favorite?

inspiration for a modern alice in wonderland wedding

As I mentioned yesterday, last weekend I attended my college roommate's bridal shower. She has always loved fairytales and folklore (which led to her taking some really weird electives in school!), and her bridesmaids threw her an adorable Alice in Wonderland bridal shower, complete with "which way?" signs, a "looking glass" to walk through (mylar fringe), a flamingo umbrella, "drink me" teacups and "eat me" treats.  It got my inner event planner thinking - would it be possible to have a Wonderland themed wedding without the Disney trippiness or the Tim Burton creep factor?  Then I saw this Minted invitation (stripes and hand-drawn florals for the win!) and realized that I had my inspiration - for a modern, whimsical, Alice inspired celebration of which Lewis Carroll himself would approve!

Please note:  If you'd like to add any of these images to your Pinterest boards, please click on the link below the picture and pin from the source so the creators get credit for their work!

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"Seed Packet" invitations by Alethea and Ruth for Minted

Fresh in Love Photography via Junebug Weddings

"When the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat- pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge."

Storybook Hearts via Pinterest

Melody Melikian via Hostess with the Mostess | Korie Lynn via Wedding Chicks

"`The first thing I've got to do,' said Alice to herself, as she wandered about in the wood, `is to grow to my right size again; and the second thing is to find my way into that lovely garden. I think that will be the best plan.'"

Ryan Ray Photography via Wedding Chicks | The Nichols via Style Me Pretty

"She was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of making a daisy- chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her."

 

Jana From Alabama

Weddingstar

"There seemed to be no use in waiting by the little door, so she went back to the table, half hoping she might find another key on it, or at any rate a book of rules for shutting people up like telescopes: this time she found a little bottle on it, (`which certainly was not here before,' said Alice,) and round the neck of the bottle was a paper label, with the words `DRINK ME' beautifully printed on it in large letters."

Melody Melikian via Hostess with the Mostess

"Soon her eye fell on a little glass box that was lying under the table: she opened it, and found in it a very small cake, on which the words `EAT ME' were beautifully marked in currants. `Well, I'll eat it,' said Alice, `and if it makes me grow larger, I can reach the key; and if it makes me grow smaller, I can creep under the door; so either way I'll get into the garden, and I don't care which happens!'"

Kristin Byrum Photography via Style Me Pretty

"There was a table set out under a tree in front of the house, and the March Hare and the Hatter were having tea at it: a Dormouse was sitting between them, fast asleep, and the other two were using it as a cushion, resting their elbows on it, and the talking over its head. `Very uncomfortable for the Dormouse,' thought Alice; `only, as it's asleep, I suppose it doesn't mind.'"

Tonya Joy Photography via Flirty Fleurs

"`There's one other flower in the garden that can move about 
like you,' said the Rose. `I wonder how you do it!'"

paper chase: the best mint wedding invitations

Yesterday, I pictured a dreamy spring wedding with lots of mint.  But let's just

say the girly pastel thing isn't quite right for you.  Mint is one of the most popular

hues for weddings this season, and it's easy to find an invitation that suits

your style - whether you want to save yourself the fuss, support independent 

designers, or DIY by printing your own invites at home.

Woodland Kraft invitations by Olivia Raufman for Elli

Woodland themes have been gaining popularity over the last few years, 

and this invitation would be perfect for a March or April wedding at a 

little chapel in the forest or a summer camp setting.

Chalkboard Invitations by Alethea and Ruth for Minted

As you know, chalkboard details are a favorite of mine - so I 

absolutely love this design's totally modern take on chalk art.

Boxwood Invitations by Penelope Poppy for Minted

It doesn't get much more classic than a boxwood wreath tied

with ribbon, and the rest of this design is simple and sophisticated.

Floral Invitation by Behold Designz on Etsy

This floral invitation pairs a mint-infused jade green with this spring's

popular orchid for a fresh, feminine design.  This is one of my all-time

favorite wedding color palettes.

Oldani Photography via Style Me Pretty

You have to check out this wedding on Style Me Pretty - the bride

is a DIY queen who designed most of her wedding decor herself.

I love the banner design on these modern pastel invitations.

Forever at Last Invitation by Rio Grange for Minted

This design is one part dreamy and whimsical, one part sophisticated - 

perfect for a city or destination wedding.

Celebration of Love invitation by Miranda Lyn for Minted

This pretty, retro-inspired design is definitely eye-catching and

sets the scene for a wedding day that isn't too serious.

California Dreamin' invitation by Cadence Paige Design for Minted

This invitation's postmark-inspired design would be perfect for a

destination wedding, and I love the confetti-inspired details and

modern text.

Hearts and Polka Dots printable save-the-date from Wedding Chicks

For the DIY bride, it doesn't get much better than the cute

polka dot and interlocking hearts in this design - and the design

can be customized to suit any wedding's color palette.

Confetti wedding invitation by SuitePaper on Etsy

Finally, I'm loving everything about this design from SuitePaper - 

it's got confetti, it's got retro-inspired typesetting, and it's got

arrows!  The perfect invitation to set the scene for a fun wedding.

Which of these designs is your favorite?

Pantone Winter 2012: Orchid Hush and Quarry Wedding Inspiration

Searching for orchid hush and quarry wedding and event inspiration led me to some great images that lend themselves to a vision of a country wedding, complete with bridesmaids in soft, flowy dresses in a muted palette.  I fell in love with paper, florals and fabrics in gray-washed colors with a watercolor feel.  After putting together an equestrian-inspired home decor post, I couldn't resist the idea of adding some equestrian touches to the event inspiration post as well!

Banner and Branches Invitation, Minted

** If you want to add any images from this post to Pinterest, please click the link and pin from the source! **

Style Me Pretty

Style Me Pretty:  1   2

Orange Blossom Special Events

Emerson Made

Style Me Pretty:  1   2

Leslie Barbaro Photography

Style Me Pretty:  1   2

Tomorrow's the first day of Spring, so this post officially concludes my series on the Fall/Winter Pantone colors.  But it's not the end of the color posts - I have been rounding up the Spring colors on Pinterest and can't wait to share some new inspiration with y'all!