Wedding Wednesday: A Backyard Affair

I have started planning a friend's wedding despite the fact that she is not engaged yet. This laid back, down to earth, Austin girl wants no frills or fuss but instead wants something really simple, intimate, lively and natural. She also had a few stipulating elements one of which was Texas wildflowers. Here are a few ideas I have found to work off of:

In addition, I love everything about this wedding, which looks like the quintessential laid-back, outdoor celebration:

To see the full details of these weddings, click here:

Peacock Photography

Style Me Pretty

Debbie Baytan Photography

French Flowers

After reading this post from the Decorista, I was reminded about the stunning flowers that adorn one of the most impressive hotels in Paris which I visited while I was there in July. Hotel Crillon is one of the most beautiful, historic and expensive hotels in all of Paris.

Situated on the Place de la Concorde, it's lobby is definitely worth a visit next time you are there. Aside from the marble floors and the opulent furniture, I love the beautiful sterling silver goblets and vases of pale pink roses that adorn the entire first floor. Tres magnifique!!

Have a wonderful flower-filled day!

Credenza of the Week: Little More Lellow

I found this credenza posted on design sponge and really love the very angular lines of the top mixed with the very organic detailing along the bottom. I also love a loud pop of color and the way the yellow is set against the turquoise wall. If you can't tell, I LOVE COLOR!!

Coral lamps are also super in right now. Pier 1 has a really beautiful one with a really nice shaped shade:

I also saw these coral lamps in orange last week at HomeGood for $39.99.

Happy Monday!!

Things I Love about the French

I love France for so many reasons: the language is so beautiful, the art, culture, fashion, history...I could go on and on. But while I was there, I was able to capture a few of the small things I love about them on camera. Take a look:

They love cheese and serve it even at breakfast.

Lavender! They use lavender in all sorts of beautiful places to add a certain amount of elegance in even the simplest ways:

They love their dogs enough to bring them to fine restaurants. Also, the highchairs for children at restaurants are not plastic and cold but instead look they belonged to your great-great grandmother. So elegant!

The architecture of their homes is fairly simple but their landscape is always stunning.

Missing all the beautiful French flavor the country has to offer. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Shabby Kitchen

Harkening back to the shabby dining room I posted last week, I thought this kitchen would be a nice continuation

Well done Mikey from Shabby French Cottage!

Wedding Wednesday: Travel

Well, I am off again...

This time in cool Colorado.

Though I am not thrilled to be traveling yet again for work, I am looking forward to somewhere with cooler temperatures.

Today, here are a few ideas for fantastic going away dresses:

You and Your Wedding

Telegraph Fashion

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Credenza of the Week: Dramatic Pulls

I absolutely love the ornateness and the organic shape of this piece. The hardware is spectacular and perfectly reminiscent of the fixture carefully hung above it. I absolutely love the fixture!! It reminds me so much of the chandelier hanging in my grandmother's dinding room. The color of the piece is also beautifully juxtaposed to the dark hardwoods. Well done!

Wine In Provence

During our trip to France a few weeks ago, we enjoyed a wine tasting and cooking class while we were in Aix-en-Provence. Wine in Provence, run by American Hillary and her British partner Ben, is a cute little company which offers an incredible look at this beautiful city and a one-of-a-kind experience!! Though I would not recommend for any highly trained chefs, it was a great way to see the markets and select shops throughout the city and enjoy some wonderful local company and wine.

Here are some incredible photos from our day in Aix:

First we started in the local markets. Aix has the only open air market in the world that's there 345 days a year.

From there we proceeded to an olive oil shop for an olive oil tasting of some locally made flavors. These were to be used later in the day to make our salad.

After that, our group proceeded to a local boulangerie to buy bread, a fromagerie for some delicious locally made goat cheese and finally their favorite local wine shop for the most important provisions.

Once we concluded all our shopping, we all ventured to Hillary's adorable apartment just off the main town square to begin cooking and tasting.

And finally it was time to enjoy...

Absolutely delicious & an experience I would highly recommend to anyone traveling in the South of France!

Thanks Wine In Provence! :)

Darling Dining Room

I am absolutely in love with this dining room. First because I love the chandelier but also because it feels shabby and modern at the same time. I love the antique look of the table top, the rustic white and aqua paint on the bench, the modern chairs and the very traditional chandelier hanging above. So sweet!

Wedding Wednesday: The Outdoors

I personally am not very fond of outdoor weddings. Perhaps it's because I live in Texas where it's too hot 90% of the year to get married outdoors or perhaps because I am OCD enough to worry about any and every possible weather scenario that could or might go wrong.

I do have to say though, that pictures of outdoor ceremonies & receptions are sometimes the most charming and elegant from a wedding:

See what I mean?