Heath + Julie Cristello

Heath has a new seasonal collection in (yippee) yellow!!! So pretty & bright, and in a color I love. Now....I don't know if it quite compares to the amazing-ness of the aqua & orange last summer, but it's close.

Here's what I'm really excited about.....the Heath & Julie Cristello collection of hand made necklaces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gorgeous...love that top one. So perfect with a crisp dress for summer.

Maybe I can just will it onto my neck. Wish me luck ;-)

:: peace & love ::

Go {here} if these pretty puppies awe you as much as they do me.

In the words of Rachel Zoe...I die ;-)

:: peace & love ::

attempted crane folding....

{ cheese..wine..strawberries..and chocolate pretzels }

Soooo....

I invited 4 friends over this evening to help me fold paper cranes....

well,

To put it simply it didn't work out :-( yes I am tres sad.

I was hoping for this...so beautiful, whimsical and touching....because they are 'peace cranes' so sweet.

but alas...i was the worst of the bunch...hahahaha....mine turned out upside down the whole time? serious? and honestly....no one else was much better, they are harder than they appear...for reals.

so I am thinking maybe these instead....in white and grey!? awww shucks, I was really hoping the peace cranes would work out magically! bummer....

:: peace and love ::

planting party!

{ potted succulents }

{ planting in process }{ succulents and air plant in a pretty little bowl } { Ranger and succulent }

Saturday we headed up to Paso, to my parents house for some succulent planting and wine margarita taste testing!

We got the pots and bowls planted (almost)...we need about 10 more succulents! I think they look so cute!! Thank you Kelly from Yes Please blog for letting me know where you got your pots (about a year ago)....thanks to her tip I found myself all those cute little cement pots that are sooo perfect for centerpieces!!!!!

After a long day of planting...and planning, going over (and over) all the little details....we relaxed at the house for some wine margarita taste testing : ) My parents were worried about people getting tanked right off the bat with real tequila margaritas (so much tastier....but I had to give up at some point!)...haha, so i did (give up the tequila fight!) and we (with some much appreciated help from good friends Norma and Jim) came up with a concoction of lime juice, sugar, triple sec and wine--with a splash of sparkling wine to top it off. It is good, it really is, but it's not a margarita....so now the game is figuring out a name for this limey refreshing drink.

hmm

:: peace and love ::

--up tomorrow, paper crane folding girli get together!!!--

retrieved rsvp's

{ blank rsvp postcard }
{ retrieved rsvp's }

The rsvp postcards are streaming in, it is SO fun to get a little handful of these guys back in the mail everyday! I have to say that the paper I chose is holding up well in the mail, and battered edge here and there, but over all doing really well!!!

1. I ordered some very cute toppers for mine and Wes' cupcakes for the wedding!

2. Found a lovely little dress for my bridal shower this Sunday at the bestie's house, on an un-expected trip to find workout clothes (love that).

3. Ordered striped straws for the margaritas, cupcake decorations and sprinkles.

4. Received this amazing poster to use at the wedding (let me tell ya, the colors on this thing are really beautiful!).

5. Signed up for my first 10K with the bestie for July 17th, we are REALLY excited about it!!!!!

That's all I can think of right now....

up next....girls night and origami paper crane folding over wine and cheese.

Pics up next week of the said sure to be cute bridal shower :-)

:: peace and love ::

weekend doings

{ G & L on deck }
{ water coloring, aka my tie dyed paper } { water coloring, tie dyed paper }

Saturday was spent doing a whole lot of nothing....wandering around Michael's for about an hour, picked up a Martha Stewart paper punch that creates a pretty scalloped lace edge on paper (ohh love); and some other boring yet practical items. Once home I decided if I was going to actually accomplish this task of making 'tie dyed' scalloped edge bands to secure my little packages, I better get on it.

About the water coloring...i love to water color first off. What sparked the idea; I wanted these invites to be a reflection of us--we go to our beloved music festival in Yosemite every year with my parents, it's where we really fell in love and it is tremendously important to the both of us. We tie dyed our own shirts and sweatshirts last year for the occasion (messy and fun)...and I figured I could water color paper bands in honor of our love for the festival and for tie dye.

Sunday was absolutely lovely. We went to a late breakfast at Zorro's in shell beach; there was a wait for a table so Cindy (the owner) sent us to the back patio (which really just looks like a quaint little backyard) where they served us complimentary mimosas until our table was ready (what!!?!?) yup...it was pretty fab. Not to mention that it was an insanely gorgeous day by the beach..or that I got huevos rancheros (which is the best at Zorro's)...ugh...we didn't want to go home.

Once home, Christine came over and we embossed the rsvp cards (more to come on that) which turned out adorable. Went on a walk, which resulted laying in the grass at the park near our house and deciding that we are going to start swimming in the mornings at Sinsheimer pool M,W and F. Also decided to make the favorite pesto pizza...but due to amazingly good weather, also decided we needed our favorite cocktail (enter the G&L's).

We love love gin and tonics (specifically Sapphire and tonics..of course), with fresh lime...there is nothing better. Once we had TJ's sparkling lime aide...but no tonic and so the G&L was borne and it is fabulous. do try.

and hello Monday...

:: peace and love ::

a list of do's

{perfect bound}

In the wonderful world of wedding planning there are many things on my brain lately...mainly the continuously multiplying lists of things to do...I am trying to do as much as i can myself..which I find really gratifying and at the same time extremely time consuming. I think I will just make this list here...that way these things that are swimming around in my thoughts, consuming my every moment (which they currently are...along with painting walls black and pesto) will be here...instead of there...weird I tell ya.

Here it goes-

*mock up and execute the construction of our invitation/rsvp/map and general 'cuteness' of the mailed package. (including finding appropriate envelopes and lining them (appropriately..of course)...

*making a lovely bohemian textural headpiece to wear with my lovely dress...(see here...such a fab style and look....a such a rockin' photog... ;-)

*get our rings made...I am thinking rose gold..with blush diamonds...and maybe a touch of filigree thrown in (why not)....for Wes we are thinking a sturdy metal...a few diamonds from the side view and perhaps a bit of filigree for him as well....(he's not a flashy guy...and yes, if you are wondering he does get to make these decisions himself...we shall see what he chooses!!!)

*get together a 'planting party' to put together our succulent centerpieces and decor (beer and perhaps margaritas or gin and tonics will un doubt ably be included in this activity...it is

practically in appropriate if they are not!).

*decide on a hotel for the night before and of the wedding....contemplating here or here.

*rent tables/chairs/silver wear/glass wear/etc....

*rent/buy (?) lighting to be strung across the plaza at dinner.

*figure out how my bridesmaids and myself will be getting up the hill to the ceremony site in our cute shoes...it is more than just a little walk down a block...its a bit hilly and dusty (perhaps a golf cart...vespa...hmm...on that note...how will wes I myself depart our ceremony? see HERE, that path in the pic is the one we will be walking down...too long to simply mosey down don't you think?

*what to hang in those beautiful oak trees...garlands...metal and mirrors strung together..oh my.

*cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes......

*coordinate my bridesmaid's luncheon. cupcakes-cocktails-crafts-champagne-craziness (had to keep the 'c' theme going..

*find/make something amazing for my girls (and they are the best group of girls i could ask for!!!)

*we are doing an ipod for our music--so making a rockin' play list is key (tips-ideas-tricks would be GREATLY appreciated...i feel a bit intimidated by this task).

*honeymoon (?)...

I am most certainly forgeting many things..but hey.. (they are now written down here...instead of swimming in my head)..which I can say feels much better!
Happy happy Wednesday, the weekend is almost here!!!

:: peace and love ::

Polaroid Flower Vase

This is really such a simple yet lovely design concept by Jung Hwa Jin...because you keep a picture for a long time, the idea is that you are keeping nature for a long time...so sweet. I would love to have a little row of these hanging in my cozy little home!!
*found via this lady!!!

:: peace and love ::

sparkley little beauties from Sarah Perlis

This jewelry is more than amazing.......organic, perfection with such things as rose cut tourmaline in organic looking frothy gold.......oooo my.
Sarah Perlis is offering a 25% discount until December 25th (!!!)....so if you are in the market for say...an engagement ring...or just a plain old AMAZINGLY beautiful (and very generous) Christmas present, look no further.

:: peace and love ::

and happy holidays ;-)

sweet treats <3

Ummmmm............seriously!!!!??? How much are you in love with this....it's crazy fantastical!

:: peace and love ::

a camping we will go!

There is so much to do here before we head out this weekend!! I thought I would slide in a few little snippets of the snazzy tie dye we created (Wes' turned out sooo cool...I'm jealous). I will honestly be amazed if we get everything done in time...I guess I should get off the blog and start on that 'long' list eh!? Alright...I'll go, but with promises to have some even better pictures of the tie dye in use and the amazing sights that will be seen on our adventures!
Bon Voyage lovlies!

:: peace and love ::

diy fabric garlands!!!!

Here are some v. pretty pictures of a diy (no sewing involved) fabric garland that can be used as simple decor or (gasp) a pretty draping for a said Oak tree!!! I love love love this idea...I had been trying to decide what to hang in the trees for the ceremony, I'm still liking the idea of simple white Chinese lanterns, but I will need to add something pretty in yellow and mint prints to the list!!! Found here--see details here.

:: peace and love ::

Smilebooth Pretty

Head on over to Once Wed and check out this amazing(ness).....wouldn't I love to have a pretty backdrop like this for a photo booth session!!! Soooo pretty and fun.

:: peace and love ::

baby * Sprinkle * sign

I went to by bfff's baby sprinkle this past weekend, and made this fun sign for the festivities!!! I used three different colors of paper from Michael's and simple cut and pasted it together. I think it turned out really cute, the colors were blue and orange....we had more of those tissue paper 'poufs' placed all around and blue lemonade...delicious cookies that were very festive with blue and orange icing and spelling out the baby's name (Hudson) made by Ashlee's family!!! Ya to cute parties...and ya especially to a new 'almost' member of the Loughran family!!

:: peace and love ::

whimsical elements

Some lovely details for this lovely Monday morning (I say lovely even though the parking lot out front is being re paved...it's noisy and it smells.....argh). Loving all things paper for wedding decorations...and thinking that these sweet little scalloped pouches full of deep red cherries are beautiful and look mouth watering! Happy Monday everyone : ) (( pics from Martha Stewart ))

:: peace and love ::

bridal party wears courtesy of Amanda Archer

Yaaaaaaaa!!!!! I decided on this design from Amanda Archer, and after she sent me some beautiful swatches, I'll be going with an amazing mint green pique fabric for them!!! I honestly couldn't be happier, they are so gorgeous, my ladies will look lovely...they have pockets and a ruffly collar to boot : )
* happy dance *

:: peace and love ::

Which Goose.....so pretty!!

How pretty are these!?!! I really wish I could rock a snazzy headband frequently....(who says I can't right!?). Regardless....if I do get the cahones* to start this up, these are the ones I would want! Go on over to Which Goose and check them (and many, many more) out here!

:: peace and love ::

Paper Details

I LOVE a beautiful bouquet of flowers...but I also know that having an abundance of fresh blooms can make a price tag skyrocket (right on out of our budget....), not to mention the amount of natural resources used to supply all the weddings in the world with flowers (let alone the flowers themselves). Soooo, rather than deplete the environment....my remedy for this is doing a lot of beautiful and intricate details in recycled paper!!!! I found the image at top just a bit ago (and silly me forgot to save the name and location when I saved the image...argh!!). The artist who makes them uses different shades of papers to create the most beautiful flower garlands (or individuals) and the result is magic. The middle two pictures are from Martha Stewart (ohh Martha...) and I instantly fell in love with the folded paper rosettes that hang in bunches around the entire fete!! Not to mention the paper cranes (*sigh*), shown above in one of my favorite weddings on Once Wed; They are amazing and will no doubt show up tied to as many Oak branches as I can get them on. I am for sure 'stealing' these amazing ideas to use for myself...and I can't wait to try my hand at these crafts. Nothing a night of wine, cheese and my girls can't handle!! Do you have any other environmentally friendly decor ideas to share!!

:: peace and love ::

Mini Zen Gardens

How sweet are these little mini 'gardens'??? Perfect for a desk or bedside table (especially perfect for my cave of an apartment!!). Check the rest of the DIY step by step here.

:: peace and love ::

Engagement Party Invites :: Ordered!

A HUGE thank you to Sonya at West Willow for graciously helping me decide on a final design for our party invites!!! Maybe it's silly to want them to be a certain way...but it's sort of the first thing I get to do as far as wedding design is concerned and I was really excited to pick out colors, fonts and designs!!
I'll be posting their prettiness once I get them in the mail, although I did post a little snippit of part of it! (don't want to spoil all the fun right!?)

:: peace and love ::