This Week I Feel...Resolved

Happy New Year! As we embark on a brand new year, it's time for a clean start. Begin the new year as clean as you can get by throwing an all white soiree. It's a clean white slate representative of the new beginnings. White table cloths, chairs, and attire are all necessities. Continue with the white theme by serving up white cocktails and primarily white food. Finish everything off with white centerpieces and serve ware for the perfect clean event. 

This Week I Feel {Celebratory}

Hi there! How was everyone's holiday? I hope it was relaxing and enjoyable. I certainly know mine was. And now that the festivities are over, it's time to start prepping for the next bash. They always say how you ring in the new year is a prediction of the year to come, thus why not ring it in in style. With glitter, drinks, friends, and fun how can you go wrong? I love using tinsel to write out the year. I'm even going to take this idea and use it to decorate my bike for our annual bike decorating competition. Don't worry I'll show you pictures of that later. Leave up the Christmas lights to sparkle off the glitter for a little extra bling. As long as you keep a neutral pallet of silver and gold glitter, you can't go wrong! 

How are you ringing in the new year?

This Week I Feel {Bright}

When in doubt add glitter. One of my favorite sights is the glow of Christmas lights off the sparkle of glistening ornament. But what I love so much about metallic decor for the holidays is how it can carry though to New Years. Metallics act as a neutral so decorating pieces can be used year round as an accent for birthdays, weddings, or any other occasion worth throwing a party! Gold accents are the perfect compliment to the more traditional red and green and add that little necessary splash of glitz.

This Week I Feel {Merry}

Just because we don't get white Christmases doesn't mean I can't dream of one! While I'm not a fan of the cold, there is something so stunning about a snow covered ground that has been untouched. Seeing as that's a little hard to find, where I live, why not bring the outdoors in and create an entirely white Christmas indoors. Imagine taking your guests by surprise at your holiday party when they walk through the door expecting to see everything draping in shades of red and green but instead see the stark beauty of all white decor. A white tree decked with sparkling ornaments in shades of silver with presents wrapped in white paper and ribbons flowing from underneath is just what this white Christmas needs. 

How do you feel about a white Christmas? Yay or nay? Is it too stark for you?

This Week I Feel...Joyful

It is officially Christmas season! I hope you all had a delightful Thanksgiving and didn't stuff yourself too much. I know I really tried not to. But now it's time to move on from all the turkey, and begin decking the halls. And, if you are anything like me, you are struggling with how to decorate. Now, I have my staple decorations that go up every year, but other than that, I flutter between going glitz or traditional. Well this week, I'm settled on traditional. And don't get me wrong, it could easily change. But, right now I'm loving the traditional red and green.  I love tartan accents and strands of cranberries on the tree. I've even already brought the outside in by spray painting some pine cones silver. I love how homey and comfy my house feels when there is a pine tree scent and green garland wrapped on the banister. But no matter what I chose, there will definitely be mistletoe hanging in the entry way! 

How are you decorating this year?

Images: {Row 1} 1, 2, 3 {Row 2} 1, 2, 3 {Row 3} 1, 2 {Row 4} 1, 2, 3, 4

This Week I Feel...Spooky

Happy Halloween! Almost. Halloween is exactly a week away and whether you are throwing your party this weekend or on Monday, it's time for a little inspiration for your spookiest bash yet! Set the spooktacular scene with spider webs draped over all the surfaces in your house. Turn off all the lights and light the way by candlelight. My favorite part about a Halloween bash though is all the creepy things you can do with your food! I love that skull wrapped in prosciutto and the viles filled with red shots and labeled as blood. Even better, the cupcakes with shards of "glass" and dripping in "blood"!  How are you celebrating Halloween? Party or Trick-or-Treating?

xo

*Images: {Row 1} 1, 2, 3 {Row 2} 1, 2, 3 {Row 3} 1, 2, 3

This Week I Feel {Southern Affair}

You've heard the expression, "You don't become Southern, you're born that way." Well today I'm bringing to you a lovely soiree that is Southern to the core. Think less rustic charm and cowboy boots and more modern Gone With the Wind. We're talking mini pies, sweet tea, plantation homes, Georgia peaches, and sweet Southern drawls. Nothing screams Southern soiree than hospitality and making your guests feel at home. And the easiest way to do this is to create an intimate, welcoming setting. The most important though, is all the little details from your escort cards to your location. Bring in your Southern flair with Coca-Cola, Mason jars, bow ties, and sweet tea bars. But, the best part about a Southern wedding is not the details, or even the food, it's absolutely the best time you will ever have! 

*Images: {Row 1} 1, 2, 3 {Row 2} 1, 2 {Row 3} 1, 2

This Week I Feel...Like Clowning Around

Who doesn't love a good carnival? For months now, I've been planning a huge carnival themed party for a client's 90th birthday. And this week, I'm going to tempt you with little carnival treats, starting with some carnival inspiration. Stripes, games, popcorn and tons of candy is just about all you need. Maybe. With this carnival, I wanted everything to quirky, fun, and a kind of over the top. While we are lacking a kissing booth, we do have a fortune teller, clown, and a balloon man! All the details are dripping in red, yellow, navy, and white. I'm getting excited for all the fun on Saturday and I can't wait to share more details with you throughout the week! Wait till you see what fun I have in store for you tomorrow....

This Week I Feel...Athletic

Being from the South it's kinda a thing. You don't mess with football season. You can't even think about planning something on a Saturday that does not involve beer and watching football. Well in honor of the first week of college football, (Woo! Go Noles!) prepare yourself for an entire weeks worth of football related posts, starting with today. While I have never played football (for obvious reasons of course), I do fell slightly more athletic watch the players run down the field and tackle.  And oddly enough, just by the amount of football I have watched in my day, I feel I could play much better than any of those stupid people out there on the field that for some reason can't see the guy coming from behind to tackle him (I mean do these guys not have eyes in the back of their heads like my mother always did?). So brace yourself, because football season is upon us, and even if it isn't as hard core in your house as it is in mine, get ready for the fun and excitement that is college football!

This Week I Feel...Domestic

I'm all moved in, and pretty much all settled. And now that the housewarming party is behind us, I'm finally beginning to feel domestic. It's a new feeling, and I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of excited about it.  And it's left me wanting to throw another housewarming party. But, I want this one to be kitchen themed! I mean how appropriate is that for a housewarming party? With aprons, utensils, rolling pins, and more, how could you go wrong? I also love this idea for a bridal shower. You could get the bride all she needs for her new kitchen! 

This Week I Feel...Smart

This week I am feeling just a bit smarter. Why? Well, because after a VERY long summer of nothing but studying, R has taken his first preliminary test. And while there is still one more to go, I'm confident we (Yes, I do refer to the test as though we are both taking it.) will pass both. Back story, these tests are supposed to be so difficult that almost no one passes the first try. So, while I'm sure the last thing he wants to look at in a "Congratulations You Passed Prelims" party is a book (He'd rather be looking at a cooler full of beer, I'm sure.), I may just have to fill the room with books. I feel it's only appropriate. Plus how cute would it be to have library cards as the invites or stacks of books as table decor?

Images: (Row 1) 1, 2 (Row 2) 1, 2 (Row 3) 1, 2

This Week I Feel...{Green}

This week it seems green has taken on a number of meanings for me. While yes, it is one of my favorite colors, it's not why I'm feeling the green-ness so much this week. Basically, this week I've began to feel the urge to renew, reuse, and recycle (ha! Yes, that was intended to be a funny.) I'm renewing the items I have by repurposing them with a little paint, reusing items I find with a new meaning, and recycling the old. And frankly, it's making me feel pretty good! Looking at all the green (I'm talking about the color now.) makes me feel like there is a new sense of life! Plus, how amazing are all of these green party images? So cute and fresh! 

Images: Navy Yards, Bar, Cake, Table, Candy, Plant, Love

This Week I Feel...Relaxed

I have officially turned in the keys to my old apartment, and now that that task is over, I feel magically relaxed. A huge wait has been lifted off of my shoulders now that I don't have two apartments. Anyways, I am feeling inspired by my new sense of relaxation. And what is more relaxing than bright corals on the beach? Not much in my book! It's bright, summery, fun, and classic. Pair it with turquoise accents and any soiree is bound to be beyond gorgeous and relaxed. Make the event a little more subdued by pairing it with natural tones and textures like burlap or linen. What makes you feel most relaxed? Beach or mountains?

This Week I Feel...Refreshed

After a long, hectic week of late meetings, packing, unpacking, cleaning, re cleaning, projects, and more cleaning, I'm finally beginning to feel settled and refreshed. Does moving make anyone else feel refreshed? I'm yes, obviously I hate it while it's happening. But, after it's over, I've tossed so much during the move that I'm frankly just too lazy and don't care enough about it to move, that I feel lighter and almost like a new person. It's weird. Anyways, as I'm decorating this new place (I was over my old decor, and this place is 3 times the size so I need more stuff!) I'm drawing my inspiration from navys and whites. I feel it just keeps playing on the refreshed vibe I'm getting right now. I'm turning my home into a sanctuary to come home to at the end of the day! 

On a side, but more relevant, note, navy is a great neutral color for any event. It acts like a black or brown but brings something a little more special to the color pallet than black or brown. Personally, I'm kind of obsessed. It's turning into a problem.

This Week I Feel...Bubbly

You may be wondering why this week I feel "bubbly" and have decked this post out in pink and gold. Well, for one reason of course! The pink and gold represent pink and regular champagne (bubbly!). And I'm sure you're wondering what has brought on the overflow of bubbly. Well, for a few reasons of course! One, because who doesn't love a glass of champagne every now and then (or everyday?) And because I have this new theory that everyday should be a day of celebration. I mean life's a party...plan accordingly. And there is nothing better to celebrate with than a glass of champagne! And lastly, because I'm moving apartments this week and that itself is reason for a celebratory toast (If you knew my current neighbors you would be this excited to move too!).  Plus, I love the color combo. It's just so romantic and girly! 

Now go and celebrate your Monday! xoxo

This Week I Feel...Colorful

So, I would like to start with a little story today. Last Christmas while out shopping for my gift, seeming all lost and confused, the lovely sales associate decided to provide R. with a little help. She proceeded to ask him, "What's your girlfriend's favorite color?" His response, "Black. Or maybe white." While yes, it may be just about the only color I ever wear, it is not my favorite color.  Thus, I have been inspired lately by Kate Spade's new campaign to Live Colorfully! Incorporating extra pops of color in every way is a must now. I'm dying over the "pop" bar with a multitude of colored sodas, the colorful paisley cake, and the delicious looking bright macaroons. Even Miranda Lambert is deciding to live colorfully with her eye catching bouquet of broaches given to her at her bridal shower! Looking to have your own colorful soiree? Try having a color scheme of more than just one or two colors like the couple who had their wedding party in a rainbow of dresses, or the yellow, green, teal, and pink bash in the right hand corner! Even the reception at the bottom center is not too over the top for a colorfully lived life! So here is a little challenge for this lovely Monday, as you reach for that black get up to head to work, put it back and instead reach for something full of color and see if it brightens up your seemingly gloomy work day! 

This Week I Feel...The Red, White, and Blues

I love the Fourth of July.  It is just such a relaxed holiday.  There is no big pressure to do anything except exactly what you want to do! Usually on the Fourth, we head down to the beach for a while then mosey back to the house where we grill on the back deck.  Usually, it's a very low key holiday.  I have such a large family, and holidays are such a big deal. Don't get me wrong, I love spending every holiday with my family, but sometimes a low key day is perfect!  I've never actually done a big Fourth of July bash, with lots of friends and family. But, suddenly I'm feeling the urge to deck out the back deck in American flags and light up the night with sparklers to celebrate how thankful I am to live in such an amazing country! Whatever your holiday plans be this coming weekend, I hope you do it in style with a touch of flair and a little bit of sparkle.  But, most of all I hope you do it safely! Happy July 4th everyone! 

This Week I Feel...Pretty in Pink

So pretty, bright, and fun right? I got my original inspiration for today from the gorgeous pink hydrangeas I picked up the other day.  While I don't naturally gravitate towards the color, I have recently been craving to add hints of the vibrant shade everywhere! Try splashing it into flowers, cakes, drinks, linens, and even lighting. My personal opinion of pink, have it be your primary color and not mix it with others.  It's best used with neutrals when trying to make it a little more sophisticated and modern. How do you feel about pink?

Color Me {Beachy}

Lately I've been dreaming of escaping to a tropical island. More specifically, the Bahamas. I've been going since I was young and it is truly the happiest place on earth (step aside Disney World). Leaving behind the stresses of everyday life and sipping a margarita on the beach is exactly what I could use right about now! With crystal turquoise blue water, sunny skies, and tropical libations, how can you go wrong? But, seeing as there is no tropical vacation in my near future, maybe I'll just transform my house into an island retreat and pour myself a margarita, or maybe even a rumrunner, every day after work! Who wants to join?

*Boat, Seagulls, Beach Party, Couple, Rock

Color Me {Rustic}

I'm currently dreaming of throwing an event filled with rustic charm.  Thoughts of exposed wood, burlap accessories, twinkling lights, and galvanized metal fill my head. The feel of this event is so relaxed and inviting that guests can't help but feel at home! It reminds me of my trips to Italy and how authentic everything was. Raw, rustic, natural, and charming, this theme has it all in my book! 

*Horseshoes, Table