Life's a Beach Giveaway!

Ok, first of all, can I tell you how much I LOVE this party by Karen Ayers? Being a sucker for the beach or anything to do with the ocean, I was immediately drawn to this amazing creation. I was all over the gorgeous details and colors when I discovered that she's GIVING IT AWAY! I contemplated not announcing this so I could have a better shot at winning! (All in jest, folks, I'd be happy for anyone to receive such a great party package. And anyway, I sense some nautical inspiration brewing...)

See all this loot? You could win it all! Just hop on over to Kara's Party Ideas for instructions on entering. Good luck! (To me too!)

{Real Party} Pucker Up Lemon Party

Here's a little sunshine to brighten your cold, November day! I love the fresh details and lemony colors (and flavors) of this Pucker Up Lemon Party from The Rowdy Stroudy's. This girls' get-together used lots of secondhand items for decor like yellow floral sheets for the tablecloth and re-purposed pillow cases for napkins!

See more photos on Carrie's blog here.

Doesn't this just make you long for summer again?

{Real Wedding} Vintage-Inspired Wedding in Pretty Coral

This mini wedding feature is a welcome break in Halloween festivities. This lovely wedding was a vintage inspired, late summer affair in coral captured by Katie Lomax Photography.

Don't you love how all the bridesmaids wore birdcage veils? Even better, this is the wedding of a friend of mine. Congrats Victoria and Brad!

Custom Inspiration Board: Retro Garden Party Wedding

Happy Labor Day! This one is a bit overdue, but I wanted to share this totally fun theme I created for a late-summer bride with a love of flamingos. She wasn't sure how to incorporate them into her wedding, but she loved the colors hot pink and green. So here's what I came up with:

Sources: stargazer lily bouquet, grass mats, flamingo cake topper, dessert table, table and chairs, flamingo food picks, lawn furniture, drink umbrella place cards, flamingo lawn decor, paper lanterns, cake and sweets

This is definitely a theme that doesn't take itself seriously, but there are so many great elements! White wicker lawn furniture or garden architecture like the white trellis are great backdrops for such flashy colors. I loved the grass mats as a centerpiece idea with pink stargazer lilies and mini flamingos. Not only are the grass mats inexpensive, but they would be a great decor accent to bring the outdoors in. And how fun are those flamingo food picks?

I'm so excited that fall is unofficially here, and to be getting started on fall ideas, inspiration boards, and party features. Stay tuned!

Farewell to Summer: Dreamy Seaside Photo Shoot

As much as I embrace the warm colors and cool weather of fall, I'm always sorry to see summer go. In that spirit, I wanted to feature one last hoorah of this wonderful season from Style Me Pretty. Not to mention, it's one of the most lush, romantic wedding photo sessions I've ever seen! The soft, nautical color palette, the ethereal lighting, the furniture design - everything about this is truly eye-candy. Enjoy!

Can you believe there's more? Do yourself a favor....go on over and check it out here.

{REAL PARTY} Pink Lemonade Birthday Party

This party is an absolutely adorable 1st birthday featured on Eat Drink Pretty that I just had to share! As if the birthday girl weren't precious enough, these details are amazing, and I just love how it's a fun twist on a girly pink party!

The invitations. Pam used the paper lemon slice as labels throughout the party.

This homemade fabric party hat is amazing! Thankfully, she only had to make one.

Yes! She made this cake herself, fondant lemons and all!

The lemonade station with fresh fruit add-ins.

Yes! Pam made and hand-painted this lemonade stand too!

What a memorable way to celebrate a memorable birthday!

Check out Pam's blog for more details by the host and party designer herself!

Summer Sunflowers

I love sunflowers and even considered using them in my own late-summer wedding! I love the rustic feel and warmth they add, but it can be tricky to use as a theme because one can easily get carried away with "sunflower everything". For an elegant twist, I love the combination of sunflowers with black and white in different prints, but as always sunflowers are also beautiful when used in casual, country feel. Today I'm focusing on formal designs with sunflowers.

Check out this gorgeous sunflower and damask table decor from Project Wedding!

Or this elegant inspiration with sunflowers and black and white stripes by WH Hostess at The Party Dress

I love what Chrissy at The Perfect Palette created using yellow sunflowers and navy as an accent color!

And for real warmth, check out this Under the Tuscan Bridal Shower featured on Hostess with the Mostess, and originally designed by A Stunning Affair. So elegant - not to mention another film-themed event. :)

Stay tuned for real rustic sunflower inspiration!