I Heart Stella & Dot!!!

So I have been thinking a lot about how to accessorize your big day.  And ladies, let me tell you... Stella & Dot is where it's at! I was introduced to the jewelry line by a great friend of mine, Stella & Dot Stylist Lauren Kirby and I totally fell in love with the designs this company has to offer!! There are SO many pieces that will accentuate your look and make your debut down the isle one to remember!! Take a look at these fabulous finds that will give any bride and her bridesmaids a look that will be loved by all!

Now, you ALL know I am a sucker for pearls.  It's rare that I don't have them on!The Stella & Dot Charlotte Statement Necklace is just that....a STATEMENT! The beautiful multi-strand pearl necklace is highlighted with golden chains and champagne beading.  The vintage flower accent adds just the right touch to this gorgeous piece.  And speaking of the gorgeous flower, check out this stunning ring to match!  Priced at only $39...it's virtually a steal of a deal!!

I spoke with Stella & Dot stylist Lauren Kirby of Jacksonville, FL to see which pieces of the jewelry line she thought could be incorporated into bridal couture.  She had some great input!  Are you thinking of taking your wedding to tropical heights??  Check out this stunning "Birds of Paradise" necklace! It's absolutely to-die-for and my jewelry armoire is screaming for it!!  How fabulous would this be for a destination wedding??  And in my opinion this is a necklace fit for either a bride or her maids!

Lauren also suggested this fabulous piece...the Paige enamel bracelet.  This could be stacked with several bangles or used as a "Something Blue" all by itself!! The Paige is made of hand-painted enamel and stones and will add a stunning touch!  I personally think it would look fantastic with Stella & Dot's Sunset bangle and their Sloane enamel bangle! I just love this combo!! It really creates a pop of color and will highlight whites and neutrals!

 I also spoke with my dear friend Katie Thompson of Bluffton, SC... another Stella & Dot stylist and she thinks that the Sofia pearl necklace is a great way for a bride to go!! And Katie...I TOTALLY agree!! These pearls are simply divine! Hundreds of champagne and ivory pearls create a stunning statement that screams sophistication and elegance!  

 Ladies, there is SO much more Stella & Dot has to offer!! All-in-all....I'm IN LOVE with this company! They really know how to make a girl feel special!! If you would like to order any of these fabulous pieces, visit       

  www.stelladot.com/LaurenK        or        www.stelladot.com/katethompson

Lauren and Katie will take care of all your accessory needs! Or, I will be having a party VERY soon!! So if you and your gal pals would like to see the jewels in person...let me know and we will make it happen!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

~xoxo~

Shannon

Green With Envy

St. Patrick's Day is approaching, and I feel that it would only be fitting to do a piece all about Green!  It's one of my favorite colors and is the signature of nature and natural beauty.  Whether you want an outdoorsy look or maybe something a little bit spunky, green is ALWAYS good!  Green can be incorporated into your big day using inventive, non-traditional floral decor that accentuates any brides modern sensibility.

And talk about modern chic! This cymbidium orchid bouquet is laced with lily grass. It's gorgeous...and so unique!! The cymbidium orchid varies in shades from citron green to apple green and have centers that range from white, yellow, pink and magenta.  These flowers are the epitome of luxury and style...perfect for any fashionista bride! And while they are uniquely green and yes a little pricey, they are distinctly floral!!

Are you a bride that gives all of her attention to detail?? Take a look at this next idea! I am in love!! This is a "Do-It-Yourself-er's" dream!! (In fact, I may be trying these out this weekend!)  These moss covered foam board monograms are just the right touch to highlight any isle or entryway with a touch of green!  And speaking of green... keep that in your wallet because these sophisticated accents can be bought for as little as $8 OR you can make them yourself for the wedding and keep them around for your home!! 

And since you're dreaming in green...why not just go green in more ways than just color??  These days we should all try to be more eco-friendly, so for those of you who really want to be one with nature, here are some ideas that will wow your guests and set the tone for your environmentally friendly wedding! 

Of course, let's state the obvious... your invitations can be printed on recycled paper...cute, but nothing that hasn't been done before.  Then of course, there is your venue.  Churches, ballrooms and elaborate resorts require quite a bit of electricity, so it would seem only natural to host your affair outdoors! Have your wedding at a local farm and have your caterer stack your buffet with fruits and veggies from it! Or have your wedding at a botanical garden and use their fresh florals for your wedding decor and bouquets!  For those of you however, who are concerned about weather, check this out:  greenhotels.com! Here you can find a laundry list of venues that keep the environment a top priority!

Hey, remember that local farm I mentioned a second ago?  Why not make the fruits of their labor the fruits for your escort cards!  I think this is a fabulous idea!! Not only is it eco-friendly, it's eco-nomical and your guests will be thanking you for the treat just as much as your wallet! Added bonus: the leaves of the pears can be made of recycled paper and attached with biodegradable kitchen twine! 

And while we are talking about gifts for your guests, let's talk about wedding favors! Of course you could always do something edible such as candy or chocolate.  But these delectable treats are generally wrapped in not so green materials!  So instead, why not opt for something that will continue to grow and flourish, just like your new marriage?!?  Check out these adorable mini potted plants!  You can find these anywhere or grow your own!! Choose a clipping of your favorite flora...(may I suggest the Ginko tree?  It is a symbol of longevity and is one of the oldest living trees on Earth) and your guests can think of you every time they see their little sprout growing!

Get the Green Light and get to planning!! See you soon!

~xoxo~

Shannon

Pretty In Pink

By choosing the colors of your wedding, you are creating the tone and atmosphere for your event.  And whether you are a glamour girl or a natural beauty, choose colors that represent your style. 

Pink is the color for universal love.  It is one of the most popular colors to incorporate into a wedding as it brings feelings of caring, love, tenderness, and beauty.  With modern incorporation of the color pink, through using strategic color combinations and brighter hues, one may create more of a whimsical feel, as seen when pairing Persian Rose Pink with a Lime green.

The great thing about pink is that you can always find pink flowers, no matter what the season! Of course, if you are trying to maintain a budget friendly appeal, do consider what blooms when.  For instance, peonies-one of my absolute favorites- only flourish in the late spring/early summer months; whereas tulips thrive in the months of December through April. Some of the most popular wedding flowers in pink such as the Calla Lily, Orchid and the Rose can be found throughout the year! 

Another aspect to remember when you are using pink is to think about your surroundings.  Are you having a garden wedding in the spring?  Pink is a fabulous accent color to add against a background of fresh bloomed greenery! Use pomanders of almost any floral combination you can invision to accent garden walls, dangle from tree branches, highlight your isle or hang from your ceremony chairs as seen in this picture!

These modern pomanders of carnations and mums, dangling from white bamboo style chairs accented with a muted green cushion, can tie any setting together!

I'm "Tickled Pink" you could stop by my blog!! See you again soon!

~xoxo~

Shannon

Just Engaged? Let's Get Started!

So, your dream has finally come true!! Your very own Prince Charming has gotten down on bended knee, told you how much he loves you, and asked if you would spend the rest of your life with him! You are positively elated and somehow can't seem to come down off of Cloud 9... everything in life is nothing less than blissful and you just can't help but sneak about 5 million peaks at your now occupied left ring finger! Can life get anymore perfect??? **Sigh**

Sound familiar ladies??

Well, I have to say that I am absolutely thrilled for you! Now, let's jump from Cloud 9 back to Planet Earth and let's get started planning your BIG DAY!!! Here are just a few things to get you started on right after the engagement!  And don't worry, you can hop back on that cloud shortly!!

                 

Chat with your Groom!

I know your mind is racing with the thought of wedding bells, but take some time to talk with your hubby-to-be and find out what kind of wedding you both want to have.  Of course the wedding day is supposed to be all about the bride, but make sure that it incorporates elements that make the wedding show off your "couple style."  This will be the first day you and he will be Mr. & Mrs. so make sure that it is just as memorable for you as it is for him! Everything is so much easier with a happy groomy! And hey, you might be sweetly surprised by the imput he gives you back! Maybe he has some neat wedding ideas too!!

Budget, Budget, Budget! 

I know, I know...But it has to be done! It doesn't have to be as painful as it sounds though! Make sure that you sit down with whomever will be helping you with your funds and let them know what is most important for you.  Where do you want to splurge, and just as important...where you can cut corners?  Just off the top of my head, think about what can be budgeted for your ceremony, reception, wedding gown & tux, flowers & decor, photography, music, invitations, transportation, lodging, and of course don't forget about the rings!  You should also factor in the miscellaneous costs involved...accessories, gifts, and favors.  Keep tabs on your spending by going to http://planning.theknot.com/wedding-budget!!

Pick Your Date!

Don't wait around to pick your date! Wedding venues book up FAST...sometimes years in advance!! So sit down with your calendar and start circling! Do you want a spring wedding our fall? Start looking at your options, but be aware of a few things.  Keep in mind the weather!! (i.e if you have your wedding during hurricane season, a indoor event may be the way you want to go, or at the very least have an indoor alternative.)  Also, be aware of special days and holidays.  Having your wedding around a holiday has it's pro's and con's. Keep in mind that your guests may have standing family plans that they may not want to disrupt and be alert to price differences as seen in flowers and  lodging based on certain times of the year!  Or if your significant other and ALL of his closest buddies are sports fans...don't be surprised if he asks to have the wedding the weekend that the University of Whereever has a "by week!"

Start Your Guestlist!

It is NEVER too early to start on your guestlist!!! I can not stress this enough! The guestlist goes hand-in-hand with the budget, so the sooner you know your budget, the sooner you know how many people you can invite and vice versa.  You can always tweak your list down the road, but go ahead and get started on your A-Listers. Knowing how many guests you will have will make the planning process so much easier.  Plus, you will already have a good idea of who will need to be invited to showers and such!

Consider a Consultant!

Even if you know exactly how you will pull your wedding together, planning is not an easy task! There are aspects of your wedding that I promise you have never even thought about.  Consider bringing in a pro, even if it is only for day-of coordinating.  Remember, your big day is supposed to be one that you will remember as magical, unforgettable, so much fun and the best day of your life! Don't let it turn into a stressful, crazy, I can't find my vail kind of a day.  Relax, take it all in, because it will be over before you know it.  Let a consultant do your heavy lifting and let them make your day exactly what it's supposed to be...ALL ABOUT YOU!

~xoxoxo~
Shannon