Ooh, La, La...

Welcome to the final post of 2011. For any new brides and grooms to be, first let me say, CONGRATS!!! It's such an exciting time of year to get engaged. While I'm enjoying my week of vacation with my family, I thought I would tell you about some fun goodies I've stumbled across. Plus, an "Ooh, La, La!" post would be a fun way to end the year.

1. Make Your Own Monogram!

Source: weddingchicks.com via Terese on Pinterest

Go see how easy it is to make your own monogram...and the best part is, it's free!! This would be a great way to personalize something for a party or wedding...definitely nice freebie! Just print it out in whatever color scheme you're looking for, and you have a lovely sophisticated monogram.

A few ideas:

personalize stationary

favors

invitation labels

save the dates

place cards

wine charms

hang them framed on the bride and grooms chairs

personalized guest book

2. Ruffled Best of 2011 Lists

Ruffled published their favorites from this past year, and it was so fun to look back through. I will say, start with the bouquets, and go from there. The fashion, flowers, and glam will have you oohing and ahhing for a while. Also, finding the flowers and fashion you love can many times lead you to the perfect style for your wedding.

3. Less Stress Entertaining

Then, finally, I saw this cute article over at Real Simple about the Less Stress Dinner party. I thought it might be encouraging if any of you are wanting to have guests over in the New Year, but struggle to feel like it's do-able. With these tips, you just might be willing to throw that bash after all.

I can't wait to start a new year. I'll have some fun surprises in the New Year to share with you that hopefully will only increase your love of joining me here. Thank you for all your support and love. It truly is a gift to be able share life in this little space.

Blessings to each of you as you start 2012!

Ooh, La, La...Chartreuse!

Thursday, I treated myself and went to my favorite shop in town. Even though I was only there for 20 minutes, I felt completely renewed and inspired when I left.

Chartreuse is a fabulous mix between a flea market,

an antique store and an art gallery.

They have amazing furniture finds that are 100% repurposed...

and the great part is that they're listed at consignment prices.

The other day my daughter asked me why I liked old things so much.

I laughed and thought about it for a minute.

Then, I said, "Because they tell a story."

I really like things that have been somewhere, and have a story to tell.

Or things that could have been thrown out, but have been given a new life.

If you were a piece of furniture, what would you be? Would you be rustic and restored, or would you be bright shiny and new? What's your story?

Ooh La La!

Spotted on 100 Layer Cake, an absurdly sweet wedding shoot, by Steven Michael Photography, that has our style all over it! These photographs of Roni & Alex's wedding are so adorable and do a great job showing all the homemade pieces and painstaking details that help create those intimate moments at an event like this.

Very familiar to us, handcrafted rosettes as corsages and boutonnieres paired with country florals and romantic lace!

The little details go such a long way!

What a great idea, to hang your family's wedding pictures or your own baby pictures on a tree at your outside wedding!

{The Happy Couple}

Congratulations, Roni & Alex!

Ooh La La... Bottles & Burlap!

Blogs all over are doing inspirational posts on bottles...

because bottles make for some beautiful inspiration!

In honor of one of our upcoming autumn brides, here's a little spread full of rustic and vintage photo inspiration. This particular bride is in love with vintage bottles, and for her barn wedding bottles and burlap are a must!

Bottles, mason jars, and vases of all shapes and sizes, placed together create the most beautiful and unique centerpieces, while a little or a lot of burlap will give it that country presence.

Be sure to check out all the links to get even more vintage, rustic inspiration ;)

Images: header, 1. Julie Pepin, 2. Once Wed, 3. Green Wedding Shoes, 4. Ruffled ,5. Ruffled, 6. same as 4, 7. Style Me Pretty, 8. Apartment Therapy, 9. Design Sponge

Tribute to the World's Best

I know it's the end of the day, but I wanted to put together a

little storyboard in honor of Father's Day. Such cute things!

Every year on Father's Day, we do a few fun things for my hubs. Usually we give him a new mug. Seeing as he really is the...

...we try to do simple things that we know he'll love.

So, we got donuts for breakfast from the best donut place around, went to church, had his favorite lunch (vegetable lasagna), enjoyed visiting with family, ate Watergate cake for dessert...and blueberry cream pie...and took the kids to the park. It was a great day...and just the way he wanted it, which was exactly what we were going for.

So, to all those world's best dads out there... thanks for being so great.

(bowties; guitar pick; pony card; i love my dad card; moustache glasses)

Ooh, La, La!

I'm busy this weekend with an amazing wedding that I can't wait to show you pictures of, but in the mean time, you can feast your eyes on this...

This wedding is absolutely gorgeous. And all of their flowers included amazing succulent bouquets complete with cameos to adorn each.

I love the wooden signs and the touch of vintage mixed in with the rodeo theme. It's always fun to see other people's artsy wonders. You can really mix vintage with almost A-NY-THING and make it look fabulous.

all picture credits to ashleymaxwellphoto.com

Ooh, la la!

One of my favorite wedding trends right now is colored wedding shoes.

I . love. them!

Look how fun these are!!!

If you were going to pick a color, what would you pick? Pick a color, any color! Better yet, what color do you think I would pick? hmmm...

photo credits: http://blog.weddingpaperdivas.com/colorful-wedding-shoes/; http://www.bridalbuds.com/tag/nordstroms/; http://thebluemoonwedding.com/2010/03/shoes-mrrrow/

Ooh, la la!

One fun way to make your wedding or event more personable is to make Do It Yourself favors. It's also a great way to save a few dollars in your budget. There are so many fun DIY favors out there, but these are a few that would be cute this wedding season.

Homemade Jam to go!

Vintage Cookies

So fun for weddings, showers...

or even for Easter!!

DIY Sparkling Water Favors

DIY Yummy Wedding Favors

Handmade Tins

DIY Coffee Bag Favors

Ooh, la la!

ooh, la la!

Look what cute celebrations I saw this week!

When you think of bridal showers, you probably think of girls in dresses, frilly presents, and yummy cake. While that might be your picture perfect shower, don't fret if it makes you want to run and hide. Just as every wedding is different, so is every bride. Find ways to shower your favorite bride that are perfect for her! Look how cute these showers are!

Lushious French Flair Shower

5 Unique Bridal Shower Themes

Super Cute Retro Shower