fall inspiration series FINALE: inspiration board! (kate holland)

from jacin: what a treat it is to have the lovely kate holland from ruby & willow/magnolia rouge to provide today's finale in the fall inspiration series.  kate is such a talented person and has such a kind soul, you can't help but like her from the very start :) (and check out her work - she's amazing!).  thank you so much kate for pulling this together for us!


from kate: Hi lovely people... I'm delighted to be here as part of Jacin's fabulous Fall Inspiration series... there have been so many amazing posts full of wonderful pretty things so I guess mine is like a little summary of all things fall (or autumn as we call it in my parts). Now I know some might say the colours are cliche and I'm all for doing something different, however if it ain't broke don't fix it! I never tire of fall colours and Mother Nature certainly doesn't either as year after year we are treated to a spectacular display of these stunning colours. They just bring about such a warm feel good cozy appeal, so you really can't go wrong. And of course it lends itself so well to a rustic look which is my favourite! Hope you enjoy! Kxo

Photos from top left; Cider | Eat, Drink, Pretty Blog, Tractor | Etsy, Couple in Orchard | Jill Thomas
2nd row; Rattan Cake | by Jose Villa, Cowboy Boots | Jeremy Harwell, Chocolate Scarf | Tickled Pink Knits, Couple with bike | Allyson Magda
3rd row; Mustard Shoes | Ruche, Autumn Scene | Duston Todd, Couple in Orchard | Jill Thomas

from jacin: wow - what an amazing few weeks it's been!  i can't thank my guest bloggers enough for making this series so much fun.... and for providing so much creativity!!


for fall brides looking for a summary of amazing inspiration to get you going, look no further - here's the roundup for Fall Inspiration!

Cake

Food

Boutonnieres

Accessories

Favors

Placecards

Paper

Beverages

Décor
Centerpieces
Cake Toppers
Flowers
Inspiration Board

fall inspiration series part 12: flowers! (sparkle & hay)

from jacin: what can i say about today's guest blogger that hasn't been said before?  erin from sparkle & hay is truly an amazing person and i am so excited to have her posting as part of the finale for the fall inspiration series!  erin and i met each other through a weddingblog competition earlier in the year and it actually helped us to become friends!  through speaking with each other we realized we had more in common than we thought, and its been so much fun to see erin's amazing blog sparkle & hay really take off - you must go check it out if you haven't already, it is a perfect showcase of rustic chic wedding inspiration!  thank you erin for sharing your rustic and chic *sparkle* for today's guest post :)

from erin: Hello all of you lovely She Said Yes readers!!  Erin of Sparkle&Hay here – and I am so happy to be guest posting as a part of the fabulous fall inspiration series!  Jacin has done such an amazing job of rounding up a great group of inspirational bloggers and I am honored to be among such great talent! In the past 2 weeks we’ve enjoyed so many facets of fall inspired looks and today I have rounded up some of my most FAVORITE fall inspired bouquets.  For me, a bouquet is such an important part of the wedding;  it is a both very personal accessory for the bride and is really what ties her look into the entire wedding design.  When Jacin first asked me to blog about bouquets I began stockpiling images of my favorites – luckily for you this is the abridged version of my collection.  So without further ado; enjoy some of my favorite fall bouquets!

Starting with a twist on the quintessential fall bouquet tones… orange:

 via wedding bee

                                    via gws                                                                 via SMP

via smp

Deepening into maroons, reds, and some beautiful rustic purple shades….

 via weddingbee

via classic bride

via SMP

via 100LC

And who’s to say pink can’t be a perfect fall color too? 

 via OnceWed

via gws

via weddingbee

via 100LC

There is so much great fall inspiration out there - I hope you’ve all enjoyed a few of my fall inspired favorites as much as I have!  Happy Fall!  xo Erin

only 1 post left to go in the series!!

3 days left to enter the cady briar clutch bag giveaway!

fall inspiration series part 11: cake toppers! (lucinda wesson)

from jacin: i am blown away more and more each time i receive a guest post in my email.  everyone is so creative and unique and i love it!  and those two words are the perfect description (along with lovely!) for today's guest blogger, lucinda wesson (can we discuss how amazing her name is!) from chocolate creative design.  lucinda is such a kind-hearted person and i am so happy to have her on here today representing the cake toppers.  so go ahead, check them out!  thanks lucinda!

from Lucinda: When the lovely Miss Jacin asked if I would be a part of her Fall Wedding Inspiration Series, I excitedly jumped at the chance! When I chose cake toppers, I'm not quite sure I knew what I was getting myself into..but I love a good challenge. 

These days, so many people are thinking outside the box and having fun choosing creative options other than the classic wedding cake for their dessert. Dessert tables and cupcakes have now become the norm. Yet, I believe with a little creativity, wedding cakes can make a comeback!

My theory when I design and style for weddings, is that all those wonderful details should tell a story..the Bride and Groom's story. It can be as simple as a favorite color, family heirloom or even a song but it should tie together starting with the Save the Date all the way through to the topper on the wedding cake.

As far as Fall Inspiration, you have so many options..but I do believe that you don't have to be locked into Fall colors. As long as you have a base of either a warm grey or deep chocolate brown than colors like turquoise and blush can certainly make it into the picture.

So get ready, open your minds and have some fun..

No one can resist the classic love birds..but with a twist!

Paper Birds at Tuck and Bonte, Custom House & Birds at Middleburg, Silhoutte Birds at Middleburg

Acorn Birds by Ann Wood Handmade,  Felt and Fabric Birds by Hey Miemie, 

Autumn Birds by The Girl in Yellow

You can't forget those foxes who keep showing up EVERYWHERE in Design...

Foxes by Desicra

Simple Banners and Buntings...

Banner by ReadyGo, Bunting by KikiLaRue

Peacocks, wire and stained glass OH MY!!

Cake toppers by WeddingAndWire

We certainly cannot forget edible art...

Edible sugar leaves by AndieSpecialtySweets

Edible chocolate cocoa bean candy acorns by AndieSpecialtySweets

Edible chocolate filled toadstools by AndieSpecialtySweets

Fabulous pair of hand-stamped custom vintage forks and spoons.

Found via  Wooden Hive

I am absolutely obsessed with ANYTHING vintage...I love the fact that they already come with a story, could be your something old and isn't it good to recycle?

1930's Cake Topper at Neatcurios

Vintage wood Acorn box at TheButterDish

This acorn box is so sweet and the bride and groom could write love notes and tuck them inside.

One of the most unique finds are vintage salt & pepper shakers..

They always come in pairs and can be used later in the home.

Vintage Silver pears at AutumnAlways, Vintage Silver Birds at TasticLife, 

Vintage Silver Owls at AntoinettesWhims, Vintage Ceramic and Cork Mushrooms at TwoStringJane

Lastly there is always the DIY...

Many Brides are opting for unusual bouquets so why not match it with your cake topper...

Paper Bouquets at WhetherPaperworks and Desicra

Ohh those lovely vintage brooch bouquets by 1Amanda !!

You can find hundreds upon hundreds of amazing brooches on Etsy!

Why not create your own?!

Now speaking of DIY, 

I was reminded of the cake toppers that I created for a winter wedding shoot that I Art Directed 

last December. Now if I can do it..anyone can!

Figures created by Chocolate Creative Design

Images by Anna Sawin Photography

So be creative, have some fun and never ever forget about YOUR story!

fall inspiration contributors: 

Cakes: Here  I  Bouquets: Sparkle & Hay  I  Placecards: bWed Exclusive 

Paper: Paper Moss  I  Inspiration Board: Ruby & Willow

Drinks: Bubblerock Studios  I  Boutonnieres: Jacin via Guest Post on Valley & Co.

Cake Toppers: Chocolate Creative Design  I  Centerpieces: Landlocked Bride

Decor: Every Last Detail  I  Favors: Rachael Passing Notes

Card Boxes: Creative Custom Card Boxes  I  Accessories: Oatmeal Lace Design

fall inspiration series part 10: centerpieces! (guest blogger Landlocked Bride)

from jacin: i am seriously running out of adjectives to describe all of these fall inspiration guest bloggers - there's so much inspiration out there and i am so thankful to all who have been contributing!  today's post comes to you from Brit Tucker of Landlocked Bride.  thank you Brit for all the gorgeous centerpiece ideas today!

from Brit: Jacin asked for me to share some Fall centerpiece inspiration. Of course I jumped right on board. I mean, Fall is my absolute favorite season.

So, when it comes to picking out floral arrangements for a Fall wedding - there are endless possibilities. Rich colors, big blooms, pumpkins, feathers, wheat, succulents...

But how do you add the glamour and color without being cliche? Easy!

Having a more laid-back soiree? Try loose, garden-style arrangements with a variety of vases and flowers. Check out your local Goodwill or antique shops for vases with character, or search online for vintage tea tins.

Photos: Martha Stewart Weddings - Lauren and Craig; Satoko and Alex

Or, take a few nods from Fall with harvest decor.

Photos: Martha Stewart Weddings

Or, take cues from my favorite trend: rich and earthy colors.

Photos: Tyler Jones Photography

fall inspiration contributors: 

Cakes: Here  I  Bouquets: Sparkle & Hay  I  Placecards: bWed Exclusive 

Paper: Paper Moss  I  Inspiration Board: Ruby & Willow

Drinks: Bubblerock Studios  I  Boutonnieres: Jacin via Guest Post on Valley & Co.

Cake Toppers: True & Wesson  I  Centerpieces: Landlocked Bride

Decor: Every Last Detail  I  Favors: Rachael Passing Notes

Card Boxes: Creative Custom Card Boxes  I Accessories: Oatmeal Lace Design

mason jar sunday - DIY snow "mason jar" globes!

today's mason jar sunday is SO special!!  i came across these lovelies on pinterest last week and couldn't wait to showcase them on the blog.

without further ado, i give you - mason jar snow scene jar "how-to" from rhonna farrer!
 
Supplies:
Mason Jars & lids (varying sizes)
Spray paint (I chose a light aqua)
Fake snow & glitter
Little treasures to fill the jars (here, I've got bottle brush trees , silver trees & reindeer)
House of 3 Christmas messages printed & cut out

Steps:
1. Gather supplies. Spray paint the lids & tops of your bottles.

2. Fill jar with just a bit of snow & glitter. (on some bottles I even sprayed adhesive inside & then shook glitter inside for a little shimmer. *photos didn't turn out*)
Check out this link on adding water/glycerin too!

3. Right ON the jar lid, hot glue your treasures.  *TIP* Add clear pebbles to make your reindeer and trees to stand tall above the snow.

4. After you've got your little treasures glued onto the lid, put the lid together & turn upside down....& screw the lid on. Turn back upside down, shake the snow & glitter around & you've got your snowscape!
Ideas:
You can add anything inside! Here, I've printed out House of 3 tags & hung it from the top of the jar so it is hanging above the little white bottle brush trees!

This one is filled with a white bird & silver tinsel trees...along with a vintage text flower & leaves i glued on wire so it would stand up behind the bird...it's perched!

Line up your snow scene jars to create a little winter wonderland. I doubled some of the jars to add varying height.

thank you rhonna for your lovely tips!


oh, and see the pretty clutch below? it could be yours!  enter the giveaway today!

decking the halls - our thanksgiving weekend

totally non-wedding related but i wanted to share some images from our thanksgiving weekend... from our san francisco thanksgiving dinner that we hosted with friends to trimming the tree for our first christmas together as a married couple.  it was a wonderful weekend. 

*all are personal photos*

BEFORE (goldfish weren't part of the meal but they were my snackers as i cooked) :)

pat wanted to make his cookie bars

my friend chelsea set up our gorgeous tablescape - look at all the details!  she picked a thanksgiving poem for each person to read and scrolled it in to a twine/flower holder.  then she found a photo of each person and put in a mini silver frame to act as a placecard.  and can we please discuss the asparagus centerpiece?  she used my existing burlap runner down the center and made our tablecloth underneath.  it was amazing!  (and we got to use our china for the first time)

i made 2 pumpkin pies for the special day (and we're still eating it!) :)

mini pizzas & shrimp cocktail were all we needed for appetizers

we had some pretty clementines and amazing fleur de sel caramels from the candy jar

then it was time to carve my beautiful turkey (i stuffed it with an orange, halved, carrots, celery & onion

the yummy spread (from left, clockwise) - homemade applesauce with apples i smuggled back to CA from CT, scalloped oysters, sweet potato souffle, scallion cornbread biscuits made by chelsea,  mashed potatoes, the turkey, green beans & almonds, corn, stuffing with sausage/cranberries, and cranberry sauce.  yum!

our san francisco thanksgiving family (note i'm the only one drinking milk! haha)

and now for the tree trimming which we did the day after thanksgiving.  i travel so much for work that i've never been able to spend much time at home (wherever home is) during the holidays, so pat and i wanted to take advantage of the fact that i won't have to travel again until christmas and get our tree early this year.

we started a new tradition this year where we will buy a bottle of champagne for our tree trimming and we will write the year under the cork basket, and then put that on the tree.  i saw something similar in real simple magazine and i really liked it, and so did pat.  someday when we have kids we hope they will like this tradition too.

ok this is cool - pat's dad showed us this trick and we've been using it for years.  take an old newspaper or paper grocery bag and roll it up.  then when you take down your lights every year, wrap them around the rolled paper, and it makes it very easy to put the lights back on the following year (and prevents tangles)

all done!

time for a little nap :)

i hope everyone else had an amazing weekend no matter what you had going on!

PS - have you entered for the pretty clutch bag giveaway yet ?  check it out! (and see below for a quick image)