Good as Gold

When it comes to jewelry - either for me or for my house - I've always favored silver tones. My wedding ring is platinum, my belts all have silver buckles, and all my bathroom fixtures are either chrome or brushed nickel.

Over the past few years, however, gold has crept its way onto my radar. Apparently I'm not alone. Thanks to cinematic prowess of The Great Gatsby opulence is in and gold is expected to be a huge trend in weddings this year.

via

I wouldn't say I've become obsessed, but I have amassed quite a collection (pins) of ways I could gild the lily.

On the homefront

Anthropologie

Wit & Delight

Anthropolgie

Nancy Lorenz

ShopBop via COCOCOZY

Golden Girl

ModCloth

Hellelu

Nordstrom

BHDLN

Anthropologie

What do you think? Can you see yourself sporting a little gold leaf this spring?

Suits me

We have a pool (for now). I love the beach. It may surprise you, then, to know how rarely I actually get into the water. As a result I only own two bathing suits. Well that and I can never find anything that fits right. There's either not enough suit (no bikinis for me), not enough support, or too much suit (who are these women with such long torsos?).

Suddenly, however, I am inexplicably gripped by the desire to buy a new swim suit. And, oh, some of the ones I seen online...

The husband isn't a fan, but this ruffled one piece from Wildfox is calling out to my whimsical side.

This beauty from J. Crew's Luxe Tulle line just went on sale. Look at the support that thing has! And ruching hides a multitude of sins often all too visible amongst beach goers. Sadly, the "regular" torso measurement is almost eight inches longer than my torso. Dear J.Crew, add swimwear to your selection for petites. Thanks.

Betsey Johnson calls this raspberry confection "Shortcake." Doesn't it sound perfect for me? I love that it has the feel of a strapless but still has the very thing needed for keeping your suit where it should be even in rough waters.

Now if I could rock a two-piece I'd seriously consider doing it in one of these.

 ChloeScalloped Halterneck

Classic retro bikini in navy from BeBops

Why is bathing suit shopping so hard?!

Home is...

Well, I'm back from a week of house hunting in DC. I wish I could tell you the hunt is over, but things didn't turn out quite like we'd hoped.

I've said it before, house hunting is hard. However, this time around I confess it is also a little fun. The busybody in me relishes seeing the insides of all those different houses, and imagining how I would set things up if it were my home.

I can't take you into the houses I saw on my trip, but I'll gladly share with you some of my favorite inspiration homes and decor.

Brookleigh Daybed from Rosenberry Rooms

I'd set Emily up with this daybed in a heartbeat. Sadly, she's not that into it.

Smeg Refrigerator from West Elm Marketplace

Ben has already agreed this is the refrigerator for us!

Tiny Victorian cottage in the Catskills

I'm pretty sure Emily needs a little something like this in our backyard. She agrees saying it would be"perfect for a sewing studio."

Flor tiles in "Just Plain Folk" and "Lanyard"

I first read about Flor tiles in 2007 on Dooce.com. I liked them then, but I fell in love when I saw this great rug on Brooklyn Limestone. I'm still working to bring the rest of my family around.

Powder room on HOUSEography

In DC powder rooms are in practically every house. At least one of ours will have dark blue walls and a gold ceiling. I'm doing it, there's no stopping me, don't even try.

English Farmhouse sink in a kitchen by Hallie Cohn Designs

I fully intend to have a farmhouse, or apron-front, sink someday.

And you? What's going on in your dream-house tour?

Lessons in fab: throwing an UnBirthday party

Every summer I say goodbye to my sweet Emily for a few weeks while she visits with her dad. This means each summer I miss her birthday. I know...it makes me sad too. But this year, that sweet husband of mine suggested we throw our poppet an early birthday; an UnBirthday, if you will.

It has been a few years since I last threw a party of any sort so I began stressing immediately. I had about a thousand ideas and so little time to execute them all. I mean, have you seen all the party photos out in the blogosphere?  People know how to throw a PARTY!  I knew I wouldn't be able to live up to all the internet fab nor my own expectations.  Luckily, I have Ben to remind me that throwing a good party is just like anything else - it takes practice.

We plan, we party, we learn, we repeat. 

That guy is so smart.

Just in case you don't have time to practice before your next big party I thought I'd share what I learned about throwing a party that is definitely eight-year-old approved.

1. Pick a theme.

I did some detective work and discovered Em wanted a party that centered around Disney's Tangled, and involved a pinata.

I'll be honest, I don't much care for children's themes. Don't get me wrong, I really like Tangled, but I didn't want to have Rapunzel and Flynn plastered on every surface.  The color palette however...

Tangled movie still via Polka Dot

2. Select fabulous invitations from an amazing stationary store.

Oi 'Hip Hip Hooray' invitation from Akimbo

3.  Practice your confection artistry before the big day.

My inspiration via Raspberri Cupcakes

My pancake-thin first layer. The day before the party. Whoops.

4. Entertain...

Making masks and crowns

5. ...entertain...

pin the hair on Rapunzel

More on that part below.*

6. ...entertain.

But try to not get your adult guests killed.

7. Provide good eats...

...or have your guests scavenge for their own.

8. Dish up your less-than-perfect but incredibly delicious cake creation.

9. Stop, breath, and enjoy!

10. Oh, and a few more things...

The ice in your freezer is nowhere near enough. Buy a big bag.

If the choice is between the roomy, sunny porch, and the smaller shaded patio, plan on everyone hanging on the patio.

Make your hamburger patties the night before. It might mean the difference between having your husband at the party and having him inside sipping a martini while furiously pounding out meat pucks.


*I see you jealously eying my Rapunzel game and who can blame you? The lovely Alicia Parsons of Akimbo designed it for just this occasion.

Lucky for you, Alicia is as magnanimous as she is lovely and is letting me offer it to you! Just right click on each of the images above above and tell them to "open link in new tab." Once the image URL opens, right click again and select save as. Voila! You now have you very own Akimbo print! Enjoy!

And if you have any party tip, mishaps, or stories, please share them in the comments section. I love hearing from you!

For every girl, a garter

This week I got the best e-mail ever. Want to know what qualifies as a best e-mail? One with pictures of an NPJ bride. Wearing her original NPJ garter! At her St. Patrick's Day wedding! Seriously, you guys, I might use up my weekly quota of exclamation points in this one post.

I know you understand, though, because you cannot look at this couple and not be excited. Sarah and Chris tied the knot, literally, on St. Patrick's day. Because they are just awesome like that.

Amazing wedding photography by Mozingo Photography.

I know, right?! They exude joy!  And that isn't even the half of it.  Just look at how her sapphire eyes sparkle against that red hair.  When I was a little girl I'd call it monarch butterfly hair and ask my mom every day if I could dye my stupid blonde locks. And that headpiece!

Genius bridal portraits by Mozingo Photography

Sarah contacted me in February about making her wedding garter.  I knew we'd get along just fine because she started her message with my four favorite words; "I love this garter!" She was referring to my Golden Years garter.

I really shouldn't put my own photos in the same post as a professional photographer's.

When I made this garter I knew it was only going to appeal to certain type of girl. Luckily, Sarah came along, and she is the very best type of girl. And she requested a toss garter.

So I made fair Sarah a toss garter and described it thusly. (That's right, I just threw a"thusly" in there.)

I don't actually know Sarah - I mean we've never met - but I think she might be a wood sprite. She asked me to make a toss garter. Something simple, she said, with ivory and amber, brown and olive green. Can you imagine an early spring wedding with golds, browns, and greens? It sounds like a dance of the druids, of dusk in the hollow, of woodland dreams come true!

I happily designed my secret elf bride and creamy, dreamy, band of ivory dupioni. I added lush olive green satin leaves with just a hint of gold, and a vintage beaded earring shimmering with the tawny shades of the earth.

Sarah responded enthusiastically and confessed that yes, she was rather woodland. I just knew she and I were meant to be, but she decided to go ahead and marry that Chris fellow.

I cried for a bit, but my mourning turned to tears of joy when Mr. and Mrs. Chris Pressley sent me these most lovely photos taken by the talented Michael and Meriah Mozingo.
 

 

 Chris and Sarah, you look positively exuberant!  I trust your happy wedding is only a sign of the many joyful years ahead of you. Thank you so much for allowing me to be a small part of that loving and lasting happiness. Best wishes to you both.

Very truly yours,
J-

Inspiration Found: Reversible Things

Doesn't it seem as though the comfiest, coziest things are best when they're two-sided? I talked about this a little in October, but now that autumn is sort of making her appearance in Florida I'm even more in love with objects featuring duality.

It means twice the number of hand-protecting coffee cuffs.

via Love 2 Create

It means snuggling twofold as often.

via COCOCOZY

That's two times the amount of chic outerwear accersorries.

via UnderReconstruction

And now, thanks to yours truly, you can coordinate your garters with double the amount of outfits, moods, socks, and stockings!

Reversible Garter Pair at Never a Plain Jane Designs

One side is 100% wool upcycled from a vintage Ralph Lauren skirt. Delicious fall shades of russet and forest green make up the cozy plaid pattern. On the flip side, a rich, gold dupioni silk.

I really love these. Really, really love them.