White Stripe Party Dress (via White House Black Market)

In the vein of last week's reasonable white dress, here is another one from White House Black Market. I wish more companies provided pretty dresses at this amount. Just ask David's Bridal. They don't even make white bridesmaids dresses. Other dress stores increase the price exponentially as soon as the dress becomes white. And no that's not just b/c white material is more difficult to keep clean during the dress making process.


*sigh*

Via White House Black Market

Lovely Clutches by Bagatelle and Co

If pretty took physical form is would look like this. And if I were a rich girl, all of my friends would have one of these in their closets. Also, if this was anywhere *near* by soon-to-be married sister's style, she'd have one wrapped up in beautiful white tissue paper. :)

Umbrellas (via SMP)

Weddings are a great place to look for summer brunch inspiration. And this lovely photo from the talent of Wednesday, Inc., EE Photography, and Amanda Marie Portraits makes me excited to plan a mid morning tea for my Mom and her friends. She has a lovely patio with large beams across the top. They are easy to reach by latter and would be a great place to fasten a dozen or so umbrellas. What a pretty set up for a morning of conversation with friends.

Via Style Me Pretty

Swirl Embroidered Dress (via WhiteHouseBlackMarket)

This would be a perfect summer wedding dress. I wish this had been around last year! It's exactly what I was looking for. Last year they had a dress with this top but it was a pencil bottom. I am not a pencil kind of girl.

Also with this dress, someone with some sewing skills could add more flair at the bottom. (Note to self: must learn to sew!)

This dress is under $200. The bride can actually move around and dance. For hot outdoor weddings the bride may actually be comfortable. Shocking I know. I KNOW!

Via White House Black Market (which I always write Black House White Market.)

Book Vases (via DIY Bride)

Terri and Adam put some sweat into this wedding and what a lovely outcome! I love the challenge of centerpieces and I would have loved to have been a guest at this wedding.

Photography by Edyta Photography.
Via DIY Bride.

Happy Necklace (by Piano Bench Designs)

I use to think in terms of favors. OK, I still mostly due. But now that my sister is getting married, I think in terms of gifts one gives a friend who's getting married. The best gift is help (check) but something shiny never hurt either.

This adorable necklace comes by way of creative hands Piano Bench Designs.

Thank You Cards

Illustrator is back!

Love Is Sweet Dessert Table (via 100 Layer Cake)

Any combination of bunting, sweets and love basically comes together for a solid win. Jen and Cody had such a pretty dessert table. I love the large flags in the front.

Photography: Simply Bloom Photography

Favor Boxes (via lorajean's magazine)

It almost doesn't matter what's inside when the box is this cute. Lorajean's Magazine blog has a folding tutorial. You could get three analogous colors of yarn and wrap the boxes in different combinations. Such a pretty table! These would also make pretty favor boxes for a bridal shower. If it's a bachelorette party simply use black paper and wrap with red sequin ribbon or something fishnet-y :)
(Blog trail: Poppytalk, Lorajean's Magazine)

Drafts into Design

This is the final week before my sister's engagement party and it will be a busy one. The cooking is the part with the most variables. I love cooking but baking comes in no way naturally. Also, I didn't take into account temperature. Tonight I tried to create the cake and cookie stands and well, let's say the glue needs about 10 degrees warmer for the MINIMUM bonding time. I'm trying to do everything outside under cover because the e6000 glue is pretty toxic smelling. Here's hoping.

Rough Design

Armed with this sketch, I braved both the returns and the house holds sections at IKEA. I think I have what I need. This weekend will be a baking/crafting explosion as I will be testing recipes and creating as much as I can in preparation for next week.

Must not forget napkins. Or plates. Also glasses.

I am going to go to Fred Meyer and get ingredients that make me look like I'm on a one track path to diabetes. Actually I probably am regardless of the marshmallows, frosting and boxes of oreos that I'm about to purchase. 

Layer Cake (via Style Me Pretty)

I know this exists as a thing but I'd never really noticed it until seeing this cake by Isabelle Li (T Room Bakery) for Madeleine and Adam's wedding. Layering flowers between cake layers is a great way to add height. Seems like you could do something really pretty to this affect with a single layer cake for a birthday party or other celebration as well. Could you make little cupcake layers and have flowers between the lower half and the upper half? This I might have to try.

Photography: The Other Angle Photography

Sister's Engagement invite (by Me)

This year Z's Mom cooked an AMAAAAZING superbowl party. I think a large part of it is relativity. You know what's a lot less work than cooking for 120 people? Cooking for 12. You know what is also a lot less overwhelming than creating designs for 15 tables? Creating one table. Post wedding parties are the BEST.