This too Shall Pass.

Forgive my absence.  There was a death in my family this weekend... it was sudden and scary and so terribly sad.  I am working hard to keep my chin up and hope to be back with you again next week.

image via the love shop

Tea + Taxidermy: A Bridal Shoot

I'm always happy for an opportunity to feature something out of the ordinary, and I found myself intrigued by this bridal inspiration shoot from FRESH photography.  I love the juxtaposition between the vintage setting and the intense surreal models.  This shoot was a collaboration between a number of Canadian local artists... read on for more info below.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on this one.

 photos © fresh photography

From FRESH: The Oddly Beautiful Taxidermy-inspired Bridals were a creative, collaborative effort of local artists. FRESH brain-childs two such styled bridal sessions a year, partnering with trusted professionals to showcase, share and live our passion. We're mostly creatives from a small mountain town, fighting boredom in the off-season. The Bridals were originally inspired by the mixed-media sculpture of Joey Conundrum and found vintage dresses and conceptualized by FRESH. It's a personal goal to challenge myself creatively, technically and professionally on a regular basis. Stepping out of my comfort into an explosion of autumn color and shadow has, I think, pushed all of us artists in a positive direction. For it is usually when we step out - in faith, out of the box, off the cliff - that one's potential is reached. 

The Story: Our 3 wishful brides - with divergent lives and paths, reflected by their blonde, brunette and auburn hair - have met circumstantially at an abandoned home.  Their hearts, in a similar state - neglected but not yet abandoned - are bound by common hope and longing to meet their beloved, their Sparrow. The word "sparrow" being a Native American symbol of desire and fertility.  (see Brother Sparrow - Agnes Obel). Not hearing word nor receiving sign, the trio is discontent to sit and wait.  They set out on a pilgrimage, climbing mountainous terrain to increase their view over the river valley.  And that is where they leave us, having scaled great heights, taking permanent watch over the area, waiting for sight of their beloved.

Concept, Styling - FRESH Photography 

Cinematography - Ben Olsen

Cakery - Sweet Dreams Cakery 

Hair Stylist - Stephanie of Shine Salon 

Makeup Artist - Makeup by Emily Kjelshus 

Mixed Media Artist, Assistant - Joey Conundrum 

Models - Lisa Frisk, Sam Zielsdorf, Tamer Vockeroth 

Furniture - Trail's Treasure Chest

Simply Styled. | Cake Smash

photo © marissa bowers

Eclectic Hay Loft Wedding Inspiration

Love everything about this rustic winter wedding shoot, submitted by Erin Johnson Photography.  Inspired by books, candlesticks and a pug named Hank, this eclectic collaboration offers much eye candy and some truly unique inspiration.  Read on below for all the details...

photos © erin johnson photography

From Erin + Carly: The inspiration for this shoot came from some black and white striped candle sticks, our love of books and my pug, Hank. {Check out the canvas of Hank!} In Seven Oaks Farm's huge hay loft, we hung a 9ft love story poster between huge, velvet drapes. {The 9 foot banner is Carly's love story--it tells how she met and dated her now husband. It has some great lines...she tells how he drove on their first date and says: "What was she thinking?! He could have been an axe murderer!" He taught her to shuffle. She watched Lord of the Rings.} 

We centered the dining table on top of our black and white cheveron rug and covered it with a steely-lavendar pin-tuck tablecloth. We set the table with a neural floral arrangement dotted with succulents and dogwood, striped black and white candles in mercury glass candleholders, vintage mis-matched china and silverware.
 

The centerpiece stood atop a covered coffee table book and "The Dangerous Book For Boys." Inside the glass cloche stood a handmade "6", a bingo card with the 6 highlighted, a domino adding up to six, an old six of hearts playing card and more... The escort cards were strung up on old birdcage stands. Each escort card had a personalized button for each guest, the table number and a book title to help guest find their seat.
  

Sarah, from On Solid Ground Vintage Rental, and Ashley, from Simply Elegant Bridal Consulting, put together the darling dessert table and seating area.  Our set-up is inspired by our love of books, typeface or fonts, black and white stripes, and Carly's pug, Hank.

The invitations are based on the 9ft sign and pull in Hank, the pug. The RSVP offers guests the chance to “enthusiastically decline” or check a box that says, “think you’re just out for the gift."

The favors are handmade key chains with each guests first inital. The brown boxes are die-cut boxes from Archivers. We folded them, filled them with excelsior nests and our favor. The handmade tags say "thank you for joining us today."

The escort cards were strung up on old birdcage stands. Every escort card has a personalized button for each guest and the table number and book title to help them find their seat.  Local artists, Allison and Rachel Pegoraro made a thumbpring guest book.

We put together a type of “Smash Book” as a more organic type of guestbook. Lots of sentence starters, fill in the blank decals and loads of stickers allow guests to put their own spin on the guestbook.  Pictures of Hank, the pug, are in frames near the seating areas with piles of our favorite books. The postcard carousel on the coffee table holds cards for the bride and groom.

We collaborated with some of our favorite vendors in the Twin Cities to bring this shoot to life...

Seven Oaks Farm: Venue- opening in 2013
Erin Johnson: Photography

Girl Friday: Design/ Production

Simply Elegant Bridal Consulting: Coordination
On Solid Ground Vintage Rental: Rentals and Styling

Lime Canary Vintage Rental: Rentals

Festivities: Rentals

Chowgirls Killer Catering: Catering
Brides of France: Estate Furs and Vintage Jewelry

Something Borrowed: Headpieces

Jen Mar Creations: Designed the dress for the occasion

Rosan Konieczny: Calligrapher
Sweet Peas: Florist

Allison and Rachel Pegoraro: Custom thumprint "guestbook"

Salon Rox: Make-up

Salon Etica: Hair

Models: Maggie Klein, Hannah Jackson and Nina Jackson

All in the Details | Terrariums

West Elm's recent catalog featured some beautiful terrariums created by designer Shane Powers, along with his step by step guide to creating a tabletop version for yourself. Terrariums have made a resurgence as of late, and I happen to think they make an inspired DiY centerpiece for events.  Check out some of my favorites from around the web...

photos (top to bottom) via: west elm // sprout home // design sponge // flora grubb // paula hayes // martha stewart // doodle bird // project wedding

Vintage Wedding Inspiration in Black + White

I found myself mesmerized by this enchanting wedding inspiration shoot... it comes to us from Kirbi & Tina of A Style Collective. The combo of black and white against neutrals is stunning and quite unique.  It's a playful balance between rustic, vintage and classic styles.  There are so many details to note... read on below and enjoy them all.

photos © chelsea davis 

From A Style Collective: When we first met with photographer Chelsea Davis, we desired to capture a style that was not only beautiful, but was personal and adaptable. We decided to infuse a bit of rustic charm meets the beauty and timelessness of black & white, all the while, evoking some nostalgia through the use of vintage inspired props and wardrobe. Chelsea captured every little detail with talent and grace and effortlessly captured each of the beautiful elements we styled. Her photography tells a true story in this perfect evening sunlight of a charming,romantic outdoor soiree met with the coziness of a rustic, vintage celebration. Lori Alexander, owner of 7 Closets Vintage, blew us out of the water with the addition of a breathtaking collection of vintage occasion and wedding gowns. With even more romance and lace reflected through the dress selections, the loveliness was only amplified. The addition of the bride’s black sash and satin bowed heels, gives the perfect touch of black to the divine ivory gown. The groom sports a perfectly placed silver‐gray and black bow tie with a classic black tux. Sara, with Lulubean Designs, took our inspiration for black and white vintage and created a wonderfully matched paper suite complete with silhouettes, the whimsical use of timeless fonts, the texture of kraft, and a Save the Date adorned with vintage book pages. Every little detail from the styled event coordinates perfectly with her paper designs. We couldn’t have asked for more from the dessert goddesses at two bakeries, Cinderella Stories and Frosted Bakery, for their edible perfections. Drizzled in white chocolate,sprinkled with romance, offering punches of silver and golden hues, and the amazing silhouette cookies (Cinderella Stories), the petite sweets were scrumptiously executed. We adorned Cinderella Stories’ large tiered cake with coordinating black lace and flower. We used vintage books, linens, cake stands, and dome platters to create a table that truly says Love Is Sweet. Behind the vintage inspired dessert tables, we fashioned whimsical frames hung with black satin ribbon in the trees and adorned black shutters with a lace bow for a small backdrop. The floral design, by Lisa Cushing of Petals By Design, was stunning and simple through the use of single cut stems and arrangements that combined vintage book pages and jute twine with lovely white hydrangeas, baby’s breath, roses, and ranunculus. With timeless white milk glass and mason jar props from A Style Collective, the floral was a subtle display of rustic charm. We also crafted do‐ it‐yourself book page flowers to add to the bouquet and boutonnière to play up the use of these elements in the paper goods as well as the vintage books in the tablescape. Additionally, A Style Collective provided custom sewn burlap silverware and napkin pouches at each place setting adorned with lace and a custom made burlap banner displaying ‘You & Me’. 

Event Styling: A Style Collective

Photography: Chelsea Davis 

Floral: Petals By Design

Wedding Dress: 7 Closets Vintage 

Graphic Design: Lulubean Designs

Cake: Cinderella Stories

Sweets: Frosted Bakery