decor8

I'm not even going to explain my absence so I'll just jump start to a few images that are really inspiring me lately. Just know that I am alive and posts will be sporadic as life just keeps happening. :) Thanks folks for still stopping by!

We bought furniture this past week and I am so excited to start decorating! I am so lucky to have a husband-to-be who gives me free reign to decorate to my hearts' content...within reason, of course, and light on his pocket. :)

I've been browsing sfgirlbybay's earlier posts of her "Ode to My Deco" Domino files and I am enamored with charcoal and gray walls. I've been smitten with gray walls for awhile and I really think I am going to paint our bedroom with a soft gray tone color. I am so sad that dominomag.com is no longer but so excited to use these images as my inspiration! Here's a few that I really adore:

Dark walls with soft, light accents will definitely keep the mood serene and calm.

The perfect pair: mustard yellow and gray! LOVE IT!

Did I ever mention that I am DETERMINED to have a chalkboard wall somewhere in the house?! The husband-to-be is not too keen on chalkboard dust everywhere but I can reassure him that it won't be messy and since I am a neat freak, it won't happen. Ever. :)

Too perfect for words...

One day, I will post pictures of my own home and see how they compare with these images. Hopefully they'll be close!

{images via sfgirlbybay}

A black, white, and pink affair...and a happy friday!

I'm sure everyone knows how lovely all of Kathryn from Snippet and Ink's inspiration boards are and they truly are an inspiration to all brides out there. I am having a black, white, and pink wedding and how fitting is it that she continues to make boards that inspire me and makes me feel hopeful that our wedding will be as sophisticated as her boards.

Here's a couple that just hits the mark:

Pink and Black

Black & Shell

Beautiful, aren't they?

Well, I'm off taking my engagement session today! So excited and will share when I can. Hope you have a great weekend!

(via Snippet & Ink}

Freebie

I love freebies so I thought I share this with all of you. I wish I can enter this but alas, I'm already halfway in the wedding planning process.

If any of you brides are still at the beginning stages of your wedding planning, I'd suggest you hop on over and take the survey for your chance to win a FREE wedding! That's right, they will do everything for you....you just need to show up on May 31, 2009 and have your wedding in Atlanta, GA. This can be your chance to have a destination wedding if you're not in the area. woohoo!

What are you waiting for? Let me know if you win! Good luck!


{via Our Labor of Love}

Small feet woes

Does anyone else have trouble finding shoes YOUR size? I am having THE most difficult time finding THE shoes for THE day! You see, I have small feet, size 5, mind you. Is that considered small? Because I think so, a lot of stores don't even carry size 5! Very angry about that but I shall digress...

Anyways, I am trying to find shoes in my size with a short heel about 2 1/2 inches to 3 inches. Though I am a short girl, I can't walk in high heels even if I wanted to. So here's my dilemma, I am looking for shoes in a size 5, short heels, and because I am a thrifty shopper, it needs to be decently priced (but for THE day, I might splurge a little). Oh, and I certainly don't mind buying shoes in a daring color!

Here's one shoe that fits the bill except that it's 4 inches high! BOO! They come in a lovely champagne color as well. Should I get them anyway even though I know I will die by the end of the night?! What is a short, petite girl to do!?! Oh, the small feet woes...



{photo via Zappos.com}

Pops of color

Balloons are popping up everywhere these days. From high fashion ads to lovely engagment photo sessions.

So when I saw these photos over at Jonathan Canlas photo blog, I was blown away by the pops of color that were used in the couple's outfits and the soft pastels of the balloons. Seriously, can the couple be any more cuter? I am taking engagement photos next week and after looking at these photos, I might consider using props too. Would you use props for your engagement session? If so, what would you use? Do tell!

Jonathan Canlas is an amazing photographer so make sure to browse through his photos for more inspiration.

Well, I hope you have a good weekend everyone! I will be back in full force next week!

{photos via Jonathan Canlas}

I'm here!

Oh my goodness, I apologize for my absence lately. Life just kind of crept up on me and I didn't realize that it's almost the end of the week! eek! Well, I am here! I will try not to do that again but if I do, I will tell you in advance!

I still need to catch up on my daily readings but I thought I should share with you today what I read this morning from Gwyneth Paltrow's weekly newsletter on GOOP. She shared a story about going to Paris with just her father one weekend and well I'll let her tell the story...

Excerpt from Gwyneth Paltrow's newsletter:

Paris

When I was ten years old, my father and I took a trip to Paris, leaving my younger brother and mother in London where she was filming a movie. My dad believed in one-on-one time with us, and sometimes that extended to a weekend away. We stayed at a great hotel and he said I could order whatever I wanted for breakfast (French fries). We went to the Pompidou museum, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre - the usual spots. It was pretty great. On the plane back to London he asked me if I knew why we had gone, just he and I, to Paris for the weekend. I said no, but I felt so lucky for the trip. He said, “I wanted you to see Paris for the first time with a man who would always love you, no matter what.” From that time on, Paris was and continues to be very special to me. I lived there for five months in 1994 and I have made many trips back. These are the places in Paris I stay and eat and toast my dad.

Love,

That touched my heart SO much! I went to Paris with a close friend last year and Paris will always be near and dear to my heart but the thought of going with your father and the sentiment behind that is so priceless. If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for Paltrow's weekly newsletter as she shares great insights about where to stay in her favorite places, recipes (next week, Mario Batalli will share some great recipes), child nurturing, and so much more. I just adore her.

{photo via Style.com}

Happy Friday!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

{photo via Ben Chrisman}