Inspired Goodness

Modern Bride Trendsetters

Looks like the the project I worked on with Bee from WeddingBee is finally being unveiled. She's been honored by Modern Bride Magazine as one of the Top Trendsetters of 2009!

A few months back, Bee contacted Inspired Goodness to help her scramble together the ultimate 'wedding blogger's home office' in about two days time. The issue is finally on newsstands - make sure to check it out this month and be sure to congratulate Bee on her success!

Below is the article from Modern Bride:

image from WeddingBeePro

DIY Derby Style

So excited to be able to share another amazing wedding story with you all from the latest issue of Vermont Vows. This one is inspired from by the Kentucky Derby and has loads of great visual ideas anyone can borrow from.

Here's a few DIY tips to help you replicate this look:

Love this dress by Watters  - the editors added in a few key details (super easy to replicate) with a simple addition of a chocolate velvet bow, striped grosgrain ribbon and snug riding jacket.

Etsy seller Just Something I Made makes similar ribbons that would tie in the look pinned to your wedding bouquet.

This theme really lends itself to a daytime wedding- keep your eye out for a local park area or country barn where you can take advantage of a beautiful summer backdrop.

To add authenticity to the decor, scavenge local garage sales for similar silver serving pieces and pickup yards of seersucker fabric in blue or red. Add a few dozen mason jars to the mix, allowing your guests to enjoy the signature cocktail in style.

Old trophies are perfect to hold monochromatic floral arangements and can be found in so many sizes and shapes at flea markets or on eBay.

And don't forget to keep your eye out for old horseshoes - attach them to each escort card with taffeta or grosgrain ribbon!

Rustic Wedding Accents

The recent issue of Vermont Vows is packed with so many inspiring stories but this one was begging to be shared. 

Isn't this outdoor appetizer set-up is divine? Love the ice tea inside old mason jars and the awesome bamboo cutlery I'm dying to buy for a summer-time outing. Such a pretty use of rustic and farmhouse materials - I would adore to recreate this for any bride.

photo by Michael Riddell

Another great shot  includes this creative display produced by Creative Muse Floral Design for escort cards. Love, love, love it!

photo by Curran Photography

Can it Be True?

Interesting turn of events today...

The good: A new Martha Stewart Book (check it out!)

And the bad/sad/totally utterly horrible...(read more)

Where do you find inspiration?

So many times, I have to work on a new project - and am need of some major help. A trip to one of the largest Barnes + Noble's in NYC uncovered some real gems for helping me find some much-needed inspirational imagery. Here's a few things I picked up:

First, an incredible book titled Times Square Style: Graphics from the Great White Way provided a look back into what makes this area such an integral part of the fabric of New York. Imagery ranges from vintage postcards, menu design, theater posters, Ziegfield art, billboards and advertisements.

A little peek inside:

The next book, Havana Before Castro is full of vibrant, colorful images depicting what put Cuba on the map in the 1950s. This book includes spectacular show images, dancers, restaurants, music influence and nightspots!

A peek:

Also got a peek of the beautiful book, The Chicagoan: A Lost Magazine of the Jazz Age. An amazing over-sized beauty, if you're looking for some wonderful vintage advertisements, images of the jazz age in Chicago, or just simple Art Deco influences, this is the title for you.

 

Addicted!

I have a confession that I'm hoping might be something that you secretly have a problem with also. See, the thing is, I've an obsession with anything done by the folks at MSLO, or to you laymen, Martha Stewart!

I'm totally crazy whenever I see anything with those two little words "MARTHA  STEWART" on them. Its like I become completely magnetized and MUST HAVE all of it.

Case in point, I was on my way home last weekend from Long Island and just decided to stop into Wal-Mart since I've heard they are selling her wonderful craft line.  

Of course, my fix was not quite met and on the way toward the expressway, I caught a glimpse of a Michael's. Sadly, again, I stopped. I did show a bit of self-control, decided to step away from the super beautiful colored glitter (why do you people want to tempt me so much) see all these pretty colors:

and I picked up a few more things, including this cool umbrella punch. I've a upcoming tutorial planned with this puppy in mind.

All in all, I got a total of five items. Please tell me this is not just in my head - anyone else with the same obsession?

The Greatest Show on Earth

The colors, vintage appeal and campiness found in this new book by Taschen, The Circus, 1870-1950 is amazing. Whether looking for color palettes or old-fashion design influence, this book is a great source for inspiration and eye candy for adding old-fashioned fun to your event.

Merci buttercups to some very special gals

Finally as a newlywed, I have some gals that I owe an extra special thank you to whom I own my sanity and grace during my year of wedding planning. Two books below kept me sane and sincere during the most stressful time in my life and the authors deserve all the credit.

Tied in Knots: Funny Stories from the Wedding Day                                                                                                         (edited by Lisa Taggart and Samatha Schoech)

A chock-full book of 2o warm stories of brides, wedding day follies and disasters that made me cry and laugh at loud. I reread this book twice - knowing that I have followed women in similar predicaments and successfully managed not to scare off my groom and feel composed of the utmost grace for my own wedding day, I have these 20 ladies to share the spotlight among.

A More Perfect Union: How I Survived the Happiest Day of My Life
(by Hana Schank)

Totally my alter-ego on more than one occasion, I reveled in the witty humor and raw attitude Hana had towards the entire wedding industry. I have to admit that during the planning stages, I learned so many things - how to successfully negotiate (ugh, those vendors drove me mad), speak my mind (without loosing it) and keep true to the big idea of marriage and what a wedding is really all about.

This book really hammered it all home and by the end, I realized that no matter what could, would or would not happen quite the way my fiance and I had planed, we had a superb attitiude through the entire process. We were honored to share a once in a lifetime memory with all our family and friends gathered by our side -- we literally had the most fun day of our lives -- we didn't loose sight that the wedding was representative of who we are (our creativity, spirit and fun) and we didn't let the industry turn our day into a mangled-mess of tuele and rhinestones.

Thanks ladies. I owe you one.