Kelby & Jeff

Wednesday, April 30, 2014




























 








Classic and timeless–like magic to my ears! Kelby and Jeff teamed up with Leslie Herring Events to plan an elegant event at Oklahoma City's First National Center, an Art Deco building constructed in 1931. Every detail was carefully considered, from the invitations by Paper N' More to the unimpeachable palette of navy and white with touches of silver and gold.

The bride wore a graceful Lazaro gown and a lace-trimmed veil; a crystal belt, sparkling comb, drop earrings and ivory Badgley Mischka peep toes completed her classic bridal look. Kelby's closest friends wore navy dresses of their choosing and nude pumps, and the ladies all carried white bouquets of roses, peonies, freesia, ranunculus, hydrangea and hypericum berries by Birdie. Jeff and his groomsmen naturally wore navy suits–the perfect compliment to the event's chic color palette.

After a sweet first look and a traditional ceremony, the new Mr and Mrs brought their guests to the First National Center for a sophisticated celebration. Leslie Herring teamed up with Innovative Event Solutions, Marianne's Rentals and florist Birdie to transform the building's formal bank foyer into a spectacular ballroom. After a feast provided by Abbey Road Catering and a moving father-daughter dance, guests went twirling across the marble floors before enjoying a slice of Amy Cakes, tied up with a color-coordinated bow. And as Jeff and his bride departed under waving ribbon wands, they knew they'd remember their wedding day for many years to come; thanks to the wonderful work of Brett Heidebrecht Photography, they always will.


Tell me, what's your favorite detail from this elegant Oklahoma celebration?

Billie

Tuesday, April 29, 2014


 Gilded and a little preppy, these Kate Spade peep toes are perfectly glamorous–don't you think?


Image by Brklyn View Photography, "Billie" peep toes by Kate Spade.

Deco

Monday, April 28, 2014


John was delayed at work on Friday night, so our evening started a little later than usual–but it wasn't without plenty of Indian food! After a spicy feast, John spent a little time with the guitar (and me with a great new read) before crawling into bed with a Netflix selection or two.

We were up with plenty of time to make it to our favorite coffee shop as they opened their doors on Saturday morning. We snagged a little café table and cleared out half their empanada supply before indulging in a little people-watching over our favorite drinks–an Americano for John, a chai for me. Then we strolled over to our local grocery for a few weekend supplies, including spray roses and clouds of baby's breath. Back at home, we teamed up to clean house before I puttered around with my kitchen sheers and Weck jars arranging flowers. After a bit of blogging, John and I met up with our favorite schemers (and usual Friday night companions) for a bit of business over a bottle of wine at Park Chow. We spent the better part of the afternoon talking and taking notes, and after they headed home, we kicked back with a few episodes of Morgan Spurlock's Inside Man. Since it had grown cold, we cooked up a cozy risotto bianco for supper and then dove under the covers with his & hers books for a snuggly Saturday night.

John surprised me with an early morning Sunday breakfast, and after roasted potatoes and avocado toast with poached eggs, we climbed back into bed for a few episodes of Frasier. While John practiced, I perused blogs for inspiration and prepped my summer editorial calendar before jumping into my favorite yoga pants for a long practice. John was good enough to drop me off in the Castro where I met girlfriends at Samovar for afternoon tea and gossip. A long walk around the neighborhood gave me a chance to pick up some pâté and a coconut cream pie from Bi-Rite, which John and I brought to Sunday dinner with our Friday night friends (we've recently decided to upgrade to all weekend friends). We stayed up late chatting and scheming, and finally tumbled into bed very early Monday morning!


Tell me, how was your weekend? Did you make any grand plans, start a new book or pick up a project?


Image by Heather Waraksa.

Mint Julep

Friday, April 25, 2014


With spring beginning to bloom and the Kentucky Derby just around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with a classic mint julep? Dust out your silver cups, pick a little fresh mint and enjoy John's recipe, straight from Mississippi!


Mint Julep

2 oz bourbon
confectioners' sugar
mint

Muddle 2 demitasse spoons of confectioner's sugar with 2 oz of bourbon in a mint julep cup. Gently press several sprigs of mint into bourbon. Fill half the cup with crushed ice and stir to frost cup. Sprinkle additional confectioners' sugar and ice to fill the cup. Soak the top with bourbon or Jamaican rum. Garnish with freshly slapped mint.

Notes: The best thing about this drink (and warm weather sipping in general) is the icy frost that rings the glass; stirring the crushed ice will quickly chill your cup and dilute the bourbon. Be sure to slap the mint you top your julep with–it's the best way to release the herb's aromatics. Cheers!


You're the Tops

Thursday, April 24, 2014


This week I'm loving classic wedding cakes, birthday plans (John's is coming up at the beginning of May!) and lots of very lovely links–tell me, what are you loving this week?


Rustic and romantic, this Rhinebeck, NY wedding captured by Les Loups of The Wedding Artists Collective via Snippet & Ink is my kind of woodland.

This backyard wedding captured by Rowell Photography from Grey Likes Weddings is simply beautiful.

This Provence fête photographed by Xavier Navarro and featured on Magnolia Rouge is irresistibly romantic. And on that note, a big congratulations to Kate for the launch of Magnolia Rouge's first lifestyle issue–it's worth diving into with a cup of tea this afternoon!

Jose Villa, Easton Events and Keswick Hall–with vendors that good, of course the wedding was stunning.
Xavier Navarro, C

This elegant Norcal celebration photographed by The Why We Love via OnceWed is all the inspiration I need today!


Image by Adriana Klas, cake by Paula LeDuc.

Kristen & Kyle

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

































A feathered bodice, a classic car and a Texas Hill country setting–what's not to love to love about this Lone Star celebration? Kyle and Kristen planned an outdoor ceremony in the bride's hometown of Fredericksburg, creating an affair that seamlessly mixed organic and contemporary with the help of their event designer Maggie Gillespie. Luckily for the couple, when rain threatened to spoil their outdoor ceremony at the Boot Ranch, their talented vendor team jumped into action, rearranging the event layout to accommodate an indoor ceremony and dinner for 160 guests.

Kristen wore a regal Pronovias gown and carried a fresh green and white bouquet by Maggie Gillespie Designs, while her maids looked elegant in floor-length gray gowns. Kyle and his groomsmen donned handsome gray suits and striped ties–an unintentional tribute to the rainy weather.

After exchanging their vows, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed a sumptuous Hill Country feast, courtesy of Chef Aaron Staudenmaier of the Boot Ranch. The Mott's, a favorite cover band, got everyone on the dance floor before the couple cut into their 5-tier wedding cake. Finally, Kristen and Kyle departed under a shower of sparklers, only to discover that her dad wasn't able to start the 1955 Bel Air convertible they planned to make their exit in. But when Kyle turned the ignition, the engine started without a hitch–the perfect metaphor for an unexpectedly perfect celebration!


Of course, Kristen and Kyle can always relive the magic of their wedding day thanks to the wonderful work of The Nichols–I'm so delighted they allowed me to feature their fantastic images! Tell me, what's your favorite photo or detail from this Hill Country celebration?
 

A Crimson Kiss – Timeless Events and Classic Cocktails by Ana Degenaar : Blogger