Carrot Cake

This week I'm loving color, especially mixed shades of a single hue, last minute Halloween costumes thrown together from clothes I wear all the time, and spectacular weddings wherever I look! What are you loving this week?


Thank Ruffled and Q Weddings for this gorgeous, glamorous, Gothic wedding inspiration.

A simply elegant celebration photographed by Sarah Joelle and featured on Snippet & Ink that's impossibly charming.

This stunning Chicago wedding featured on Elizabeth Anne Designs and snapped by Justine Bursoni has me thinking pink!

Modern, elegant, classic and contemporary-this LA fête photographed by Braedon Photography via Green Wedding Shoes has it all.

This Texan celebration photographed by Theo Milo Photography is wonderfully over-the-top; check out the adorable cowboy boot floral arrangements! 

Fanciful Florals Save the Date in Carrot Cake by Lehan Veenker for Minted.

All Hallow's Eve

This is the first Halloween I can remember where I didn't plan my costumes weeks (ok, months) in advance; I've always adored All Hallow's Eve, but things have been so hectic lately that I haven't thought a bit about ghouls or goblins!

So I'd love to know-did you dress up for Halloween, and have you been looking forward to it? Did you come up with a last minute costume, or will you be wearing your usual garb today? 

Dolly and Rob

Dolly and Rob wanted to marry quietly in a City Hall ceremony, but didn't want to miss out on the chance to celebrate their wedded bliss with family and friends-so they planned a week of nuptial activities that gave them the best of both worlds! Rob was part of the team that renovated New York City Hall recently, so a private ceremony in front of the two friends who introduced the newlyweds was particularly heartfelt. Later in the week, the new Mr and Mrs exchanged vows in front of a joyful crowd on the lawn of the Desmond Tutu Conference Center (now The High Line Hotel).

Dolly wore a modern ruched gown by Adele Wechsler, while her bridesmaids chose mismatched cocktail dresses in the same punchy orange shade. Rob looked handsome in a black Brooks Brothers suit (with classic black braces), Allen Edmonds lace ups and a natty tie from Brooklyn Tailors.

The Refectory's Gothic architecture and enormous size made it perfect for Dolly and Rob's reception; Flowerful Events covered the long tables with orange blooms and candles to enhance the incredible space. Guests found the bride's mom's homemade chocolate peanut butter crunch waiting for them as a thank you from the bride and groom, and danced the night away with DJ EKO while Dolly and Rob reflected on their wonderful wedding week. 

A huge thank you to Kayla Adams for sharing your incredible images with me; I just adore this wedding, and the way the couple made their big day their own. Tell me, do you have a favorite detail or image from this fall fête? 

Knotty

Vivid orange-is there any color lovelier in the fall, or against an ivory lace gown?

Image by Karen Buckle, suede peep toes by Mollini.

Untamed

This week is all about orange-the color of pumpkins, changing leaves and mugs of hot apple cider!

On Friday, I dashed out of the office to try and catch the last few moments of John's rehearsal (he's giving a North American premiere of French guitar concerto next weekend!); I didn't manage to get there in time, but we celebrated a wonderful rehearsal with cocktails at South. After a Derby or two, we invited two friends to join us for our traditional Friday night feast, and were happy to make it a fairly early evening after a hectic week.

We were up early on Saturday morning, and after plenty of snuggling, we headed into the kitchen to whip up breakfast. I sent John to Andronico's for avocados and salsa while I roasted potatoes and prepped tortillas, and we dug into a big morning meal with plenty of hot tea to keep away the chilly morning fog. While John brewed some fall ale, I settled in with my favorite blogs and a wonderful new book for an afternoon steeped in ballet and beauty. We bundled up for an afternoon stroll, and had an early supper before diving back into our projects. Curled up in bed with our laptops and Moleskines, we eventually turned off the lights and curled up with a favorite fall movie-You've Got Mail.

John was puttering around in the gray light of early morning, and I shook off sleep so I could enjoy Sunday with him. We grabbed cable knits and wool coats and dashed off to our favorite coffee shop to be there the moment it opened; we shared a plate of empanadas, and after a Chai for me and an Americano for John, headed home. After a little practice for John and some housekeeping for me, I bid my sweetheart adieu; he went off to work at St George while I baked a pumpkin bread, put finishing touches on an editorial project that I can't wait to share, and dove back into my latest read. As it grew darker I took a Ballet Beautiful class (I cannot stop raving about it!) and started on supper; we had a simple Spanish tortilla and a big green salad, and called it an early night after such a productive weekend.


Tell me, what were you up to? Celebrating Halloween in a clever costume, enjoying a favorite fall drink or cozying up to a roaring fire, perhaps?

Image by Elisa B Photography, bouquet by Sugar Magnolias.

Cardamom Moscow Mule

Moscow Mules are spicy and just a bit sweet, but how do you improve upon a classic for fall? Add cardamom, of course! 

Moscow Mule

2 oz of vodka
3/4 oz of lime
1/4 oz of cardamom simple syrup
ginger beer

Combine vodka, lime and syrup in a shaker with ice; shake for 5-10 seconds. Pour into a mug or highball glass and top with ginger beer. Stir and garnish with a lime wedge and a sprig of mint.

Notes: Royal Rose makes a Cardamom-Clove Syrup that would add a wonderful fall spice to this classic cocktail, but if you'd rather not make a run to the liquor store (the best thing about this drink is that almost everyone has the ingredients on hand!), you can simple add a healthy handful of cardamom pods to your simple syrup. This cocktail doesn't require any particular vodka, but a strong ginger beer is best; try Fever Tree or Bundaberg ginger beers for bite!

 

Image by Cocktails for Breakfast.

Juliet

This week I'm loving peachy shades (like this gorgeous bouquet of Juliet garden roses), pulling out my favorite cashmere scarves and these inspiring links! Tell me, what can't you get enough of this week?


This intimate NYC loft celebration photographed by Caroline Yoon and featured on Grey Likes Weddings will have you dreaming of throwing a White Party of your own.

I'm just a girl who can't say no to classics like this Australian fête by Jodi McDonald Photography via Magnolia Rouge.

Jodi McDonald Photography, V

This SF Calligraphy workshop sounds too good to pass up-maybe it can be early Christmas gift to myself, especially with a discount code from HelloLucky!

Braedon Photography shared this classic Napa wedding I can't stop swooning over.

This rustic Nashville wedding captured by Austin Gros from OnceWed is simply dreamy.

Image by Amy and Stuart Photography, bouquet by Holly Flora.

Sophie and Ronan

 

After more than a decade together, Sophie and Ronan decided to tie the knot in South Australian wine country; one of the couple's favorite destinations, it was a perfect place to exchange their vows, and they worked with @mosphere Events and Balloons Galore to create an intimate, classic celebration. Art Deco-inspired invitations from The Distillery invited sixty friends and family members to Old Union Chapel, followed by a joyful reception at Hentley Farm Winery & Restaurant.

Sophie wore a slate colored custom gown by Paolo Sebastian; copper Anthropologie pumps and a matching metallic belt matched the celebration's signature hue, as did her peony and garden rose bouquet by Viva the Flower Store. Sophie's dearest pals wore emerald green Hills in Hollywood gowns, while Ronan's groomsmen looked handsome in Jenny & Gerry’s tuxedos and Thomas Pink bowties. The groom wore a custom P. Johnson Tailors tuxedo and finished the classic look off with a pair of his grandfather's Peter Lang cufflinks. 

After exchanging rose gold rings by Andrew Mazzone, the new Mr and Mrs made their way to the Hentley Farm Winery; as the sun set, Atlantic Street Band accompanied the couple in their first dance, a swinging rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon". The evening was full of dancing, local wine and the sort of celebrating that comes from uniting two long-time loves in marriage.

Eon Images was on hand to capture this beautiful wedding, and I can only imagine how delighted Sophie and Ronan must have been when they saw these images; do you have a favorite photo or detail?