FRESH LINEN

A Miracle Birthday:

2012-01-12T10:11:00.006-05:00

I can't believe Victoria's first birthday is fast approaching! I must say, there were times last year that I thought we'd never make it this far. After Victoria's premature birth at only 26 weeks, we had an emotional rollercoaster ahead of us. Each passing day was a challenge and a blessing. The three long months she stayed in the hospital felt like an eternity. The day she finally came home, only two days after my very first mother's day, was very bitter sweet. We had become so attached to all of her nurses, or as I like to call them, her NICU Mothers. They were our support system, reassuring us with each passing day, she would be okay, and one day she would finally be home. Today she is a chubby, healthy baby, who is growing way too fast. I feel thankful and blessed to finally be celebrating this joyous occasion. She is our little miracle, who changed our lives forever.

In celebration of Victoria's birthday, we have created a virtual band to make donations to the March of Dimes in her honor, and in honor of so many babies who were not as fortunate as our precious Victoria.

{Click here to make a donation in honor of Victoria}

Victoria's Baptism:

2011-12-01T15:38:00.003-05:00

When I started designing all of the details for Victoria's Baptism, I knew the color had to be Robin's Egg Blue or Tiffany Blue. Being that Im not a fan of the color pink, I wanted a color that would be elegant yet feminine. I had been looking forward to her Baptism for a long time, so I truly enjoyed planning this small event for forty. The Invitation and other papergoods designed by Fresh Linen Press.

{Mini Chocolate Mousse Cups by Gilbert's Bakery}

{Vanilla Cupcakes}

{Raspberry Lollipops}

{Chocolate Truffle Favors by the The Posh Nosh Cakery}

{Photography by Brooke Nelson Sharpe}

{Click here to purchase Vintage Tiffany Blue Party Kit}

Good Stock:

2011-09-02T11:04:00.001-04:00

Im an old fashioned girl at heart, but I must admit I love technology. I can't go anywhere without my iphone and I love that I can do just about anything on it. I'm mostly in love with all these companies that have popped up on the internet to create and publish photo books. I'm not a big scrapbooking fan; I just don't have the patience for all the cutting and gluing. My motto is that a perfect photo album is one mouse click away. Recently I was researching (cost effective) sources to get such a book published. I don't mind the books that I make on my Mac, but I wanted something with a little more design flexibility. Every time I dive into the internet for research, I somehow always manage to stumble onto treasures, and Good Stock was one of them. They create amazing photo books, they are costly, way out of my budget, but worth every penny if you are planning on giving a truly special gift to someone.

Unique Series:

2011-09-01T12:30:00.003-04:00

First, let me apologize in advance for yet another baby related post. It seems that's all I notice these days. I couldn't help but to share this unique series from the talented eye behind Sugarleaf Photography. Everytime I find a unique way to document a pregnancy I can't help but to feel sad that I didn't have the time or the chance to document my own. So to all of you new expentant mother's out there, don't wait, start documenting now!

{See the entire maternity series here}

Lost & Found:

2011-08-31T09:19:00.000-04:00

I have been obsessed with this necklace from Oliphant Design for a while now. I had seen it on the Today show a couple of months ago and haven't been able to stop thinking about it ever since! With a $125 price tag, it's not terribly expensive, but with a new baby and a new house, a new necklace isn't exactly on the top of the priority list. As luck would have it, I found an almost exact replica for a third of the price! Can you really tell the difference?

{Sea Green Bauble Necklace from Oliphant Design $125.00}

{Hey, Jade from Modcloth $44.99}

Tuesday Eye Candy:

2011-08-30T15:26:00.000-04:00

Isn't 1950's fashion just breath taking?

Shoes for a Queen:

2011-07-25T13:41:00.002-04:00

Sorry I have been completely disconnected from my blog. Ive been back to work full time, plus the full time job of taking care of little Victoria. On top of that we purchased a new home, and will be moving soon! I do, however, seem to be spending every little bit of leftover time browsing the internet for unique pieces of clothing for Victoria. Since we have decided that we will stay a family of three, it has almost become my mission to make everything as special as possible for OUR ONLY ONE! The other day I stumbled on this site of beautiful hand made shoes, and page after page it was difficult to keep it together and not be tempted to purchase their entire inventory. Sadly though, their collection is only available for a limited time in limited quantities. Now I will have to visit daily in hopes of getting a chance of purchasing a pair of Joyfolie shoes!

Visit Joyfolie to see their entire breathtaking collection

Eye Candy:

2011-07-09T21:53:00.001-04:00

Some beautiful hand painted signs from Chocolate Butterbean. These make me want to get married all over again!

Feature:

2011-05-26T13:34:00.000-04:00

I got a nice surprise from my baby shower photographer and friend Stephanie. She submitted it to On To Baby and it is featured today on their website! On to Baby is a chic blog dedicated to all things baby!

Baby Shower:

2011-05-19T14:59:00.003-04:00

Im so happy to finally be able to share some of these pictures with you. This was a very untypical baby shower since I wanted to plan and design the whole thing. I had been trying for a long time to conceive, so this would be a very special celebration, and one that I knew I would pour my heart and soul into. From the beginning I had a very specific look in mind, I wanted a crisp and clean look. I especially didn't want to use the color pink just because I was having a girl. As fate would have it, two months before my shower I was admitted into the hospital for what would be an unknown amount of time. I immediately contacted all my vendors, some of whom I have close relationships with, to reschedule. In the end, I ended up having it on its originally scheduled date. My vendors were extremely understanding with my situation, and everything couldn't have looked more perfect, like I had always imagined it.

Credits:

See more photos at: 3 Little Words Photography

Flowers: Avant Gardens

Linens: Party Tables

Cookie Favors: Elsylee

Cake Pops: The Posh Nosh Cakery

Venue: Coral Gables Country Club

Invitations and Paper Goods: Designed by me

Welcome Home Little One:

2011-05-14T22:24:00.000-04:00

Sweet Tooth:

2011-03-24T16:37:00.001-04:00

Are these not the most beautiful cookies you've ever seen? I can't wait to start planning Victoria's birthday parties to have an excuse to purchase them!

{Find them via Etsy seller TS Cookies}

Sweet Baby Victoria:

2011-02-27T18:37:00.001-05:00

These last few weeks have felt like an eternal emotional roller coaster ride. Not only was I admitted into the hospital a month ago and put on strict bed rest, but then a couple of weeks after that I welcomed my precious baby girl. She came early at 26 weeks. She is already two weeks old, and is doing well. We pray that every day is a day of improvement in her health! I hope to be back to blogging soon!

{Photography by a very proud Daddy}

Sargent:

2011-01-19T11:35:00.000-05:00

Happy birthday to one of my favorite painters of all time John Singer Sargent. He would have been 155 years old this January. It's been a long time since I have visited the Met in New York, and lately I've been feeling a certain bit of anxiety to get my art fix. I can spend hours in the Met. Unfortunately, I won't be doing any traveling for a while!

Wedding Gowns:

2011-01-18T11:44:00.003-05:00

Who says you can't have a beautiful wedding gown for a fraction of the price? This week JCrew is having a limited 3 day sale on their wedding gowns. They're beautiful for those shabby chic garden or beach weddings come Spring or Summer! All you need are some fabulous accesories to make it your own. The sale ends this Thursday, so you better hurry!

Silk Chiffon Whitney Gown $200

Embossed Organza Sloan Gown $720.00

Silk Tricotine Lyden Gown $200

Golden Globes 2011:

2011-01-17T09:46:00.000-05:00

I must admit that one of my guilty pleasures is watching award shows. Mostly to see who got it right and who missed the mark completely! Here are some of my favorite looks from last night's red carpet!

SALE:

2011-01-14T10:45:00.000-05:00

This is so bittersweet. I haven't been able to shop at my favorite store for a while due to the constantly-expanding baby bump! They need to up the ante and add a mini maternity line! So don't miss this great sale, there are lots of adorable items that you can get for a bargain!

{Visit JCrew}

Bonus:

2011-01-06T11:24:00.005-05:00

How perfect and coincidental is this Emersonmade giveaway that I stumbled upon today? Not only have I been a fan of her blooms for a while, but now I have an opportunity to win a $75 gift certificate and maybe get this beautiful clutch for myself! Wish me luck!

Visit Slumber Designs and enter for a chance

to win a $75.00 Gift Certificate!

New Year, New Parties:

2011-01-06T09:02:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year! I wish everyone a wonderful 2011! So, I'm a little relieved that the craziness of the holidays is over. I'm a little bummed that my mini vacation was short lived and must now get back to reality. I am, however, very excited that in a little less than 5 months I will be welcoming a new little person into my life. Life lately has become about planning, planning, and more planning. Of course being the party lover ( and control freak) that I am, this was yet another excuse to create a unique event, called the Baby Shower. Trust me, I've already received an endless amount of comments from friends wondering why in the world I'm even involved in the process, and not just showing up for the food and gifts! But if you're like me, and love putting fêtes together, you will understand. So, to help me get my thoughts together, I created the following inspiration board. I will hopefully be adding lots of little details of my process, and hopefully a freebie printable of my invitation! Stay tuned!

Seasons Greetings!

2010-12-22T14:54:00.003-05:00

Missing in action:

2010-11-12T16:35:00.000-05:00

So it's been a pretty hectic last few months, as my hubby and I finally got great news that we are expecting our first baby in May of 2011. I'm almost 14 weeks, and finally over the hump of feeling absolutely miserable. {Hence why I've been missing in action for the last month or so}. We are ecstatically happy and can't wait to begin this new adventure!

Giving Thanks:

2010-10-28T12:08:00.001-04:00

It's amazing how quickly the Holidays are sneaking up on us! And it's great to see all the adorable printables out there in theme of those Holidays! Just recently Paperglitter posted this adorable printable for Thanksgiving. This is a perfect place setting for a kids table to keep them busy, entertained and to remind them what Thanksgiving is all about!

{Visit Paperglitter to download the free Thanksgiving Party Kit}

Journey to Africa:

2010-10-25T12:05:00.005-04:00

As a huge U2 fan and a fan of Annie Leibovitz, couldn't help but to fall in love with the latest Louis Vuitton ad campaign.

{Check out more at Louis Vuitton}

Chic Halloween Soirée:

2010-10-22T13:42:00.002-04:00

{Created at Style Me Pretty}

Free Halloween Banner:

2010-10-20T16:15:00.000-04:00

Halloween is around the corner and I can't wait. It's one of my favorite holidays! Do you have any exciting plans for Hallows' Eve? Check out this adorable and free downloadable banner from Carina Gardner.

Wishing for Fall in Miami:

2010-10-19T15:39:00.000-04:00

How gorgeous is this outfit from Anthropologie? Unfortunately we wont be wearing anything like this in Miami until maybe January, that's if we have a cool winter!

{{Shop for this outfit at Anthropologie}

Friday Eye Candy:

2010-09-24T17:53:00.001-04:00

Here are some beautiful invitation images from 42pressed to sweeten your weekend. I absolutely adore the combination of navy & mustard. I'd love to have seen what the matching decor to this wedding looked like!

Totally Bananas:

2010-09-23T13:02:00.000-04:00

I'm a little late posting this, but I've been feeling under the weather and not getting to my computer much. I'm excited to be sharing the first 'Boy Friendly' party kit from Paperglitter. It's absolutely adorable!

{Purchase Monkey Party Kit here}

JCrew Factory:

2010-09-17T12:00:00.000-04:00

Don't miss this 3 day limited time SALE!

{J Crew Factory}

Happy Birthday:

2010-09-13T15:32:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday to me....(and I'm such a bad blogger that I forgot my blog's One Year Birthday that was on September 2!)

{I'd love me some goodies from Bakerella}

Fashion Week 2010:

2010-09-09T16:09:00.000-04:00

New York Fashion Week oficially started today in the Big Apple! Unfortunately, us mortals have to admire from afar. These are my favorite looks from the fierce Christian Siriano.

{Check out more great looks from New York Fashion Week}

2010-09-02T16:33:00.000-04:00

I've been in complete wedding mode lately! Over the next few months I'll be working on various wedding related projects, so I'm very excited! This means I've been doing lots of research, and Nonpareil Magazine's latest issue has left me feeling like a kid in a candy store. Im not a huge fan of the color plum, but the decor using this color in their latest issue left me re-thinking it! I didn't want to spoil it, so you'll have to check out the issue in its entirety for yourself!

{NonPareil Magazine}

Damask:

2010-08-31T16:24:00.002-04:00

I'm in love with the latest dessert table featured over at the Amy Atlas Blog. Besides loving beautifully designed parties, it reminds me of the colors and pattern my hubby used 3 years ago for a surprise birthday party he threw for me. Poor, sweet thing, I must have been obsessing over black damask and green so much he ended up using it on everything from the invitation to my cake!

{Above photos via Amy Atlas}

{Invitation design by the hubby}

Khaki Chic:

2010-08-28T20:59:00.000-04:00

I'm in head over heels love with this dress from Anthropologie. It's so chic and simple. I remember seeing a similar dress in a movie and it's killing me that I can't remember which movie it was.

$98.00

Wedding Bells:

2010-08-26T18:06:00.003-04:00

I finally finished one of the bridal invitation suites I was working on. And when I mean "complete" I mean, invites printed, glued, assembled, including calligraphy on the outer envelopes! With a full time job, there was some night scheduling in order to finish everything on time for getting everything in the mail. I was specially happy that the bride loved the way the invitations came out, and at a budget she could afford. I remember calling several print places and remember getting this reaction when requesting a quote "Oh, so you want a $2000 invitation for practically nothing? That's impossible." I think that with a little creativity and perseverance, anything is possible.

Items ordered for 125 sets from Paper Presentation:

Coco A6 Pockets: $180.70

RSVP Envelope in Tropical Green: $21.25

Flat 5x7 Backing card in Tropical Green: $40.00

Outer Envelope in Tropical Green: $31.25

Flat 2x3 card for outside Label: $20.00

Printing (which included custom cutting): $235.00

In order to keep the printing cost down, we opted for

Digital printing rather than Thermographic printing

Fresh-Linen Decor:

2010-08-17T15:05:00.000-04:00

One of my lovely readers has asked me a challenging question: How can you incorporate a Fresh Linen theme to a table decoration, and on a budget? Without really knowing specifics as to how limited her budget is, or if they're limited to certain resources, I put together this inspiration board as to what I feel Fresh Linen is. I never pass up an opportunity to be challenged, and to learn something new. I hope this is helpful!

I do:

2010-08-16T14:45:00.001-04:00

How gorgeous is this vintage inspired wedding dress? Check out more of this beautiful photoshoot at Style Me Pretty!

Etsy:

2010-08-02T09:33:00.002-04:00

Finally! All the hard work has paid off and my Etsy shop is officially open. I hope you'll come by and visit!

{Visit Fresh Linen Press}

Booties:

2010-07-30T20:44:00.001-04:00

I recently stumbled on this Etsy shop while looking for a baby shower gift for a friend. Are these booties not the cutest things you've ever seen? This would make a beautiful and unique gift for any mommy-to-be!

{Gee Creations}

Home Office:

2010-07-23T11:26:00.001-04:00

Im dying to have a little corner (or entire room) at home to call my own. Someday I'd love to have a cozy home office where I can escape and design. These home offices below are very inspiring!

House to Home

Image found here

Image found via The Wallflower

Blog Love:

2010-07-22T08:42:00.000-04:00

Stumbled on this recently and I'm in love, check out their shop Urbanic Designs for absolutely to-die-for stationery design!

{Visit Parcel Post}

Invitations:

2010-07-15T15:42:00.001-04:00

Like most girls, I hate to pay full price for anything! It becomes a challenge to stalk an item I've been coveting for a while, until I finally manage to take it home for a fraction of the price. In today's cyber world there are also endless resources at your finger tips for anything and everything imaginable. I just finished designing a complete wedding ensemble for a friend (not the yellow one!). This bride really wanted the look of Envelopments but for a fraction of the price, and I wasnt willing to give up until I found it for her. Paper presentation is literally a one stop shop for everything you will ever need to create beautiful invitations. Their prices are very affordable too!

{Photos from Paper Presentation}

Design by Fresh-Linen Press

On Hold:

2010-07-09T20:21:00.004-04:00

So starting an Etsy shop is a lot harder than I thought. Specially when you keep veering in different paths and when the day just doesn't give you enough hours. I have now been recruited to design two complete wedding ensembles for friends. Invitations, Menus, Programs, the works, so my poor little shop has now taken a back seat to this new venture! One of the Brides-to-be sent me this inspiration board to begin the design process. I love how she has picked such bold colors. She is getting married in a beautiful botanical garden that faces the ocean; these colors will match the property perfectly!

Weekend Getaway:

2010-07-06T10:55:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone had a relaxing Fourth of July weekend. I just got back from a little weekend away in Palm Beach with the hubby. Even though we got rainy weather most of the time, we got to visit some great restaurants and meet some interesting people along the way. One of our favorite casual spots is Rocco's Tacos, they have the best guacamole I have ever tasted. Each order is made fresh on the spot, and since we always sit at the bar we get to watch them make it in front of us. One rainy afternoon we decided to visit the Flagler Museum also known as Whitehall, Henry Flagler's home in Palm Beach. Even though we have been to Palm Beach several times, we have never visited. I love to visit museums from the Gilded Age. I find their history very intriguing. On the eve of Fourth of July we decided we would go for an early dinner and get back to the hotel in time to watch the fireworks. We decided to go to the Omphoy Hotel for drinks and then to Michelle Bernstein's restaurant for dinner. My hubby and I are big fans of her restaurants in Miami, so we knew the food would be delicious. Though we had no idea we would be in for a special treat! She happened to be working in the kitchen that night and as the night went on she and her husband ended up sitting at the table right beside us at dinner. She was so nice and friendly we ended up engaging in conversation for the remainder of the evening. Needless to say, we missed the fireworks! It ended up being a great weekend despite the rain!

19th Century Lace work

A courtyard in the middle of the home

Henry Flagler's original train car No. 91

Etsy:

2010-06-28T11:32:00.002-04:00

I've been a busy bee lately trying to get my Etsy shop off the ground. Im really excited about this undertaking, as it is something I've wanted to do for a long time! I've been busy shopping for materials, shooting the products and finalizing designs! With a full time job, that means many late nights and busy weekends! It should hopefully be up and running soon. Here is a sneak peak of some products that will be available. I hope you visit back soon!

Summertime:

2010-06-22T16:38:00.002-04:00

So Summer officially hit Miami about two months ago and already the heat is unbearable. I recently fell in love with this adorable outfit from Tory Burch, but let's face it, only a few can afford the whopping price of these three little pieces, just for a short visit to the beach. It's great that the pieces are such staples you can pretty much find look alike pieces anywhere, for a fraction of the price.

{Tory Burch outfit available on her website &

alternatives all found via Old Navy}

Mercier's:

2010-06-21T09:21:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had one of those days when you just want the day to be over already? And then out of nowhere someone does something that makes it all better? I was having of those days on Friday. Then I received a call from a good friend, who wanted to stop by and visit me at work. Upon arriving at my office he handed me a most prized little package - - a box containing Apple Pies and Fritters from Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, GA. I absolutely love this place, not only can you get a variety of apples, but you can pick fresh cherries, get homemade jams and ice cream, and a ton of other delicious treats! Sometimes the best gifts do come in small packages!

Father's Day:

2010-06-17T11:56:00.001-04:00

Father's day is around the corner--which means I better hurry up and get myself to a mall to purchase a gift for my Dad! Thank goodness Paper Crave has come to the rescue with these adorable DIY shirt and tie gift boxes! Check out Paper Crave's website for "how to" instructions and to download the template!

{All images from Paper Crave}

It's a Free Party:

2010-06-15T10:57:00.016-04:00

Last week's baby shower game really inspired me to design a mini party kit to match. Believe it or not, I'm actually surrounded by quite a few soon-to-be moms. I figured I'd design something since I might get recruited for design/party planning ideas! These are just a few items I came up with, but the possibilities are endless.

1. Download Invitation

2. Download Tags

3. Download rings for napkins or water bottles

4. Download Game

Baby Shower:

2010-06-10T16:16:00.002-04:00

I thought it would be fun to stick to this baby theme. I designed this printer friendly Baby Shower Game. It's unisex, so it can be used for either a boy or a girl shower. This was actually a game that was played at my bridal shower, but I redesigned it for a baby. Download the free printable here. It will fit to any standard 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper.

Baby Chic:

2010-06-09T14:20:00.005-04:00

Sometimes I wonder why it's not very common to find stylish and simple baby bedding. For the record, I'm not pregnant, but I have been to plenty of baby showers to know what's available out there. Thank goodness though, there are a few places that are catching up with those stylish moms and providing chic alternatives to bears and butterflies! Here are some dreamy nurseries that could be fitting for either a boy or a girl. They're a little pricey, but it's nice to daydream!

{ Restoration Hardware}

{Amari baby bedding from Posh Tots}

{Lapis Lullaby from Posh Tots}

Tranquility:

2010-06-03T11:40:00.015-04:00

My thoughts are still on the tranquil landscapes of Blue Ridge, Georgia. Here are some photos of my recent trip to help get your mind to a serene place. Have a peaceful weekend!

Imogen Heap:

2010-06-03T08:47:00.002-04:00

Im exhausted this morning, but it was all worth it. My best friend gave me and my hubby tickets to last night's Imogen Heap concert, and I'm still humming the songs in my head. I'm a person who is obsessed with music, and I've liked a few of her songs, but it was such an experience to witness her music live. It's something I just can't put into words. She also tried something that I've never seen anyone else do before. In an attempt to raise money for local charities, she composed a new song during the show, taking suggestions from the audience. After a little five minute chit chat session, she got to work playing with chords and rhythmns, to make a composition truly unique to last night's setlist. She's done this at every stop on her Ellipse Tour . In a couple of days the song will be available for purchase on her website. It's still not too late to catch her at another North American stop. You wont be disappointed.

Peach Sangria:

2010-06-02T14:02:00.002-04:00

Funny how it only took a mere thirty minutes to snap me out of my vacation glow this morning. Miami traffic (and getting back to work) will do that to you! I had to share this yummy recipe that I tested out this weekend while on vacation in Blue Ridge, Georgia. I was enjoying some quiet time, reading an issue of Southern Living, and stumbled on a Peach Sangria recipe. We ate at restaurants most of the time, but we decided to stay in and make tapas for dinner one night. Unfortunately, I didnt have time to snap a picture of my finished creation (or of our tapas buffet) due to some anxious and hungry friends who emptied the pitcher faster than I could refill it!

{Peach Sangria Recipe courtesy of Southern Living Magazine}

Blue Ridge Mts:

2010-05-25T10:27:00.003-04:00

My mind is officially on mini vacation mode. This Thursday we leave for the Blue Ridge Mountains to spend Memorial Day at a friend's cabin. It will be a fun weekend since we will be with two other couples. Last year the hubby and I visited for the first time for our Anniversary, and it was an adventure to remember (we accidentally hit a rabbit in the middle of the night trying to find our friend's house). It was very relaxing and we truly enjoyed the quality time together, but it's a small town, with not much to do, so it will be fun to be there with friends.

{Photos from our last visit courtesy of the Hubby}

Blog Love:

2010-05-24T11:03:00.007-04:00

My very talented best friend Linnette from PaperGlitter and I, are always sending eachother design sites, new blogs, stationery sites, you name it. We are constantly emailing eachother new reasons to be inspired. Half of the time though, I can never keep up with the amount of amazing designers that are out there. It's always such a treat to discover something new. Last week she sent me a link to the adorable site Bakerella. I dont know how my creative radar missed this site (maybe because it involves the kitchen!). It was love at first sight! But dont take my word for it, explore her site for an abundace of creative projects!

Zac Posen:

2010-05-21T12:24:00.003-04:00

I was at Target the other day, and something pleasant caught my attention from the corner of my eye. I never stop by the apparel section at Target; I always run in, get my stuff and get out. I figure the less time Im in there, the less uncesessary items will end up coming home with me. When I went to take a peek at what it was, I was surprised to find the new collection from Zac Posen for Target. There has only been a few fashion designers whose Target collection has caught my eye, and the last one was Patrick Robinson. I remember scouring all South Florida Targets with my sister in search of his medallion tunic dress, with no success. The Zac Posen collection has been out for about a month already, so you might have to hurry if you want to check it out before its sold out!

{Floral Print Brocade Dress 74.99}

Modern Cupcakes:

2010-05-18T08:46:00.000-04:00

Attention all bakers! Have you seen these neat little edible sheets to place on baked goods? A great alternative to intricate icing!

{Ticings}

Fomato:

2010-05-12T13:20:00.003-04:00

Finally, greeting cards that express exactly what Im thinking! Check out more adorable and hilarious cards from Fomato.

{Found via Paper Crave}

SJP the Sequel:

2010-05-10T10:09:00.001-04:00

I'm in love with Vogue's May photo spread of Sarah Jessica Parker! I love creative photoshoots, it's like combining art and fashion and creating a beautiful photograph that looks like a painting, do I make any sense?

{Read the article and see more pictures here}

Happy Mother's Day:

2010-05-09T12:09:00.019-04:00

Happy Mother's Day to all those wonderful mothers out there. I had a wonderful day with my mother and all the other special moms in my life! Here is a peek to my completed mother's day project. I hope they all enjoyed my baked goodies.

{Visit Think Garnish for supplies & ideas!}

Make-Over:

2010-05-07T08:53:00.000-04:00

I love a make-over, whether it's in the real world or the cyber world! Paperglitter has just recently revamped their website for their First Birthday and it looks adorable and stylish. I love how they have re-organized all their printables for easier and faster access to all their freebies and items available for purchase via their Etsy shop. They have even added a new section featuring photos of real parties featuring their printables, like the one below! I can't wait to see what they have in store for the new year ahead! Happy Birthday Paperglitter!

{Photo from Paperglitter via Cakes by Jeannie}

Sweet package:

2010-05-06T10:16:00.001-04:00

I'm so excited to have received my Think Garnish goodies yesterday. I'll be a busy bee on Saturday baking and putting the gifts together. I had a little bit of a technical problem since the kraft loaf molds I ordered are smaller than the baking molds, but I think it will be okay.I'll have to put my creative thinking cap on! I cant wait to share the finished products!

Cinco, Cinq, Cinque, Fünf:

2010-05-05T10:31:00.001-04:00

Happy Cinco de Mayo, in whatever language you speak. Spanish for the fifth of May, is a voluntarily observed holiday that commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. It is celebrated primarily in the state of Puebla and in the United States.While Cinco de Mayo has limited significance nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. Whatever meaning it has for you, enjoy the excuse to down many tequila shots, margaritas, frozen or on the rocks and all the Mexican food you can eat! Salud!

{Vintage Stamp}

I do:

2010-05-04T09:55:00.001-04:00

I have my planner hat back on. I'm currently helping a friend style her top secret wedding, and it's really difficult for me to keep a secret as special as this one. I'm obsessed with all things wedding, so helping her is really just an excuse to practice my hobby - daily! In researching style ideas for her, these are some lovely images I've come accross that have kept my inspiration flowing.

{Pro Novias Vintage}

{Image via style me pretty}

Test Drive:

2010-05-02T21:43:00.012-04:00

So I decided to embark on my baking adventure this weekend. I searched everywhere for the mini loaf molds, Macy's, Target, Crate & Barrel. None of those stores carried them, so I finally decided to go to Williams Sonoma knowing they would have them. I headed to the grocery store list in hand, and as I turned the corner to the baking isle, there they were, staring right back at me. Mini loaf molds in every size and configuration, and for a third of the price. I don't know why I didn't think of looking there! I rushed home and began my test run.

Recipe:

2010-04-30T08:14:00.006-04:00

If you feel inspired to do a Mother's Day project similar to mine, I've designed a generic recipe card for your use. You can do something similar to what I'm working on, or if you are giving someone a kitchen/baking related gift, this is a nice way to get them started. The recipe card is available for download!

Work in Progress II:

2010-04-29T08:07:00.025-04:00

My little project in progress has been compromised. I can't seem to find mini loaf molds anywhere in Miami. How is that possible? I guess that makes it that more of a challenge? I decided to design some favor tags to match my recipe card. I'll add pictures later once everything is put together, if I ever find the molds! Here is a sample of what they look like. You can download them here if you'd like to use them in your own Mother's Day project!

Tory Love:

2010-04-28T08:53:00.000-04:00

I recently fell in love with these beautiful Reva's after my cousin let me try on her brand new pair. It felt like the Cinderella moment when she slipped on the glass slippers. Now Im on a mission to find them. They're not available on the Tory Burch website and Bloomingdale's seems to have sold out of them!

Tory Burch "Reva" Resin Ballet Flats in "Sand"

$250.00

Work in Progress:

2010-04-27T10:31:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day is two weeks away. This means I need to have a test run of my little project in case it goes "Bust!". I'm a compulsive list maker, so aside from the obvious grocery store supplies, here is my little to do list of the essential items I will need to order to put the gifts together!

{Items 2-4 can be found at Think Garnish}

Intervention:

2010-04-26T09:49:00.003-04:00

So I fell off the wagon this weekend. I should've known from the moment I walked through the J.Crew double doors there would be trouble. In my defense though, I found some pretty good deals! Here are a few of my finds!

Orchid Grey:

2010-04-23T11:04:00.003-04:00

New blog love.....! You gotta love her eclectic fashion posts for shopping on a tight budget.

Old Recipe:

2010-04-22T09:21:00.005-04:00

So after much soul searching, I think I figured out an idea for my Mother's Day gifts. When I was younger, my parents would take my sister and I to visit my Dad's aunt and uncle who lived in Sunny Isles, Florida. His aunt was a very elegant lady who always dressed to the nines. On every visit she would bake her Orange Date Coffee Cake because she knew I loved it, and on one of those visits she gave me the recipe. Sadly, shortly after that she died in a plane crash. I'm not much of a cook, but I'm going to attempt to make mini cakes for all the moms and share her recipe with this recipe card I designed.

Spring has Sprung:

2010-04-21T08:44:00.000-04:00

She strikes again! New spring clutches available now.

{Emersonmade}

Wrap me up:

2010-04-20T08:21:00.000-04:00

I love beautiful & unique packaging. Whether its for gifts, stationery, food, or perfume, to my graphic design heart, it's all about the presentation. Even if what you're packaging is something small or inexpensive, the thought that went into its packaging makes it all the more special. Right now, my heart is skipping a beat with all the organic looking packaging from Think Garnish. My brain is working overtime on ideas of how I could use their packaging for small gifts to give all the mothers in my life.

{All images from Think Garnish}

Mum:

2010-04-19T12:11:00.002-04:00

Mother's Day is around the corner. Have you started gift hunting yet? Here are some beautiful gift wrapping ideas to make even the smallest gift extra special!

Beautiful wraps and embellishments from {Carolyne Roehm}

Eco friendly wrapping fabric from {chewing the cud}

{Paper-Source}

Boca Raton Resort:

2010-04-15T13:15:00.003-04:00

It's been a hectic, stressful week, filled with lots of in-office drama! I've felt as if I was on one of those cheesy reality shows. I'm ready for some R&R! I'll be spending this weekend at the Boca Resort, and I'm looking forward to it since I've never been there before! We have family visiting from MA this weekend, and it will be nice to hang out by the pool, sip on cocktails and catch up!

Ooh La La:

2010-04-12T09:10:00.002-04:00

"Run" don't "walk" to Paperglitter's Etsy Shop and check out the new Parisian inspired party printables! I could go on and on about it, but you have to check it out for yourself! It's trés chic!

{Photography by David Rosario}

Modcloth:

2010-04-11T18:07:00.000-04:00

Beautiful items from ModCloth!

84.99

49.99

54.99

{Sold out, and I'm depressed}

It's a beautiful day:

2010-04-09T11:19:00.000-04:00

Have a wonderful weekend and take some time to indulge!

{Make your own Guacamole}

Bridal Fête:

2010-04-06T09:49:00.000-04:00

With Spring in the air, I felt inspired to create a board with a bridal brunch in mind. I love the color aqua paired with yellow, it's feminine, yet different.

1. Cupcake ideas from Country Living

2. Paper Wink Notecards

3. PomLove

4. Centerpieces

5. Yellow Candy

6. Apothecary Jars

Hubby's in Love:

2010-04-04T21:38:00.002-04:00

So after months of trying to watch a movie at this place, the hubby and I finally managed to make it to CinéBistro this weekend. Needless to say, I don't think we will ever go back to a regular movie theater again. Although it's a bit expensive, it's definitely worth it. You have to purchase your tickets in advance, at which time you reserve the seats of your choice. No lines, no annoying teenagers, no annoying chit chatter, and the best part of all, you have to be 21 or over to get in, unless they are playing a kids movie. They have a full bar, so you can pretty much get anything from a vodka tonic, to a melon mojito, to champagne. The food and desserts were great, although one downside is that all the food comes all at once. This is to avoid interruptions during the movie. The service was impeccable. We definitely cant wait to go back!

Brunch:

2010-04-02T19:21:00.002-04:00

For those of you lucky enough to be having a chic grown-up Easter brunch this Sunday, here are some beautiful table decorating ideas. I will be at a park, sweating, and probably surrounded by bugs!

{All images from Country Living }

Sunshine:

2010-04-01T11:55:00.001-04:00

I think there's nothing like a splash of yellow to add a smile to your surroundings...and a great way to welcome Spring!

(anthropologie)

(crate and barrel)

(CB2)

(teleflora)

Bunny ears:

2010-03-31T09:01:00.001-04:00

A lovely Brazilian friend sent me a link to this adorable tutorial. I love to entertain, so hopefully one day I'll get to put this to good use. It would be a lovely idea for a bunny themed baby shower or an Easter brunch! Unfortunately, the tutorial is all in Portuguese, and my Portuguese is still beginners, so my translation might not be accurate! I hope the pictures help!

Dessert with a twist:

2010-03-29T09:31:00.000-04:00

The latest trend for parties these days is creating beautiful dessert tables á la Amy Atlas. They add a beautiful (and yummy) decoration element to any soireé. I was really smitten to stumble on this alternative to the dessert table, a buffet of bath and body products that smell like baked goods! To read more, go to Nonpareil Magazine and learn how to create your own decadent table!

Excuses:

2010-03-18T21:48:00.000-04:00

Easter is around the corner, which means I need to find a cute outfit for the picnic my hubby's family has every year. Their picnic is held every Easter at a local park, complete with an Easter egg hunt for the little ones. Of course if you ask my hubby I make up any excuse just to get a new outfit! I've had my eye on an adorable dress and hat from where else but J.Crew. I've waited and waited and finally decided to purchase it this coming weekend. It had to be fate that just yesterday I received an email from J.Crew announcing that all their dresses had a 20% off for a limited time. I didn't waste one more second and rushed to their website to order the dress.

$78.40

$34.00

Sale ends Friday

Sugarcane:

2010-03-14T18:58:00.003-04:00

I love trying out new restaurants with the hubby. We don't get to do it as often as we'd like because we always end up at our favorite spots, but this weekend we tried out a delicious new restaurant that's been open for a couple of months. It all began with happy hour, I met a friend before the hubby got there so I was able to try a few snacks and cocktails before dinner. I was looking forward to tasting their sangria, but ended up ordering a drink called Spice of Love, it contained passion fruit purée / mango juice / jalapeño / vodka & Cointreau! It was delicious, and the jalapeños added an interesting twist! The best part of the night were the Tapas we ordered at dinner, the portions were perfectly bite sized! At the top of my list were the bacon wrapped dates with linguiça and manchego cheese and the Kobe beef sliders topped off with a quail egg! All of our dishes were delicious, and we can't wait to go back.

{Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill}

Orangy Mine:

2010-03-12T07:53:00.000-05:00

About a month ago Beegee Bags had a contest on their Facebook fan page. Get fifteen of your friends to become fans, and you get a bag of your choice, an $80 bag, for FREE! Needless to say, I recruited all of my closest girlfriends and nearly begged them to hurry up and become fans before Beegee's deadline. I had originally found Beegee bags on a wedding blog, and immediately fell in love with their unique little gems. Of course at that moment and time I didn't exactly have a need for an $80 clutch, so I had to admire from afar. Now I can admire it from up close! My own little gem arrived in the mail yesterday.

{Orangy Red Gracie $82}

Spring Break Countdown:

2010-03-11T12:06:00.016-05:00

With Easter around the corner, all I can think of is trips to the beach and the clothes "springing" up in stores!

Blue Skies:

2010-03-10T12:15:00.001-05:00

Why does Emersonmade torture me so? Check out the latest new beautiful bloom that will be available for purchase later this Spring!

Canary Yellow:

2010-03-07T16:42:00.003-05:00

Saturday night I went to a family friend's wedding. Sadly, I left my camera at home, she had a lot of little details I really liked that I would have loved to have gotten on camera. She combined black damask with canary yellow accents. The bridesmaids all wore different styles of dresses, but were all in black. Their bouquets were bright yellow calla lillies which stood out beautifully against the black. The tables had alternating damask tablecloths as well as plain black ones, with damask runners. The centerpieces were tall modern simple glass vases with yellow orchids floating inside. I created this inspiration board a few months ago because I loved the combination of those colors. It's funny that they actually turned up in a friend's wedding!

Dresses from Dior Haute Couture Spring 2009

Cake from The Wedding Cake Shoppe

Shoes Manolo Blahnik Something Black Satin Pump

Table setting from Belle Fleur

Simply Hue:

2010-03-05T09:26:00.002-05:00

Cheer up, the weekend has finally arrived! Here's some beautiful vintage inspired photography from Simply Hue to bring a smile to your face!

1974:

2010-03-04T09:01:00.004-05:00

When I was a baby, my mother would dress me in lots of feminine dresses with matching bonnets. Til this day I still love the look of those vintage bonnets on little girls. My biggest wish is to have a little girl someday, and experience all the wonderful things that come with having a girl. Every once in a while, I stumble on beautiful children's clothing that is unique, chic & unchild like, if that makes any sense!! Hopefully one day I'll get to shop to my heart's desire....sshhhh....don't tell the hubby!

{Olive's Friend Pop}

{Me}

Fabulous:

2010-03-02T09:41:00.003-05:00

Here's a sneak peek at my niece's spa birthday party! It was a lot of fun and the girls had a great time getting ManiPedi's!

Egg hunt:

2010-03-01T14:01:00.014-05:00

I know Easter is still a month away, but if you're like me, you want to get an early start on the preparations for the picnics and easter egg hunts! Thank goodness Paperglitter is ahead of schedule to help us girls with the festivities! Check out their new easter collection!

Happy weekend:

2010-02-26T09:38:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone has a restful & peaceful weekend! I've been craving a yummy chocolate martini for a while. {Maybe I will indulge this weekend!}

(Image from Gliving )

Pom Pom:

2010-02-25T11:31:00.002-05:00

I don't think I've ever been so excited at one of my recent Etsy shop finds. I first fell in love with these Poms Poms when Martha Stewart first came out with them for her line at Michael's. They were so adorable I had to use them for a party. The only problem was that she made them in very limited colors, and realistically, I wasn't about to start cutting hundreds upon hundreds of tissue layers! So you can imagine my excitement to stumble on this shop! Sometimes it's a good idea to pay someone else for the work!

New Blog Love:

2010-02-24T09:29:00.004-05:00

Check this blog out. She has some wonderful recipes and beautiful photography. Im not much of a cook, but would love to try her recipe for Flourless Chocolate Cake, yummy!

Bella:

2010-02-22T19:36:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was my niece's 5th Birthday, and I couldn't believe how quickly time had passed. I also couldn't help but to reminisce at all her little birthday parties that have been so carefully planned by my sister and I, and wonder if she will ever remember any of them! {Probably not} So far, the one that will stand out most in my mind is her 1st birthday party. I'm a firm believer that you don't have to spend a lot of money to put together something that's beautiful and memorable, and I wanted to share a few of our ideas with you! I hope the images will inspire you to create something beautiful and budget friendly.

my sister had been creating for her First year

Matching china was found at the local Marshalls & TJ Maxx

The basket for cutlery was found at your local Michael's

To add an elegant touch purchase a beautiful frame

and create a Menu on your computer

You don't have to purchase an expensive fancy fondant cake.

Have your local baker add a monogram to a simple

butter cream cake.