Snowflakes

One year ago today, the town of Newtown, The state of Connecticut and parents from all around the world watched with disbelief, shock and disgust as we lost 26 of our own in a senseless tragedy.

When I woke up this morning with an overwhelming list of things to do and rather aggravated at my snow covered car, it only took reading a Facebook post from my dear friend, Miss Amy Graver of Elements Design, to simply put things in perspective.

"Today's snow keeping us home bound and allowing us spend unhurried, precious time with our children makes me think it is a gift from 26 angels. It could be their soft frozen beautiful tears falling from the sky reminding us to take the time, slow down, create memories and be together on this sad anniversary proving to me that love and hope exist and that they are not gone. Their magic is all around us if we just remember and focus on the light and love and never the hate and darkness. I'm rejoicing in their message and promising to work hard on turning my sorrow to joy and taking advantage of this day with my family. Heading off Facebook now. Cookie making, board games, hot cocoa and snowman building await. Peace, light and love all.

x o x o"

Today in the State of Connecticut we were granted a special gift..

Enjoy, Hold your babies tight and

dance amongst the snowflakes..

a little glitter to start your week....

Image by Anna Sawin Photography

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

This post is a LONG time coming...

But really...

there is no expiration date when it comes to ALL things glitter!

So let's get on with the SHOW...

so to speak...

This lovely lady that I know..

ALWAYS thinks BIG!

Never small, never medicore..

ALWAYS over the top..

In fact..

I like to think of her as P.T. Barnum..

She is the Ringmaster..

and you never know what amazing thing she has in store for you...

She has the ability to gather the most creative individuals and then

produce the "Greatest Show" on Earth!

She is..

Miss Amy Graver of Elements Design!

I have been lucky enough to work side by side with her on many many projects...

BUT

I think by far her favorite project is...

The Graver Family New Years Card... 

I absolutely love that she puts just as much heart and soul into her personal projects as she does for her Elements clients..

So this Ringmaster wrangled up quite the list of performers for her show..

Jennie Fresa for some glittery beauty...

Anna Sawin for some camera magic..

and

myself for literally creating the "Big Top"...

When it comes to glitter my friends...

how can a girl say no...

It all began with a "secret" Pinterest board...

Balloon Image: Martha Stewart  Tank Top: Target  Backdrop:BashShop on Etsy

Shower Curtain: Anthropologie  Headphones: Amazon  Champagne Tower: Martha Stewart

Glitter Eye:Chrisspy Makeup   Glitter Boots: Charlotte Russe  

Balloon Image: Green Wedding Shoes

Board: Chocolate Creative Design

Then..

the "tent" was raised..

in the Chocolate Creative Design studio...

 Image by Chocolate Creative Design

Miss Jennie Fresa worked her glittery magic...

Image by Anna Sawin Photography

 Dress: Miss Me     Gold Necklace: Express

Crystal necklace: Target  Belt: H & M   Earrings: Target

The champagne began to flow..

 

Image by Anna Sawin Photography

Glasses: Arrow Party Rental   Balloons, Tinsel: iparty

Step Stool: Home Depot   Sequin Fabric: Joann

Bracelet: Express   Ring: Target

Tinsel and glitter filled the air!

 Image by Anna Sawin Photography

Sequin Top: Target   Skirt: Childrens Place 

Vest and Shoes; Miss A's own

The music began to play...

 Image by Anna Sawin Photography

and

Voila!!

Image by Anna Sawin Photography

Miss Anna Sawin captured the magic...

While the Ringmaster herself...

designed THE most fabulous AND of course BIGGEST (8.5 x 11) New Years Card to date...

Let's not forget that it came complete with it's own confetti!

So thanks yet again to that AMAZING Ringmaster, Miss Amy Graver...

for allowing us all to be a part of your MOST creative, MOST fun and MOST glittery traveling circus!

Huge thanks to Allison Keck of Arrow Party Rental for the FABULOUS champagne coupes!

Dueling Designers Part Treize

Wilhelmina Cooper for Vogue 1962


LOVE must be in the air this month..
The lovely and talented Miss Amy Graver poked me last week and reminded me that it's been a very very long time since the Dueling Designers had made an appearance...
You know what...she was absolutely right!
The last one was way back in June of 2011!! 

So in honor of THE day of LOVE, Valentine's Day..

We picked

The Fabulous Miss Amy Graver picked a gorgeous palette of warm and cool fuschias mixed with a sophisticated black!

Can that cake look ANY more delicious?!!

For me, being able to work with pink was a dream....

since I just so happen to be surrounded by men...

I simply chose a palette which started at red, moved to fuschia, softened to the lightest of pinks and finally grounded by grey.

So put on those shades...

because these Dueling Designers are gonna brighten your day and warm your heart

on this perfectly perfect

Day of Hearts!!

Elements Design

Row one: Balloons; Black and Fuschia bow dress; Poster

Row two: Fuschia gelato; Fuschia costume, Sisters
Row three: My Favorite; Pink Peonies; Pink Champagne; Chocolate Rose Flavored Cupcakes

Chocolate Creative Design

Row One: Stone Angel, Dior Ladies, Postage Stamp Rug

Row Two: Heart Lollipops, Heart Eye, Fuschia Entry

Row Three: Flowers, Heart Knocker, Issa/Spring 2013

Happy Weekend!!!

 Image by Kina Wicks, found via Ruffled

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

I certainly am one lucky lady! This morning, I got to head down to The White Dress By The Shore for my lovely farm bride, Miss Eleanor, as it was her 2nd to last dress fitting....

Me Oh My.. did she ever look simply gorgeous!!

Very reminiscent of a young Grace Kelly...

But I couldn't head down before I had to zip over to the post office to mail off some VERY important invitations from my MOST important client!

Now..all my clients are equally as important.. but this one...

this one has been with me since the beginning...

It's not every day that you're having your last single digit birthday!

So the Monster will be turning 9 next week and I am glad that I am not the only insane artist up till 2 in the morning getting these beauties done...

The equally insane Miss Amy Graver of Elements Design was doing the exact same thing for her son's birthday...

His will be a "Spy" party and I know there will be no detail left untouched!

This year we are going with....

(drum roll please..)

Sneakerpalooza

So what exactly is Sneakerpalooza?

I have NO idea...but it sounded really cool and I am hoping that the Tall-One will take the reins on this one.

My vision?

Sneakers + Running = VERY tired little Monsters!

But..I will give you a little sneaky peek....

Image by Chocolate Creative Design

Stay Safe, Get Your Toe Nails Painted California Coral and 
Have a Great Weekend!!!

Dueling Designers...Part Douze..

 

Image by Caroline Tran

I know it's been awhile, but the Dueling Designers are finally back!!

Over the past few weeks, I have been watching a parade of boats drive by my house ready to be put into the water for the summer season. I know the Tall One has been itching as I just so happened to have married a sailor.

So this time, I couldn't resist choosing Nautical as a theme and good ole Pantone #534C as our primary color. To mix things up a bit, I changed the rules so that we each could choose our own secondary colors.

The Lovely Miss Amy Graver choose a delicious collection of stripes (how could anyone resist James Dean?)and added a pop of cherry red which just so happens to be her signature color.

For me..it was simple...I choose the two colors that I have been completely obsessing over lately...orange and turquoise. 

So close your eyes, hear the gentle lapping of the waves against the hull, smell and taste the salt air on your lips feel a touch of sun on your back..

Elements Design

Row one: Navy and yellow fashion: Anchor brew: Striped sail ::

Row two: Anchor stationery: Poster

 White canvas chair with nautical striped throw ::

Row three: Anchor mug: Anchor tee:

 Row Four: Navy or red canvas wedge : Sailor dress : James Dean ::

Chocolate Creative Design

Top: Poster by Little Types, Rope Earrings by Michelle Lane, 

Boat Image by Kyraart

Middle: Jacket by Debenhams, Poster by Little Minch Art, 

Shoes by Tabitha Simmons

Bottom: Wallpaper by Mini Moderns, Dress by Topshop, 

Pillows by West Elm

Dueling Designers...Part Onze..

Image by Laura Moss for Country Living

Spring is in the air, Easter is around the corner, so you know what that means....another installment of Dueling Designers... The loveliest of lovelies, Miss Amy Graver of Elements Design, and I BOTH decided that a soft yellow, such as Pantone #100c or 607c, would be the perfect fit for this particular duel..

How could it not be...with downy chicks and daffodils..

Mellow yellow is where it's at!

Elements Design

Row one :: Bunnies :: Paper bag bouquet  

Row two :: Happy place poster :: Bows on bags :: 

Easter cookie cuteness 

Row three ::Jellybean flowers :: Make Way for Ducklings :: Pears

Chocolate Creative Design

Duck Image: Pinterest  Macaroon image: Pinterest 

Door Image: vi.sualize.us  Dresser Image: Martha Stewart, 

Shoe Image: Aubrey Short  Table Image: Country Living

Dress Image: Anthropologie  Painting:Dalan Wells

Chair Image: Anthropologie

Dueling Designers...Part Dix..

Image: Anna Sawin Photography

Aha..after a long hiatus, the Dueling Designers are back!!!

The lovely and super talented Miss Amy Graver of Elements Design and I decided to band together this time to pick the Pantone color and theme of Board Number Dix..

What we came up with was a fabulous little green, Pantone 359 to be exact, and a Cocktail Garden themed Party!!

I myself, was inspired by those lovely and colorful ladies, 

The Housewives of Stonington. Bright coloful prints, fushia colored cocktails, Striped tents (just like my Parent's wedding tent) and ginormous cocktail rings!!

Miss Graver, of course rocked it out of the park, designed

a party that is the epitome of elegance..

Watercolor invitations, glass cloches filled with ferns, herb infused cocktails and seating under trees filled with lanterns...

Elements Design

Row one :: AppleTini :: Cake :: Garden setting :: 

Botanical runner
 Row two :: Poster:: Garden favor :: Lemon Chicken sandwiches
 Row three: Lemonade :: Watercolor invite :: Hydrangea 

Chocolate Creative Design

Top: Woman: Mad Men,Patio:House Beautiful,
Zebra Coaster: Anthropologie, Couple: Mad Men

Middle: Grass Image: Oh Joy, Ring: Anthropologie, 

Floral Plates: Anthropologie, 

Pink Cocktail:SeattleMet, Pigs in a Blanket: Callahan Catering

Bottom: Print Dress: Trina Turk, Flower Ring: Anthropologie, 

Green Plate: Target