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

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

Dueling Designers...Part Neuf...

Image found via Martha Stewart

With Presidents Day rapidly approaching on Monday, I thought the Dueling Designers should give nod to our first President, Mr. George Washington, with a Cherry Blossom inspired party. What better way to do this than with Pantone's color of the year, Honeysuckle! Once again, the fabulous Miss Amy Graver of Elements Design rocked it out of the park. 

We in the Northeast, were granted a gift of a 50 degree weather day today so I couldn't help but imagine sitting on an old quilt, under a cherry tree full of pink blossoms, in a sweet as pie sundress, eating delicate desserts. Thankfully for us, that time is not too far away as the National Cherry Blossom Festival begins March 26th in Washington, DC.

On the offical Cherry Blossom Festival store site, I was pleased to see that they offer a Give-A-Tree Card. For a mere $5.95, The National Arbor Day Foundation will plant a tree in a National Forest!

What's not to love..a beautiful card and a new tree?!

Elements Design

Row one :: pom poms :: cherry trees ::  dining room 
 Row two :: cherry ice-cream :: Coco Chanel :: “you’re gonna make it” poster ::  centerpiece bouquet  
 Row three :: cake :: honeysuckle shoes :: pinwheel family :: cherries in teacup 

Chocolate Creative Design

1. Cherry Blossom Cake via Martha Stewart, Bubbles Image via Mary Ruffle, 

Dress via Modcloth

2. Cherry Tree Painting-unknown, Filled with Joy via Mary Ruffle, 

Place setting via The Wedding Chicks

3. Sconce via Anthropologie, Umbrella Image via Mixed Plate, 

Cherry Blossom image via A Beach Cottage

Dueling Designers...Part Huit...

Image found via Flickr

The Dueling Designers are back once again and this time, the Lovely Miss Amy Graver of Elements Design, chose Pantone 196c in honor of a Valentines Day Party.

Miss Graver knocked it out of the park this time by creating a board filled with mood and emotion that evokes all that is romantic.

I can't believe that I am going to admit this but I really am not a huge fan of Valentine's Day. Maybe it's the pain of hearkening back to a day when you hoped and wished and prayed for a Valentine. It was like getting picked for kickball all over again..."please god, don't let me get picked last!!" 

I am very lucky now..I have a wonderful husband and three sons to be my permanent valentines...But it wasn't always like that..

In High School, my roommate ALWAYS received dozens upon dozens of roses EVERY Valentine's Day. Coming back to our room after class was like walking into a flower shop. It was unreal...

But one year, there were roses waiting for me...Really?!

Always a mystery, never a name but they always came....Even when I left for college..they followed me..

It took me a while to figure it out..It wasn't Prince Charming but rather an amazing friend..

So..Even though Valentine's Day isn't my favorite Holiday...It does make me think of one of my best friends...who never allowed me to give up hope...

 Happy Valentine's Day Colie!

This board's for you!!

Elements Design

row one :: sweet pink bouquet ; blackboard proclamations ; pink ruffle cake 

row two :: paris ; xo bowl ; sweet surrender 

row three :: lace and pearls ; white cupcakes 

row four :: chalkboard art ; beautifully wrapped soap ; “bright star” movie poster 

row five :: dee dee bridgewater “J’ai Deux Amours” ; hazelnut chocolate brownie; chanel no. 5 

Chocolate Creative Design

Craft Image found via paper pastries, Pink Door Image found via, Ruffle Dress image found via vi.sualize.us, Swirled lollipops image found via stylempretty

Suitcase and perfume image found via weheartit, Painted stair image found via weheartit. Heart pins image found via Flickr, Powder Puff image found via MargaretandJoy, Kiss Image found via weheartit, Mailbox image found via weheartit

Roses image found via decor 8, Cupcake images found via weheartit, Tulle image found via this is glamorous, Champagne image found via pinterest

Dueling Designers...Part Sept...

Image 1 by Sweet Paul, Manipulated by Chocolate Creative Design: 

Image 2 by Holy City Chocolate

The days are getting longer but the nights are getting colder. Snow has been falling at an insane rate causing even the South to be covered in a blanket of white. We feel like we have been held prisoners in our own homes...So why not celebrate, invite some friends over and bring out one of my favorite treats...

Hot Chocolate!

The Dueling Designers are back and I couldn't help choosing a color that was near and dear to my heart...

Pantone 732C.

The fabulous Miss Amy Graver of Elements Design definitely outdid herself this time...in fact..I will admit..she rocked it!!!

I LOVE the idea of a Hot Chocolate party! The ideas are endless...Starting with a full fledged bar with some yummy liquors to add into this decadent drink.

or

Why not create a display with apothecary jars filled to the brim with homemade flavored marshmallows, glass bowls topped with the richest whipped creams and mason jars stuffed with peppermint sticks and chocolate flavored spoons.

My choice of Hot Chocolate??? Well look no further friends as I just so happen to know the maker of one of the best! 

This past August on the True and Wesson blog, I did a little post on my dear friend and college roommate's business, The Charleston Crepe Company. Since that time Rachel Byrne's crepe cakes have been in every bridal magazine out there!!

Luckily for us, her company, Holy City Chocolate , creates the most decadent Hot Chocolate EVER! The secret...it's filled with chunks of chocolate...

YUM YUM!!

So don't let the snow get you down...order up some Hot Chocolate, whip up some whip cream and invite some friends over to watch as the snow falls and your guests don their best woolly socks!!

elements design

row one :: embrace messy hair poster :: red + white mittens holding hot cocoa 

row two :: hot chocolate record :: hot cocoa with hearts :: equador chocolate stack  

row three :: blowing sliver star glitter :: hot cocoa envelopes :: wood wreath :: warm blankets

 row four :: hot chocolate fondant:: pom-pom knit hat :: truffle making  

chocolate creative design

1. Marshmallow Image found via weheartit 2. Door Image found via

3. Marshmallow Image found via weheartit 4. Socks Image found via Lark and Linen

5. Fur Coat Image found via weheartit 6. Spoon Image found via weheartit

7. Candle found via Anthropologie 8. Cocoa Image found via my tartelette

9. Spoon Image found via she who eats 10. Cocoa Image found via marie claire

11. Cocoa with Candy Cane Image found via weheartit

12. Scarf Image found via weheartit

Boards designed and created by Elements Design and Chocolate Creative Design