July 22nd, 2013 No Comments

let’s go back to the beginning… color palette: black, peach, pale pink

This was my first post back on April 9th, 2012 and since it was, there weren’t too many readers. It’s one of my favorite color combinations though, so I thought I’d re-post it for those of you who have now joined my blog. Thank you for your weekly support and I hope you keep coming back!  – Lynn Butler Beling I love this color palette. I keep coming back to this color combination because I think it’s both masculine and feminine. Chanel included this palette in their spring 2012 runway show. (see below) The flower in the photograph above is … Read more

July 19th, 2013 No Comments

A backyard playhouse full of color and fun…from a kit made by a family business in ohio!

Take a peek at my girls backyard playhouse. I purchased this playhouse kit from the Little Cottage Company (a family owned business located in Ohio) for my kids and what a great find! My girls spend hours in this cottage, which is complete with 2 dutch doors (one for little ones and one for grown-ups), working windows with screens and even flower boxes. It took a friend and I about a day and a half to put the kit together and it was pretty easy to do. (the only thing really not included are roof shingles, but I used the extra ones … Read more

July 18th, 2013 No Comments

Pineapple juice- a great way to stay hydrated on these hot summer days

I know we feature a cocktail usually, but on these hot oppressive summer days an alcoholic drink is not the best choice. Pineapple juice is one juice that is very good to keep you hydrated. When entertaining in summer I always make sure to have a juice, iced tea, a sparkling water… along with a cocktail beverage. This also is something to consider when you are planning a wedding. Not everyone drinks alcohol, so it’s always nice to have a fun, colorful non-alcoholic option for your guests. This blog I found, called kblog.lunchboxbunch.com explains some more of the benefits … Read more

July 17th, 2013 No Comments

weddings: these brides layered in color for a fun style to their wedding day

Layering in different colors into your wedding day can be tricky. These brides layered in our color palette of pink, yellow, red and blue in fun, but still pretty ways. From pale yellow and pink bouquets against red dresses, to streamers with globe lights this is proof a wedding can be casual and fun too. Too casual for your style? These can also be great color ideas for the rehearsal dinner or a welcome dinner for out of town guests. Red drinks with red striped straws are a fun way to add color to your cocktail hour. A yellow and … Read more

July 16th, 2013 No Comments

summer sweets, from classic cupcakes and strawberries to puddings with dirt chocolate

I’m always looking for small little sweets to end a summer meal and these certainly will put smiles on everyone’s faces. Classics like cupcakes with simple colored sugar or chocolate toppings are so easy to make yourself. Dress up your cupcakes with patterned cupcake papers from Viking Importing Company or search unique toppers of all kinds on Etsy for a special theme or interest. (You can even use cupcakes as place card holders.) Individual strawberry shortcakes are another great classic, instead of baking the shortcake in a pan, drop the batter in cupcake tins, then slice each one in half and … Read more

July 15th, 2013 No Comments

color palette: a fun palette for a beach side cottage or even a playhouse

This is a color palette I personally used for my girls playhouse. It took a little while to select the right shades of blue, pink and yellow that would look fresh and fun, but these are the exact Benjamin Moore paints I used. I’ll show you the playhouse on Thursday when we post about interiors. I have since then found these straws from Ikea that fit in the palette perfectly. Only a $1.49 for a pack of 100! -Great for smoothies and cool summer drinks. For a ‘grown-up’ take on this palette, see how Miles Redd incorporated these … Read more

July 12th, 2013 No Comments

a southern wedding chocked full of ideas to inspire you all weekend long

Photographer Liz Banfield and event planner Tara Guerard teamed up to bring us these beautiful images of a Mount Pleasant, South Carolina wedding just full of beautiful details. We usually feature weddings on Wednesdays but we thought we’d give you an inspirational celebration to start your weekend off early. This bride and groom carried their monogram throughout their entire wedding from the programs to the cake. All printed materials are from The Lettered Olive. Liz and Tara have two wedding books available here. For more monogram ideas for your wedding or celebration check out our post on Read more

July 11th, 2013 No Comments

having trouble selecting a paint color? benjamin moore color stories can help you

It always seems a bit overwhelming for everyone, even when you work with paints all the time, to select a color for your own home. We all crave inspirational photos to help us decide what look we want to create. I’ve posted about a tool before called Color Capture App from Benjamin Moore. You can take a photo of your own and let the app tell you what paint colors are closest to the colors in your photo. But there’s another place I go on the Benjamin Moore site to inspire me and guide in my paint color selections … Read more

July 10th, 2013 No Comments

weddings: photographer laura billingham captures a pretty pale blue, gray and violet wedding in barnardsville, nj

Renowned wedding photographer, Laura Billingham captured the essence of this pretty blue, lavender and gray wedding in the bride and groom’s details. Above, the bride’s bouquet of cream roses and pale blue delphinium, belladonna done by florist Jardiniere Fine Flowers of Far Hill, New Jersey. It’s important to go over all the details of your flowers before your big day, like how your bouquet will be tied and what type of ribbon will be used. This bride chose a very neat band of cream ribbon secured with pearl pins in lieu of a large cascading bow. All the … Read more

July 9th, 2013 No Comments

set a casual summer table with our Jars bowls and plates from france

Our feathered bowls and plates from Jars and made in France have a subtle pattern reminiscent of water- perfect for a summer table setting. Cream and blue colors transport you to the sea even if you’re not by the beach.  A simple floral centerpiece of hydrangeas is classic and elegant.  See the Jars stoneware collection on our Little Blue Dish Shop. (Featured in Architectural Digest July issue and shot by Pieter Estersohn)