I am still thinking about colors and coordination right now, and am really liking the idea of gray pinstripe suits for the groomsmen. Granted, it is a little less formal than all black tuxedos, but I think it will coordinate really well with the bridesmaids and look great for this summery late afternoon wedding. Plus, uniformity and presentation is half of formality anyway. Check it out below.

I also am loving the idea of *sparklers* for the post-reception departure. I pulled the middle photo from pictures of my cousin’s wedding in January–the concept looks great for photography and perfect for summertime!

I love summer styles for their vibrant colors and breezy fabrics, and this season the colors are especially fun! I’ve been going through my summer wardrobe and looking for thrifty ways to stretch it without overspending. All of the finds below were scavenged from Forever21, all for less than $20! Another source of inspiration (though not for its prices) is Anthropologie.

I love coral as a summer color and this shade looks especially good on those of us blessed with *fair* skin. 🙂 I’ve never been one for wearing lots of gold, but I think it looks great in combination with the coral. While I wouldn’t try it for any other time of year, I think I can pass wearing gold during the summer months, when I at least have a little more color than usual.

I am also on the look-out for a ‘going away dress’ for after my wedding
reception (120 days and counting!). I’d like it to match my gorgeous cream peep-toe shoes and be something I can mix and match
with the rest of my summer/early fall wardrobe. Any ideas?

While the ‘project dress’ is still in process, I have turned my attentions to other wedding-day details: hair and make-up. I’ve found that comprehensive mainstream websites like The Knot and Brides.com are actually pretty helpful (imagine that!). I’ve also spent countless hours perusing the fun bridal blogs that adorn cyberspace with their feminine & stylish graces.

The best I’ve found so far:

Style Me Pretty
Something Old, Something New
Junebug Weddings

And the latest hairstyling preferences are below as well. 🙂

I have a bit of a new hobby that involves a little Googling, a good portion of design and a lot of Photoshopping and sometimes a campy fake-looking result…..but it keeps me fairly entertained. It started with an assignment to design my future personal artist studio on a budget of $7,500 (!). Easy enough. I managed a 2-view 3D design of the room. I’m pleased with in concept, though it may never come to fruition. I will post those later.

What I’m putting up now is a design concept for my future living room. Using the dimensions of DFH’s (can you guess the meaning of that acronym? ) apartment living space, I threw together this little schematic for future domesticity. I like it. DFH didn’t…. I told him he will have to get used to the idea that I am a creative being and therefore this sort of thing is inevitable.

One of my favorite pieces is the cushy, rolling ottoman that is the seat for the desk in the back. It’s cute and tiny–perfect for small spaces! It even has an i-mac….perfect. Close-up below (from Pottery Barn):

The big-screen TV is solely for DFH….as is the orchid. Most of the furniture is from Pottery Barn,
although he already owns the nice leather couch. The other furniture is
a collection of random pieces found on Google Imagesearch. The fourth
wall will be painted a deeper shade of teal-green (darker than the
curtains, but toned down). I have it all planned out . . .

Inspired by the title of this blog–How About Orange–I put together these color/decor schemes:

Left to Right: Japanese Peony Spread (Urban Outfitters); Ethel Run Shower Curtain (Ikea); Lolita Book Poster (Urban Outfitters); Andrea Rug (Ikea); Milk Glass Table Lamp in Orange (Pottery Barn); Swatch from Either/Or Convertible Sofa (Urban Outfitters)

Left to Right: Lomography Fisheye Camera (Urban Outfitters); Pop Color Plastic Aviator Glasses (Urban Outfitters); Weightless Umbrella (Design Object);
Classroom Clock (Urban Outfitters); Neon Gauze Curtain (U.O.); Crescent Doctor Bag in orange (U.O.)