THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS

I have a confession. As a kid and as a young adult Thanksgiving has been one of my least favorite holidays. Only because it's usually pretty ugly with the typical brown, red, orange and yellow. The turkey is always dry, I don't like pumpkin pie and I don't like cranberry sauce... what a Thanksgiving Grinch, huh?

Now, of course, I DO love the company of good friends and family. And who says you need all that stuff above? Whatever your traditions I hope tomorrow brings you the company of good friends and family, after all that's really the best part!

Here are a few different takes on the standard decorations and foods. If anyone is still scrambling to complete some menu items for tomorrow I made this spicy pumpkin soup last week which was delicious! It's hearty enough to serve as a main dish accompanied by some dense bread and a salad. It would be a welcomed break from the Turkey tradition or if you have friends and family that aren't meat eaters. And these gorgeous table settings below are so elegant. (Well, I'm a sucker for feathers!) I also love the dash of navy blue.



Images left to right :: Resurrected from Domino Magazine via Casa Sugar and Country Living

♥

I was putting together an inspirational story board for one of my clients last week when I discovered the flickr stream of i.Anton. The final montage included two of her photos. Not because they incorporate any one particular item that should be included in my client's wedding but because nearly every one of her photographs evokes it's own perfect palette. The photo below, for example, sets an entire wedding scene in my mind filled with ivories and sunset tones with just a subtle punch of emerald green.



You can purchase some of her breathtaking prints {here}. I love this one (below) for my daughters. I am usually ambivalent when it comes to decor for their rooms, but this feels timeless. It's feminine, ethereal and a bit innocent. It's everything their current love of disney princess's stand for except it's a beautiful piece of art (no offense Walt Disney) and they would all love it today and be able to cherish it as they grow.



Photos credited to Irene Anton, thank you for letting me share your gorgeous work!

TWILIGHT

Can we talk about this? This craziness the last 24 what with the massive Facebook and Twitter updates regarding a certain movie...

I am going on a much needed vacation in two weeks and the only book recommendation people can offer me is the Twilight series. Everyone says, they didn't want to read it either but they did and couldn't put it down, and that Edward guy is hot. I'm sorry but I can't do it people. I haven't read any of the books and won't see the movies. Perhaps I'm lame but if anyone has any books that are good vacation reads other than Twilight you can oblige me in the comments and it would totally make my weekend.

But what I can do is share with you Twilight fans this fantastically clever idea. The Twilight Wedding. Dreamed up by some fine Florida vendors featured on Wedding Chicks. The styling is impeccably chic with gothic details.

Photo credit {Pure: Photography by Lindsey Tropf}
I am ALWAYS a sucker for a chandelier hanging out of a tree. The blood red shoes are smokin'. And if you read that mumble above you know I have no idea if the deep red ominous apple has any role in Twilight but I love it because I have daughters and it makes me think of the wicked queen in Snow White.

THE RECAP

Did you know that 2009's Get Hitched Give Hope crushed last year's donation amount by over $10,000?! I simply can't say it enough, to the lovely GHGH crew-your efforts and energy are contagious and you rock my socks. To the generous attendees-just wow. You blew it away. Thank you so much for attending and supporting the cause! Catch the detailed recaps {here} and {here}.

THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM

Whew! There were two birthdays. A celebratory weekend with good friends. And a Monday with no power due to a nasty wind storm. But over those few days I fell in love with a couple things that are worth sharing! First up Nick & Mo designed by Gracie von Kriegenbergh. I got a lovely black and white striped trench and below is more from their fall '09 and spring '10 collection that iCovet.




Then there is Seattle's Velocity. This place makes me sigh. Funnily enough our friends that came up, us girls exchanged birthday presents from this same retailer. I gave Mo a Ryan Berkley print and she gave me four pretty printed glass tumblers... now I just might need these coaster below to go with them.