An Indiana Trash the Dress Session from Stacy Able

I had the pleasure of meeting Indiana-based photographer Stacy Able when I attended the Garter Girl launch party a few weeks back and when I saw this fun, country trash the dress shoot she did, I just knew I had to share it with all of you today! Now, normally trash the dress shoots scare me a bit, maybe because I can't imagine ever, well, trashing my future wedding dress. But Stacy has shot so many awesome ones, she's really changed my mind!

My favorite part about this shoot is that the dress wasn't slopped with mud or dunked in a lake in typical trash the dress fashion. In fact, it really was minimally "trashed." The bride, Erin, simply wanted to do the shoot with one of her horses and the beautiful background of an Indiana field and I just am in love with how it turned out!

{All Images by Stacy Able Photography}

A special thanks to Stacy for sending over this fabulous shoot and be sure to head over to her blog to see all of her latest work!

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

Introducing... My Etsy Favorites!

{via It's Mary Ruffle}

I apologize that I do not have an Etsy wedding for you all today, life has been a bit hectic these past few days and I decided to bring you a little something different while I get these crazy times worked out and keep Making Things Happen!

A few weeks ago I told you about the tumblr blog I will be launching in May and today I'm sharing another little piece of goodness with you. Etsy, as many of you will know, has a fabulous feature where you can "favorite" items and sellers. Well, I've had a ton bookmarked for awhile because I am just so madly in love with Etsy, and since I can't share each and every one with you on Notable, I wanted to give you all the link to my favorites so you can check them out! Some are wedding appropriate and some are for your home... it is pretty much just the beginnings of my favorite items I find while I scour Etsy each week. So if your feeling the need for something fabulous and handmade, click here to find my current favorites, and keep checking back as I add more!

I'll be back tomorrow with a super fun trash-the-dress session!

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

As Seen On Etsy: Vessels and Wares

The design blogs have been all a buzz over Vessels and Wares, an Etsy vendor who creates the most divine cake stands (and other goodies) and I just had to feature them today! This is pottery done right. Cute little cupcake stands and jaw dropping tiered cake stands! Sign. Me. Up. Plus they offer other beauties that are perfect for your home, post wedding, like hanging bowls, colanders and dessert plates! Items that work for your bridal shower, wedding AND home? I know, it's almost too good to be true!

{All Products and Images from Vessels and Wares Etsy Shop}

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

Color Inspiration: Artichokes, Herbs and a Hint of Copper

As promised,  a little edible inspiration today in the form of artichokes & herbs. A summer garden turned wedding? That is the goal! A palette of pure white and leafy green, and a bit of copper (which I am totally in love with right now).

I almost dropped dead when I saw this artichoke bouquet, it is so utterly fantastic. Pair it with gorgeous green bridesmaid dresses and herb boutonnieres. Reception tables swathed in white with copper dyed burlap runners and florals accented with artichokes. Use copper garden markers to identify tables (one herb per table), and tiny potted herbs as place cards turned favors!

{1. Artichoke Bouquet by Hatch Creative Studio via Ritzy Bee, 2. Custom Copper Herb Markers by Make Thyme, 3. Planted Herbs via Elizabeth Anne Designs, 4. Bridal Party Shot via Ruffled, 5. Artichoke Invitation by Rigel Stuhmiller, 6. Burlap Runner via Style Me Pretty, 7. Herb Favors via Brides, 8. Centerpiece Shot via Coco + Kelley, 9. Hydrangea and Artichoke Arrangement via C.S. Post  Co.}

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

Notables: Veggies (and tomatoes too!)!

While I may prefer bread, cheese and cupcakes, this post goes to show: eat your veggies. Or, at least decorate with them! That's right, vegetables make really awesome, relatively inexpensive decor and motifs for your wedding! And while I know tomatoes are technically fruits, I just had to include them too. When Martha makes a fruit look that good, it has to be seen. Bon Appetit!

{Tomato Centerpieces via Martha Stewart Weddings}

{Seed Packet Tags by Bella Sera Designs}

{DIY Artichoke Candle Holder via Elizabeth Anne Designs}

{Vegetable Centerpiece via Martha Stewart Weddings}

{Tomato Decor via Elizabeth Anne Designs}

{Vegetable Shot via Edyta Szyszlo Photography}

{Artichoke Wedding Invitation by Rigel Stuhmiller}

{Vegetable Table Decor via 100 Layer Cake}

Be sure to check back tomorrow for a veggie inspired summer wedding!

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

Weddings, Etc.: Reuse It!

Today's post is in honor of Earth Day. I'm a day late, I know, but better late then never right? You may have been overwhelmed, in a good way, yesterday with an outpouring of eco-friendliness, so I'm going to bring you a different way of helping out our Earth. Reusing. There are so so so many creative ways you can reuse items from your wedding in your home! This way, you can avoid throwing everything in the trash, and recycle, upcycle and reuse!

A lot of brides are turning to mismatched plates for their wedding, as either plates or chargers for an intimate affair. Since you most likely are receiving fine china through your registry and don't need anymore dishes, why not use them to make a fantastic plate installment on your wall like this one?

 {Wall Decor via Remodelista}

Collect the wine bottles used at your reception and make them in to beautiful vases. You can do eye-popping colors or an awesome faux milk glass! Fill them with fresh flowers or just leave them as decorative pieces on your shelves!

{DIY Painted Wine Bottles via Ruffled}

{DIY Faux Milk Glass via Ruffled}

Dry the flowers from your bouquet (or table arrangements!) and turn it into potpourri for your bathroom!

{Potpourri Image via Flickr}

Instead of fresh-cut flowers, substitute potted plants for your centerpieces. Totally adorable and then you can replant them in then your yard!

{Potted Plan Centerpiece via Apartment Therapy}

Use these garden markers to identify your tables at a summer garden themed affair (full inspiration board coming soon!) and then reuse them for their actual purpose, in your garden!

{Garden Marker by Daisy Chestnut}

Frame your table numbers with vintage picture frames then either use them to frame wedding photos or make a photo-less frame display on a focal wall.

{Vintage Framed Table Numbers via Project Wedding}

{Frame Wall Decor via The Nest}

Other ideas: have your guests sign a cookbook which you can display in your kitchen, turn your table runners (or even tablecloths!) into valances or bathroom curtains, and reuse mason jars from centerpieces for storing sugar, flour and other baking necessities! Have more reusable ideas? Leave them below!

Happy {belated} Earth Day!

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

Etsy Wedding: A Cross Country Road Trip

If you checked out yesterday's post, you already know the inspiration for today's wedding-- Vintage license plates! But, there really is another, more personal source of inspiration for this affair-- the cross country road trip I am going to be taking in about three weeks. Yep, I'm headed out to Los Angeles for the summer and I am driving. The whole way. So I couldn't help myself when I saw that fab license plate picture but to do a little wedding that has a total feeling of a classic, good old road trip across the USA.

{License Plate Photo by City Light Photography}

I really wanted to pull from the plate colors so I used black, white, red and yellow. Black and white for the bride and flower girl, and a little yellow for the bridesmaids. I LOVE these handmade flats too! How fitting are the cufflinks and the subtle tie? This license plate box makes a great ring holder and that vessel is perfect for a few petals. For flowers I would do something TOTALLY unexpected... like black & white anemones. Maybe popped with a few yellow billy balls?

{1. Boutonniere by Lint and Lavender, 2. Dress by Vera Vague, 3. Flower Girl Dress by Olive and Fern, 4. License Plate Box by Lepelstat Crafts, 5. Handmade Red Flats by SMARTFISH, 6. Vase by Gypsy's Caravan, 7. Crochet Headband by Broken Hallelujah, 8. Dress by Homecoming, 9. Map Collage Cufflinks by House of Ismay, 10. Map Tie by Supper Club}

Now, you may look at this reception concept and think, how is that a wedding? No flowers really, and certainly nothing to put them in. Well, for this I would draw from above. Yep, I think it would be so fitting to hang all different vintage license plates (or bike plates, like these) from above and keep the table simple. Maybe serve a family style dinner with old ketchup and mustard bottles. Just sprinkle some dried petals on the tables, or you can absolutely incorporate your choice flowers in some simple glass vessels. Have your guests sign the inside of an old atlas as your guest book and incorporate a map into your stationery, somehow. Take it to the next level by using street signs (one way, stop, yield) to direct your guests throughout the day!

{1. Road Photo by Dragonfly Photography, 2. Invitations by Emarsden13, 3. Vintage Drawer by Bird-in-Hand, 4. Vintage Bike Plates by Sunny Day Vintage, 5. Save the Date Map by DIY Paperie, 6. Ketchup and Mustard Bottles by Eclectic Miami, 7. Red Luggage by Seaglass Vintage, 8. One Way sign by Lackluster Co., 9. Dried Petals by Pleasant Hedges, 10. Vintage Atlas by Vintage Surplus}

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

As Seen On Etsy: City Light Photography

Well, today's Etsy vendor did my work for me. Talk about notable inspiration! City Light Photography has image after image that have color palettes, themes and feelings built right in. I can think of a gorgeous wedding for each and every image below. Several of these photos are available in notecard sets, perfect for favors! Or, buy a full size print as your inspiration and incorporate it into the background of a DIY'd photobooth for your guests. Purchase a few and gift them to your bridesmaids in a fab frame. So many options and never-ending inspiration. I think, I'm in love!

{All Photographs from City Light Photography's Etsy Shop}

Since I could really do weddings off of all of these (and hmm, I just might!), it was tough to pick one as my inspiration for tomorrow's Etsy affair. Finally, I decided to go off of the license plate snapshot- figured it's pretty fitting to continue the travel theme after yesterday's post! Check back tomorrow for the full scoop!

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

Color Inspiration: A 1930s Inspired Train Station Affair

There is something so historic and nostalgic about train stations, but they also evoke an air of romance too. Perhaps because these stations were the precursor to the hellos and goodbyes we are accustomed to seeing at airports nowadays? I was immediately inspired to incorporate the 1930s when I decided to do a little train travel theme for todays concept, and the two themes work together seamlessly. The palette is very demure and subtle with an accent of terra cotta reds, a vintage feel and an essence of never-ending love.

Hats. Lots of hats. For the men, the bridesmaids and maybe one with a birdcage veil for the bride. If you don't desire to be the only one in white, put your bridesmaids in creamy colored dresses with gold jewels and simple, single flower bouquets. This is the perfect opportunity to don a true 30's inspired gown. Bright red-orange suitcases make fun, and fitting, props and if you can find a train station, or even just train tracks, for a photo shoot, be sure to take advantage of it!

{1. Wedding Gown Shot by Todd Pellowe via Wedding Bee, 2. Vintage Suitcase by The Queen of Re, 3. 1930s Hat and Veil by Cathy's Vintage Shop, 4. Groom Shot by Stephanie Fay Photography, 5. Bridal Party Shot by SOTA/Studio This Is via Ruffled, 6. Flower Girl Dress by J. Crew, 7. Vintage Necklace by Lkfarnsworth Studio, 8. Bouquet Shot by Karen Wise via Brooklyn Bride, 9. Vintage Hat by Marvita13}

Train station or not, bring in the train travel feel with your stationery. Luggage tag save the dates, train ticket invitations and please, oh please, use old train slips (like these) for handwritten menus! Stack vintage train cases and photo boxes for guests to fill with good wishes and polaroids from a special photo booth. Find snapshots of different elements of a train station, like this waiting room sign, and use a distinct one to identify each table. Pop simple cream hued tables and flowers with terra cotta napkins and chair finishings and treat your guests to custom leather luggage tag favors!

{1. Bench Shot by SOTA/Studio This Is via Ruffled, 2. Vintage Train Slips by The Fancy Lamb, 3. Admit One Stationery Shot by Turn Loose the Art via Style Me Pretty, 4. Custom Luggage Tags by Of The Fountain, 5. Boxes via The Society Inc., 6. Save the Dates by Sunshine and Ravioli, 7. 1930s Train Case by Mod Human Vintage, 8. Table Shot by Turn Loose the Art via Style Me Pretty, 9. Waiting Room Poster via AllPosters.com}

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

Notables: The B-List Meet and Greet Event!

I left you on Friday with some of my favorite inspiration and told you I was headed to the B-List Meet and Greet Event to finally put a name to all the blogging and twittering faces I admire and interact with everyday! Well, to say it was a success is an understatement! It was so great to meet all the creative ladies behind my favorite wedding blogs and to meet some new ladies I hadn't known before too! The best thing about the wedding industry? They really know how to throw a party! I mean, that kind of goes along with the job description, right? And the B-List didn't miss a beat on this one. There was great food, great drinks, a live b-list twitter feed, and best of all, great people! Here's a few pics courtesy of Elan Artists who were nice enough to pass them along to me to share with you!

Of course, the cake was my favorite part...

Every B-lister had a dish named after them!

The champagne bar!

The awesome decor with flowers by the amazing Holly Chapple

Myself with Courtney of A Sweet Soiree, Janice of Bellwether Events, and Jessica from The Budget Savvy Bride!

{All Photos by Shane Carpenter and Carlos Andres Varela for Elan Artists}

A special shout out to some of the great, inspiring women I was able to meet: Amanda from Ruffled, Jen from Green Wedding Shoes, Jillian and Amanda from 100 Layer Cake, Harmony from The Bridal Bar, Ami from Elizabeth Anne Designs, Dana from The Broke-Ass Bride and many many more! 

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

Weddings, Etc.: Notable's Inspiration

In May, I'll be launching a tumblr blog, called Notable's Inspiration, where I plan on sharing all the images that inspire me. Not necessarily ones that inspire wedding palettes or Notable concepts, but just any and everything that I love, that I find worthy of taking note of. And I hope you will all be a little inspired by it, as I hope you are inspired by Notable Inspiration itself too! In honor of the upcoming launch, I decided today would be an appropriate day to share a few images I've found over the past couple weeks that I just adore. Ideas on how to turn these fab photos into wedding concepts? Leave them below! This time I'm leaving the creativity up to you!

{My Dream Home via Houzz}

{Keeping Up the Shoe Love via Sam & Ollie}

{If anyone wants to buy my this table I'm currently taking donations, via Delight by Design}

{There's just something about those white washed floors via Rockstar Diaries} 

{Can I have my wedding here? via We Heart It}

{Kraft Paper? NOPE! It's fabric via Designer's Library}

{Since you all know I love breakfast, via Design*Sponge}

{I'll take one of each, via We Heart It}

{Don't you wish you were this awesome as a kid? via Little Lovely}

{Expect a post on those amber bottles soon, via Sunday Suppers}

{A chalkboard wall AND a barn door? Dying! via Row House}

I'm heading to the B-List Meet & Greet tonight with some of the wedding world's greatest and am already feeling inspired! Hope these images helped you feel inspired too!

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly

Etsy Wedding: Green Glass, Pale Pink & Shiny Silver

In need of inspiration... for anything? Go to a flea market. This is not a new source of inspiration to many, but it is one that should be required for anyone looking to be inspired. In fact, it's what inspired both wedding palettes this week. This time: green glass bottles. They are so bright and bold. After some thought, I decided to go with a classic pink & green scheme, something I'm not usually fond of. But what you pick the right shades, oh wow is it awesome! Pale pink, vibrant green and a little elegant silver. Yum.

What's more perfect than pink roses? A little here a little there, I adore this dress for your maids and this little headband for your girls! This serving dish is perfectly upcycled into a flower girl basket too, with a little green glass in the jewelry to match. Finish off your look with some flashy (in a good way) silver flats!

{1. Pink Kissing Ball by Amore Bride, 2. Vintage Tie Tack by Clock Winder,  3. Silver Flats by Nick and Nessies, 4. Pink Dress by Claire La Faye, 5. Necklace by Lizix26, 6. Ring by Silver Girl Creations, 7. Shoes by Sugar Plumb Tree, 8. Rose Headband by Neisha's Blue, 9. Serving Dish by JuJo's Attic}

 I would love to see juliet roses in this palette-- one stem per fabulous green bottle. Serve delicious sorbet in beautiful silver goblets and drape the tables with vintage fabric- pink florals of course! If printed tables are just too much, reserve the fabric for the chairs: full covers, tie backs, anything! And why not make a mosaic guest book out of broken up vintage china? There's two ways to do this. If your guests are willing to get a little messy, you can have them each place a few tiles on a large slab (provide directions calligraphed on pretty paper and delegate one of your bridesmaids to help). Prefer to keep things clean? Assemble it yourself! Place the tiles in any desired pattern, a large tile art piece, a mirror or a frame and have your guests sign on or around it! Gotta get creative with guest books these days!

{1. Rose Photograph by Judy Stalus, 2. Green Glass Bottles by Vintage Home Recycled, 3. Aluminum Ice Bucket by Brandeye, 4. Silver Bowl by She Sits by the Seashore, 5. Silver Glasses by Fashion Rerun, Silver, 6. China Mosaic Tiles by Fixins, 7. Curtain Panels by Cottage Home Couture,  8. Vintage Glass Bottles by Scout Home, 9. Cottage Photograph by Italian Girl in Georgia}

There you have it, my take on pink and green-- minus the preppy but with a little bit vintage flair!

Aspiring to Inspire,

Kelly