During my honeymoon in the Amalfi Coast last year, I was completely swept away by the sight of lush bougainvillea spilling over every wall, dotting the hillsides of white stucco with brilliant bursts of fuschia & amethyst. Now whenever I catch sight of a bougainvillea back home, I’m immediately transported to island bliss. Today’s inspiration board is rich and romantic, in shades of raspberry, plum & blush. Since bougainvillea tend to thrive in late summer, I’d imagine this palette for a September gathering as the mood starts to shift to deeper shades for fall. Festive drink stirrers, colorful cake pops & scrolling calligraphy pack quite a punch in these bold, feminine shades. Send guests home with a late-summer taste of nature’s bounty: charming baskets of farm-stand berries are such a sweet way to say thank you.

*Images: {row 1} Bougainvillea, Camille Styles; Berry Favors, unknown; Dessert Buffet, Style Me Pretty; Picnic, Oh Happy Day! {row 2} Cake Pops, Amy Atlas; Monogram Parasol, It’s Lovely; Girl in Flowers, coco+kelley {row 3} Couple, Snippet & Ink; Lanterns & Stationery, Martha Stewart Weddings; Drink Stirrers, Hello! Lucky.

Aaaahhhh…isn’t this a soothing look for the start to another busy week? When one of my favorite clients asked me to design a reception honoring the upcoming baptism of her twins, I began having visions of ethereal little angels flitting among snowy white clouds. This is one celebration that calls for a palette that’s as pure as the driven snow (like the two tiny guests of honor!) so I stuck with white, cream and just a few organic touches of green. To keep the look interesting, include plenty of texture like gauzy tulle pom poms, textured linen napkins, and ruffly white blooms. Oversized white balloons make a dessert buffet seem lighter than air, even when heavy-laden with macaroons, nougat & plenty of white chocolate. Favors are even sweeter when topped with tulle pom poms…Get the how-to here.

*Images: {row 1} Lollipop Photo Shoot, Style Me Pretty; Stationery, Martha Stewart Weddings; Drinks, Amy Atlas {row 2} Flowers, Sunday Suppers; Desserts, Amy Atlas {row 3 & 4} All from Martha Stewart Weddings

This dreamy and completely timeless Santa Barbara wedding, captured to perfection by Aaron Delesie & spotted on Style Me Pretty. A mostly-white color palette & soft vintage touches create a look that’s almost ethereal…lacy accents & ruffly floral arrangements add to the romance. From a retro photo booth to the ‘boxing glove’ groom’s cake, the couple put their personal stamp on every detail; I can’t get over the unfussy yet high-styled dessert buffet that is total perfection. A few images that I’m really loving…

For lots more yummy images & the full vendor list, pop over to Style Me Pretty.

Today’s inspiration board is a cool drink of water on a balmy summer afternoon. This dreamy dessert buffet inspired it all… a heavenly array of sweets that appears to float above the clouds. Billowy meringues are lighter than air; menu cards almost fly away on kites; a steamy cappuccino is topped with a snowcap of foam. As ethereal as it all appears, a unified palette of sky blue, white & orange keeps the look grounded, & romantic calligraphy on invitations & menu cards adds an element of refinement. Adorn the entrance to a shower or wedding with cascading ribbons & streamers to mark the passageway into cloud nine.

*Images: {Row 1} Malt & Coffee, Style Me Pretty; Numbered Glasses, Snippet & Ink; Dress with Sash, Martha Stewart Weddings {Row 2} ‘Ruffly,’ Shana Faust; Streamers & Meringues, Style Me Pretty; Candy Buffet, Rebecca Thuss {Row 3} Favors & Escort Cards, Martha Stewart Weddings; Daisy, Snippet & Ink; Menu Card, Shana Faust.

There’s a fine art to creating a children’s birthday party that is creative & stylish, yet still age-appropriate and centered on the kids. I think this princess-inspired dessert buffet designed by Amy Atlas for Brooke Shield’s daughter Grier struck the perfect balance. A sprinkling of wands & tiaras and a sparkly pink, rose and gold color palette gave the entire setup a magical air. Beautifully coordinated cookies, cupcakes & candies satisfied sweet tooths & made each little guest feel like a princess.

*Credits: Amy Atlas

I arrived home from my culinary adventure in Napa late last night, and am positively bursting with stories and photos to share from the experience. We’ll get to all that, but first I wanted to start the week with a Monochromatic Monday based on the brilliant colors of our hot air balloon ride through the wine country on Saturday. Our balloon was striped in vibrant shades of crimson, navy, & butter (center photo), and the Napa sunrise made the entire landscape glow. What perfect inspiration for a May party, full of fantastical whimsy and a rainbow of balloons. Snow cones & lollipops hearken to long-ago summer afternoons, just-picked cherries make charming favors, and classic navy & white stripes are necessary attire for a leisurely-yet-elegant picnic lunch.

Images: {Row 1} Poster, Oh Happy Day; Cherries, ACE Hotel; Flags, Style Me Pretty {Row 2} Envelopes, Martha Stewart Weddings; Red Balloons, Black Eiffel {Row 3} Striped Top, Snippet & Ink; Cherry Favors, Rebecca Thuss; Hot Air Balloon photo taken by me; Rock Candy, Gemma Comas {Row 4} Table Setting, Martha Stewart Weddings; Candy Buffet & Snow Cones, Gemma Comas; Hot Air Balloon Invitation, Sesame Letterpress.

Last weekend, I had the honor of helping a client with her daughter’s first communion celebration. Such a special occasion, & while brainstorming for the decor, I delved into my files for my favorite inspiration in an all-white color palette. While I love pops of color in even the most minimalist design, there’s something so serene & pure that makes an all-white palette perfect for a first communion party or baby shower. It can even be a surprisingly modern look for a chic dinner party by keeping the food, drinks, & decor an icy shade of blanc. Enjoy the eye candy…it’s a breath of fresh air!

*Images: {from top} White Dinner Party, Erin Quon; Dessert Buffet, Amy Atlas; Clematis Centerpiece, Martha Stewart Weddings; Balloon Centerpiece, Brooklyn Bride; White Place Setting & Dessert Liqueur Bar, Martha Stewart Weddings; Cupcakes, Style Me Pretty; Hors d’oeuvres & Wedding Cake, Martha Stewart Weddings.

Today’s inspiration board is full of vibrant color, yet seems to whisper instead of scream. Romantic & feminine in shades of cornflower blue & white, this palette elegantly weaves its way from invitations to an elegant dessert buffet set with bone china. The colors always remind me of Claude Monet’s blue & white kitchen in Giverny, France. Appropriate inspiration for a nostalgic garden party where good graces & fine etiquette make the best accessories…although those fabulous sapphire stilettos don’t hurt, either. This palette is perfect for a summer wedding, with bouquets of sweet peas fluttering between white lilies, linens of summery striped seersucker…and of course, much to choose from for a bride’s requisite “something blue!”

*Images: {Row 1} China, Kristi Schiffman; Menu, Rebecca Thuss; Stilettos, Jose Villa; Bouquet, Martha Stewart {Row 2} Escort Cards & Desserts, Martha Stewart; Tissue Decor, Rebecca Thuss; Ruffly Hat, Shana Faust {Row 3} Baby, Rebecca Thuss; Invitation Suite, Austin Press; Parasol & Favors, Martha Stewart.

Every summer when I was growing up, my mother would take us to a nearby strawberry field where we would spend a blissful afternoon picking (and eating!) our weight in the juiciest fruit. Over the next few days, those berries would take many forms: jars of vibrant jam for gift-giving, sliced & served over yogurt, & (my favorite) layered between buttery shortcakes & whipped cream. For me, that very dessert epitomizes the start of summer, and its colors are the inspiration for this warm-weather party. Playful straws striped in red & white, pots overflowing with geraniums, & cupcakes crowned in meringue are festive details for a birthday party or bridal shower. Spread the Love by sending guests home with homemade jars of jam to enjoy at next day’s breakfast.

*Images: {Row 1} Apple Orchard, Elizabeth Messina; Ice Cream Sundae Bar; French Napkin, Vintage Weave; Tissue Flower, Martha Stewart Weddings {Row 2} Meringue Cupcake, Martha Stewart; Straws, Shoes, & Jam, Style Me Pretty {Row 3} Strawberry Shortcake, 100 Layer Cake; Stationery, Martha Stewart Weddings; Geraniums, Snippet & Ink {Row 4} Striped Skirt & Chihuahua, Snippet & Ink; Favors, Amy Atlas; RSVP card.

This year, Sprinkles unveiled its “Hop Box” (can they get any more adorable?!) Each box is full of red velvet, carrot cake, & brown sugar praline cupcakes adorned with adorable pink & green bunnies.

A few weeks ago, I did a post on sweets from one of my favorite new local bakeries, Paige’s Bakehouse. Paige is a master at creating stylish confections that taste as scrumptious as they look, so I was thrilled to discover her new offerings for Easter: these colorful cake balls in an assortment of decadent flavors.

Who says marshmallows are just for winter? These pastel lovelies from Dean & Deluca are light, tender, & flavored with Rose, Passion Fruit, & Violet. Drop them into hot chocolate or devour them all by themselves.

I know I said this was a feature on non-egg-shaped goodies, but these Chocolate-Filled Robins’ Eggs from Williams-Sonoma were too good to pass up. Candy makers at Two Hearts Bakery in San Francisco fill natural egg shells with milk chocolate, than hand-paint the shells with golden speckles. A gorgeous spin on nature’s artistry!