Life is Beauty Full

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Raindrops & Wildflowers

Happy Tuesday morning-ish! I hope that you all have survived the end of last week/the weekend without me…I am sure that it was touch and go…don’t worry though…I am back! As you obviously know, I love my readers tons so I would hate to leave you in suspense any longer. The Onion Festival was super. I ate my body weight in luscious carnival food; which was definitely in line with my bridal boot camp regime, watched the crowning of the Onion Queen (I swear you can’t make this stuff up), and enjoyed two good old small town parades. What was the highlight of my trip? While this is a difficult decision, I had a definite front-runner…the family bridal shower that my amazing cousins and little sister planned for me.

All of my cousins are incredibly creative and detail oriented…my sister is no exception. In order to come up with a theme for the shower, they looked to the vintage, English garden feel we are using for the upcoming wedding. It turned out so incredibly lovely. My cousin, Sarah, is good friends with an awesome florist who created stunning arrangements of wild flowers…and even put together a great corsage for me. The graphic designer (ironically Sarah) took elements from my wedding invitations to come up with a luncheon menu card and invites…they turned out so well!

Along with Sarah (my matron of honor), my sister (my maid of honor) and my cousin Katie (bridesmaid) created a simply stunning backdrop for the most marvelous shower. One of my very favorite elements of the party was the venue. The girls decided that the perfect setting would be underneath a trio of large trees in my grandparent’s backyard…where we all used to play as little girls. It was honestly magical. I know that you all couldn’t be at the shower…so I wanted to make you feel included by posting some great pictures. Hopefully you will enjoy them as much as I adored the day! How would you describe your perfect/ideal bridal shower? Until next time! xo

Rejoice Designs & Photography

Rejoice Designs & Photography

This would be me, totally amazed, after seeing the bridal shower for the first time!

Rejoice Designs & Photography

Thursday, August 4, 2011

More Fall Trends & An Onion Festival...No But Seriously

Happy Thursday morning loves! Now, I am not totally sure how you left your state of slumber earlier…but I was awakened by my insane puppy Coconut jumping on my chest and unwaveringly licking my face (and sort of up my nostrils). That sort of lovin’ tells me that it is going to be a good day.

If you read my post yesterday…which you obviously did…you know that we are currently discussing some of fall’s hottest trends! I would hate to let you down so I want your opinion on some great autumn fashions.

-Polka Dots

Personally, I love polka dot patterns…I think that they can be both sweet and modern depending upon the size of the spots. It is a trend that every single person, no matter his or her personal style, can wear. Who doesn’t love something so inclusive?! Don’t believe me? Just look at these photos for proof that you to can start sporting speckles.

Collette Dinnigan Fall 2011

Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2011

Marni Fall 2011

Stella McCartney Fall 2011

-Chunky Sweaters

It is about darn time this one came back! When I was in college (and I still do this) I would wear my dad’s old sweaters from the 70’s and 80’s. They were way to big for me, super comfy, and looked killer (in my humble opinon) with leggings and boots. I won’t lie to you, some people looked at me like I had lost my mind…which maybe I had…but I love(d) those garments. Now ladies and gents…designers are sending this very look down the runways! Hooray! I feel so cool right now.

Gap Fall 2011

Gilded Age via New York Magazine

J.Crew Fall 2011

-Bright Bottoms

I am definitely not suggesting that you paint your tush to rock this look…please don’t do that. All you have to do is simply pick up a pair of pants, shorts, or even a skirt in a super punchy color…pair with a neutral top…and voila! Any color goes with this trend…bright turquoise, a shocking pink, lemon yellow, or a scarlet red. You will look just so fresh and stylish.

via Million Looks

Via Million Looks

As always, send us images of the wonderful looks you have concocted…we can’t wait to see what you have created! You might be wondering why the words “An Onion Festival” are in the title of this post…well let me tell you. Tomorrow, I will be going up to northern New York for just that…a festival of onions. As terrifying as it is…it is actually more fun than it sounds…or maybe that is just because I have been going mostly every year of my life. Hmm. With that said…I won’t be posting until next week…which I know, is tragic. I hope that you will forgive me…but I mean it is summer and I am sure that you are busy as well. If you are lucky…I might just bring back an onion…you will just have to wait and see! Until next time…xo.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

A Duck Blind and Some Plaid

Happy Wednesday darlings! I hope that your week has been wonderful thus far and that you are enjoying the back to school season. To be quite honest, I missed getting ready for classes when I went into Staples yesterday…I happen to be a major nerd and think that there is nothing more cleansing than a fresh, new notebook. Just ask my fiancé, anytime we walk into a store and there are journals…I am distracted for a solid ten minutes coveting the beautiful covers. Since I have totally surpassed my paper supply quota…I am forced to focus on other back to school joys…such as new clothing! Even though my educational quest has ended, I still like to freshen up my wardrobe during this time of year…as I am sure most twenty-somethings do as well. What type of blogger would I be if I didn’t update you on some of the hottest fall trends hitting stores near you this season?! A bad one…that’s what.

One style you will be seeing this autumn that absolutely horrifies me is camouflage. I understand that you might enjoy this pattern, however, unless you are hunting some sort of wild animal I really feel that it is inappropriate for every day looks. Am I wrong? Please let me know why you think this is something fashionable…I want to believe in this look…but I just can’t!

Plaid, now that is something that I can get onboard with. Whether on the runway or in a ready-to-wear collection…this textile has been appearing everywhere. If you tend to be a shyer fashionista, this is the perfect trend for you. Subtle garments can be added that will keep you looking chic such as a tartan scarf or skirt. Take a look at the attached photographs to get your creative mind in motion and let us know what you come up with! Until next time…slip on your kilt and get to shopping!

Hilary Duff via People

I just love the bold statement that this scarf makes!

The Budget Fashionista

A chic little hipster look...

Via WorkYourStyle.com

Some wonderfully styled plaid tops.

Victoria Beckham via Glamour

This just looks more like snake skin to me but it is supposedly camouflage.

Daryl K. via Glamour

I just don't even know what to say about this...

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

An Apology and Some Diamond Rings

Hello my lovely blog readers! I am so terribly sorry about my extreme absence during the past few days…I had a whirlwind weekend with my man! Over the weekend we went to a wonderful wedding, had a spectacular double date in Philadelphia, and reveled in some premium relaxation time. It was glorious but now I obviously owe you all a killer post.

Something I have been loving a ton lately are the incredible engagement photo shoots being churned out by some incredible photographers. I just adore when you can feel the love and sense the personality of the couple by simply looking at some pictures! Infusing your character, likes, and wedding theme are super great ways to begin deciding on a motif for your engagement shots. Erik and I decided that we wanted something incredibly natural, fuss-free, and somewhat vintage. Since we really wanted to avoid props to embrace simplicity we relied on our photographer to use filters that would give our photos an antiqued feel. We could not have been happier with the results…I attached some of our shots for your viewing pleasure!

Don’t let traditional images stifle your ideas…allow your imagination to run wild and brainstorm the perfect sitting for you and your sweetheart. Let us know what awesome ideas you come up with and send us your favorite images! Until next time…don’t let a fear of creativity keep you from styling the perfect shot!