Leah & David : A San Francisco dream wedding

If you got a peek into Leah & David's newlywed pad last week, then you got a good feel for their personality and spirit as a couple. Well...as promised, their wedding was not only an undeniable ode to them, but what I feel is a San Francisco city wedding in its truest form....done with panache, wit, depth and an effervescent sense of celebration and joy.

Their story starts with a wish:

"We started dating in October of 2005. By the time Thanksgiving rolled around, we were on the verge of breaking up. Sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner with my family in NC, my father offered to let me pull the wishbone for him. As I pulled, I made the wish "I hope David and I are able to make it work." I got the bigger piece and saved it. Things improved between us to the point where I told David the story and gave him the wishbone, telling him my wish had really come true. He promptly put it in his coat pocket over his heart and has carried it there ever since.
I snuck it out before the wedding and had them dangle it from my bouquet...

"The theme of our wedding was actually expressing the way David makes me feel: beautiful, fun, full of verve + elan, vibrant, elated to be alive!"

above: Leah's gorgeous "rum pink" gown is by Alvina Valenta.

hair by Stas at Metamorphosis Salon, makeup Priscilla at Shu Uemura

"I have had a love affair with peacocks ever since I was a little girl--while my parents were at work, I stayed with my nanny on her farm in Texas. She raised peacocks and I have very vivid memories of chasing them, trying to pull the feathers from their tails..."

"Our 3 year old niece Mia was adopted from Japan, hence her origami flower bouquet!"

above: their beautiful ceremony was held at Hotel Monaco.
Photography by John Griffin. Flowers by Loop Design.

"We had friends read selected poems during our ceremony, including an excerpt from Plato's The Symposium--a nod to our fervent support of gay marriage."

Ready to attend the reception? Hop on the trolley (where guests were transported to their posh, sparkly reception at Bix) and stay tuned as I post up pics for tomorrow!

Happy Cupcake Friday

above: by We Heart It

Wow, a smores keyboard complete with marshmallow keys... Now that's a way to end the week!
Happy Cupcake Friday and weekend everyone!

Newlywed Nest

I love getting a chance to catch up with our brides after their weddings. And I was so thrilled when Leah and I met and she shared with me the glorious photos of her wedding (which you must stayed tuned for when I post them up next week!).

I was equally as floored when I saw photos of their newlywed nest because every detail spells out the story of why they belong together. When you first meet Leah and David, they are fun, eclectic, playful. But they also have a soulful connection that reaches down to the depths. Below is their dining room and if you look closely at the wallpaper that their interior designer Lawanna (of Lawanna Cathleen Designs) found, there are tiny monkeys that symbolize their love embedded within.


This is pure "Leah and David" to me. Wit, boldness, charm with a twist of classic modern all at the same time. A graffiti mural painted by Eustinof spells out "SexyM***F***." Now that's a pretty awesome newlywed nest. Be sure to check out their wedding story and photos next week!

February Spells Getaway

above, clockwise: personal stationery with faux croc envelopes, Miu Miu wallet,
Alexander Mcqueen Skull scarf, Carrera aviator sunglasses

Winter Blues getting to you? February always means getaway to me. My father is escaping the frigid Midwest and is touring bazaars and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul right now. My cousin is planning her getaway to Argentina. I'm getting postcards and tales of exile from friends in Hawaii, Mexico, Australia... If you're one of those darn lucky escapees, then be sure to have your essentials in tow including enviable stationery or postcards to send to working stiffs like me. And if you can't peel yourself away, indulge your nest with something special. A client told me she just treated herself to something underfoot, a velvety, luxurious croc pattern rug (above) as her antidote for chasing the winter blues away!

Jenny Packham Bride

If you ask me for my top five favorite wedding designers, Jenny Packham is most definitely one of them. And if you happen to know about our custom invitation line (where we offer brides the option to embellish their invitations with crystals), then you'll probably be able to figure out why. I go gaga over her designs which always offer embellishment, but just a touch or so here and there. Enough to melt me...and I'm sure any guest (and the lucky groom!) who watches the bride walking down the aisle.

Lauren K. Roberts

There's nothing like starting off your Monday with something refreshing like a piece of jewelry over your most comfy and favorite knit. These pieces by Lauren K Roberts make beautiful statement pieces!

Happy Cupcake Friday

Aren't these "2 Birds with 1 stone" cupcakes by Rakka Deer almost too adorable to eat?
Have a happy cupcake Friday and weekend everyone!

Shop Friend: Letter Perfect

above: the adorable Letter Perfect shop and some of their available stationery.

It was wonderful to hear from one of our beloved retailers Ruby of Letter Perfect in Deephaven, Minnesota. Even more wonderful that she attached a page from the recent issue of Minnesota Bride Magazine featuring Letter Perfect and a wedding invitation from our new "Gallery" custom wedding album. If you are lucky to live near the shop, you will be assured of expert knowledge and service and they also have items from their shop available online!

Seraphine Cage

This is a hand-cut seraphine cage. What exactly is a seraphine cage you ask? I don't know...except that it is described as depicting a romantic dream world and it looks so beautiful and intricate I would love to hang one in the corner of my bedroom.

Ladies Who Lunch Box

Our "Ladies Who Lunch" Box is a little lunch box tin filled with notecards and we had such fun creating it. Don't be fooled by the name though...it's also for "Ladies with a Cause" because we donate portions of proceeds to Women's Health Organizations. Via EatMeDaily.com, I was thrilled to see other lunchboxes up for charity. Gourmet Magazine held an auction of lunch boxes designed by culinary legends and stars such as Alice Waters and Mario Batali...so cool!

lunchbox auction by Gourmet to benefit hunger-relief organizations.
clockwise from top: Alice waters, Martha Stewart, Mario Batali, Tom Colicchio

Shop Friend: Cherries Flowers

This is long overdue...I've been meaning to post about my wonderful Shop Friends and neighbors, Cherries Flowers for quite some time but every time I go in there to take pictures I end up talking and laughing with them instead! They are truly talented and their shop shows their love for floral design...tumblers filled with pheasant feathers, loose vases overflowing with orchids or hydrangeas and glittery paintings by local artists on the wall (I promise to take pictures of their shop and post them!).

They have an impeccable eye and I highly recommend them for your special event. If you are lucky to live in the San Francisco, they are also great for putting together the perfect bouquet...I was introduced to a flower that smells like chocolate and have been graced by "mini" arrangements tied in bows for our own shop.

Happy Cupcake Friday

These are the cutest cupcake placecard holders by Jenni B Originals and Red Light Studio.

Have a happy cupcake Friday and weekend everyone!

Jason Wu: Michelle Obama's inaugural Gown

What a special week it has been! The inauguration of President Barack Obama has been inspiring, humbling and his message of service has touched me to the core.

I couldn't help but swoon over Michelle Obama's inaugural gown which looked so perfect on her. I was also thrilled to hear that she chose young 26 year old designer, Jason Wu, to be the the designer. Just looking at his work I am immediately casting a fashion vote for him to start designing his own private label of wedding gowns!

Shop Friend: Minted

If you are looking for unique, independent custom and wedding stationery online, then check out Minted. Our Cat Seto Town & Country wedding designs were designed for the vineyard to ballroom bride and are available through local retailers as well as through Minted. Click here to view!

above: our Blossom and Coral Willow wedding suites

Fall Weddings

Lately, when we've met couples planning for their wedding, we've come across just as many who want floral as those who want anything but. For those of the latter, a fall wedding theme of acorns, leaves or oak trees present motifs that play on earthy yet rich and deeply textured tones.

Below: I adore these woodsy wedding accessories by JloveS. And our friends at Wiley Valentine (carried at our Paper Studio) have a beautiful invitation from their new letterpress collection that I love showing clients.

above: Silver acorn placecard holders. Pomegranate placecord holders

from Martha Stewart Weddings.

Wedding Week: Four Seasons Wedding Fair

The Four Seasons Wedding Fair this past Sunday was in full force with talented vendors, free flowing champagne, lovely brides, and models traipsing the ballroom in Jin Wang gowns. It was wonderful to meet couples, brides, their moms and friends and show them our Cat Seto invitation line!

Happy Cupcake Friday

above: Who can resist a simple white cupcake. Wedding cupcakes by Cakes and Catering.

What a busy week it's been! We had such a fun time showing our invitations to attendees at Bloomingdale's Wedding Party event last night and are currently in the throes of prepping for the San Francisco Four Season's "A Five Star Afternoon" wedding fair this Sunday. FYI: for all of you bride-to-be's out there, be sure to buy a ticket...the dessert buffet out on the veranda is worth the price of admission alone!). I'll be sure to post pics up next week...

In the meantime, Happy Cupcake Friday and weekend everyone!

Simple Pleasures: Alyssa Ettinger

With the start of the new year, I have been craving simplicity. I'm recycling old sketches and drawings into new, natural white frames and have been eyeing simple, white bud vases. I love how these porcelain replicas of milk bottles by Alyssa Ettinger are so clean and fresh and would love to put them as a trio with the glass bottles (also below) on my kitchen table.

above: porcelain milk bottle replicas by Alyssa Ettinger

above, clockwise: glass bottles available at Seletti. Cup and saucer by Bailey's Doesn't Bark. Cloverleaf Dairy.Palmona's Nest placecards.

Bridal Flats

If flats are a must for your wedding day, these are some cheeky chic ones that I found while surfing on Zappos. BTW, how cute are those Marc by Marc Jacobs mouse flats?

above: Delman studded ballerina flats.Sigerson Morrison.
Cristin Michaels. Marc by Marc Jacobs. Kate Spade. Paul Smith.

Jethro Macey: His and Hers

This is definitely design for "his" and "hers". I think I'd go gaga for this lacy dresser by Jethro Macey. And the boy? Well he can have a retro army accessory medicine cabinet too!

Kaarskoker: light me up!

This is brilliant! In this month's issue of House Beautiful I saw these patterned candle sleeves by Kaarskoker that come in a variety of fun patterns and prints. Just slip one over your sconce or chandelier and you'll add a little punch of color and whimsy to your decor!

Happy Cupcake Friday

Fantastic embroidered cupcakes. Hope all of you have a Happy Cupcake Friday and weekend!

Design Sponge DIY: Faux Calligraphy

Design Sponge posted an awesome DIY idea for "faux calligraphy" for all of you out there who don't want to splurge on getting your wedding invites hand lettered. Just print a fancy font onto your envelopes and then trace over it (in this project a white paint pen) with an ink pen. Come to think of it, I have such bad handwriting I should just do this on a daily basis!

Uloni

The cold has left me coveting scarves lately. This gorgeous piece by Uloni is more necklace, but the fact that it's knit gives me an excuse to add it to my collection!

Phunk Lab

And more primo gifts from Australian Phunk Lab for the perfect couple or your favorite little niece or nephew!

Paper Cuts by Joe

This is for all of you who don't like having your wedding photos displayed on your mantel and end tables for all the world to see. I am loving these contemporary paper cutouts. Such a fresh take on the silhouette! Click here to see more.

Fingerprint Wedding Bands

Happy '09 everyone!
January always heralds bridal month and we have been delighted by all of the freshly engaged couples and their stories of love. I met with one very organized couple whose only last detail are wedding bands. I fell in love with these fingerprint bands by British designer Andrew English. Your fingerprints are engraved on the inside or outside of the bands...how genius and special is that?