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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: flowers

Inspiration Photo Friday: Blooming Beauties

21 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors

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beauty, bloom, flowers, garden, life, nature, patience, plants, stress, summer

My husband and I have been so busy with home projects and family gatherings that we haven’t been able to actually sit back and enjoy summer yet. Thankfully, our list of things to do is almost done! This is our second summer in the house and it’s really not until now that we are seeing some of the most beautiful things bloom on our property. It’s such an inspiration to see nature at its best, thats for sure.

Our garden is doing well. It’s wild and free and showing its true beauty through various plantings from the past. Our hydrangea bush is finally blooming and even the peonies I planted last year are saying hello. Clover accents the space and the pink roses bring color, while my Grandmother’s hosta is growing at a spectacular rate. And it was nice to see the group of iris’ from the previous owners bloom as well. Didn’t get to see them last year.

The photo below is one I took of the left side of the garden, where our back fence begins. Last year, I intertwined our other rose bush with the fence so it would have a natural stake and spread out. What a beauty is has become. I imagine that whole side of the fence being covered one day. How pretty would that be? It really made me smile to see it all coming together.

All our blooming beauties have shown me that sometimes, time can only tell. Waiting for things to happen in your life is never fun and I highly support going for what you want. However, there are times when you just have to allow nature to take its course and try to enjoy the ride. Patience is not only a virtue, its a gift. Personally, it’s the one thing that has helped me get through a lot in these past few years, in every aspect of my life. Rushing into something, whether big or small, just isn’t worth the stress. Sit back and relax, because everyone’s time will come.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Blooming Beauties - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Sound in Color: Baroness – Blue Record

11 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Color Inspiration, Sound in Color

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Art Deco, Baroness - Blue Record, blue, color, fine art, fish, flowers, illustration, john dyer baizley, music, nature, nude, ocean, palette, sea, women

You will be seeing a lot from Baroness in the sound of color palettes. I can’t get enough of Baizley’s work, and with each album it seems to get better and better. The Blue Record is full of what else but tons of blue hues, all in various tones and shades. The organic line work flows throughout the piece giving the characters life. And the colors blend so well, yet stand out boldly. This is one of my favorite pieces for sure.

Color in Sound: Baroness - Blue Record

A Circus Themed Baby Shower

04 Tuesday Jun 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Decor Ideas, Events & Parties, News, Real Events

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Tags

animals, baby, baby shower, centerpieces, circus, design, events, fabric, festive, flowers, gingham, mason jars, plaid, raffle, vintage straws

This past Saturday I helped coordinate a baby shower for my brother in law’s girlfriend, Bethany. Since they don’t want to know the sex of the baby, I had to think of a theme that would be fit for both a girl and boy and also be pretty for the mother to be. I decided on a circus theme that had some fun and festive elements but still felt like a baby shower by using light colors and cute patterns. The day was a success!

The invite I designed introduced the theme with cute colorful flags and a few animals. Nothing over the top. Each invitation included a raffle ticket for guests to bring. This entered them in a contest to see who would win the centerpieces.

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

The decor of the shower featured a handmade banner for the gift table, red striped straws in all the water glasses, and festive centerpieces in large mason jars incorporating white, green, and orange. Each table as well as the gift table had a blue gingham fabric square in the middle for a pop of color.

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

I created an additional table where I displayed roasted peanuts and fresh popped popcorn for the guests to snack on as well as little cards for guests to share their “baby wishes” with the parents to be. I also laid a gingham fabric on the table except it was beige to incorporate more of the invitation colors.

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Each guest had a “baby poll” card where they could choose what they thought the sex would be. Just something fun for them to do.

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

The cake was a delicious with vanilla cream and strawberries. Everyone seemed to really like it. And as a little favor and thank you for coming, everyone had a little bag full of animal crackers to take home. A perfect snack to end the afternoon.

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

I am so happy everyone had a great time and the mother to be enjoyed having all the lovely ladies around her. There were so many amazing gifts as well. I think the day went really well. Looking forward to doing more!

A Circus Themed Baby Shower - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue

03 Friday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Events & Parties, Real Weddings, Wedding Decor Ideas, Weddings

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Andre from Brancoprata, Annabella Charles, Belathee, Boho Bridesmaids, Clementine Posy, Coralee and Alex, country, Danelle Bohane, Eat Boutique, Elizabeth Messina, events, flowers, Greta Kenyon, Haute Horticulture, Jen Huang, Jen Huang Workshops, Jennifer Tai, Kate Holland, Kelly Kaufman, Leaf & Honey, Logan Cole, Magnolia Rouge, Melanie Benson Floral, Melinda Ellis Cakes, nature, On My Hand, Ruby and Willow Design Studio, Ruche Bridal Shoot, rustic, shabby chic, Spanish Inspired Shoot, spring, Spring Bouquet, summer, Sutherland Kovac, Sweet Southern Charm, Verde + Indigo, wedding bouquet, weddings, White Loft Studio

Magnolia Rouge2

I am in love with the reinvented Magnolia Rouge. If there is one place you want to go to for wedding inspiration, this is it. The magazine never ceases to disappoint. From beautiful photographs and unique events to loads of information, Kate Holland of Ruby and Willow Design Studio presents a skillfully designed quarterly every bride needs to see. I am a huge fan for sure.

I just looked over the spring issue and of course, I’m in awe of how nice it came out. I wanted to share my favorite elements to help inspire all you couples out there who are planning your special day. Even if you are not getting married or helping someone else plan theirs, there are tons of ideas and looks you can pull from these pages. Enjoy!

Ruche Bridal Shoot
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photographed by Elizabeth Messina

The Wedding of Olivia & Travis: Karaka, Aukland
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photographed by Coralee and Alex

Color Story: Verde + Indigo
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photographed by Greta Kenyon | Styling by Ruby & Willow | Flowers by Leaf & Honey

Spanish Inspired Shoot
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue

Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by Jen Huang | Flowers by Kelly Kaufman | Styling & Design by Jen Huang Workshops

The Wedding of Tara & Stephanie: Boonville, California
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by Belathee | Cake by Melinda Ellis Cakes

Entertain Shoot
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by White Loft Studio | Menu Creation & Recipe by Eat Boutique

Celebrate Shoot
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by Greta Kenyon | Styling & Concept by On My Hand

The Wedding of Laura and Mike: Kumeu, Aukland
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by Sutherland Kovac | Flowers by Leaf & Honey

Sweet Southern Charm Shoot
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue

Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by Annabella Charles | Floral Design by Haute Horticulture

Spring Bouquet Shoot
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue

Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by Annabella Charles

An Intimate Elopement
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by Jennifer Tai | Flowers by Melanie Benson Floral

The Wedding of Joana & James: Ponte de Lima, Portugal
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by Andre from Brancoprata

The Wedding of Jess & Rowan: Abbeville, Aukland
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue

Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by Danelle Bohane | Flowers by Leaf & Honey

Boho Bridesmaids
Magnolia Rouge & the Rustic Issue
Photography by Logan Cole | Flowers by Clementine Posy

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