Inspiration Photo Friday: Garden Bliss

03 Friday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors

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bloom, cherry trees, flowers, food, garden, garden goodies, growing, herbs, nature, plants, seeds, spring, summer, trees, vegetable gardens, white flowers

Now that spring is here, I can’t stop thinking of our vegetable gardens my husband and I plan to set up this year. Being able to grow what we eat is truly amazing to me. Having enough to share is even better.

I live right next to a nursery, which I love, and the other day I went over to take a look around at their selection so far. It was nice to be around all the garden goodies and flowers, especially since this kitchen renovation has been taking over my life lately. To take a break and be with nature for a little bit was seriously needed. It also helped me get in the mode of planning a few pretty areas around the house. To start I bought a few packs of flowers and planted them in pots for the backyard for some color. Already it brightened up the space.

Our cherry trees in the back are finally blooming, something I have been impatiently waiting for. They are so pretty with their little white flowers. We have three which came with the house and I love them. I like to go back there with the dogs and relax sometimes. It’s so nice to be able to do that on my own property.

This photo was taken a few years ago while my husband and I were visiting Connecticut. We passed a garden and I had to take pictures. I look at this and remind myself that our gardens will soon come. The beauty in all fresh food and herbs will shine brightly in my backyard and I will truly be one happy girl.

Basil - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Monochrome Wedding Palettes

02 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Advice & Inspiration, Color Inspiration, Wedding Decor Ideas, Weddings

≈ 1 Comment

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antique, black, black and white, blue, ceremony, city chic, classy, color, country, decor, events, flowers, gray, monochrome, Monochrome Wedding Palettes, nautical, palettes, pastels, pink, reception, shabby chic, vintage, weddings, white

There are endless possibilities to colors and decor for your wedding. It’s all a matter of what you love and your taste profile. I think people mostly pick their color scheme first and move forward from there, which isn’t a bad way to go. I always say, choose your theme first and then everything should fall into place. But you can have so much fun with color, for sure.

What if you just chose one color for your special day? It may seem boring to some and maybe even strange to most, but having a monochrome palette could be very pretty if its done right. Now, just because you are using one color, that doesn’t mean your wedding will be an abundance of black or overwhelming amount of pink. You have to look beyond the color wheel and go deeper in the color you have chosen to use. By showcasing different tones and shades and playing with texture, you could have a gorgeous array of monochrome bliss.

Here are some great examples and inspiration of successful monochrome weddings. Hopefully, it will help broaden your understanding of this palette style and allow you to have fun with all the possibilities.

White
With an all white wedding, you can play with soft hues and pale tones. There are many variations of this color, you just need to explore the possibilities. This palette can be romantic, luxurious, country, city chic, vintage & antique, shabby chic and more, depending on your theme.

Photo Credit: Hairstyles and Fashion

Photo Credit: Kelly Prizel

Photo Credit: Momental Designs

Photo Credit: Belle the Magazine

Photo Credit: Four Seasons

Pink
An all pink wedding can be tricky but it can be done. Play with the lighter hues of this color, pastels work well together when they are in the same family. If you decide to go with a deeper or brighter shade of pink, just use it for pops here and there or it can overpower the event. You could make pink work for a modern wedding and also a more vintage style wedding.

Photo Credit: Event Decorator

Photo Credit: My Married

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Anne Designs

Photo Credit: Weddings by Lily

Blue
The color blue works with a lot of theme and its easy to incorporate. There are so many pretty shades of it too. Whether its a nautical style wedding you are planning or a spring event, blue will definitely add class to the overall style.

Photo Credit: BrideoRama

Photo Credit: Celebrations at Home

Photo Credit: Karen Tran Florals

Photo Credit: Bold by Design

Green
Using green is super easy if you are having a nature inspired event. Your venue, if outside, can act as the main decor and all you need to incorporate are elements within your theme and palette. I would stray from using Crayola tones and stick with more natural moss, lime and pastels.

Photo Credit: Wedding Flowers

Photo Credit: JL Designs

Photo Credit: Burnett’s Boards

Photo Credit: Marriage Reception Ideas

Black
Having an all black wedding is a tough one. There have to be white elements thrown in here and there to break up the dark color or your guests will feel like they are at a night club or goth party! If that is what you are going for, than feel free, but I think most wedding decor is not going in that direction. Use various shades of black, gray tones could be really nice and classic. If done right, it can all look very chic and grand.

Photo Credit: Gudu Ngiseng

Photo Credit: Weddingomania

Photo Credit: Plectrumbanjo

Photo Credit: Brides

Gray
This color can be used so many ways. Gray is a beautiful hue that can easily represent many styles. It’s classic and vintage at the same time.

Photo Credit: The Sweetest Occasion

Photo Credit: Scarlet Petal

Photo Credit: Somersault Vintage

Photo Credit: Preston Bailey

Spring Wedding Decor

28 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Wedding Decor Ideas, Weddings

≈ 1 Comment

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antique, bouquet, bridal party, bride, bride bouquet, bronze, burlap, centerpieces, decor, earth friendly, earthy, eco-concsious, farm inspired, flowers, groom, nature, pastels, rustic, shabby chic, spring, spring wedding decor, table decor, venue, vintage, wedding planning, weddings

Having a spring wedding allows for nature to play an important role in the decor. Since you can have the event outside, its easy to let your surroundings act as decor. And why shouldn’t it? When you have such a beautiful backdrop, don’t fight it with lots of other elements, embrace it and welcome it into your special day.

Photo Credit: Once Wed

Photo Credit: Dragonsmark

The colors of spring range from pastels and creams to vibrant hues that can easily be taken from nature. Just look around and let all the fresh blooms and plants be your guide. Your theme should only accent these colors, not bury them. Lets say you are having a rustic event, showcase shabby chic style in texture and antique items that will truly allow the Earth’s beauty to shine. Even if your event may be more farm inspired, using darker textures such as tree bark, burlap and bronze will get the point across successfully.

Photo Credit: Green Wedding Shoes

Remember, its all in the details. What people will remember most are the personal touches you brought to the event. Not so much the amount of money you spent or overwhelming amount of flowers, etc. The more meaningful the event is, the more people will appreciate your special day. Always keep in mind that most weddings look the same. If you want your day to be really memorable, showcase the things you and your partner love and spread your love for each other throughout every detail. That is what will keep people talking years after the wedding.

Photo Credit: Best Home Decorators

Photo Credit: Brides

Photo Credit: Wedding Chicks

Photo Credit: Ruffled

Centerpieces on the tables should reflect both the season and your theme as well. Keeping it simple is always my motto. You can have various items displayed but its all in how you arrange them. Although everyone feels differently about the table decor, I personally suggest you keep the height low, so your guests can get into conversation during the event. I also feel the table shouldn’t be bombarded with lots of flowers or other various items, as it may feel crowded and uncomfortable for the people sitting there. Not to mention, wasteful. Most just get thrown out after the event.

Photo Credit: Dream Wedding Receptions

Photo Credit: Oh Lovely Day

Photo Credit: Interior Design

Photo Credit: Oh Lovely Day

Photo Credit: The Frosted Petticoat

Photo Credit: The Daily Meal

Photo Credit: Brides

The bride’s bouquet should accent her outfit without overwhelming her. She should be the focus. You can get very creative when it comes to flowers. I just suggest you keep them local and in season, for a few reasons. First, its more affordable and eco-concsious. And second, it simply makes more sense to use elements that are cohesive with the season of your event. Having a spring wedding with winter-esque decor might seem very out of place!

Photo Credit: Wedding Light Events

Photo Credit: Ruffled

Photo Credit: One Wed

Inspiration Photo Friday: Home Sweet Spring

22 Friday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors, The Home

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bloom, earth, flowers, gardens, grass, green, growth, home, ivy, leaves, may, nature, spring, trees

I know that it doesn’t feel like spring but it is in fact, officially here. All I can think about is the warmer weather and springtime blooms. I am dying for spring to show her face once and for all.

Dan and I have many plans these next few months so the season will be more to us than just nicer weather. Not only do we celebrate Dan’s birthday this month but our wedding anniversary is May 20th. I can’t believe one year will have gone by. Time flies like there is no tomorrow. Our anniversary trip is booked for the end of the May and we will be relaxing in Charlemont, Massachusetts with our dogs for a whole week. We found the cutest cottage for our stay and I simply can’t wait to get away from it all and be one with nature.

We also have plans here on the home front. Our home will get a number of makeovers which I am very excited about. The kitchen remodel is long overdue and we are about 80% done with collecting all the materials we need to complete it. Once April hits and our windows can be opened, its on! We are also going to work on the backyard a bit and start our vegetable gardens. This is a very much anticipated task. To be able to grow pretty much everything we eat is simple amazing and I can’t wait!

This photo was taken last May, two days after our wedding. When its in full spring mode, our backyard is a true inspiration to me. The lushness of the trees and ivy, the smell of the fresh cut grass, and the little beauties that come alive in our gardens are all the wonderful things that surround our home. All I want to do is lay outside under our cherry trees and listen to the birds sing. I am very lucky to have such an amazing inspiration right in my backyard.

I wish you all happy spring inspirations and hope that the earth can uplift your soul and whisk you away somewhere beautiful. It’s such a gift to have a natural space you can exist in and feel so alive. You don’t know how happy I am to be able to visit mine everyday by just walking out the back door.