• About
  • Visit Gray Star Design
  • Minted Collection
  • Design Services
  • Contact

The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: plants

Whimsical Harvest

12 Wednesday Feb 2014

Posted by melissaoconnor in Advice & Inspiration, Decor Ideas, Events & Parties, Shop Gray Star Design

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

blue, bride and groom, celebrate, country, elegance, engagement dinner, engagement party, fall, fall event, gold, gray star design, green, greenery, harvest, nature inspired, nautical, party ideas, plants, rustic, table setting, wedding, wheat, whimsical harvest, whimsy, wine, winter event

I recently added a new design to my Celebrations items, a Whimsical Harvest engagement party/dinner invite. It was one of the proofs I came up with while working on a custom design for a client and I loved it so much I decided to offer it in the shop.

Whimsical Harvest

With touches of gold and blue, this nature inspired invite is perfect for the fall and winter seasons but can work for an event held in the warmer months as well. If you love greenery and a little whimsy, this design fits the bill. Here are a few inspiring images to help you visualize a Whimsical Harvest event.

Whimsical Harvest
Starting from Top Left: The Sweetest Occasion | Pottery Barn | Curiosita Ellya | She Inspires | Handmaker of Things | JoPhoto | Elements of Style | Elizabeth Anne Designs | Elizabeth Anne Designs

Inspiration Photo Friday: Keeping Cool

02 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

cool, fall, garden, gardening, growth, happiness, home sweet home, life, love, nature, plants, positivity, summer, weather

This past week or so has been super nice around Long Island. Even though its late summer, there has been a break in the hot weather and keeping cool has been much easier. I am loving it. Especially, since I am not a fan of the warmer season. And its interesting because my home, as well as Dan and myself, have been undergoing a change as well. Not to mention, friends and family around us. It’s like the weather helped guide us all to something new or different.

Being able to have all the windows open in our home, instantly changes how it feels in here. Letting the fresh air in, as well as the sweet sounds of birds chirping, helps me to relax and feel more at peace. If there is a way I can let nature in, I take it. Just thinking about fall and how close it is, makes me so happy. So all this cool weather has been holding me over till September rolls around. I can’t wait.

The photo below was taken this morning. It’s of various plants and herbs we planted in our patio garden box. It’s amazing to see how everything has grown since we put them in the ground, it truly fascinates me. All the little bugs that call this garden home have a safe place to be and each plant gets to thrive to its fullest potential. I am sure they have been loving this cooler weather as well.

I feel your surroundings have a major impact on how you feel and live your life. During the summer, my husband and I feel a little trapped because we don’t like the heat. Whereas fall brings a whole new world. The fact that we’ve been keeping cool much more lately, allows us to have a more positive outlook and enjoy our surroundings a lot more. To feel happy within ourselves and to see the world around us grow and evolve, makes all the difference.

picstitch

Inspiration Photo Friday: Blooming Beauties

21 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday, The Great Outdoors

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

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

Inspiration Photo Friday: Tunnel Vision

24 Friday May 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

determination, nature, peace, peaceful, plants, road, trees, tunnel vision, vacation

My husband and I have been on our vacation since Tuesday and since then we have mainly relaxed, which was the point of the trip. It’s really been nice to kind of do nothing for once. The weather has been rainy and cloudy everyday so we can’t really explore the area too much but when the sun comes shining through, we will surely get out for a bit.

I told myself this trip would help rejuvenate my mind and jumpstart a new way of life. When I get home I would like to focus more on my health, so starting an exercise routine and eating a little better is a must. I also want to focus on Gray Star Design and go full force with the business. And last but not least, creating more time to spend with Dan and doing more together.

I took this photo yesterday while taking a walk with our dogs. It’s the road our cottage is on and it really is beautiful. Surrounded by trees, plants, and a peaceful stream that runs through the woods, the serene environment truly allows clear thinking. It reminded me of the path I want to take in life and how important certain things are to my future. And although you never know what will come your way, creating the life you want and working toward goals that will truly make you happy, is essential for success. And I know I will get there.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Tunnel Vision - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

← Older posts
Newer posts →
color in films sound in color art inpsired palettes
art and design the home events and parties weddings real weddings color inspiration film-reviews historic places news and updatesminted






minted.com

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Archives



martha

Magnolia Rouge

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.29.10 PM

Etsy

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.18.10 PM

logo

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.42.13 PM

P&PBlogHeader

wedding chicks


ruffled

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.47.49 PM

Screen Shot 2014-04-23 at 2.16.32 PM


lauren-elle-photography

jenlombardo

logo_website

site-logo1

kelly_dekenipp_logo

homelogo

Website Powered by WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Subscribe Subscribed
    • The Design Inspirationalist
    • Join 1,380 other subscribers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • The Design Inspirationalist
    • Subscribe Subscribed
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...