For all you Baby Mamas....and Baby Papas...

When I was pregnant with my one and only, I had dreams of writing a journal to document the 9 months.Unfortunately sleep and an upset stomach won out. Photographer Ryan Marshall has not only inspired me but almost (and I mean almost) makes me want to have another. He documented his beautiful wife's pregnancy in a series of weekly photographs and touching notes (also available on a special blog he created). It is such an amazing way for a new mother and father to be part of the pregnancy together. Bravo!!

Found via A Cup of Joe.

Yeah its Friday!

Found via FFFFOUND.

Friday Wine Tasting... Oxford Landing GSM

Wine of the Week
Oxford Landing GSM
$8.99


Wow. This wine is really good! Could be one of my new favorites. I can't believe I have never tried GSM before. What a fantastic blend of grapes. I used to be turned off by the screw top on a bottle of wine, always made me think that there is no way this could be good. But I have been proven wrong repeatedly and this is a perfect example. Great fruit flavor, nice body, soft tannins, and really smooth finish.

Winemaker's notes:

The nose shows bright fruit aromas of fragrant raspberries and plums, a hint of white pepper and a dash of nutmeg and allspice." The palate is generous and fruit driven with layers of cherries, red berried and spice from the Grenache." Fuller plum and dark fruit flavors from the Shiraz provide flesh and weight in the mid palate with the fine soft tannins providing structure and a slightly savory finish.

Bright Pair... Summer's Hottest Hues

Paige Denim's New Line of Colored Jeans

over the taupe

shorts story

in my back pocket

on the same paige

a grape fit

no room for the blues

This season bright colors are back, and I couldn't be happier! I love Paige Denim's new collection of colored jeans and how brilliant for OPI to create a line of nail polish to replicate of all of the brilliant colors for your nails. If bright colored jeans aren't your thing, then this is just the right amount of color for your fingers and toes. Next manicure I get I am going for the blue!

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 18

Found via FFFFOUND.

Beneath the Gown... Custom Lingerie

My sister & I at 116 Crown
(both dressed beneath the gown by Josie)

Over the weekend I celebrated a very special birthday, and as I am sure you are all aware of by now, I heart my birthday! Every year I scout out the perfect dress and shoes for a night out of celebrating with my family and closest friends. This year my sister and I spent the day touring Soho and she gifted me the most incredible emerald green dress, sticking within the color theme for my party of course.

But with the dress came the dilemma of what to wear beneath it. I knew that there was nothing I could buy in any store that would work and headed straight to the expert, miss Josie Jolon from Beneath the Gown, at her adorable boutique on the upper level of the White Dress by the Shore in Clinton, CT. She is not only the sweetest person in the world but she is amazing at being able to custom fit lingerie for any dress. It is such an incredible personalized service, where you can actually bring your dress and then play with different pieces of lingerie until you have the perfect fit. My dress was a real challenge not only to figure out how to wrap but to find the perfect support to go underneath for a seamless look, I don't know what I would have done without Josie.

In addition to the personalized service, and sweet personality, Josie is a super talented seamstress and has designed a gorgeous collection of sexy, flirty, lacy, lingerie so that even underneath your dress you feel beautiful on your wedding day and for any other special occasion. Each piece is so unique! And if you are considering a boudoir session as a gift for your future husband or anniversary present, I highly recommend heading into her shop to have her dress you for the session. You will have a really difficult time deciding on just one piece. They are all so fabulous!

Monday Typefaces...The Summer Cup

American holidays can start and end many traditions. After Labor Day, one is prohibited to wear white shoes (so they say). Memorial Day starts the production of the ever popular paper and plastic cup. They come in every color, shape, size and texture. Eco-friendly or custom printed. Nevertheless, it signifies the start to summer, picnics, BBQ's and spending time with friends and family.

1. Biodegradable cup, Plum Party, $4 for a pack of 6.

2. Circus carnival animal nose cups, Plum Party, $3.50 for a pack of 12.

3. Clear Etch-It cups, Plum Party, $7.50 for a pack of 32.

4. Pick Your Nose party cups, Plum Party, $7 for a pack of 24.

5. Plastic cups, Plum Party, $4.50 for a pack of 20.

6. Eco-Friendly Custom Photo Plastic Cup and Personalized white paper cups, Party Innovations.

Plastic cup with blue ink typeface created by Settka.

Happy Birthday to True...if I had a million dollars..

Happy 30th Birthday Ms. True!!!! If I had a million dollars to spend on your birthday, these are some of the gifts you would receive.  Tickets to the South of France for 2 weeks. A  fabulous Diane Von Furstenburg silk gown. Marc Jacobs star pumps. Itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow bikini and a classic yellow suitcase set from JCrew to pack it all away in!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!

My obsession for balloons continues! I would love to walk into a room filled with balloons, there is something so whimsical, fun, and nostalgic about helium balloons. Today I am celebrating a big birthday, but as old as I get I will never forget how much I still love being a big kid and having fun.

Where The Wild Things Are...

A beloved and beautiful book written by Maurice Sendak.  Spike Jonze has the weight of the world on his shoulders and can hopefully pull this one off! But the soundtrack sounds incredible and the cinematography is breathtaking.  I just can't wait to take my little monster to this on October 16!

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 17

For Sarah, on the last day of your twenties!

Found via FFFFOUND.

String Earrings... I love the 80s

When I was growing up I used to spend hours making string bracelets with embroidery thread. So when I recently started seeing these embroidery thread earrings appearing in stores, on the tables of street vendors in NYC and on Etsy I immediately fell in love. What can I say I loved growing up in the 80's, and with my 30th birthday coming up I thought it would be fun to do an 80's shout out to this fabulous string jewelry collection. They make the perfect summer accessory!

Victoria and Tim Get Married... A Sneak Peak

Images, Maggie Conley Photography

Saturday officially marked the start of wedding season for us and it couldn't have gone any better. Victoria, one of the lead event coordinators at Gourmet Galley got married to the love of her life, Tim, who also member of the team at Gourmet Galley. As two people that have been a part of so many people's wedding days, and special events over the years they both wanted this day to be one that truly felt like their own. Not one that they had created for another bride and groom, but absolutely unique to them in everyway.

Every detail had meaning and was coordinated perfectly. When Victoria walked into the center of the dancefloor that night and looked at Tim and said "Honey this is our wedding! Can you believe it?!" beeming with happiness, I knew we had acheived success.

The wedding was held at the Eugene O'Neil Theater in Connecticut, one of the most unique venues I have worked at. The theater, filled with a rustic charm, glowed throughout the night with lighting designed by Power Posse. Their wedding ceremony was held in a romantic garden surrounded by a stone wall, with water views in the distance. And while the weather didn't cooperate completely, the most romantic fog rolled in just as the ceremony was about to begin. As Victoria and her Dad walked down the aisle to Coldplay's "Sparks" it felt like a scene out of a movie.

The team that Victoria brought together to make their wedding day one they would always remember was an incredible collaboration of talent and friends. Yumiko and her crew from Hana Floral Design, blew everyone away with the flowers. The guest tables had unique arrangements that ran down the center, in an eclectic mix of rod iron candelabras and white vintage milk glass vases. They also designed a mural of branches and blooms in the foyer of the theater and created an enchanted arch of branches over the dance floor. The incredibly talented Maggie Conley was capturing the day behind the lens, and has shared a sneak peak of some of the images in the board above. I can't wait to see the rest. And Gourmet Galley catered the event. From cocktail hour to dessert, the presentation, menu selection, stations, and service were flawless. It was truly an amazing event! Congratulations Victoria and Tim!

Other Friends that Collaborated on the Event:
Jennie Fresa Beauty Library
Stonington Design & Paperie
White Dress by the Shore
Liberty Rentals
Party Rental Ltd.

Monday Typefaces...Cheese

I Love Cheese!!!  More to come....

Found via Flickr.

Rainbow of Shoes... I heart Marais USA

This morning I received an email from Marais USA informing me that their online shop was open. I had been waiting for weeks for these fabulous shoes to arrive! The two ladies behind Marais USA, Catherine and Haley, attended Parson's school of design and during their college years of shoe shopping they quickly identified a terrible abyss in the market: simple, versatile, essential styles that don't break the bank! Thank you so much ladies, you have heard my cries! Finally an incredible collection of shoes, with amazing colors, that are all under $80 bucks and look oh so comfy! I have my eye on these blue suede ones, will be great for weddings this season, perfect little wedge heel!

Friday Wine Tasting... Kris Pinot Grigio

Wine of the Week
Kris Pinot Grigio
$8.99
This Pinot Grigio is by far one of my favorites. It has great fruit and a nice crispness, which makes it great for sipping on the deck or pairing with a meal. I highly recommend this wine if you haven't tried it already! TGIF!

Tasting Notes
Pale yellow in color with brilliant greenish reflections, Kris offers enticing aromas of acacia flowers, citrus, tangerine, and hints of apricots and almonds. Clean and refreshing on the palate with hints of blossom and honey. Recommended with risotto, lightly flavored pastas, omelets, quiches and grilled white meats or salmon. One of Winebow’s best-selling wines and a great value!

86 Points, Wine Advocate - The 2007 Pinot Grigio is a clean, focused wine with perfumed fruit and a long, refreshing finish.

Recommended with risotto dishes and grilled white meats.

City Posters.. Cool Guest Book Idea

I recently discovered these city posters by Ork. And immediately fell in love. I think they would make a really cool guest book idea. If you frame the posters with a wide mat border and have guests sign the mat, it would make a one of a kind piece of artwork to hang in your new home together.

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 16

Found on Etsy from 3LambsGraphics.

Alphabet Studs...

I am obsessed. Just discovered these adorable alphabet studs from Catbird. What a cute gift! Already thinking of a million different letter combinations in my head and who to gift them to.

Teeny, tiny, delicate lower case alphabet studs make a sweet, personal statement. And when we say tiny, we mean TINY. The taller letters, like "b" and "d", are less than 1/8". (For you font geeks out there, this is 14pt Baskerville Bold.) The possibilities are endless - your initials, your kids' initials, "fu", "xo", "i heart u", "omg", "wtf", etc... The whole alphabet is available, as well as a sweet little heart. Available in sterling silver ($28) or 14k gold ($40). Price is for a single earring.

Dreaming of flying....

Wishing I could still fly....

Found via Flickr.

The Creative Process & Inspiration Boards

Where we started, with the selection of colors

Where we ended up, Gillian's Inspiration Board

When Lucinda and I first start working with a client it is so important to tap into the creative design process, to pull pieces of inspiration from their homes, magazines, blogs, websites, fashion, nature... inspiration is everywhere, it is our job to help clients go through this creative journey. Once the process begins sometimes it is hard to turn it off, as we are often attracted to many different styles in fashion and design, colors, hobbies, etc. I don't think I could ever design my own wedding again because I would find it impossible to decide which direction to go. However, as we start to fine tune the details and build an inspiration board, watching the event details come together is such a fun process, and a true collaboration.

You will see in the above boards for one of my brides, Miss Gillian, we started with a color board, but as we began to really personalize the event with things that are meaningful to her and her fiance the event details took on new meaning. Gillian and Nate love to ski and have spent many vacations together doing so, however they live and work in Boston and their wedding is at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Weaving in this detail was super important to them without making it feel too much like a wedding at a ski lodge. It is the combination of these details that will make the event truly unique to them and leave guests talking about the event long after it is over.

Monday Typefaces...last of the daffodils

Created by Vladimir Koncar