TRUE & WESSON Philosophy #75

Image found via imgfave.

LSW

Wine, Cheese and a roomful of Art...

It's that time of year again....the smell of turpentine mixed with paint, the sound of nails being hammered into walls and the chatter of artists collaborating with one another. For some it may be noise but for me it's like music to my ears..and nose...Here at the Velvet Mill in Stonington, the artists are scurrying around like christmas elves getting their work and others ready for the July 9th Open Studios Event. I too am among those elves this year as I am racing to get my studio ready for the opening. I am so excited to part of such a great group of talented artists. It is from 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. next Friday evening. Why not make an evening of it...head to the studios for some great art, wine and cheese and then into the Stonington Borough for an amazing dinner at Water Street Cafe, Noahs, Dog Watch or my personal favorite Milagros....It's a perfect way to support our local artists...

Hope to see you there!!!

Here are a few clues to how Chocolate Creative Design's Studio is shaping up...

Stay tuned.....

Images by Chocolate Creative Design

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards... Romantic Garden Wedding with Vintage Lace

This board was created for one of my September couples, getting married at the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club in Branford, CT. A gorgeous venue on the CT shoreline with spectacular water views. Kate described her vision for the wedding as garden romantic, elegant, vintage with layers of texture and lace, and unique to the two of them. Working with Miss Wesson (Chocolate Creative Design) to tie together the elements of the design and personalization of the details through the paper this is truly going to be a special event!

Airplanes and grapes....

The first meeting took place at Chamard Vineyards over a fabulous glass of wine and amazing beauty products by the lovely and talented Miss Jennie Fresa. Honestly, does life get any better than that? We were in the right place to be inspired as Kerry & Andrew's wedding would be taking place at Saltwater Farm Vineyard in July. Miss True would be whipping up a confectionary dream design of modern elegance for the couple (my god, the linens are AMAZING!) and I..the paper. Lots and lots of paper. Kerry knew exactly what she wanted...Colorful, modern, fun, a touch of femininity and a sense of humor...Ironically, this is exactly who she is...She has two of my favorite characteristics...Hysterically funny and the ability to laugh at oneself...These are the perfect qualities for any bride planning their wedding. So with that in mind, the Save the Date was born. It was a mix of clean, modern, slightly colorful with the addition of the grape motif that would be used throughout the wedding.

So in following suit with the Save the Date, we decided to add a touch of femininity to the mix..a wonderful loopy font!!

The gorgeous calligraphy was hand done by Neither Snow.

In keeping with the square shape and the fact that they wanted their guests to have all the correct information in hand, we felt that a one piece fold out would work perfectly. The vintage airplane illustration was designed to add another motif as the Vineyard was once an airport hangar.

I love the simplicity of the illustration..plus it allowed me to finally do a bit of hand drawing..

Giving the illusion of an airplane ticket, the reply card tag was just big enough so that guests could write a little note on the back..

A simple little map laying out the ceremony site and the reception venue.

A brief description of Saltwater Farm Vineyard as well as reminding ladies of the cool evenings in Stonington.

Tada!

How amazing is this address stamp!! Thank you Neither Snow!!

Leave it me me to find another place for that plane. ......

Of course we needed to create some custom thank you note cards..

Just for the bride and in time for her shower!!

Below are the ones for the the fabulous couple..

There will be many more treats to see after this weekend..Miss True is heading up an all star team of Hana Floral Design, Jordan Catering, Jennie Fresa, Saltwater Farm Vineyard and the fabulous duo..Justin & Mary Marantz!!

To Kerry & Andrew...Enjoy your beautiful day...It will be absolutely Amazing!!

A Huge Thank you for making me laugh SO hard and for allowing me to be as crazy creative as I wanted to.

Images by Chocolate Creative Design

LSW

Sneak Peak... Style Me Pretty Wedding, Inspiration to Reality in Nashville

Image by Justin and Mary Marantz

A teaser for what is to come on Style Me Pretty. Our big wedding in Nashville with a rockstar team, as we took a design and created a full wedding, from inspiration to reality, for one of the most adorable couples I have had the chance to work with. Congratulations Libby and Patrick! I can't wait to see this go live on the blog and to be able to share all of the fabulous details! It was an experience of a lifetime.

Monday Typefaces...ToothPicks..

Toothpick alphabet by Vladimir Koncar

It's officially summer and time for some really really good corn!!

Toothpick anyone?!

LSW

Let your imagination grow..Pantone #116 & Rubber Ducks..

When someone double dog dares you, you know you have to take the challenge with head held high. So when good friend, the Fabulous Miss Amy Graver, marathon runner, mother of two and owner of the graphic design firm Elements, challenged me to an inspiration board duel....I was game...Bring it on I said...

So when that sneaky Miss Graver picked Pantone 1-1-6 c and told me it was for a rubber ducky party, my knees began to wobble a bit...I mean..I do like yellow but it really is Miss True's love. Yet I was determined, and with my head held high, I delved into the world of Pantone 1-1-6 c will a little help of my favorite friend turquoise..

Miss Graver's beautiful and inspiring board!

I just love the pinwheels!!

Check out her blog!!

one: sunshine pinwheel :: fresh lemonade chalkboard sign
two: Gelato spoons :: rubber duck floating in glass bowl :: popsicle-themed invites
three: yellow frosted cuppies :: polka dot ribbon :: confetti :: washi tape banner
four: baby duck soap :: mimosa's :: daisy-topped gift boxes
five: twinkle little star wall banner :: yellow and white invites
six: yellow whirly pops :: yellow ribbon :: make your own gelato cups
seven: tubby bucket :: homemade pinwheels
eight: polka dot invites :: bath goodies

my color inspiration :: Pantone 116 (rubber duck yellow), mint green, turquoise

Tada!! Here's mine!

shower curtain:anthropologie, yellow box: cannelleetvanille, cannelleetvanille, chair, anthropologie

vintage tin ducks; etsy, pom pom drinks: martha stewart, feather boa,

pom pom pillow, The Story about Ping; etsy, art: ffffound, tart, foodbeam

good day soaps; weheartit, squash flowers: cannelleetvanille, cup: cannelleetvanille

glass balls with feather: chocolatecreativedesign, polka dot cake: countryliving , shorts, anthropologie, duck invite, etsy

So stay tuned for more from the dueling designers...

Thank you Miss Graver for opening my mind and allowing my imagination to grow!!

LSW

Flowers by the Sea....

image by adeline and grace photography

Let's face it..there isn't a designer, florist, photographer, coordinator, caterer, cake designer or stationer out there that doesn't LOVE to have their work published online or in print. I happen to be one of those vendors but honestly, what makes me really happy...is to see the couple's faces and to hear their voices when they realize all their hard work, patience and compromise has made it to the pages for all to see.

So when Deirdre and Jason's wedding was on Style Me Pretty, I thought that was the icing on the cake...Little did I know, that there was another surprise in store...Flower Magazine...Below is just an excerpt from this month's issue and you can find it on newsstands now..they are a bit hard to find but I have seen them recently at Target.

Designing and coordinating their wedding was like a dream..enthusiastic and loving couple and a vendor list to die for. Yumiko Fletcher, who owns Hana Floral Design, certainly outdid herself. We have been working together for at least 6 years now and she continues to amaze and inspire me every time. This wedding was no exception. The bouquet was filled with various shades of cream and pink dahlias and it made me fall in love all over again with the flower. I now see that similar bouquet all over the internet and print...she is a true trailblazer.

I certainly cannot forget the fabulous Adeline and Grace Photography team of Erica and Tiffany who captured the day perfectly, elegantly and gracefully. The images of the bouquet and the flower in Deirdre's hair are two of my all time favorite wedding images...

So bravo to the fabulous couple, the inspiring team and Miss Adrienne O'Conner who always rocks the escort card tables!!

I need to plant these in my garden!

image by adeline and grace photography

I can just smell the gardenia..

image by adeline and grace photography

For more information on having your wedding at Island Farm on Elihu Island

Please contact Lucinda Wesson at Islandfarm@comcast.net

LSW

Chocolate Creative Design

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy #74

Image found via FFFFOUND

LSW

First Day of Summer....

Image by chocolate creative design

I am a summer girl...always have been always will be...I love everything about it...well..maybe not the bathing suit part but I'm working on it..

These are things that make me really really happy about summer..

mint chocolate chip ice cream in a sugar cone

warm sand on my feet

the smell of the ocean

the smell of the ocean in my towel

the feel of the ocean on my skin

grilled cheese sandwiches

planting and picking flowers and vegetables from the garden

barefeet

laundry on the line

flipflops

fans

A cold Stella Artois with lemon

the way my house smells sweet only in the summer

summer rain

having the car windows rolled all the way down

sun on my back

collecting shells

lobster rolls

sending the monster out to play

So today, we celebrate the first day of Summer and gladly the longest day of the year...

What are your favorite parts of summer??

LSW

Interior Design Project... Area Rugs

With the new hardwood floors has come the great challenge of finding the right area rugs. So far I have ordered 4 different rugs all of which have been completely wrong (getting them shipped was easy, now I have to try to figure out how to send back). I started thinking I wanted a pattern, something bold and with color but then realized after trying a few that they took away from the design of the floor and the fabric we put on the vintage couch was competing way too much. Then I ordered a couple of natural colored rugs, but the Flor carpet tiles looked to industrial and the one from pottery barn blended too much with our coffee table and stone colored couches. So I think I have finally decided on a natural fiber rug, but the question remains gray or straw? What do you think?

Rugs I love but just didn't work...

Reminds me of Jonathan Adler's Chevron Carpet- Rugs Direct, Milliken Chevron Carpet

Wish this one worked, I am in LOVE with the colors, Anthropologie, Arcadian Garden Rug

Pottery Barn, Chunky wool and natural jute rug
Flor, Carpet Tiles

Room Inspiration, love this rug, with a small print rug in the center, next to the gray floors

New Rugs I am deciding between:

West Elm, Platinum, Jute Boucle Rug

Pottery Barn, Color-bound Chenille Jute Rug in honey

Monday Typefaces...School's Out!

Kid Alphabet found via weheartit.

Two more days and the streets of Stonington will be filled with kids!!

LSW

Happy Father's Day..

image: chocolate creative design

Happy Father's Day to all of you amazing and wonderful Dads and Grandpas out there!

I hope you are able to do exactly what you want to do today..You all deserve it!!

Striped Bass Keeper. Caught 5 a.m. 6/20/10 in Little Narragansett Bay

image: chocolate creative design

Ours did...and he's definately a keeper.

To our Grandpas..Pop-Pop and Grand..We love you!!

LSW

Friday Wine Tasting...

Ceretto Blange Arneis
$24.99

LOVE this wine! A grape (Arneis) I was not at all familiar with until a recent trip into NYC. I met up with one of my dearest friends for a glass of wine in Rockefeller Center at Morrell Wine Bar and amongst the many fabulous pages of interesting wines I picked out this one (I love trying new varietals from various regions all over the world). It is perfect for sipping on the deck or with food fresh off the grill you will love it. A must try!

winemaker's tasting notes:

This 100% Arneis blend is aged for 6 months and has a pale gold color with a tropical fruit, pear and apple aroma. A crisp and slightly effervescent palate with good body and ripe tropical, apple and pear fruit concentration.

This wine is made solely from the Arneis grape, which is indigenous to Piemonte. The grape is notoriously difficult to grow, hence the name, which means "the difficult one" in Piemontese dialect. It had fallen out of favor, and was nearly extinct when the Ceretto family began its renaissance in the mid eighties with the development of the Blange estate in the Langhe. This is composed of holdings near Vezza d'Alba and Castellinaldo facing south, southeast and southwest.

Fashion Pick of the Week... Toms Wedges

I have been searching and searching for the perfect yellow shoe to wear when working events. Last year my patent leather ones from J.Crew took a real beating. I still refuse to retire them but they are starting to look a little sad. This year I have set out to find a pair that is fabulously cute, not a flat (cause I just feel too frumpy), but comfortable enough to wear for 10 hours straight of being on my feet. I have yet to test out the 10 hour requirement but so far these are at the top of my list for a summer must have. And even better for every pair of Toms shoes purchased they will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need.

p.s. If you are thinking of getting a pair don't wait. They are already sold out on the Toms website in the most popular sizes, I luckily discovered Adrenalinesurfandskate.com