Happy Halloween!!!!

Peter Callesen

Happy Halloween!

A little inspired spookiness by Paper Artists Peter Callesen and Isabella's Art

Peter Callesen

Peter Callesen

Isabella's Art

LSW

A Little Sparkle and Hay... Sneak Peak at Erin & Dan's Wedding

Gorgeous bridal bouquet,Yumiko, Hana Floral Design

Images by Anna Sawin Photography (Saltwater Farm Vineyard)

I was SO excited when I got home last night to receive a few sneak peak images from Erin & Dan's (Sparkle & Hay) wedding last weekend. The magic and love that filled the room was incredible and the details, WOW, the details were just amazing! Here are just a few, so much more to come, of the gorgeousness that filled the day, and one of the most adorable couples! Congratulations Erin & Dan! Can't wait to share the story of your day and the inspiration behind one of my favorite weddings this year!

If only.......

Image found via FFFFOUND

A girl can dream can't she???

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Glitter, Glue and Pumpkins...

Image found via Weheartit

October has been the busiest month for Chocolate Creative Design. In one week alone, we had 2 sparkly weddings, one to design for and another to attend. With that being said, I have been a very bad mommy. There has been no indication in the Wesson household that Halloween is on it's way. So...what's a girl to do?

There are two items in my studio that I know I can always count on..glitter and glue. Glitter has become a staple in my styling bag for years...it can go on anything, reflects the light beautifully and in my opinion, it makes any image become less flat. Now, I may be a whiz with an X-acto but I certainly am not with a knife and a pumpkin. So in researching, I found some great ideas with only using glitter, glue and pumpkins (no carving required!)

Image found via Undomesticchica

Image found via Better Homes & Gardens

Image found via Ladies Home Journal

So we gathered the troops and set to work...

There is something that I must admit first...Recently, I was paid a huge compliment by 2 very dear friends...They said that they loved how I added "whimsey" to every project that I have created. Honestly, I never quite used that word...what usually comes to my mind is insane, crazy or silly, but "whimsey" i'll take that anyday (plus it's my Mom-in-Law's favorite word). So where does that come from? I can tell you that selfishly it comes from working with kids. Since I moved to larger studio, it has surprisingly and amazingly become a place where kids can create..They love it and I, well I get back that feeling of coloring outside the lines...Working in an industry filled with Martha Stewart, I find that it so important to allow yourself to just let go and have fun..don't worry about getting glitter on your shoes or hair and face. Sometimes by not being perfect, the mistakes you make can turn into something more beautiful than you could have imagined.

We found that Elmer's Glue may be hard to work with on a round pumpkin...but what can happen is purely magical...

Last but not least..one of my favorites...

So a huge thanks to Miss O, Miss G and of course the Monster for allowing me to color outside the lines and to allow "Whimsey" once again back into my life.

Happy Halloween everyone and here's to glitter on your shoe!

Images by Chocolate Creative Design

LSW

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 91

Found via Imgfave

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A Gallery of Inspiration... Wedding Row Event

SAVE THE DATE:

The wedding mavens of Wedding Row in Clinton are joining forces with the interior design experts of Venetucci Home in Westbrook, to create an evening of inspiration for those interested in wedding, fashion or home décor.

On October 27th from 6-9pm, Venetucci Home will be hosting a cocktail party along with the members of Wedding Row. The event will showcase vignettes of furniture that will be staged as inspiration for your wedding, home or lifestyle.

We will be using different furniture and interior vignettes designed by Venetucci Home to set the inspiration for a wedding, your home or lifestyle. Each vignette will have a mood board designed by Sarah True of True Event and include such elements as a wedding gown, a bouquet of flowers, stationary pieces, and even a wedding cake—all that incorporate the feel of the vignette.

Our goal is to show that design inspiration can come from anywhere. Even with our wedding focus, guests will garner inspiration that they can apply to their homes and lifestyle. It will be a night for anyone interested in fashion and interior design.
To rsvp to the October 27th event, contact True Event at Becca@trueevent.com.

What is Wedding Row?

The better question is - what isn't it? Imagine a group of uber talented wedding gurus in one absolutely adorable location all at your wedding planning disposal and you have Wedding Row. Believe it.

Need a wedding dress? There is no better place then the charming White Dress by the Shore. What about (cough, cough) the undergarments? Have no fear - Beneath the Gown will make you actually want to mention your unmentionables. Of course, you have to look the part too - and the Jennie Fresa Beauty Library will make you look red carpet (or white aisle) ready . Walk two steps and the wedding planning gurus of TRUE Event are there to make your wedding visions a reality. Last but certainly not least, Stonington Design + Paperie will give your wedding a brand of its own through personal invitation suites. Almost too good to be true, thankfully it that's not the case.

Monday Typefaces..Wheat...

Wheat Embroidery Font found via Anna Bove Collections

In honor of Erin and Dan ( Mr. & Mrs. Sparkle and Hay) who just got married this past Saturday....a little wheat....or a little hay...and a touch of their sparkle....

LSW

Martha Stewart Party... Lots of Sparkle

Monday Miss Abby and I took a trip into NYC for one of my favorite parties of the year. The Martha Stewart Weddings event that takes place during bridal market. It was a night filled with familiar faces and a chance to get to meet some people in the industry that I have worked with but never had the chance to meet. One in particular is the fabulous Mara Zepeda of Neither Snow, I was SO excited to finally meet her face to face after working with her on a couple of big weddings this year. She is such a talent!

For more details and pics from the event check out Abby's post on Life in the Super Burbs. We had such a fun night!

Monday Typefaces..Fingers & Toes

Nail Scissor Alphabet by Nerea Larranaga

Dreaming of a Mani/Pedi!

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This Little Piggy.....

Images via Terra Firma Farm

Ok, Chocolate Creative Design has seriously been lacking on the posts lately but it has been for good reason...We have been sooo busy lately with some amazing projects that I pinky swear promise to deliver next week!

Yet between all the projects, we certainly have to make time for friends and family.

This Sunday October 17th, we will be making it to the Terra Firma Farm's annual fundraising Pig Roast!!

It starts at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday with games, an auction that Miss Anna Sawin and I have participated in (a custom family portrait and a custom design for all those holiday cards!) and of course the Pig Roast (FYI, none of the pig's on the farm have participated in it due to the young campers)!!

So dress warm, pull up your boots and head on over!!!

Terra Firma Farm

330 Al Harvey Road, Stonington, Connecticut 06378

Suggested Donation: $20 for adults and $10 for kids

LSW

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 90

Image found via imgfave

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Blog Love, A Sneaky Peek and the Marantzs....

I just got in from the most fabulous weekend in Orient Point with my New York Ladies celebrating the baby of the group, "Auntie Regina", who is getting married in 2 weeks. I happened to find this serious blog love in my inbox from the super delish duo, Justin and Mary Marantz and their sidekick, the cute as a button, Miss Julia. I feel so incredibly honored to have been asked to create some fun out of the box details for their Walk Through a Wedding Workshop. If this is just a "Sneaky Peek" then I can't wait to see what's next!!!

Stay Tuned!!!!

LSW

Monday Typefaces..Bread..

Bread alphabet by Yeka Haski

Bread makes me happy!

LSW

Quiet your mind... Enjoy the Ride!

With the pace things have been running at over the last couple of months it was so nice to slow down this past weekend and enjoy a few days of absolutely gorgeous Fall weather, it felt like Summer on Saturday.

A really good friend of mine sent me this song last week that was so perfect for the way I had been feeling lately! I just had to share as you all get ready to begin the week. When I go out for a run it plays at least 3 times on repeat, and I am instantly re-inspired, and ready to go again. Happy Monday!

Friday Wine Tasting... Middle Sister Red

Wine of the Week
Middle Sister Red (a wine made for me)
$8-10
Being the middle sister in a family of three sisters, when I saw this wine on the shelf there was no way I could walk by it without picking it up. I am not usually a sucker for wine labels but how adorable is the label?! and so perfectly named Rebel Red. (there are also 8 other adorable "sister wines")

When I got home I poured myself a glass and looked up the wines online, and not only was it a rather enjoyable red table wine (simple and straightforward, but perfect for a casual night at home) but as a company they donate a minimum of $10,000 annually to following organizations dedicated to promoting and supporting sisterhood.
www.dressforsuccess.org
www.winewomenandshoes.com

A wine made for middle sisters, cause lets be honest we deserve one, and even better one that gives back to organizations supporting women. I may be biased but this is a wine you will want to try, or gift to the middle sisters in your lives. Happy Friday! Cheers to another gorgeous fall weekend in New England.


the story
Did you know that birth order is commonly believed to have a profound and lasting effect on psychological development? And that the middle sister has a greater chance of having a special wine named just for her? A sassy blend of our three favorite red varieties perfect for sipping before, during and after our favorite family meals. Some people are just born lucky. Now give me back my blouse.

what’s in it?
38% Zinfandel, 34% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah, 2% mixed red varietals.
100% California grapes with 42% from the Lodi appellation.

how was it made?
Warm ferments (70-83ºF) mixed frequently for extraction of deep color and dark fruit characters.

smells like…
...ripe red and dark berry fruits like plum, blueberry and blackberry. Sassy dash of black and white pepper with a dollop of crème de cassis.

tastes like…
...a huge mouthful of ripe summer berries. The fruit goes on and on, ending in a luxurious finish.

yummy with…
Roasts, grilled meats, pizza, pasta, salmon, burgers, burritos, soups and sandwiches.

Organizations they Support:

Dress for Success is a non-profit organization that provides interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women worldwide. Dress for Success has more than 90 affiliates in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Poland and the West Indies. Each site is an independent, volunteer-driven non-profit organization committed to fulfilling the Dress for Success mission of promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women through career development and employment retention.

Wine, Women & Shoes is the brainchild of Napa Valley vintner, Elaine Honig. While chatting with a girlfriend about the growing popularity of wine and food pairing events, they jokingly said "wine and shoe pairings would be a lot more fun!" Wine, Women & Shoes events combine wine tasting and education with shoe fashion and fun in a totally unexpected way. WW&S events are now in 20 cities across the country, with over 15,000 attendees per year, and have raised more than $3,800,000 for women's and children's causes to date.

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 89

Image found via imgfave

LSW

A Vineyard Wedding...Kerry and Andrew

Jennie Fresa and her team did such an amazing job on beauty!

Yumiko, Hana Floral Design, blew me away with the floral!

Jordan Caterers rocked the food with creative presentation!Chocolate Creative Design (Miss Wesson) wove all of the details through the paper, gorgeous stuff!

Power Posse knows how to rock the party!

Toria Dolce designed the cakes with ruffly details, they were little pieces of art.

Saltwater Farm Vineyard glowed well into the night

I am so sorry I have been so mia from blogging the past few months! This season has been truly memorable, exhausting at times, but really amazing! We have been so lucky to have worked with the most fabulous couples this year and continue to finish out the season with a few that I am so excited just thinking about.

I was thrilled the other day when Justin and Mary released images from a wedding we worked on in July. The detail and design woven throughout the wedding from the paper to the linens, to the pillows, couches and vases, flowers, favors and dresses, no detail was missed. This wedding is one that still makes me smile, we had so much fun working together in the process. Congratulations Kerry and Andrew!!

Collaboration:
Event Design/Coordination: True Event
Photography: Justin and Mary Marantz
Floral: Hana Floral Design
Hair/Makeup: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library
Paper: Chocolate Creative Design
Calligraphy: Neither Snow
Catering: Jordan Caterers
Cake: Toria Dolce
Music/Lighting: Power Posse Productions
Videography: Buzz Media Company
Rentals: Rentals Unlimited (Lounge Furniture, AFR Furniture Rentals),Party Rental Ltd. (Linens, China, Flatware, etc.)
Transportation: Newport Wedding Trolley
Venue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard
Attire: Kleinfeld's (bride's dress)