Tuesdays are for Mood Boards....Dreams of Runways in Spring...

Jenny Packham RTW Spring 2011

Oh, what a glorious week! We are smack dab in the middle of Fashion Week RTW Spring 2011. It is absolutely and positively one of my favorite weeks of the year! Back in 2007, I was sitting amongst the fashionistas in NYC watching the oh so fabulous Mr. Oscar de la Renta's show, courtesy of one of my brides, the beautiful Miss Tatianna, who made a life long dream come true for me. Thursday, Mr. de la Renta will be showcasing his line and I will be waiting with baited breath to see the images. So far, I have decided that I could take any of Jenny Packham's Spring line and being a Rachel Zoe obsessive watcher, I feel they are seriously "Oscar Worthy".

Just this week I received an email from Pantone showcasing their color picks for Fashion's Spring 2011 season.

Now I know we are heading into Fall, but I know that those Spring and Summer 2011 brides and grooms are already planning their color stories. So, I decided to take a few of the colors and create a Spring/Summer 2011 board based on Pantone's predictions. Although, I do have to confess that this Spring/Summer girl is actually trying to avoid thinking about Fall/Winter..Brrr......

Pantone Spring Summer Fashion Colors for 2011

Sofa Image:thisisglamorous, Beaded Clutch Image:weheartit, Cork Heart Image:tinywhitedaisies, Girls image: weheartit

Plate Image:lavenderhillstudio, Lilac Image:it'smaryruffle, Balloon Image:weheartit, Dress Image:weheartit,

Beaded Clutch Image:weheartit, Ballerina image:, Chair image:lifeinthefunlane, Lilac image: vi.sualize.us

Girl image: weheartit, Butterfly cookies:weheartit, Lavendar Image:weheartit, Glitter Image:

Board created and designed by Chocolate Creative Design

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards....Summer or Fall?

As we are leaving August behind and entering into September, the East Coast is at an oppressive 90 degrees with the possibility of a hurricane named Earl who seems to be quickly making his way up the coast. The heat doesn't affect me much as I am by no means a Fall and Winter girl..Give me the Spring and Summer any day! Yet I have found that it can be extremely tough on the September bride and groom. Technically it's not Fall till the 21st of September, so what's a couple to do? I say marry the colors of the Fall and Summer palettes and you will be golden. For instance, by taking a summer hue such as Robin's Egg Blue and mixing it with a Rust Orange from Fall, you will have a combination that is both airy and rich. By mixing textures such as a Rust Orange Satin and a Robin's Egg Velvet you have brought it just one step further.

I can't think of anything more luxurious than soft hued velvets and satins.

Now for that pesky hurricane....

Jewelry Box: Country Living, Velvet Dress: Softspoken, Necklace: Anthropologie, Vintage Image:

Votive:Anthropologie, Dining Room:Centsationalgirl, Vintage Dress:Deargoldenvintage, Curtains: CocoCozy

Velvet Flowers: weheartit, Orange Dessert:GoingtotheChapel, Print:FFFFOUND, Vintage Plate:Quatrefleurs, Clutch: ao3designs

Satin Flats: Sundance, Velvet Pumpkins: weheartit, Vintage Purse:Vintagous, Velvet Ribbon:Silkfabric,

Escort Cards: Martha Stewart, Velvet Pillow: Urban Outfitters, Shoes:The Knot, Paisley Tie: The Knot

Board created and designed by Chocolate Creative Design

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....Lace and Zinnias

Images by Chocolate Creative Design

Over the years I have been strategically trying to plant the perfect cutting garden. Trust me when I say I have tried everything. The winner in this love/hate relationship seems to come out to the Zinnia. They can take quite a beating, magically produce more flowers when you cut them and last from early summer throughout the fall.

I am convinced that if the world came to an end in Stonington, CT that 4 things would survive...

Mice, Japanese Beetles, Chipmunks and Zinnias.

Now that we are nearing the end of summer, I see a garden filled with Zinnias and fields draped with Queen Anne's Lace. They seem to have been forgotten in the world of weddings but I was so happy to see them back in The Grace Ormonde Shoot that we did last week!

I also have had lace and gardens on the brain since I have 2 clients (a wedding invitation suite and a logo) that I have incorporated both of these elements..

I guess you will all just have to wait and see...Soon I promise!!

Vintage Lace Dress: Cornhl, Zinnia image: Gardening Gone Wild, Lace gloves image: Going to the Chapel, Vintage Lace Jacket: Timeless Vixen Vintage, Cake: Going to the Chapel

Fruit Ice Cream: Mary Ruffle, Lace Skirt: Anthropologie, Plum Popsicles: Country Living, Candlestick, Anthropologie, Pillow: Anthropologie

Platter: Anthropologie, Hat: Anthropologie, Earrings: Anthropologie,Dress: Anthropologie, Rug: Anthropologie

Earrings, Anthropologie, Lace Votive: Sunday Suppers, Lace Dress Image: Going to the Chapel, Zinnia Plate: Zinnia Design tc, Zinnia Invitation: Up Up

Plates, Flowers, Lace Bowl: Isabelle Abramson, Zinnias: Mahanandi

Board created and designed by Chocolate Creative Design

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....Happy on the Lake...

Poster: Vermont Poster

Every year we make the pilgrimage up to Vermont for a week in a rustic cottage right on Lake Champlain. There is no internet or television and it roughly takes about 2 days to rid yourself of the electronic world and finally decompress. When it does finally happen...It's sheer heaven. Two cars get filled to the brim with sheets..check..pillows..check...towels..check..fishing poles..check...dog..check...monster...hey where is he?..

Get in the car NOW!!

After the 6 hour adventure through 3 states, 7 bathroom breaks and a pound of goldfish strewn all over the car floor, we are welcomed to the cool breezes of Lake Champlain. The cottage has been in the family for years and years and the decor is a wonderful mismatch of various eras. It is filled with various shades of greens and oranges. It is a warm and happy place. A place where you kick off your shoes, flop onto a soft and worn armchair and relax in the distilled light of the day. Light dances off the Lake and the warm breezes easily lull you to sleep. This year I might even take a nap in the hammock..But it's hard as it's so beautiful and I love to watch the light change throughout the day.

So I couldn't help but dream of a summer wedding on the lake..filled with oranges and greens..soft breezes..Coloful Sailboats...Wildflowers..Record Players...retro prints..and delicious food made from the ingredients of local farms...

Images by Chocolate Creative Design- C.I. 2010

Summer Wedding on the Lake

Bride image:weheartit, Vases: Anthropologie, Canoe Print:Richard Bozman, Skirt: Anthropologie

Dress: J.Crew, Rug: Anthropologie, Sailboat Image:automatism, Tie Image: theweddingplanner

Vintage record player:weheartit, Chair: Anthropologie, Necklace: Etsy, Plate Image: Anthropologie

Plate: Anthropologie, Lake Image:weheartit, Apricot tart: Cannelle et Vanille, Oar Image:Silvertip, Dress: Anthropologie

Board created and designed by Chocolate Creative Design

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards... New England Island Wedding

This board was designed especially for Ilana and Lee a couple that I met over a year ago while doing a wedding on Island Farm "Elihu" island. They immediately fell in love with the island and I knew that when we started working together to design their wedding we would have a lot of fun redefining the preppy nautical wedding. I am always excited to find new ways to design the classic New England beach wedding. Together with Ilana and Lee we have identified a style that is preppy and traditional but fun, and whimsical with coastal flair. Playing off the colors of the beach for the cocktail hour down by the water we are using a color palette of sand, navy and turquoise. As guests transition into the main tent we are using bold pops of color to create an energy around the dance floor with pinks and greens. We are also bringing in different textures/patterns with shells, nautical rope and a chevron print in accents of paper and pillows. So excited to see this board come to life and for a truly special couple!

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....MidSummer Night's Dream...

As the tempertaures continue to soar here in the Northeast (it's only July!!), there seems to be a hazy film that is lightly dusted over everything...On the shoreline, we tend to get fog which blankets anything and everything..even making Islands disappear...When I saw this Vintage Poster, I couldn't resist playing off the muted tones and recreating a Midsummer Night's Dream wedding..

Doesn't she seem so perfectly cool and dry? I am not sure about the man in the tux!

MidSummer Night's Dream

Shoe image:weheartit, Tie image:goingtothechapel, Dress: J.Crew, Flower image:dailybitsofbeauty, Chair image:weheartit

Bouquet:goingtothechapel, Bridesmaids:weheartit, Vintage Poster:flickr, Print: Anthropologie

Hat Image:, Invitation:goingtothechapel, Shoe image, thisisglamorous

Girl Image;, Dress:gypsyrosewrites, Perfume image:thisisglamorous, Earrings: Anthropologie

Girl in Boat:Everythingfabulous Girls image: thefrenchmouse, Chair Image: ffffound, Strawberry Shortcake:goingtothechapel, Bed image:

Invitation Image:Etsy, Cake Image: Brides, Table Image:thisisglamorous

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!

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....Vintage Stripes..

Honestly.. I'm just an old sap....Ever since I was little, I have been extremely sensitive to the five senses. No matter which of the 5 it is, I have had the ability to catalog them away in a vault and bring them up any time to take me to the place I once was. When I saw the Vintage Vogue cover, I couldn't help but be transformed immediately to my grandparent's house. Chock full of down wrapped couches, vibrant and fun fabrics, the smell of filterless camel cigarettes, wine and scotch, great stinky cheeses, coke in a glass bottle and the din of a golf game playing on the television amidst the snores from many of my relatives. The style was a combination of the 30's & 40's...Perfectly wasp with wonderful greens(she loved frogs!), robin's egg blues, corals, creams and a fabulous cherry red banister.. I remember sinking into the quilted couch (it was soft but it loved to leave summer legs with track marks), listening to the adults chatting (blah blah blah) and staring up at this amazing painting of a woman in a hat. I can't tell you how many countless hours that I stared at that woman..So the minute I saw the Vogue Cover..Kapow!! I was there. When I look at the images below..it certainly doesn't surprise me now where I got my design aesthetic from....It's been safe in the vault but sometimes it just happens to sneak out without me knowing exactly where it came from...

Groovy Skirt Mom!!

Lace tablecloth, simple candlesticks, chicken, peas, potatoes, milk, Pepperidge Farm rolls, Sarah Lee pound cake, Indian Headresses, Lily Pulitzer and a wallpaper I would die for!! The benefit to being the youngest?? Sitting next to my Opa!!

vintage poster;flickr, star image; weheartit, living room; thisisglamorous, green dress; thisisglamorous candlestick; anthropologie

Green stripe tie; Harbor Direct, dessert, green skirt, anthropologie, switch plate: anthropologie, living room, thisisglamorous

beach image; weheartit, necklace; anthropologie, Vintage vogue cover; flickr, striped cupcakes holders;hiphostess

Vintage books, green stripe table; thisisglamorous, chandelier; anthropologie, wedding gown;martha stewart

lady image; emily mcgregor, dress anthropologie, knob: anthropologie, vintage dragonflies; weheartit, stripe pillow;mattersofstyle, stripe hat;e4hats

Board designed and created by Chocolate Creative Design

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards... Eclectic Summer Wedding on the Water

Connecticut River Museum, Essex CT

This board was created for Theresa and John's upcoming July wedding at the Connecticut River Museum in Essex. Essex is a quintessential New England town, with the most adorable main street, lined with antique stores, gift shops, restaurants, the Griswold Inn (a historic inn) and one of my favorite wine bars in the state. It is the perfect location for guests to stay, all within walking distance to the venue.

When I first met with Theresa she described the mood as whimsical and fun, with unexpected personalized details, eclectic, and crafty. Theresa is a fashion designer so I knew that we would have alot of fun in designing her event. The color palette reminds me of the perfect summer day, bright accents of yellow like the sun and varying shades of blue and turquoise like the water. Lots of detail, layers of texture, and vivid pops of color! Can't wait to share the pictures of their wedding with you which will be shot by the uber talented Dave Robbins.

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....St. Moritz & The Baroness Von Schrader..

image found via at vintage art posters uk

Ok ok...I am completely obsessed with vintage posters...I just can't help it, the colors seem to evoke great joy in me.

So you may have to bear with me on a few more boards as I slowly get it out of my system.

When I first saw this poster, it was love at first sight. The colors, the movement of the graphics and let's face it..the chicness of St. Moritz. Yet, as I started putting images together for the board, I realized that it was becoming something other than where I had originally started. There were no fabulous place settings, no men's attire, and certainly no food. It became completely feminine with bows, ruffles, shoes and fabulous hats..It was then that I realized what or whom I was channeling...

The minute she came on screen, she scared the bejesus out of me. With her perfectly coiffed hair, dramatically lined eyebrows and a wardrobe that emphasized every part of her womanly figure. Let's not forget her smoke infused voice...She was the Baroness Von Schrader.

Before Ginger and Mary Ann, there was the Baroness and Maria. Two entirely different characters, in both mind and physique. As girls growing up, we were forced to choose to be one or the other. But what about those of us who are both? Maria with her sensible haircut (I bet if it was long, it would have been in a ponytail), her magical effect on children and let's not forget those chintz drapes turned into frocks..perfect for wiping off frog goo, dirt and pinecone debris. And then there's the Baroness, hair that was so beautiful and shiny it was like silkworms had spun it into a tower of perfection, high and impractical heels that would never ever make it onto the grass, a wit and charm that would make anyone fall to their knees, and let's not forget the bold confidence when she walked into the room with an awe inspiring gown that was so tight you had to wonder how she walked in it.

So like many of us, I had chosen Maria. However, there will always be a Baroness that lives inside of me. Her death defying heels and clothing(and a drawer full of Spanx) line my closet just waiting for the perfect moment.

So I dedicate this board to all of the inner Baronesses and Gingers out there. I will meet you on terrace at the Palace Hotel overlooking the Alps, sipping champagne, wearing sparkly high heels, a vintage fur stole and a Jessica Rabbitesque gown.

A girl can dream, can't she???.......

The Fabulous Baroness Von Schrader...It's like Grace Kelly with an edge...

Drape turned frock or glittery gown...you decide..

Bow image: weheartit, Flower image:FFFFOUND, Legs image:inspireme, Vintage Vogue cover:Flickr, Girl in car image: Corrie Bond

Bouquet image:FFFFOUND, Envelope: Chocolate Creative Design & Neither Snow, Vintage Poster:vintage art posters uk, Shoe image:

Girl image:laceandtea, Dress image:FFFFOUND, Skirt image:thefrenchmouse, Dress image:FFFFOUND

Lingerie image:Polly Wreford, Woman with hat image;weheartit, Wallpaper: anthropologie

Shoe image:imgfave, Record player image:weheartit, Dress: Pronovias Fresa Gown, Cupcake image:FFFFOUND

Board created and designed by Chocolate Creative Design

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards... Modern Summer Wedding

Images

Row 1: Taylor Creative, West Elm Zig Zag Carpet, Jonathan Adler via La Dolce Vita

Row 2: Taylor Creative, Jonathan Adler via Porch Light Interiors, Taylor CreativeRow 3: Dandelion Ranch, Ikea white Lak coffee table, Sperry Tents
Row 4: Taylor Creative, Ruffled Blog

I designed this board for a bride and groom I recently started working with that are getting married at a private residence in Connecticut. Sondra (bride) described the mood as sophisticated and elegant but vibrant and fun. Modern Elegance, with black and white as a base and bold colors as accents throughout. Inspired by the incredibly talented Jonathan Adler we are going to bring in modern patterns and textures to create different layers of design, from the cocktail hour to the main reception tent. I am just in LOVE with this design and the colors, perfect for a summer wedding!

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....Pantone's colors of 2009 & 2010

Image found via flickr

When I stumbled across this amazing vintage Vogue cover, something resonated in my heart. It made me...happy. It took me awhile to figure out what it was exactly that evoked such a feeling and then..wham...it hit me..The wallpaper in the painting is so similar to the one that hung in my grandmother's guest room in Florida, that it sent chills up my spine. Now, I know that my mother is laughing right now, as she can attest to the fact that I absolutely begged and begged her to get the same wallpaper for my room at home. Sadly, I was told that the wallpaper was "unavailable".. hmmm...It broke my heart and (unfortunately) I succumbed to the rainbow border instead. Now, I have never been a real yellow fan, that's Miss True's thing, but that wallpaper with it's happy smiling flowers of yellow and orange made me fall in love with interior design. It wasn't just a paper, it was a smell, a taste and a warmth. My grandmother's house in Florida was a very very magical place. We would get off the plane and immediately smell the orange blossoms. The warm air, filled with the perfume, thawed out my scrawny New England bones. Fresh squeezed orange juice in the kitchen awaited our arrival. Spanish moss dripped from the trees like spider webs. Sounds of the evening sprinklers lulled us to sleep in the orange and yellow room. Ok so I'm a bit obsessed...So why not design a wedding using the pantone colors of 2009 and 2010 which seem to practically jump right off the painting?

Who knows..maybe someone else had the very same wallpaper....

Now off to find that wallpaper....Mom????

Vintage vogue cover: flickr, Heart Pins image:weheartit, Pears Image:weheartit, Dresses Image: ffffound

Butter dish: Anthropologie, Necklace: Anthropologie, Cake:wishpotwedding, Bike Image:weheartit

Image:imgfave, Living room image:thisisglamorous, Glass: Anthropologie, Dresser image, wedding gown:thisisglamorous

Plate Image:dandelionandgrey, Umbrella:, Teapot: etsy, Car image:oncewed

Painting:, Table image: ffffound, bouquet image: Fabric:pitcherandpearl, Chair image:weheartit

Board designed and created by Chocolate Creative Design.

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....Butterflies..

Valentino Fall 2010 images found via Merci New York

I don't know what the heck I was thinking when I decided to create 3 inspiration boards.. but nonetheless here we go...I was so inspired months ago by this butterfly collection of gowns by Valentino, that I knew I had to do something with them. Then 2 weeks ago, I witnessed the wedding of Karyn and Paul at Saltwater Farm, designed by Miss True of True Event, and immediately went back to the drawing board....So three different color stories and three different boards...Enjoy!!

Note to readers: This however does not mean to completely saturate your wedding in butterflies..I believe a little dash here and a sprinkle there is all you need..

Board 1

Valentino gown, Butterfly cake:, Valentino gown, Umbrella image: ffffound, mens suit image:oncewed

Clutch: J.Crew, Rose image:sarah maingot, Clutch: J Crew, wedding gown:, Couch image:thisisglamorous

Perfume image:flickr, Dress:nordstrom, Teacup image: Martha Stewart

Vintage gown:image, Shoes:boden, Valention dress, shoes: polyvore, Cookies:eatcakebemerry

Flower brooch:flickr, Dress image: Butterfly image:, Butterfly chandelier: pb kids, gown image:weheartit

Board 2

Dress by Valentino, Bouquet, Embroidered Jacket: Etsy, Butterfly image: chocolate creative design

Butterfly clock: genius beauty, Dress image:, Butterfly straws: Martha Stewart, Bouquet, Butterfly cake:image

Fruit desserts: Cannellle et Vanille, Petal makeup:, Butterflies:weheartit, Flower cookie:miette

Yellow chair: absolutely beautiful things, Butterfly hat:Martina Bohn, Plate Image: absolutely beautiful things, wedding gown:. Gown: Valentino

Peony image:whiteflowerfarm, Popsicles, Poster: absolutely beautiful things, Butterfly bouquet: Martha Stewart

Board 3

Butterflies:, Gown:, Shoes:imgfave, Wedding Gown: Douglas Hannant, Butterfly clock image

Butterfly brooch:etsy, Jewelry image: Jose Lasheras,Blue Rose image:weheartit

Shoe image:weheartit, Necklace: Anthropologie, Shoes: Plate:flickr, Hat image:

Valentino Gown, Blue room image:kevin macintosh, Vintage butterfly belt:etsy, Gown: Versace, Glass image

Hat image:, Butterfly chandlier:designwagen, Couch: anthropologie, Lace image:

Boards designed and created by Chocolate Creative Design.

LSW