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.....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!

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

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....Pisces..

Ok so I married a fish. He might not have Michael Phelps speed, but he certainly has the most beautiful stroke that I have ever seen and glides through the water like a dolphin. He also happens to be a Pisces and most recently has become obsessed, along with our monster, with saltwater fishing. Needless to say, with the help of his Mom, our house is filled with subtle reminders of our big fish.

For today's mood board, I have shaken things up a bit. I have been scouring the internet for some rather unique objects to add to our collection. I was inspired by the fish tiles that flank the walls in our monster's bathroom (probably my favorite room in the house and also the only one that's really finished). Our house primarily consists of these "water" colors, so as to constantly remind us of the ocean that we love so much.

So Happy Birthday fish man. Spring will be here soon enough.

Barnacle Pinched Pots: $28.00 for 3 at Etsy, Ceramic fish plates: $19.50 each at Whimsy Home Decor, Little Fish Drinking Glasses: $11.50 each at Beach Dwelling, Fish Chandelier: Scabetti

Coral Sea Foil Fish Pillow: $31.99 at Organize, Tall Barnacle Vase: $722.95 at Bellacor, Vintage Fish Vase: $55.00 at Etsy, Gocco Fish Prints: $30.00 at Etsy

Fish Tile: $32.00 at Trillium, Fish Vases: $823 for 3 at Organize, Shells embroidered pillows: $38.99 each at Organize,

Barnacle Centerpiece: $325 at Cerulean, Derwent Wallpaper in blue/silver: At Osborne & Little, Vintage Sascha Brastoff Fish Bowl: $44.00 at Etsy, Fish Hurricane: $44.99 at Organize, Fish fabric: Lulu DK

LSW

Let your imagination grow..The Curious Garden

When I saw this post on one of our favorite blogs Oh Joy, my heart skipped a beat. Created by Peter Dungey as an

public art installation piece, it sends powerful yet inspiring messages to all of us who reside on this wildly spinning globe. One of my passions since moving into our antiquated farmhouse has become gardening. It is truly an art form unto itself. Not just about mixing colors, it's timing, weather and giving up control (which is extremely hard for me). But I'm learning and so is my little monster. His Momee (Grandmother) also shares in our passion and this Christmas she gave him one of the most beautiful books ever published. It mimics so closely to what artist Peter Dungey created that it gave me chills up my spine. The Curious Garden by Peter Brown is a must read! I won't even spoil the story, you just need to get it!

Easter is my favorite Holiday. It is all due to my mother who outdid herself every year. It's not just about the bunny but the change of seasons and getting into that Garden! In our house, the Easter Bunny brings way better gifts than Santa. So this year, I thought I would get an early start on those Easter posts. I found some amazing basket fillers that would make any Bunny jealous.

Getting into the Garden.....Kidstyle..

1. Sagaform Kids Gardening Tool Set: $9.95 at Wrapables

2. Kids Watering Can Garden Kit: $19.95 at Wrapables

3.Kids Garden Tools bag: $12.99 at Target.

4.Buzzy Kids 4 pc Garden Tool Tote Set: at Target

1. Insect pocket identifier..figure out what it is before you touch it! $10.95 at gardeningwithkids

2. Ladybug House. Now maybe they will get out of mine! $34.95 at gardeningwithkids

3. Butterfly feeder and Nectar $18.95 at gardeningwithkids

4. Praying Mantis Pagoda. What every Mantis dreams of...$21.95 at gardeningwithkids

1.Tickle me Plant seeds. The plant moves when you touch it! $9.95 at gardeningwithkids

2. Based on the Old fable Stone Soup: Stone Soup Garden Kit: $25.00 at Calliope

3. Personalized Garden in a bag: $16.95 at Wrapables

4. The Eggling (Check out their website!) Comes in various plants, herbs etc: $8.49 at Perpetualkid

So cheers to some new small green thumbs!

LSW

Friday Business Cards.....Saving on paper, not on design...

I absolutely love this business card created by the folks at Memac Ogilvy. Located in Beirut and Dubai, they also have one of the best designed websites around!

As much as I love letterpress, the philosophy of Chocolate Creative Design has always been that if the design is strong enough the paper shouldn't matter. I am a true believer in digital printing and I am now working with a company who uses a paper that is 100% wind power manufactured and 100% post consumer waste. Great design while saving the environment...does it get any better than that?

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....Palm Beach Green...

Image found via Flickr

Yesterday in Connecticut, winds reaching 50 mph and torrential rains ripped through our poor little State. However this morning, I woke up to blue skies, warmer temperatures and grass that was once brown became green again. As Ms. True embarked on an adventure to the warm sands and blue waters of the Dominican Republic very very early this morning, I was inspired by the little gift of green outside my window. I fell hard for this fabulous image from Life Magazine from 1967 and decided on a tonal green palette that would make any Palm Beach wasp proud. All you have to do is add some palm fronds for texture, a few gardenias for scent, a vintage emerald cabachon bib necklace for color and you have a perfectly classic southern Springtime wedding.

A Palm Beach Wedding

Vintage Palm Image:Flickr, Vintage Poster:Flickr Rosa Clara Wedding Gown, Green Necklace:Etsy, Leifsdottir green print dress:Neiman Marcus

Rosa Clara Wedding Dress, Z Gallerie Pavillion, Gardenia flower shoe:L.S. Brownlee

Atonement Movie image:Fabsugar, Palm Dinnerware: Jack Rodgers Sandals: Miss Cavendish, Gardenia Wedding Cake:CakePower.

Vintage Palm Beach Image:Slim Aarons, Z Gallerie Lanterns, Rosa Clara Wedding dress, Vintage woman with Umbrella image: myvintagevogue. Palm frond pillow: Etsy

Sienna Miller image: Vi.sualize.us, Gardenia image:weheartit, Palm image: Etsy, Vintage Givenchy Dress, Decades, Anne Menke image

Boards designed and created by Chocolate Creative Design.

LSW

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards.....Ruffles...

Ms. True and I have been working like little worker bees on our table for the upcoming Fairy Tale Ball this Satuday, so what would be more fitting than a Mood Board created for a Princess. I did a post awhile back on ruffles but when I saw these ruffled panties and corset on Etsy, I was inspired! They are a bit risque and yet innocent at the same time but what bride doesn't want to evoke both? A palette of various shades of skin tones with a pops of sea inspired colors makes for a perfect Summer wedding!

Summer Wedding in the Garden

Ribbon top Image:vi.sualize.us ,Glass:Anthropologie,Plate Image, Chris Everard, Dresser Image:Weheartit, Plate:Anthropologie

Peach Dress:Etsy, Ruffle Pillow:Pier 1, Wedding Dress:Vera Wang,Corset Image:Etsy

Nina Sandal: Dillards ,Ruffle Top:Etsy ,Wallpaper:Anthropologie, Vintage Poster:Ffffound

English Garden Sash:Etsy, Brooch:Etsy, Wedding Cake, Bouquet image:weheartit

For me, this board screams summer wedding in the garden! Homemade peach ice cream, vintage wallpaper runners, and a variety of roses picked fresh from the garden. I love the idea of a clean white textured linen with printed glassware and plates to create movement and color.

Summer Wedding in Newport, R.I.

Luichiny Sandal:Endless Wedding Gown:Oscar de la Renta , Ruffle Pillow:Pier 1,Peach Gown image:weheartit

Necklace Image: Marilyn Munroe image:weheartit Ruffle Dress Image:Ffffound

Ruffle Pillow:Pier 1, Sequin Dress: Shopbop, Wedding Cake:The Cake Girls, Champagne image:

Pink champagne truffles image:weheartit, Shoes Image:Weheartit, Staircase Image:Chris Everard, Corset Image:Etsy

Lion Image:,Flower Brooch:Etsy, Ruffle Plate Image:BeachDwelling, Bouquet Image:imgfave

Same palette as above, but a tad more sophisticated. It reminds me of the mansions in Newport, R.I.

Fun flirty ruffled plates, vintage champagne coupes and a little shimmer and glimmer!

Boards designed and created by Chocolate Creative Design.

LSW

Back to school and Green...

So it's back to making lunches again but it doesn't have to be boring. I absolutely love these organic reusable sandwich and snack bags. Designed by Graze Organic, the bags are 100% organic cotton and hand silk-screened with water based ink. When they get dirty just pop them in the washer. Genius and Green!! See...going back to school isn't so bad!

Beautiful Packaging..clean, simple and to the point!

Just when I fell in love with Help Remedies packaging designed by Little Fury, they made it even better by using just a touch of color. I was very pleased to find out about what their packaging is made of...molded paper pulp and a bio plastic made primarily of corn. Great design and good for the environment!!

Friday Business Cards.....First Day Of Spring

Green, powerful and fun! I can't wait for my lawn to be green and lush. Hurry up Spring!! 

Created by the Struck Agency.

Monday Typefaces...Spring Grass

The first day of spring has finally arrived!!  Spring and summer are ultimately my favorite months, hands down.  I am able to emerge like a bear who has been in hibernation for five months, able to finally feel the sun on my face. Somehow every year, it always surprises me when the birds finally come out to sing.  To realize how silent winter has been and having to adjust my ears to the noise as it sounds like a bird convention outside my door.  The crocuses follow the birds with their dabs of color throughout people's barren lawns. The "peepers" in the pond follow the birds with their songs at night. I can now finally smell the salt from the ocean. The new grass emerges, soft and sweet ready for cutting.  It is finally time for my ladies to bloom, fragrant white lilacs and pink peonies, just in time for Mother's Day.  As Mr. Rip says, (he lovingly cares for the Island),"Spring is a 100 shades of green." 

Grass font ready to be cut found via Hand Made Font

Green Advertising

Ok, I know its Mcdonalds, but that's exactly the point. Genius rebranding and being green in the process. Created by the very out-of-the box advertising firm of Leo Burnett, Chicago.  The billboard is located in Wrigley Field and actually grows 16 types of lettuce.  Trying to make the country's largest fast food chain "fresh" is a huge advertising undertaking to say the least. We all may not agree with the words "fresh" and "Mcdonalds" in the same sentence but I think we can all agree on their choice of advertising firms. Enjoy the creative process in the short film below!