Paper, Doilys and Lace... Valentine's Decorating for your Sweetie

Doily Table Runner, image Ashley Ann Photography

Paper Poms, Tissue Paper Candles, via Martha Stewart
Lace Votives, via Good HousekeepingGold Paper Doily Luminaries, via Martha Stewart

Vellum Doily Luminaries, via Martha Stewart

Doily Envelopes, via Martha Stewart

Valentines DIY Ideas:

1. Lace Doily Table Runner (For our Valentine's Soiree at Chamard Vineyards last weekend I made a lace Doily runner out of gold and white paper doilies and strung them together with thread, it is great alternative to the real one pictured above and super easy. You could also take the white doilies and spray them with other colored glitters)
   
2. Paper Poms (I searched all over for red and pink poms last week but only could find white ones, I didn't realize it would be just as easy to make them on my own, I just needed packs of tissue paper. This is a very time consuming project but if you want to do them hanging over your table for fun, whimsical pops of color you would only need to make a few. I also love the idea of making small ones to be used as napkin rings. Another fun way to use paper poms is to use branches, you can cut out in your backyard, spray them gold, and wire a couple paper pom flowers throughout, similar to my Thanksgiving centerpiece.
   
3. Tissue Paper Candles (I can still remember making these when we were growing up, tissue paper glued to clear glass votives, super easy and gorgeous when lit)
   
4. Lace Votives (These are the perfect detail on the table and can also be made with lace ribbon or paper)
   
5. Lace Doily Luminaries ( I love these! Using gold doilies or white over translucent vellum you can create two totally different looks)
   
6. Doily Love Note Envelope (This is such a cute idea, pictured about they used the envelope for escort cards, I love the idea of writing a love note inside the folded doily and setting it on the table for your valentine to read)
   

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 55

Image Found via imgfave.

LSW

Roses are Red Violets are Blue... Valentine's Day Soiree at Chamard Vineyards

Chamard Vineyards at Sunset, Interior lighting by Power Posse Productions

Tasting Room at Chamard Vineyards

True Event Table, Plan your Valentine's Date
Custom Wine Labels, Chocolate Creative Design

Loukoum on the accordion, Flowers by Hana Floral, Photobooth Props by Anna Sawin

Aphrodisiac Foods, Oyster Shooters by Gourmet Galley

Hana Floral Design

Jennie Fresa Beauty Library, Lips and Lashes

Beneath the Gown Lingerie

Beneath the Gown

White Dress by the Shore, featuring Ann Barge Collection

Runway Show, Beneath the Gown and White Dress by the Shore (me on the mic, Emcee Sarah True)

* Above Photos by Anna Sawin Photography*

Runway Fashion (images by JAG Stuidos)
Tank Room of Chamard Vineyards
Miss Adrienne (True Event) designed the runway with hand drawn chalk hearts, fabulous!Every Girl Deserves to wear a Pink Tutu...
Me and My Pink Tutu (Josie Jolon, Beneath the Gown sewed the one of a kind creation for me)Ladies of Wedding Row (Beneath the Gown, Jennie Fresa Beauty Library, The White Dress by the Shore, True Event (missing from picture Stonington Paperie & Design)

Group Photo, Jag Studios behind the lens

*Runway Special Thanks to Power Posse Productions for all of the sound and lighting, Hana Floral Design and Jennie Fresa Beauty Library*

Photobooth (Anna Sawin Photography)
Anna Sawin and Miss Wesson
Ladies of Given Chocolate
Miss Jennie, Jennie Fresa Beauty Library
Hana Floral Design, Tiffany and Yumiko
Having fun in the photobooth... True and Wesson and Miss Adrienne
Bridget Riordan and daughter Georgia (Chamard Vineyard)
Runway Models
October Bride and Groom, Caroline and Lex
Erica Coppel and her adorable belly, Adeline and Grace Photography
Erica Tannen, The E-List and her hubbie
Erica (Jonathan Edwards Winery) and Mike Cyr (Buzz Media)
Nicole Frechette and her sis!
Anna Sawin and Miss Wesson rockin the red shoes!
Alicia Trotta, Chica Guapa Image Consulting
Beth Chapman, The White Dress by the Shore and her hubbie

This past weekend at Chamard Vineyards we hosted a Valentines Soiree that was romantic, whimsical, fun and super sexy! We brought together some of our dearest, most talented friends in the industry to help us throw an incredible party, all in the spirit of one of my favorite holidays, Valentines Day! After the event Cafe Routier (one of my absolute favorites) hosted the after party and designed a special Valentine's Day cocktail for the brides in attendance. It was the perfect way to end an incredible night, amazing food and festive cocktails.

Collaboration:

TRUE EVENT Design Your Perfect Valentines Date

CHAMARD VINEYARDS Wine Tasting

CHOCOLATE CREATIVE DESIGN Custom Wine Labels

GIVEN FINE CHOCOLATES Chocolates paired with wine

POWER POSSE Lighting and Sound For Runway Show

JENNIE FRESA BEAUTY LIBRARY Lips And Lashes (Runway Show)

HANA FLORAL DESIGN Fabulous Arrangements (Runway Show)

GOURMET GALLEY Aphrodisiac Inspired Foods

ANNA SAWIN PHOTOGRAPHY Photobooth

BOSTON CIGAR FACTORY Cigar Rolling

BENEATH THE GOWN Runway Lingerie Show

WHITE DRESS BY THE SHORE Runway Fashion Show

STONINGTON DESIGN & PAPERIE Paper Treats

JAG STUDIOS Photography on the Runway

LOUKOUM Two Piece Ensemble

TORIA DOLCE Sweet Decadent Treats

And CAFE ROUTIER’s Signature Valentines Day Martini

Tuesdays are for Mood Boards...Pinks, Champagne and Chocolate

Mood Board Inspiration from Martha Stewart

Today's board is for a special couple, Karyn and Paul, my first official wedding of 2010. Their wedding going to be held this spring at Saltwater Farm Vineyard. Karyn described the mood as romantic, casual elegance, vintage, whimsical, and fun. All of these words create an overall feeling that we want guests to have as they enter through the doors to the winery in April. We started out with tones of purples, navy and silver and have evolved into soft pinks, champagne, and gold tones. I just LOVE this combination of colors, so excited for the direction we are going with the design.


Row 1: Lace Doily Luminaries, via Martha Stewart, Peony Bouquet, image via Wiley Valentine, Gold Leaf Plate, image via Style Me Pretty, Ruffle Cake, image via Wiley Valentine.

Row 2: Gold Skirt, J.Crew, image via Snippet and Ink, Table with Stars, via Slightly Obsessive Bride, Centerpiece, via Martha Stewart, Desert Table, via Martha Stewart
Row 3:Room, via Wiley Valentine, Ruffly Shoes, via Wedding Wire, Table, Butterfly Escort Cards, via Martha Stewart
Row 4: Pink and Gold Uplighting, via Ariel Yve Design, Lampshade centerpiece, via the Knot
Row 5: Pink Peonies, image via Brooklyn Bride, Butterfly Paper Lanterns, via Snippet and Ink, Table, via Sweet Pea Events, Bouquet with Butterfly, image via Style Me Pretty

Monday Typefaces...Heart tied up in string...

Image found via Home-and-Garden.

LSW

Destination Dominican Republic... Honeymoon Hotspot

Cap Cana, The World's Newest Destination

Marina, Cap Cana, Private Beach and Pool (within steps of our condo)

Caleton Beach Club, Cap CanaPunta Espada Golf CourseSecrets Sanctuary Hotel, Cap Cana

Sister and I on our last night in Cap Cana at the Blue Marlin, Restaurant on the water at the Sanctuary Hotel

I am back! Back from what was one of the most amazing trips I have ever been on. Sister and I had the great pleasure of spending a week in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. It was so hard to leave this tropical paradise knowing what we were returning to back in Connecticut/New York... frigid temperatures and snow.

Punta Cana has become my favorite destination in the Caribbean, especially if you are planning a destination wedding or honeymoon, you will want to consider this at the top of your list. From the minute we got off the plane we entered a world of complete luxury, natural beauty, and relaxation. With some of the most pristine beaches, turquoise water, soft white sand, crashing waves, perfect weather, bright sunshine, five star service, hospitality and cuisine, Cap Cana is a place you must experience!

We spent the week in a luxury condo on the top floor at the Marina in Cap Cana. In the condo every amenity has been considered, from the marble floors to the granite counter tops, flat screen tvs, large fluffy couches, whirl pool bath tubs, huge master sweet, rooms designed with meticulous attention to detail, it was absolutely amazing! For more information on renting the condo click here.

Great Room Looking into the KitchenGreat Room
Living Room overlooking Marina
Second Master with Ocean Front Terrace

Ocean Front Terrace

Other favorite spots include:

1. Secrets Sanctuary Hotel (Love piano bar, Blue Marlin, gorgeous waterfall pool, private beach, and private villas, also offer all inclusive packages)
2. Farallon Restaurant (sits on a cliff overlooking all of Cap Cana, incredibly fresh fish and 5 star service)
3. Blue Marlin at the Sanctuary Hotel (table side serenade during dinner, again 5 star service and the freshest fish caught that day, a little more casual sitting out on the water you can see and hear the waves crash)
   
4. Caleton Beach Club (One of the most beautiful beaches in the country, gorgeous pools, great beach bar, amazing ceviche, and frozen banana drinks- our favorite spots on the trip)
5. Aquare Mare at the Marina (great sushi, great vibe, outside on the dock at the Marina)