Featured Wedding of the Week: Mine!

So if you didn't know, we have started a post that goes up every Saturday (Wedding Day!!) featuring a wedding we have either found on the web that took our breath away or one that was submitted to us (if you want to submit yours, you can do so by clicking HERE, we would loooove to see it). Enough of the shameless plug for this post..... Here's the wedding you came for: It's Mine!

It's not that my wedding took my breath away or anything (I would actually change a lot about it, if I had the chance) but I just wanted to share a wedding and figured maybe you all would like to see mine and my husbands (henceforth known as Movie Star). I think I'll share Bonnie's next week if she'll let me.... wink.. wink.  Anyway, we were married at Castle Green in Pasadena, CA.  It was a hotel built in 1890 which now houses apartments.  It's vintage to a "T" and the perfect place for Movie Star and I to get hitched.  All photographs by Kevin McIntyre.

Movie Star's favorite time of the year is the fall. He loves the leaves and all the colors. When he shared this with me I said, " The fall? What's that? I don't know what seasons are." Since I grew up in SoCal, seasons don't exist. But as he and I have traveled and we have watched seasons change together, Fall has become my favorite as well.

This is my bouquet and boots.  These boots were disturbingly vintage.  Okay maybe 'disturbingly' isn't the best word, but when I saw them with all their lace and loveliness, chills went up my spine and I just knew I had to have them.  No one really knew what they looked like, but I did and they were marvelous.

Instead if the traditional floral centerpiece I went with candles.  I'm a sucker for them.  Unfortunately, Castle Green changed their fire codes after I had decided this and it was a nightmare to make it work.  I'll explain in another post...

Instead of the traditional guest book, we decided to have a typewriter from the 1940's. I bought it on ebay and it was the perfect choice. Movestar and I laughed at how everyone seemed to struggle typing. You know, with computers no one knows how to use a typewriter these days and it was so much fun to see people stare at it and struggle.

I know you may not be able to tell, but there was not enough room for me, my Dad and my Step-Dad to walk down the aisle together. Though I wish that it had been perfect, it was also a memory I won't forget. Oh those silly people who set up the chairs!

Wedding Trends: Bouquet Decorations

Now we move onto a truly pretty element of the wedding: the bouquet. Today I'll only be talking about the bouquet decoration. As weddings become more original and couples take more charge with their own DIY touches, each detail of the wedding is becoming more ornate and thought out. Proof of this is that bouquets themselves have decorations now. They can span from simple white satin ribbon enveloping the flower stems or more intricate designs including feathers, pearls or photographs. Designs are differing greatly as originality and uniqueness abound. No matter what though, the overall trend is a return to classic elegance and intricate, yet simple designs. It's a rejection of clean cut modernism and a new emergence of old-fashioned simplicity and delicate beauty.

One piece finding its way into the majority of bouquet adornments is jewelry. This is a wide field, but because it is a classy occasion, usually only high-end and sentimental jewelry is used. A classic item now being repurposed for the bouquet are pearls. They make for a beautiful decoration that match any color and most designs. Obviously, it would be hard to pull them off with fabric such as linen, but anything is doable if you use some ingenuity and true design expertise.

Another classic and sentimental element returning is the brooch. I think I love this adornment the most, because it can work on any color and on minimal or ornate designs. It's also an old-fashioned touch that never goes out of style and a perfect way to add your 'something old'.

A new way of incorporating jewelry into bouquets is to simply tie a small bracelet around the bouquet. It can be gorgeous if done well. Bracelets with hearts dangling from it around your bouquet will only add to the sweetness of the day and the simple elegance of the ceremony.

As originality increase, so does the use of new decorations. One design beginning to become popular is the use of feathers. This is a new and truly unique bouquet design, and actually has quite and old-fashioned feel. It beckons the feel of the days when boas and feather headbands were popular in the 1920's. For a very classic elegant feel, this is a great option.

Lastly, no matter what the theme of your wedding is, be sure to include the season into your motif. If you incorporate your bouquet in this, use elements specific to the season (and possibly the location). For spring, use flowers that are in bloom. For summer, a homey, unique option is to use small amounts of wheat. For fall, use leaves changing colors or dark berries. And for winter, consider using pine branches, ornaments, or ivy. The season doesn't need to rule wedding motifs, but it shows consideration for your date and location to use elements of both.

As I said above, bouquet designs are increasing in originality all the time. One thing that I've realized above all is that regardless of motif or wedding colors, white always wins. The majority of bouquets that I see involve white lace, ribbon or other fabric. I love seeing new ideas, but also homage to traditions. This may be due to the return of old-fashionedness, but above all, for bouquets, the trend is white in some way. A truly imaginative bouquet would be to find a new way to include the traditional white, but that seems almost impossible :-)

Bouquets are one of the details of a wedding that is entirely the design of the bride, and is becoming a showcase for her personality and style. Use ideas, but truly use your originality to make them your own, and just remember that white and elegance never go out of style.

Want to see your wedding highlighted on Inspiring Pretty? Just submit it to us for review here. Then be sure to check out our new Wedding of the Week every Saturday!

Handmade Wednesdays: Thanksgiving Napkin Rings

Sorry for neglecting my Handmade Wednesday Crafts for the past couple of months. But they have now returned! While looking through my Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts for a project I could tackle this week, I stubbled upon these napkin rings which I knew would make any Thanksgiving table pretty next week. So, thank you Martha!

Acorn Napkin Ring

What You'll Need:

• Oak leaves
• Glycerin (available at drugstores)
• Water
• Rotary tool
• 1/16 inch drill bit
• 16 inch length of gauge wire
• matching acorn nuts and caps
• Wood glue
• Brown floral tape
• Brown seam binding

To preserve oak leaves, mix 1 part glycerin in 2 parts hot water, and let the leaves soak in the mixture for about 2 days. Then hang them to dry on a clothesline for around 5 days. To make the napkin rings, start by drilling two 1/16 inch holes through 2 acorn caps. Insert one end of a 16 inch length of a 22 gauge wire into each one; bend the wire and twist. Attach nuts to the caps with wood glue. Attach wire to the end of the leaves. Wrap wires with floral tape. Wrap leaf wire and 1 acorn wire together with brown floral tape, stretching the tape as you wrap it tightly. Repeat with the other acorn wire, facing in the opposite direction. Wrap wires with brown seam binding. Glue at each end. Bend into a ring and put napkin inside.

Fun Autumn Outings For Any Age

Autumn is in full swing. I know it has been for quite some time, but it never fully hits me until Halloween or just after. The changing leaves, need for jackets, hot apple cider, pumpkin bread and scarecrows always make me remember being a child. Now that Halloween and baseball are over, focus is on the season until Thanksgiving comes around.

The most classic and most celebrative traditions of Fall are the festivals. There are a plethora of pumpkin and Autumn festivals. No matter what the name of it is, it will definitely include squash bread, apple pie, hot chocolate, hay stacks, face-painting with corn and pumpkins everywhere. Some will obviously have more than others such as train and wagon rides, animal petting zoos, cake walks and other things of this nature. The great thing about festivals is that they are everywhere. Living in Los Angeles, I found at least 10 festivals/farms within 1½ hours of me. This is guaranteed to be great, outside, small town fun for everyone.

Also possibly found at festivals/farms or on their own are mazes. Mazes are a favorite for Halloween activities, but it’s always a fun thing to do in the Fall. Mazes come in two forms: hay mazes and corn mazes. Hay mazes are constructed, and corn mazes are cut out. I personally prefer corn mazes, because they are more authentic to me. It’s in an actual field and you actually do have to find your way out. In hay mazes, it’s more of a cute obstacle course. Either way, it’s assured that you will have a blast. You’ll feel a rush like a kid running through a towering maze with your friends or family.

A superb activity for families (especially young children) is apple picking. Find an apple orchard near your house that allows picking apples. This simple task proves to be age-old amusement for everyone. The greatest part comes after the apple picking is done. At home, you can bake with your kids a variety of tasty treats. The most obvious are apple pie, apple cider and applesauce. Another simple and exceptional delight is cinnamon-spiced baked apples. It’s easy for kids to do with simple ingredients and (for mom’s concern) it’s a healthy dessert.

For most of the US, Autumn is the trigger for cold weather. Unfortunately, living in Los Angeles, I don’t have this luxury. By November, many areas have snowfall or frost at the very least. This usually means the opening of ice rinks (yes, we still get to have these in Los Angeles). Ice skating will make any evening romantic and make you feel like a kid again. Pair this up with hot chocolate and you have a memorable night planned. This cheap, easy wholesome fun fits for family, friends, dates or any other outing. Like festivals, ice rinks are found all over the US beginning in autumn. If you can find one in LA, you can find one anywhere ;)

The last activity is for kids wanting to help out and decorate for Thanksgiving. Give your kids some supplies and have them make a placemat for each guest at the Thanksgiving table. This will be a cute keepsake for years to come and can be a fantastic yearly tradition. It can simply be done with some sturdy construction paper or poster board and markers/paint. If you want to get more creative, you can include leaves, feathers, cotton balls and anything else in your child’s imagination. One thing that is for sure with this project is that it will get your kids in the mood for Thanksgiving and keep them busy for some time :)

Grab a jacket and the family and go out to enjoy the autumn weather, because it will pass all too soon.

Pretty Thought of the Day

Instead of buying candy to hand out to your local kids this Halloween, make a batch of caramel apples, pop corn balls or other sweet treats! Home made is always better!

Falling for Home Decor

Though Fall is amongst us and you may have already decorated your home for this cool season, there still may be a few of you out there who did not have that decorating itch until now. I scratched that itch back in early October but only by displaying my Halloween decor. So, now that Halloween is only a week away and I will want to change the look and feel of my home, I began to scour the internet for classic and simple Fall adornment. Plus, I just think these images are pretty!

I really wish I had a fireplace because they keep you warm, but they are also a focal point in a room which allows you to showcase each seasons decorating trends. I am also a fan of creating a mini pumpkin patch with all sizes of pumpkins, gourds, squashes. The fireplace is the perfect location to exhibit this pumpkin collection! And like shown above, you can make it stand out even more with a bit of lighting and sparkling branches.

Since I've just mentioned branches, I will go into a little more detail about them. Fall is the time when nature begins to dry out and die. Sounds dreary, I know. But it can also make for beautiful vase arrangements. Consider plucking a few long, bare branches from a tree nearby and place them in a gorgeous vase. In order to give an appeal in this arrangement you must have a vase with at least, a bit of interest. But this route may not suite you, so my other suggestion is to find branches with a few sparse small flowers or dead/dying berries in fall colors to gather together for a luscious bouquet.

Candles are warm, inviting, usually smell lovely and their soft glowing light makes you - and your guests - feel cozy and relaxed. You can place candles anywhere in your home this fall, but I love to see candles in interesting centerpieces or grouped together for an alluring scene. You can place then on a table or shelf with fall leaves, branches and dried flowers surrounding it, or use levels. Gather together candles in different heights or place a candle on a tall platter with smaller candles around it.

And who doesn't love filling clear cylinders and bowls with you favorite fall fruits and vegetables? I know I really enjoy seeing them! In the above photo, you see different colored pumpkins, gourds ad squashes, but there are other options to filling your cylinders. Try using fall fruits and vegetables like apples, pears and indian corn. But acorns and sweet gum tree balls give an exceptional fall feel as well.

Quick Halloween Costumes

Halloween is quickly approaching and if you are one of the indecisive individuals (like me), you still don’t know what you will be for Halloween. And if you’re above wearing trashy costumes, then last minute eye-catching costumes are difficult to find. Luckily, I have a few ideas for you lovely ladies :) There are a few ideas for only you and a some more couple costumes if you’ve convinced your boyfriend/husband to join in.

A simple classic for either a guy or girl is the nerd costume. Root through your closet for clothes about 2 sizes too small and make sure they don’t match. Wear a button-up shirt (every button buttoned) and get a pair of suspenders and very out of date shoes. Of course you must have glasses taped in the middle and complete with neck strap. To enhance the costume, you can use a pocket protector (full of pens), add fake zits to your face and use gel to mold your hair into some strange hairdo. This idea is an oldie but always a goodie.

A funny ensemble that also never goes out of style is the bag lady. Simply wear a skirt a flowing skirt with men’s longjohns underneath. Then, wear several different types of shirts layered in random order. It’s better if some of the them are dirty and/or ripped. Next, wear two different shoes, such as a men’s work boot and a women’s flat. Next, wear one glove with cut off finger holes on one hand and carry a plastic bag with a few bottles and cans in it. Lastly, use make up to dirty yourself up a bit, make your hair messy and wear a tattered hat of any kind.

A newer and underdone idea is the Orbit gum girl. Dress entirely in white, including a barrette. The only color in the outfit is a bright airy scarf of any color around the neck. A blonde wig will enhance the outfit. Lastly, speak with a British accent and use phrases such as ‘fabulous’ and ‘for a fresh clean feeling, no matter what’. Also, having Orbit gum to hand out is handy ;)

A simple yet brilliant costume is the stick figure. Get a black long sleeve shirt and black athletic pants. Next, glue glow sticks along the arms, legs and spine on the front and back of the outfit. This is an easy and unique outfit that will never go out style.

A cute and retro costume is the famous Charlie Brown ghost costume. Take a plain white sheet and cut about 20 holes in it. Make sure two of the holes are for your eyes. Then carry around a trick-or-treat bag full of rocks. This is a sweet throwback that will bring a smile to anyone’s face.

The easiest and cheapest costume is the Got Milk? Ensemble. Write ‘Got Milk?’ in black sharpie across a white t-shirt and put a milk mustache on your upper lip with Halloween make up. If you are willing to put in a little more effort, you can carry around a milk quart as well.

If your boyfriend/husband is game to dress up with you, here are a few ideas that he will probably go for. A superb retro outfit is Popeye and Olive Oyl. Each outfit can be made with some sewing and trips to the thrift store and army supply store. You can also buy them around $20-$30 each. Just remember that this costume isn’t complete without a can of spinach :)

A great and rarely done idea is Thing 1 and Thing 2 from The Cat in the Hat. These can also be made with some skillful sewing and of course blue wigs. They are also sold many place for around $30 each. To enhance the costume, you can paint your faces white. The great thing about this costume is that it gives you an excuse to act as goofy as you want.

Outfits perfect for Halloween are Morticia and Gomez Addams. They are romantic and creepy (and all together spooky). The man needs a black pinstripe suite a red tie. To complete his ensemble, make his hair black, add a pencil mustache and a cigar. For Morticia, wear a tight black dress with flared ends at the hands and feet. Wear heavy eye makeup and dark red lipstick and long straight black hair. If you can, polish this costume with the accents and demeanor Gomez and Morticia to make the costumes all the better :)

My last and favorite costume is the sailor kissing the nurse in Times Square from Victory in Japan from World War II. A great thing about this one is that it is very simple to recreate. All you need is a sailor uniform and nurse uniform, which are common. It’s easy to rent/buy the outfits or to gather up parts for the ensembles from random places. The best part is that these costumes make for great pictures, and when people ask who you are, just reenact the kiss!

Now you have just enough time before Halloween and a few suggestions to make a spectacular costume. Enjoy your outfit hunting and the parties!

First Day of Fall Recipe: Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread

It is officially Fall! I am so excited. The weather is going to start getting cooler, the nights will be longer, the trees will begin to change and I get to bust out my favorite scarves! Not to mention it is now holiday baking season. Since today is the first day of Autumn, I figured I would celebrate by giving you all a wonderful recipe that's perfect for today and the next few months. This is a recipe I found in my fabulous William's Sonoma cookbooks, which have made my holiday cooking such a breeze. Enjoy it!

Whole-Wheat Pumpkin Bread

350 degrees

1 hour

Makes 2 medium loaves

What You'll Need:

• 2 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour, plus extra for dusting
• 1/2 cup yellow or white cornmeal
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin or canned pumpkin
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pans and dust them with flour.
2. In a bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and salt. Set aside. In another bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until well blended; a hand-held mixer is useful for this step. Beat in the pumpkin, eggs and water until completely mixed. Add the combined dry ingredients and stir just until blended. Stir in the raisins and nuts.
3. Pour and scrape the batter into the 2 prepared pans and spread evenly. Bake until a thin wooden skewer inserted into the center of the loaves comes out clean, about 1 hour. Allow to cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.