image above and below by Stephanie Williams


image by Stephanie Williams

I don't have to tell you, that I'm slightly partial to outdoor weddings.  One place that is beautiful to get married in, is outside on the West Coast!  From coastal beaches, to vineyards to rolling hills, there are countless amazing venues.  Did I mention the weather?  Big skies, sunshine and wide open spaces!  From late April, to late October you can enjoy the outdoors!

image by Ken Kienow

image by Bret Cole

image by Victor Sizemore

image by Tanja Lippert
Stephanie Williams photography


Hope you had a great Easter weekend!  I'll be posting pictures soon.  I love this deep, rich fig color, so pretty with pink, cream and aqua!

leigh miller photography

Bret Cole Photography
image above by Martha Stewart    




Heather Equitz Designs via Amy Atlas blog
 Did you see this dessert table featured on Amy Atlas's blog?  I love the variety of heights, and hobnail milk glass.  All things old become new!!
Heather Equitz Designs via Amy Atlas blog

"GO out father Daddy!"
  
This weekend was the perfect beach weather.  After Hawaii, Emma has a whole new love of love for the ocean.  Every time she sees it from the car, we hear "jump out... jump in the ocean!"  Even though it's only 10 minutes away, we don't go often enough.  

On Saturday we played in the waves and stopped for ice cream at Avila Valley Barn.  It's Emma's idea of the perfect day, ocean, sand, water, ice cream, animals, running around outside.  (OK, I guess any of us would take a day like that!)
Mommy and Emma's toes





I saw this on Etsy and had to laugh:-)


On a funny side note:  I answered the door yesterday for the appliance repair man, and the first thing he said was.. "Are you 18 or older?"
"What?"
"We can't service your stove unless someone in the house is 18 years old or older."

Wow, you even had to think about that?  I'm 31, with a two and half year old running around and I'm 6 months pregnant... I really thought that of any time in the last decade, this would be the one time I didn't look like a kid in high school!  Guess not.
photography by Bret Cole
 Today I was so inspired by this inspiration shoot by Bret Cole.  Some how I can't make vintage books, lace and succulents look this good!  My favorite is the cake, simple, but gorgeous.  Check out more of Bret's work here!

photography by Bret Cole

photography by Bret Cole

photography by Anne Wade Parrish
photography by Bret Cole
Stephanie Williams
Designed by Olive and Emerald, letterpress printing by Sugar Plum Invitations
We recently letterpress printed this gorgeous invitation by designer Kerry at Olive and Emerald.  The background design we did in "blind impression" (printing with no ink) and then printed the text in a deep coco.  It's simple, elegant and has a great textural feel!  Check out more of Kerry's work here.
Designed by Olive and Emerald, letterpress printing by Sugar Plum Invitations
Leigh Miller Photography above
Brooke Schwab photography
Photography above by Meg Fish

photography and letterpress printing by Sugar Plum Invitations

photography and letterpress printing by Sugar Plum Invitations

Photography above by Meg Fish

We recently finished a project for Meg Fish Photography, letterpress printing some custom note cards on extra thick white paper.  Her newborn images are so dreamy, sweet and adorable.  Check out all her belly and baby photography here!  Happy Monday!
 This weekend we were in SoCal and decided to take Emma to the San Diego Zoo.  We are making the rounds, while she is still free in most parks and I'm not too big to walk around.  We decided against Sea World and Legoland this trip because we knew we were going to have to go on a weekend and we didn't want to stand in to many lines with a 2 year old.  Plus Emma is still too short to ride most rides at amusement parks, and the zoo costs 1/2 as much and has free parking. 

Emma is really into animals now and it was a perfect choice for her. The zoo was busy, but it's so big we could easily avoid the crowds.  I would definitely recommend bringing a stroller, and walking shoes, because there is lots of walking.


There is lots for little ones to do, including an open petting zoo with goats and sheep, Emma's favorite!


She wanted to kiss all the goats!  There was also a kid's play area, lots of animal feeding times and about a million animals to see!  We took the guided bus tour and the air tram thing too, which Emma loved.  (Emma called it flying like "Tinky Bell".

Emma's favorite was the "Polley Bear".    Troy loved the lion that roared at us and my favorite is always the otters.. here is a river otter below. Hope you had a great weekend!

 Did you see this gorgeous wedding?  It's the perfect combination of an amazing venue and some of the best wedding professionals!  Lisa Lefkowitz shot this event at Beaulieu Gardens, with wedding planner Jubilee Lau Events and wedding design by Gloria Wong Designs!  I love the look, and the layers of color, texture and objects.  Simply perfect!





all image above by Lisa Lefkowitz