Something To Do With Doilies

Make a gorge table runner. From Ashley Ann.

Found via Poppytalk.

Blooming Ceiling

More mystifying paper blooms. Learn how to make them here.

Via Apartment Therapy

DOMINO is BACK

Kinda, sorta. Brides.com has been given access to all the stories from Domino mag. It might not be as good as the real thing, but it's a start. A few stories are up on the site now but more and more will be added soon. Go here for a quick fix and keep checking back for new (or old?) articles!

Summer Slumber

Chenille Rug, Urban Outfitters

All Together by Kiki and Polly

Red Metal Drawer, Hindsvik

Haze Mimosa Ikat Pillow, Aphrochic
Ampersand Pillow, Alexandra Ferguson
Bella Bolster Pillow, Anthro
Bamboo Vintage Table Lamp, AMRadio
Gigi Nightstand, Urban
John Robshaw Trellis Duvet, Lotus Bleu

Paper Flowers

From the wedding of Kelsey and Brett featured on Once Wed. Love the paper flower installation by Dolci Odille.

WOW with Eddie Ross and Debra Phillips

One week ago today my mom and I attended the Eddie Ross event, WOW: Creating a Party Without the Work. The evening was co-hosted by Debra Phillips, owner of Scentimental Gardens and author of 5th and State. The two were the perfect compliment to one another. While Eddie covered glamour, appetizers and exciting serving ideas, Debra brought her gardening expertise to the table (literally).  It was 3 hours of laughs, non-stop inspiration and extraordinarily easy party planning tips. Here are some major points discussed by Eddie & Debra:

Inspiration

This, by Jamie Meares (owner of Furbish, author of I Suwannee), is something any aspiring shop owner should read. Read it here.

Print by The Big Harumph

Ring a Ding Ding

And yet you still wait for my Eddie Ross post. Very sorry. In the mean time, I just came across this pic from The Knot's blog and love the idea.......give your bridesmaids all different large cocktail rings that you think match their personal style. I'm especially loving this because Therese got married on Saturday (which was beautiful, so fun, amazing, I miss it) and aside from our perfect bridesmaids gifts (patent leather yellow wristlets for the big day) she gave me a rather large cocktail ring.
I loved it!

Pigs in Pashminas with Eddie Ross

I have to apologize because a full post about this wildly inspiring event I attended last night will have to wait until next week. BUT I had to just real quick mention a few things:

1} Eddie Ross is adorable. Not only is he handsome, but he's got this charming way about him that makes you just want to laugh about alabaster bird baths all night long.

2} His ideas for thinking out of the box are endless.

3} If anyone left the WOW event last night and wasn't inspired to immediately throw a party, they're as crazy as Kelly Bensimon.

Happy Friday and Happy Wedding Weekend to Theresey B!

File Under: Holy Cow

This is gorgeous.
From 100 Layer Cake

A BBQ & Bar Hopping Bachelorette Party

Posting about Therese's Bachelorette Party this week is only fitting since the wedding is on Saturday!

Here are some details of the party I miss so much:

1} Everything was electronic from the Save the Date to the invite. I used Pingg because I had just heard about it and really loved how easy it was. You can even pay extra so no annoying ads show up on the event page or email updates. I made the artwork and used that for the invite. Much easier than Evite.

2} Since the theme was "Barbeque and Bar Hopping" we (and by "we" I mean grillmaster Jackie) grilled hot dogs, burgers and had a million different salads. Way easy and there was something for everyone (vegetarians, too!).

3} Wildflowers in mason jars (maybe my favorite) and a banner of photocopied old/embarrassing pics of Therese. So easy!

4} Pink and green paper lanterns (from the dollar store. Note to self: check dollar store first before trying 45 party stores. Always.).

5} I made trivia cards about Therese and Matt and had them spread out on all the tables. Front side was the question, back side had the answer. Laminated and everything. Crazy people like myself love laminators.

6} A few days before the party a few bridesmaids and I taped Matt answering some sweet questions about Therese. She was totally surprised and we made it into a little game right before opening presents.

7} For favors we put together mini champagne bottles with gigantic light up diamond rings tied around the neck. Everyone grabbed a bottle and we went outside for a big toast to the bride and her big day. Then we all turned on the bling and headed to our rented trolley for a fun night of bar hopping and dancing our brains out. Hence the "Pop and Rock It." 

Sidenote: Trolley ride included glow in the dark accessories. 

I was so thankful to everyone for helping and coming to celebrate with Therese! This week is dedicated to the details of the biggest party of her life so The Social Secretary posting might be a little sporadic. I'm deep in the land of slideshows, place cards, candy buffets and table numbers so maybe next week will be back to normal....but until then, I really can't wait until this wedding!

Court House Couture

The perfect dress for a little courtroom ceremony...or a backyard ceremony...or any ceremony I suppose.

Erdem Spring 2010. Spotted on Olivet.

Could You Imagine

This tent in your yard?

It reminds me of Beetlejuice but I think I like it and can't stop looking at it. Like a train wreck.

Smilebooth

They might be a flash in the pan, but I still love the idea of photo booths at weddings (or any event really). Our Labor of Love offers a Smilebooth that inspires fun, crazy pics. I especially love this one.

WOW

Thank you, Chicago Home & Garden for filling me in on this little gem:

 Now read this and tell me you don't want to make a reservation...

"Hello, Chicago! On Thursday, June 17th, we're throwing the kind of party that will help you throw better parties! I'm talking time-saving tricks and insider tips for easy entertaining with style. Creating the WOW Party, we're calling it, (without work). These days, I think we're all staying in a little more than we used to, preferring casual gatherings at home that are a lot easier on the wallet than fancy evenings out. But when it comes to cocktail parties at home, hors d'oeuvres needn't be limited to store-bought hummus and pita, chips and and a chunky salsa. Now don't get me wrong: As an ex-caterer, I'm all for cutting corners if it saves time and money, but the critical part of the equation—the WOW factor everyone's always after—is presentation, presentation, presentation. It's the golden ticket, the insider secret all the pros know but never tell you. Until now."

Who doesn't want the golden party ticket?! I just signed myself up and I'm bringing my mom.

A little about Eddie: He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and has worked on Martha Stewart Living, Food Network, owned his own catering company, worked on House Beautiful, was on Season 2 of Top Design and now has his own design company, Eddie Ross, Inc. I know. Amazing.  We've discussed his work before. Now do you want to call and reserve a spot?

June 17th at Scentimental Gardens in Wayne, IL. 7pm. $65 per person ($40 for bloggers!).
Call for reservations, 630.232.1303.
For more information, visit Eddie's event page and Scentimental Gardens.

Summer Lovin

I'd love to have you come stay at my (fantasy) summer home....

   

I'd even let you have the guest house. Just for the weekend.

From Chicago Home and Garden

Sugar & Spice

Last night, friend Michelle (and Mama-to-be) set up the sweetest surprise for us to find out whether she was having a boy or a girl. She made a whole batch of cupcakes and in the middle of 2 of them hid pink frosting. It was so exciting when her mom discovered it! Tears and little mini outfits and bows followed (Therese and I brought a girl present and a boy present - just to be safe).

Now we can happily dream of little girl's birthday parties for the next 4 months.

The cuteness is already out of control.

Photos:

The Red Thread Blog, The Sweetest Occasion, Twelve 22

Pom Love, Amelie's House, Sarah and Abraham

Party Perfect, Pip and Bean, Bakerella

Barbeque Thank You

The summer has just begun and I already have a few BBQ hosts to thank.

These would do quite well to seal up some thank you notes.

Tablecloth thank you seals from K is for Calligraphy

Spotted on One Sydney Road

An Exciting Day

What else do you think about when later today you will find out if one of your best friends is having a boy or a girl?

Converse
Tie Onesie, Necklace Onesie
Football, Flower

City Hall Special

I love how special this couple made their City Hall wedding.

A fashion stylist + furniture maker = the perfect creative match.

Featured in Martha Stewart Weddings.

Found via Green Wedding Shoes