what I love: ombre!

There are so many things to love about ombre that I don't even know where to begin. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what ombre is, the simplest definition is a shaded effect of color which can be applied to nearly anything. Many people immediately think of ombre fabric. Like this dress features: 

 But the fact of the matter is ombre can be applied to so very many different things! And when you're talking ombre at weddings, you're talking beautiful. Just take a gander at the various ombre items available at our beck and call!

One of my favorite applications of ombre is on a wedding cake. The best purveyor of ombre wedding cakes - hands down? Maggie Austin. And for all of you local DC brides, you're in luck cause her homebase is right here in the District!

photo credit: Maggie Austin Cake

 I know you just fell in love; no need to lie to yourself.

Looking for a gorgeous ombre shift dress, are you? I have the perfect one thanks to Alice and Olivia.

photo credit: a blond and a brunette

And for those of you who are looking for just a pop of ombre, you can't get much better than these gorgeous and (incredibly) unique earrings!

That's leather fringe dip-dyed in a fabulous purple. I know, I know. You just fell in love again.

You didn't think I was going to leave out the original wedding ombre, courtesy of Gwen Stefani. What a gorgeous rebel she is.

Finally, I did in fact leave the best for last - a little wedding DIY ombre project that is oh so simple and, more importantly, oh so undeniably beautiful.

photo credit: Once Wed

What are those? Ombre napkins you see! That's right. You can't get more chic than that. What's better? they're ridiculously inexpensive to pull off. Check out all the instructions over here at Once Wed!

There's no denying that what I love this week is absolutely ombre. You don't have to say a word. I know you love it too!

what I love: plum and charcoal!

Yep, that's right! You heard it here first! Plum and charcoal - no not the actual fruit nor fire starter! I'm thinking colors here, people! As the summer begins to fade away and the sky begins to darken earlier and earlier, I can't help but think with darker, even more gorgeous colors! One of my absolute favorite (and unexpected) color combinations is plum and charcoal! Check out a few examples of just how perfectly those colors work together!

Look at that gorgeous bouquet and can I ignore that adorable ring bearer's pillow?! (I think not!)

Photo Credit: Stephanie Williams

 This adorable save the date is fully customizable over at Wedding Chicks! I adore them for lots of gorgeous DIY stuff!

image credit: Wedding Chicks

These gray bridesmaid's dresses and beautiful purple bouquet are screaming out to me. What are they screaming you ask? Pretty sure it's, "you want us for your next wedding!"

Photo Credit: Project Wedding

 Finally, given that last week's post was all about how much I love monograms, I had to toss one in for good measure. Again, I can thank Wedding Chicks for this beauty! Thank you Wedding Chicks!

image credit: Wedding Chicks

So it's absolutely official. What I love this week is definitely plum and charcoal! What do you say? Do you love it too?

it's my birthday!

It's my birthday!

Has anyone noticed that as you age, your birthdays become less and less eventful? Honestly, being an event planner, one may believe that I would have the most beautifully detailed birthday parties for myself. (Surprise, I don't!) But if I did have the time to plan one and the perfect location to hold the event, these are just some of the details I would include for my day!

Keeping it bright with a lemon-y yellow theme, since a birthday is a celebration after all, and what screams celebrate more than yellow? I love the contrast of that beautiful purple with the yellow in those orchids (one of my favorite flowers, mind you)!

What ideas do you have for fabulous birthday color schemes?