COVERED BOOKS

[Matt Albiani via Habitually Chic]

I found this awesome picture this morning while skimming my morning blogs and it instantly sparked an idea. I have noticed designers covering books with either brown or white kraft paper (yes, just like in high school when you were required to cover textbooks) to fill bookshelves consistently, but I have not seen both before. I appreciate the uniform look, but I also enjoy variety so this approach really caught my attention. 

Melrose's study has a built in white bookshelf and I have been debating on what to fill it with and I think I may follow this inspiration. I have my "real" books on display in the den. Could this same idea be applied with newspaper as well? Old news, brown kraft, and white matte - good combo?

Here are some more similar images:

These remind me of catalogs - I may have to do this with my Southern Living magazines! [unknown]

I like these use of these crates - either these books are in the same collection or have been wrapped with paper. Either way, I like the consistency. [a life's design]

National Geographic magazines? I love how the yellow pops in a neutral room. [unknown]

I don't read enough to have enough books to cover and fill just yet, but a quick stop by an antique shop or yard sale can fix this!

WEDDING THEME

We officially have a date! Mark it down - February 26th, 2011 in Eufaula, Alabama. AFter exploring all of my wedding inspiration images (and I have been collecting for awhile so I had a lot) I was able to put together a theme perfect for the time frame.  We are creating a winter woodsy affair! It will consist of cotton bolls, linen, burlap, pine cones, natural wood cuts, lots of candles, mason jars, and of course, shades of gray, creams, and white...with a hint of sage! Check it out:

[click to enlarge. 1. style me pretty 2. style me pretty 3. unknown 4. unknown 5. green wedding shoes 6. style me pretty 7. unknown 8. delight by design 9. style me pretty 10. style me pretty.]

I love anything natural and want to implement any sort of winter growth. I will also be taking part in a lot of DIY projects so stay tuned! So far, I have the venues booked, the band, and the photographer! Yay!

THE NIGHT OF...

I finally downloaded my pictures from the "birgagement" weekend and I wanted to share them with you. I know you all are dying to see and hear the story! ;)

Since neither Brandon or I had to work Thursday, July 1st, we headed down to the beach that a.m. We encountered several "bumps" on the way down - a sinkhole on 65 South that appeared overnight delaying us an hour or so from leaving Birmingham and constant rain on the way down. Brandon said that luckily he has loyal employees to cover the sinkhole issue, otherwise we would have had to stay in Birmingham to resolve the issue - yikes! 

So, we got down to the beach around 5:30ish, unloaded our stuff, and decided to go out to eat while we waited on our friends to get down. Brandon kept hinting about a sunset cruise before dinner so I went along with it - I didn't know if he was just anxious to see Black Gold, or if he really had something up his sleeve!

We got to the boat and the weather was perfect! The rain had stopped and the clouds started to clear out revealing a beautiful sunset of blues, purples, pinks, and orange. We putted out to Crab Island, took our time enjoying the beach, and eventually Brandon turned me towards him (I was in the captain's chair) and started in on the speech. It was sweet and perfect and I couldn't ask for anything more! 

Here are some pictures from the night of...

Once we got back to the dock, the sunset was even more beautiful! I couldn't stop taking pictures!

[click on pictures to enlarge]

I don't believe any of these pictures do the ring justice, but it is gorgeous! I sent Brandon a few pictures of twisted, cable bands and he took it from there. I just requested yellow gold and solitaire and he couldn't have done a better job! 

Here are some more pictures from the exciting, celebratory weekend:

[re-do!]

[My BFF/MOH and I celebrating]

[Brandon's Mom, sister, and me on the balcony overlooking the harbor]

We had such a great time celebrating with friends and family all weekend and I can't wait for all the festivities to begin! I have an inspiration board to share tomorrow so stay on the lookout. But, don't be saddened, I will still continue to post house inspiration and updates on Melrose!

SHADES OF GRAY, CREAMS, AND WHITE...with a hint of sage

This color palette has been on my mind a lot the past few days ... raise your hand if you can guess why ...

Enjoy these inspiring beauties!

[dress, design, decor]

Oh the contrast! [absolutely beautiful things]

LOVE those burlap curtains! Instead of drop cloth? [cafe cartolina]

[unknown]

[delight by design]

[unknown]

[unknown]

[whiteport]

Perfection ... [desire to inspire]

[unknown]

[unknown]

Those mirrors are like heaven. [haven and home]

High "chair rail"? Great color choice, and all those books? Wow...[unknown]

If you raised your hand and answered 'wedding theme' then you are correct! Give me a few days to post pictures of the engagement and inspiration board, but I promise they are coming! And more house projects!

EXCITING NEWS

Well, I have been at the beach since last Thursday so I haven't been able to post anything cool, but I do have exciting news...

I am getting married!

Can you believe it? I am so excited and cannot wait! I will share the full story later after I load my pictures on my computer, but in the meantime -- this is what I saw when first arriving at work this morning:

The signs say "HAPPY BIRGAGEMENT" -- birthday + engagement! So hilarious and perfect, an unforgettable 25th birthday! I was super excited about the wedding magazines too because I hadn't bought any yet! Don't worry, an inspiration board and ideas will be coming! 

Thanks Laurel-Dawn, Sarah Robins, and Janie!