This weekend we had big Saturday plans to go to Ikea and buy a new couch, but right before we left we checked the inventory online and saw that it was out of stock — bummer! So I was faced with a rare treat: a weekend day with zero plans. I decided to take advantage of our surprise day of freedom and threw a little impromptu dinner for friends. Since it was super last minute, I worked with what I had and re-purposed our table topper from our wedding, and some bright pink napkins from our rehearsal dinner, and then I finally broke out a few of our wedding shower presents, like my sea urchin salt and pepper shakers (I love them!), some Kate Spade candles, and a bunch of farmer’s market blooms — I was so happy with how it came out! 
I am constantly trying to make my bed incrementally more comfortable and cozy (we got fluffy new pillows this weekend, a must!), but don’t you just always wonder how stylists get that “coziest place on earth” look when bedrooms are featured in magazines and design books? I ran across this image and I want to dive head first into that freshly made bed — the layered pillows, the slip-covered headboard, smooth crisp duvet… I mean — it might actually be dangerously cozy, I don’t think I’d ever leave!
Source: Stephen Shubel Design
It’s been radio silence over here for a few days as I started my new job and have been preparing for that little event I’m planning: the wedding. We’re just two and half months away which means it’s becoming ‘go-time’ — I’ve been spending my evenings lining envelopes and neatly practicing writing out addresses. Just another week or so and those invites will be out the door (and then onto the next project!). Not that I’m complaining, playing with stationery, picking out ribbons and floral details, and writing to-do-lists happen to all fall in the category of my very favorite things.
You know how brides start to get nervous and crazy as their wedding gets closer from all of the stress? See, I’m pretty relaxed about the wedding, but what I am stressed about is that with the big day just 3 months away, that’s only a few more issues of my favorite bridal magazines showing up in my mailbox! I might not be able to give up my Martha Stewart Weddings after the vows are said and done — especially after this gorgeous race-track inspired wedding in the most recent issue. Black and white stripes are playing a big part in our wedding decor, so these ideas are getting bookmarked! See the rest of the wedding here.
Wedding planning has officially become ‘real’ — our Save The Dates have arrived from the printer! I am so lucky to have a very talented bridesmaid that custom designed our stationery suite for us. I love the black and white color scheme with just a pop of bright green that will set the tone for the rest of the wedding; and the devil is the details; we ordered monogrammed stamps to match. Can’t wait to pop them in the mail this week! 
Some of my favorite bloggers are sharing their summer entertaining essentials for being a savvy hostess this season, up next in the series is the lovely Liz of Sequins & Stripes…
Hi there! It’s Liz from the fashion and style blog, Sequins & Stripes, and I am thrilled to be here today sharing some of my go-to’s for easy summer entertaining. Because the summer months tend to be crazy busy, impromptu parties are usually the easiest to throw together and the most fun to create. I like to keep a few pieces constantly stocked in my kitchen {like these pretty paper napkins, a book of cocktail recipes, and easy decor} and add a few details to make the party feel special. This summer I dream of bringing a Palm Springs inspired girls brunch to my patio in Chicago…
Design Darling mini vases // Macaroons and Sweets from my favorite local bakery // Bottomless glasses of champagne // Mrs. Lilien’s Cocktail Swatchbook // Pretty patterned napkins // Kate Spade Market Street Plates // Bamboo Flatware // Pretty Design Darling topiaries for additional decor // Society Social Fifi Chairs for seating // Colorful bistro tables // A striped umbrella to shade my guests from the summer sun
I would request that all of my guests dress in their favorite sunnies and biggest and brightest baubles, wouldn’t that be lovely? A huge thank you to Kate for having me today! Happy summertime to everyone!
Sometimes I think I’m over chevron — but let’s be serious — I just can’t shake it. I love the idea of using wallpaper behind bookshelves; the black and white pattern here is such a graphic balance to the traditional style of the room. Now — where, oh where, can I get some shelves like these in my apartment?
Image via House Beautiful
I thought I would share some of the inspiration I’ve been gathering for our wedding colors; this has been one of the most fun parts of the planning process. Taking inspiration from fashion and interiors, I’m loving this combination of a bright, cheery green paired with bold, crisp black and white striped accents. The hope is that it looks preppy yet playful; what do you think of this color combination?
Clockwise from top left: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
PS: My blog is up for a Homie award on Apartment Therapy for Best Home Design Blog! Won’t you go and cast your vote for DomestiKatedLife?
I’m having so much fun starting to pull together inspiration for our wedding. Sure, we don’t have a date or a venue yet, but that doesn’t mean I’m not already brainstorming details like flowers and decorations. There are so many gorgeous pictures to pull from online that it can be hard to hone your vision, so I’ve started making mini-inspiration boards for different aspects of the wedding. One detail that I have my heart set on is black and white striped ribbon incorporated into the flowers; I absolutely love how the big bows look wrapped around the stems.
Lately I’ve been doing a little thinking on an upcoming bridal shower I’m throwing for a friend with her other bridesmaids; think up a color scheme and theme is so much fun. I thought I’d share the moodboard I’ve been working on — it’s going to be a pink, black and white girly extravaganza. One of my favorite details from these images is the black and white striped table runners — and I whipped up a few this weekend!
Want to see more of my party planning inspirations? Follow my entertaining board on pinterest.
