With Christmas just around the corner, I wanted to give my top picks again this year for presents. Luckily, for those that have waited til the last minute, many of these places will still ship in time for Christmas.

For The Hostess:

1. Crate and Barrel jar, $3.95, perfect for making your own infused olive oils to give as gifts
2. Signals "Home" or "Happiness" bowl, $14.95
3. William Sonoma Hot Chocolate and Marshmallows, $33
4. Crate and Barrel table runners, $27.95


For Her:

1. Pandora rose gold diamond ring, $855
2. Signals bird cages, $44.95 for 6
3. Crate & Barrel pillow, $26.95
4. Signals customized hometown puzzle, $39.95


For Him:

1. Cuff link hub watch movement cuff links, $50
2. Frontgate stainless steel wallet $69.50
3. Signals agate coasters, set of 4 from Brazil, $69.95
4. Catan: Cities and Knights board game, $


For The Little One:

1. Pottery Barn rocker $119
2. Pottery Barn animal trio, $24
3. Red Envelope Turtle nightlight, $29.95
4. "I want My Hat Back" book, $7.50


My Favorite Must Haves:

1. Vintage 70's inspired cape on Ebay, 86.50
2. Crate & Barrel headphones, $59.95
3. Signals Owl Pitcher, $29.95
4. Signals Bird necklace, $39.95

My Best Friend's Bridal Shower

October 8, 2011

Carolyn and I had the fun honor of planning our dear friend Lis' shower. It was a casual and simple shower with a small group of her close friends. We had the shower on an early fall morning, outside on my parent's deck, with the bright sun, crisp air and the falling leaves. And, the occasional falling acorn or nut!

Carolyn and I had quite the adventures making the invites, buying the food, and realizing that mimosas have champagne, not vodka, in them. But, overall, it was a success and a great way to spend the morning in honor of my best friend.

Just in case you are thinking what are these... they are caramel apple music notes! The theme of the shower was vintage music.

My grandma's china.

Draw Lis on her wedding day... on top of your head.

The beautiful bride to be and the lovely co-host Carolyn.

Josh & Heidi: Coming Soon

I definitely took these off of Facebook because I just couldn't wait any longer for the real pictures! But I promise more pictures of this amazing wedding and couple will be posted once I get some!






Check out the photographer Studio 6.23:

Ruth and Jacob: coming soon

I know, it looks like an amazing wedding, right? More pictures soon, I promise.

NYC: Fashion Week

September 8-11, 2011

I love fashion week. Being in NYC in September, the epitome of all fashion seasons, during not only Fashion's Night Out but also Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is amazing.

This was my second time coming to NYC for fashion week where I had the opportunity to work backstage and help put on some pretty awesome fashion shows (like Monique Lhuillier). There really are no words to describe the energy and excitement of them. Remember the scenes from The Devil Wears Prada when they are in Paris? Or from Sex and the City when they are sitting front row, the lights dim and the cameras are all poised in midair ready to shoot the first look of the collection? That's what it is like, except 100x more amazing. Anyway, after a couple minutes the show is all done, and all those hours of set up, tear down and planning... were so worth it.

And the clothes, the clothes, the clothes... they were stunning and gorgeous! If you check out the links at the bottom of this post, you will be able to see all the details of what I got to see.

Also, FNO was pretty insane. Major parts of lower Manhattan literally had streets closed and basically all the streets of Soho were blocked off and full of people. Crazy.

PS: This time I did get to see Central Park!





























Check out the shows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHuby2WbWwI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT_Cd07OTfg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-xd-SaTAls

(runway photo credits: Media Manager, Alessandro Viero, Amber Cornelio, Getty Images and myself)

Kevin and Marita

August 20, 2011
This was such a great wedding. Both Marita and Kevin's families were so fun to get to know and work with. Their wedding was so pretty and I really enjoyed helping out with it. The ring bearer and flower girl were a little hesitant to walk down the aisle, but when the big moment came, they rocked it. The ring pillow was an iPad, which I totally didn't get until later that evening (they met online, hence the iPad... cute!). And while it definitely was a rainy day, the sun was able to poke its head out right after the ceremony. Perfect timing.

Lindsey and TJ

September 3, 2011
I have known Lindsey and her family for a long time. Like I said, I helped plan a shower for her and her sisters, but we also grew up at the same church, our families know each other pretty well, and I have used her to do the photography for a couple of my weddings, including my brothers. So being a part of her day was really special. My parents, as guests, also got to see me in action. Anyway, the wedding was beautiful and I was honored to be a part of it.















Photographer: Rebecca Peplinski Photography