Jewelry | Bridesmaids Gifts | Stella & Dot Jewelry

Our newest member of The Bliss List is Amy Rodbell of Stella & Dot Jewerly.  I'm so excited about this addition!  Amy describes the Stella & Dot line as, "Affordable, luxurious baubles for perfecting your trousseau or expressing gratitude towards your sweet maids!"  Could there be any thing better for a bride to hear... Affordable Luxury!  Love it!  

Stella & Dot Jewelry 

Amy Rodbell

(678) 517-4009

Stella adds that "je ne sais quoi" to any shower or party ensemble.  They offer exquisite bridesmaids gifts to fit all budgets, from fun enameled treasures to preppy pearls and exquisite embroidered pieces.  

Please call Amy for ideas tailored for your special occasion.   BTW, I'm crazy about this bracelet.  

Many of the Stella & Dot statement pieces are fabricated in the same couture house who service Lanvin, Prada, Dior and Jason Wu... for a fraction of the price!

Visit Stella & Dot's Bliss List member page here!

DIY | Fall Bouquet | Wedding | Claire Ryser Photos

This bouquet of Roses & Wheat is so simple to create!

I started with cream garden roses, pale pink roses, and wheat.

Gather the roses, then wrap with floral tape.  Start adding the wheat around the outside, creating a collar of wheat.  Then continue to tape until you have a sturdy handle.

 Cut the ends of the bouquet (I like about 8 inches of stems below the blooms), then wrap in burlap cover all of the floral tape.  Secure the burlap with pearl pins.

Thanks to Claire Ryser of Visionaire Studios for taking the beautiful photos!

KC Wedding | Morgan and Dan | Studio Dan Meiners | Wirken Photography

I love finding local weddings on national wedding blogs - especially weddings that have such great style!  Today while browsing 100 Layer Cake I stumbled upon Morgan and Dan's wedding that was held at Our Lady of Sorrow's church.  Morgan has a really fun blog called Design Tag... visit here!

Dan Meiners did the floral design - beautiful orchids!  Photographer, Tyler Wirken, never disappoints. 

Morgan designed her own invites... wow.  I love a DIY project that looks so professional!

Read more about this wedding on 100 Layer Cake!

KC Wedding Events | New Wedding Vendors in KC! | Photobooth | Stationery+Stylist | Photography

Yesterday afternoon, I took a spin around the Perfect Wedding Guide bridal show.  When I attend these events - I'm looking to be "wowed"... after all, weddings (besides being all about the lifelong commitment to the love of your life!) are all about presentation.  Bridal Shows are a great way to get a feel for the level of creativity, attention to detail and overall brand of a wedding vendor.  These booths of new KC wedding talent blew me away!  

Photobooths are Hot, Hot, Hot!  This booth, Picture Perfect Photobooth, is owned by Megan Williams.  They've done a great job of branding their booth - modern, yet classic, fun and whimsical - everything a photobooth should be!  Visit their website for more info!  

The next booth was just as spectacular - a+joy invitations and styling!

This booth was like Style Me Pretty come to life!  Owner Ashley describes herself as "a full-time mother to a beautiful little lady, a full-time wife to a handsome husband and overflowing with creative ideas at all times."  

Her booth was adorned with "inspiration boards" for all types of weddings and events.  I love her rustic styling.  Speaking of styling... Ashley not only designs invitations, but she'll help you style your wedding - with colors, details and unique touches to your wedding day!

For more info about her new company, visit her website!  

Another great booth that stopped me in my tracks was tom + jerry photography... I love the selection of photos they selected for their booth - and how can you not smile when you hear that name!  Visit their site here!

Sites I Like | Simple+Pretty | Stationery Inspiration

I've just updated my "Sites I Like" section (see right side of page) of the blog to include Simple+Pretty, a delightful blog written by Jane.  She's an excellent scout of "pretty paper + pretty things".   Perfect example : in a recent post Jane wrote about these excellent products by Alee & Press...

I highly encourage you to stop by Jane's blog : Simple+Pretty for some daily inspiration - she won't disappoint!

Stationery | What to expect at a Stationery Consultation | Something You Design

Guest Blog from Ashley of "Something You Design" Stationery :

You may wonder what happens at an invitation consultation.  Here is a look at how a consultation goes with Something You Design.

Generally I hold consultations at my home.  I work from home, so meeting there allows me to have anything and everything I might want or need to show you on hand.  If you are uncomfortable meeting at my house I can always meet you at a Panera or something of the sort.

When scheduling the consultation I will ask a few questions... your wedding date, how many invitations you think you might need, if you have a budget in mind for invites, and if there is anything in particular you are looking for.  This allows me to have a design and print estimate on hand for you, as well as locate anything special you are looking for.

Do you need to have an idea of exatly what you want?  Absolutely not.  I have several ideas and solutions to invitations to share, and after talking with you, we will come up with something that works for you and your wedding.  When you come to my home I will have all of my invitation samples, and some product samples available for you to browse through and ask questions about.

Is there any payment necessary at the consultation?  Nope!  Should you decide during the consultation that you would like to book me as your invitation designer you can pay your design fee deposit.  However you can also go home, talk with your family, and get in touch with me at a later date for booking.

During the consultation generally I will write down things you are interested in, as well as things about your wedding.  Colors, venue, preferred style, things that you absoutely do not want to see.  The more information I get the more personal the invitations will be.

That is just a quick overview.  If you are interested in seeing my work please call or e-mail me to schedule a consultation!

Guest Blog from "Something You Design" Stationery

DIY | Fall Inspired Table Setting | Pumpkins | Bouquet

A couple of weeks ago, Claire Ryser of Visionaire Studios came over and we had a fabulous day - she took photos while I put together this flirty Fall table setting.  Natasha's Mulberry & Mottcreated the cake - their "Bee Hive" cake - isn't it so whimsical?!  I accented the table with Blue Hubbard squash.

This table is all about mixing rustic with refined - For a luxurious yet rustic feel, I layered natural oatmeal linens, a wide burlap runner and a classic ticking stripe runner.  I used my mission style farm dining room chairs with ticking stripe pillows for extra comfort.

This bouquet is another example of rustic and refined - I made it with ivory garden roses, soft pink tea roses and wheat.   

I wrapped the stems in burlap, then fastened it with pearl pins.  For DIY instructions to make this bouquet, click here!

Natasha Goellner of Natasha's Mulberry & Mott made this "Bee Hive" Cake - the mountain of meringue is so incredible.

I love Natasha's style - very soft and romantic details.

I made these pumpkin place cards from mini white pumpkins - so simple - for the DIY instructions, click here!

I placed single rose blooms around the table for big impact, but little cost... why spend hundreds on a floral centerpiece when this small bud brings just as much charm!

Claire - Thanks so much for kindly taking these photos - you are TOO talented!

Visit Claire's blog at visionairestudios.blogspot.com

Visit Natasha's Mulberry & Mott at Mission Farms in Leawood, KS or atwww.natashasmulberryandmott.com

Beco Flowers | Kdog Photographers | Rustic & Urban

Beco Flowers did this stunning Fall wedding - organic, rustic and beautiful.  True talent.  Photos by Kdog Photographers.

Kdog | Intimate Backyard Ceremony

This is THE sweetest thing I've EVER seen.  Betsy from Bon Bon Atelier (super cute boutique in Westport) held a private intimate ceremony in her back yard.  Kdog captured it beautifully.   

Photography | Kdog Halloween Photos!

I think this is such a great idea...  Head to Kdog in your Halloween costume for photos!

Halloween Quickie
We will be hosting a Quickie Portrait Session at our studio on October 31st from 10am to 2pm. Come on by for some treats and a quick portrait in your costume. Bring your kids, neighbors, friend and pets.
Anyone is welcome - no session fee - prints starting at $20

Chocolates | Christopher Elbow | Wedding Favors

Last night, Mike and I attended the Chocolate and Wine tasting at the Chocolate exhibit at Union Station.  The chocolate tasting was hosted by Christopher Elbow - Kansas City's very own (nationally acclaimed - voted #1 by Food & Wine!) chocolate artisan.    

For us to sample, he brought a raspberry chocolate, "A layer of fresh raspberry pate de fruit topped with a dark chocolate-raspberry infused ganache"  (via elbowchocolates.com) and a fig and ganache (hello holidays!) - it was delightful.  As a person does not typically ooh and aah over chocolates, I have to tell you, these chocolates blew me away.  They have such a delicate and luxurious texture, flavor, and ultimate decadent quality.   

This is the sample box Christopher brought.  He also brought a sampling of his chocolate bar collection (left).  I think the tiny confections would be a dream as a favor for a wedding.  Can you imagine one of the chocolates below served with coffee or champagne?!  Crazy good.   The flavors below would be perfect for your wedding...

Passion Fruit - need I say more?!
Gran Marnier
Champagne - so sophisticated.  
These are a sampling of the other products they create - perfect for a welcome gift for your guests staying at the hotel!

And this gift box would be a great 'thank you' gift for anyone helping with your wedding (like your coordinator, wink, wink) - a little bit of a splurge - but I'm positive it is worth every penny.  

Design Board | Blues, Purples & Pinks

This is a new design board I'm working on for a Client's May 2010 wedding.  We are planning to use all seasonal flowers - masses of blue hydrangeas, pink and purple peonies.   Her bridesmaids dresses are a light pewter taffeta from J.Crew - a great neutral base to accent with our bright spring colors.

I'm meeting with her tomorrow to see if she likes what I've put together - I'll share our revisions!

Workshops | Eddie Ross's Holiday Workshop at Creative Candles in Kansas City | Eddie Ross on HGTV for a Halloween Special!

Eddie Ross (designer and blogger) will be airing a Halloween special on HGTV this Sunday, October 18th!  To watch the trailer, click here. 

Eddie will also be coming to Kansas City to do another fun workshop at Creative Candles.  (Remember his flower arranging workshop earlier this summer?) This workshop will be about Holiday Entertaining - my favorite!  For more information, visit the Creative Candles' Facebook page, or contact Creative Candles at www.creativecandles.com.

Iron Woods Lodge | Wirken Photography | Receptions | Kansas City Weddings

This wedding is "Sweet as Pie"... The reception was held at the Iron Woods Lodge in Leawood - such a beautiful venue full of character.  Captured by Tyler Wirken of Wirken Photography.  To see more photos of this wedding, visit the Bliss List KC Wedding Gallery. 

This photo is taken in back of the big red barn that held the reception.  The Lodge is in a city owned park in Leawood, KS.

I love how Tyler found the blue tiled walls to compliment the bright cherry red dresses - it changes the whole look of the wedding - adds a modern, fresh feeling.  Her bouquet is comprised of red gerbera daisies & white daisies. 

Look at the fun homemade desserts!   The red & white checked tablecloth is lovely - and the red napkins?  They say "Sweet as Pie" - love it.

DIY tissue balls are a great alternative to paper lanterns.  They are inexpensive and add a great pop of color and charm - just the right amount of whimsy.

To see more photos of this wedding, visit the Bliss List KC Wedding Gallery.