madison belle

confetti system

2011-09-06T09:43:00.000-04:00

i thought since it is so dreary outside today (for those of us on the east coast), that i would post some bright & happy images of the fabulous company confetti system. what they can do with fabric & paper, i will never understand. it is the definition of whimsical!

obsession with gold metallic.

2011-09-02T00:29:00.002-04:00

image: BHLDN

seriously?! incredible! i think these shoes would take me on fabulous adventures...

image: martha stewart weddings

happiest room ever!

image: west elm

i must get this for my house!

image: west elm

and this fabulous pillow!

simply stated...

2011-08-31T08:55:00.000-04:00

image: brooke granger

...im obsessed!

i have a slight obsession with laurel denise necklaces. they are the perfect thing to customize for a special occasion {and make perfect family or bridesmaid gifts!! - i got my sister and my mama the "joy" necklace below from the simply stated collection, and customized the 7.9.11 for me, above!} thank you lolly for constantly creating such beautiful goodness!

image: laurel denise.

wedding planning...where do you start!

2011-08-30T08:33:00.000-04:00

inspiration board by brooke.

so after solidifying your main details (where the wedding will be, the date, venue, caterer, etc.)...the next step is to gather inspiration. this will initiate a theme, which will then help when you pick out your rentals, linens, flowers...

do not be afraid of your theme changing. we ended up having an indoor wedding, and alot of my initial images were for an outdoor tent wedding. it was so much fun to look back at the journey the wedding planning took from all the binders and boards i made!

a pic (via my phone so its not super clear!) of the inspiration board i made for my room!

where it all started...

2011-08-29T11:54:00.001-04:00

i was trying to figure out where to start.

i have been MIA for so long and so much has happened,

so i think i will just start where i really left off. the engagment.

so last may (2010) my boyfriend of 7 years (i'm serious!) proposed

overlooking the manhattan skyline...(where we met).

there was a picnic (with prosecco & red velvet cupcakes of course!),

and then there was a 2nd surprise...

both of our immediate families traveled to ny to be there after the engagement to celebrate!

so we had an impromptu engagement party in nyc! quite an adventure.

and after that...wedding planning overtook my life...

it started with this picture that i spotted on a wedding blog...

(at this time i cannot remember WHICH blog i saw this on,

so i apologize for not crediting the appropriate photographer, etc...)

this image set the tone for me. the color scheme...

the obsession with blue mason jars...

the planning began...

i'm back!

2011-08-28T16:26:00.002-04:00

image: my wedding day - 7-9-11! photo taken by shelby leigh photography.
photo copyright: shelby leigh photography 2011.

did ya miss me? ;)

well what a whirl wind. i cannot believe a year and two months of planning is over. i can't believe i'm married! it was seriously the most incredible day of my entire life. i do not have words to describe it really...it is so hard to put that day, and the moments leading up to it, into words. i feel completely overwhelmed with the amount of love we received and felt that day, that weekend, or for that matter...that we always receive from the inspiring, loving, generous and FUN family & friends that we are lucky to know! for that craig (my husband) & i are very grateful.

i am also overwhelmed with where to start back up with the blog here and my shop. there are lots of changes coming. i am just taking one step at a time, so bear with me as i get back into the swing of things. my mind was completely focused on moving (NYC to MD), buying a house, planning a wedding...for the last 6 months. now that we are finally settled into our house, (we have moved to maryland officially!), and we are MARRIED...i can finally get back to business.

so for now just sayin hi! and ill be back tomorrow with a new post!

we're gettin hitched!!!!!

2011-07-07T17:02:00.003-04:00

missing in action!

2011-05-20T15:08:00.000-04:00

photo courtesy of BHLDN

ok yes, so i have been a little m-i-a. but please know i do feel terrible about it!

life has presented so many amazing things these past months, and they have taken my focus at the moment! but, i do PROMISE to be back so so soon with updates, info, and more products! oh, we are coming BACK baby and in full effect! ;) just you wait!

in the meantime, gotta get back to buying, decorating, and preparing a new home (happiness!) AND planning my upcoming nuptials! (double happiness!!!!!!)

happy love day!

2011-02-14T10:56:00.000-05:00

image courtesy of oh joy!

Hope y'all have a sweet valentine's day! And that you receive something lovely from someone special! xoxoxo.

I actually just received the best birthday gift and valentine's gift all in one, that I could ever ask for...{well in addition to the amazing gifts my fiance Craig got me, which i will post later this week...my new ray ban aviators, and a gorgeous "G" necklace (to represent my new last name come july!!!)}...Craig and I got some very exciting news that will be a big change for us...a new chapter in our lives! We are so excited and I promise to post about it soon. There is lots to tell! But for now I will write down all my excitement and highs of the week in this adorable "i love..." journal by designer Oh Joy. Which is sold in the shop! Get yours here! http://www.shopmadisonbelle.com/

the amazingness of anthropologie.

2011-02-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

courtesy of anthropologie

Seriously Anthro?! This MUST have taken HOURS!!!! If you can't tell from this pic, this dress is made out of paper. Ah! SO MUCH TALENT! How do they come up with this stuff?! I literally want to buy it and wear it to a party, for real. It was so breathtaking that I had to snap a pic.

{from the Anthropologie store in Towson Town Center, Maryland}

P.S. How many of you are going crazy in anticipation for Anthro's wedding line {BHLDN} launching monday 2/14?! I am freaking out I am so excited!!!!! {more on this tomorrow}

my wedding plans...

2011-02-10T08:00:00.035-05:00

photo via snippet & ink.

so now that the wedding is months away things are really kicking into high gear now. i know this time is absolutely going to fly by so i am trying to enjoy it all as much as possible...i mean, an excuse to make inspiration boards and post beautiful images all over my home, and buy every wedding mag on the planet? ah, i adore it. in any case, i have been keeping lots of pics and things in a digital scrapbook and once the wedding is over i will definitely post everything. i just want to wait until its over to worry about that ;)

in the meantime...i am starting many d.i.y. projects this weekend, with the help of this fabulous book...

from the talented gals at hello lucky!

and these amazing blogs which have completely inspired me during this process:

snippet & ink

green wedding shoes

style me pretty

what junebug loves

ritzy bee

merriment blog

the bride's cafe

oh happy day

100 layer cake

once wed

and project wedding blog.

for those brides out there...hope this list helps! ;)

omg!

2011-02-08T11:24:00.001-05:00

photo courtesy of one true love rentals via 100 layer cake

I will HAVE to figure out how to use these vintage cans at our wedding...since my new last name will be GRANGER!

ah!

romance in the air... i mean hair!

2011-02-07T08:00:00.004-05:00

photo courtesy of green wedding shoes

loving this romantic hairstyle from the green wedding shoes mexican wedding photoshoot!
{see original post here!}

except...i would want to wear my hair like this everyday, not just a wedding day ;)

birthdays...and excuse to spend money right?

2011-02-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

courtesy of bcbgmaxazria

wow, birthday came and went. another year older. ironically enough, it feels good. i thought i would be dreading the big 3-0. but it is actually opening up a whole new world of possibilites in my life. so i am excited. i cannot believe how much has changed the last two years...or well, how much is about to change, lets say. because i have been in a bit of a transitional stage the last year or so, and now things are falling into place. i am so so so excited for the next phase of my life...just around the corner! {5 months away!} and though i haven't been posting wedding stuff here {i am waiting til after the wedding to share it all!} i do have to share this TO DIE FOR dress i bought at BCBG for my rehearsal dinner. i figure the rehearsal dinner is a good excuse to splurge on an expensive dress, and besides, you can only really wear white a few times in your life, so i couldn't resist. i cannot wait to wear it!

now to find shoes... ;)

for the wine lover...

2011-02-04T14:12:00.000-05:00

courtesy of marthastewartweddings.com

how much fun would this be! to host a wine and cheese party, have everyone bring a bottle of wine, and cover the labels before you drink, so you can make your own comments right on the bottle! what a fun way to get everyone involved and also to explore some new wine options! {and not just buy them for the cute label, which i must say, is my downfall...you know its yours too, just admit it! he he.}

yay to birthdays!!!!

2011-01-29T08:00:00.002-05:00

image courtesy of keep calm shop on etsy.

today i am off in the freezing cold enjoying nyc and the four-hundred yummy bakeries that lie before me in this great city...and yes, i will hit them all! just kidding...but cupcakes will be enjoyed, have no fear!

don't forget! 20% off...

2011-01-27T15:38:00.000-05:00

20% off your order until our favorite day...saturday, jan 29th! with code LOVE29!

{jan 29th is personally my favorite day due to my upcoming birthday!!!...which, i don't know about most people, but i adore my birthday. a day to do all of your favorite things and see all your favorite people. and i will be goin all out in nyc this weekend! so excited!}

note: orders placed between today and monday will not be sent out until tuesday 2/1.
sorry for the inconvenience!

happy weekend!!!

things i am loving.

2011-01-09T20:48:00.000-05:00

currently, i am obsessing over the following...

first and foremost. my droid incredible.
i finally joined the rest of the world and got a smartphone. and now that i have one, i tooootally get the obsession. it is making my life SO much easier. especially since i am constantly traveling and on the go...

field of flowers by philosophy. smells delish. {i literally look forward to showering because of this soap}

bride sticky notes from the shop. helping me organize all of the things i adore in the wedding mags. these things SAVE A BRIDE'S LIFE!

and along with this...the LATEST edition of Martha Stewart Weddings. go buy it, it's gorgeous!

aveda volumizing tonic. i am finally on the aveda band wagon, as i am trying to spend as much money as possible on products that will help my hair since my wedding is only 6 months away!

and, last but not least...

skinny girl margaritas. i know, i know...but i just tried it for the first time and its no joke. AND LOW CALORIE! {perfect for the bride to be who is on a strict diet, but needs a drink during the stress of it all! haha}

so g-o-o-d.

a random list, but obsessing none the less ;)

the merriment blog

2011-01-03T10:11:00.000-05:00

oh my gosh, i do not know how i haven't heard about this blog earlier. everything on here is amazing!!! AHHHH! I am freaking out!

happy new year!!!!!

2010-12-31T08:00:00.004-05:00

photo credits: courtesy of once wed.

photography by our labor of love.

my all-time favorite quote for this time of year:

here's to a new year...

full of things that have never been!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

oh the places you'll go...terrain at styer's.

2010-12-30T09:25:00.000-05:00

photo copyright madison belle.

speaking of design crushes...

my sister & i had the day all to ourselves on monday and decided to take a trip an hour north to my new favorite place on earth {besides nyc}...terrain at styer's.

anthropologie opened this precious shop / garden center / cafe, a few years ago, and it is quite the treasure.

if you are looking to have a lovely day to spend with your favorite person, to grab a bite of organic, fresh, local {and delish!} food, and buy some amazingly rustic items for your home...this is your place.

let me recommend...
go early...walk around the store for an hour looking at everything before you buy {you will want it all!} then go eat in the cafe {its an old greenhouse...to die for!}, so you can think about the items you will purchase. at lunch, order the barbeque sandwich - it is marinated in root beer - so so so good - and order the chai tea {no matter what the season}. then shop away!

have an amazing time!!!!
xoxo brooke

design crush.

2010-12-29T11:00:00.000-05:00

i didn't know it was possible to have a design crush {and by this i do not mean on products, which OF course i have an obsession with!}...no, no, i mean on an actual designer!!! and i've got it bad!

i came across ashley meaders recently, and immediately became obsessed. everything she does is so magical. i have no words!!!! {which if you ask my fiance is a first for me, hee hee} but seriously, it feels like you are entering a whimsical wonderland with every styling she creates. just look!

courtesy of ashley meaders. ashley and her husband's big day!

merry christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!

2010-12-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

courtesy of country living magazine

2010-12-24T10:26:00.000-05:00

photo credit: courtesy of g o o p.

a few years ago, i came across GOOP...a lifestyle newsletter / blog suprisingly by the beautiful gwyneth paltrow. quite frankly i don't know how the woman has time to do all she does, be a mom, AND write a beautiful blog introducing new and exciting things to "make," "go," "get," "do," "be," & "see." but somehow she does it! {well, i am sure with a little help!} regardless, it is totally inspiring to see that she attempts it all, and i think that is definitely something we should all strive for, as it makes life exciting and full...

anyway, what made me think about all this, is that i recently saw an interview with gwyneth after her glee episode {didn't you love it?!}, so it reminded me to check it out. and i thought i would share the love! enjoy!

brewmasters.

2010-12-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

image courtesy of dogfishhead

has anyone been watching brewmasters on the discovery channel? if not, you must check it out! i only began watching it because i tivo'd it for my fiance craig, who is a huge beer lover, as well as home brewer himself. so being the loving fiance that i am, i knew he would love it. ;) but come to find out, as i watched the first episode, i have now become addicted to the show...and now tivo it for myself!

for the beer lovers out there, every episode goes into detail about everything that goes into making beer, as well as the behind the scenes of dogfishhead brewery in delaware. but not only that, it also follows the creative & kooky-ness of the creator of dogfishhead, sam calagione, and his head brewers...as they create new beers, and adventures. they are absolutely hilarious and so much fun to watch.

and ironically enough, i will be going to dogfishhead ale house on tonight to celebrate my dear friend nicole's 30th b-day! don't worry, i'll drink a beer or two for you! ;)

brewmasters...discovery channel...thursday nights at 10pm.
{side note to my loyal readers}
my entertainment background rears its ugly head to interrupt my whimsical home design & party planning blog posts with tv show news! i hope you don't mind! ;) i just can't help myself! it's ingrained in me forever, having worked in that industry...so i must discuss it every once in a while...

and now back to our regularly scheduled programming! hee hee.