I don't want to forget about the Lilacs.
Yes, Peonies may be my first love, but Lilacs are a very close second. I bought these lavender beauties at the farmer's market this week and I have been enjoying their sweet perfume every time I pass by them.
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend planned. I have a rather busy one, but I am hoping to show you a fun little craft project if I get the chance. And I promise - no more flowers for at least a few days. :-)
XOXO
Jessica
May is a very special month for me. It's the month of mine and my husband's wedding anniversary. And it is also the start of the Peony season around here. My wedding bouquet was made up of the prettiest pink garden roses and pink Peonies. Peonies were, and continue to be, my most favorite flower of all. For me, nothing compares to those lush, beautiful clusters of ruffled petals.
So, just as soon as Peony season starts, I begin to fill up the house with them. I place them in vases and pitchers. In bowls and glasses. In arrangements of generous bouquets and single stems. On dressers and tables and window sills.
Yes, chances are, if it's a flat surface in my house, you will find a Peony on it.
:-)
Jessica
Wishing you all a very, very happy Mother's Day!
Just a few quick pics of my brunch table today. My parents are coming over soon and I still have so much to do. The weather is gorgeous today - sunny and breezy - and I have all the windows wide open. The girls helped me with selecting the flowers and table settings...
Hydrangeas, roses, pink glasses, vintage china and linens.
They know their mama so well. :-)
Enjoy your special day!
XOXO
Jessica
Mother's Day is this coming Sunday and I have been busy planning a very special brunch for my very deserving Mommy (yes, I actually still call her that!). I've been having lots of fun with all the little details. Like this pretty, floral ribbon (Celebrate It brand) that I found at Michaels...
The minute I saw it, I knew it would be just perfect for wrapping Mother's Day gifts.
The flowery, pastel prints remind me of some of my favorite vintage fabrics (like that one in the background). I decided to use plain, white gift wrap, as I love how it makes colors and patterns "pop"!
I spent some time making my own bows - which is really very easy to do - all you need is a stapler and the ability to form a loop!
Now I am off to finish planning my brunch menu...
Happy Thursday!
XOXO
Jessica
It seems that I rarely have one of anything. As you know, I am a big shopper and treasure hunter by nature, so my "little" collections just seem to appear without much planning. :-) My aprons are a great example...
I never really set out to "collect" them. But, over the years, I seem to have amassed quite a few. My favorites are the vintage ones that I find at flea markets and on Etsy or eBay - I just love the gorgeous florals and all the little details - the sweet ruffles and pretty trims.
I have also found so many pretty aprons at my favorite shops. Cath Kidston, Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic, and Anthropologie all carry really nice vintage-style aprons in pretty, colorful prints.
Looking at them just makes me happy!
And finally, I just want to thank everyone who entered to win a copy of Selina Lake's beautiful new book Pretty Pastel Style! I truly wish I had a copy for each and every one of you, but alas, there can only be one winner. So...Pretty Pastel Style goes to Melissa B.! Congratulations, Melissa, you are going to LOVE this book!
:-)
Jessica
It was with bated breath that I awaited the release of Selina Lake's newest book, Pretty Pastel Style. Given the title, I doubt this will come as much of a surprise to you. My love of Selina's work dates back many years, as I share her love of pretty colors, floral patterns and vintage china. Selina is a well-known, UK-based stylist who has an incredible eye for color and pattern. While I have adored all three of Selina's previous books, I must say that Pretty Pastel Style is my new favorite. What a stunning, stunning book! The gorgeous, candy-colored photographs (by the very talented Catherine Gratwicke) are completely drool-worthy!
The book features many beautiful homes from all over the world - and clearly demonstrates how anyone can incorporate pretty pastels into their home decor, regardless of their personal style (whether it be modern and sophisticated or romantic and vintage).
Pretty Pastel Style covers many facets of home decor - living spaces, color palettes, furniture, etc...
Selina also includes sections on adorable children's rooms, pretty outdoor spaces, and wonderful craft and work spaces.
Congratulations, Selina! You have done it again - what a truly fabulous book!
Now for the really great news...you can have a chance to win your very own copy of Pretty Pastel Style right here! Ryland, Peters & Small, the publisher of Pretty Pastel Style, has generously given me a copy to give away to one of my lucky readers! And since I am so excited about this book, I am also going to include some of my own pretty pastel trinkets - think vintage millinery flowers and velvet ribbons! To enter to win, all you need to do is leave a comment on this post by Midnight (EST) on Friday, April 26, 2013. A winner will be chosen at random.
Good luck, everyone!!!
XOXO
Jessica
***Pretty Pastel Style can also be ordered on Amazon and on the Ryland, Peters, & Small/CICO Books website.
Well, I think Spring has officially sprung around here. A trip to the farmer's market today confirmed it.
So much flowery goodness!
I am loving my pretty pink and lavender Asters.
They are such bright and cheerful little flowers. The perfect symbol of my most favorite season.
***Be sure to check back here on Friday for a fabulous give-a-way that I think you're really gonna love...
:-)
Jessica
The Cherry Blossoms here in the D.C. area have been very, very slow to bloom this Spring - resulting in a great many disappointed tourists (and residents!). And even though we were skeptical of reports that they would finally be at peak bloom this past weekend, we took our chances yesterday and headed down to the Tidal Basin for our family's annual Cherry Blossom picnic.
Honestly, the blossoms still had a way to go. A few trees were displaying all their puffy, pink gorgeousness, but most were only partially in bloom. We truly didn't mind though because the weather was absolutely perfect - sunny, warm and breezy. Now, typically, in an effort to beat the crowds, we head down early in the morning for a breakfast picnic, but this time we decided to try something different - an evening picnic! And I am so very happy we did. That late afternoon/early evening light was just so beautiful - it was truly rather magical.
After a proper picnic dinner of fresh turkey and brie sandwiches, a layered vegetable salad with a lemon vinaigrette (served in mini mason jars), and fresh fruit, I set out our dessert...
As always, I like to make things extra festive by bringing along items like real vintage china plates, tole trays for serving on, and vintage floral tablecloths. I also like to bring my own fresh flowers - especially since picking the blossoms is strictly forbidden!
For dessert, there was something for everyone. Cupcakes for the girls...
With pink roses, of course.
Some more adult-like treats for the husband and myself - Italian candies and these yummy sugared almonds...
Mini mini-me even brought along some of her pretty prized M & M's (from Dylan's Candy Bar in L.A.) to share...
It was such a fun evening. We just sat by the water - watched as the ducks swam by and enjoyed our treats. Then, as we do every year, we took a bunch of family pictures and the girls climbed on the rocks and fountains at the FDR memorial.
When the sun started to fade, we packed everything up and headed back to the car. It was a lovely evening, but it was time to get home - the season premiere of Mad Men was starting in just an hour!!!
:-)
Jessica
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and spring break! We just got back from a fabulous (and warm!) week in California. We started out in L.A. and then made our way down to Coronado. It was so nice to get away from this winter that just doesn't seem to want to end. I have lots to share, but today I wanted to show you these gorgeous pink Parrot Tulips that I found at the supermarket this morning. Parrot Tulips are my absolute favorite Tulip variety, as I just love their ruffled, fringe-like petals.
So elegant and romantic. And a definite harbinger of Spring! Plus, I hear that the Cherry Blossoms will finally be blooming here in D.C. this weekend, so I am cautiously optimistic that we will get to enjoy our annual picnic!
Back soon...
XOXO
Jessica
Yes, more pretty party picks from Target this week!
I found these adorable crepe paper flower picks in the scrap-booking aisle...
The uses for them are endless, but I just love them as sweet little toppers for some mini pastel cupcakes.
Happy Tuesday!
:-)
Jessica