WINE & DINE WEEKEND

Another weekend is already upon us! How will you spend yours?

Undoubtedly I'll be working, but never a girl to turn down wine, I'll be heading to Napa for a day to squeeze in some tastings and soak up the beautiful views.

Which gets me thinking. Shouldn't we treat every weekend like a cause for celebration and gift ourselves with a getaway? Even if that getaway is as simple as creating a fantasy setting at your own dining room table...

Happy weekend, loves. Cheers to making it a good one!

xo,

Crystal

*images via Style Me Pretty and Wedluxe

HOLIDAY TABLETOP INSPIRATION: CALIFORNIA STYLE

If you're still looking for tabletop inspiration for that holiday dinner party, look no more. Last weekend Leila Khalil of Be Inspired PR produced this gorgeous party with the help of her talented friends in the events industry in their native Los Angeles.

A slight departure from the predictable yet classic red and green holiday color scheme, stylists Cortnie of Canvas and Canopy and Carissa of JL Designs decided to put a California twist on their palette using mint green paired with beachtown accents: succulents, coral, balsa wood flowers, and tillandsias. The result is festive not stuffy.

And of course no party is complete without a stationery suite to help graphically brand your event. Leila enlisted the help of Rachelle of Wiley Valentine to create the invitations, name plates, menus, and various signs throughout.

A designated drinks table decorated with the most adorable Christmas trees made of succulents. This is an idea I'm immediately filing away in the inspiration pile. It doesn't get more creative (or cute) than that!

Leila's party got me thinking actually. We should all throw parties like this more often! Why wait for a wedding or a birthday? Let's try and bring a little more beauty into our everyday lives - after all, nothing is more beautiful than the satisfaction we get from entertaining the ones we love or the look of their happy faces.

Have a beautiful weekend, loves. See you Monday!

xo,

Crystal

*photography by the talented Leo Patrone

COZY UP WITH SWEET PAUL MAGAZINE

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away! Is it just me or did it creep up on us this year?

Perhaps it's because I've spent all of November in California where it feels more like summer than fall, or perhaps it's because I've got Rue Issue 2 blinders on and haven't had a moment to think of anything else.

Either way, I'm loving this rustic tabletop that serves as the perfect Thanksgiving inspiration from the latest issue of Sweet Paul. I adore the knit covered everything - it's the visual equivalent of being all bundled up and warm inside.

I'm headed back to Chicago this evening after 20 days of pure fun and productivity in California... maybe the cold, crisp weather in The Windy City will finally get me in the holiday mood.

It'll be a stretch for me though as I'll be spending Thanksgiving in Venice, Italy this year. Maybe we'll just scratch the turkey, concentrate on a making a beautiful tablescape alla Sweet Paul and make pasta instead. Yum.

*images via Sweet Paul

Tablescaping: Springtime Darks

We're all so happy the weather is warmer and the days are longer, but I have to say, there is one thing I don't like about spring and summer: having to put away my beloved darks in favorite of lights...

Here's a perfect example of how dark and dramatic can be worked into a cheery mood for spring. Just pair it with something colorful and balance out with white and you'll be good to go! And obviously, this goes for home decor and fashion too, so try it out and let me know how it goes ;)

*images via Green Wedding Shoes discovered at Delight by Design, photography by the amazing Jose Villa

Tabletop Inspiration: Casual Chic

This could by my very favorite tabletop of the moment. Apart from the dominant white (which I adore), I loved the idea of a long plank of wood anchoring the center pieces. What a great idea!

Another great idea: rustic, distressed wood with shiny, sparkling silver - an unexpected pairing that says, "causal chic."

Oh and then those feathers! Feathers are popping up everywhere in floral arrangements these days. At first, I resisted them but now I can't seem to get enough of them!

Simple plates, silverware, and napkins are the perfect undistracting background that let the beautiful florals and feathers truly steal the shows.

And of course, the menu! What a fun and easy DIY project to do for your next dinner party!

*photography by Karen Mordechai for Sunday Suppers

Happy {Oscars} Weekend!

At last, the weekend is upon us! Amidst a flurry of activity, I am looking forward to ending the weekend with a bit of carved out time to enjoy the Oscars, the gorgeous gowns and the sentimental speeches.

Those of you who follow me on twitter, know that I was in the audience for an Oprah taping one week ago today! Best Actor Oscar nominee Colin Firth and Director Tom Ford (yes, that Tom - former Gucci and YSL creative director) where there to talk about their movie, A Single Man. Oh my is it beautiful! Aesthetically and artistically, I'm not sure I've ever seen such a lovely film. It's no surprise that Tom's background in fashion influenced the look of the film! As my friend put it, "The movie was like a beautiful Tom Ford dress."

Have a wonderful weekend, my dears. Welcome to my new readers and thank you to my loyal ones, I love you! xoxo, Crystal

P.S. In case you were wondering, yes, Tom is absolutely gorgeous and impeccable looking in real life and Colin is hunky and delicious...especially with that British accent!! :)

*image via Sunday Suppers

Tablescaping with Nesting Newbies

Have you checked out the 2nd Issues of online shelter magazine Nesting Newbies yet? The winter issue is more than double the size of the premiere issue and is overflowing with inspiration!! I especially loved their ideas for tablescaping this month!

The bright pinks and stripes of this one bring me right back to the carefree days of my childhood! I absolutely adore the playful candy jars paired with the drama and sophistication of those gorgeous green, taffeta silk drapes. It's the perfect balance of whimsy and reality.

The fuchsia and those chairs steal the show for me when it comes to this room. A hint of chinosaire goes a long way in creating this style. The Chinese landscape fabrics in the chair backs and napkins are the perfect detail touch.

Modern and soothing, what's not to love about this one? But perhaps my favorite detail of the space is that upside down pot planter used for the pendant light shade. Just fabulous!

New Online Magazine: Nonpareil

On the heels of others like Lonny and Nesting Newbies, another fabulous online magazine just popped up! Nonpareil is the new online darling of DIY wedding projects and I'm already smitten. Just take a look at this gorgeous tabletop and you'll know what I mean. (By the way, isn't it refreshing to see a chair other than the chiavari used at a wedding for once?)

Not getting married? No problem! Thumbing through the first issue last night, I picked up tons of entertaining and styling ideas! So much inspiration at my fingertips, of course the only natural thing to do now is throw a party!

More Piping...

More piping to follow this morning's post. I like it on a bed, but after coming across this lovely photo tonight, I might even love it more on a tablecloth! What do you think?

*image via dress design decor

Home Is Where the Heart Is

Home is where the heart is - whether that means traveling there, staying where you already are, or creating it someplace new - wherever you are in the world, I truly hope your heart feels at home this holiday season.

Home to me is a place where I can be myself, get cozy and comfortable, share laughter and tears with friends and family or just as easily retreat and enjoy time alone. But perhaps my fondest memories of home happen around the dining room table, sharing meals with loved ones. So today I'm wishing you delicious holiday food to feed your soul and beautiful tabletops to inspire your creativity!

*images via Martha Stewart and Moodboard

A Few Talented Ladies: The Tabletop

Maybe because the new apartment has a lovely courtyard, or maybe because in Chicago we truly savor warm, summer days, but I've got al fresco dining on the mind! Nothing reminds me to slow down and be thankful like sitting outside, enjoying delicious food and wine, and watching the sunset between good conversation and laughter with friends and family. When I need a little tabletop inspiration, I turn to these three very talented ladies who bring style and beauty to everything they touch!

Sharon Taylor of Sharon Taylor Designs, Springfield, MO. Blog: A Lifestyle Thing

Carissa Jones of JL Designs, Los Angeles, CA. Blog: JL Designs

Chelsea Fuss, Portland OR. Blog: {frolic!}

I love Sharon's use of a hosta leaf for a placemat! What a creative idea. Carissa's tabletop got my attention for the artichoke centerpieces and mismatched chairs. The simple color palette of green and white in Chelsea's design was love at first sight for me. What a statement those two colors make! Each of these beautiful designs remind me to make the most of summer while it lasts because soon we'll be trading in the long, warm days for shorter, cooler ones. 

And speaking of which, I'm so excited to announce tomorrow's guest, the lovely Anne Sage of The City Sage, for our fourth and final installment of, Fall: Get Ready / Get the Look. Hope to see you tomorrow - you won't want to miss it!

* discovered via coco+kelley, images via designers' websites and coco+kelley

A Midsummer Night's Dream

This opulent setting evokes so much awe in me! It's absolutely breathtakingly stunning! The abundant number of glowing chandeliers reminds me of something of the fairy tales....a dreamy midsummer night filled with chivalry and chance! 

(Oh and did you notice those great fur chairs?! They're just like the ones I posted about yesterday!)

Happy Friday! See you Monday! xoxo Crystal

*image via Skona Hem