My heart belongs to Stockholm

via Apartment Therapy; images via Alvhem Makleri

You’ve heard it all before…minimalistic, clean lines and European.  Yes, all the of the things I love in home decor.

Apparently I’m not the only one that feels the same way about homes in the US. I love this comment posted on Apartment Therapy:

Wow, these photos actually make you want to buy a home. Whenever I look at US real estate sites, particularly ones in my region there is nothing but endless pics of homes cluttered with Three’s Company and Showcase Showdown style furnishings.

                             -Girl & Lamp

I especially love the reference to Price is Right. Reminds me of polyester and orange prints (not in a good way.)

Mad Props in Boston!

via Mad Props

Wow! How did I just find out about this place? It’s like a flea market but even better and way cooler!

Here’s a little bit more about Mad Props!

Mad Props is a full-service prop rental house catering to photography & film industries; specializing in tabletop, home decor, and surfaces. We also carry kit supplies for food, prop and wardrobe stylists. We are located in Boston, MA.

I will be making a trip there very soon!

Boston Marine Industrial Park
12 Channel Street, Suite 805
Boston, MA 02210

Beautifully Staged Nouveau Red

via Grey Likes Weddings

What a beautiful color palette. I love the mix of blueberry blues, dusty rose and nouveau red. You can see all of the arrangements by clicking here!

Christmas Bliss

via desire to inspire

The best time of the year for home decor is the holidays. Pure. and. simple.

This will be the first year that we don’t put up a Christmas tree. We will be traveling to Ireland for the holidays this year and there didn’t seem like much point to have one up for just a couple weeks.

Maybe next year we’ll feel little more festive, but for now, I’ll be getting my Christmas fix through beautiful photos such as these.

pops of pillows

via Oh Joy!

When I look around our house I realize that we need more pops of color.  I don’t think we need a full makeover (although I’d love one) but maybe just splashes of colors like the pillows in the photo. 

But then again, I’m the girl that wants to have a new look (identity) every month with a supporting haircut and wardrobe to match.

How do you deal with your ever changing style while making your “stuff” last?

via Love. Obsess. Inspire I love this mismatched cluster of fun!

via Love. Obsess. Inspire

I love this mismatched cluster of fun!

love these little darlings

I’m not much for bunting flags or puff balls on string but these stiched paper garland are right up my alley! They are made of recycled paper and come in many different colors.

If you’re not up for diying these little darlings, visit 3 Girls + A Goat on Etsy and buy some!

via 3 Girls + a Goat

via flights of fancy

via flights of fancy

all images are from my personal collection

This week is all about our reception decor!

The best part about getting married around the holidays is the instantaneous decor. Everything is just so beautiful with the beautiful twinkly lights, fresh pine and glowing bulbs.

Since we were busy moving and preparing all the details for our wedding in Ireland, my mom really took charge in putting everything together for us.  She did such a wonderful job!

I was against favors of any kind so instead, we printed off our engagement photos for guests to take.  This went over really well and everyone loved the idea.

The place cards were just so cool.  They were made out of different types of scrapbooking paper [completely inexpensive yet a big impact!]  We were able to coordinate designs with menu options so the servers would know which entree to serve.

I loved the collection of our old family photos. This was a great conversation piece and meant a lot to us.  We included both of our families. It’s sweet to think that one day we’ll be part of that collection.

Our centerpieces consisted of gold chargers, pillar candles and gold and cream Christmas bulbs and fresh pine.  They were so easy to put together.  I am a huge advocate of candles at weddings.  The best part however was the fresh pine that my dad hand cut the morning of our wedding.

Lastly, my beloved cake! I’m a cake girl, that’s for sure.  More importantly, I’m a “Hermitage Bakery” girl.  Hermitage Bakery is a local bakery with the absolute best cake.  I was a little sad at first when I thought I wouldn’t be able to have Hermitage Bakery cake at my wedding but when we decided to have a reception in Pennsylvania, they were first on our list to call. We used the cake topper that both my mom and grandmother used at their wedding.

When you step back and look at everything, you see that it’s just “stuff.”  But when you really look at it, you see the family connections (my dad picking the pine, my grandmother offering her cake topper, my mom making the place cards…) Those are the moments that “stuff” turns into special somethings.  It gives it meaning.

Next week, more about cake and our family!

"inspiration for the unexpected" peachesbyplums@gmail.com