southernafternoon.com

It’s hard to believe it’s finally here!  Christmas has seemed so far off for so long now that I can barely believe it arrived.  Time to spend with family and friends. Great food. Twinkle lights. The smell of pine.  The taste of…

I’m drifting.  And dreaming of this kind of pink and hazy retro Christmas.  Full of glamour, full of fun.  Full of sparkle.  And full of love.

May all of you have the happiest of Christmases.  Safe travels, healthy and prosperous New Years.

Check out other bits of pink glittery holiday goodness on our Pinterest Board!

Before I got into the wedding world I never would have thought to mix burlap and lace. And I never would have considered burlap for weddings, but it seems to be everywhere and the more I see the more I love it! It’s one of our most popular boards on Pinterest.

Wedding for You on Etsy has these AMAZING and sweet favor bags that would be right at home in just about any wedding that does the mash up of the rough rustic and the delicate refined. Fill them with birdseed or M&Ms…or something less expected? Truffles? Tiny bottles of bourbon? What would you put in them?

Check out this and some of our other great finds on our Pinterest birds.

Yesterday’s post on tulle was such fun! Today’s is a bit bolder, more pronounced. The peek of color under the skirt is flirty and whimsical, but tulle can have so many different iterations. Take these rich colors and dramatic shapes. They are a far cry from the ballerina dresses or princess gowns you may think of.

The not so secret secret is that the shapes are very elegant and dramatic to take advantage of the tulle’s drape. Then you add in a deeply saturated color and it amps up the sophistication even more. The result is incredibly beautiful and graceful. Would you wear a non traditional gown like this? Pick it for your bridesmaids (ooh, that purple maybe??)

Last week we spent a bit of time drooling over bridesmaid thank yous. Still thinking about those sweet gray and yellow clutches! I thought it would be fun to give the gents a turn (and it’s an awesome turn at that.). It sometimes feels like the groomsmens’ gifts are so serious. These are anything but…but will still be appreciated!

The Hair of the Dog is a very cool, highly recommended etsy shop based in South Carolina. They offer embellished, personalized  flasks for all kinds for groomsmen (or even bridesmaids? ooohhh.). Styles range from quirky to sophisticated and are such a neat way to say “Thanks for all your love an support…now go enjoy yourself!”  These are my very favorite.  Mustaches are everywhere from photo booths to cookies to these flasks.

You can check them out at The Hair of the Dog’s etsy shop.  Check out other fun mustache ideas on our Pinterest board!

I was browsing colors on etsy the other day, as I tend to do any time I need a zen moment. I happened into the yellows and saw these fantastic clutches! The yellow and gray combo is so very right now. So is mixing up the bridesmaid uniform with different patterns. Plus, they are just crazy cute and usable well beyond the wedding day. The reviews are all rave, the customers all happy, the brides thrilled for one extra special token of thanks for their nearest and dearest.  I think this is a great find!

Speaking of great finds–our sale is still going on!  Personalized, self-inking stamps discounted from $40 to $30!  Great for gifts, great for some added flair to your stationery!  They do take a bit of time, so order now before the holiday rush.

Happy Halloween!  And have we got a treat for you…a SALE!

We want to help you get a jump start on your holiday preparations and gifts by offering our personalized self-inking stamps for just $30 instead of the usual $40!  These stamps are a great way to add some flair and style to your personal stationery and belongings.  Maybe even to your wedding favors?

The stamps offer the same beauty, grace, whimsy, and quality you’ve come to expect from Paperwhites. It’s an affordable luxury that will streamline your holiday cards, put your mark on handmade gifts, and add some beauty to the everyday.  Each stamp comes with an additional ink cartridge which will allow approximately 10,000 total impressions.  An economical, custom alternative to sticky address labels and aching fingers.

They make great gifts, too!

For your Mom, the cookbook fiend:

For your Dad, the bookworm:

For your Niece, the tween queen:

For you, for being such a good girl this year:

You can check out the full line and the particulars for each design on our website. Ordering time is 2-3 weeks, so think about checking this to do off your list!

There is rain in the forecast for Cary this weekend.  Fitting for Halloween, not so much for any weddings planned.  Though I hear from that it’s good luck to be married on a rainy day.  Fortunately, there are ways to bring the sunshine with you everywhere you go.

This palette is bright, cheerful, bold, and an ideal way to make any day the sunniest ever, no matter what the actual weather is like.  Gerber daisies are one of my favorite flowers with their combination of casual shape and amped up color.  The lilies, dahlias and everything else bring warmth and happiness with their riot of color.  Just the right way to guarantee the sun no matter what the weather opts to do.

More sources and inspiration to brighten up any day on our Pinterest board

There are some color combinations that serve as a backdrop for your wedding.  They’re lovely and classic and always appropriate…and not the right choice for everyone.   Some brides prefer unusual color combinations, following the most current trends, adding a dash of drama. For example, the pool & cherry from yesterday and now the mustard and orchid of today.  It’s bold, it’s intense and it’s a little bit of awesome.

Mustard is everywhere right now.  The deep yellow is great in the everyday, but when you pair it with that gorgeous orchid color it takes on a femininity and grace that it doesn’t hold on its own.  The combo reflects the natural palette of a rich and exotic orchid, bringing a bit of the exotic to your wedding day.  From the pop of color in the boutonniere, to the cheeky fascinator in place of a veil, it’s a look that feels beyond modern, beyond cool, beyond the typical.  And just right for someone out there.

Mustard and orchid intriguing to you?  Check out the sources and more ideas on our Pinterest board.