Made My Day

After a particularly hectic day, productive yet tiring none the less, I came home to the most delightful surprise. My ever so thoughtful hubby had come home before me, delved into our cabinets for a vase and put together a flower arrangement complete with a little piece of notepaper with a hand drawn red heart. Ahhhh......so sweet! There's something about an arrangement of flowers that just makes me smile. I've attempted to grow my own, ready for the picking at anytime, but it seems that this season of my life is not conducive to remembering to water the plants. Here's a few arrangements to put a smile on your face.

Find this here

Are these not the most stunning and somewhat peculiar blooms?

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I feel like drinking an afternoon cup of tea and perhaps speaking with an English accent when I look at these.

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Pretty, pretty peonies. They are one of my favorite flowers.

Find this here

This is actually one arrangement broken into smaller groupings. I like to do this placing a vase in the bathroom, bedroom, dining room....you get the idea. Share the love.

A friend and neighbor recently brought over a gift for watching her adorable pooch. It was a cactus plant. A subtle hint about my gardening skills?

love.joy.laughter

Giveaway-Crate and Barrel

When I hear of a good deal, I have to spread the word. Style Me Pretty, the ultimate wedding blog of all blogs, has announced a partnership with Crate and Barrel, the ultimate store to fill you home with decor goodness. When you sign-up for a Crate and Barrel bridal registry on SMP you are automatically entered to win a whopping four thousand dollar Crate and Barrel gift card.
Here are a few Crate and Barrel goodies to get you dreaming.















Can you imagine a $4,000 shopping spree just for signing up to receive wedding gifts!
Happy shopping.

love.joy.laughter

Hawaiian Inspired Jewelry-Noelani Designs

You've heard that a smile is the perfect accessory and oh so true but you also know how the right piece of jewelry can make a simple T...simply put together. Noelani Love is the talented designer behind Noelani Designs a locally owned, Hawaiian inspired, jewelry line. Her hand crafted pieces can take you from lazy beach-filled days to sophisticated on-the-town nights. Here's a little sample of some of my favorites.










A few more from Noelani 's recently launched wedding collection.

I personally love my Noelani jewelry and can't wait to add to my collection. Noelani's earrings are so light that I can wear my pair all day. In fact, I love them so much I've been known to wear them all day, and the next day, and the next day...Yes it's time to shop for more!

Check out Noelani Design's website where currently you can pick your favorite bauble and have it shipped for free. Oh, and I have a little secret. From now until October 31st, 2009, Noelani Designs is offering 20% off of your order just for being a friend of Seasons of Life Wedding and Event Planning. All you have to do is enter the promotional code "Seasons".

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Photographer Highlight-Brooke Dombroski

I had the privilege of seeing photographer Brooke Dombroski at work and this woman has talent! Every picture was so perfectly framed and she literally took hundreds of amazingly beautiful photographs. She is so unobtrusive when she's snapping away that you'll forget that your intimate wedding day moments are being captured for posterity. Isn't that the way you want it to be on your wedding day? If someone is going to be documenting the love you are feeling and sharing, you want it to be natural and spontaneous.

With a degree in graphic design (oh did I forget to mention that she's also smart!) she is also a talented graphic artist. You can see her artistic eye in the way she uses lenses and light. Check out her website BrooklynHawaii.com. Her fashion and lifestyle photography is stunning. She recently did a pregnancy photo shoot that you can see on her "recent work" page and the mom-to-be is gorgeously pregnant and Brooke captures her in all her mommy glory.

First comes love...then comes marriage...then comes a baby in a baby carriage...Brooke's got you covered!

love.joy.laughter

Fabric Photo Booth

I love the new trend of photo booths for your party or reception. It offers guests a fun activity during the cocktail hour or thoroughout the reception and throw in some props and you have a party! Having a fabric backdrop is a cost effective alternative to renting a full-fledged photo booth, minus the secrecy of what goes on behind the curtain. Fabric backdrops can be as easy or elaborate as you want to make them.

Found on

Martha Stewart Weddings.

Found here

I made my own fabric back drop below starting with upholstery fabric that I picked up from Ikea. We don't have an Ikea in Hawaii so it's a required shopping spot on my trips to California. The fabric was narrower then most upholstery fabrics so I purchased green fabric in the same type of thickness and sewed panels on both sides of the Ikea piece and voila a fun, unexpected photo-op spot.

Photography by Brooke Dombroski

The panels can be strung from trees, tacked to the side of a wall, hung from a clothesline or if you really want to go all out, you can construct a wood or PVC pipe frame for a freestanding backdrop. I like the idea of leaving extra fabric on the bottom for a photo studio look. Thicker fabric works best to keep the drape straight and less light will shine through if it's not hung against a flat surface. You can also use a high thread count sheet (for added thickness) a duvet cover, bedspread or blanket.

Found here

So you have the backdrop and it's hanging, so now what? This is where the fun begins. There are several options for capturing fun photographs.

1. Discuss with your photographer the option of taking a few of your couple and family shots in front on the backdrop. Ask if your photographer can have a second photographer snap photo's for a specific time during your reception and corral your guests for a photo shoot.

2. Ask a friend to play photographer for the day or several friends so they can take turns.

3. Setup a tripod and digital camera and either provide clear, written instructions for your guests on how to use your camera's timer or better yet, provide a remote control for click perfect shots.

4. For instant gratification, set-up a Polaroid camera and have your assigned photographer post the pictures on a board. Your guest will have fun writing their well-wishes to you making a great conversation piece at your reception or party.

Found on Snippet and Ink

Now this is taking it to a whole different level. I absolutely love it and can't wait to try it someday!

love.joy.laughter

Bye Bye Bushy Brows

When you think of full, dark eyebrows who do you think of? Did you say Brooke Shields or perhaps Madonna?

Photo Source

Photo Source

Remember the fad of shaving your eyebrows and then drawing in a paper thin hint of a brow? If you are old enough to have been there and done that and now realize that some fads are not worth following, then you know what a difference a good plucking, waxing and shaping can do to transform your face. After all your eyebrows should not be what draws attention to your beauty but rather enhances it. Lena Hanson of Lena's Fab Brows is an expert in creating the perfect brow for your specific face shape. Her philosophy, "to frame and shape the eyebrow to suit each client's facial structure and personality - no two brows and no two people are alike." Having a perfectly shaped brow is a very important step in your overall wedding beauty look. A well shaped brow can lift and open your eyes but why stop the fun when your brows are perfectly trimmed and arched! Lena is a fabulous makeup artist and can create a beautiful wedding look for your special day.

Lena offers makeup trial sessions which I strongly encourage for all brides. At the trial session Lena will work with you to create a look that you are comfortable with and that will enhance your natural beauty so you can truly be the star of your wedding. Lena has over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry and has worked in New York, California, various places in between and now she's back in beautiful Hawaii where she's drawing loyal clientele. Visit Lena's website for more eye candy.

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Happy Mother's Day!

There's nothing like a mother's unconditional love!

Found her on Etsy.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers!

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Real Weddings - Chad and Nicole Part 2

Earlier I highlighted Chad and Nicole's beautiful Hawaii inspired wedding. I'm back with more glimpses of their special day.

Nicole is ready to meet her groom at the alter.

I love that Nicole's uncle Ron, who officiated the wedding,is looking at Chad's expression as he watches his bride walk down the aisle. Priceless!

It's official!

I love how these pictures look timeless and ooze with love.

Photo's by Sarah Q

And they lived happily ever after...

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Real Weddings - Chad and Nicole

Nicole shared about how she and Chad met. She was sure he was “The One” when she was able to check these items of her list… “loves God-check, handsome-check, loves to travel-check, into teeth-sold!!" I have to explain the teeth part. He’s a dentist and she’s a dental student. They both come from a family line of dentists...you get the picture. Nicole wanted her wedding to be modern, simple, intimate and with an infusion of her love for Hawaii. She choose blue and coral as her color scheme bringing two elements of Hawaii that she loves, the ocean and a Hawaiian sunset, into the overall decor of the wedding.

The ceremony was held under a beautiful stone gazebo where various sized lanterns were hung creating a canopy over the bride and groom.
In order to create an intimate setting we brought in square tables draped in teal colored,crushed-satin tablecloths. Guests were able to comfortably hold a conversation without having to strain over a large round table. Lanterns were hung low in groups of three in order to create a cozy and modern feel. Coral orchids and tropical leaves were simple yet elegant and votives were wrapped in thin strips of greenery.

The couple offered guests their wedding cake, mini crème brule and chocolate decadence. Delicious!

After a bubbly send off the couple spent their honeymoon on a Caribbean cruise.

Photography by Sarah Q.

More to come....

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Table Top Book for Your Reception Table

Very dear friends recently were wed in Ohio and then returned back to Hawaii for a second reception. I had the privilege of planning their reception, a casual gathering of close friends. I wanted to find something to use as a sign-in book and something that would be meaningful to them. I headed to the bookstore and picked-up a beautiful table top book of Hawaii. Found here

I printed and framed suggestions listed below for guests and placed the frame on a table with the book and a fine tip permanent marker.

1. Pick a place that you and the couple visited together and write about that memory.
2. Choose a location that is meaningful to you and share why it is with the couple and why they are meaningful to you.

3. Pick a page that reminds you of the couple and tell them why.

The couple was delighted and guests enjoyed browsing through the book and choosing a page to write on. Think-yearbook for grownups. In fact, I knew I wanted to write on the page that had dolphins displayed and I was tempted to write, "Page saved for Karine".

They can now take this book with them as they set-up house as husband and wife and they will always have memories of Hawaii and the people that shared this part of the journey with them.

Table top books make great alternatives to reception table sign-in books for intimate receptions. They are a perfect memento of your destination wedding and something that you will treasure for a lifetime and find yourself looking through over and over again.

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Big Blossoms

Have you noticed one of the latest wedding trends? It's hard to miss. Big beautiful blossoms are making a spring appearance and they've caught my attention. I was first drawn to wedding bouquets a few seasons ago made of individual rose petals meticulously placed together to form one giant bloom.

Isn't this absolutely fabulous! I can only imagine the amount of time and effort the floral designer must put into this bountiful blossom. Found here
This season designers are taking BIG and FLOWER to a whole new dimension. Check out what's blooming this season.This flower defies gravity. From Valentino Sposa for Pronovias, this gown is made from oh-so-luxurious silk mikado. Found here

The flower power continues with this Jennifer Behr flower headband masterpiece. Celebrity trackers take note, Jennifer Behr designs have been spotted on many a Hollywood starlet.
Even your feet can be draped in beautiful crepe petals. Christian Louboutin's pink petal perfection at Neiman Marcus. Beautiful as a flat sandal as well. Found here

Unless you are a very confident fashion diva out to make a flower power statement, you may not want to add all of these beautiful flower options at the same time. Instead, an unexpected big blossom accent can add romance, sophistication and a little bit of whimsy to your wedding day attire.

Don't be a wallflower on your wedding day.

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