fresh wedding theme: quirky february romance

Welcome to this week's edition of Fresh Wedding Themes! First off, let me say that this would work any time of year--not just February. However, love it or hate it, we've all got Valentine's Day on the brain, so the time seemed right to throw some red tones in the mix.

Red is, by far, the most popular and traditional wedding color, due to the widespread popularity of roses and its connotations of love. Traditionally it's accompanied by its friends black and white--which is gorgeous, don't get us wrong! But for a more modern take, try banishing black entirely. It can be surprisingly challenging! Replace it with shades of grey and silver, or supplement with aubergine, burgundy, and various deep pinks. If you want to really stand out, try doing it without a single red rose. Sound impossible? We're here to help. (Our picks this week are predominantly from Etsy, with the exception of the beautiful Maggie Sottero gown.)

Click to enlarge

1. Keep your cake simple for a breath of fresh air--a smooth expanse of white can have just as much impact as a complex pattern. Instead of flowers, adorn the cake with organza poppies and matching ribbons. Burgundy blossom flowers, A Bespoke Touch on Etsy, $50.

2. Virtually any snow-white gown will work beautifully with this versatile theme. We love the feminine shape and classic structure of this one, especially mixed with some funky red accessories. Isadora Marie gown, Maggie Sottero, from $1348.

3. Give your groom a modern, masculine look with a flower-free boutonniere. (Bonus: it'll last forever!) Jancie boutonniere, Rationale on Etsy, $11.50.

4. We still can't get enough of these poms--they're festive, lush-looking, and the perfect way to add pops of brilliant color to your reception space. Mixed Berry Jam poms, PomLove on Etsy, $18.

5. Pewter flats peeking out from beneath your gown with these precious poppy shoe clips add a touch of innocence to your bridal ensemble. Handmade fabric flower shoe clips, JujaCrafts on Etsy, $12.99.

6. Obviously we're biased, but we think these table numbers in cranberry red on crisp white are an understated but elegant way to mark your guests' places. Lila table numbers, Blimpcat on Etsy, $20 for ten.

7. Give your groomsmen a gift they'll keep forever--and coordinate with your colors at the same time. Rocker Red vintage button cufflinks, Really Bad Kitty on Etsy, $17.

8. Flower-less bouquets are becoming all the rage these days--keep yours forever and show off your quirky style with a custom-made brooch bouquet in shades of pink and red. Wedding brooch bouquet in burgundy, The Ritzy Rose on Etsy, $275.

So what do you think? Ready to give black and white the boot? Red is really surprisingly versatile, and by choosing slightly offbeat accompaniments, you can be sure your guests will remember your wedding for years (in a good way!). Happy Valentine's day (or Anna Howard Shaw Day, as the case may be).

inspired decor: time travel

Hello readers! Today we'll be starting a segment called Inspired Decor. We'll choose one particularly beautiful and inspiring piece of artwork from Etsy's vast stores, and then build a room around it with a mixture of handmade, commercial and vintage items. Let's take a look!

Today's inspiration comes from a lovely 8x12" photograph by Etsy seller yvetteinufio entitled "With pleasure:"

The print is absolutely gorgeous, with a rainbow of muted colors and myriad textures. The playful colors and subject matter are a nice contrast to the general wistfulness of the photo. I'd love to have this on my wall, and it makes a great jumping-off point for designing the rest of a room! Here are our suggestions:

Click to enlarge

1. The print provides a lot of fascinating colors and textures to choose from for the rest of our room. "With pleasure," 8x12" photo print, Yvette Inufio, $12.50.

2. I'm in love with Martha Stewart's excellent paint collection for Home Depot. The colors are varied and elegant, and I've heard the paint quality is great. "Tidewater" perfectly matches a shade pulled from one of the green-blue suitcases and contrasts nicely with the warm background of the piece. Martha Stewart Living for Home Depot Interior Eggshell Paint in "Tidewater," Home Depot, $23.95/gallon.

3. This sofa has been one of my favorites for ages--if I had $1,200 lying around, I'd bring it home in a heartbeat. The tailored shape and elegant tufting are reminiscent of decades gone by in a French parlor, while the deep charcoal color and slender steel legs give it a modern edge. Avec Sofa, CB2, $1,199.

4. A beautifully worn, real vintage suitcase provides an unexpected surface for a coffee table. We'd recommend putting a piece of glass over the top to retain its condition. Vintage suitcase trunk coffee table, krw062 on Etsy, $599.

5. Clocks are one of my favorite ways to add vintage flair to a room, and this fantastic old General Electric model is no exception. Its turquoise second hand pulls in one of the colors from the photo without being overwhelming. Round GE wall clock, hmmosko on Etsy, $24.

6. The mustard yellow suitcase in the second row is too perfect to ignore. Bring it out with a bold piece of furniture in the same color, like this vintage Herman Miller rocker from CoMod Classics. Herman Miller Eames fiberglass armchair rocker, CoMod on Etsy, $450.

7. A large, vibrant area rug with a modern geometric pattern is the perfect place to sample the pretty array of oranges in the photo. This lovely natural sisal rug from Overstock will take a lot of wear and tear, and cover just the right amount of floor space. Arts natural fiber sisal weave rug, Overstock.com, $141.99.

8. Small curiosities with a vintage feel can draw attention to otherwise neglected areas of your room; picture this pearl-colored English setter pointing from your mantel, side table or buffet. the strange planet English setter, thegoodmachinery on Etsy, $17.

9. It's all well and good to be ready for traveling, but what if you don't know where to go? Vintage hand-lettered maps make gorgeous wall decor, like this one from Etsy seller StoriesDivinations. The colors contrast beautifully with the photo, too. 1930s Maine map, StoriesDivinations on Etsy, $21.

So there you have it! A nice, warm, textured living room with a blend of new and vintage goodness. I hope you liked our picks--what would you add, if this was your house?

fresh wedding theme: warm and cool january wedding

Winter weddings get a bad rap. Yes, it can be harder to travel and have an outdoor ceremony; however, we don't think there's any more dramatic setting than rows of trees dripping with icicles and soft, glittering snow covering the ground. And everyone can use a pick-me-up in January, after the holidays are over and a few more months of chill are stretching ahead. It's possible to have a beautiful, cozy, untraditional soiree in this gray month--just work with your setting, not against it. Here are some ideas!

Click to enlarge

1. Choose a gown in a soft cream, rather than snow white, to warm your skin tone instead of washing you out. Flowing chiffon with dramatic fabric details will make a statement without competing with the glitter of snow and ice. Pronovias "Arpa," approximately $2800-$3800, pronovias.com for locations

2. Towering manzanita branches evoke the natural beauty of leafless winter trees; painting them gold, adding drips of Tiffany-blue crystal and dotting them with preserved orchids bring breathtaking glamour to your tables. Manzanita centerpiece by Michelle Rago, michelleragoltd.com for pricing

3. An unexpected combination, yellow gold and glowing aqua chalcedony earrings provide the perfect accompaniment to your dramatic dress without overwhelming your face. "Tiffany" earrings, LiciaBeads on Etsy, $18. Note: LiciaBeads is offering 20% off your entire purchase in her store for Blimpblog readers until next Wednesday! Just use this code at checkout: 119TO26BC20

4. Creamy white sheepskin half-gloves keep your fingers warm without burying your hands, and provide a subtle high-fashion touch to your ensemble. White sheepskin short gloves, $14.99, lightinthebox.com.

5. The right music can change everything. Fortunately for January brides, you've got a perfect built-in wedding song with indie cred. Download "January Wedding" by the Avett Brothers, and keep your tissues handy. (While you're at it, snag the whole album--it's a masterpiece.) Avett Brothers' "I and Love and You," $11.68, Amazon.com.

6. Choosing a color palette right off the bat will guide your selections and virtually guarantee your wedding will have a harmonious feel. We've started with a pale Tiffany blue for a less-traditional twist on icy blue, then warmed it with complementary gold and creamy ivory, and added navy and charcoal for contrast. Deepen your colors as the day goes on for a gorgeous transition from day to night! Palette, "January Wedding" by blimpcat on ColourLovers.

7. Who says your wedding ring has to be a diamond? I'm a big fan of gemstone rings, like this stunning aquamarine and rose gold solitaire. "Aquamarine Cushion" ring, onegarnetgirl on Etsy, $458.

8. To avoid an overly dark look--especially on a dreary afternoon--go with a gray tux instead of the traditional black. Here we've paired it with an ivory shirt, pale gold vest and bow tie for a light twist on a classic look. Calvin Klein 2-button Super 110 tuxedo, menswearhouse.com for locations.

9. Keep your cake's base color a simple cream, accenting with gold and white in dramatic configurations for a modern classic. Two-tier wedding cake by Melissa Fryer of Sarah's Cake shop, call for pricing.

10. A mostly monochromatic bouquet with many shades of ivory and lots of texture--calla lilies, roses, ranunculus, and anemones, mixed with willow branches and marabou feathers--lends a breath of fresh air to the traditional white bridal bouquet. Textured bouquet, source unknown; contact your local florist and bring a photo.

Hopefully this post has given you some inspiration to throw your own gorgeous, cozy January fete! Feel free to show us your own ideas!