As many of you know, our dear Whitney is leaving us for the big city soon (sniff sniff). It’s her last week in the office, so we couldn’t resist throwing a little goodbye party at our weekly meeting today.
We went with a “Big Apple” theme in honor of her new residence.
Did we mention how much we’re going to miss this smiling face??
Oh yes, we did — here + here. And lest you think it’s all fun and games in the SW office, this was us a few minutes after the conclusion of our party:
Woo hoo!
Y’all know that we’re crazy for a celebration ’round these parts. (Marissa wasn’t lying about those exclamation marks in her emails to Emily!) Mardi Gras is no exception, and if you can imagine it, makes us even more giddy for weddings inspired by the event. That’s why this morning, Emily put together a softer twist on the traditional Mardi Gras colors with her inspiration board and Marissa gathered a ton of fun images to teach us about all the Mardi Gras traditions.
I’ve pulled together some of my favorite green, purple and gold finds to get those Mardi Gras wheels turning. Sparkly and sophisticated is the way to go for these Southern-inspired products. Just throw in a some masks and feathers and find a brass band to provide the tunes — you’ll be all set.
A. Put something sparkly to jingle-jangle on your arms! You know you’ll be waving your hands in celebration! I love this amethyst bracelet paired with some other gold bangles.
B. Who else loves this dress like I do? Flirty in gorgeous shade of purple — I think it’s lovely for your bridesmaids! Of course, I won’t blame you if you decide to rock it at the rehearsal dinner. We like this sparkly number, too.
C. So you want to don something a little more sophisticated than those shiny plastic beads? How about this stunner: the Trompe L’oeil necklace from J.Crew. J’adore!
D. There’s never been a better time to break out the feathered accessories than during Mardi Gras! I love this delicate hairpiece from Twigs and Honey.
E. This beauty’s definitely a splurge! But it’s glittering exterior and easy-to-hold size makes it a contender for our hearts. Bonus? It’s called the Bountiful Bliss clutch! Perfect for a wedding, no?
F. We know that with the abundance of King’s Cake and sweets at your celebration, there will be many opportunities to use these cute dessert flags.
G. Oh y’all. How sweet are these bow-adorned purple pumps? We think they’ll look smashing with a short getaway dress, too! We’re crazy for this option by Nina, too.
H. Confetti and sparkles looks just as good on china as it does when it falls from the sky. We like these from Kate Spade.
I. These purple, green and gold macarons will be a hit! French treat with some colorful charm can’t go wrong on your dessert bar. Pair them with King’s Cake for a true NOLA feast!
J. Turn a Southern favorite into a themed refreshment! This blackberry mint julep recipe has us licking our lips! Want another option? We love that this cocktail is named the French Quarter!
K. One of my favorite things to see in a wedding is a set of gold Chiavari chairs. We think it’s a great way to incorporate some of that gold into the scenery without overwhelming the eyes. You can rent them from companies like Classic Party Rentals.
L. Don’t forget the small details! A bright green cake server that’s not too delicate won’t just look festive on your cake table, it’ll bring back fun memories when you reuse it around the house.
M. With all the feasting that’s to be done, you’ll need to give guests a play-by-play. This swirling green menu from Minted will fit in splendidly!
What do you think of our picks? What items would you include in a Mardi Gras wedding?
Friends, have you ever lost your umbrella? I lost both of mine a couple of weeks ago and ever since, my days have been spent constantly checking the weather on my phone or running from rain clouds. The skies have been a bit gloomy in the Carolinas lately, so I finally resigned to the fact that I wasn’t going to find my umbrella and got a new one yesterday. Let’s hope that Emily’s lemon squeeze inspiration board paired with my color palette finds puts Mother Nature in a better mood for tomorrow. Be prepared for sunshine, y’all!
I love how these yellow and green picks play off the colors of citrus groves throughout the South! These items will add some Southern sunshine to any wedding. Want more finds? Stay tuned because later today, Marissa is sharing her favorite yellow dress picks in her Southern Style column!
A. We love the idea of using chalkboards to identify signature drinks and menu items, especially when it comes in a bright frame like this one!
B. I am gaga for this ribbon. I see it wrapped around a lush bouquet or tied in the flower girl’s hair. What do you think it’s perfect for?
C. Balance out the sour of those lemons with some sweet rock candy. We think these would look adorable on a candy buffet!
D. We just love the idea of using mini citrus trees as part of the decor! You can buy meyer lemon trees and more online here.
E. No need to get too fancy with drinks, this lemon prosecco is tasty and only needs three ingredients (four if you count the mint garnish).
F. We know a Southern girl never skimps her guests on sweets or on cute presentation. Try these pleated cupcake liners if you’re baking for the wedding yourself!
G. Guests will have a ball guessing what’s inside these bright striped treat bags. Another option? Let guests fill the bags themselves with treats from the dessert bar. Provide custom stickers to keep goodies from falling out.
H. For tying treats, invitations, napkins and more, this “Lemondrop” twine is a go-to. We’ll never tire of seeing it!
I. For your bridesmaids who need a place for their lipstick and camera, this yellow cornflower clutch is the perfect summery accessory.
J. Draw eyes upward with an epic yellow chandelier. Whether it’s hanging over a lounge area or the dance floor, it’s sure to make a statement.
K. Can’t you picture these adorable lemon souffles sitting at each place setting during dessert? I love how they’re presented in the lemon rind!
L. Complete your outfit by accessorizing with this adorable green “Rana” cocktail ring in mint.
M. For a little snack before the nuptials, pack up lemonade, some fruit and cheese and crackers in a picnic basket for two. Or, fill it with some late night snacks to take with you after the reception!
N. For changing into when heels are too painful for the dance floor or for gifting to your ‘maids, these bright cap-toe flats are comfy but cute enough to don all night!
Did these picks bring some sunshine to your life? What other details would you include in a citrus-inspired wedding?
Past Color Palette Finds:
Bright Winter Beach
Southern Gothic
Merlot + Champagne Vineyard
Soft Peach and Blue
Tex Mex Fiesta
Lemonade Summer
What an adorable party! She’s definitely one lucky lady to have all of you!! Good luck Whitney in NYC! You’ll love it, I’m sure!