Style Me Pretty Calligraphy Feature

There have been some pretty exciting things happening over at my little calligraphy shop, Penned & Pretty in the last few months! One of which I already blogged about over at Penned & Pretty, but just had to share with you here as well.

Back in December 2009, Molly of Paisley Quill gave me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of an inspiration to reality photo shoot for Style Me Pretty alongside some of the most wedding industry's finest vendors. I literally jumped at the chance.Molly sent me some of the most intricate and beautiful escorts I had ever seen. I put my "pretty adorable" calligraphy on about 20 of them and sent them back to her in time for the shoot. I couldn't wait to see how they would be used and I sure couldn't wait to see the pictures and feature!

Blacks, golds, baby blues and a little navy were the colors that shined throughout this stunning shoot. If you're thinking about having a winter wedding, I'm pretty sure that there is no way that you can see the pictures from this event and not be inspired. It's all about the details, as they say, and having the escort cards displayed on bare branches made for quite the eye-catcher. The stark branches gave way for the escort cards to shine. The outcome of the shoot was stunning, to say the least. If you haven't seen it already take a little look at the Style Me Pretty from inspiration to reality shoot part one part two part three part four {the video!} and part five!Here is a close-up of one of the escort cards. In case you didn't know, this is the "Pretty Adorable" style which is by far the most requested script from my little calligraphy shop! Here is a of the wonderful vendors that made this shoot happen! Flowers , Table Design and Dessert Buffet: Aisha Holly Dooby Design Group / Stationery: Molly Myers • Paisley Quill / Photography: Aruna Mall • Aruna B. Photography / Videography: Ryan Koral • Epic Motion / Venue: The Royal Park Hotel • Kristen Hickey / Hair & Make-up: Angela Valentine & Jennifer Jaroma • Salon U2 / Cake: Papa Joe’s Market/La Sala Banquet • Sue Helzer / Dress: Amsale • Donated by V2V / Model: Andrea Walker.

A very special thanks to Molly of Paisley Quill for the opportunity to be involved in this shoot and to Abby at Style Me Pretty for the feature!
All pictures by Aruna Mall of Aruna B. Photography and used with expressed permission.

Wedding Details with a Splash of Yellow

The other day, over at Penned & Pretty, I posted one of the most unique escort card display I've ever laid eyes on. It just so happens that the rest of the wedding was just as lovely {with a splash of yellow}, so I had to share. Why don't we start out with the shoes? Ohhh these adorable little yellow bridal shoes.
Silver-taupe bridesmaids dresses? Yes, please! And those yellow bridesmaids bouquets pop with just the perfect amount of sunshine, don't you think?!

Don't get me wrong, I loved my bouquet. However, over a year later, I'm drawn more to the look and feel of a mixed bouquet. This one would be a delight to carry.

A little peak of the details on the tables at the reception and a charming cake with yellow details.

I'll leave you with one last picture, of the reception space {The Ocean Institute}. High ceilings, GORGEOUS table settings and a skeleton of an aquatic creature to top things off. See the absolutely to-die-for photos from this wedding right: here on the blog of Stephanie Williams. And don't forget to stop by the lovely blog of the talented Jesi Haack, the stylist behind all of the details of this event!
{pictures used with expressed permission of Stephanie Williams}

Merry Christmas!!!

Many of you know that I have a little calligraphy shop, Penned & Pretty. So, you shouldn't be surprised that I always love receiving a pretty card in the mail complete with a fabulous envelope. This little beauty would have been a welcome guest in our mailbox. Oh my deer {or buck or antelope, whatever!}! Loving the break from the traditional Christmas tree, jingle bells and Santa Clause himself.
Oh what is there not to love about this envelope!? Red & gold is always a winning color combination at this time of year! If I do say so myself, my pretty calligraphy would look pretty adorable right beside the "kindly deliver to" instructions. The icing on top of the cake is that the envelope flap is on the side of the envelope instead of its traditional spot! On this Christmas Eve, I'd like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Here's to hoping that your stockings overflow with all sorts of goodness {and that you're not stranded in an airport!!}!
You can see more pictures of this holiday card designed by wiley valentine right here. p.s. there is all sorts of goodness by wiley valentine on their lovely blog. Enjoy!

Moving

I have big news to share with you all {if you haven't been following me on twitter}...we're moving! Chris and I closed Wednesday on our first home together and will be moving in over the weekend {along with attending a first communion and a wedding on Saturday!}. We are beyond thrilled to have our own little pad and place to call home. That being said, posting around these parts might be a little on the light side for the next week or so {plus or minus some scheduled posts}. You understand, right!?
p.s. recommendations for paint samples are highly encouraged. comment below.

p.p.s. when you buy a refridge, washer/dryer and dining room table all in one week...you feel a little broke.

p.p.p.s the cutest little moving announcements, which were posted over at Penned & Pretty as found on oh so beautiful paper by: FPO

Giddy Bachelorette

To say that I'm just a tad bit busy for the next few months would be an understatement. Being an auditor at the end of busy season, running a fairly brand new business {that is bursting at the seams with business}, maintaining two blogs and attempting to be a newlywed & purchase a home has left me just a little tired. So, instead of leaving you high and dry without a blog post, I thought that I would share some of my favorite blog posts from my other little blog, penned & pretty, with you over the next few days.
This penned & pretty post features my favorite bachelorette invitation of all time.

The feathers, the fishnet stockings and the glamour of it all make for one eye catching invitation, don't you think!?

p.s. Once you order them, go ahead and send these little lovelies over to Penned & Pretty to have the blanks filled in with some of the prettiest calligraphy your little heart can imagine!

"The Lauren" bachelorette invitation via Giddy Ink

Poll: Get the Word Out

As most of you know, I started up my own little business Penned & Pretty not too long ago. The response, for lack of better words, has been overwhelming and humbling. It's safe to say that March and April will be quite the busy time for our little shop!

But, I need your help. The months of October - February will be slower months for us {and the wedding industry as a whole} and we are toying with the idea advertising. Now we know that every bride is different and therefore every bride takes a different path while finding vendors for her wedding. Question is, how do you/did you find your vendors {your responses will help us determine where to advertise!}?

1. the knot, wedding wire, elizabeth anne designs library
2. vendors recommended by other bloggers
3. word of mouth from friends/family/other vendors
4. bridal shows/expos
5. good ole Google search
6. other

Please vote {poll located at the top right of the blog} and/or leave a comment with your thoughts, we appreciate it!

Oh, and if you didn't know, Penned & Pretty has it's own little blog that is updated daily with darling little invitations, announcements, and all things paper from some of our favorite little shops. Add Penned & Pretty to your reader and follow along as we bring you only the prettiest little paper goods we can find!

And now for a pretty picture for this pretty little post. I never thought I could love a picture in which neither the bride nor the groom is looking at the camera or at the other person...until I saw this picture.
p.s. a wall of ivy is my new favorite background.

photo by the ever wonderful jose villa

EAD Library

Just a shout out to the ladies over at Elizabeth Anne Designs for including Penned & Pretty as a member of the EAD Library ! We are tickled pink....or raspberry.

Head on over to the {newly redesigned} EAD Library to find wedding resources and professionals in your area!

Penned and Pretty

Today is the big day. I am ecstatic, overwhelmed and so excited!
Today is the opening of my little {calligraphy} shop, Penned & Pretty!

I hope that you will all stop by and say hello! This is truly a day that would not have come into fruition without the support of you. Don't forget to add Penned & Pretty to your bookmarks and/or Google Readers as we'll post daily on all things penned & pretty!

A special thanks to April of April Foster Events for the design of the Penned & Pretty logo and countless hours of advice & blog-related assistance.