A Rainy Day in Napa

The hubs and I recently went on an amazing trip to California. We visited the a.m.a.z.i.n.g Napa Valley for a few days, then cruised on over to San Fran to complete the look. Always looking for amazing scenery, the Oxbow Public Market captured my full attention and was a perfect great additive to our day...

Starving!...Our first stop at the market was the Hog Island Oyster Co. for the most amazing bowl of clam chowder created from scratch the moment you order it. Served with a fresh baguette and side of butter, a Pinot Grigio was the perfect compliment. Yum!

Kara's cupcakes was definitely the next step.

A few other amazing sights at the Market...

Location: Napa, CA Oxbow Public Market
Date: October 2011
Photographer: me! Morgan

Monday...coffee mugs and a cozy bed.

Ever wake up on Monday mornings and long for your weekend back? This picture will take you there. Again, inspiration from my trip to the Fashion Mall this weekend, I was enthralled in retail beautification from many corners. Gotta love the 'ol iPhone for moonlighting as a camera!

Top Left: cozy, colorful and radically quaint. This bedroom suite was in an amazing display at Anthropology.
Top Right: Heck Yeah! Hip monogrammed coffee mugs, Anthropology; $6.00 each. Perfect wedding gift.
Bottom Left: home brewed soaps equipped with rose petals wrapped in cool patterned fabric. Anthropology
Bottom Right: living room display from Restoration Hardware.

Ashley Weddings & Events

A Sunday with Inspiration.

Happy Sunday! Today's inspiration comes from my wedding anniversary trip this past weekend to Indy and The Fashion Mall. Yes, my husband let me shop all day AND dropped some bling in my wine glass at dinner (best surprise ever;). There are many reasons to venture more than 75 miles north of my home to shop,but my all time favorite reason... it's for Anthropology.

Left Pic: An Amazing etched glassware display from Anthropology.
Top Right: Sparkly Bracelets Please! I can't believe I didn't buy one of these at Anthro.
Bottom Right: This Chair from Restoration Hardware would be my dream come true, PLUS my husbands dream come true! Amazing.

Inspiration from: The Fashion Mall, Keystone at the Crossing
8702 Keystone at the Xing, Indianapolis, IN

Tori + Brian 7*23*11

Tree Suites Garden*The Tudor Room
Bloomington, Indiana

Oh my sweet Tori...loved her from our first meeting! All this selfless bride wanted was for everyone to have an amazing time at her and her fiancé, Brian's wedding. Pulling this summer time theme off perfectly, Tori chose elements of vibrant and bold colors with a touch of vintage class.
The ceremony was held at the IMU (Indiana Memorial Union) Tree Suite Garden. A cute and quaint space in the middle of regal student union where lifetime's of love begin. Hearing the faint sounds of Vivaldi on strings, guests entered the gardens and were offered ice cold bottles of water as they headed to their seats on white chairs lined up in perfect rows. Finally, the bride arrives down the aisle with her dad on her right meeting her eager groom. The brides hand tied bouquet is made of fresh colorful sunflowers, pink and yellow roses, dark red dahlia's and a hint of purple. A family friend and confidant, Sam, preforms the ceremony and the couple is wed!
Cocktail hour begins down the hall in the rich and regal Tudor Room. Dark brown wood frames the space. Hanging on the walls are beautiful oil paintings in thick, ornate gold frames. The bride chose to decorate with vintage light blue, light green and clear Ball jars in varying sizes, filled with more fresh flowers and glowing candlelight. Guests mingle with a cocktail while gazing at framed engagement photos of the bride and groom throughout the space.
The evening gets started with heartfelt introductions of all the bridal party, dinner, toasts and dances. The lights turn low and the party gets started! With all that dancing comes hunger, a late night snack of bread sticks from Pizza X are quickly devoured by everyone. Tori and Brian headed off to sunny Jamaica for their honeymoon and are now starting their marital lives right here in B-town!

Love!
Morgan

Shout out to the amazing vendors:
Wedding Planning: me! :) Ashley Weddings and Events
Photography: Caitlin Sullivan Photography
Ceremony Site: Tree Suite Gardens (IMU)
Reception Site: The Tudor Room (IMU)
Catering: Bari Kuhlman (IMU)
DJ: Pro Sound Entertainment, Jason A Fritz
Linens: BBJ Linens (provided by the IMU)

Flowers: White Orchid

A Few of my Favorite Things!
Vintage Ball Jars...Heck yeah!
Tori's Badgley Mischka Shoes
Tori's beautiful wedding Gown
The String players were Tori's cute students
Midnight snacks! Breadsticks...boo yeah!

Jennifer + Larry 6*11*11

First Presbyterian Church*Indiana Memorial Union
Bloomington, Indiana

If there was one thing that was completely obvious about this couple is that family is what is most important in life! Like two peas in a pod, Larry and Jennifer Hsia (pronounced Shaw;) had a perfect day on June 11th, sharing with their closest friends and family, the most special day of their lives...so far!
Starting with a beautiful ceremony at The First Presbyterian Church in the late afternoon and ending with a trip to the local bar for a midnight snack and night cap, the day had to have been truly magical for this couple. Jennifer's aunt created all the fresh flower arrangements and bouquets, including the handmade white paper cones overflowing with fresh white tulips placed at each aisle end. The brides hand tied bouquet of creamy white calla lilies popped against her maids shades of purple. The boys all looked strapping in black tux's and matching purple striped ties.
After cocktail hour, guests were shuffled to the dance floor to enjoy a "first dance" with the bride and groom as....well....bride and groom! Blacked Eyed Peas "tonight's gonna be a good night" blasted the dance floor, and the mood for the evening was set. After everyone got their bellies full of steak and cake, heartfelt toasts were shared and the dance party began. For those who were less than finished with the party scene, the celebration continued at the local pub with beer and stuffed bread sticks at Nick's English Hut! The honeymoon began the next week in Bali, yes, Bali!! And the couple is now settling in as husband and wife in Washington DC.

Love!
Morgan

Shout out to the amazing vendors!
Planner: me! :) Ashley Weddings and Events
Photography: Amanda Wilcher Photography
Church: First Presbyterian Church
Reception Location: Alumni Hall, Indiana Memorial Union
Catering: Bari Kuhlman, IMU Catering
Flowers: Aunt Cheryl Inskeep
Hair: Bridgett Vohland, Do Salon
Makeup: Trisha Morrow, Sky Blue Salon
DJ: DJ Shawn D
Videographer: Ben Fisher, The Pros
Linens: BBJ Linens (provided by IMU)
Lighting Engineer: Mike Schwandt, Big Picture Productions


A few of my Favorite things!
The Bridesmaids shoes- Yes, Please! Purple, frilly, heels!
The Flip Flop Basket for Dancing Guests- Jennifer bought purple flip flops from Old Navy in all sizes and placed them in a personalized white basket for guests who's shoes were fashionable...but not so functional.

A Spring Love!

Kristen + Rustin
5*13*11

Meet Mr. + Mrs. Ball! This full of life couple chose their wedding date, Friday the 13th because of the wonderful luck it brings to them. Kristen chose her wedding palette perfectly for the budding of springs beginning. From the fresh hot pink gerbera daisies and fragrant star gazer lilies to the PoP of bright green throughout their wedding, everything was full of color and life! Guests enjoyed local Bloomington flair with wine from Oliver Winery and a midnight snack of warm cookies from Baked! Love was definitely in the air!

xoxo Morgan

Wedding Planning/Coordination: Ashley Weddings and Events (Special Thanks to one of my amazing friend and confidante, Amanda Franklin for running the reception!)
Catering: Baked!,Mother Bears Pizza,Oliver Winery
Ceremony Location: Beck Chapel IU Campus
Reception Location: Millennium Club House
Photography: Casey Letsch Photography

Tori + Brian's Engagement Session with Cailtin Sullivan Photography

OK, I wasn't present for this engagement session shoot, nor did I even know Tori and Brian yet when they were taken, but Caitlin Sullivan takes such amazing and candid pictures, I had to post them! They embrace the love of the couple as well as many iconic Bloomington locations. Enjoy!

Tori + Brian's wedding was this past weekend, 7*23*11.

Now they are celebrating together in Jamaica!
xo Morgan

Photography: Caitlin Sullivan Photography Indianapolis, IN

Location: Bloomington, IN