JL DESIGNS featured in bride and bloom magazine - summer 2009

yay!  the wait is over!  one of the tablescapes i designed for the current issue of bride and bloom magazine is finally out so i am officially able to release the photos from the shoot!  below is the stunning cover and the spread they put together...click on either one to enlarge the image...

a HUGE thank you to my amazing publicist leila khalil of be inspired pr for making this happen!  me and the rest of the vendors involved are SO grateful for this awesome press! 

  

another post to follow with more eye candy from the shoot...stay tuned...

July Fourth: Last Minute Party Decor!

Thanks to the wonderful ladies over at Paper and Cake, our Fourth of July celebration will actually be stylish!  I have always had a hard time finding chic patriotic decor...until now.  If you are looking for last minute decorating ideas, check out this paper package in their Etsy shop.  It is only $8 and you print off the simple DIY project right at home.  Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it!  Get crafting!

July Fourth: Drink Ideas

Here are two refreshing drinks I plan to make this weekend...

Watermelon Cooler

image via Southern Living

The watermelon wedges on the glasses are what caught my eye. Then, I read the recipe and thought "yum!" I'm not a big fan of watermelon, but this drink recipe from Southern Living sounds good.

Cherry Limeade

image via Taste of Home

I made this non-alcoholic beverage last summer when I was pregnant and it was delicious! Plus, the recipe calls for a sugar substitute (I used Splenda), so that really cuts down on the calories.  It's perfect for kids too!

** side note: if you happen to click on the image credit link for the watermelon cooler, you might notice it leads you to a different recipe. The magazine offers two versions and I prefer the one I listed, but liked this picture better. =)

a vintage + rustic fashion shoot

so it has taken me forever to go through the images from the photo shoot i did with stephanie williams...but i swear, i have a good excuse!  there were SO MANY phenomenal shots to choose from...i am not kidding people...this girl is one talented human being!  just see for yourself...

bouquet of dark burgundy dahlias and wine colored begonia leaves...

lavender ranunculas and purple anemones finished in a rustic off white muslin...

a bouquet of solid wheat wrapped in chocolate lace...

green ranunculas, chartreuse brazillia berries and this other funky green stuff i can't remember the name of (oops!) finished in espresso velvet...

green umbrella fern, lotus pods, variegated begonia leaves and silver brunia...

a pale green succulent finished with a touch of cream reindeer moss makes a super simple boutonniere...

sherbert colored ranunculas in tones of peach, lemon, pale pink and coral, wrapped in a really killer pleated ribbon i found in the garment district...

just a couple more of my favorite shots of the day...oh-so-vintage glam!!

 
i had so much fun designing the florals for this shoot!  thanks again to all the amazing vendors who worked so hard to pull this off!

photography:  stephanie williams

bridal gowns:  amy jo tatum bridal

hair pieces and veils:  batcakes couture

makeup: teena hoffstetter

hair:  kyle rich

Real Parties: Beautiful Butterflies

Here is a gorgeous first birthday party put on by my friend, Christine, for her little girl.  Christine is an event planner extraordinaire who planned my wedding and for whom I worked for as an event and wedding coordinator at Belle of the Ball.

I absolutely love how the decor was centered around a child, but was not too themey.  The butterfly accents were placed throughout the house in the perfect spots.  Her elegant choices made for an incredible celebration.

All photography provided by the incredibly talented Leslie Gaworecki of Goodlight Photography.

Other Vendor Information:

Event decor - the amazing Rob Smith of Events in Bloom

Cakes - Who Made the Cake

Cookie favors - Paulie's Cookies

Sweet Sadie actually turned two today!  I will post those party pictures soon.  Be looking for Cirque du Sadie!

sneak peak of ami and nick - riviera club, pacific palisades

by far, one of my favorite weddings to date - plus an amazing client and dreamy images to top it off!  can't wait to share more!

a HUUUUGE thank you to lindsey and april from sweet monday photography for spoiling me with a killer cd in the mail today...i cannot wait to go through it and pick the images for the full post on this wedding!  you girls are FAB!