Anyone home?

Hi, there... if you're even there...

I thought I'd drop in for a little visit...

Guess what? I miss Swoonworthy.

A lot.

Like a lot alot.

I miss styling,

and writing,

and the whole combination of it all that results in,

that's right,

blogging.

I've been thinking about it for a couple of months now. I've just been so busy and overwhelmed with my job (which I luckily love!) for so long now and it's now all bubbling to the surface. I knew I wouldn't be able to continue blogging with everything else I have going on...

...but I can't deny it any longer. I miss it so much.

I also have lots of exciting news to share. Well, maybe not "lots," but two things, technically.

First, today is officially the end of my first quarter-century on this Earth, and the start of my second. That's right, my 25th birthday. You know when you're little and people ask you if you feel older and you say yes even though you really don't? Well, to be 100% honest, I sort of do this time around. I feel like I've been an "adult" for awhile now, but just the words TWENTY. FIVE. sound so much older. But in a good way.

Second, the Boyfriend and I got engaged back in February and are planning our wedding for late August 2011! I guess I should get used to calling him the Fiancé on here, huh? Anyhow, we're paying for the wedding ourselves, so we've gotten creative and have a ton of DIY projects coming up... which is one of the reasons I'm writing:

I'd love to come back to Swoonworthy—maybe not everyday like I used to—but at least to drop by every once in awhile and share some of my wedding planning projects and to simply document the entire process for myself. My heart is fluttering just thinking about it all (blogging+DIY+wedding)!

Alright, here I go again. Blabbing on and on and on...

For the time being, I'll leave you with one of my favorite engagement photos (what am I talking about, they're all my favorites!) of the Fiancé and I taken back in late July by the lovely Jen Huang of Jen Huang Photography (who just so happens to be a college friend of mine!). She gets to fly all over the country and take amazing photos. Lucky duck.

*swoon*

Paige

Thrifted Thursday - Books

Most people purchase thrift store books to read. I, on the other hand, purchase thrift store books for decor purposes. They have fantastic content, and I do read them, but often I will (literally) judge a book by its cover, and purchase it initially because I find it to be beautiful.

Do any of your know Chinese? What does the blue book on the right say?

Texture, color, size; they're all taken into consideration when I'm choosing books -- and when I combine them on a shelf with other objects.


*swoon*
Paige

Thirfted Thursday - Large Wooden Japanese Fish Platter

From what I've been told, my great-grandmother was an explorer, always traveling to exotic countries to seek out her next big adventure...

I will always remember the story of her visit to a monkey temple in Nepal: As she walked up and down the stone steps, wandering along the large rock walls, a monkey jumped on her back and started yanking at the pearl necklace that hung around her neck! She tried to shake it off, but it yanked so hard that the strand broke and her pearls went spilling down the steps and into the cracks in the stones. Those that didn't get lost into the rocky crags were scooped up by the other monkeys roaming the temple who made sure to hoot and holler loud enough to scare her away! Now, don't ask me why she was wearing a pearl necklace in the Himalayan jungle, but she is a woman after my own heart: No matter what she was doing, she was always doing it in style!

Unfortunately I do not know the story behind this fish platter, but I have been told it was from one of her adventures in Japan. I have had it ever since I can remember. It's made of very solid wood, so it was able to withstand many preschool tea parties. It's not necessarily something I would be attracted to otherwise, but it reminds me of this amazing woman that I never actually had the chance to meet. It now holds a prominent spot in a built-in shelf in my living room. The curve of the fish's back fits the coved top shelf perfectly. I think it was meant to be.



*swoon*
Paige

Blame it on the Rain

You may have noticed a lack of inspiring, creative posts this week. (I'm sorry, I really am.) I think this nasty weather is getting to me.

For example: This morning we woke up to snow. Not just little flakes that melt when they hit the ground. Like stuck-on-all-the-rooftops-and-cars-and-grass kind of snow. I can tell you one thing: This is not a safe environment for all the Easter bunnies that are said to emerge in a little over a week, that's for sure.

Anyway, I wanted to explain to you that the rain may have washed away my inspiration this week, but that next week will be different! I really hope the sun comes along this weekend to dry up this deluge of blah in my head.

However, don't expect me to just leave you with this mopey post for the weekend. I would never do that to you. Instead, I'm going to embrace this rain for a moment and talk about something that reminds me a little of rushing water, and how it can blend colors and dyes together.

Ikat has been exponentially creeping back onto the style scene since early 2007. To be honest, it didn't appeal to me at first. It reminded me too much of terrible hotel room wallpaper and duvet covers from the '80s and '90s. But it has grown on me, especially when used correctly in a room or outfit.

The following examples are some that I really enjoy - their clean lines & modern cuts don't have as much bulk, and the colors are updated to avoid that mauve-y hotel-room feel. (Do you know what I'm talking about? The hotel thing?)

Personally, I would avoid too much ikat in any one outfit. Instead, try to balance the strong pattern with black solids, or by identifying a highlight color in the ikat pattern you're wearing and wear pants or a skirt in that color. It will bring out the highlight color in your specific ikat.

Pair either of these tops with black pants and some colored flats for a second pop of color. Wear a different colored shoe than the top, but keep the tone within the same family.

Yellow top, Seafoam flats, Black pants, Fuschia top, Navy flats

Ikat accessories, like these totes and clutch, can really enhance a simple t-shirt-and-jeans look.

(Clockwise from top: Woven Ikat Tote (via Monsoon); Calvin Klein Tote; Felix Ray Clutch)

I absolutely love this skirt, especially with the belt & button detail. Once again, a simple white blouse would be an easy complement, but try to incorporate brighter colors in the form of a bright solid tote, or even a wide headband.

Blouse, Tote (Calvin Klein via Overstock), Skirt

This ikat-patterned slipper chair would be a great addition to any space. Perfect for my dream dressing room! (Unbelievably classy for Urban Outfitters! Has anyone had experience with UO furniture and knows how it holds up?)


And I couldn't leave out these dresses... Summer really needs to hurry up and get here so I have an excuse to wear things like this!

Left to Right: DKNY, Milly, DKNY

Do you have any ikat pieces of your own? How have you worn or displayed them?

*swoon*
Paige

Letterpress!

My friend, bride-to-be Melissa, is a huge fan of letterpress, so I thought I would put together a collage of some beautiful invitation and save-the-date options.

While ultra-swoonworthy, letterpress can also be ultra-expensive. For an inexpensive DIY option, buy a silkscreen and some photo emulsion paint to create your own invitations by screening your design onto the paper. It sounds tricky, but if used correctly, the photo emulsion paint will make the design come out perfectly. You can also do multiple colored prints (although it helps to have good spatial skills!). It may not have the same texture as letterpress (slightly raised instead of sunken in), but it will still look oh-so-professional. Trust me. If you have any questions or concerns about this (or would like some direction in invitation design - or would like to hire me to design something!) don't hestitate to ask! If enough people inquire, I would be happy to post a silkscreening tutorial here in the near future.

*swoon*
Paige

1. Bird On A Branch, Pistachio Press (Etsy)
2. Watermark Letterpress, Elum Designs - great for those of you obsessed with typography
3. Save the Date, Invited Ink (Etsy)
4. Vintage Postcard, Golden Rectangle Press (Etsy) - my personal favorite!
5. Save the Date, LHCalligraphy
6. Columbine, Eden Invitations (Etsy)
7. Headline Letterpress, Elum Designs

She sells seashells...

I think the layered scalloped trend (some might call them fishscales) has come and gone, but I still absolutely love the texture they apply to any surface. Last summer, I was feeling really ambitious and decided to try to make a dress (keep in mind I am only a very basic seamstress). I must have been channeling Christopher Kane, because his dress (on the left) in the collection of items below is very similar to the one I was dreaming of. Unfortunately, due to my, how do you say, "lack of skillz," my dress never came to fruition; however, I hope to one day make some sort of version of it, even if it is only in the simple square form of a pillow.


And who could ever forget Michael's dress from Project Runway 3 made entirely out of coffee filters? Beautiful!




*swoon*
Paige

a. Christopher Kane scallop dress
b. Christopher Kane pink scallop dress
c. L.A.M.B. Scalloped Camden Open-Toe Bootie (this was originally a hideous banana slug yellow, so I took advantage of my artistic license and changed it to gray for the post - sorry, Gwen, I love ya, but that shade of yellow was not the best choice)
d. 45ºN flats (from Anthropologie)
e. Colette skirt
f. Stella McCartney blouse