We moved!

Our blog has moved to http://www.paperbreezy.com/blog.

Sorry for the inconvenience... but you'll love the layout & look & feel of that blog much better! Thanks!

xoxo

Stylish aisle...

With me, it's always about personalization. Aisle runners hardly get noticed, unless, of course, there is a focal point. I found these aisle runners on etsy.com {one of my new favorite sites!}. There are so many ways to personalize your day, and this type of aisle runner is a subtle way of doing it. The top is from the CustomizedWeddings Etsy shop. The bottom is from the SimpleCelebrations on Etsy.

For all you DIY/crafty individuals (not just brides or brides-to-be) needing some inspiration, check out what Brandi, a recent bride from Texas, did to create an aisle runner for her wedding. In fact, she went and hand-painted her aisle runner herself (that's talent!). And the best part is what she did with her aisle runner after the wedding! She took her creativity to a whole new level! Notice below (on the left) how she altered & hung her aisle runner with iron rods onto her wall. I absolutely love it. It's fabulous how she turned one wedding detail into a home furnishing wall decoration that can be shared with family & friends. It's almost like having a constant reminder of her wedding day on her wall! For more detailed information about Brandi's process from start to finish, visit her blog.

Tie-ing the KNOT...

This is truly a detail I stumbled across... while searching for the perfect b+w dresses for my BMs, these caught my eye. They are ties by the Cyberoptix TieLab, on etsy.com.


What do I love most about them? To me, they're classy + unconventional at the same time. I'm loving the heart screen tie {upper left corner}, but am drooling over the scrolly design of the one with the mechanical cogs {upper right corner}. My fingers are crossed for a design that can incorporate an urban damask or brocade pattern. Is that possible? Regardless of the design, I'm diggin this ultra sleek + chic style of Cyberoptix TieLab {or "Toybreaker" as their shop is called on etsy}. I'm just hoping O + his groomsmen love them as much as I do.

{inspiration begins with... my tastebuds}

Can you say YUM? I'm not a huge cake person {I never eat cake!}, but I don't think I'd mind feasting on these delectable creations made by Jesus Ornelas. He is considered a "Chef to the Stars", and his expertise is in making these visual masterpieces that you can eat. The wedding cake in the center was the cake he made for Mary Dann {famous wedding planner in Southern California + the Style Network's "Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?"}. I was a bit disappointed when he moved to Tennessee, but guess what?

He's back in California {Palm Springs, to be exact}! I couldn't be more stoked. Oh, BTW, did I mention that he is Oscar's first cousin? YES! That's why I'm elated, because before I heard the news, I was even going to skip having a traditional wedding cake... or it wasn't going to be a detail that I prioritized. Now, there is no way I could have a cake or even dessert at my wedding, if he didn't do it. I'm leaning towards something similar to Mary Dann's cake, since I'm going with a b+w motif. But to be honest, I can't decide on what to have because he can literally create ANYTHING!

So check out his work... or get inspired by wedding cakes. Some couples base their entire weddings on their cake! Bon appetit!

first day... of first grade

Summer flew by so fast this year! My son, Elias, started first grade today! I felt a little rejected this morning, because not only did he not want me to walk him to class ("Just drop me off right there, Mom! You don't need to walk me to class!" he begged)... he didn't want me to hold his hand or take pictures! Ugh! Talk about a RUDE awakening for me! My little boy is growing up way too fast for me! But I did have a proud moment this morning! He woke up at 6 a.m. with NO COMPLAINTS... and he helped pack his lunch! And he waited patiently in front of his classroom & introduced himself to his teacher with poise & confidence (& no attitude, thank goodness!).... Here's to a wonderful school year!



*Elias & me on his first day of first grade!*


*Elias looking so serious... so grown up... so mature... like a first grader!*


*ha! Just kidding! That's my goofy boy! (he likes to make silly faces!)*

{inspiration begins with... passion for pink!}

"Pink is my signature color," as Shelby {played by Julia Roberts} says in one of my favorite movies of all time, Steel Magnolias. I definitely have a passion for {more like obsession with} the color PINK. With so many shades, it is difficult for me to pick which one is my absolute favorite. For my wedding, the FI has made it clear that he really "doesn't care" what our colors are, as long as he doesn't have to wear pink. Our compromise + my resolution? MAUVE. Lol. I've reassured him that mauve is not pink, and that is more of a shade of "lavendar" or "lilac", as opposed to pink. We just won't tell him the truth. I just cannot have a wedding that's NOT pink.

{inspiration begins with... DAMASK + LACE}

Who doesn't love seeing the elegance of damask + lace? I admit, I'm a bit obsessed with damask patterns, and have decided that it is going to be the theme to my upcoming wedding, which is NOW scheduled for September 2009 {yes, it has been changed once again}. September 2009 will be around our 7-year anniversary, so what better way to celebrate + solidify our "common law marriage" than a wedding? We have always discussed getting married, but now we're ready to make it official! O MY!

Well, it has taken us {well, ME} two weeks to actually decide + figure out our colors. From different metallic shades + shades of pink or shades of brown, we {or I, along with Collette + Kristina} have decided on black + white. B+W is so elegant + simple at the same time. We will have an accent color, and as of now, it is mauve. It may {+ probably will} change from now until then, but one thing is for certain... we will definitely play up the black, white, damask + lace.

Can't wait to show you the design process for our invites + other paper goods. I have a loooong list of paper goods we'll be using for not only my big day, but the festivites that come along with it {engagement party, rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, + bachelor(ette) parties!}

it's an obsession! (lipstick jungle)

I'm totally obsessed with "LIPSTICK JUNGLE" (if you haven't noticed already)! Since finishing the book, I had decided to watch the show (available on NBC.com) to get better acquainted with the series, and I'm hooked! They got me... hook, line & sinker! I can't wait until season 2 starts on September 24th (check local listings on NBC.com for details)! I know I can't stop talking about this book. It did not only inspire me... it's a driving force for me to be who I want to be & to continue doing all that my heart desires regardless of the time, effort & struggles that come along with trying to achieve your dreams. Plus the show has so many inspiring aspects (from fashion & decor to life & relationships), I can't help but watch! So stay tuned & be prepared for more future posts on "lipstick jungle"!

Images from "Lipstick Jungle" Season 1, Episode 3

Who says you can't be a loving & nurturing mom & have a successful career? In this day and age, and with the economy being the way it is, most mom's (especially single ones... & dad's too), have to juggle work & family between the office, the home & school (& let's not forget... extra curricular activities). Even if I had the option to just "stay-at-home" and be by my child's side 24/7, I wouldn't. I enjoy doing things (mainly, many things simultaneously! I'm an excellent multi-tasker =D LOL) and keeping myself busy!

My sister & I live the same busy lifestyle. She & I do so much in our lives, we hardly have time to breathe. But we are not seeking awards, special privileges, or acknowledgment for our dedication to our careers & our families. We do what we do because we absolutely LOVE IT! When it comes down to the nitty gritty & we are running around doing errands during our lunch breaks & don't have the energy to wipe the sweat, we can't complain! Because at the end of the day, we know how lucky we are to be blessed with an amazing support system that includes family, friends & colleagues (not to mention, those cute little angels who call us "Mom"). Who says you can't have it all?

Jingle Bells... Jingle Bells...

Wait! It's just August! Well, although we are amidst this fabulous soCAL summer weather & nearing the end of the peak wedding season, we wanted to give you a little hint of what's in store for you all from PB. From wedding bells to jingle bells... we love it & we hope you do, too!

{inspiration begins with... IKEA}

I abso-freakin'-lutely {heart} LOVE, {ADORE} ikea... you can say what you want... so generic, so cheaply made... whatever! But their designs are clean + simple AND colorful + fun! I swear... everytime I get to look in their catalogs {regardless of what year it is} I have post-it's hanging out, page corners flagged, and I'm inspired to re-organize + redecorate...

Although I purchased a new desk & bookcase less than a year ago, I'm contemplating on doing it all over
since I saw these fab workspaces. Plus, PB is always getting NEW ribbon, paper, equipment... both satisfying + frustrating at the same time. grrr! But no need to blame it on IKEA!