flora and henri

Flora and Henri is a favorite kid's clothing company, that we would often source for MS Kids. The items are pricey- but you really can't beat their quality and attention to detail for a special occasion dress or outfit. 

One of the things I love most about F and H is that their catalog photos tell a story. They engage and generate interest in the story line, as well as the clothes themselves. I'm posting some favorites- which have turned out to be quite a few- but I narrowed this down to a 1/3 of the originals I had pulled! I can't help myself. 

Each season has a different thematic series of photos. Above are excerpts from 'a birthday party', 'woodland fantasy', and 'the carnival' (these are names dubbed by me, not them). They remind me of a kid's version of Kate Spade, but with a more historical feeling.

bon voyage, summer...

When my high school babysitter informed me yesterday that it would be her last day- school is resuming next week- I felt panic for many reasons! Not only had I lost my one day to be able to go out and be a normal non-thrown-up-on adult, but I had lost summer as well! Where, or where, did it go? 

I've been holding on to some images I have been meaning to post as summer favorites, yet somehow the time has gotten away from me. I shall bid adieu to a wonderful season, with these...

from top: This post could also be named 'chelsea, chelsea, chelsea'...top, 3rd photo from top, and bottom photo from favorite blogger and stylist Chelsea Fuss. Beach ball decor and fireflies (those are fake fireflies 'trapped' in a mason jar- very clever, I thought) via Notes on a Party, done by Swank Productions. The green grass photo montage via Style Me Pretty. 

wendy kromer confections

Wendy Kromer is a very well-known name in the wedding world. This dynamic cake-baker-decorator-extraordinaire has claimed her fame by creating out-of-this-world wedding cakes for Martha Stewart Weddings, and now has her own business based out of Ohio. I was delighted to find she now offers some of her fondant and gum paste creations for sale online, including these adorable songbirds, monograms, skulls and bones, magnolia flowers, cherry blossoms, plaid valentine's and much, much more. The prices range from $11-$46 for most items, and seem like a really beautiful way to make a more ordinary cake something spectacular. 

simple, beautiful

These beauties, photographed by Wendell T. Webber, are very simple in composition- but show what a few props (and a good photographer) can do. I'm not even a huge fan of the wedding cake shown in the top photo- but I love the blue on blue image, with its pop of yellow, and the detail of the classic chair. 

The blue coral in a bed of sand contained in a glass bowl seems like a great tabletop idea- particularly when paired with blue glassware, as shown. 

And the last photo- taken from an unidentified periodical- shows an easy way to make champagne a little more special. In case you aren't able to read it- it says, "Moisten rims of glasses with water, then dip into coarse red decorating sugar. Gently pour in chilled Champagne, then add a splash of pomegranate juice." 

tabletops, etc. by the big D

I know I am not alone in my love of Domino. If you haven't already discovered their photo galleries, let me introduce you. Not only do they have inspirational photos for your house, but some fabulous tabletop decor ideas as well. Excerpts from the following galleries (from top): festive centerpiece; bar essentials; casual table-setting; and formal table-setting.