Feature: Wildflower Linens

Once again, the boundaries of design have transcended my expectation—this time leaving me in awe of items as seemingly ordinary as chair covers and table linens. Check out these beauties from Wildflower Linens, and I think you'll agree. These table dressings are a far cry from anything you've ever seen before and are more than worthy of my jaw dropping as I peruse the gallery.

Featured in remarkable publications such as Grace Ormonde, Inside Weddings, Your Wedding Day, Bride and Bloom and Equisite Weddings, the artists at Wildflower are clearly putting event linens in a class of their own. Layers upon luscious layers of lavish fabric, lace, and liberally-used glorious texture are used to create a totally original experience for each event. And I can't help but notice that the florals and glassware are perfectly propped to complete the experience down to the last artful detail.

If you're looking to transport your guests to a never-seen-before magical place, don't forget the tables. We say think far, far beyond the typical white satin chair cover, and dress those tables as creatively as you dress yourself. Pair unexpectedly, create slightly different experiences at each table, use color, and of course, accessorize!

Special thanks to Aaron Delesie Photographer, Jan Garcia Photography, Imagery Immaculate, Your Wedding Day Magazine, and Triple Cord Photography

A Touch of Sparkle for Shanon + Troy

Well, Happy New Year, Giddy Ink fans. It's high time we share some pretty stuff; wouldn't you say? We have so many fabulous new goodies to share right now, but today we're in the mood to show off these shimmery beauties we created for Shanon and Troy's big day.

Here's the story. Shanon and Troy had planned a traditional Methodist wedding that captured their personalities with subtle elegance and made their guests feel special. Upon meeting us, Shanon had already picked out her dress and her bridesmaids’ dresses which donned a timeless paisley motif and rhinestone detailing. Their gold, silver and champagne color palette inspired us to create something soft, classic and very chic.

So, we created this radiant design for their day: gold and silver ink on opal paper finished with rhinestones. We paired polished paisleys from Shanon’s dresses and linens with the Celtic cross from Troy’s wedding ring—a nod to his Irish roots. Then, we sealed it all up with a stately Celtic-inspired wax seal.

This design and the coordinating programs, menus, escort cards, and signage were the perfect marriage of two people and their distinct styles. They also show just how much a common design theme can really bring it all together. Thanks to Tracy Abston for capturing and sharing these beautiful shots from the wedding and reception.

Congratulations, Shanon and Troy! Working with you was such an honor.

Photos 1, 2: Neysa Ruhl Photography

My Parents Were Awesome

As you half-begrudgingly pack the suitcase for another festive trip home for the holidays, we and the founders of blog phenom, My Parents Were Awesome, encourage you to pause for a moment to pay homage to your beloved 'rents. After all, they gave up a heck of a lot of awesomeness over the past 20-30 something years to pass the torch on to you.
Don't let mom fool you with her embroidered sweater or dad with his loafers and Ford Taurus. There are secrets locked behind that now salt-n-pepper mustache you may not even want to know. I'm talkin' chain-smoking, shirtless guitar-strumming, and rejection of established institution like you would not believe. It's true; before they were ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’, those two were just your everyday ‘Leroy + Ruthie’ or ‘Ron + Darlene’—a couple of plaid-clad lovebirds flashing peace signs and breaking curfew.

Thank goodness there is just enough photographic evidence of this said awesomeness to pique our curiosity and ensure us that our parents might just get us more than we think. So this holiday, pour another glass of eggnog, and pull up a chair next to the ones who invented awesome.

2 Girls. 1 Cute Invitation.

Check out these sweet ABC birthday invitations we created for our friends Steve and Angie for their twin daughters' first birthday party. Homespun in the hippest way, Angie carried this look out beautifully with purple and green gerber daisies, vintage-styled wooden alphabet blocks, and a custom cake created by Take the Cake to match the invitations. You know how we love handsome design made of sugar...mmmarvelous. Happy belated birthday, Zella and Mica!

Images 3 and 4: Neysa Ruhl Photography; Image 5: David Schlosser

Yummy Designs by Amy Atlas

Dessert meet design. Design, dessert. Now that we're all acquainted, let's party! It's not often two of my favorite things in the world coexist as harmoniously as they do on Amy Atlas's signature dessert tables. Works of art in their own right, these stunners are no doubt the highlight of the party—drawing guests in with their out-of-this-world details and heavenly flavors. Coveted by big names such as O Magazine, Martha Stewart, Better Homes & Gardens, and Preston Bailey, Amy Atlas is a must-have for many high-profile events in New York and around the country—and it's easy to see why everyone is still hungry for more.

It's no secret we strive to add that designer's edge to all of our goodies, but it's such a treat (no pun intended) to see this degree of artistry carried out with sugary edibles. Thank you Amy, for surprising us with your creativity and keen sense of style.