After our recent trip to Marrakech it only seemed fair that I shared some of the beautiful things I came across and some of the ideas they conjured up!

I love the relaxed, chilled out ambience that cosy corners of Marrakech have, yet I've never been more excited by the hustle and bustle, comotion, and general craziness that Moroccan streets have in abundance!



For a truly Moroccan extravaganza, opt for lots of different textures and patterns in jewel colours.

Gold and copper candles, lamps, and lanterns add a glamorous ambience, whilst cushions, drapes and bunting add a relaxed feel.

Add lots of bright colours, tonnes of flowers, floor cushions, and low tables for a more contempory,

festival-like vibe.

To keep it authentic, make sure you have lots of clashing colours and twinkly lighting!



If the Moroccan colour palette isn't for you, use pastels, different hues of your favorite colour, or lots of whites. Adding lots of textures and patterns work particularly well with fewer

colours for a modern, elegant decor.

Pretty details can make all the difference so why not try keeping things simple, and add subtle Moroccan detailing for a unique, quirky edge.

Choosing a dress to go with this theme can be tricky as pretty much anything goes, but at the same time that's part of the beauty!!

Let your imagination go wild with unusual colours, flamboyant fabrics, floaty styles and gorgeous jewellery.

Coordinate bridesmaids by keeping dresses simple, using jewel colours in soft, floaty fabrics, and natural looking glossy hair - for the softest, shiniest hair ever try Argan oil, I swear by it now!!!

Try having bridesmaids wear similar dresses in different shades for real impact.

xxx

It's a nice day for a white wedding...

There's nothing that screams elegance like a beautiful white wedding, and these days there's so many different takes on it that it doesn't have to be traditional!

With the majority of brides still choosing to don a white or ivory gown on their wedding day, you can now get a gorgeous dress, in any style, in an array of different shades of white.



No matter how many weddings people go to, photos they see, or stories they hear, the first thing people think of is a big, princessy, white dress...

If that's right up your street, then here's two of the biggest, bestest, whitest dresses I think I've ever seen!!!

For the full princess effect, team it with lots of roses, a flamboyant cake, and lots of detailing.

For a modern, more urban vibe, try mixing simple elegance with gritty detailing, keeping dresses plain yet with stunning features, and decor minimal yet eye catching.

Even if you want a dramatic white wedding,

it doesn't mean that you can't use a range of shades to keep the whole feel of it more relaxed.

I absolutely love this cupcake tower with it's photo back drop!

I also adore these backless lace dresses!!!

I also happen to love all shades of yellow when used in wedding detailing, baroque patterns, candles, sparkles, and roses... Need I say more?!

Lace is my favorite fabric to work with, I love the intricacy, the softness, the beauty, and the exquisite detailing, and it's so, so, so, so pretty!!

If you're thinking  of using lots of lace, just remember to keep your flowers simple.

Stick to wild flowers in pastel shades.

White also works great with a seasonal twist. Use flowers and details that reflect natures beauty for a classic, yet contempory look.

Even if you want to keep almost every detail pure white, tiny touches of your favorite colour can make all the difference. For an elegant look, stick to pastel shades, classic details, and timeless looks, but don't forget to throw things in that say something about your personality as a couple!

xxx

Pretty in Pink!

Pink's my favoritist colour ever, I simply can't resist it!

Any shade, any object, any place, any time, I just can't get enough of it!!!

So when friends started mentioning that I haven't done a completely pink blog yet, I couldn't resist it!!!

With so many different beautiful shades, girly textures, and prettiness I almost didn't know where to start...



The first thing I wanted to use was this beautiful dress with the baby blue sash, I'm completely in love with it! It's exactly what Little Bo Peep always wore in my imagination as a child!!

At the same time I love the other, more voluptious, gown too, all of the details are almost too much for my poor little brain to comprehend, it's fabulous!!

Gingham and baroque are two of my favorite patterns (the other being polka dot!!) so this cute jug and pretty little candle holders had to have a place somewhere!

And as for the cake, need I say more? It's utterly gorgeous!

I adore all of the pretty details in the pictures above, they're all so girly (and pink!) whilst being subtle and elegant. Pink roses are my favorite flower and you can find them in almost every one of these pics!

I've put a much more vintage twist on this collage, hopefully giving it a much more timeless look.

I'm pretty sure that all of my regular readers knew full well that I wouldn't be able to do this piece without throwing in a tea-party themed bit!!

Both of these dresses are courtesy of The Barbie Bridal Collection (yes, Barbie wedding dresses for real-sized people!!!)  and are super cute... Although really over the top!

I'm a little bit in love with this uber cute dress for the cutest little flowergirls too!!

And you can't have a tea-party without a beautifully decorated victoria sponge and some pink macaroons!

If you're after an all-out pink extravanganza, then this one's for you!!!

I really love this sweetie table, the marshmallow cake, and the bridal bouquet used here, they're all just so vibrant and fun, and the personalised sweets are a really lovely finishing touch!

xxx

Be the Belle of the Ball!!

I love everything about Paris; the Moulin Rouge, the Eiffel Tower, the amazing boutiques, all of the flea markets, their style, the chic patisseries, and the King Louis costume balls with their

swooshy skirts, gorgeous corsets, and beautiful detailing on everything.

So keeping this in mind, here's my modern take on this fabulous theme!

I adore this duck egg blue dress!!

Using pastel colours in froofy (I know that's not a real word, but it explains it perfectly!!!) fabrics, and mixing it with shiny details such as candlabras and cakestands, and incorporating roses in all your favorite colours, keeps the Parisian flamboyance alive, whilst giving it a modern twist.

You can also easily incorporate modern favorites such as sweetie tables, birdcages, bunting and pretty china, giving the whole theme a more relaxed feel!

One of the things I really love about this theme is that it really can be done using any colour! I've used mostly pastels here because they're my favorite colours, but jewel or berry colours would also make a real impact!



Try to match details for that elegant, costume ball look.

Here I've used clusters of flowers in similar shades across every piece!

Use pretty trinkets in similar hues as favours!

This way your guests will have something gorgeous to remind them of your big day to keep forever!!!

For more of a classic wedding take on this theme, stick to cream, coffee, pink hues, using cameos, table lamps, and beading for timeless elegance with plenty of ambience.

If you're after a more quirky, cool twist, add colour coordinated brogues instead of silvery stilettoes, and use browns, salmon pink and coral for a slightly retro feel!

For more inspiration visit our Facebook page!

xxx

Guest Blog by Stephanie from CAKE COUTURE!

Today, as an extra special treat, I have a guest blog for you from the lovely Stephanie at Cake Couture, who specialises in the yummiest, scrummiest cakes in all of Bristol!

They really are AMAZING and her cupcakes are definitely the prettiest I've ever seen!!!

Hi Stephanie! What do you love about cupcakes?

I love making cupcakes because I think they're fun and you can create a really lovely effect with lots of cupcakes that you can't get from a large cake. My most popular cake flavours are raspberry and coconut, and double chocolate, people love them! I use really good quality ingredients and put a lot of love in to my cakes which is what makes them taste so yummy!

Where do you get your inspiration?

I get inspiration for designs from nature, fashion and interiors. I love to wander around a pretty town or go for a country walk and just get inspired! I also can't help using lots of colour as I think it helps to lift your mood, which is what cake is for! 

 



What are your favorites?

I'm starting to design more wedding cakes as well which I like to be a little more feminine and romantic with. With weddings I love to be inspired by the wedding flowers or the wedding dress! Pretty roses and gorgeous lace are my favorite!

 

 

Thanks Stephanie!

 

Stephanie also runs cupcake decorating courses which would make a perfect present for a cake lover,

a fabulous hen party, or a more unique children's birthday party!

 

For more information about Cake Couture, prices, flavours, or just to get in touch, click here

 

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day 4... Fit For an Ice Queen!

All you need is tissue paper to make these beautiful stand decorations.

Fold one sheet in half lengthwise, then make five-inch wide accordion folds. Along one short end, draw drippy icicles. Cut out. If you need more pieces, cut a fresh straight edge, then draw and cut out more icicles. Layer white tissue over blue, and attach with double-sided tape, and voila!!!

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day 3 Santa's Helpers

It has come to our attention that these elf figurines are a joy to make.

All you need are pinecones, pipe cleaners, and other simple supplies. Furthermore, the charming sprites have many applications. They can be used as decorations on a mantel, under a tree, or atop presents.

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day 1 Beautiful Bows

For best results, snip each loop at an angle, rather than straight across the middle. Fill an empty spot on a large bow with a smaller snipped bow, affixed with its adhesive backing. Then fill the center with a matching coil of ribbon attached with double-sided tape.