A Postcard from Home: Big Times!

All sorts of wonderful happenings, ladies, since last I wrote!

Our Wyatt has arrived--we're just madly in love. The little guy was born August 4th in the middle of a big summer lightning storm. We've spent the last month with him in our arms and, I can tell you, nothing compares. It's a very sweet time, indeed. In this photo, he's 13 days old--our sweet friend and wedding photog Allison Garrett dropped by to snap some pics of him. He's lying on the quilt we received as a wedding gift. We tease about what he's listening for here...ocean waves, the wind, some sweet song...!

Also, exciting: Clover & Bee has officially launched! We're having a blast with all things wedding and home in the Midwest. Real weddings, engagements, flowers, handmade details, sweet finds. Our first giveaway began this week--a chance to win a copy of Amy Butler's excellent book Midwest Modern--love! I would be so honored if you would stop by, friends!

Miss you all and can't wait to catch up soon--hope you'll drop me a note with what you've been up to, too! ox!

Sneak Preview: Clover & Bee Weddings!

After many months of secret keeping, I'm so excited to say we have a little sneak preview of my new site up and live: Clover & Bee Weddings!

With all the fun I had designing our wedding and writing here on Oh-So RB, we decided to take the leap and expand: a wedding guide and blog devoted to all the remarkable professionals and artists here in the Midwest. The process of creating the site has been so joyful--I can't wait to show you the rest! And, I promise, despite all the big things in the works (baby included!), I plan on keeping up here. Oh-So RB is without a doubt my original labor of love--from the first posts I wrote just for myself (can you tell? I didn't think anyone would be reading my little reflections!) to the latest connections I've been so lucky to make.

Thanks for all your support and generosity these past couple years (hard to believe we've been here this long!). I can't say enough about the happiness being a part of the blogging community has brought me and I'm so looking forward to what the future holds for all of us. Cheers all around!

Great Wedding Blog: So You're Engayged

The absolutely gorgeous New England wedding of my friends Emily and Erica is on So You're Engayged today and I'm so excited for them! Our weddings were a week apart and it was a blast to talk plans. Aren't their dresses so elegant? Not to mention, if you haven't yet checked out Kelly & Natalie's beautiful new site you certainly should--it's the next big thing, I just know it! (Oh, and, no, that's not a rice toss in the shot above but tiny marshmallows--mmhmm, that's right!)

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: Lovely Lace

Daytime lace, moonlit lace--I can just imagine a wedding with a subtle feminine theme like this. Martha Stewart has the fine filigrees on her mind too. Wouldn't a Tree & Kimball necklace be the perfect accessory? The top image has me thinking someone should really do a mint green and indigo wedding--such a fresh palette.

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: Pop-Up Decor

Loving the new Chanel spring show with these amazing cut-out paper florals. Wouldn't a 'pop-up' wedding be a great theme? I can imagine all sorts of whimsical details. To get you started, there's always Paper Source's series of flower kits. (via Oh Joy!)

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: 3 Photographers

These shots from 3 Photographers are making my day--so charming, so glamourous! That cameo shot especially moves me. All the lucky Brooklyn brides-to-be, wow! Just imagine the wonderful vision you could put together with these talented folks...!

Heirloom Nursery: Style on a Budget

What a wild week--I'm so sorry to have been away for so long and can't wait to get back in touch! Hope you're getting the first tastes of spring where you are. We've got daffodils here but also a couple inches of snow in the forecast...could it really be? Whew!

In the midst of my busy business, I've been dreaming about the nursery for our baby-boy-to-be--a surprising challenge and a delight. You know me: I love big colors, sentimental art pieces to keep, staying on budget, craftiness, hands-down good design. After our wedding last year, I thought, how different could it be? You pick a palette, pick a theme, have some fun. But, wow, the project and the resources are completely different (as S says, 'look out, baby culture is after us!')--or at least it seemed at first.

Wanting to hold on to those same principles, I decided to simplify, simplify, simplify. Instead of buying an expensive coordinating crib set, I went with a nice basic white bumper and skirt for the vintage-looking Jenny Lind crib we chose (I'm sad to say I don't see them in the Land of Nod collection anymore--it's a beautiful, inexpensive piece--if you can get your hands on one, snap it up!). The beauty of this is the set cost $60 (total!), it looks so clean and fresh, and now I can mix-and-match sheets, curtains, other furniture, accessories and what-not to my heart's content.

That one choice has made the designing process really come alive and now that we're back to basics, I'm ready to build up the vision: I found this sweet wild kingdom mobile (from Copenhagen Styles), three colors of gingham sheets to match (Pottery Barn Kids), and a 'Keep Calm' poster that I could potentially add (for some humor, of course!--this one from the Keep Calm Gallery). So, what's next? I'm on the look out for some patterned fabric (maybe from Purl) to complement and contrast the gingham...some fun toys and accessories...some fine touches of heirloom pieces...hmmm! Any suggestions for me? I need all the help I can get!

In the Spotlight: Dutch Door Press

So exciting--Dutch Door Press has a lovely spruced up site! Check out their custom designs and the new line of signature wedding suites. I just love their folksiness--the holiday cards we sent were a hit and I'm definitely thinking of this baby announcement for welcoming our little bear into the world this summer...!

Simply Sweet Courthouse Wedding

Isn't this Portland wedding so vintage and darling? I just love the floral work of Ink & Peat--pop on over to the blog to see more.

Colorography: Sentimental Shades

It's not too often that I'm really struck--I mean, with a strong visceral reaction--by a combination of colors. For some reason, the palette behind these tees got me: they're the color of my childhood. Light aqua, light lavender, a faint peach and grey. Maybe it's a New England thing. There's something so sweet and fine there. Like wild irises. Or icicles clinging to the eaves. I can't place it but I think one of my first memories of beauty had to do with this scheme. Ever had an experience like this?

Oh, and, by the way, if you haven't seen it, the new JCrew spring collection is wonderful...! If you were to do a wedding in any of their color combinations, it couldn't help but be an aesthetic success.

New York Times Wedding

Such a sweet wedding story from the NYTimes (and, yes, that is Stephen Colbert!).

Oscar (Wedding) Fashion

How wonderful were all the light dresses at the Oscars--are you seeing a trend here too? The draping, the pleats, the glittering satin...I was starry-eyed! Penelope Cruz may just be my favorite actress--I lovelovelove this movie. More white dresses to be found on etsy.

Designing Wedding Heirlooms: Blumchen Vintage

Oh, someone please plan your wedding with some of these vintage florals from Blumchen...! Invites, favors, napkin rings...so many possibilities!

Great Blog: Artisan Sweets

I just stumbled upon Ashley's Artisan Sweets blog and her pastries are just so sugary, sexy and sophisticated--it's no wonder her work has been so sought after! Plus, her posts on her two little boys are a delight.

A Vision for the Event: Just Comfortable Elegance

Dreamy cream and watery blue--I've been imagining an easy, easy-going LA restaurant wedding. Elegant cake, dinner and fine clothes you'll definitely wear again. What's your feeling--could the bride have one bridesmaid dressed in relaxed shades of white too?





Image sources: Jennifer Behr, Anna Williams, JCrew, Truli Confectionary Arts, Banana Republic, JCrew, the lettered olive, Dandelion Ranch.

Wedding Week on Good Stock

Good Stock is having a week of wedding books and I can't wait to see what Kim has created. Check out the beautiful bindery here.