Summer Moments

Here are some details of my favorite moments as of late. Hope you enjoy them & have a wonderful weekend.

A gorgeous sunset sky after a stormy day in NYC on a walk with my twin sis.

Beautiful & romantic flowers at my friends' (Karen + Paul) wedding last weekend.

Blurry champagne equivalent to the warm & fuzzy love in the room at the same wedding.

Fun paper lanterns & lights that we danced under all night.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

photo by Erica Lyn Photography

Six years ago today, I met a guy (my girlfriend Rose thought would be perfect for me) for a date. Four years ago today, I married that guy. I couldn’t imagine my life any other way. Happy anniversary Chris, I love you more than words.

Charleston Charms Us Again

Lowndes Grove Plantation Charleston, SC

About two weeks ago we headed to Charleston, SC (again!) to celebrate Lex & Matt’s wedding.  I’ve worked with Lex for the past 5 (almost 6!) years & I’ve known her for about 7.  Being able to celebrate her wedding with her in my favorite city was a huge treat for me - it almost felt like a dream & the wedding was every bit ethereal as you would imagine a wedding on a southern plantation to be (ex: the photo above was taken during sunset at the reception - ahhhhmazing). Be sure to click through for more photos of Lex & Matt's big day.

Chris & I not only celebrated with the newlyweds but also indulged in some local fare that was definitely picture worthy. Plus we got to spend some much needed time at the beach with our (Pesce side of the) family!

It was a great trip & I can’t wait to go back.

PS: Happy (early) Mother's Day to all of the very special women in my life & yours! 

Happy Anniversary to Us!

photo by: Erica Lyn

Five years ago today I went on my last first date. Three years ago today Chris & I tied the knot.  Since February 12th will forever be the happiest day of my life. Happy anniversary Chris! I love you!

Grecian Wedding Logo & Stationery

This past weekend was a whirl wind of fun. We spent it in Atlanta celebrating my cousin's big fat Greek wedding the  nuptials of my cousin Stacy and her new husband, Michael.  The whole weekend was an indulgent Grecian celebration.  This is the wedding logo I created for Stacy and Michael that was used on everything from the wedding invites (I designed as seen above), to guest goodie bags,  to the gobo that was used to light up the walls and dance floor at the reception.

Click through for the initial sketch that Stacy sent me & to see how it evolved.

Congrats Stacy and Michael! I love you both!

Rose & Gold Summer Soiree Worthy Sandals

1: belle sigerson morrison laser cut mirrored leather sandals | 2: vince camuto zimily | 3: giuseppe zanotti metallic patent leather gladiator sandal  | 4: naturalizer - danya  | 5: audrey brooke jelly sandal | 6: nine west so much luv sandal

I am a hug fan of a neutral shoe & I have a bunch of them but I need some that will go with the dress I'm wearing for my cousin's grecian themed wedding.  Which one do you like best?

Ethereal Wedding Bridesmaid Dress Inspriation

dresses from left to right: strapless dress; one shoulder dress; beaded blouson gown; backless maxi dress

My cousin Stacy is getting married & I  couldn't be more thrilled for her & her hubby-to-be. Their wedding is going to be an absolute dream. The look & feel she's going for is Grecian meets midsummer's night dream. Its going to be the most ethereal day & I cannot wait.

I'm loving the muted color palette Stacy has chosen for our bridesmaids' dresses. Naturally I've already started to hunt for the perfect dress. These are some of the initial dresses that I found that aren't traditionally "bridesmaid dresses" but I think they could work. What do you think? Do they hit the Grecian Ethereal theme? Which would you choose?

Happy Anniversary!

photo by Erica Lyn

Happy Anniversary Chris, cheers to countless more!

Happy 87th Birthday Grandpa!

photo by Erica Lyn

photos by Erica Lyn

photo by Erica Lyn

September 11th is a memorable day for obvious reasons.  I will never forget that day or the lives lost. I hope all those effected have found peace in at least some small way.

Before it was a hurtful memory it was (& still is) a really happy day, my grandfather's birthday.  Happy 87th Birthday Grandfather! I love you!

These are some of my fave pics from our wedding day of grandpa & me. They make me smile & laugh just thinking about this moment. 

Wedding Stationery for Hely & Tim

Today an amazing couple, Hely & Tim,  will be tying the knot in Hawaii (or as I like to think of it - heaven on earth).  I'm sad that I couldn't make the trip but elated to have been part of the wedding process by helping to create Hely & Tim's art deco vision for the invites for their special day!  I can not wait to see the photos & hear all about it.

Congratulations Hely & Tim wishing you nothing but the best laughter & smiles till the end of time.  Love you guys! Cheers!

A Convertible Dress

I save the best for last this week. The DRESS. I didn't make this dress but my mom sure did!

Photos by Erica Lynn; Dress by Jean Pesce (my mom!)

I wasn't one of those girls that had her wedding planned since childhood. I really didn't have any idea what I wanted.  The one thing I did know was that my mother would make my dress.  Lucky for me my mom is a professional seamstress -but she's more than that she's a true artist/designer.  

Shortly after Chris and I got engaged my mother and I got to planning the dress.  I told her I didn't know exactly what I wanted but I did know that I wanted a  convertible dress. I wanted a formal dress for the ceremony and a party dress to boogie down in at the reception.  Not knowing what my mom would say I was happy (and relieved) to find out that she was up for the challenge (and could've possibly been more excited than I was to make the dress).

As you can see the dress was truly convertible as well as beautiful.  I still really don't know how she did it being that we live about 11 hours (driving fast) apart.  With the help of email, photos, my grandma, my sister and my mama's sheer talent this dress came to fruition and was AHHHHHHHMAZING.  I still love it and want to wear it again.

Words can not describe how special and magical this dress truly was (and still is).  There was a lot of blood, sweat and tears  that went into it but the end result  was better than I could've dreamed. Thanks MOM! I LOVE YOU.

Colored Details

Photos by Erica Lynn

Colors are in the details (for me anyway). For our wedding we opted for red flowers and black accents. We chose a combination of red roses, red gerber daisies and red anemones (special to my bridal bouquet and Chris' boutineer).  Black accents of the tuxedos and girls black shoes tied everything together.

Turquoise: Dresses + Shoes

photos by the talent Erica Lynn

As promised, here are my bridesmaids' dress choices! I had to get in on the fun and sported a pair of turquoise patent leather pumps to match my girls!  

Thanks again to all those beautiful faces for being by my side on the most special day of my life. Love you lots ladies!

An Alternative Bridesmaid Dress Plan

Deciding on the colors for the color palette was only the tip of the planning for our wedding.  Now to decide which color to use for what was the next step.  Immediately I wanted to decided on what color my beautiful bridesmaids would wear. I didn't have to think twice on this one - the tiffany's blue was for them.  

Luckily, turquoise is a universally flattering color on everyone.  LIke most bridesmaids my gals came in different shapes and sizes (in my crew we had the tiny and tinier and then the leggy and leggier - no not bad problems to have at all). Wanting to stray from traditional bridesmaid dresses I thought it would be fun for my gals to pick out their own dresses.  Knowing they would never agree on the same dress  I asked them all to pick their own dress in a shade of turquoise. 

Here's how to take the alternative bridesmaid dress plan:

Take a trip to the hardware store

Choose a strip form the paint swatches that best suits the color you're looking for.

Snag enough swatches for the girls (you can cut some in half if you don't want to be greedy!)

Distribute the swatches to your gals and they can take them shopping with them when they go hunting for their perfect dress!

Check in tomorrow to see what my girls chose!