HERE COMES THE BRIDE

I am working on a little top secret Bridal Shower - but am so in love with the color palette that I had to share it.

Keep your eyes peeled, this is a celebration for a very special lady!  I'll be able to share details soon. 

I'M LOVING...

Shop: 1. Brass charms perfect to tie on napkins, Bumbershoot Designs & Supplies  2. Large Brass Kaleidoscope great to work into a centerpiece, Moda Operandi  3. Brass candleholders down the center of the table, Serena and Lily 4. Brass goblet for water, Etsy  5. Brass legs make a statement with a bouquet of flowers, Kelly Wearstler  

BLOGSHOP WITH BRI AND ANGELA

I have avoided Photoshop for a long time.  I have always had assistants that could do it for me, or I've hired it done.  I FINALLY broke down and decided I needed to take some power back and go back to school.  Well, not exactly school but Blogshop taught my Bri Emery and Angela  Kohler. 

I have to admit I was a bit of a skeptic, just like I was when blogging became "big."  Was it worth my time?  I didn't get it.  Then I slowly came around.  I came kicking and screaming to Photoshop too.   I was pleasantly surprised.  I have learned more tricks and tips than I could have imagined I could process in two days.  I've learned how to enhance images, create beautiful inspiring boards (above is my first one - so don't judge), and even learned to animate my photos.  

I am re-inspired to make this a beautiful inspiring place.  It is perfect timing as my website and blog are being overhauled, hopefully my posts will start to look as polished as my new site will.  

If you don't know Photoshop, I highly suggest investing in Blogshop.  It is a crash course, with teachers, writers, fashion designers, and all types of folks that are looking for inspiration.  I mean, aren't we all?   

Tomorrow, it is off to my last day of "school."  It will be all about video.  Something I know a little bit about in front of the camera, and so I am excited to learn the tips and tricks behind the camera too.  Knowledge is power people!  

THE COUNTRY OR THE CITY - THAT IS THE QUESTION

I know, I know, I started to blog and then dropped off  the face of the earth!  As I have said on several occasions I have been in a two year transition.  I feel like Mercury has been in retrograde forever.  A month ago I was looking at purchasing property in Sonoma, then I found out that what I wanted to do there was going to be near to impossible.  Then, as you can see from the above picture, I was up in the Northwest hiking up hills and climbing into valleys looking at farms and truly was in search of my Turkey Hill.

The hunt continues, but I can say that I am returning to Seattle next month!  I really love San Francisco, but the biggest lesson I have learned in the last two years is that the most important thing in life are your family and friends.  It is the people that make up your life.  A career is important, and loving what you do is vital, but it doesn't replace the people you love.

Stay tuned, I might just find my Turkey Hill just yet.  Until then...

WHAT'S ON THE MENU

Whenever I plan a dinner party I do my best to include a menu into the design of the table.  It's not only a chance for me to get creative, and add another element to the table, but it lets my guests know what's ahead of them.

Love:  The black background and the white lettering, very sophisticated.

via The Glossier Nerd

Fun:  This is a great way to add a little humor to the mix.  

via Wedding Style Guide

Creative use of a theme:  The bright yellow surfboard and pink lettering, who wouldn't want to be at this party!

via Ruffled 

Perfect for farm to table dinner: This is double duty, a napkin and menu.  Add a name, and you have the place card too.  I just did this on the Steve Harvey show with an iron on transfer - so easy and affordable.  

via Snippet and Ink

Perfect for a rustic outdoor celebration:  Visit your local junk yard and I bet you'll find a window just like this.  Set it up as the backdrop for a buffet or bar and you're all set.

via Burnett's Boards

A good example of casual elegance:  Think outside of the box.  The black and white place setting is elegant, and the font on the menu is too, but it is balance out by the casualness of the loop.

via Style Me Pretty 

Something I bet you have at home:  We all have paper bags at home, so if you are throwing a table together at the last minute no problem.  You don't have to use a printer for the menu, handwriting is much more personal.  

via Snippet and Ink

SNEAK PEEK: NEW EDITORIAL CALENDAR

With the new site, I'll be launching a new Editorial Calendar and I am really looking forward to working on the content.  Here's the breakdown:

If you have followed my blog in the past, then you may remember that I had a series called Ramblings and another called Coffee with Kelley.  I am combining the two into one, and every Monday I will be sitting down and drinking coffee with designers, experts, and maybe even a celebrity or two, finding out what makes them tick.  If you are interested in being a guest, send an email to kelley@kelleylmoore.com.

Tuesday will be all about DIY tips, projects, table settings, and everything that is related to my favorite thing - Entertaining.

I'll be taking you to some of my favorite spots, featuring chefs, mixologists, wine makers, artists, and artisan food makers.  

Two of my favorite things, fancy rings and a well mixed drink.  Whether it is a mocktail or a cocktail you are after, you'll find it here.  

Each week a guest will answer the famous question, "if you could have anyone over for dinner who it would be" and they will share how they would decorate the table for that special guest.  

ATTIRE: COLORFUL

I think by now it is no secret that I love a good party.  With my brand re-fresh under way I have decided to begin to wrap my mind around what type of soiree I want to throw to kick off the new site and the new projects that I'll be launching.  Since the site won't be up and running in full until the end of May, I am planning two intimate Summer parties - one for the West Coast and another on the East Coast.

I have always loved black and white but when I look in my closet, and at the tables I design, I see that I really am someone who leans towards a lot of color.  I'm going to plan something glamorous, where the design of the party is actually all about the guests dressing up with that infusion of color in mind.  

via Paul Costello 

via Note to Sarah

I mean, if Brad sets the trend, then color it is...

via The Partysmith

...and Kate Spade says...

I love it!  It's exactly opposite of the White Party, who needs the Hampton's anyway.

I need a good name for this soiree, because I want to make this an annual event to kick off the Summer each year.  Suggestions?  Please leave a comment, I would love your input.

Now to find the perfect outfit!