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inspired engagement

Friday, March 5th, 2010

I have been begging the lovely Miss Marnie to do a guest post here on Paisley Petunia for some time now. She’s so creative and passionate, I really wanted her to share her ideas. We met years ago when I moonlighted as an event planner for her speed-dating company here in LA (we can go into that more at a later time, I’ve got good stories) and we connected on so many levels – our love for philanthropy (we also volunteered together at WriteGirl), events, photography, LA, etc. Last year, I enjoyed following Marnie’s blog as she created an ethereal forest & friendship themed wedding for her and her fiance’s Connecticut nuptials. So going along with my Year of Weddings, here is a fabulous little post on “what to wear: the engagement shoot.” Especially for my lovely brides to be, but really, its great advice & inspiration for any kind of photoshoot. Take it away Marnie!

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Oh hi there! My name is Marnie Goodfriend and I am a lifestyle photographer and event/wardrobe stylist based in sunny SoCal. The lovely Stephanie invited me over to the Paisley Petunia lounge (it’s soo pretty in here!) to chat about an often-confusing question on many newly engaged couples minds: how do we look put together without looking too matchy? Well I’m glad that you asked! Engagement shoots are not only a great way to get to know your photographer, but an incredible opportunity to document being in love and fusing your individual styles so that you look great together, not like each other. So then, what to wear?

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Like all things about wedding planning, it is your day.  Be inspired by wedding trends but plan your engagement shoot (and wedding too!) with what you already love.  If you’re stuck, write down all the things you and your partner like to do, see, wear, and a beautiful tapestry of your individual and shared tastes will emerge. Really.

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For the big “what to wear for the e-shoot” question, I photographed and styled three couples with very different closets: classic chic in the canyon, vintage charm in the forest and rock and roll on concrete with a side of sweet treats. I focused on outfits that compliment each other, digging into your closet rather than your wallet, and using sentimental pieces to personalize your engagement shoot.

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If you are a vintage maven, you’ve probably got 30 outfits picked out before you’ve chosen your photographer.  Choose pieces that have texture, interesting buttons, details, and go all the way. Stockings, hats, clutches, ties, scarves will pull your look together.  For our vintage shoot, a $5 bouquet was used a prop and a boutonnière for the dapper gentleman. Embroidered shoes, fishnets and a fabulous sequin beret transformed a simple black pencil skirt and tank top into a chic vintage ensemble. The tie is actually a thin paisley scarf. Everything was found in our collective closets.

pp-photo-4Click: if you love sun flare, wear something with glitter or iridescent accents. When the light shines through it, a dreamlike kaleidoscope of colors dances around your background. Swoon.
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Classic couples that favor JCrew over thrifting should focus on one thing: color! Primary picks typically trump pastels but don’t forget to consider your location.  If you are having an urban shoot you’ll want to stand out against cement, brick and other drab backgrounds.  Patterns are always welcome as are fabulous heels and cute as a button flats. For example, I pulled the red from these ruby red shoes and plucked up a red tie and red and grey striped socks for some unexpected color and cohesion.  A quick change from a canary yellow dress to a striped and floral frock was an easy match with our male’s black and white checkered shirt, jeans and black dress shoes.  To add a little sparkle, I layered a black tulle skirt with sequins under the dress. Classic can be funky, preppy or timeless.  An extra layer under or over your foundation is a key element to a memorable look.
pp-photo-6My rock n’ roll couple’s looks were built off our guy’s everyday style.  He’s a Dickie’s pants and white t-shirt kind of guy (with a few tattoos) so I kept things casual with a women’s Coney Island t-shirt and striped scarf that doubles as a prop. The red converse compliment the orange and red shirt and is a cute pairing with his black chucks.
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I suggest at least three looks for the women and two for the men.  Guys can layer a blazer or v-neck sweater and have look #2 nailed like Superman in a phone both.  For women, aim for a casual look (simple sundress, jeans and a bright t-shirt), a dressy casual (jeans and a dressy shirt, skirt and tank top) and finish off with a going out dress like this:

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Whether it’s silly helium balloon cows as “pets” or your mother’s vintage scarf collection, your props and accessories add a uniqueness and provide another opportunity to bring more personality and memories to your engagement shoot.  I did indeed say balloon cows. Not everyone has pets…and my prop collection is never-ending :)

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Sweet treats are a nod to love and a fun way to get comfortable in front of the camera.

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I’ve got lots of love to give. Check out more “what to wear” photos and my top ten favorite e-shoot tips and tricks on my blog.

Happy styling!

With love,

**Marnie is so kind to offer a 10% off discount off of packages for Paisley Petunia readers (valid through March 28th, 2010).
She focuses on couples, kids, maternity, portraits and events.  Please contact her directly at marnie@marniegoodfriend.com and don’t forget to include the code PAISLEYP, what type of shoot, and your *phone number* in your email. **

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Apt Luxe LA!

Monday, March 1st, 2010

My ever lovely, delightful and fashionable friend Leah writes a cute little blog called www.apartmentluxe.blogspot.com - highlighting great furniture & decor finds from the massive abiss that is NYC’s Craiglist postings. She has a great eye for good deals, can help determine brand authenticity and how to negotiate the listed price. Since I just began re-decorating my Venice “bungalow,” I asked her to work her magic on LA’s Furniture For Sale section, as I am desperate need for a little Leah-style in my home:

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So if I could have a whole home full of mirrored furniture, I would!! Not to use for gazing at myself all day, but maybe just for pretending I live like some old hollywood movie star would have. Add a little glam to your bedroom or living room or ….my petite nyc apartment!

It was so  fun shopping the LA Craigslist furniture postings, which are a whole new world to me. Estate sales? Patio sets? and Mission style everything!? I would have to say my favorite reminder that I wasn’t on NYC postings anymore was when I reached out to a seller about her dresser, she replied with her cell phone, full address, and what hours she was & wasn’t home for this potential purchase…love it!

Anyway, if I woke up in LA tomorrow, here’s some amazing mirrored items that I would love to see in person. They are all listed for $300 or less – which means negotiation should be for  $75 to $100 less than that. Check out this large mirror and nightstand/end table from Venice (both nearly brand new):

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And a set of 2 round top nesting tables from a downtown LA home that are perfect for small spaces:

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Hope to see you in the Summer, LA !!!

Love, Apt Luxe.

Thank you, Leah! Please come back again, Paisley Petunia loves you & your Craigslist gems xoxoxo

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Inspiration is everywhere

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

The LA sunshine did not follow me to San Francisco last week. In fact, everyday was foggy and cool.  But it didn’t bother me one bit.  In fact against those dismal grey skies the pops of early spring are really striking. It’s hard not to be inspired by the colors and textures that come with the promise of mild weather and longer days. Fresh juicy citrus in street side carts, the delicate pink of the cherry blossoms and the vibrant rainbow of fresh spring flowers are all translated into dreamy spring fashion.

orange

{photo ckm; dress Shoshanna @ Bloomingdales}

 

cherry

{photo ckm; clutch Loris Shoes Chicago}

 

fresh flowers

{photo ckm; dress Arden B}

Where are you finding inspiration this month? What’s on your must have spring fashion list?

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Thriftin’ with Eddie

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

3343573012_6216420e81_m1{photo from last march by S}

Last year, C & I had our first official Paisley Petunia outing to the Rose Bowl Flea Market on a guided tour with Eddie Ross. You can read about it and see the treasures we scored here and here (one of our very first posts).

Eddie is a talented and thrifty designer with a love for vintage and collecting. We first saw him on Bravo’s Top Design, loved his work and his attitude about design.  He and his partner Jaithan write a great blog and travel across the country visiting Flea Markets.

6a00e55391c48e88330120a8a38d9e970b{photo by S}

His next Rose Bowl trip is coming up on Sunday, March 14. Eddie leads you on a trip up and down the aisles of the market teaching you how to recognize authentic pieces, how to tell their real value and shows you the potential in items you might normally pass up. He will explain in detail how to restore dirty or damaged items or how to fix them up. Eddie and Jaithan were both so friendly and welcoming. They answer all your questions and give everyone ample attention. If its your first time to the Flea Market, his tips are invaluable and if you are a veteran come with some questions or ideas where you are stuck and Eddie is really good at helping you.

6a00e55391c48e88330111690efe24970c{photo by Jaithan of www.eddieross.com}

C scored some lovely rat pack-esque cocktail glasses (above) in which she made Clementine Mojitos, you can see the recipe here. And a lovely set of depression era pink glass plates (below), to add to her beautiful table settings, as seen here. I like to collect teacups and found one little collectible that when I googled the name on the bottom discovered it is worth a lot more than what I got it for. But I love it too much to part with it.

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{photo by C}

If you are interested in signing up, spots fill up fast, so please email Jaithan (jaithan@eddieross.com) for a spot. The ticket price is $55 per person, which includes admission to the Market. It may sound like a lot but we learned so much from our time with Eddie. Remember to wear comfy shoes, layers as it gets warm in Pasadena, bring some snacks and water and ample reusable bags and cash for your purchases.

Happy Flea Marketing! xoxo

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V Day replay

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Hope everyone had a wonderful long weekend. We certainly did. It was a busy 3 days. I had thought I would be writing a long, delicious post about the LA Street Food Fest, but as many of you know (firsthand from surffering through it and secondhand from reading me on Twitter) it was a total disaster. I’m not going into it again here because I’m an event planner and I try to maintain a small amount of grace when it comes to other people’s events and frankly, they’ve been ripped apart by about everyone else in LA already, so no need. Let’s focus on the positive….

First, welcome to all our new followers. Geez, you guys make us blush. We’re so happy you’re here!

We ate a new neighborhood restaurant called The Six (good, really good) and I will give you a full review later this week.

I ordered my Dutch dahlia bulbs and planted more Night Blooming Jasmine and….a raspberry bush. No clue if raspberry bushes grow in LA. Seems like they shouldn’t sell them at my local nursery if they don’t but maybe there are a lot of wishful thinkers out there like me.  I will definitely miss my magic garden which sadly, I had to give up when I gave up my fulltime job (click here if you’re sentimental like me.) This year, I’ll have to suffer through container gardening and a much reduced vegetable patch on account of the fact we don’t have a 25,000 sq ft lot for me to play farmer with. Le sigh. Anyway, back to Valentine’s…

I made all my cards and got them in the mail in time.  Hurrah for that.

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{handmade + heartfelt}

Started the day with a little brunch and of course, mimosas.

waiting for mimosa

{waiting for mimosa}

We always cook dinner at home and the menu this year was~

Rosemary crusted lamb chops
Lobster
Asparagus risotto
Dark chocolate cake
2006 Beaux Freres Pinot (this was an incredible bottle of wine, worth every penny)
 

These ingredients….

butter and chocolate

{butter + chocolate}

became this…

cake love

{dark chocolate + brown sugar cake}

and the whole decadent feast was enjoyed here.

table

{table for two, please.}

This week is even busier than the last! Tomorrow I start my long awaited photography class and it’s the first day of the Women’s Empowerment Program where I am volunteering as a mentor. If you’re not familiar with Chrysalis click here for information on this amazing organization. Thursday I am off to San Francisco to pretty much do nothing but eat, shop, spa and meet Miss Champagne Bubbles! How fun is that? J and I have ambitious eating plans including Fleur de Lys, Slanted Door, Tartine and the new farmer’s market in the Ferry Building. Finally, Sunday is the launch of the Posh Potluck.

S is in charge for the rest of the week!

xoxo

your girl c

PS: The dark chocolate-brown sugar cake was amazing and super easy to make. If you want the recipe email me.

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