Actors Needed: Monday March 15th 12:00-2:30pm to volunteer at The Young Storytellers Foundation.

The YSF offers a uniquely engaging and effective arts education and youth development program at elementary schools around Los Angeles where students are at-risk or have little access to the arts. The children have been working on their projects for months and now they need some actors to help perform their works!

If you can’t make it on Monday, but still want to get involved contact Ashley at aedavis@ymail.com to learn more about volunteering.

Mentor: It only takes one hour a week, during your lunch break, anytime, to mentor a Young Storyteller. They’ll place you at a nearby school and teach you everything you need to know. www.youngstorytellers.com

Not only does lucky Elsie clearly have a really thoughtful husband with an amazing green thumb she gets to enjoy that garden along with this house at the beach! I don’t know her but I bet she is even more fabulous than I can imagine.

{best present ever}

{**gasp**}

{dream house}

{the vines are in blossom...my love~ come away with me}

{dream house~dream porch}

Saturday was our lazy day. It started to rain, we slept in. I had an idea of what I wanted to make for breakfast…if I could only remember how to say it and alternatively how to spell it. When we were little, sleepovers at my best friend Alexis’s house were always punctuated with delicious German pancakes with fresh berries. I tried to Google the German name, I think its something like “Apfel,” pronounced aff-flough, or something like that, but I can’t be sure of my memory.

I found this similar recipe from Smitten Kitchen and embarked on my adventure in the kitchen. You know what’s cool about this recipe? You make the pancake batter in the blender! I thought that was neat and easy. I cut up some fresh strawberries and soaked them in Cutie (tangerine) zest and juice, a touch of sugar and a smidge of Mexican vanilla while the pancake cooked. *My oven did not need the full last 10 minutes of cooking, so watch yours closely, it should rise and bubble nicely.

{please excuse my lacking food photography skills. taken on iphone + growling stomach}

The make a nice, fluffy, slightly sweet crepe-meets-pancake treat. A lot lighter than pancakes (which means you can eat more).

* * *

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?

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.

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.

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.

Click: 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.

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.

My 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.

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:

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

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

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 from Marnie Goodfriend Photography

**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. **

{photo of last spring’s peach blossoms}

One recent weekend morning, I woke early, slipped on my rain boots to splash in the remaining scattered puddles and armed with my soy latte from Abbot’s, was off for a nice neighborhood stroll. As I passed the elementary school on Abbot Kinney, I noticed a group of volunteers planting new trees. I wandered over and asked about their project. It looked like a lot of fun, and I sort of wished I could have joined.

Inspired, I googled volunteer opportunities when I returned home.

Enter Tree People – who’s motto is “Simply put, our work is about helping nature heal our cities.” Cool, right?

They are dedicated to making LA more green and I am already a big fan. There are lots of volunteer opportunities to plant trees, care for existing trees, or distribute fruit trees. Click here for a calendar of volunteer opportunities for every Saturday this month and more throughout the year. I can’t wait to participate in a local planting day. Who’s in?

]]> http://www.paisleypetunia.com/blog/2010/03/tree-people/feed/ 4 http://www.paisleypetunia.com/blog/2010/03/rainbow-bright/ http://www.paisleypetunia.com/blog/2010/03/rainbow-bright/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:15:03 +0000 c http://www.paisleypetunia.com/blog/?p=4622 Last night we met with our new interior designer. She is going to help us with some parts of our house that I’m not so crazy about. Most people would call those parts “beige” but I call them “problem areas” because any space without color is a problem for me. I love deep, rich, saturated color and well, the guy who built our house…not so much. Lucky for me one quick trip through the gardens and flower beds of my neighborhood provides me with enough color to hold me over while the designer and her paint can work their magic.

It’s the delicious beauty of spring isn’t it? Longer, sunnier days; the rainbow splash of colors popping up all over Los Angeles right now and farmer’s market tables that look like an artist’s paint palette.  I’m going to try and carry the colorful theme into the kitchen tonight as I attempt to make my first rhubarb dessert. That ruby red color of their stalks is so pretty but I’ve never so much as tasted a rhubarb much less cooked with one. Anyone have a to-die-for rhubarb recipe?

* * *

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):

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

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

We promise to catch you up on all the details on Monday.

In the meantime here is a snap from the beach on Tuesday. It was a chilly winter day here in LA and yes, we know how lucky we are. Stay warm east coasters!

{winter sun-photo credit ckm}

Have a happy~happy Friday and enjoy this last weekend of February.

xoxo

c + s

Photo by Abby of Abby Tries Again

Wouldn’t this be a cute way to ask a friend to be your bridesmaid?

You can buy the print in Abby’s store here.

* * *

I’ve mentioned 2010 is my “Year of Weddings,” commencing this weekend as I assume Co-Maid of Honor duties in Florida for my best friend’s wedding. Forecast says thundershowers, but we are thinking positive here.

So…I have a few questions for you:

What is the best wedding present you have received or gave?

What are some things I can do as a bridesmaid to make sure the bride has the best day of her life (and an easy 12 months of wedding planning)?

Any fun or new ideas for Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue?

Any other nice traditions that you’ve seen incorporated?

What are your favorite wedding blogs for inspiration?

Photo by Abby of Abby Tries Again

Phew, thats a lot of questions. Any assistance, tips, stories, ideas welcome. Please leave me a comment below.

Happy wedding planning to all my beautiful brides! Can’t wait to celebrate your big days with you xoxo