I just found out that this blog has been nominated for Best Vendor Blog in WeddingChannel.com‘s annual Best Bridal Blog contest! Merci beaucoup to all who nominated Delphine-Ephemera as best Vendor Blog! Please click over to WeddingChannel.com to vote for us.
Smooches, E.
Last weekend I was hanging out by the pool, flipping through magazines, and fell in lust with Amsale’s Eliana wedding gown. The ribbons are so pretty, aren’t they? I started daydreaming about the type of wedding that would go with it, and I can totally see it as a winter wedding in New York City at The Four Seasons Restaurant. Silvers, wintery blues and black details. With lots of diamonds. And yummy food.
Gown: “Eliana” by Amsale; Invitation: letterpresss invitation Ava by Delphine; champagne flutes: Vera Wang for Wedgewood; china: Wedgewood Renaissance Gold
I’m constantly amazed by the incredible talent on Etsy. Don’t you love this ranunculus necklace by BlushEnvy? I love the gorgeous deep pink colors. Would look lovely for an “aubergine dream” or plum wedding. Can you believe the necklace is made of paper? Really, it is! I think it would be a gorgeous accessory for a black tie wedding. I see it paired with a lovely, elegant heirloom organza J.Crew wedding gown and a classic and romantic ribbon rosette clutch in dark iris.
Add some extra chic details, like a short bird cage veil from Brenda’s Bridal Veils (another Etsy score), and the look really comes together. For a finishing touch, exquisite diamond jewelry. I found the emerald cut diamond wedding ring and the pretty teardrop earrings on Overstock.com.
I am in the final stages of an identity design for a new gift boutique (sorry, no more details just yet … you’ll just have to wait for their big announcement). Along the way, the circle seal logo shown above was a concept in the running, though they ended up choosing something entirely different. (That is not the real name of the company, by the way).
The identity idea is a modern take on a bakeshop (no, the boutique will not sell baked goods). We tossed around some fun bright colors, like red, tangerine, and kelley green. But when I did the navy blue mockup it was immediately my favorite. And it reminded me of something, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
Later it occurred to me that it looks a bit like the Pabst Blue Ribbon logo. Funny how that happens sometimes, isn’t it? We’re constantly being bombarded by advertisements so it’s no surprise that some of the strongest looks end up in our collective consciousness (and in our work).
Just a few little trinkets from our prop closet: a sweet peach and yellow butterfly, a darling mini guava teapot, and a few rolls from my growing japanese washi masking tape. I love the green and white stripe tape, of course.
Vintage treasures are one of my weak spots (along with chocolate chip cookies, crepes and kittens). Sarah Darcy (of Classic Bride fame) recently launched a darling shop full of vintage goodies. I’m particularly smitten with this cupid’s arrow brooch, which reminds me of my all time favorite book, The Age of Innocence (by Edith Wharton, in which Newland Archer gives his bride to be, May Wellend, a diamond tipped brooch after she wins an archery contest).
More goodies from CB Vintage: I can’t get enough of vintage keys! When I was in Brooklyn this Spring I saw lots (LOTS) of hipsters wearing vintage skeleton keys around their necks. Besides looking trés chic, Sarah explains that the keys symbolize the doors of opportunity and success! And oh, vintage globes. I have a new one in my son’s play room and he and I have a lot of fun spinning it and looking up facts about the spots we “land” on with our fingers. A vintage one would be a super prop at a wedding, especially for an international couple. How fun for guests to point out to each other where they are from?!?
More treasures. Can’t you see that vintage trophy at a seaside affair, on the bar, perhaps? Tres yacht club chic, daaahling. And I am dying to get my hands on the groovy Biology book. I love love love the graphics on the cover!
PSSSSST … Sarah is moving to Europe soon. To prepare, everything in the shop is 50 percent off! For real! So if you see something you love snatch it up before it’s too late (after June 30 everything is coming down until she returns to the States).
Just a reminder … you may click on any photo in our blog to get a bigger/better view.
Did you grow up going to garage sales with your mom and aunties? I have such strong memories of being dragged to flea markets with my mom, Aunt Faye, Grandma Bea and Aunt Hop when I was a kid in Ohio. Of course now I would give anything to travel back in time to rummage along side them!
I spotted these terrific orange owl bookends on Etsy the other day in MausHomeVintage‘s shop. I’ve mentioned my thing for Owls a few times before (they remind me of my Grandmother). Would love them for the studio! They would feel right at home in my studio (and I NEED bookends). Added to my wish list. Le sigh.
Haute off the press: Flutter, one of our newest personal stationery designs. You can switch up the fonts, ink colors, and your preferred fluttery creature on the delphine website : )
Mom grew up on the French Riveria, and she loves to tell stories about lazy summer days at the beach. Her favorite summertime snack, she claims, is Sea Urchin. When we go to sushi restaurants she often orders just Uni. It sounds (and looks) a little gross, but it truly is delicious. So when I saw live local sea urchins at the Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market a few weeks ago I bought one for Mom.
She showed me how to open it up with scissors, then she ate it up with a spoon and a big smile.
I love this logo for East Village, a fab Asian diner in Encinitas, California. It’s wonderful, fresh and quirky, just like the yummy food they serve. The robot’s hand dots the “i.” Cuuute.
;)
I’m looking forward to the next North County Graphic Design movie night! We’ll be watching Typeface. Many thanks to our friend Mark Robillard of Clients & Profits for hosting us again. RSVP (pretty please). Hope to see you there.
;)
I’m suuuuper excited to announce that, at long last, after much agonizing over placement of butterflies and foil colors and square vs round “discussions,” Custom Party Favors have launched on our Delphine website!
I think the custom party favor bags … perfect size for a treat like a giant chocolate chip cookie or a donut … is my favorite new product. Probably becuase they hold the promise of a sugary treat.
Cocktail napkins are a lovely way to introduce a pop of color. Little piles of them on tall bar tables is an easy way to add visual interest to an otherwise dull area, don’t you think?
I love getting food treats at weddings … somehow I’m ALWAYS hungry on the drive home (probably has something to do with the excessive cocktail consumption). And I love the cheesy mix cds. What are your favorite party goodies?
Looking for some help with your business or your blog … or your blogging business? Check out these three blogs by three inspiring women.
First up: Edit and Post, by Ami Price of Elizabeth Anne Designs, covers the business and blogging. Ami has an MBA and delves into the nitty gritty with topics like “debits are not additions and credits are not subtractions.” The clean and clear look of this site is echoed in her straighforward writing style, which makes even difficult subject like accounting seem simple.
Second: Creature Comfots Guide for Better Blogging, by Ez of Creature Comforts. The name says it all. This series of informative posts is for the beginning blogger, advertiser, professional blogger, and everyone in between. Ez has also set up a forum, where readers can ask questions and interact. I highly recommend making a pot of tea, grabbing a snack, and finding a cozy seat before sitting down to this one.
Third: The fabulous Biz Ladies series, gathered by Grace of Design Sponge. This series of posts is invaluable to anyone starting out in business. In fact, whenever someone emails me for business advice I point them to this series and to the book Craft, Inc. and tell them to come back to me after studying them if they still have questions! Topics range from tips on writing a business plan, to tax info for small business, to social media tips, to how to shoot product photography. Even if you already have a successful business, the tips in this series have a lot to offer and can inspire you to grow.
Fourth (not shown): Back Stage by Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty. It’s a place to “talk shop.” Although Abby doesn’t update it very often (she is busy with a toddler and a huge business to tend, after all), the posts that do go up are thought provoking and inspire great conversations. On this blog be sure to read all the comments. It’s a great read!
Just imagine if you took one hour out of your work week every week to focus on building your business via education? I often get caught up in the daily grind of running a business: preparing quotes, updating proofs, running errands, answering emails, returning phone calls, sketching new logos … that I don’t leave time to challenge my brain, learn and grow. Today I’m taking an hour to catch up on the latest posts on these blogs.
Let me know if you recommend other blogs about the business of being creative. I’d love to hear from you.
Happy weekend, everyone!
Check out one of my latest branding projects: Humble Abode, a wedding and event studio in San Clemente, California. I designed the logo, business system and website (still a work in progress, but launched today).
Today I’m working on new holiday designs (yes, holiday) and am feeling inspired by these romantic backyard hues. We’ll see how they translate to jolly elves and boughs of holly …
