Event Trends for Fall 2013

Last week my colleague and I attended RSVP Catering’s Fall and Holiday Open House Tasting at the Anderson House, D.C. The “house” is more of a mansion with it’s grand staircases, marble structures, and statues fit for a museum and, in addition to the delicious food and “Lavender Louvre” cocktail, the decor was beautiful inside the house, and out. Navy and aqua blues filled the backyard garden and complemented a serene reflecting pool.

And blue is just the beginning! Here are some other popular event themes that have been trending lately:

Pink and Gold

Hints of gold have been popping up everywhere on Pinterest and in several blog posts from The Wedding Chicks and Style Me Pretty. I’m loving this feminine look that can be used for showers, weddings, or even a backyard party!

Photo via loverly.com

Photo via Style Me Pretty

Creative Cake Toppers

I tried my hand this summer at making a cake topper for my birthday cake. It didn’t come out perfectly, but it was an easy and cute way to jazz up a dessert. Check out these beautiful and intricate toppers featured on The Wedding Chicks.

Photo via The Wedding Chicks

Polka Dots

A classic fashion style turned event decor staple. How is is that dots and confetti make things seem that much more fun?! Creating Couture Parties has a great blog post on polka dot party inspiration.

Photo via wehearit.com

Photo via sweetlittledetailsbyjen.com

What trends are you seeing so far this fall? Please share!

Jackietara

Fall To-Do List

Summer is the busiest season at work: fantastic performances and events that come with endless days running around and that leave you less than the desired time to spend on those extra things that make you happy.

So many activities on my “summer to-do list” were neglected, like pesky dust bunnies forgotten in the corner. I never went to Jazz in the Garden, or took a walk along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and goodness knows my body hasn’t seen the gym in far too long.

The craziness of summer is finally coming to a close and I am starting to be able to look at life with fresh eyes. With fall comes endless possibilities – it’s like preparing for all of your resolutions in the New Year, except with much better weather.

My list involves getting outdoors and active more, making time for friends, allowing time for creative outlets, and having some much needed “me” time:

1. Join a running club. A friend has invited me to join her on Tuesdays for a little running [which I hate] after work. Well, hate is a strong word, but I highly dislike running. I’m hoping that this group activity will add some *positive* reinforcement to a dreaded form of exercise. I think dinner and drinks afterwards won’t hurt either…

Photo via Teddy Wolff Photography

2. Sign up for Birchbox. Somehow, I have survived the last 10 years with the bare minimum of makeup and beauty products. You could call me a “natural” gal, so give me a Physician’s Formula concealer and Neutrogena compact powder foundation from CVS and I’m good to go. Although I could go on this way, I feel I at least owe it to myself to explore the world of beauty, and what better way is there for $10 to receive a box each month on your doorstep, teeming with new and exciting supplies?!

Photo via Birchbox

3. Play my little heart out. Playing the violin used to be my life. Chamber group and symphony rehearsals, lessons, and hours of practice would make up my day in college. Although exhausting, this much playing gave me a kind of satisfaction that I can’t get anywhere else. I am excited to say that our quartet is back together, ready for weekly rehearsals and gigs around the DMV! I will keep everyone updated with dates and locations.

4. Plan my fall/winter show lineup. Fall and winter are for SHOWS! Coming up this week on Friday is the Dirty Names, playing at Rock and Roll Hotel on H Street. They are originally from Annapolis, so seeing them play will be especially fun! Also, if you haven’t heard of Charli XCX, check her out! You most likely have heard her collaboration on the popular Icona Pop single, “I Love It,” but she has many more fantastic songs on her album True Romance that I can’t wait to hear live on November 16th at U Street Music Hall.

5. Just say “yes.” It’s so easy to fall into a “I can’t,” “I don’t have time,” “I’m too tired” rut. This season is for yes’s. It’s time to plan ahead, get active, and stay positive!

Jackietara

Chambray, Summer to Fall

On my drive to work leaves are shifting from green to orange, kids are back in school, and pumpkin flavored everything is already popular again. It’s time for fall fashion. For those of you a little less eager to shed your summer garb, here is one of my favorite ways to ease through the transition… layering!

Since chambray shirts are still in [thank god], I will be using this piece to layer my favorite summer-time dresses. Adding a thin pair of stockings or leggings and pulling on a pair of comfy boots is another great way to get the most of your floral shirts, pleated skirts, and bright colored garments from the summer.

Wearing: chambray shirt: Nordstrom // floral and stripe dress: ModCloth // belt: Zara // boots: Frye

Photography by Teddy Wolff

Happy Flowers

This year, Teddy and I hosted my 25th birthday at his parent’s house in Annapolis. I wanted to add my own personal touch to the decor, so during my three-day “stay-cation” I made a DIY birthday banner from paper and ribbon from Michael’s and put together a few gerbera daisy arrangements with flowers from Costco [an easy pickup while food shopping for the party!] for the table outside. August weather is always a little tricky, but we lucked out this year with a sunny and low humidity day, and the daisies just made everything that much happier.

Wearing: Top of the Byline Dress: ModCloth // coral bib necklace: Stella & Dot

Jackietara

Fall Glitz and Glam

Last weekend my mom and sister Natalie decided to jointly host a Stella & Dot trunk show. I have eagerly been anticipating the change in seasons [I’m a sucker for crisp mornings when I can slip on my favorite Frye boots and a comfy scarf and call it a day] and was very excited to view Stella & Dot’s new fall and winter collection… in person!

Sarah, our Stella & Dot Stylist, pulling reams of glittering jewelry out of all-purpose “How Does She Do It” totes and expandable fabric “Getaway” bags [much like Mary Poppins and her bottomless carpet bag], decked out my mom’s cozy Virginia home with glitz, glam, and gold.

With a glass of vino bianco in hand, we scoured over the gems and baubles until we found something that caught our eye. My friend Lizzy gravitated toward the exotic “Pegasus” necklace, which seemed to be made just for her. Chelsea fell in love with the classic “Oasis Bib Necklace” while Natalie rocked the long “Kimberly Necklace” and my mom wore the “Chantilly Lace Cuff” and matching earrings throughout the party. It was fun to see which new styles fit everyone the best!

Stelladot-18

Stelladot-16

Some trends I’ve been seeing this season are versatile pieces that you can dress up, or down. My favorite from the collection was the “Kahlo Bib Necklace.” I can’t wait to pair this mixed medal necklace with a slouchy white T-shirt and a black blazer for work!

If you weren’t able to make the trunk show [or would just like to help my mom and Natalie earn free jewelry!], you can still shop online until September 6, 2013. Happy shopping!

Jackietara

DIY Birthday Banner

I have been missing “crafty time” in my life lately, so I committed some of my birthday “stay-cation” time to making a banner for my Annapolis birthday barbeque. It was a very simple banner, made from patterned Reflections paper, letter stencils, and turquoise ribbon, all from Michael’s craft store.

After stenciling out the letters and tracing out triangles, I cut everything out and decided to mix and match all of the patterns [using a yellow, green, and blue color palette]. I then glued all of the letters on and punched holes in the triangles with a standard hole punch and ran the ribbon through, and voila! A simple and beautiful birthday banner.

Jackietara

Birthday [stay-cation] Lunch

Since vacationing was not in my cards this summer, I decided to take full advantage of a Wednesday birthday and took off of work Wednesday – Friday for a mini “stay-cation.” I turned 25 [woo hoo!] on August 7 and on the 8th, I was treated to a lovely sushi lunch in Old Town, Alexandria. My mom got off work early and my sister took a quick lunch break from her Old Town office job, so we were able to spend the afternoon together. Isn’t my mom so cute in her green Stella & Dot earings?!

After lunch, Teddy and I walked down by the Potomac River and were able to enjoy a little weekday time that we normally don’t get to spend together. I wore a new cotton dress from ModCloth [that I am absolutely obsessed with] and fell in love all over again with all of the colored brick in this cute town.

Wearing: Ain’t We Haute Fun? red floral dress: ModCloth // purple cross body: Kate Spade // white bauble necklace: Eastern Market

Photography also by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

Charlottesville Getaway

Last weekend presented a wonderful opportunity: a quick [but great] trip to Charlottesville. As Teddy immersed himself into photographing a beautiful Charlottesville country wedding, I was able to catch up with my amazing friends over dinner and wine downtown.

On the way home, we decided to stop off and enjoy a few minutes of the gorgeous day [one of the prettiest in Virginia in these last couple weeks]. Butterflies were out in full force, along with a few daring sky divers. Maybe one day I will work up the courage…

Wearing: striped top: Loehmann’s // flats: DSW // floral skirt: hand-me-down [the best]

Photography also by Teddy Wolff

Jackietara

Coral Crush

All too much lately, our D.C. summer days have not been all too summery with long spouts of humid, grey, rainy weather. These rainy days have just been begging for a pop of color, so I was pleased to oblige with a sea foam colored skirt and a bright coral necklace for a “girl’s day” outing in Georgetown.

It’s funny how colors have the ability to change your mood. After a quick smear of Clinique’s “Beach Coral” long last lipstick across my lips, I was ready to hit the streets of Georgetown to enjoy a few hours of sunshine with friends. After shopping and brunch [$3 bellinis!] at Paolo’s Ristorante, the heavens opened up for an afternoon shower. Let’s just say that ditching the bus stop and taking a quick cab ride home was worth the splurge!

Wearing: white button down: Old Navy // sea foam skirt: ModCloth // bib necklace: Stella & Dot

Jackietara

A Day in Annapolis

Growing up 1/2 Marylander, boats, crabs, and fresh corn on the cob were a summer staple. These three things have been much harder to easily procure in the city, so you can imagine my excitement when Teddy told me that he and his ultimate frisbee team were planning on picking crabs after a beach practice in Annapolis.

It was a hot but gorgeous day at Sandy Point, so I decided to try my hand at a little sports photography while the gang did some drills running up and down the beach. I was much happier to be on the other side of the lens that day!