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September 2016

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Agate and geode decor is one of the hottest design trends in homes and weddings this year, and it’s not hard to see why! Their vibrant hues and natural patterns are the perfect way to add a pop of color and texture to your modern and chic decor that will leave everyone swooning!

I’ve been eyeing this rockin’ trend for quite a while, so when I had the opportunity to work with the very talented Ashley Rutland Photography and style a geode styled wedding shoot, I jumped all over it!

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I still can’t get over all of the details that went into this shoot, especially the stunning head table! With On the Rocks’ napkin rings and glassware, Bella Grafia Ink’s place cards, and florals by Fox and the Fleur, this look is just flawless. And honestly, if you like this trend, it is relatively easy to recreate for your own at home dinner party!

Check out some more of my favorite photos from this shoot, and I hope it brings you some inspiration for your next dinner party or wedding!

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Special thanks to everyone who made this shoot possible!

Photography: Ashley Rutland Photography |

Styling: The Everyday Hostess  |

Furniture Rentals: Gold Dust Vintage Rentals |

Geodes/Geode Stemware & Barware: On the Rocks |

Calligraphy: Slinging Inks of Bella Grafia, LLC |

Floral: Fox and the Fleur |

Cake: Sweet Things Bakery |

Invitation Set: Fingerprint Designs |

With the summer coming to an end, it’s the perfect time to grab your honey and mix up your standard date night with a little picnic! This is a great way to enjoy the cooler weather, explore your city, and dine al fresco!

A lake or park are always two favorites for picnics, but I always love finding a unique spot with a beautiful view. Deep in the heart of downtown Dallas, my fiancé and I decided to enjoy an end-of-summer picnic at the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, which is an iconic Dallas hotspot. It’s definitely not the common picnic locale, which made it even more romantic and memorable. The Everyday Hostess PicnicThe Everyday Hostess Picnic 2 with Kate and Landon

If you are looking for a fun way to switch up your upcoming date night or evening with friends,  this is definitely an entertaining idea to consider! Picnics are simple and easy and usually only require assembling a few items! Check out our favorite tips and tricks for throwing together an unforgettable picnic!

  1. Choose a location: When planning a picnic, most people immediately think of a public park; however, there are so many other unique places you can host your outdoor gathering! Consider a beach, a rooftop, or your favorite local site!paisley-layne-photography-3
  2. Seating: Make sure you bring something for you to sit on like a picnic blanket. You can also bring towels or, my personal favorite, rugs! To increase the formality a bit, I brought out our favorite faux sheepskin rug. If the ground is wet, use a tarp as the first layer, to keep your guests (and nicer blankets!) from getting wet.
  3. Food: Keep the food simple and consider only bringing dishes that are still tasty at room temperature. Try handheld foods (sandwiches and wraps) and appetizers like vegetable or fruit kabobs, cheese, crackers, and hummus. You could also put together an antipasto platter if you want to step up the formality a bit!
  4. Beverages: Don’t forget to pack a refreshing beverage like an infused water with lemon, mint, or fruit. If you serve wine, choose something light, like a rosé and pre-mix any cocktails at home. (We aren’t big rosé drinkers, so we still opted for red wine!) paisley-layne-photography-8The Everyday Hostess Picnic Shoot
  5. Packing: Pack your food, beverages, and place settings in a wicker picnic basket or insulated tote. Make sure there is padding in the interior to protect any glasses or soft food.
  6. Place settings: Don’t forget your disposable plates, napkins, and silverware! Paper plates are easy to transport and throw away after your picnic, but if you want something a little bit more formal, check out my favorite disposable products, Tableluxe
  7. Lighting: Lighting can completely transform the mood of your picnic. If you are close to a house, you can string beautiful lights over your table. If you are more remote, consider lanterns or candles.
  8. Entertainment: Set the mood with a little music. Bring a portable radio or speakers to connect to your phone, so you can play your favorite playlist!
  9. Make a list: As you’re planning your picnic, keep a running list of everything you need. Since you are most likely hosting your picnic away from your home, you don’t want to forget anything!

Enjoy!

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Photography by Paisley Layne Photography

One of my favorite parts of the wedding planning process so far has been asking my bridesmaids to be in my bridal party! If you read our Wedding Wednesday post on Groomsmen Gifts you saw how we compiled personalized gifts for each of my fiance’s groomsmen. Now we have done the same for my bridesmaids!

I’ve partnered with Swoozies to put together the cutest gifts to ask my gals to be in our bridal party! If you’ve never been Swoozies before, stop by one of their stores or their website! It’s the perfect one stop shop for all your party decor and celebratory gifting needs!

Check out these adorable gifts we put together and hopefully they provide you with some inspiration when putting together your own bridesmaid packages!

Personalized Stemless Champagne Flutes

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These stunning and modern champagne glasses are the perfect bridesmaid gifts for your friends! There are a myriad of ways to customize them for your wedding, but for bridesmaid gifts, I personally love the monogram look with the wedding date! There are also some adorable options for your bachelorette party or wedding favors! These would also be super cute in the hotel welcome bags!

We are so excited for Week 4 of our Interior Design Series! For the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about our favorite kitchen hacks, how to customize your home and maximize small spaces,  and now we are so excited to share how we brought this all together with our home tour!

Living in downtown Dallas in a small 700sf apartment, I wanted to create a  luxurious and serene oasis in our apartment. I focused on a neutral color palette with beiges and whites and then added hints of aqua in the living room to give it a calming feel and hints of navy and gold in the bedroom to give it a little pop.

So without further ado, welcome to our home! 

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I just love this little nook in our entry way! It’s the perfect spot to drop off mail, keys, and little notes. Plus! It houses my absolute favorite painting from Jenn Thatcher Art! Jenn is a Dallas based abstract artist is who is SO incredibly talented! I seriously can’t stop swooning when I see her art! She worked with me to understand the style and color palette of my home and created this masterpiece to tie it all together! Definitely be sure to check out her site and see how her work can transform your home!

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Now moving into the living room!