Fall Entertaining

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Happy September!!! Today is a special day because it's Elle's 3rd birthday, and the day I always find myself getting into the fall spirit. So what if we're supposed to wait until September 21st to official say it's fall? So what if it's still above 100 degrees in Phoenix? That can't stop me from making my home look like fall, my taste buds enjoying fall treats and making plans for fall gatherings around chili and cornbread.

Today, I'm sharing with you a collaboration with Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market - a biannual event in Arizona that brings vendors that sell unique, vintage pieces. Many of their vendors carry unique serving-wear and dinner-wear, and with fall approaching, Coley and Lindsey decided to choose "gather" as their theme for this September's market.

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To get everyone in the gather spirit for the upcoming event (September 19-20), we came together to create some inspirational place-settings for your future fall and holiday gatherings. All of the pieces that we used are items that the vendors are currently selling at this fall's market, so if you see something you like be sure to get your ticket to the event and snatch it! Also, be sure to follow Junk in the Trunk on Instagram because they will be sharing more details on how you can win tickets and buy the items featured in the shoot.

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Desert inspired Fall Setting - We don't really have leaves that change color and fall off of the trees here in Phoenix. If that does happen to the occasional tree it's during the months of December and January. Instead, we have cool nights perfect for bonfires and backyard gatherings. We loved this idea of using cacti and decor trends of brass and deep blues to create an inviting table-scape that made you feel at home.

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Kid-friendly Entertaining - You might be at the stage in your life when your friends have little ones that they bring to your dinners. A way to make them feel special all while using plastic dinnerwear is to place a piece of candy along with a name tag, so they know that they were thought of. Also, line your table with craft paper as your table cloth so that they can draw while they wait for their food. We took the liberty and drew in utensils for fun. You can also place a vintage toy for them to play with like a pin wheel or a truck for more character.

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A stylish & budget conscious table-setting - Maybe you're throwing a "friendsgiving" this year, and you really don't have much to spend for decorations. Try using a bundles of wheat, rosemary and apples to make your table design feel like fall. We also used old flour sacks for placemats. Scraps of burlap from a fabric store would work just as well rather than spending $8.00 a pop on a placemat. It doesn't need to be elaborate to look pin-worthy.

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Red & green can look cool - I'm a fan of white minimalist holiday decor because the combination of red and green really bothers me. I know that's a bit silly, but seriously, those colors not only don't mesh well with one another, but they clash with the color pallet of my home. However, if you throw in black, white and gold we found that red and green can actually look cool.

For more ideas on entertaining, make sure to follow my "Entertaining in Style" board on Pinterest.

Photos by Gina Meola Styling by Coley & Lindsey of Junk in the Trunk and Alex Evjen of AVE Styles

Prizma

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Sometimes when your creative juices are low you just need to get out there make something. This past summer while business was slow, longtime coconspirator and photographer, Michelle Herrick, asked to collaborate on a test shoot. There was no end goal of getting it published and there was no paying client, there was just an opportunity to work with an amazing model, Gwen from Agency AZ, and to make some magic happen. prizmablog2

I love the edgy quality of these images. It's so unlike my style, and that's the best part. It's good to stretch yourself and go beyond your comfort zone. The clothes are all thrifted and vintage pieces too, which is also very different for me. My friend Sara Chambers has a wonderful online shop, and was so kind to share her clothes with us.

Azure Schaeffer did an amazing job with the makeup. All together the collaboration was a wonderful experience and invigorating during such slow time in Arizona.

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40's Vintage Engagement Shoot

Last week I had the opportunity to style Annee and Scott for their engagement shoot with Stephanie Fay. Talk about some DREAM clients, Annee is a HUGE fan of the 1940's vintage style. ME TOO!!! So, naturally, Annee wanted to portray that in her engagement photos.

Once I arrived, she shared that the photography location was going to be in an airplane hangar with old airplanes. Is that perfect or what!?! She was already prepared with about 20 different outfit choices, and really just needed some help figuring out which dresses would be the best for the camera and location. Scott and Annee had even done some vintage shopping in NYC way before the shoot, and scored some perfect old man trousers for Scott.

I chose three different looks for Annee and two looks for Scott with a variation of a leather jacket.

I think this engagement shoot is a great example of walking a fine line between costume and reality. This couple appreciates the 40's era - it's a part of who they are as a couple, and I think that's very important to think about when preparing for a photography session. If you're going to invest in professional photos, make the most of it. Show your personality!!!

Even take your pets along with you!

Don't worry about what's cool, in style or if it's "cheesy". If you're creating something that YOU love, it's going to come through in the photos.

Of course, it always helps to hire an amazing photographer. Stephanie Fay is AWESOME!!! Seriously, check out her work and check out more photos from this amazing engagement shoot!

Vintage

I'm not a vintage shopper. I think the only time I went vintage shopping was in high school when I tried to find an authentic go-go girl dress and rented patent leather white boots. I hope those pictures never surface! It's not that I don't like vintage clothes, necessarily, but most of the vintage stores I've been in just feel old and run down. You also have to be in the right mood to dig through the racks of clothes to find a gem. Until...

I went to Fashion by Robert Black. EVERYTHING in the store is a gem. You just want to look through all of the racks even if the dresses aren't your size because it feels like a time warp back to 1960. It's wall to wall MadMen clothing that is reasonably priced with dresses that have timeless silhouettes (The items below are in his store. The leopard dress or the strapless cocktail dress with bows is AMAZING in person).

Today I had the opportunity to do some vintage shopping for client going to a MadMen party, and I was in my own personal heaven. I found three dresses that were perfect for her, but I think I need to go back and look for myself.

Anyone want to have a cocktail party? I need a reason to get decked out...just kidding..not really..but kinda...

Also, check out this cool video showcasing the vintage fashion of Arizona....

 

Online Vintage

70's stripe jersey dressThe only times I've gone searching for vintage apparel is when Halloween is just around the corner. Houston has a whole row of vintage boutiques that always smell funny, but have the coolest jewelry, hats and clothes. I have yet to find some good vintage shops here in Phoenix, but no worries because there are several online vintage clothing stores such as Ramona West. Check out some of my finds... high waist knit mini dressslip neck deep v mini dressColbalt military mini dresstan leather campus bootshigh waist floral paisley skirt70's stripe jersey dresscolbalt blue ruffle skirt