Classic black and white is always a safe way to go if you want to make sure your wedding or home design holds up over time. Add in a dash of taupe for warmth and stripes and polkadots and you’ve got an element of fun in your otherwise classic look. Would you consider black, white and taupe?

I’m a big fan of short wedding dresses (heck I wore one myself!) and this sweet elopement photographed by Lacie Hansen features an adorable dress by BCBG.

Accesorized with these black bow shoes which I’m totally obsessed with (similar here), a bouquet of anenomes, and you’ve got one chic black and white wedding day look.

The subtle trim detail on the bodice adds just the right amount of texture.

So, would you rock a short wedding dress on your day?

Continuing my wanderlust for France is a virtual tour of Versailles… Um, how amazing is the pattern of the stone? I love the geometry in contrast to the ornate facade.

I die for this chair and this bed. This is perhaps the most perfect french canopy ever.

Even the stairs are so pretty I could hang out on one of these landings any day. And the stables? The stone vault and beautiful wood details, make me very jealous of the horses who call this home. These photos are from the book Versaille: A Private Invitations, which will be coming home with me soon, I’m sure!

Sorry for being MIA last Friday. I was in LA gathering props for a project. I’ve been using these images as inspiration for the project; I love a large hat paired with classic black and white. That look never goes out of style.

I’ll be out of the office until next weekend working on this project plus a few others…

Until then, have a good week + weekend!

Photos 1. Styled by Emily McGregor 2. Peter Lindenberg 3. Anna Kern

Remember that post I did a bit ago on Maira Kalman? She also designs these amazing products that are distributed by the Museum of Modern Art.

These paperweights are sort of silly. Hey, it’s tax time – maybe you could get the one on the right for your CPA?

These watches are extremely elegant and playful.

And this, this is simply gorgeous!

Images via Maira Kalman’s website.

T-strap spectator pumps? Yes, please! Photo by Jessica Johnston.

A plethora of colorful shoes to choose from… I’ll take one of each please. Photo by Michele M. Waite.

Today, I’m so happy to introduce Storkie Express as a sponsor here on Santa Barbara Chic. Storkie Express specializes in everything you could need for all your wedding invitation needs. They have save the dates, bridal shower invitations, wedding invitations, rehearsal dinner invitations and even thank you notes! I’m loving their modern invitations, particularly the one above. Doesn’t it just seem like this wedding will be one chic, fun, affair?

They have tons of exclusive designs and they are all completely customizable. You can move text, change fonts using their cool idesign tool. I played with it, and it was super easy to get the layout and look I wanted.

They’re also really fast at printing and getting your invites to you, which is great if you’ve fallen a bit behind on your wedding to-do list. To see more of Storkie‘s wedding designs click here. Happy shopping!

Okay, not exactly made out of paper, but these designs are so fun!

I like how she layers the different colors of leather – it gives a great texture to the solid colors.

Go check out her store, Stitch, in Raleigh, NC! I spent over an hour looking at all her cool products!

Photos via Holly Aiken.

I love the ethereal look of mosquito netting. Its so pretty and soft and has the same effect that a cathedral length veil has on a bride.

It would be so pretty for a ceremony arbor and then you could use over your bed as a special keepsake from your wedding day.

Wouldn’t that be romantic?

Photos from top: 1. Helen Norman 2. Styled by Eva Lindh 3. David Tsay