I’m simply in love with this editorial styled by Joy de Vivre and photographed by Kurt Boomer. Shot on a ranch in the Santa Ynez Valley with Pervuian horses, what could be better?

Joy draped the table in La Tavola’s aqua Tuscany linen for a slightly casual feel then ramped up the elegance by pairing Town & Country’s cane backed chairs and elegant rimmed china. Flowers by NLC Productions added a punch of hot pink and sherbet.

To finish off the design, elegant paper goods by Lazaro Press in a palette of gold and hot pink. To see more of this editorial check out the new magazine Flutter created by Tracy of Lazaro Designs and Kim of Love Mikana.

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TGIF! I’m off to a wedding on Catalina Island this weekend and am feeling very ladylike today. How’s about a mint julep to sip on — who said whiskey can’t be a “chick drink”?!

Ingredients:

2 dashes of bitters

1 tsp of maple syrup

1 1/2 shots of bourbon

Fresh mint

*In a martini shaker, muddle a few mint leaves, add bitters, maple syrup, and bourbon, shake well and serve up with a few mint leaves for garnish. This is a sipper–trust me!

-XOXO Melissa

And to see even more On the Rocks cocktail ideas they’re right here.

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I love the lavender, but sometimes the purple color isn’t right for a wedding… Hence white (yes, white!) lavender is great option particularly for a bride’s bouquet.

For this simple bouquet, you need just one bunch of white lavender (available through Florabundance if you’re wholesale) and, ideally, some vintage lace. This light pink lace I picked up at a local antique store for $8. I love the delicate texture it brings to this frangrant bouquet. If you can’t find lace, a torn strip of linen could also work or you could pick up some modern lace at Michael Levine’s. The best part of this bouquet? You can make it well ahead of your wedding, making it a great stress-free DIY solution for either a bride or bridesmaid’s bouquet.

And to see all Flower Chic posts click right here. And a special thanks to Florabundance for sponsoring this post!

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A little while ago I attended a fun sushi making classes with Kim from Love Mikana and Samantha from Could I have that? and it was a seriously fun, interactive, and tasty, dining experience.

First up cocktails… We of course kept with the theme and had sake and Sapporo and then we got started learning the art of sushi.

A couple of things I learned… Those bamboo mats for rolling? Put saran wrap on them for an easier time, and don’t put too much rice in the roll (my California roll was a little structurally unsound).

And then we feasted on our handy work! I love this idea for a foodie bride who wants something different for her bachelorette or even as a great ice-breaking event when the newly engaged couple’s parents meet. To learn more about sushi making, Fukiko and Studio Nihon go right here. And to see Sam’s and Kim’s posts about the sushi party check them out here and here.

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Sparkly gold Louboutins? Don’t mind if I do!

More sparkly shoesday:

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I love a simple and stunning engagement sessions and this one by Patrick Moyer shot in the Santa Ynez Valley captures the beauty of the couple and the landscape perfectly.

How pretty is the golden fields with her blue dress?

A ranch gate, sunglasses, and a couple in love? Perfection.

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Happy Friday SB Chic readers!!! Is it just me or is this month flying by?! Today I have a fun-filled cocktail that is almost too pretty to drink (key word: ALMOST). I am not usually one for super sweet drinks, but every once in a while, it’s fun to have something a lil’ different. Cheers!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 shot of plain vodka

1/2 shot of Apple Puckers

Tiny splash of St. Germain

Lime wedge (squeezed)

Soda

*Add all ingredients in a martini shaker, shake, strain, and serve. Don’t forget the pièce de résistance: a rock candy stirrer.

-XOXO Melissa

And to see even more On the Rocks cocktail ideas they’re right here.

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