Inspiration – Page 6 – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Announcement May 2, 2014

Super Sweet 16 Balloon Invites

I am always looking for creative invitation or announcement ideas – a deviation from the standard colored cardstock. I have finally decided what to do for Isla’s announcements, after making the time conscious decision not go to the same letterpress + photo route for Sasha’s UT MBA graduation announcements (to be posted soon!), and no, it’s not a balloon! However, when I saw these super sweet 16 birthday balloon invitations on Oh So Beautiful Paper, I swooned. The balloons are so colorful, and I love the design by Cristina Pandol. I recognized Cristina’s name, and searched Snapshots and My Thoughts – low and behold, I have posted two of her previous projects before here. She is wildly talented – I totally love her style. Have you ever received a save-the-dates or invitation via balloon? Such a cute idea.

Baby April 14, 2014

Pretty Floral Tea Party for Isla

I was totally spoiled by my sister and best friend this weekend – they threw me the most gorgeous tea party shower for little Miss Isla. It was held at our house, as many of our closest friends still had never seen the house since we re-did it last year (pictures here, here and here). I had such a great time talking to everyone – I love parties! McKenzie and Karine did such an incredible job planning and executing on their plans – how pretty is this floral tea party? The flowers are seriously to-die for. I want them to be in our house at all times!

Our dining room table transformed into a gorgeous feast

Pretty macaroons from Sweet

A proper English tea time (and of course, some champagne!)

Homemade tea goodies

McKenzie, Brittany and Karine – these ladies are too good to me

Spoiling little Miss Isla

Gorgeous desserts

Contest to see who could draw the best baby on-top of their head – so funny!

The aftermath of flowers – I hope these never die!

Little onesie notes for Isla (cut out by McKenzie!)

All cleaned up!

Belle was very excited when her dad got home from class!

Gorgeous flowers by Jess Hamilton

Cupcakes, truffles and macaroons from Sweet

Vegan cupcakes from Crave

Isla banner from Etsy

My dress from Hatch Collection

Decorations by McKenzie, Karine and my Mum

Décor April 7, 2014

Favorite Houston Blogs

I haven’t had much time for blog reading recently, but when I have a free second, I typically run down my blogroll – which used to only include big fashion bloggers (i.e. Pink Peonies, Gal Meets Glam, Cupcakes and Cashmere, Atlantic-Pacific), but has recently featured many Houston-based bloggers. I consider this my version of “going local.” I’ve compiled a list of my favorite Houston blogs, which range from party planning to photography, interior design to baking. So many pretty pictures to look at! I highly recommend you check out these blogs.

KiKiMac: I love Christie’s blog so much. KiKiMac is the perfect combination of creative party ideas, delicious food pictures and restaurant recommendations, and style. My favorite thing about this blog is the online (and in person!) friendship that has stemmed out of me posting one of her Adair Kitchen pictures!

Sugarlaws: Katy’s style is always spot-on, and given that she’s only a few weeks ahead of me in her pregnancy, I’ve loved looking to Sugarlaws for maternity style advice. Sugarlaws is a great collection of fashion and lifestyle – i.e. makeup and recipe too!

Sugar and Cloth: My eye-candy obsession. Ashley is so talented at styling and making me very hungry with her amazing food posts. I could spend all day scouring through Sugar and Cloth posts.

Ketchup on Restaurants: Patricia knows the way to my heart – through food! I absolutely love following along as she tries out new restaurants in Houston that I very often go to after she posts about them. I recently won a pie from her contest and got to meet her in person! What a treat (no pun intended). Feast your eyes on this blog if you want to stay up-to-date with the Houston food scene.

Hellogirl*: Chelsea’s blog is wedding meets fashion meets pretty design. I love reading her posts – you’ll learn about new fashion trends, her upcoming nuptials (this July!), makeup tips, and more.

Kimberly Chau: Kimberly is an amazing photographer, and her blog is a perfectly curated platform of pretty images. Kimberly posts engagement, wedding, food, and lifestyle pictures on her site, and it’s a pleasure to follow along.

Perpetual Perfection: Words of inspiration and an interior designer lover’s paradise. Cathleen’s home is dreamy, as is the rest of the content on this beautiful blog!

Brighton the Day: Brighton’s style is always, always spot-on. Whether it’s animal prints, neons, or florals, I am obsessed with her styling. I always forget she lives in Houston (that is, until I recognize a location post!). Brighton the Day is definitely a blog you need to bookmark.

Pretty Shiny Sparkly: Kristina post topics range between makeup, food, health, and style – and she does a great job detailing all. The blog is most certainly pretty, shiny and sparkly.

Featured image via Sugar and Cloth, taken by Kimberly Chau

Fashion March 21, 2014

Priya Launches Zama Collection

There are few people in life I’m more inspired by than my good (not to mention, ridiculously gorgeous) friend, Joy Kennedy. Three years ago, she launched Priya, an accessories line that is committed to fair trade luxury and employing groups of underprivileged artisans. Since 2011, Priya has worked with groups of human trafficking victims, special needs artisans and impoverished women in Nicaragua. Sold yet? Yes, the company is amazing. The best part is that the products are absolutely flawless. I love the purses so much from the original collection, but two weeks ago, Joy launched the Zama Collection, the first contemporary jewelry collection handmade by artisans in Jaipur, India. It’s unbelievable to see these pieces after sifting through the product sketches at Zoe’s Kitchen over lunch a year ago.

Joy graciously gifted me one of my favorite pieces for my birthday last month – the Square Ring in Blue. I literally get compliments from people every single time I wear it. I’m obsessed! The pieces are crafted with the highest quality materials. You’ll love them as soon as you put them on. I’ve compiled a collage of my favorite Zama pieces above. Shop the collection (top left to bottom right):

Also, you should watch the mesmerizing Zama Collection video here. See my previous Priya giveaway post here.

Um, see what I mean by gorgeous?

Baby March 12, 2014

West Elm Graham Glider

Deciding on the baby glider or recliner is a big decision – as new moms, we’re about to spend a lot of time nursing there, as well as many years to come reading our little ones stories on the chair at night. Sasha and I looked at Pottery Barn Kids, RH Baby and Child, Land of Nod, Serena and Lily – we liked a lot of the chairs, but none of them seemed just right for our house/Isla’s room. I saw the Graham Glider online at West Elm and loved it, but wasn’t convinced until 1) my good friend, Mara, told me that they had just bought it, and 2) we both sat in in and decided it was “the one.” We ordered the Pebble Weave chair in Oatmeal, as well as the matching ottoman. We were told that they take 8-10 weeks to arrive (ours came in 7!). It arrived on Saturday, and I seriously could not be more pleased. Pictures below!

Gold polka dot pillow from Anthropologie

New accent ceramic jug vase and flowers – also from West Elm