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

I’ve been gathering inspiration photos to finally decorate my house. It always seem like I’m getting somewhere and then wedding season hits… But this year, I will finally finish darn-it! So far I’m loving the cheery combo of aqua and pink. I just think its so fun and playful, how could you ever be bummed in a space like this? I especially love how the darker wall color actually calms the aqua of the sofa, if it were against a white wall it might be too much.

And oh, to have a proper vanity to put all sorts of pretty things. I love the way the black and white floor anchor the light blue vanity and pale pink chair. The bungalow I’m in is so small and the bathroom, well it might very well be the smallest on earth.

I love the punch of aqua in the lamp bases, I actually have a similar thing going on, but I desperately need new lampshades. Finding simple, tall, skinny white cylinder shades seems to be the hardest thing to find. The dainty floral on the pillows is a bit to frou-frou for me, but I do love that simple khaki headboard. And, oh yes, I will gladly take those aqua slippers any day.

Photos from top: 1. via House to Home 2. Styled by Virginia MacDonand 3. Styled by Jen Everett

I’m madly in love with this photo shoot by Luis Monteiro.

The soft pastel colors…

In contrast to graphic patterns and black elements in the model’s clothes is pure perfection.

All photos by Luis Monteiro.

Wear your heart on your… shoes! Shoes by Vivienne Westwood (they come in a bunch of colors) and photo by Leo Patrone.

Tomorrow morning I’m jumping on a plane and going to Spain for my two year wedding anniversary.

I’m doing laundry and…

I’m packing my party dresses and my appetite.

I’ll be there through mid-April and then I’m onto the fabulous B-List in Washington DC. I’ll be checking email pretty regularly, but you can always email Ms. Cynthia if you need something right away. Blog posts will be light while I’m away, but there will be plenty of pretty photos when I return.

Images: 1. Jane Roarty 2. Chris Everard 3. Corrie Bond 4. Emily McGregor

I’m a huge bibliophile, and I love the look of this pretty stack of books on an all white mantle (the elephant is pretty great as well).

This is pretty close to what my house looks like right now– stacks of books everywhere (I’m moving!), though minus the awesome Gothic inspired bench and table.

And speaking of pretty books, have you seen these clothbound books by Penguin? I don’t care much for Dickens, but that book cover is to die for. And, oh yes, these books are available at my all time favorite store, Anthropologie.

I’m loving these flirty red shoes by Charles David. Photo by Jennifer Skog.

Here’s a sneak peek of a retro, paisley wedding I planned and designed. Up next are some of the behind the scenes of the details created for their wedding day. Enjoy!

Photo: Harper Smith Photography

I love these wallpaper designs by Aimee Wilder. They’re so modern and playful!

Speaking of playful, I love the robot wallpaper.

And of course the “analog nights” pattern is so awesomely 80′s.