Grey, modern, Valentino shoes, you say? Yes, please!

Loving these modern suede wedding shoes that you could totally rock after your wedding day too.

I love modern containers and these cement ones from Jamali Gardens, are so darn fun and versatile. They’d be perfect for a modern wedding with monochromatic blooms. They’re also easy to spray paint, I just painted some for a Spanish themed wedding I’m doing in the next couple weeks. How would you use them?

Flirty little peep toes, love them! Photo by Cooper Carras.

Ms. Megan is a bit under the weather, so I’m filling in today. I recently bought a bunch of Matte Stephen prints and I’m so in love. This one hangs above my bed. Gotta love an Owl rocking a pipe, bow tie, and umbrella!

This print is perfectly on theme for this week. Its been pouring here!

I may have to get this one soon. A cat family portrait is just too silly and awesome. You can see more Matte’s work right here.

Needless to say, I was really inspired by Kelly’s post yesterday. Early methods of color photography are fascinating.

My first exposure to the autochrome was at the California Museum of Photography at UC Riverside. One of my best friends curated a small exhibit of photographs that revolved around this early type of photography.

This is one from their collection. I’m still a little iffy on how this process actually works, but I know that it involves microscopic grains of potato starch dyed shades of red, green and blue that create a screen on a glass plate for light to pass through. When you look at an autochrome up close, you can see the individual grains of starch, which makes it look almost like a microscopic pointellism painting.

This image, and the ones that follow it, were taken by Albert Kahn. He was actually a very wealthy French banker, and in 1909 decided to set out on a trip around the world to photograph people from various cultures. This is a woman who was living in Vietnam at the time.

This was taken in Norway.

This was taken in Ireland.

The thing that really strikes me about this project is that it was never intended to be artful. It was simply a documentation project which he hoped would promote peace and understanding.

The images and information are from the California Museum of Photography and the Albert Kahn website.

I am so in love with Anthropologie’s wedding line, BHLDN (beholden). The dresses are to die for; I’m obsessed with the one on the left. Tea length, scallop hemline, illusion neckline all with a distinct art deco flair? Amazing!

I also love the sweet eyelet dress. Perfect for a beach ceremony or a bohemian wedding. Also, the three dimensional quality of the gray pleated dress is so modern and chic.

Of course, then there are the shoes. The shoes are INSANE. I’m dying for the center shoe, it might need to come home with me like, today.

The clutches are equally as stunning. The art deco inspired one on the left is perfection (can you tell I love anything art deco?).

And from subtle, and sweet, to over the top drama, the head pieces are spot on. To check out more click right here. Happy Shopping!

I’m loving these 20′s inspired headpieces by Jannie Baltzer. I love the color of both pieces and the ostridge feather and the delicate pearl work on the left headpiece is so darn pretty.

Of course, if you’re looking for a little more drama, the black headpieces are amazing too (plus you can wear it after your wedding). Check out more at Jannie Baltzer shop here.

I was browsing the Cherry Blossom Girl (which is full of fashion inspiration) and I had to share these images of Maria Lucia Hohan‘s bridal shop.

I love the asymmetrical dress with layers of  chiffon.. oh my!

More lovelies, all in a row. The definition of ethereal.

Photos by the Cherry Blossom Girl.

I’m in love with J.Mendel’s latest collection. I love the movement of the sheer fabric, that soft gray color, and of course those gorgeous red heels…

I’m loving the nude version as well…

I think all of these dresses would make gorgeous and sophisticated alternatives to a traditional wedding dress (plus there’s no bustle to deal with!).

Photos via Style.com.

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!

My obsession with buttons and pretty lit bits continues. I’m loving all of these colors right now; aqua, hot pink, and gray? Yes, please.

These spools of thread make me so darn happy. And I love that two tier wire basket. I need one of for all of my ribbon!

Photos: 1. Penny Wincer 2. Helen Quinn

Summer is finally upon us (seriously, 80 degree weather just arrived) and all I want to do is pack a picnic, lay on some soft grass, and read a good book.

She’s got the right idea…

…and she does too. Here’s hoping the weather sticks around this weekend when I’ll be able to leave the office and enjoy. Happy Wednesday!

Photos from top: 1. Erikca McConnell 2. Olivia Graham 3. Roland Bello

I know its only Thursday, but I’m so excited for a non-working weekend that I’m already plotting an al fresco dinner party.

A farmhouse table setup under a tree? Perfection.

Linen tablecloth? Benches? An adorable puppy head? The countryside? Yes, please!

Photos from top: 1. via House & Garden 2. Miki Duisterhof 3. Alexandra Rowley

When it rains it pours, and we have another giveaway today! Pretty Chic is company based in San Franisco and they make adorable notebooks and weekly planners.

I’m obsessed with hounds tooth and this gray version is tré chic and so functional.

And speaking of functional, how adorable is this weekly planner? Each week features an inspiring quote and there’s even an area to list all your favorite things for 2010. And best of all, Pretty Chic is giving a planner & notebook set to a Santa Barbara Chic reader. Just leave a comment about which is your favorite pattern (you can see more here) and a winner will be randomly selected next Tuesday, February 2nd. Happy commenting!