FREE WEDDING PRINTABLES

If there is one thing I've learned in the wedding planning process it's that it really is so so expensive! Nothing in the wedding industry comes cheap or free. Or so I thought! Turns out that some wedding sites provide fully customizable printables. Not only are they free but many are beautifully designed! They come in a variety of forms - from full stationery sets and table numbers to treat labels and place cards, it really doesn't get much better. My two favorite sites for free printables are Wedding Chicks and Love vs. Design. Looking forward to taking advantage of these little gifts.

Note: Many can double for ANY celebratory occasion.

 antler invitation set, will you be my groomsman and bride/groom signage from wedding chicks

monogram labels and just married sign from martha stewart weddings

 wedding tickets and place setting label from love vs. design

ROCK THE ROOM!

When I first set eyes on this room from Canadian House & Home last year I became a little obsessed. I'm a huge fan of mixing a bold gold with natural materials like is done here with this jute rug. The mixture of hard and soft is done perfectly. So, why not make it into an outfit? Here I've given it my best shot. Rock that room!

Get the look:

• Ponte tank
• Pink skinny jeans
• Gold feather bangle
• Pack punch sandals

FORGET TENTS: I'M GETTING A TEEPEE

Teepees..they are everywhere these days. I've been seeing so many cute ones around online and in people's photos that I decided to do a round-up of my favorites. I wish I had a big yard (and an non-destructive dog) so I could make one and curl up in it on the weekends.

 via poppytalk

via style me pretty

 via the brick house

via jen loves kev

DESIGN LUST: BRASS LIGHTING

Living in a new place, I'm trying to make my interior choices a little more, ahem, grown-up. I've ventured out and had a lot of fun with color in the past few years but when I sit back and look at what colors my place is comprised of, its honestly a bit of a mess when it comes to colors and consistency in colors.  Another problem I'm having is lighting. The natural light isn't as strong as it was in my old place which makes me a little sad. Oh, and did I mention there is track lighting? Yup.

So, while perusing around for new lighting fixtures I'm definitely being drawn to classic, simpler colors. Not going to lie, the whole stainless steel, silver everything just doesn't do it for me. Something about brass fixtures seems so elegant and unexpected to me. I'm hoping to incorporate something along these lines into my mix and simplify my decorating act a bit.

01. diy brass lamp by weekday carnival
02. via elle interior
03. copper pendant lamp, urban outfiters
04. mushroom lamp, sadie & stella

MINTED ART COLLECTION

Lately I have been swooning over so many cute art prints from around the ol' world wide Web. When I think about what I'd like to adorn the walls of my home, I imagine these pretties. Brought to us exclusively through Minted and from a variety of brilliant designers, each piece comes in six different sizes, many in a multitude of colors and all printed on quality paper. So many choices, how could you ever pick just one!

I've never tried a gallery wall but I think it's about that time. Any words to the wise on creating one?

From top to bottom:

• sweet treats, by kelli hall
• elegampersand, hello hailey
• zou bisou bisou, by tami bohn {mad men, anyone?}
• a blonde, a bluenette and a readhead, by feb10 design
• some things take time, by mono
• rectangles revisited, by carly reed

And while you are over at Minted, don't forget to stop by and check out my friend Allison's gorgeous stationery, The Social Type.

PRETTY ME PINTEREST

A curated list of some of the many things that have been inspiring me lately on Pinterest. A mixture of home decor, DIY, recipes and words of wisdom. Enjoy!

You can follow me here on Pinterest.

Sources, from top to bottom:

• Console, Anthroplogie
• Checkered Tea Spoons, Anthropologie
• Spicy Michelada Recipe, Spoon Fork Bacon
• Marble Shakers, Leif
• Some Things Take Time, Momo at Minted
• Colorful Candle Holders DIY, Martha Stewart
• Arrowhead iPhone Case, Marc by Marc Jacobs
• Dotty Curtains, Yvestown Blog
• DIY Cute Coasters, Fellow Fellow
• Love Stationery, Love Alice

BRIGHTS & WHITES

As I mentioned Friday, the moving bug has officially bit me. I'm so excited to get into my new place and start decorating from scratch. There is nothing I hate more than moving out of a place but there isn't anything I love more than moving into a new place, a blank canvas! Here are some photos of some things that will be inspiring the vibe of the new place. Loving lots of brights mixed with a whole lot of white.

Ps. Have you seen the pictures or been to the Hotel Saguaro in Palm Springs? Put it on my weekend getaway list...

Sources:

Vintage Hints, Apartment Therapy

Feminine Touches, Ikea Live  

Cozy Nooks, Amber Interiors

I Spy Wallpaper, Lonny Mag via Decor8

California Cool, Saguaro Hotel

Pops of Color, This Is Blog from Elle Decoration

Welcome to Lovely Struck!

Presenting the new face of A Little Birdy Told Me! After a lot of thought and consideration, and based on the direction the blog was heading, I've decided to give A Little Birdy Told Me a whole new name and face. Welcome to Lovely Struck!

For the past few months I have been working closely with Dare Media Management on this pretty new header and design and am so excited about the way it turned out. Darrian is truly a gem!

What does this mean? All of my prior posts will remain on the blog it just has a new URL. If you subscribe via Google Friend Connect you will still receive daily updates and are still subscribed. However, if you have the link saved in your bookmarks, please update it with lovelystruck.blogspot.com as the old link will no longer have any content posted to it. To follow this blog and all your other favorites, don't forget to sign up for the RSS feed here. Please excuse the dust and lack of posts around here for the next few weeks as I figure everything out. Hope you enjoy and can't wait to see where Lovely Struck goes!

New email: lovelystruck@gmail.com Drop me a note and let me know what you think!

xo,
Marit

dipped color-block mason jars

All the bright colors of spring have been inspiring me all around. It's reflecting in my apartment, in my wardrobe and of course on my fingers. With the less than perfect weather this weekend, I decided to whip out the ol' paint brushes and make something with items I already had laying around.

With the help of a few sponge brushes, painter's tape and Martha Stewart multi-surface paint I made these fun color-blocked mason jars and bright clothes pins to hang my latest order of prints from PostalPix.

The mason jars were so easy to do, just tape off the line where you want to paint {I like it to be imperfect}, paint on the color of your choice, and viola! These could be used for so many things- as a vase, a drinking glass, or for their original intended purpose, canning!

Tip: You will need to do at least 3 layers of paint when it is on glass.
Martha Stewart Colors: Geranium, Raspberry Ice, Beach Glass

spring forward

Spring has officially sprung, I'm feeling it all around and the extra hour of daylight is putting that extra little jump in my step {and finally encouraged me to go back to yoga after a few too many weeks away}. Here are some pictures of the things that are inspiring me this spring. Pops of everything BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT, contrasting of colors and bold patterns. Oh, and of course, all things coral. Could you tell?

1. ribbon backdrop, style me pretty {photo by sasha gulish} 2. turquoise top, asos 3. diamond tapestry, urban outfitters 4. colorful bike, public bikes 5. macaron tower, style me pretty 6. geo beaded necklace, a merry mishap 7. paxton oxfords, nordstrom 8. diy rope basket, design sponge {how genius is that}  9. neon leather mouse pad, freshly picked {i took at alt summit class this week by susan and it was amazing!}  10. bright bracelets by shana at the ropes

Katie Maennle Designs, Your One-Stop-Shop for Birdcage Chairs & Southern Charm.

In a recent Google search for  "birdcage chair" I came across an amazing designer. Katie Maennle's design embodies Southern cuteness in my opinion. She has taken the vintage structure of the birdcage chair and transformed it into a beautifully modern piece. I mean, can you imagine rocking that in your living room?

Her use of bright colors, bold patterns and unique craftsmanship have me oohing and ahhing over each and every piece.

Her mission statement really says it all, "Katie Maennle is a lifestyle brand defined by the belief that a woman and her life should always be three things: playful, feminine and bold. We believe that style and substance are not opposing philosophies—that a fabulous dress empowers you, an embellished note card touches you, and an inspired home recharges you. We believe it’s these everyday moments of delight that make for a well-lived life." I couldn't agree more Katie!

She also designs fabulous clothes that any woman would feel gorgeous in and stationery that highlights her beautiful furniture. Stay tuned here as her spring clothing collection emerges.

Katie Maennle's work can be found in Austin, Texas (yet another reason I must visit soon) on West 6th Street.

1. birdcage chair 2. blue pillow pair 3. pinch me poster 4. wingback chair 5. yellow stripes chair 6. dress 7. red pillow set 8. birdcage chair stationery

"night class" for bloggers: alt design summit webinars

Last week I participated in my first, of what I hope is many, Alt Design Summit webinars. Alt Design Summit, a.k.a. the bee's knees of blog conferences, is now offering customized webinars throughout the year in a variety of blog-realted topics, all taught by experienced and successful bloggers. Classes are only $15 and run a few times a week. Be sure to check out the roster of upcoming courses. Consider it night class for blogs!

My teacher was Melanie Blodgett of You are my Fave. She nailed the topic "Bringing Home the Bacon When Your Blog Isn't Huge". Everyone was able to talk amongst themselves, share ideas and network. I met so many other creative people through that single hour of my time. Definitely worth the investment. It also has me really itching to attend their yearly conference next year in Utah. A conference full of people who obsess over pretty things as much as me, sounds like my kind of trip.

ahh..the butterflies of new {love} mae

If you read my blog regularly, you know how in love I am with the adorable decals from Love Mae. I was thrilled today to get a peek of their new items today in my inbox {it's the little things}.Seems like the perfect little gift for the Easter bunny to bring.