Inspiration Mondays: Lego

Lately my Inspiration Mondays have been inspired by my son...today is no different. This evening we were playing with my Lego blocks that are almost 30 years old. I finally took it out of storage and gave it to him. These multi-colored blocks are my muse for today and I thought I would do a wedding based on Lego. Actually, I have had a Lego inspired wedding cake done for a client and those photos are part of this board as well.

Here are my elements in making a fun and quirky Lego themed wedding...or even party. Click on inspiration board to enlarge (clockwise from top left):

Wedding Gown: Melissa Sweet; Necklace: Coloroot; Invitations: My Gatsby; Sandals: Fendi; Cake: Christine Dahl; Flower Centerpiece: Fan Pop; Candy Favors: Gumball.com; LED Lanterns: Geek Alert; Cake Topper: Lego; Lounge Furniture: No Made Design; Bridesmaid Gown: Priscilla of Boston; Rings: Hardware Sphere

I hope this inspiration board stacks up to your Lego wedding expectations.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites, except for cake and cake topper photos by Percy Sales

Inspiration Monday: Gumballs

I was inspired by gumballs today, because my son loves them. Every time we walk into a store that he thinks may have a gumball machine in it...he starts chanting, "Can I have a quarter?" I don't know what attracts people to these multicolored phenomenon's, but who can deny that the gumball has been part of all of our childhoods. So...in celebration and in respect of the mighty gumball, I have come up with an inspiration board fitting of these chewable sensations.

Clockwise from top left (click on above photo to enlarge): Invitations: Invitations by Nature; Bubble Wedding Gown: Christos; Floral Balls: The Velvet Garden; Candy Bar: Inspiration from Amy Atlas Events; Tiffany Bubbles Ring: Tiffany & Co.; Printed Silk Chiffon Whitney Long Dress: J. Crew; Turquoise Three-Strand Chunky Necklace: Blue Earth Jewelry; Polka Dot Tower Wedding Cake: Sugar, Oklahoma; Carnival Midway Vendor for the Cocktail Reception or After Party: Inspiration Photo from David's Digits on Flickr; Balenciaga Lego Shoes: Balenciaga; Mini Classic Gumball Dispenser used for Escort Cards or Favors: Estilo Weddings; Balloon Drop: Inspired by Gifts & Decorative Accessories Photo.

I hope this inspiration board gets you chewing on some great vibrant ideas too!

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites. Center Bubblegum maching photo by Michael Weinberg Photography.

Inspiration Monday: Hello Kitty

I've been seeing a lot of blogs about Hello Kitty weddings lately and I thought wow...there are some people who literally take the Hello Kitty theme to heart. So as I pondered...what would I do if a bride insists on designing a wedding around the theme of Hello Kitty? I thought about it all day and came up with the above inspiration board (click board to enlarge).

I am inspired by Hello Kitty's simplicity and versatility. I am inspired by the color pink...all shades of it. I am inspired by the quirkiness that fans of the cartoon icon seem to possess. I'm inspired by Japan. So in designing my Hello Kitty inspiration board, I have mixed the classic with the wild and have added a touch of the famous pink.

My inspirations (top left and clockwise): Wedding Gown: Alvina Valenta; Pink Dyed Crinoline (for under the gown): couturesantrash (ETSY); Flowers: fleuretica; Bridesmaid Gown: Jenny Yoo; Bracelet for bridesmaids gifts: Sanrio; Cotton Candy Bar: Martha Stewart; Chandelier: GSPN Crystals; Ceremony Site: One Source Weddings; Shoes: Stuart Weitzman; Centerpiece: InStyle Weddings; Wedding Cake: Simply Cakes; Ring: Gumuchian

I hope this inspires the little girl in you.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites

Inspiration Mondays: Claude Monet's Water Lilies

I was recently looking through one of my favorite art books and stumbled upon one of my favorite artist, Claude Monet. I love Monet's work. The iconic images of water lilies in his Giverny, France home are one of my favorite series. The colors of these paintings are all so beautiful. The hues of greens, blues, purples, pinks, and browns work so harmoniously together.

These images have inspired so many before me, including Mattel, who released a Water Lily Barbie back in 1997. Today, I am inspired by this impressionist master and how I see his art being pulled in to a grand wedding.

A wedding inspired by Claude Monet (clockwise from top left):

Wedding Gown: White Chocolate
China: J. Seignolles
Bouquet: Hidden Garden Flowers
Bridesmaid Gown: Vera Wang
Lounge: Town and Country Event Rentals
Food: Serve French Cuisine to your guests
Tablescape: Nisie's Enchanted Florist
Shoes: Fifi Maisie Wedding Shoes from The Shop @ Percy Sales Events
Floral Hair Clip: Soiree Silk Floral Hair Clip from The Shop @ Percy Sales Events
Flower Girl Gown: Frances Johnston
Cake: Colette's Cakes
Venue: San Diego Botanical Building at Balboa Park

Hope this inspires you to create your own work of art!

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites except for White Chocolate Wedding Gown found at Brides.com

Inspiration Mondays: Boracay, Philippines

I was reading a magazine recently and there was this photo of Anne Hathaway at the Oscars wearing a beautiful gown by Armani Privé. As I looked closer at the gown, especially at the bottom of it, I noticed how the larger sequence he used almost looked like capiz shells, which automatically reminded me of one of my favorite places on earth, Boracay, Philippines.

I'm kind of amazed that I have not done an inspiration board on my home county until today. So here it is my Philippine Island, specifically, Boracay inspiration board. I was going to use a Monique Lhuillier gown for this board, because she is a Filipina, but decided to highlight other designers this time around.

I am inspired by the white sand beaches of Boracay, off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is one of the country's most popular tourist destination. It has been a long time destination for Europeans but most Americans probably have not heard of this magical place. I see it as being one of the top destination wedding locations in the coming years.

I am also inspired by capiz shells, pina cloth, tropical blooms, mouth watering cakes with island flavors such as ube and macapuno, and rich colors of the region. Turquoise waters, beautiful sunsets, and perfect weather round out my inspiration.

My Inspirations:
Location: Boracay
Wedding Gown: Armani Privé
Bridesmaid Gown: Priscilla of Boston
Cake: Goldilocks
Bouquet: Your Image Botanical Designs
Barong Tagalog: Barong Filipino Designs
Capiz Shell Chandelier: Exomod

I hope you too will be inspired by the Philippines and the beaches of Boracay!

-Percy

Photos as listed above. Anne Hathaway photo from Photo Agency, sunset Boracay photo Jose de Luna, Boracay Beach with Chairs by Roger Alcantara

Inspiration Mondays: Betsey Johnson's Dining Room

I love anything retro and for this week's inspiration I have taken a cue from Betsey Johnson's dining room. I am inspired by the use of blush pink and canary yellow, 60's modern mixed with traditional pieces. I especially love that it all goes so well together.

My inspiration was taken directly from the dining room. The wedding dress is based on the chairs with it's bubble effect. The bridesmaids dresses are based on the area rug in black and white as well as the seat cushions in a yellow. The necklace, chandelier, and shoes are inspired by the crystals on the sconces of the dining room and the chandelier in the dining room. The brides bouquet is inspired by the dining room centerpiece and the bridesmaids dresses inspired by the round chandelier in the dining room. The cake, charger and the invitations take colors from the room. Finally, the engagement ring ties in the entire inspiration, classic yet funky!

My Inspirations:

Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier
Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenni Kayne
Shoes: Benjamin Adams
Ring: Shibumi Gallery
Necklace: ESWERA jewelry by imaan
Cake: For Heaven's Cakes
Chandeliers: Town and Country Event Rentals
Charger: The Tent Merchant
Invitations: Luxurious Wedding

-Percy

P.S. This inspiration Board was originally submitted to a Coco + Kelley contest.

Photos from above mentioned sites

Inspiration Mondays: Leather and Lace

This weekend I took it easy. With rain coming down in sunny California, it was a great time to cuddle up in a blanket, stare out of the windows, think, and listen to great music. As I sat here, the song Leather and Lace by Stevie Nicks came on and this is my inspiration for this Monday.

I am inspired by the delicacy of lace and suppleness of leather. I am inspired by Stevie Nick's voice, that raspy tone that so delights. I love the fact that leather and lace reminds me of that raw, hard, heavy metal vibe, think Aerosmith and Van Halen...you know just a little overdone. But mixing the right pieces can make outrageous look totally fabulous.

If I were planning a wedding on a theme of leather and lace...these are some aspects I would throw into the mix.

Gothic Cathedral: Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago

Leather Trimmed Tuxedo: Prada

Tiered and beaded wedding gown: Monique Lhuillier

Noah's Heart Cuff: DeAnna Cochran Jewelry

Leather Charger Plates: Sell Glass Plate

Crofton Red Trimmed Leather Shoes: Ryan Rowe

Black Studded Cocktail Dress: Sheri Bodell

I hope this inspires you to think of how you can mix leather and lace for your own wedding. It's a great combination and with the right aspects you can mix two opposing elements together to make it a real knockout.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned desiners, photo of Kevin Connolly in Prada from OMG

Inspiration Mondays: The Obama Familiy

With the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States occurring in less than 24 hours, I am inspired by the Obama's and their sense of style and the message they are sending to the world.

The Obama's are now the image of the American Family and will inspire everything in the next few years. I am inspired by their hopeful and joyous outlook, Michelle's sense of style, their daughters' pride, and Barack's cool demeanor. I am looking forward to this First Family and their effects on the World. Additionally, I am inspired by their ability to mix the new with the old, the refined with the modern, and that unification is truly stylish.

If I were to plan a wedding with the Obama's as the inspiration, this is what it would partially look like.

My inspirations:

Tuxedo: Prada
Wedding Gown: Vera Wang
Tablescape: Your Image Floral, Ojai
Bridesmaids Dress: Maria Pinto
Flower Girl Dress: Un Deux Trois

I hope on this eve of a new America and history, you will also be inspired by what the Obama family will bring to the world. Here's to HOPE!

-Percy

Photos tuxedo by Erik Swain, tablescape by Gloria Plunkett

Inspiration Mondays: The 1980's

It's a new year and 2009 has so much to offer. But for some reason I am starting my first blog of the year, inspired by the 1980s. I am not sure if it's because I am turning 40 this year or because the 1980s brings back so much happy memories for me. I am even groovin' to 80s music as I write this blog.

At any rate I am inspired by "Like A Virgin" Madonna, Dynasty, New Wave Music, and the excess that the 80s offered. But I also appreciate the creativity of the 80s and the boldness that people had. People weren't afraid to step away from the norm.

So my old school inspiration includes pillared cakes or satellite cakes, classic stretch limos, lace, taffeta, bold design, cascading bouquets, gold gold gold, and of course the music of the era.

My inspirations:

Wedding Gown: Badgley Mischka
Bouquet: KS Flowers, Japan
Bridesmaids Gown: Michael De Paulo
China: The Tent Merchant
Cake: Cake Divas
Limo: Zeus Limos

I hope this helps you in designing your own 1980s inspired wedding. One thing to remember is that in the 1980s...you can do anything and everything was possible. So don't limit yourself. Watch some episodes of Dynasty, or put on some Duran Duran, or Bananarama to inspire you.

-Percy

Photos from above mentioned sites