The Ones who Bear the Rings

No one will be more handsome than the groom on his wedding day. But in todays weddings, the ring bearers are becoming formidable competitors!

Creativity is becoming key when it comes to bearing the rings. A pillow is not your only option anymore. Just take a look at how some of these handsome boys carried the bling...

To the left: A beautiful wooden box filled with flowers made a pretty place to lay the rings in this nature inspired wedding.

Below: This clever ring bearer carried a pretty book that opens up to display the rings ( plus it will look great on your bookshelf at home while hiding other valuables!). Make it yourself!

Of course, if you prefer the pillow, there are many beautiful options out there. You can use a vintage pillow, one passed down through your family. Or buy a new one that you can pass down. For a bit more of a modern twist on the traditional, have a custom ring pillow and tie made to coordinate with your wedding!
Boys don't have to be the only option as your ring bearer... Man's best friend is also able to help out!

Plus, they make for some pretty adorable pictures!
Bride and her pup: Fresh In Love Photography.
Handsome pooch: Allyson Magda Photography

And since you may not want to put all your trust into little hands (or paws), here's a clever and downright cute way to keep the boys involved on the big day!
These adorable flags can easily be made, and they provide something fun for the boys to run around while spreading wedding day cheer!

Until next time!

xoxo, Ellenor

Show Your Stripes!

Stripes are everywhere these days... including weddings! Why you ask? I think its because stripes are the chameleon of patterns! They have the ability to go classic, sporty, or modern. Just look at how a simple stripe is used in varying ways to create these different looks...


Top row, far left: The name says it all in an invitation from Wedding Paper Divas: "Formal Stripe". Middle: Pink Frosting creates a preppy and elegant invitation with their use of stripes. Far right: A modern striped invitation from Confetti Stationery. In the bottom row, a display of varying stripes all from Wedding Paper Divas.

Not one to shy away from the use of stripes, Ellenor used a fun yellow and white stripe in our "Bright Spot" wedding.

Both the men and women in this wedding sported stripes down the aisle, as did the ring bearer by carrying a custom made ring pillow by Sweet B Papers found on Etsy.

Stipes were also brought in as napkins at our "Life's about to get more colorful" Baby Shower!

In addition, Ellenor will be using stripes in an upcoming wedding. Our inspiration began with this image of soft black and white striped table cloths. We loved the unexpected look that these brought to the tables while still being classic and beautiful.

We'll be using similar fabric as custom made runners along our long, "family style" tables in a Jane Austin inspired wedding. Keep checking back with us for more details on this wedding!

Want to incorporate stripes into your wedding? Try striped shoes! Striped food! Or favors with stripes! Still in need of some more inspiration? You know Martha always has some good ideas!

Or, you can always call us :)

xoxo,

Loralie

Tulle Wedding Dresses

I am absolutely in love with classic movie musicals. I was watching An American in Paris the other night and found myself drooling over the styles worn by ballet dancer, Leslie Caron, as she dances through the movie as the love interest of Gene Kelly's character. I went in search of wedding dresses that gave me that Leslie Caron feeling and I was drawn to many of the flowing, tulle dresses seen on the runway in both the Spring and Fall 2010 collections. Below are my two dream Leslie Caron-esque wedding dresses.



























The dress on the top is Vera Wang and it is possibly one of the most beautiful tulle dresses I have ever seen. The dress on below it is from the Amsale Blue Label. It is not quite as stunning in my opinion but I love its simplicity.


These dresses make me want to get married again!


Best,

Ellenor

The Dish on Dishtowels

One of the easiest ways to spruce up your kitchen and give it a new look is through simple accessories. My favorite kitchen accessory to rotate in and out are dishtowels, because they easy and almost always visible. They hang on your appliances, are draped on the counters and almost always live near the sink- a kitchen focal point. I usually keep two different types of towels in my kitchen at any given time. There are the towels I use to actually dry dishes and then the more decorative tea towels to look pretty and dry your hands. Here are a few of my current favorites!




























I love the Anthropologie tea towels on top. The dog on the left looks a whole lot like my own pup so I actually bought a set of two the other day.

Below that are Jonathan Adler tea towels. Anything Jonathan Adler always make me happy and these towels are certain to brighten up and modernize any kitchen.

I have met a few die-hard dishtowel collectors in my life, including my own mother, and I am afraid that I may be moving in the same direction!

Best,

Ellenor

Update: Design Makes a Difference!

Check out the latest before and after photos of the South LA Animal Shelter. A special thanks to Kim Rodgers of Bark Pet Photography for providing such great shots. The black and white photo of the terrier mix on the wall is Kim's amazing work as well!



















More photos to come when we complete the project later this month!


Best,

The Ladies of Ellenor

Design Makes a Difference!

Last Saturday marked the first work day of Ellenor Industries collaboration with the Lu Parker Project to re-vamp the lobby of a Los Angeles Animal Shelter. We first learned of the project from Lu Parker, KTLA news reporter, author, animal advocate and 1994 Miss USA. Lu invited Ellenor to design a new look for the front lobby of the South LA Animal Shelter. We immediately jumped on board! The shelter had some very specific needs and requests so we worked with all the participating organizations and volunteers to map out a plan.

We started with a bit of research to sense the public's perception of the shelter. People reported it was one of the most depressing and jail like shelters in Los Angeles. The Lu Parker Project and shelter wanted a new look that was cheerful, bright and encouraged more people to come and adopt animals. Below is an overall pan view of the shelter before this project.



We submitted several concepts to the Lu Parker Project Committee. Here is the color scheme they liked best.



On Saturday, all the volunteers came together and we held our first painting party. After many nights and many hours of work from volunteers and professional painters donating their time, the shelter is already looking much better. However, as you can see, there is still much more work to go!

















We are also working with some of our best vendors to get upholstery, tables, chairs and other furnishings donated. The fabric for the chairs just came in and is currently being treated to make it more dog-friendly and resistant to moisture...if you know what we mean!

We are also excited to announce that an amazing youth art organization called the Urban Arts Crew is designing and painting murals on several walls of the lobby as well as doing new lettering for the offices and important lobby destinations. Check back in with us after Monday the 19th for the unveiling of the final product!!

Best,

The Ladies of Ellenor

DIY Hanging Lamps

Lighting is a key component of every project in both interior and event design. It is an obvious staple for interiors, however people often forget about the significance of creative lighting for events, big and small. We try to use distinctive lighting pieces for all our projects. This includes dinner parties, birthdays, showers, weddings etc. For example, take a look at the chandelier we used as the focal point for a brightly colored baby shower. We also just decided on 3 large, elegant chandeliers to hang in trees for an outdoor wedding at an equestrian center in May. However, it doesn't need to cost a lot of money to add a unique piece to light up a project. Below are some of our favorite "Do It Yourself" hanging lamp concepts. Get creative with materials and colors. Challenge yourself to use creative lighting at your next event or just to finish off a room. You can find the base for most of these projects (a ceiling cord) at Ikea for only $3.99.

*Our Favorite*
An Ostrich Egg Lamp
From the Ready Made magazine and website
Click here for instructions

I have seen the eggs sold at a few different Ostrich farms in California. You can find them online as well. How cute would this look in a nursery or child's bedroom?









A Chandelier Upgrade
From craftzine.com -Instructions

I have seen people practically giving away this style of brass chandelier at garage sales.















Hanging Mason Jar Lamp
From Design Sponge- Instructions

This would look great to hang for an outdoor dinner party or just to light up a patio.














An Outdoor Planter Lamp
Also from Design Sponge- Instructions

This is incredibly cheap and clever. You could paint this a bright color and really make it pop.












We would love to hear from anyone who has made a DIY hanging lamp in the past!

Best,

Ellenor