DIY | Fall Inspired Table Setting | Pumpkins | Bouquet

A couple of weeks ago, Claire Ryser of Visionaire Studios came over and we had a fabulous day - she took photos while I put together this flirty Fall table setting. Natasha's Mulberry & Mottcreated the cake - their "Bee Hive" cake - isn't it so whimsical?! I accented the table with Blue Hubbard squash.

This table is all about mixing rustic with refined - For a luxurious yet rustic feel, I layered natural oatmeal linens, a wide burlap runner and a classic ticking stripe runner. I used my mission style farm dining room chairs with ticking stripe pillows for extra comfort.

This bouquet is another example of rustic and refined - I made it with ivory garden roses, soft pink tea roses and wheat.

I wrapped the stems in burlap, then fastened it with pearl pins. For DIY instructions to make this bouquet, click here!

Natasha Goellner of Natasha's Mulberry & Mott made this "Bee Hive" Cake - the mountain of meringue is so incredible.

I love Natasha's style - very soft and romantic details.

I made these pumpkin place cards from mini white pumpkins - so simple - for the DIY instructions, click here!

I placed single rose blooms around the table for big impact, but little cost... why spend hundreds on a floral centerpiece when this small bud brings just as much charm!

Claire - Thanks so much for kindly taking these photos - you are TOO talented!

Visit Claire's blog at visionairestudios.blogspot.com

Visit Natasha's Mulberry & Mott at Mission Farms in Leawood, KS or atwww.natashasmulberryandmott.com

Stationery | DIY Invitations

I know this site is all about weddings... but I couldn't resist sharing these invitations I made for a baby shower. The shower is in January, and she isn't finding out if the baby is a boy or a girl - so, this neutral "winter wonderland" theme worked great.

I started with a design that I created on my computer, then printed it on textured cream paper.

I cut it to size, then pasted it to a piece of grey cardstock that would fit nicely into an envelope.

Then, I used a glue pen to fill the bird with glue, then, using a fine grain silver glitter, I glittered the bird.

Finally, I wrapped each invitation, in a creamy flocked velvet paper and tied a piece of "angel fleece" yarn around it. I used a textured cream envelope to complete the invitation.

Design Board | Powder Blue, Light Pewter, White & Ivory

Like most newly engaged brides, my head is filled with color palettes, flowers, dresses, stationery and cakes... to get all of this under control, I'm going to create several design boards and share them with Mike (and the blog)... it will be a surprise as to which one I choose!

I LOVE this color palette - to me it screams (or maybe it sighs softly...) sweetness. Soft blues and greys, beautiful white flowers (peonies, garden roses) and rich satin.

Dresses : J.Crew Silk Dupioni Marlene in Light Pewter & J.Crew Silk Taffeta Sabine Dress in Ivory | Ribbon : Midori Double Faced Satin in Seafoam | Cake : Classic Cakes (Andrea Britt, Bliss List Member) I changed this cakes ribbon from pale yellow to soft blue for the sake of this design board because I love this cake! | Stationery : Marthastewartweddings.com

Are you newly engaged? Send me an email with some of your wedding inspiration and I'll create a design board for you! Just email jenny@blisslistkc.com

Brunch is a Breeze - Featured in the KC Star!

Stacey Downs, a KC Star House & Home editor, featured details from my recent "Easter Brunch Workshop." Read an excerpt from the article below!

Hosting a Springtime Brunch can be a Breeze

KC Star, House & Home, April 5th

Stacey Downs

"Hosting an elegant brunch can be easy.

That’s because you can do so much of the prep work the night before, says Jenny Steffens of Fairway, owner of Occasions Entertaining and the Bliss List, a wedding-vendor blog in Kansas City. Flowers can be purchased and arranged. And much of the food can be assembled in advance.

At A Thyme for Everything, a gourmet store in downtown Lee’s Summit, Steffens recently demonstrated how to make a four-course brunch. The dishes are special enough for Easter but can work for any late-morning spring day.

“When I think of brunch, I want something that’s going to fill me up until I have popcorn at eight o’clock at night,” she says. “But like the Barefoot Contessa says, I want it to be simple so I can have fun, too..."

Read the entire article on The Kansas City Star's website, here.