A truly bohemian styled couple secluded with their love among towering trees, with gorgeous photography by the talented duo behind the lens of Axel & Berg Photography.   Add to that a softly colored, gentle and majestic horse and a rather picturesque moment is created.  I was head over heels when this shoot came in for the current issue of Be loved.  Each time I look at it, I still can’t get enough.  The fact that it was shot in the midnight sun of Sweden, makes it all the more charming.

Photography by Axel & Berg Photography  |  Models: Susanna Domeijj, Andreas Sjöström  |  Horse  Lina Andersson (Diamond)  |  Flowers by Gabriella Kjellberg, Kreativ Interflora Bergsgatan  |  Bride’s Attire, Dress by  Zara, Jacket vintage find, Headband by Topshop

We are just a short 12 days away from Mother’s Day, (and then just 19 days after that, my sweet babies are out of school for the summer!)  When I decided to do a Mother’s Day card round up, I, truthfully, did not appreciate how difficult it would be to find lovely cards!  Thankfully, Nole, of Oh, So Beautiful Paper, has also gathered some of her favorites here to give you more to pick from.  I had hoped to get a few up in my shop, but it seems that it’s just not going to happen, and that’s okay.  Life is like that.  There is only so much time in a day and  I have so many exciting things in the works right now!  If you want some exclusive previews, follow me on Instagram (@nikkol_plj) where I will also be offering some special deals.  In the meantime, do something kind for your mother – similar to when you were small and would unload the dishwasher before she asked, or read to your little sister…for hours…so she (mom) could rest her ears.  Those are the things that make a mom’s heart happy.

1. via Paper and Pip    2. via Hello Small World     3.  via The House That Lars Built     4.  via Stationery Bakery    5.  via Whit and Whistle (this one is plantable!)    6.  via Laura Francis Designs 

I hope everyone had a delightful weekend!  It’s starting to warm up here, hooray!  This week is going to be full of fabulous; starting with this pretty wedding sent to us by Casey McFarland Photography.  I love Casey’s work.  His style is authentic and never misses those tender moments that a wedding is celebrating.   Kensie and Parker’s simple wedding is beautiful – love her sweet peach sash!

Bride’s Gown from Fantasy Bridal  |  Bride’s Sash from Etsy, LoveLikeStyle  |  Rings from The Diamond Gallery  |  Bride’s Shoes from ASOS  |  Groom’s Attire from Macy’s  |  Bride’s Hair and Makeup by bride

Welcome to the weekend!  It’s starting to warm up in these parts…sort of.  The heater still kicks on at night, and I am still wearing a sweater, but warmth is on the way.  The lovely ladies at Eleven Letters have designed today’s printable.   A needful reminder that sometimes you do have to bring your own sunshine!  Enjoy your weekend, and I’ll see you back here on Monday with a gorgeous wedding!

Thanks, ladies!

Download your print here.

I have a confession.  I adore good food.  In a very similar manner to Cookie Monster loving a cookie, without the mess, of course.  For quite some time now, I’ve been trying to figure out how to add a food column of sorts to this blog.  I’ve always included some type of recipe in my magazines, and then in my current issue, threw caution to the wind and added an entertaining section.  And, to relate it to weddings, decided to just take the plunge with the blog, as well.  Thursdays are now, officially, the “at home” day du jour.  I have all sorts of deliciousness lined up for you; covering all sorts of topics: food, dinner parties, table decor, menu tips, and whatever else might fall into the classification of being something that makes a home a home.

Today’s pilot feature is one of my most favorite salads ever.  So much so, that I am very much inclined to get up and make a small one for myself as soon as I’m finished here.  If it looks familiar – it is one of the recipes I featured in Be loved this month.  I didn’t have a name for it, so I called it The Perfect Brunch Salad, which it is.  Really, it’s perfect for eating at any time of day.  Plus, if you can buy direct from the farm or organic from the market, it’s packed with good stuff!

You’ll need:
1 bunch watercress, 1 grapefruit, 1 avocado, 3-4 slices prosciutto, parsley, romano and sherry vinegar + blood orange infused olive oil for the dressing

Wash and cut the thick stems from the watercress, slice up the grapefruit, avocado and prosciutto.  Toss it all together, sprinkle chopped parsley on top, add the romano shavings and drizzle with the dressing.  For the full, and wordy, recipe, check out page 91 of Be loved.

Tip: A handy trick to picking out a perfect avocado is to pop off the little nub of a stem and if it looks like the photo below, it’s perfect.  If it’s darker, it’s past its prime, so don’t buy it.

Brunch photography by Sami Jo Photography  |  Avocado photo by me

It seems I’ve got Art Deco on the brain this week!  It’s an era that’s hard to beat architecturally and musically.  Certainly the iconic fashion and hairstyles of the twenties still influence modern style.

Invitation by Umama   |  Dance on the Table Sign  |  Mint Deco Wedding Cake  |  Jenny Packham Gown  |  Gold Embroidered Dress  |  Dessert Table

When the right fonts, the right colors and the right patterns come together, like they did in this lovely suite designed by Laura Rush of Ruffled Ink, it’s simply a pleasure to look at.  I love the sweet illustrations and the subtle faded color of the invitation and response card.  My most favorite element: the combination of colors!  It’s bold without being harsh and stylish without being trendy.  Nicely done, Laura!

When I first got the email from Michelle Cousins (the extraordinarily talented design mastermind behind Utah Events by Design) describing a shoot she’d like to do for one of our upcoming issues of Be loved, I was love-struck!  She said an art deco inspired shoot has always been on her bucket list of inspiration shoots that she’s wanted to dream up, and with emerald being the color of the year, the combination would be stunning.  Indeed it is!  I can’t get over the details!  The linens – the ruched gold satin linen with the emerald peeking through, skirting the bottom – are incredible.  Linens make all the difference.  And the cake!  Tasha Mitchell, of Cake-a-licious out-did herself!  To say the cake is a showstopper is an extreme understatement.  Set at the breathtaking McCune Mansion and without a single detail being overlooked, it was captured perfectly by Amy Lashelle Photography.  Thank you, ladies!

See the shoot + link to the amazing video in our current issue of Be loved.

Planning Styling & Design: Michelle Cousins, Utah Events by Design  |  Floral Design: Erin Keller, Urban Chateau Floral  |  Cake- Tasha Mitchell, Cake-a-licious  |  Paper Suite: Molly Openshaw, Polka Dots & Daisies  |  Select Rentals and linens: Diamond Rental  |  Venue: McCune Mansion  |  Photography: Amy Lashell Photography  |  Videography: Kale Fitch Films  |  Vintage Car: Something Vintage Something Blue  |  Bridal Gown (Willow, by Jenny Packham) and Head Piece: Alta Moda Bridal  |  Groom’s Tux: Tuxedo Junction  |  Hair and Makeup: Janell Ingram, Versa Artistry  |  Bridal Jewelry provided by Morgan Jewelers 

Although it seems inappropriate to celebrate today given the national news headlines, I do have a freebie for you.  My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been directly affected by the tragedy in Boston.  I have many friends and associates there, and pray for quick resolution, and for God’s peace to be in the hearts of the people in that great city.

A fabulous send off is the perfect end to your perfect celebration!  Dress up your sparklers with these tags and post a sign next to the sparkler display.  I’ve left a banner space for you to sign (or type) your names and personalize your day.  As always, I’d love to see pictures of how you use our printables!

Download the sign here.  Download the sparkler tags here.

I am so glad it’s Thursday.  These last few days have been packed so full trying to get Be loved uploaded.  It seems that I ran into a few hurdles on this issue, so I am ever so thankful that it’s finally up for everyone to see!  (For my own sake, I have to say, there were a couple (exactly 2) glitches that occurred during the export…the obnoxious line break on my note to you, and another that is, thankfully, unnoticeable to anyone other than me.  Those should be updated by Saturday and the web links to all of the awesome contributors will be working then, as well.)  The weddings and styled shoots were so begging to be seen; I had to oblige!  A heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone who has supported me in any way along the journey.

Now on to more fabulousness!  Entirely Unwritten is a small graphic design and letterpress studio based in the Greater Chicago area specializing in rustic wedding stationery and invitations. Their simplistic designs are perfect for the country bride or home town gathering.  The lovely Kaylia, owner of the charming shop, is launching a new wedding blog tomorrow, and in celebration of the big day, she is giving away this sweet letterpress notecard set to one of our lucky readers!  Simply like Entirely Unwritten on Facebook and visit their blog launch tomorrow!  As an added bonus, come over and like Peter Loves Jane’s Facebook page, too, and I’ll throw in a set of 60 matching address labels to the same winner!  Get bonus entries by sharing and pinning this post!  Leave a comment here letting us know how you’ve spread the word.

Music:  It depends on the day!  But right now in the studio, I’m really loving listening to a guy named Tyrone Wells. His music is so fun and catchy!

Place to live:  Geez, that’s tough! There are tons of places I’d love to visit, like Paris, Rome and England, but I think I’ll have to stick with my country roots and say my Old Kentucky home. I know it’s cheesy, but I definitely have missed the beautiful rolling hills and farmland since moving to the Chicago area.

Advice: To live the life I imagined.

Remember to like, share and comment!  We will draw a winner at random on Thursday May 2.  Good luck to you all!  Can’t wait to see your new blog, Kaylia!  If you’d like to keep up with Entirely Unwritten, you can find them all over the social media spiderweb.  Cheers!

I’m so excited for today!  As you know, I have been publishing a printed wedding magazine for years and last year decided to make the leap into the digital magazine world.  Our first issue of Be loved can be found here.  Issue number 2 is LIVE!  Go on and flip through the beautiful weddings and be inspired!  Cover wedding feature by Miesh Photography.

Click here to view

It’s been a few weeks since my last font round-up, so I figured what better way to spend a Tuesday than collecting more fonts!  Chalkboards have been around since the one room schoolhouses of the 1800′s.  The adaptation of them into use as backgrounds for typographical art was brilliant, if you ask me.  When I walk into a coffee shop or bakery and see a well-lettered menu, my eyes tell me I’m getting thoughtfully prepared + great tasting food.  With that said, here is a collection of some of my favorite free chalkboard style fonts, with a little nod to places back home.

Chalk Hand-Lettering  |  Kraft Nine  |  Chalkduster (an included font in Mac OS X)  Chalkdust, for those without OS X  | Bounty  |  HandyGeorge  | KG Makes You Stronger  |  Bergamot Ornaments