Inspiration: Glowing Gems

It's no surprise that we've been big glassybaby fans {yep, it's with a lower case "g!"} for years and years. What, might you ask, is a glassybaby? It's a vibrant, thoughtful, and glowing hand blown glass vessel. These little gems make for incredible gifts, striking decor, and amazing additions to your event table! They act as unique glassware, simple bud vases, and the most stunning votives you ever did see!

While glassybaby originated in Seattle, they recently opened up a storefront in Manhattan. Their shops just make you smile and one can really spend hours perusing each hand blown piece. These babies make for the perfect hostess gift or thoughtful birthday or wedding presents.

Our personal collection contains a rainbow of colors that remind us of our beach community: sunset and dolphin are two of Aleah's favorites. It doesn't take much to bring joy - just light up a glassybaby and relax and curl up with a good book {Aleah often blogs by glassybaby light!}.

You're going to love this: you can also rent them out for your special soirée! Envision long, regal tables with clusters of glassybabies nestled amidst overflowing, lush centerpieces. They are also just as sweet on their own.

All above photos from glassybaby

This image via Married with Michelle and More

We hope you enjoy this inspiration! Be sure to check out the glassybaby website for more inspiration and to view their breathtaking array of colors!

Guest Post: Stunning Portuguese Love from Brancoprata

Hello, we are Sofia and André from Brancoprata, all the way from Portugal, and we are delighted to be guest posting on the always inspirational Valley & Co.! It’s an huge honor to contribute to such a beautiful and elegant blog! Today we want to share with you one of our Portuguese weddings.

Last July Cristina and Nick got married in Santo Tirso, Portugal, but actually this adorable couple lives in Boston (...yes, Boston, USA). Their parents are Portuguese so they wanted to celebrate their marriage here with their family and friends.

It was an amazing celebration of love and one of those weddings we will never forget... the couple and their families are as sweet as can be!

We created (based on their wedding invitation made by Nick and a friend in the United States) all stationery, programs, little boxes for petals, escort cards, menus, favors, and little boxes to identify each table. Inside those boxes had cards inside were guests could leave love notes to Cristina and Nick.

This wedding was a perfect example how couples can incorporate two cultures in their party. For example, Cristina wanted as guest favors little bottles of Porto Wine and some cookies (made using a popular Portuguese recipe).

Nick's father surprised the couple with a performance by a group of Portuguese traditional music & dance also known as Rancho Folclórico!

Not only was an amazing experience for us to work with Cristina and Nick but also was a unique chance to get to know a different perspective on weddings.

Venue: Quinta da Ferreirinha
Caterer: Solar do Burguês
Decor: Solar do Burguês
Photography: Brancoprata (André Teixeira)
Stationery: Brancoprata (Sofia Ferreira)

Sofia and André, thank you so very much for guest blogging! We adore what you do and are thrilled to share your work with our readers!

Sunday Simplicity: Spiced Applesauce Cake

Image from Country Living {click here for recipe}

Inspiration: Vibrant Mediterranean Ease

Happy Friday! Today we leave you with this vibrant + simple Mediterranean inspiration. Have a fantastic weekend!

Small vignette from Valley & Co.
Photos from Shannon Lee Images

Exquisite Weddings Magazine: French Country Chic

We are so excited to see our French Country Chic design hot off the press in Exquisite Weddings Magazine! Here's our sneak peek; we'll be posting a full feature with more photos and crediting our wonderful artist partners soon, but until then, pick up a copy to check out the entire spread!

 We brought our vision to life by ensembling three 48" round tables together, fashioning a unique, larger table shaped like a flower. C'est très magnifique! We really wanted readers to draw sparks of inspiration to create an out-of-the-box experience for their guests.

Three bistro tables flanked our dining table, allowing for guests to mingle and nosh on the goodies we stocked in galvanized pails. Our sideboard offers guests an assortment of grapes, fruits, demi baguettes, macarons, and an authentic French croquembouche. 

We also styled a mini shoot for the magazine featuring a vintage cigar box and cataloged scalloped escort cards folded neatly into cotton envelopes.

We really hope you enjoy!

Stay tuned for a fantastic guest post coming at you tomorrow! We can't wait to share!

Photos from our French Country Chic shoot from Kristen Peelle Photography.

Photo of our escort card box by Chantelle Photography.

Engaged: Texas Vineyard Fun

We are so excited to kick off our first post via a lovely Two Bright Lights submission! Amanda and Mark's Texas winery engagement session spells out love and pure fun. They also trekked around some more urban locales for some positively beautiful shots.

Photographer Jonathan Ivy captured the sparks between this happy couple so well and he created such a timeless, organic collection of photos.

Though engagement shoots are intended to capture you as a couple, be sure to snap some individual shots as well. You'll think back on those personal photos fondly as you remember the excitement and anticipation of your big day!

We love the next set of images. Often times the best props are found in your own backyard or neighborhood. These stained aluminum walls, the Main Street scene, and the gritty train tracks capture the same feelings in such a different light.

Whether you're anticipating a styled engagement shoot, one that's au naturel, or a mix of the two, just be yourselves, let go, and have fun! You'll love the results!

Thanks so much, Jonathan and Two Bright Lights!

Photography: Jonathan Ivy
Venue: Delaney Vineyards
Event Planner: The Pink Envelope