Seattle’s Bella Signature Design was asked to be a featured coordinator for the newest issue of the Bride and Bloom magazine (Winter 2008 - out now!) and Daniela, the talented designer behind Bella Signature, asked us to provide invitations, menus, place cards, and table numbers in line with her vision of “old Hollywood glamour.”

Our letterpress “Clara and Paul” invitation was perfect for the palette, with its vintage details and plush cotton cardstock.

She created a gorgeous color palette of warm gray, subtle nude, and fresh fuchsia - read more about her inspiration in her blog post about the shoot.

There’s a chill in the air now, and the leaves have turned! I love autumn!

I feel the need to do some shopping - on a budget. I’ve been really into warm grays and purples. Love these items (so cheap, too!)

Clockwise from top: Forever 21 wool blend herringbone dress: $26.90, For Love 21 Sequin and Feather headband: $12.80, Old Navy Silver Reptile Belt: $12.50, For Love 21 Aya Metallic Scarf: $7.80, Old Navy Double-Breasted Coat: $99.50, Mossimo Kinsey Boots in Gray (from Target): $34.99, Merona Opaque Tights in Plum (from Target): $5.99

Jonathan and I are big fans of the design blog Making it Lovely. It’s the creation of the designer from Pink Loves Brown, Nicole Balch, and is a sweet look at both her work as a stationery designer and also a homeowner in the process of, well, making it {home and life} lovely!

I especially have enjoyed following her Making It Yours series, where she follows a piece of furniture through a fictional life. I love the first piece of furniture (Z Gallerie’s Borghese 3-drawer dresser) and can’t wait to see the next piece she uses!

Hmm…maybe I especially enjoyed the series because we’re in the process of shopping for a dresser…

Ilee’s 2009 calendar has already made the blog rounds, but we have to post it as well because we LOVE it so much! I think my favorite month is July - I love that little fan illustration!

I am especially excited to see this new cherry wood stand at her etsy shop - such a chic way to display the calendar.

I received these details from Kelly of Sweet Pea Events about a fabulous opportunity to support a very important cause while enjoying a chic cocktail party and finalizing some wedding plans! Here is the rundown:

On October 23rd, a group of Seattle wedding vendors are getting together to host Get Hitched, Give Hope at the Dome Room in the Arctic Club Hotel. We’re hoping to raise $50,000 for Brides Against Breast Cancer/Making Memories, a not-for-profit that grants wishes to women with stage 4 breast cancer. This charity grants women wishes at a time in their lives when they are overwhelmed by bills and doctors appointments. It’s a way to give them something to look forward to–like a once-in-a-lifetime trip–at an incredibly difficult time in their lives. We’re hoping to raise enough money to grant 12 wishes.

The way we’re going to do this is by throwing a fun swanky cocktail party for brides (and their friends! and moms! and grooms!) which will include a silent auction of items generously donated by 30 of Seattle’s best wedding vendors. Brides and grooms will have the opportunity to bid on things they need for their wedding, and know that the money they’re spending is going to a great cause. Auction items include things like: Bridal flowers for 14…6 sessions with a personal trainer…a 3-tiered Italian butter cream cake…6 hours of wedding day photography…DJ services and more.

Brides or anyone else interested in attending can purchase tickets at http://www.gethitchedgivehope.com/tickets.html, or you can use that same link to donate to our cause. We hope you can join us for a fresh, new event that celebrates our industry, women, and the fabulous spirit of giving!

We were excited to be featured today in the “Abby Loves…” section of Style Me Pretty today! Thanks Abby!

I love this invitation suite that we designed for a London-based bride and groom. The suite consists of a panel invitation, rsvp & rsvp envelope, accommodations card, and dark blue outer envelope. All items were offset printed in a rich navy.

Both the bride and groom are former New Yorkers living in London, so they wanted to include some references to travel. They live at the foot of the Tower Bridge, so that was the primary motif featured on the invitation itself.

We are delighted to announce that Brown Sugar Design been nominated for Evening Magazine’s Best of Western Washington contest! Cast your vote for us for best wedding invitations by following the link below:

http://www.king5.com/best

We are listed under the “Weddings” category, under “Invitations”. While you’re there, be sure to also cast your vote for your favorite people, restaurants, shops, and other local services here in western Washington!

We wouldn’t be nominated for something like this without the support of our wonderful clients, the talented wedding professionals here in the Seattle area, and our family and friends, so thank you!

Our wedding (and some of the inspiration for it) was featured today on What Junebug Loves! Go check it out! Thanks so much to the team over there for inviting us to participate!

Kicking off our series of real weddings is the April wedding of Julie and Tony. Their reception took place at the uber-cool Hotel 1000 (we’ve stayed there as guests and LOVE it!).

Julie came to us with a definite idea for her invitations - she was inspired by the cake she was working with Bonnie at New Renaissance Cakes on - and we created a fun and urban letterpress suite to complement her vision. I love the green monochromatic color scheme - so fresh!

Thank you so much Julie and Tony for sharing your wedding day details with us! Special thanks also to Clinton James Photography for providing these great photos!

Photographer: Clinton James Photography

Venue: Hotel 1000

Cake: New Renaissance Cakes

Flowers and decor: Aria Style