Rock Paper Sweet

A collection of imaginative wedding ideas & stylish everyday living, from the rings to the favors to the 'happily ever afters.'

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Honeymoon Thoughts


 “When a man is newly wed, he need not go out on a military expedition, nor shall any public duty be imposed on him. He shall be exempt for one year for the sake of his family, to bring joy to the wife he has married.” -Deuteronomy 24:5

Jetsetter's Top Honeymoon Destinations 2011

 Jetsetter has compiled a list of the five most elegant, luxurious, romantic honeymoon destinations for 2011.  These dreamy locales will have you ready to pack your bags and board the next flight out of town!  When honeymooning, most newlyweds are looking for a destination which will allow them to relax and reconnect after all the wedding craziness.  These places Jetsetter has picked are gorgeous and very private, yet they all offer something adventurous

5. South Africa - Safari

With majestic scenery and an abundance of wild animals, a South African safari is a once in a lifetime experience.  A vacation that mixes luxury with adventure, a safari is a great honeymoon trip because you get the feeling of being all alone in the world, so far from civilization.  There are many lodging choices that offer privacy and comfort - from treehouse rooms to boutique-style tents to grand lodges. 

4. Riviera Maya, Mexico

Sun-soaked days on Caribbean beaches - what could be better than that?  With plenty of luxurious resorts to choose from and a plethora of water sports and other Caribbean excursions available, Riviera Maya has something for everyone.

3. Koh Samui, Thailand

With deserted beaches and decadent lodging, Koh Samui caters to an exclusive crowd seeking privacy and elegance.

2. Big Island, Hawaii

If you are seeking barefoot luxury in a place where adventure and romance abound, this is the place to find it.  With plenty of ocean and wide, starry skies, the Big Island offers all the exotic ambiance you seek - a little closer to home.

1. Le Taha'a, Society Islands

The exotic South Pacific is sprinkled with remote locales such as Bora Bora and Tahiti.  The long flight to this remote corner of the world is sure to be worth it.  With unbelievable views and elegant, open-air accommodations and dining, Le Taha'a has the finest of it all.  You can stay in bungalows over the water that feature glass floors - so you can see the tropical fish swimming right underneath your feet!

Photos are credited to Jetsetter.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Nesting.

Nesting (n) the tendency to arrange one's surroundings; the act of creating a place where one feels comfortable and secure; the fitting together of two within one another

The first order of business upon returning from the honeymoon is nesting: finding a place for all of her belongings to fit within all of his.  The meshing of two different personalities and two different styles can sometimes be challenging.  Here are some different rooms that showcase both a strong masculine style and a delicate feminine style, all nested together.

This kitchen showcases a great mixture of both masculine and feminine styles.  It even has stained glass windows and a gorgeous, frilly chandelier hanging in the center of the room; however, the white dimpled ceiling, the dark hardwood floors and the simple island balance it out.  The sea foam green color is carried throughout the room - cabinets, refrigerator, dishwasher, crown molding.  The unusual and interesting combination of white and stainless steel appliances with gold hardware is very unexpected.


This bedroom is gorgeous in the fact that it has such a simple, understated elegance.  The neutral color scheme makes it very comfortable and inviting.  It is neither feminine nor masculine, just a polite nesting of the two.


This pretty blue canopy bed is gorgeous against the dark grey walls.  I love the fact that this canopy bed is so simple - not reminiscent of a princess bed at all!


This bedroom mixes soft, plush bedding, feminine accent pillows and daintily carved accent tables with dark brown colors and lots of wood.  The accent lamps are especially interesting, with the blue and white patterned urn and stark black shade.

This dining room is a great mixture of masculine and feminine style.  The plain wooden table, bench and chairs are balanced out by pretty molded cabinets and spaces in which fine china can be displayed. 


The exposed wood accents and the carpenter stool balances out the ruffles and plush textures in this bedroom.


Monograms are a very southern and (mostly) feminine accent.  The white, brown and pale blue color scheme keeps it from being too girly.


This formal living room incorporates a pale blue pallet into its neutral color scheme.  The patterns on the fabrics, the large area rug and the accent pillows are all very feminine touches, while the dark wood accents and  oversize ottoman and club chairs are noticeably masculine.  A brilliant combination of both styles, nested through shades of blue.

I adore the fabric on the chair backs and the window treatments.  The neutral colors and dark hardwood floors lend a strong and modern feel to the kitchen and breakfast nook, while the bright blue polka dots and green window treatments are unexpected and inviting.  The colors in the fabric tone down the patterns, all the while still leaving a feminine touch to the otherwise masculine space.

Photos: 1 & 2 House of Turquoise; 3 & 4 House Beautiful; 5 belle maison; 6 & 7 Pottery Barn; 8 & 9 Tobi Fairley