KIERNA + PAUL New Year's Eve Wedding

sparkle.  Cameron Ingalls Photography captured these lovely photographs of my effortlessly gorgeous, supremely stylish friend Kierna and her handsome husband Paul at their wedding on New Year's Eve. Their welcoming home, filled with vintage collectables from the 1920's was further embellished with sparkling Christmas ornaments in the softest pastel hues.
Kierna and Paul were surrounded by their children, family and closest friends as they exchanged their vows to one another. Their first kiss as husband and wife was shared precisely at the stroke of midnight.  It was an unforgettable moment to see their joy of the moment and share in the feeling of their optimistic expectations for the years ahead.

May we all hold dearly these time-honored sentiments.  A bright, hopeful future filled with love and beauty for all of us as we celebrate 2011.

Happy Anniversary Kierna + Paul!

HEARST CASTLE Holiday Feast 2009

splendor.  With the production of Friends of Hearst Castle's annual Holiday Feast 2010 under way, we are nestled in with glitter, garlands and dreams...sweetly reminded of last year's decadence.  This annual celebration is the only dinner that is held within the castle each year (unless you are a Hearst family guest!).  Somehow, someday, I will have a ballgown beneath my apron and dine amongst this fantastic luxury.
The celebration for the 2009 Holiday Feast was cleverly designed by the esteemed Chief Executive Carol Schreiber of The Friends of Hearst Castle and the oh, SO talented Mark Padgett Event Design.  The decor was inspired by the architect of the Castle, Julia Morgan and a vintage Bernard Maybeck Christmas card that she received.  Together we combined the rich jewel tones of sapphire, garnet and emerald and highlighted them with the luminescence of a historical cathedral's stained glass window.  The Christmas trees and vases were constructed of gold detail in the French "fil de fer" tradition reflecting the spendor of a bygone era.  

Cheers to a holiday full of sparkle in your own castle!

Hearst Castle was captured in all its festive delight by the brilliance of Colleen Rosenthal Photography.