Just a little something to get you in the holiday spirit. Any fun plans?

{1. Striped tumblers from Target, 2. Cotton totes from IKEA, 3. Rocket favor packaging from Martha Stewart, 4.Cookie cupcakes from Hostess with the Mostess, 5.Striped dress from Anthropologie, 6.Red pom sandals by Cole Haan on Zappos, 7.Diamond star earrings from Macy’s}

I just adore the stunning dress on the cover of July’s BRIDES – designed by Nandi Fernandez, it was the winner of the magazine’s Operation Dream Dress contest (I also adore that she’s from Miami). Nandi, I hope you’re ready for a deluge of dress-seeking brides!

I’ve been helping a few clients with ideas for simple and affordable floral details, and figured I’d share some with you. So today I have three easy, completely DIY-able ways to add flowers to your wedding or event without spending a fortune.

Modern, chic and ridiculously easy – bunches of greenery in simple containers. On the left, Brides put together a simple centerpiece of lemon leaves in a galvanized bucket. On the right, silver dollar eucalyptus in glossy white ceramic containers from Jamali Garden are a more minimal approach – I’d love to see these arrangements, in the smaller white cubes, marching down a rectangular table. Mix in silver and glass candlesticks for an even more elegant look.

I love the idea of sweet little flowerpot escort/place cards – they can double as favors to be even more budget-friendly. Project Wedding has a very helpful DIY for the gorgeous topiary pots, made with a combo of sheet and reindeer moss.

To make sweet little rose pots: add a small piece or ball of foam to the pot, place a cut rose into a water tube and stick firmly into the foam; hide the foam with moss and secure with glue (photo from Save-on-Crafts).

I love the natural, lush feel of these wildflower aisle runners from Martha Stewart Weddings. You could also use them to line walkways, create a transition from the ground up to some other display, or to hide the bases of any less-than-beautiful structures.

The outdoor tabletop pieces at Jonathan Adler right now are so perfectly modern and summery…

I’m loving Smock’s coordinated suites of stationery, gift wrap and paper goods. The fact that they use a combo of sustainable bamboo and 100% post consumer recycled papers makes the designs that much more lovely.

And now for a little kitschy fun…

{1. ‘Fiji Paradise’ parasol picks; 2. metallic; 3. ‘Happy Hour’ hanging lamp; 4. ‘Totally Tiki’; 5. patriotic; 6. parasol straws; 7. beach umbrella; 8. hibiscus}