{Photo by Neysa Ruhl via Style Me Pretty}

I hope you have a fabulous weekend, lovelies! I’ll leave you with a hint for Monday’s inspiration board: I just received “Roman Holiday” on Netflix. Until then!

{Photos from the Spring 2008 Couture Collection, Valentino’s last, on Style.com}

Just saw Valentino: The Last Emperor with a few friends and loved it. Near the beginning of the movie he’s quoted as saying “I love beauty… it’s not my fault.” Appropriate, since this is really what the rest of the movie is all about – his absolute focus on beauty and aesthetics and his unwillingness to allow anything else into his life. It’s extravagant and funny and touching, and the behind-the-scenes glimpses of the sweat that goes into couture fashion – everything sewn by hand, a head seamstress who has worked with him for more than 30 years – are quite beautiful in their own way.

Seriously, you guys. This shower is super cute. Full of garden party loveliness, too {or porch party, as the case may be}. And guess what? It was sent in by a reader, Alyssa!

Let’s back up a little, though. Remember this inspiration board?

Alyssa immediately fell in love with it. How about these garland instructions? They were for her. And she also decided to make my Valentine’s Day chocolates as favors.

Alyssa has a gorgeous old home with an equally gorgeous front porch, so that’s {naturally} where she decided to hold the party for her cousin Lizzie. Though she woke up to rain, the sun came out before the guests arrived.

{Isn’t it wonderful that her front door matches the color scheme?}

Here are the garlands in action. Don’t they look amazing?! Straight out of Country Living, I tell you.

And here are her favors. Alyssa – in excellent, adaptable DIY fashion – ended up wrapping them in fabric scraps left over from the bunting instead of paper like me. So proud.

The ladies munched on mushroom quiche, salad, fruit, and other delicious-looking nibbles, chatted, played games, and generally had a wonderful time thanks to their fabulous hostess. Well done, Alyssa!

You can surely tell how excited I am about this. Anyone else want to make my day and send along a lovely celebration you’ve planned or attended? {peachandpearl at ymail dot com… just saying.}

And this is how she does it, apparently. I love the tent fabric and the ribbons waving from the top poles. Doesn’t this set-up just make you want to while away hours doing nothing?

See more here.