{paint swatch tags from Real Simple}

{silver tissue paper from Martha}

{bow tie pasta bows from Real Simple}

{criss-cross yarn from Martha}

{velvet ribbon from Real Simple}

{black and white graphic paper from Blueprint}

{silver bells from Martha}

{tone on tone from Real Simple}

{DIY gift tags from inchmark}

{bright on bright from J. Crew}

{vintage paper initials from Martha}

{vintage ephemera from d.Sharp}

{dots on dots from Carolyne Roehm}

A little gift inspiration for you from some of my favorite sources. Have you started wrapping yet? It’s one of my favorite Christmas preparation activities, so I always try to start early.

More dresses that aren’t right for the wedding but would look just right in my closet. Because I can’t get enough, clearly.

All from Modcloth, and all (all!) under $100.

And mind you, this is me making that declaration. I have this vision in my head of what the maids should wear at Kate and Cormac’s wedding, and I think Kate vaguely agrees with me, but I’m not exactly sure. I’m guessing the two other ladies will have some opinions, as well, so really, this is just me doing my own research.

Or trying to do research, as it turns out. The image in my head is of a navy and white patterned dress, knee length, in a summery, more casual sort of fabric. A fancy sundress. Or else something like this:

(Image by Brooke Schwab)

Cute, no? That’s what I thought.

Well.

So far I have looked at the online sites of:

J. Crew
Ann Taylor
LOFT
Banana Republic
GAP
Old Navy
American Eagle
Coren Moore
Jenny Yoo
Melissa Sweet at POB
Thread Bridesmaid
Queue
Vineyard at POB
Anthropologie
BCBGMaxAzzria
and Shoshanna

Whew.

Unfortunately, I really didn’t find anything, except for this frock at Old Navy:

Then I remembered Modcloth. And whoa. I didn’t exactly hit the jackpot (as in, the perfect dress for the maids), but I sure did find some cute possibilities, and way too many dresses that I just plain want in my life. Here are some I found that could possibly work for the wedding:

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

F.

G.

H.

I.

J.

So tell me, which Modcloth option is your favorite? Or do you like the Old Navy one better? Or do you have another source for cute summery dresses that I’m forgetting to check?

P.S. I’m thinking maybe the situation will improve once designers/companies debut their spring/summer lines. Thoughts?

{Click to enlarge!}

Fresh and fun and totally unexpected: aqua and green for the holidays. What to do you think?

The Details
First row, left to right: presents by Martha Stewart, bedroom by Coastal Living via The Inspired Room, vases via Urban Nest

Second row: front door from One Kings Lane, slippers by Kate Spade, presents and poms via Coco+Kelley

Third row: aqua living room, Christmas tree shopping via Coco+Kelley, doily wrapping by Martha, circle wrapping by D.Sharp