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For the next four Mondays before Christmas, I’ve decided to post holiday-themed boards (though some more explicitly themed than others). This one is for a sophisticated and chic soiree – the brown and white palette is perfect for a chilly night in December, while the cupcakes, truffle cake, and pine cone accents add just the right touch of whimsy. For a sweet finale at the end of the night, try a hot cocoa bar in place of the more standard candy or cookie display!

The Details
First row, left to right:
Lace patterns kick up the style a notch (Rebecca Thuss); delicate cupcakes look decadent topped with mocha frosting and coconut shavings (via Black*Eiffel); display sepia-toned photos of family and friends at the cocktail hour or reception to lend a vintage vibe (photo by Elizabeth Messina on Oh How Charming!);

Second row, left to right:
A chocolate truffle cake mimics the shape of a pine cone (April Reed); winter light makes the brown tones in this elegant room glow (via Martha Stewart Weddings); guests will take immediate notice of a thick brown envelope in the mail (Tara Jones); a dress with lace detailing is an updated classic (via Style Me Pretty)

Third row, left to right:
A silvery-brown suit can look as elegant as black (via Style Me Pretty); use pine cones to prop up place cards at the reception entry (The Knot); pine cones form an inexpensive monogram in a window (Martha Stewart Weddings)

And check out this pinecone bouquet!

Does this board convince you? Or do you still think brown is too drab?

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Blue and orange, you say? Sounds strange, I know, but I think it works here. When you choose dusty, faded tones and mix them with gold, white, and natural tan, they somehow combine for a fresh take on a fall palate.

Also, doesn’t a Thanksgiving wedding just make sense? It seems like the perfect combination of occasions, as weddings are already about celebrating and being thankful for family, friends, food, and (of course) love!

Some of my favorite details:

First row, left to right:
Pumpkins adorned with bittersweet garlands make lovely centerpieces (via All Things Lovely); pick a dahlia bouquet in rich autumn hues for the bride (also via All Things Lovely); dress up the front door of the church or reception location with a bittersweet wreath (available for purchase from Marston House)

Second row, left to right:
Send out a faux bois invitation suite like this one from Martha Stewart Weddings; order natural dresses for your maids (photographed by Melissa Schollaert and seen on Snippet & Ink); include glazed carrots as a side for the turkey – their color works perfectly with our palette! (Victoria Pearson)

Third row, left to right:
Try pumpkin pie (Jupiter Images) instead of wedding cake; hang simple wooden initials from orange satin ribbon to signal the celebration location (Martha Stewart Weddings); dress the dudes in khaki suits and a crisp orange shirt and tie combo (Martha Stewart Weddings); a wide porch bedecked with pumpkins makes the perfect “altar” for a casually elegant at-home ceremony (via Classic Bride)

What do you think? Could this work? Or would your guests resent you for disrupting their usual Thanksgiving plans?

My second entry was also posted today. You can check it out on Style Me Pretty here, under “Little Black Dress, VII.” Abby, the creative force behind SMP, has put up 10 boards today – and they all look great!

I’ll let you know if she posts any more info about voting, but in the meantime, be sure to check back often to see the rest of the boards.

I’ve got another inspiration board for you, and another contest to check out! Here’s what Abby at Style Me Pretty had to say about her most recent challenge:

“So now for the good part. We are having ANOTHER contest! It will debut after our DIY contest and the winner will receive a $300 gift certificate to the store of your choice. Here’s the deal. You have to find your favorite LBD and come up with a chic, innovative palette to compliment it. Get creative, because anything goes.”

Check out the other details here.

I submitted two boards using the same Ralph by Ralph Lauren little black dress. Here’s the first, with bright pops of punch, blush, and green to complement the black.

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I was so excited to see that she posted both of my boards as finalists today! Go here to see the first board on SMP – the post title is “Little Black Dress, V.”

Sources:
Lauren by Ralph Lauren black dress at Nordstrom, K. Autumn hair flower, bout from TheKnot.com, cake by Lovin’ Sullivan, bouquet by Chelsea Fuss via Once Wed