violet – Sweet Violet Bride

Ethereal Lavender Editorial Featuring Jenny Yoo’s Nabi Collection {This Modern Romance}

Naomi — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 14:09:52 +0000

The word excited doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel about sharing this editorial with you right now. When I first saw these images I think my heart literally skipped a beat as cliché as that sounds. The natural beauty in these images simply astounds me and this will seriously go down in my book as one of my favorite shoots of all time. Ethereal dresses by Jenny Yoo, glowing natural light captured by This Modern Romance, oh-so-pretty headpieces handmade by Erica Elizabeth Designs, organically arranged florals by Peony and Plum, a delicate ruffle cake, shades of purple, and a horse right out of The Princess Bride are just a few of the details that will send you into a dreamy cloud of exquisite beauty…enjoy!

Purple as tulips in May, mauve
into lush velvet, purple
as the stain blackberries leave
on the lips, on the hands,
the purple of ripe grapes
sunlit and warm as flesh.

Every day I will give you a color,
like a new flower in a bud vase
on your desk. Every day
I will paint you, as women
color each other with henna
on hands and on feet.

Here is my bouquet, here is a sing
song of all the things you make
me think of, here is oblique
praise for the height and depth
of you and the width too.
Here is my box of new crayons at your feet.

Cobalt as the midnight sky
when day has gone without a trace
and we lie in each other’s arms
eyes shut and fingers open
and all the colors of the world
pass through our bodies like strings of fire.
– Marge Piercy

Photography: This Modern Romance / Featured in Pacific Weddings Magazine / Wedding dress: Jenny Yoo / Bridesmaid dresses: Jenny Yoo / Hair Accessories: Erica Elizabeth Designs / Location: Highland Springs Resort / Florals: Peony and Plum / Calligraphy: Miss Multee / Hair + Make-up: KC Witkamp / Rentals: Found Vintage Rentals / Cake: Jay’s Catering

20 Pretty Purple Makeup Products for Fall

Naomi — Wed, 29 Oct 2014 16:36:53 +0000

It should come as no surprise that I’m in the midst of a lifelong love affair with all shades of purple. I’ve narrowed down 20 of my favorite natural makeup products in all shades of this most perfect of colors. See my picks for purple tips, lips, lids, and cheeks, plus a violet makeup look over on Sweet Violet Beauty today!

Photo and Styling by Naomi Farr / 24-Karat gold leaf tray from Tatcha

‘Meant to Bee’ Autumn Wedding Style {Lis Photography}

Naomi — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 14:52:59 +0000

Aren’t these colors amazing together!? Deep plum purples, yellow, and rich golden honey never looked so good. This beautiful editorial shoot was put together in Fairfield Vermont and designed by violet vendor, Creative Muse Floral Design. Natural local products (including pure Vermont honey!) made for the perfect details, and three different fall bridal looks give plenty of inspiration for fall brides-to-be. I have to say the honey-pumpkin colored millinery headpiece with black netting and a deep plum lip make for a beautiful alternative to the traditional Halloween palette also. The organically styled bouquet is one of my favorites this fall – with callas, dahlia, ranunculus, craspedia, lisianthus, veronica, ferns, and berries!

Photographer: Lis Photography / Jewelry: After Midnight Jewelers / Invitation Designer: Christa Alexandra Designs / Floral Designer: Creative Muse Floral Design / Hair Stylist + Makeup Artist: Finishing Touch / Dress: Fiori Bridal Boutique / Etsy Designer: Mirrorball Boutique / Specialty Foods: Northern Border Apiares / Bakery: The Little Purple Cake Shoppe / Event Venue: The Patten Place / Equipment Rentals: Vermont Tent Company / Submitted via Two Bright Lights

Celebrating 2 Years!

Naomi — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 14:52:21 +0000

I’ve been working so hard on getting posts out, and working on the magazine that I can’t believe I forgot that two weeks ago was the 2 year anniversary of Sweet Violet Bride! It deserves a day of celebration and reflection…and perhaps some cake. It has been an amazing 2 years of celebrating love, natural beauty, and the creative life. I’ve also never worked harder in my life, but I am proud to say that I do what I love! From the sound of the feedback I’ve received so far, many people are enjoying SVB and that couldn’t make me happier. Thank you to everyone who has contributed in these first two years! I’m looking forward to many more.

As many of you know, I’m also the maker behind Violette and Iris, and to celebrate this anniversary I’ve created a special Sweet Violet locket. You can get yours here. xo – Naomi

Cupcake photo found on Heart Handmade UK / Locket: photo by Naomi Farr / Violette & Iris

Wedding Color Palette: Radiant Orchid

Naomi — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 15:44:26 +0000

No one loves purple like we do here at Sweet Violet Bride, and so when Pantone announced the 2014 color of the year was Radiant Orchid, I was ecstatic! Its been many years since they chose a shade of purple as the color of the year. This vibrant, plummy purple is passionate, romantic, and a bit mysterious. We get to celebrate this glorious color all year and to start it off, an inspirational color palette to tempt you to incorporate these pretty purples into your wedding. It’s going to be a great year!

“Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health.” – Pantone

Vintage Gown: Tumblr / Purple Macaroons: Knot and Pop / Radiant Orchid Cake: Hayley Photography / Car: Pinterest / Purple Door: Sofia / Millinery Hat: Indulgy / Purple Cocktails: Pinterest / Orchid Bridesmaid Dresses: Pinterest / Lavender Table Setting: Soiree Chicago / Swatch Card: Pantone / Balloons: Weddingomania

Review: L’Occitane’s Ultra Rich Body Cream in ‘Subtle Violet’

Naomi — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 18:48:28 +0000

When I heard that L’Occitane released a limited edition collection this month called ‘Shea Flowers of Love’ and that one of the three scents was violet I became very excited. It isn’t exactly a scent that is easy to come by these days and as someone who always has their ‘violet’ radar turned on I got my hands on one of the Ultra Rich Body Creams in ‘Subtle Violet’ immediately. I was not disappointed.

Inside the pretty round tin is a luxurious 3.5oz. of body cream. Made of 25% shea butter, the rich, velvety cream makes even the driest skin (hello elbows) feel so soft and moisturized while enveloping with a scent that really is subtle. It isn’t one of those scents that will knock people off their feet from across the room and I love it for that. Scents that are too strong tend to give me a headache. It’s just enough for me and I often find myself sniffing the back of my hands throughout the day to take it in. The scent is lightly sweet, floral, and comforting. I’ve compared many violet scents before and this is definitely one of my favorites. If you aren’t sure what exactly violets smell like, this body cream is the perfect way to find out.

The colorful design of this limited edition body cream pays homage to its Burkina Faso roots. L’Occitane uses shea butter from Burkina Faso, harvested in a sustainable and fair trade partnership with the women who produce it. This year’s collection was designed by Olivier Baussan, who was inspired by beaded jewels, a token of love in Africa. Also available in this collection is the Shea Butter Subtle Violet Organic Lip Balm which I intend to try as soon as possible. Rose and Jasmine are the other scents in the collection which sound equally divine. Remember, these are limited edition, so I wouldn’t wait if I were you.

Images courtesy of L’Occitane

Wedding Flower Inspiration: Sweet Violets

Naomi — Tue, 14 May 2013 14:39:35 +0000

Okay, you all probably wondered when this post would happen, so it is no surprise that I’m throwing the spotlight on violets today. In my opinion, these perfect little spring flowers have much to offer when it comes to weddings – but one must get creative. Their stems can be a bit fragile compared to many other flowers, though there are several larger varieties that do well in bouquets. You can also use them in centerpieces, on your cake, to brighten up your salad, sugared on cookies or ice cream, in small posies for bridesmaids, and in a wreath for your hair (the ones in the headpiece below are made of velvet). Pressed and dried they can be used on invitations and seating cards. Yes, there is even violet jelly and sweet violet syrup – wouldn’t little jars of this make the cutest wedding favors? To see even more violet inspiration see our Violette board on Pinterest.

1) 1909 Tuck Postcard 2) Pinterest 3) Violette & Iris 4) Bramble and Berry 5) Frugal Gardener 6) Sweet Violet Bride – Naomi Farr 7) Arugula & Sweet Violet Salad from Cooking Melangery 8) DIY Violet Torte 9) Lavenger and Lovage 10) DIY wild violet centerpieces by Amy Merrick 11) Natalie Bowen Designs 12) Tumblr 13) Pinterest 14) Curly Birds – DIY Violet Jelly

You may also be interested in the violet perfume reviews.

A Journey in Color: Ombré Wedding Cakes

Naomi — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 14:47:47 +0000

The eye loves to travel and though a simple concept, it is a powerful one. The progression from light to dark gives the eye an irresistible journey to follow. Nature displays some of the most gorgeous ombré scenes on a daily basis if you take a moment to look: The sky at dawn and dusk, the water from shallow to deep, spring leaves from thick to thin. Because they are made of many layers, cakes are an artist’s playground when it comes to ombré shading, and it can be a great wedding theme as long as you don’t overdo it. Choose a few key elements for your ombré details, such as the cake and bridesmaid dresses or centerpieces, and perhaps one smaller detail such as stationery or favor packaging. May these artfully made ombré cakes inspire you! See our cake gallery for even more inspiration

Ombré noun (äm-brē): having colors or tones that shade into each other — in which the color is graduated from light to dark.

Blue Ruffle Cake: Maggie Austin Cake / Blue Ocean: Tumbler + Blue Slice: Pinterest / Blue Violet Flowers Cake: Maggie Austin Cake / Aqua Ocean: Ben Liney Photography + Aqua Mint Cake: Bobbette & Belle / Plum Ruffle Cake: Maggie Austin Cake / Archduke Charles Rose: Aimee Major + Rose Pink Cake: Bobbette & Belle / Red Petal Cake: Maggie Austin Cake / Orange Sunset: Still Asleep + Orange Sunset Cake: Pinterest / Lemon Yellow Ruffle Cake: Wings of Glory Photography

Raphael Vineyard Wedding {from Roberto Falck Photography}

Naomi — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 16:16:23 +0000

There is something so naturally romantic about a vineyard wedding. The rolling green vistas, the rows of grapes waiting to be transformed into delicious bottles of wine – Raphael Vineyard was the perfect setting for Laura and Don to tie the knot. They chose a gorgeous purple palette for their August wedding with thoughtful details including fans for their guests at the ceremony, and bottles of wine for them to take home! The bouquets by Claire Bean just about knocked my socks off with their rich hues of violet, plum, and periwinkle and were all captured beautifully by New York wedding photographer, Roberto Falck. Read below for more details.

Don and Laura met in 1995. Don attended graduate school with Laura’s best friend, Sara, who insisted that Laura fly to California to meet Don during her Spring break. There was an immediate connection and though they were separated by an entire country, they got to know each other the long distance. Over the many years, they remained close friends, sometimes dating when not separated by distance, until finally making the commitment to be together forever. They feel as if they’ve grown up together and are truly family. Despite their very divergent interests (e.g., technology versus nature), at their core they share a common set of values that binds them together. Raphael Vineyard was the ideal choice for Laura and Don, who knew they wanted an outdoor venue with a warm and inviting feeling for their guests. They searched far and wide – from synagogues, to restaurants, to botanical gardens, farms, and museums, before walking into Raphael and immediately realizing it was a perfect fit for them.

Photography: New York Wedding Photographer, Roberto Falck / Venue: Raphael Vineyard / Floral: Claire Bean / Gowns: from Michelle New York / Music: Hank Lane / Video: Valerie Barnes

Peacock Wedding at Historic Cedarwood {from The Collection}

Naomi — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:48:29 +0000

Happy Monday, Violets! I’m starting your week off with a gorgeous real wedding in a peacock palette of teal, purple, and green. These colors go together like butter n’ biscuits, chocolate and strawberries, sugar and…you get the idea. I am completely smitten with the bouquets – literally a feast for the eyes! Sophia and Victor were married in September at Historic Cedarwood in Nashville, Tennessee. Late summer fields in the nature preserve provided a charming area for Sophia and Victor’s first look and Jessica of The Collection, captured the joyful moments throughout their special day, including oodles of beautiful details. Enjoy!

From Cedarwood Weddings:
Sophia and Victor’s relationship found root in family and friendship from youth, and their wedding day embraced and expanded this foundation. We enjoyed Sophia’s creative heritage photos displayed inside her grandmother’s vintage canning jars, as well as her heirloom cake topper, lace bouquet wrap, blue sapphire ring and the many family tributes incorporated into Sophia and Victor’s wedding styling.

Photography: Jessica Layne of The Collection / Venue: Historic Cedarwood / Styling + Décor: Cedarwood Weddings / Catering: A Dream Come True Catering / Cake: Patty Cakes Wedding Cakes