I felt so inspired as I looked through The Unicorn Diaries that I couldn’t simply save it for myself, it’s a blog meant to share so I’ve decided to make it the decor8 blog of the week. I’ve been so taken lately by soft colors of plum, pink, gray, pale mocha, beige, muted yellow, and gold to replace silver for at least a few months. I cannot stop thinking about texture from nubby raw silk to fine vintage French linen and thick knitted wool throws. Ahhh.

Watercolor pastels, texture, candlelight (it’s been getting dark here at 4 pm each day), necklaces with multiple vintage-inspired charms (tiny Eiffel towers, owls, ribbons), and layering my clothes (blouses with frilly cap sleeves over turtlenecks for instance). I’ve also been big on layering my socks, which is fun because here in Germany they sell these gorgeous crocheted footless socks that are meant to be layered over socks with toes and they look so pretty with heels. Another layered look I love is mismatched china in a buffet, a stack of patterned tea towels on the counter, and a bed with many patterns and colors layered into a big fluffy wonderland of comfort.

And there’s more. Much more. Like ornate Moorish-inspired tile work, ethnic patterns from Turkey and Morocco, wooden bird cages (in white) with twinkle lights inside atop an old wooden cabinet. And speaking of light, I love it filtered light through windows at midday… and photographing it to remember the glow for a bit longer. The smell and beauty of freshly fallen snow. We’ve had our first snow already and it was quite a treat. Swans on the lake and the rippled patterns of the water as they float by. Tim Walker. Still. A Fine Frenzy. Still.

I’m also thinking a lot lately about hats, my husband started this because he keeps insisting I buy a cute hat for winter, t-strap heels, plum tights, Mint & Vintage, candles that smell like baked goods, art journals, mini paintings, movies with gorgeous sets, ballerinas in white puffy tutus, Kindred, old books and portrait paintings, and a new bakery that just opened nearby with two large crystal chandeliers and fresh baked buns topped with candied walnuts, cardomon, and cinnamon. Mmmm. Perhaps I can photograph it and share this special little bakery with you tomorrow, would you enjoy seeing my new favorite place?

Though these are all things that have been on my mind lately, it seems another blogger shares some of my passions and this is exactly why I want you to visit The Unicorn Diaries in England because her blog is so visual, romantic, and somewhat emotional — I really, really think you will like it because it makes you feel like a very young girl again and sometimes that is what all grown up girls need. :)

What are a few of your favorite things at the moment?

(images from the unicorn diaries, more gorgeous images here)

How many of you are married but still love to flip through bridal magazines for decorating inspiration? Me me me me! I find many great ideas in wedding mags from the dreamy color palettes to floral arrangements, wedding favors, the general styling of receptions, it’s all simply amazing. That’s why when I noticed that an editor by the name of Madelyn kept visiting decor8 leaving comments that linked back to Southern Weddings I had to see what the blog was like because their print magazine is pure bliss.

The Southern Weddings blog maintained by the editors of the magazine has now occupied my time for the past 30 minutes… And I’m married already! If you are looking for inspiration either for your own wedding, one that you are helping plan, or you simply love to look at beautiful photographs, head on over to the Southern Weddings blog. That’s where I found floral designer Katie Elfers and in this blog post you can see some of her work, however there is lots more on her website.

I can’t get enough when it comes to floral design, I love all of the latest techniques that I see whenever I scan bridal mags or blogs. I make it a habit to buy flowers each week from the local farmers’ market and I take about 30 minutes to style them in a way that is just a little different from my last arrangement. It’s a very peaceful 30 minutes for me, I usually stand over my kitchen sink arranging them in one hand as my mother taught me, then tying them, I set them in a vase and often I’ll secure a pretty ribbon around the vase or maybe use small paper butterflies or some other accent from the hobby shop and glue it onto a thin stick and stick it into the arrangement to make it look a little more interesting, not too kitschy though as I don’t want to take away from the beauty of the blooms.

I just love the portfolio of Katie Elfers and the talented editors of Southern Weddings magazine and blog, which they’ve pulled together so nicely. Thanks Madelyn for stopping by!

(images from katie elfers, photographed by german photographer Tine Hoffman.)