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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

#NLMiamiRetreat

After a couple of days in Miami...we're back! The N&L team took a much needed retreat to South Beach for a couple days of fun in the sun. And by fun in the sun we strictly mean team building and bonding activities...with a couple rounds of cocktails snuck in as well  :)  We spent four fabulous days soaking up the best that South Beach has to offer, so we want to share our travels with y'all!!
Our company retreat itineraries were art deco fabulous, with a fun flamingo accent! As soon as we touched down in Miami on Thursday morning, we immediately got in our suits and headed to the pool!! These Chicago girls wanted to soak up every minute of sun we could!
There might have been some team building Prosecco involved in laying out.
Thursday night consisted of wine and cheese night at the condo, paired with Cards Against Humanity. We ended the night at The Delano Hotel pool bar...one of our favorite places in Miami!! The Delano bar can only properly be explained through pictures, but is best when experienced in person. Believe us when we say it's a little slice of heaven.
Friday morning we woke up bright and early and walked down Ocean Avenue to brunch. We had an amazing breakfast at The Front Porch Cafe, and had a great meal. On our way back to the condo, we walked along the beach! Our favorite part? All of the infamous colored lifeguard stands lining the beach! SO fun and colorful!
On our walk to brunch, we spotted this vintage yellow car than perfectly matched Courtney's skirt...so we couldn't resist snapping a picture!! #ModelStatus
Just another day at the N&L retreat....studying mint and coral Pantone's on the beach!
Friday night, we went to Il Mulino for dinner. If you're going to be in South Beach, it's a must visit! We had a delicious Italian feast, surrounded by white marble and art-deco decor. The restaurants interior was perfection! But...their food was even better!!
Saturday was a little cloudy, so we spent the day at Monty's Sunset marina bar...where we had a very productive team meeting, and taste tested their mojitos and margaritas. The sun finally came out just as the sun was setting, which was a great end to the day!!
In case anyone was wondering topic of discussion during our Saturday team meeting, here are the minutes. Now we just have to work on getting Meghan a dog  :)
After hours, we headed to Joe's Stone Crab for dinner. Joe's is a South Beach classic!! Open since 1913, presidents and celebs alike (along with N&L) flock to this 102 year old hotspot for delicious stone crabs and unforgettable filets! This is another must visit spot while in South Beach...we promise it won't disappoint! 
Sunday we got the best surprise ever...Lala's Dad joined us for some fun in the sun!! He took us out on his boat (The Junkanoo) for a grand tour of Miami on the ocean. We even spotted some dolphins and a manatee, and learned some new boat terms. Such a fun last day in Miami!
Only in Miami would the cranes be turquoise and white!!
Captain D with his first mates!!
N&L team picture on the boat!
We think the Miami sunset was showing off for us since it was our last night. We had such a wonderful time, and came back relaxed and rested! And very inspired for our favorite time of the year that's fast approaching....wedding season!

Xo,

Nico and Lala

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Elegant Winter Wedding

If y'all know anything about us, you know we love warm weather! Even though we reside in chilly Chicago, we're always in a Palm Beach state of mind. Think drinks on the water, Lilly dresses, and lots of fun in the sun!! We love all things warm weather!! But...when we got pictures back from Claire and Chris' winter wedding...it kind of makes us love the snow. Held in the bride's hometown of Gleview, Illinois (a northern suburb of Chicago), their winter wedding was nothing short of pure magic! With elegant gold and cream decor, a touch of holiday red, and lots of twinkling Christmas lights...Chris and Claire's wedding was a picture perfect winter wedding. Take a peek at one of our favorite cold weather weddings below!!
Elegant Winter Wedding
Even though the couple sent out their save the dates in August, they wanted to prepare guests for their big day and get them into a winter state of mind. So, we helped them create a gold foil stamped masterpiece! The save the date was printed in gold foil, on top of a watermarked snowflake. The square pieces was then mounted on holiday red paper. Our favorite feature of their save the date was the envelope liner, which featured a golf-foil stamped snowflake pattern. So fancy!
Snowflake Save the Date
When creating the couple's wedding invitations, they wanted something traditional, but with a modern twist. So we mixed calligraphy with block font to create an elegant (and stunning) invitation! To give the traditional invitation a contemporary update, we printed the invitation in gold foil stamping, and wrapped the entire ensemble with a holiday red belly band (which was sealed with the couple's custom wedding monogram). All edges of their wedding invitation were gilded and beveled, which highlighted the beautiful gold process!
Elegant Winter Wedding Invitation
Chicago custom wedding invitation
Chicago Custom Wedding Invitation
Monogram Wedding Stamp
Winter Bridal Party
Glen View Club Wedding
Wedding Ceremony Program
The couple's custom wedding monogram was prominently featured on their ceremony program! The cover was printed in thermography, and was tied together with a coordinating satin ribbon bow.
Glen View Club Wedding
Gold Foil Wedding Reception Menu
For the wedding reception menu, we featured the couple's custom wedding monogram, and printed in gold foil stamping!
Glen View Club Wedding
Snowflake Wedding Reception
Congrats to one of our favorite Chicago couple's ever!! We had so much fun helping you celebrate your wedding day! To see more of Claire and Chris' elegant winter wedding, visit their real wedding gallery on our website!

Xo,

Nico and Lala

Ps. If you've been following our blog, Claire and Chris might look familiar! We helped Claire's mom throw the couple an amazing nautical engagement party at their Lake Geneva home last summer. We also helped Claire's mom and her sister (the maid of honor) create the most amazing bachelorette party welcome bags and invitations for her Scottsdale bachelorette party!


Wedding Day Photography By: Cristina G. Photography
Styled Paper Photography By: Old South Studios