Lily Red Travels: A trip to the Big Apple

As much as I love Chicago, nothing really gives me an adrenaline rush like visiting New York City. We lived there for quite a while, before we moved to Chicago, and we were pretty sure that we wouldn't miss it too much... the rush hour subway commutes, the garbage piled up on the sidewalks and the feeling like you always had to walk like you were on a mission.

After leaving, we realized there was a lot that we loved about the Big Apple, and on our visit there this last month, we tried to soak up all those things - here are just a few of them...

1. The Met
There's no art museum in the US that compares - this art lover could wander through its galleries forever! The following pics are from the Egyptian and Ancient Near East art galleries.









This Renaissance era statue of a siren should look pretty familiar...



Probably one of my favorite parts of the museum is watching artists sketch in the sculpture garden!



2. The Food (and the drinks)... China Town bakery (below)



Cookshop & Red Rice Beer



3. The Architecture





4. The Shopping






5. The People
The city was buzzing as Occupy NYC marched down 5th ave (at 14th Street)





© 2011 Lily Red Studio

Wedding Invitation Design | Anne & David | Chicago, IL

Anne & David were recommended to me by Fleur - and I am so happy they were sent my way! This lovely couple has seen the world together and have all the little stories that a designer loves to hear - it's the stories that really serve as inspiration when trying to personalize a design for a couple...

When Anne & I met, she had a very clear vision of what she wanted the theme of her wedding to be - Americana with a hint of speakeasy style. They had hired a blues band to play the reception and were going to have mason jars of flowers on the tables. Anne really loved the idea of incorporating a star design as well as other little embellishments that would be reference common elements found in Americana art.

I put together a pinterest board to gather all of our ideas - here's a little preview (click on the images to see the entire inspiration board)...



I always start the design process by creating a logo for the couple, this sets the tone for the invitation suite...











I love it when a bride & groom carry the design through to all of the components of their wedding!
Below: Program | Menus | Escort Cards | Tented Table Numbers | Bride & Groom Signage





Florist: Fleur
Wedding Planner: Five Grain Events