Thursday, September 30, 2010

Rain Boot Vase

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It's gloomy. It's rainy. It's windy. And my sneakers are soaked through and through.  Apparently it's time for me to buy rain boots. But in my search, I stumbled across another use for these durable, keep-my-feet dry items.  And, umm... I love it!  I might now need to buy two pairs of rain boots - one for my feet and one for my flowers :)



Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Featured Photographer: Stacy Able Photography

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Set on a Columbus, IN farm during a brisk mid-October day, this e-session captures all the things that make fall so fabulous:


{all images via Stacy Able Photography}


















Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Take Home Cake Box

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Happy hour food, reception food, alcoholic beverages... By the time the cake is cut and served my poor tummy is often too full to even enjoy the delicious dessert.  Which is why I love the idea of cake boxes! Wedding guests who want to savor their slice can pack it up and bring it home with these practical DIY boxes that range from adorable to classy:

 Cake Box from DailyCute. DIY directions can be found here.


Sweet Treat Keepsake from Paper Source. DIY directions can be found here.
{image via Paper Source Blog}

Monday, September 27, 2010

Paint Chip Invitations

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What's better than free and colorful? Ummm... nothing! Combine those two things by heading to your local paint store, picking up some free paint chips, breaking out the typewriter and click-clacking out an invite to any fab soiree. As I was saying, free and colorful - a creative, impressive combo :)




{images and idea via The Haystack Needle}

Friday, September 24, 2010

You're The Reason I Come Home

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I want to walk down the aisle to this song... it just gives me chills all over!


Thursday, September 23, 2010

Tie The Knot Wedding Geneaology Chart

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You know how sometimes, when you're at a wedding, you wonder, "who is that?" (which can either be said in a judgmental tone or an introduce-me-to-them tone). 


Take the guess work out of the who's who at your wedding with this amazing Tie The Knot Wedding Geneaology Chart, crafted by the incredibly creative MelangerieNYC. This is just one of seven options that organize guests by table seating, and relation to the wedded couple is specified under each guest's name. 
 



Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Leaf Place Cards

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Yesterday was the first day that really felt like fall.  The foliage has started turning to shades of rust and yellow; the breeze was a little cooler than normal; and I finally had to pull out a light-weight jacket.  To be honest, I'm going to miss the summer sun, but I'm kind of ready to embrace the crisp colors that will be lining the streets.

And what better way to do that than to use what nature's offering and turn those fallen leaves into fabulous place cards:

Dried Leaf Place Cards. The DIY directions can be found here.
{image via Martha Stewart}


Stiffy By Plaid Place Cards. The DIY directions can be found here.
{image via Cathie Filian}

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Love Note Day

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Whenever I come home from a business trip, my fiance leaves a sticky note on my side of the bed.  It's not always mushy gushy; in fact, it's typically an inside joke that he know will make me smile. It's an amazing welcome home present.  I mean, who doesn't love surprise notes?! Whether they're put in your suitcase, slipped into your lunch box or stuck on a mirror, a few sentences from the person who warms your heart most can start a day off sunny or turn a bad day right around.


In honor of Love Note Day (which should be every day, but is officially celebrated on Sunday, 9/26), I've compiled some sweet note cards... just in case you wanted think outside of the yellow sticky note:




With You, Life is in all Caps Note Cards by Pop & Shorty (1 for $4.00)
{image via Pop & Shorty}



Postcards of Affection by EnormousChampion (15 for $9.95)
{image via Chronicle Books}


Letterpress Every Day Love Note by Wild Ink Press (1 for $3.95)
{image via Wild Ink Press}



Monday, September 20, 2010

Stylish Straws

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Straws can simply add a pop of color, a dash of design or a fun flair to any drink:



 
Pop-of-Color Paper Straws
{image via Seagrass Interiors}


  
Reusable Stainless Steel Straws
{image via Lushlee}



Friday, September 17, 2010

Featured Photographer: Melissa Schollaert Photography

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Melissa Schollaert knows how to capture the details of an event in an artful, vibrant way.  Check out the photographs she took of a a great couple that wed in Santa Fe, NM.  This travel-inspired dream wedding is out of this world... and Melissa Schollaert made sure that shined through in their photos. To check out more shots of this amazing wedding, head to Melissa's blog.






Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Recycled Paper Garlands

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Reading is my favorite pastime. I devour books. I love carefully crafted sentences and paragraphs that capture my imagination. Give me a good book, a warm bath and a glass of wine and I'll be a happy gal! [sidebar - if you haven't read Chris Cleave's Little Bee yet, get to your local bookstore or library and pick it up!]

The dream team over at Bookity on Etsy has combined my love of the written word into amazing garland decorations created from recycled book pages.  Green and oh-so lovely!






Tuesday, September 14, 2010

A+ Back-to-School Themed Decor

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I used to love buying new school supplies.  Those new notebooks, so clean and and scribble-free.  Those carefully picked out colored folder, un-ripped and glossy.  I can't lie - I don't miss studying for tests or the required reading (I'll leave that to my law-school entrenched fiance) - but I do long for the excitement of purchasing pristine back-to-school products.


To satisfy my school supply craving, I've rounded up my favorite back-to-school themed decor from around the web.  Get ready to take notes :)


Use folder holders as vases and set up food stations using organizational products


Design the menus to look like report cards


Name tables after school subjects and use textbooks as centerpieces
{image via The Knot}



Monday, September 13, 2010

Apple Cupcakes (Literally)

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It turned September and the weather has drastically shifted in DC. I'm sort of sad... yet also sort of happy.  New clothing! Colored leaves! and Apple Picking!!  If you're throwing an apple-themed bridal shower or are incorporating the crunchy fruit into your wedding, you'll love these oh-so-sweet apple shaped cupcakes. For the great recipe, head here.


{image via Social Couture}


 {image via Shoplet Blog}


Friday, September 10, 2010

Paper Wedding Dresses

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Talk about time intensive - these dresses were all made out of paper.  PAPER! Pretty impressive; but it also makes my accident prone body cringe a little - what if I tripped and it ripped? What if I spilled something on it? Super absorbent, maybe. But practical...???

Would you dare to wear a paper wedding gown? Is this trend eco-chic or a big ol' heck no?

{image via Bellz & Whistlez)





Thursday, September 9, 2010

Cocktails Anyone?

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Between pouring over seating charts, picking out the flowers, pulling together the menu and handling all the other prep work in anticipation of the big day... it's not surprising us nearlyweds are craving a drink.  Or three.  So set aside the wedding stuff for a night and gather your girlfriends for a get-together.

But this time, forget about the e-cards and get a little creative.  These DIY Cocktail Party invites will set the tone for a fabulous girls-only, alcohol required soiree. And once you've sobered up, head to Rifle Paper Co. for some more amazing party ideas!


For complete instructions on how to create the Cocktail Party invites, click here.
{images via Madame Bonbon}

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Wave Hello to Your Future

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Have your guests help you wave goodbye to single life forever with these fantastic flags.  No matter what they say, it's a fun way for friends and family to express their excitement (and a lot less messy than rice or bird seed!)



Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Featured Photographer: Grant Isaac Studio

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The photographers at Grant Isaac Studio captured this stunning, Grand Rapids, MI couple and transformed simple moments of love into beautiful everlasting images.


{all images via Grant Isaac Studio}








Friday, September 3, 2010

Labor Day Foodie Favors

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Have I mentioned I love ice cream? I'm sure I have.  Like seven million times. But you know what doesn't love ice cream? My hips. And with two bridesmaids dresses and one wedding dress I have to fit into over the next several months, I need to steer clear of any Labor Day Ice Cream Socials.  Unless they are offering lower-cal, yet super enticing treats.


Re-fashion a fruit salad into a stylish, sweet treat
{image via ZuZu Girl; directions via Bakers Royale}


Fill them with red, white and blue jelly beans; colorful skittles 
or any other colorful, fat-free treat. FREE Ice Cream Cone Favor download here.
{image and free download via Tangarang}

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Berries and the DIY Bride

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It's nearing the end of the summer and I'm feeling a little... blue.  And what better way to cure a case of gloominess than to indulge in a last few weeks of fresh fruit lovin with a blueberry blitz (and blintz? :) Turns out there are a ton of ways to incorporate this blue fruit into your wedding decor. Which makes me extremely happy :)


A sweet thank you treat for family & friends
{image via Intimate Weddings}


Blueberry bud-inspired boutonierre
{image via OnceWed}


A taste of summer with homemade blueberry jam. 
Download the FREE printable jam labels here
{image & labels via Eat Drink Chic}