Spook-tacular Detail

Don't forget to embrace your inner child this weekend. And if that means trick-or-treating (even if you are over the age of 15), so be it :)

{image and inspiration via The Li'l Bird}

DIY Double Duty Napkin Rings

A menu that multi-tasks?! Print food selections onto stylized paper to save trees and wow guests:

{image and inspiration via My 10K Wedding}

Sparkly Pinatas

Handy eye coordination? Not-so-much. My bat would swing around but never land on the mark (whether it be a horse hanging from a ceiling or a baseball heading towards my body). 


But maybe some of that's because what I was aiming for at all those birthday parties and baseball games weren't as sparkly and gorgeous as these super chic pinatas. 


Feel free to fill them with candy, but filling them with confetti can add even more decor. 

{images via Para Ti Novia Blog}

Tree Ring Invites

Sometimes I run across something just so cool, I get goosebumps. Like, the hair literally stands up my arms and waves in excitement. This planting wheel-style invite by BurnhouseSF on Etsy is one of those things. It reminds me of the book The Giving Tree - which, even though I read it over two decades ago, is still one of my favorite books ever.

Featuring two separately spinning wheels that reveal whichever piece of information the arrow points to, the downloadable template is totally editable.  

Alright, I'm going to take a break from staring at this awesome invite (as I'm in desperate need of coffee) - but you should feel free to continue ogling :)

Template can be found here.

{image and inspiration via iDiy Blog}

Featured Photographers: Jason and Anna Photography

You know I love props (and if you didn't, now you do). And this Los Angeles engagement session has it all (and then some) - a gorgeous setting, a placid picnic and a vintage record player. Oh, and of course, a magnificent couple who are clearly in love!

{all images via Jason and Anna Photography}

Finger Print Paper Cuttings

My fiance and I are different. I mean, we're both super fun and cute :) but we're definitely far from the same person. He is a math whiz who loves watching Morning Joe and reading the Economist. I still have to count with my fingers, I read People magazine and I wake up to the Today Show. So when they say opposites attract - I wholeheartedly believe in that sentiment.


That's why I love these Finger Print Paper Cuttings from LoriDanelle on Etsy. A picture may say a thousand words, but I have thousands of pictures. These paper cuttings show that while no two people are the same, each person has a pair that is just right for them.


Check out all of her options on her Etsy store!

{image via LoriDanelle}

You're Invited to Erin's Virtual Bridal Shower!!

I know I've said this before - but I have to say it again. I'm part of the most amazing blogger/twitter community on all of the web. From daily inspiration to ongoing encouragement, these gaggle of girls never fail to make me smile and laugh. And in case you haven't figured it out, one of them is getting married this weekend!!!


On Saturday, Erin, from Sparkle & Hay, will be walking down the aisle to wed the man of her dreams (and a very good looking one at that :). And I couldn't be more excited for her!!!  In honor of her upcoming nuptials, the always fabulous Kate from Magnolia Rouge pulled together a virtual bridal shower in celebration of the big day that's almost here. And you're ALLLL invited:

Below is the gift that we are giving to Erin - a framed poster of quotes of love, advice and overall words of wisdom. I made sure one of my favorite sayings went on this present to one of my favorite people:

"Unless you love someone, nothing else makes any sense." 

- E.E. Cummings

Erin - congratulations! You deserve nothing but the best and I couldn't be happier for you and Dan. 


Visit the rest of my fabulous friends to see their quotes and read their good wishes. And don't forget to head over to Erin's blog to say congrats and leave your own words of wisdom:

• Magnolia Rouge
• Life in the Superburbs
• Brancoprata
• Enchanted Dream Weddings
• Luna & Chloe
• Niche White
• Forget.Me.Knot.Weddings
• Postcards & Pretties
• Glamour and Grace
• Engaged & Inspired
• Valley & Co.
• Cap Classique
• The Demoiselle

Featured Photographer: Stephanie Williams

Stephanie Williams has captured a colorful e-session in Mexico that includes creative props and (my favorite) ice cream cones!

{all images via Stephanie Williams Photography}

Fabulous Folded Tags

Someone once told me that when I turned 28, my weekends would be filled with weddings. When I was 25, this seemed foreign to me. Weekends were filled with FINDING guys, not watching my friends marry them. 

Well, turns out, that someone was totally right.  And with all these weddings comes bridal showers and engagement parties; and in between, there are holidays and birthdays and housewarmings. Needless to say, I have to buy a lot of presents. And write a lot of cards. 

Which is why I, oh my god LOVE these personalized gift tags from OrangeBeautiful (along with everything else they make!)

They're so clever and so cute and so... just awesome for every occasion.  I'm just saying, step away from the wrapping paper for a moment and take a look for yourself:

{all images via OrangeBeautiful}

Paper Bag Bouquets

On the first day of first grade, a teacher asked us to all go around and say our favorite color. Every girl said pink. Every boy said blue. Except for me and one other little one. We said green. Needless to say, this was not a good way to become a cool kid. But the point of the story is, I've always loved GREEN. Going green, being green, wearing green. 


So when my fabulous friend sent me a picture of birthday bouquet (happy bday EK!), which she had cleverly placed in a brown paper bag, I was like SCORE! What an awesome decor idea. Below, the original inspiration, and several other eco-chic bag ideas:

Original inspiration - a friend's birthday bouquet

Paper Basket Bouquet. Directions can be found here.

{image via Martha Stewart Crafts}

{image via Bride.ca}

DIY Name Banner

Remember how you used to doodle your name next to the name of the guy you liked? I have notebooks filled with this stuff. But now that it's legit - and you are actually marrying the man of your dreams - why don't you blow up those name doodles and hang 'em from a string? What better way to shout your love from the rooftops!

{image via My DIY Wedding Day}

Vineyard Inspired Wedding Details

I've only been to Napa Valley once, but the beauty of it has never left me (even in my somewhat intoxicated state at the time :) Infuse your vineyard wedding, your wine tasting bridal shower or your dinner party with these creative, colorful ideas:

Boxed Grapevine and Cork Letterpress Invitation from Hana Hou Productions

{image via Hana Hou Productions}

Frozen Grape Centerpieces

{image via Valley & Co.}

Acts of Kindness Wine Jute Bags from Wisteria

 {image via CocktailsDetails}

Library Card Save The Dates

I know I've mentioned my love of books so far (I'm currently flying through Room by Emma Donoghue), but have I told you about my obsession with libraries? I seriously can't get enough of them. I make a weekly run to the this free book mecca, take out a minimum of three novels and then return the following week to drop off the books I didn't like and pick up new ones - even though I have yet to finish the one book that I did like! Needless to say, I LOVE LIBRARIES (and have a weird addiction to them :)


I also love these Library Card Save the Dates. DIY spectacularness - and totally original!

{images and inspiration via Alabama Weddings}

Materials:
* Original library book checkout cards and their pouches- check with local
  schools and area libraries.
* Custom "Save the Date" rubber stamp ($5.00 at Office Depot).
* Rotating date stamp ($6.00, Office Depot)
* Photo-booth photograph of the happy couple, scanned and printed out on
  home computer.
* Photo paper for printing photographs ($15.00, Office Depot).
* Computer & home printer to print text onto cards.
* A6 envelopes, Paper Source   

Fall Centerpieces

The fabulous Naomi from Enchanted Dream Weddings & Affairs inspired this post, based on her recent compilation of dazzling ways to dress up a table with everything fall flowers to fallen leaves.  Jumping off of her creativity, I tried my best to find a few new ideas! 


From pumpkins to petals, yellow gourds to orange leaves, here are some (other :) ways to incorporate fall hues into your big day:

{all images via Charlotte Geary Photography}

Pencil Us In Save the Dates

There's something about sharpening a pencil that brings back memories of elementary school.  As a note, when I was in elementary school they were on the cusp of electric sharpeners but still had the mechanical ones. That's neither here nor there (no need to dwell on the fact that elementary school was two decades ago. Umm, ack!)


Anyway, pencils.  They're great! They foster creativity (that can be undone and then re-done)! And they make amazing save the dates:

Pencil Us In Letterpress Save the Date by MelangerieNYC 

Image and idea via Martha Stewart Weddings

Zazzle Stamps

Zazzle.  Is that not SUCH a fun word to say? I love it.  It makes me think of fun, sparkly, colorful... things. But if that word is not enough to make you read on further (which, if it isn't, I think you need another cup of coffee :) than this should... 


The brains behind Invitation Consultants have coordinated with the Zazzle company to create decorative stamps.  And the best part is that, even if you don't order the invitations that correspond, these stamps will take your envelopes to the next level.  And you know I'm all about the little details.  Even when it comes to the outside of an envelope.  


I have pulled together a few of my favorites below - but definitely head to their site to check out the full collection!

 Engaging Bands

Sugar Pie 

 Lucky in Love

 Triple Letter Score

Merry Married