Where has the week gone?

I cannot believe how fast the days are passing by! It's been too long since I've been able to browse my favorite blogs, inspiration sites and Etsy pages, let along blog about it! I apologize, but assure you, I'm still alive!


I started a new job last week, Monday to be exact, and it's definitely taken on a whole new role in my life. It's perfect for me, and very rewarding, but also drains me of any extra energy I may have left at the end of the day. I'm sure once I get into the swing of things I'll be back to my old self—posting weekly again!


Until then, check out some of my other favorite sites for inspiration!


Elizabeth Anne Designs 


Pearls Events (for all you Michigan brides) 


Style Me Pretty 


Twig & Thistle (for everyday inspirations) 

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DIY Dupioni Silk Yo-Yos

I just spotted this tutorial for Dupioni Silk Yo-Yos over at Style Me Pretty, you have to go check it out! Now! There are a ton of inspirational images that show you the endless opportunities to use these adorable embellishments.

I think I might create a few in some fun colors for our nursery, and then maybe make a few to dress up some plain cardigans I have for work. They look so easy, I might be able to actually get them done this weekend!

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Guest Book Alternatives

The guest book—its one of those age old traditions that nobody really wants to break, but really, is it practical anymore? I had a guest book, and it currently sits at the top of our linen closet wondering what its purpose is in life. I concur.

While I still like the idea of capturing messages and names from your special day, I think we can do better than a traditional guest book. See some of these more modern ideas:

Typewriter guest book: Set out a vintage typewriter fed with some acid-free writing paper, or vintage note cards. You could even post a sign that encourages guests to write a wishful message along with their names. This would be a great item to frame after the wedding as well!

Song Dedication Cards: Have a stack of song dedication cards made up by your stationery (or DIY them), so guests of all ages can request a song. Leave enough room at the bottom for a sweet message to the bride and groom. Spread the cards all over the reception area—at the bar, at each guests’ place setting, or even at the guest book table (and don’t forget the little pencils). Your guests will love having their favorite tunes played in their honor, and you’ll love all the heartfelt messages you can keep later on.

Polaroid Photo Book: Set out a few Polaroid cameras along with a blank album with room to write next to each photo. Guests can take photos at will and fill in the album with memories and notes from the big day. Start them off right with a snapshot of the two of you, along with a note on what to do. You’ll get a variety of guest shots and hopefully some sweet notes to take home.

Note: since Polaroid cameras and film can sometimes be hard to find, also think about alternatives like the Fuji instax camera.

Sources: Typewriter, song request cards, polaroid guestbook.

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Welcome Baskets on a Budget

Do you really need welcome baskets for out of town guests? I'm sure the thought has crossed your mind, especially if more than half of your guests will be arriving from destinations other than your wedding venue. It's definitely a luxury for guests, and will not be forgotten among the wedding bubbles and free champagne.


I think the best part about a welcome basket is the pure fact that the bride and groom had put some thought into leaving us with a little gift as we got settled into our new surroundings. To me, it really doesn't matter what you include, it's the thought that counts!


For those of you out there who just don't have the time, resources or budget for a gourmet welcome basket, think about some of these alternative fillers.


+ Swipe a handful of local maps and circle your favorite hot spots for those guests that have never been to this location.
+ Throw in a few items that guests may have forgotten at home, or ones that they just couldn't pack but would enjoy anyway: homemade linen spray for ironing that shirt before the wedding, or a nice fluffy roll of toilet paper (you know the hotel TP is cheap), or even an assortment of meds like tylenol, tums, and pepto—in the case of a hangover the day after.
+ Collect an assortment of postcards for guests to jot down a note or two in their down time.
+ Pass out a few coupons for breakfast the next morning or work with your hotel to welcome guests at a discounted rate.


Whatever you decide to do, guests will be honored that you thought of them, so don't worry about the details of gourmet goodies and high-class refreshments.


Source: Kate Parker Weddings

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Cupcake Cuteness!

I just laid eyes on these cute cupcake kits by Meri Meri over at the Happy Lady Eats blog. Oh my goodness! I’m thinking these would be geared more towards a shower or a fun children’s party, but still, love them! There are a ton of styles to choose from, here, even one for the bride and groom!

These would definitely make a batch of plain ol' homemade cupcakes shine!

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Glitter and Lace Leftovers

If you went all out for Valnetine’s Day and are now swimming in extra doilies and sparkles, here’s a few innovative ideas from iDIY that will be sure to use up those supplies!

I love the candle holder… I’m thinking about trying that one out for a romantic dinner with my husband, or to accent my guest room.

Checkout iDIY for links and directions.

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Vancouver 2010 Winter Mascot!

I know this has nothing to do with weddings, but I had to share a chuckle with you all anyway. How funny is this little Mascot! His name is Quatchi, and he’s the sasquatch member of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games. I’m so tempted to order one for my little lady, just so she can say she has a plush sasquatch.

Happy Friday!

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Earthy and Untamed Bouquets

I love these fresh bouquets I saw this morning over at House Martin. This blue and white bouquet is by far my favorite, because of its earthy and untamed look. I still drool over those perfectly placed blooms—you know, the ones that form a perfect little dome in the bride’s hand, but something about this arrangement truly wins me over. I suspect I like it because its real and down to earth yet so pretty!

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Eat Cake Be Merry

Has it really been over a week? Well, sorry about that. I've had a handful of new and exciting opportunities that have harnessed my time lately, so I'm coming back to you with this...

Eat Cake Be Merry ...a cake studio with a beautifully modern and playful outlook on baking, specializing in cakes, cupcakes and cookies. Check out some of their amazing designs here!

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DIY: Valentine Felt Pins

One last project before the big V-day weekend! These Valentine felt pins are adorable for your little ones or for attaching to a gift. I don’t see my husband wearing one, but I might just think about altering these into fridge magnets or maybe making them into a garland instead!

A big thank you to the Purl Bee for this lovely tutorial.

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Make it Yourself: Sweetie Pies!

Another sweet treat! These adorable Sweetie Pies would be perfect for no-nonsense homemade dessert! I love this idea because it’s easier than making a huge pie, and provides lots of extras for giving away to neighbors and friends!

This tutorial comes complete with a recipe, and downloadable template with instructions courtesy of Twig & Thistle!

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Valentine's Day Picnic Kit

Since the weather is still pretty nasty out in central Michigan, I think my hunny and I will be picnicking indoors—but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy this fun Valentine Kit! It’s packed full of the necessities to get you through that special day… a bottle of wine, some flowers and even a mix cd, among many other goodies. I know many of you will be snatching up this idea, with a few customizations of course (sparkling grape juice for me)!

Thanks to Design*Sponge for this one!

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Valentine’s Teabag Wrappers

I love these custom teabag templates, so much that I might just make them for myself! I’m the lone tea drinker in our household, but I know of a few friends and family who might just appreciate this little gesture on Valentine’s Day! If you’re handy with paper crafts, you could easily create your own template, or just download this pretty one here!

Thanks to the Creature Comforts blog for this handy idea and tutorial!

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Giveaway Winners

Using Random.org, I've selected two winners from our pool of comments to receive a copy (each) of Real Simple Weddings 2010. Thank you all for participating, it's great to see what's challenging you during wedding planning!

Our two lucky winners are:

Leah, who said "I think it's the venue. We're trying to find a place that's pretty as a ceremony/reception location and we can afford to house people at. It's a challenge, but it's neat to see what houses are out there!"

and

Courtney, who said "Finding invitations that made my heart skip a beat! After a year of searching, I finally found them!"

Leah and Courtney, send me an email at Kristin{at}rsvp-invitations{dot}com with your mailing address and I'll get these right out to you! Enjoy!

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Martha’s Brownie Heart Cupcakes

To start the week off right, I thought we should go with a sweet post from the recipe box of Martha Stewart. These Brownie Heart Cupcakes would please any valentine, because really, who doesn’t love to overindulge in chocolate once in awhile?

The recipe seems fairly straight forward, but if you’re tight on time, just get some instant cake mix, icing, and premade brownies (cut into heart shapes of course) to complete this look. Thanks Martha! Yum!

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Giveaway: Real Simple Weddings

I had the opportunity to review a copy of Real Simple Weddings 2010 this week, and I have to say, I’m incredibly impressed by how much information is packed into every page! If you’re just starting to plan your wedding, and need a solid resource for everything wedding related, I would highly recommend this!

Real Simple Weddings is going to be your wedding planner in a box, essentially. Along with beautiful photos and ideas, it has a section covering every aspect of wedding planning, simply laid out right in front of you, along with a ton of common questions answered!

This magazine is an absolute must have, and because of that, I’m giving away a copy of Real Simple Weddings to one lucky reader. Comment with one of your toughest wedding planning tasks, and your first name, before Monday, February 8 at 5:00 pm EST. A winner will be randomly drawn and posted the following Tuesday.

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Shoes for a Tea-Length Affair

With tea-length bridesmaid dresses being all the craze, brides are focusing more and more on what their maids will wear on their feet. Of course, the dress is most important, but the shoes, oh the shoes! If you don’t want a matchy-matchy look, you’ll probably have to get a little creative in this department.

My lovely sister-in-law is planning a July 2010 wedding, and the topic of shoes was brought up recently. I thought about it for weeks and have finally come up with some ideas.

Here's a little background info: She’s going with an airy sea glass color pallete with a little bit of blush thrown in for accents. Bridesmaid dresses will be tea length (not this exact dress) and in a light shade of ice blue.

Solution: Metallic shoes are always an option, as they can be considered a neutral color. These first two pumps would bring in a nice warm shade of pink and gold to the mix. I also like the second two strappy heels because they’ll keep the focus on the dress. Because these are made with such a small amount of material, you’ll barely notice your girls have shoes on at all! Finally, the last few selections have more of a classic look—a blush pink or ivory pump.

And don’t forget a cute pair of flip flops for later in the evening!

Sources: All photos taken from J Crew Wedding.

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Moo Cards for Your Wedding!

Moo cards are a favorite product of mine, being a graphic designer I love finding printing vendors with creative products. If you've never heard of them before, Moo prints custom business cards, mini cards, postcards and more—and comes with a bucket load of ideas on how to use them.

Are you asking yourself what does this have to do with weddings? Well, if you think about it, a custom printed piece of cardstock (which happens to be the same size as a business card), can be used in lots of different ways! Check out a few of Moo's wedding ideas for mini and moo cards alike.

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Baker's Twine Does It All

Baker’s twine is one of my favorite accessories to have on hand—it’s handy for everything! I think I like it more than (dare I say it) ribbon! Here are a few handy examples of ways to use baker’s twine in your wedding—favors, invites or place cards. The options are endless, and lucky for you, the twine comes in a variety of sweet colors. I love how it adds just a pinch of color, and how practical it is at tying up an invitation suite, or favor box. Not to mention it goes with just about any style!

The twine isn’t hard to find out on the internet—try Etsy for small quantities and wholesalers for bulk. Even if you end up with leftover twine, it’s perfect to accent small gifts, holiday cards or even decorate with around the house!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

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Martha's Centerpiece Roundup

It seems like flowers and centerpieces are constantly evolving. There are so many more new and innovative ways to decorate your ceremony and reception sites, more than I even had merely 3 years ago!

While perusing Martha Stewart Weddings the other day, I ran across a few of my favorite, breathtaking floral inspirations. I'm just amazed at the sheer number of ideas out there—use it to your advantage ladies, and check out Martha's 50 favorite centerpieces now!

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