virtual save the dates

The other day I was cleaning off the front of my fridge, and a few save the dates that have graced the door for two years or more, they had to go.  It was a sad moment.  I know all the thought and time that went into those save the dates.  They were beautiful and I enjoyed opening my mailbox to find them.   I love getting mail!

I hate to share this with you, but I sent my save the dates via Evite.  I know, please don't look at me like that.  But we picked Mexico last minute and I wanted to get a quick response on just how many guests were thinking of joining us.  I was a little sad because we never got to use this photo:

That's our first born in the middle, Charlie, playing the important part of 'the'

I tried to convince myself we were being green and that it wasn't that big of a deal, and you know what?  It wasn't.  To me anyway.  Some may have thought we were tacky to not lovingly address each envelope.  But surely they have forgotten by now.

The other day I was having this same conversation with a Bride.  We did a little research, and there are some amazing email save the dates out there.  Call it being green, or saving green, but boy do I wish I had looked around or gotten creative before calling on Evite because there are some great options out there.

via sparrow design

via save the date design

via save the date design

Or make your own in photoshop for a personal touch!

via weddingchicks

How do you feel about emailing save the dates? 

Are you traditionalist or are you willing to bend the rules a little?

diy monogram mugs by design mom

I've had my eye on these Anthropologie mugs for awhile now.  I think they make great bridesmaid and shower gifts.  I'd love to see them at each place setting for a bridal shower tea or lunch, but at $6 a mug that may not be realistic. 

via anthropologie

The other day Design Mom featured this amazing DIY for monogrammed mugs. 

How cute are they?  I think I love them more than the Anthro ones!

Trace the font of your choice using graphite transfer paper

Outline and fill in using a porcelain pen.  Once you're satisfied, bake to set.

How great would a Mr. & Mrs. set be?

I think I'll be giving these a try as stocking stuffers.

Get detailed instructions HERE!

thank you

I wanted to take today to say thank you to my readers and followers.  Your comments mean the world to me and I love hearing from you.  I'm so happy to have a place to share beautiful images and receive feedback. It's always hard to start up a new blog and post to a silent world. So thank you ;)

via The Sweetest Occasion

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family. 

 And if you ever have a Thanksgiving wedding...takeout boxes.  Promise?

I'll be taking a break to enjoy the holiday and will be back Monday.  Happy weekend!

mercury glass votives and vases

Even though I can't afford most of the beautiful things in the Pottery Barn and West Elm magazines, I still like to look through them and then search for knock-offs.  Which I usually still can't afford ;)  One of great things I've seen lately are mercury glass hurricanes and votives.  They usually run anywhere from $19 to $40. 

via west elm

Luckily my local thrift store has vases and glassware that start at $.50.

 

via Martha Stewart

And Martha Stewart has a tutorial showing us just how easy it is to make your own!

I have a feeling my Chrismas mantel will look suspiciously close to this one.

Get the tutorial HERE.

pear welcome sign

My neighbor's kid was selling magazine subscriptions recently so I signed up for Martha Stewart Living.  I received my first Martha subscription in 7th grade and I still have 2 years worth of magazines from those years at my parent's house.  It's fun to go back through and see how she has evolved.  Her and her staff are pure genius.

Here is an idea from the November issue.  Fruit and cloves, so many options.  Welcome signs, table numbers, Mr. & Mrs. decor, guest table instructions.  The pears are lovely, but I think apples might hold up better if you're working on these a day in advance.

via Martha Stewart Living

i like bread and butter

The other day I was talking to some family about bread recipes and it turns out my Husband's Grandpa makes the best bread in the world.  I've never had it, but if someone makes the best bread in the world I'd surely accept it as a party favor along with a pot of jam or...Nutella.

via the wedding firm

Do you have any family recipes that would make great party favors?

vintage trophy cup centerpieces

I love the look of trophy cup collections.  I think they're the epitome of vintage.  I wanted to start my own and try to look for them when I'm at the thrift store, but I haven't had much luck.  Wouldn't a group of them look great as centerpieces?  A few big ones, a few small ones, each cup holding a different kind of flower? 

via nibs

 

Here is one on ebay for cheap!  Maybe I should bid...

via ebay

Or you could go my route and buy some plastic ones

via here

The cheaper the better ;)

diy clothespin cake topper

 Etsy is full of cute wooden cake toppers you can personalize to look like you and the future Hubs.  Of course I'm pretty cheap and don't like to pay people to do things I could do myself.  I'm also lazy so that doesn't mean that I always do these things myself...

via craft stylish

This one though...I could definitely do!

Sketch you and the Mr. on clothespins



Paint...within the lines

(gosh I wish my legs looked like that!)



Here's the Bride after a few margaritas

See the list of supplies and full directions HERE!

wedzu

My friend Liezel sent me a link to this awesome Etsy-eque site Wedzu.  According to their site, Wedzu is all about weddings, especially indie, handmande and awesome weddings.  I already have my eye on a few things I want for myself, and for a few friends.

This funny luggage tag for a friend

And this gorgeous Swiss Blue Topaz ring for myself!

Maybe for my 5th anniversary ;)

cannon beach wedding

This weekend my Husband and I went to Cannon Beach, Oregon and spent a little time at his family's beach house. I'm always amazed at how different all beaches are.  Years ago I gave in to the fact that Oregon beaches weren't for bathing suits, they were for fleece jackets.   I love the beach and always leave feeling renewed and most of all...inspired.

1. the knot 2. no source 3. EventTagious 

 4. JCrew  5. Jim Stoffer  6. Folksy 

7. Martha Stewart  8. no source  9. Elizabeth Anne Designs

a san francisco city hall wedding

My friend Bryn posted pictures of her wedding at the beautiful San Francisco City Hall.  Bryn is a friend from back in my dancing days (as in ballet) and has since become a California girl.  We reconnected via Facebook and blogging and she gave me permission to re-post her gorgeous photos taken by Chris Tobeck.

Isn't she adorable?  Just as bubbly as I remember her.


Congratulations Nick and Bryn!

my guestbook

There are so many great options for guestbooks out there I thought I would share what we did for our wedding.  I wanted something I could keep out at all times and that wasn't an obvious guestbook.  I bought a National Geographic photography book featuring lovers around the world.  It was cleverly titled "LOVE". 

Hey, there it is...see LOVE

It is filled with heartfelt messages from family

And from friends

Messages in Thai

(we still don't know what that says)

Words of wisdom

And funny things too!

It is currently displayed on my coffee table. 

 I love flipping through it and remembering that day. 

chalkboard votives

I don't know why I've been posting so much about candles lately.  Maybe because we're heading into winter and there is nothing I can do but huddle next to the warmth of the flame.  Or maybe because candles are one of my biggest arguments with my Husband right now.  He can not get enough AND he insists on burning multiple scents at the same time.  I can't stand that!  I do not like to be accosted by pear and cranberry when I walk into the house.  Pick a scent and stick with it.

But I do love the look of votives flickering on a table.  Especially votives that have cheery messages written on them, or table numbers or names, or anything that can be conjured up with the great invention of chalkboard paint.

via Expressly for You

Check out these cute cast iron coated votives from Ikea. 

I bet you could chalk those babies up.

SNÖVITA via Ikea

You can even make your own with a can of chalkboard spray paint!

 

 

Get the directions at DIY Bride

diy succulent place cards and table numbers

I have only endured one day of darkness due to daylight savings time and I'm already suffering.  Pretty DIY projects like this one from yes, please. may be the only thing that will get me through. 

Look at these adorable succulent place cards/favors Kelly of yes, please. made using pots from Ikea.

She also put together these beautiful centerpieces with table numbers in bowls also from Ikea.

It's going to be a long winter ;)