forgiveness cup

Have you ever heard of a forgiveness cup?  My girlfriend received one for her wedding and I thought it was a really great idea.  You pick a cup, a wine glass, a mug or a beautiful ceramic like these atelier halo cups and gift it to a couple with the poem included. 

I think it is a good way to know when your partner is ready to talk things out.  Sometimes when I'm not ready to resolve things, I need to hold a grudge a little longer, I only end up getting more frusterated when approached with resolve.  This way you always know the other is ready to make amends.

{via atelier halo}

When you've had an argument or a fight

whether it is big or small...

When you're not talking to each other much

maybe not at all...

When you want everything to be fine,

you want to kiss and make up...

All it takes is for one of you

to use the Forgiveness Cup.

Reach for it, fill it up

present it as a token.

Your love will know what it means,

no words need to be spoken.

If your love drinks from the cup,

things are on the mend.

Share this way to forgiveness

for true love that never ends.

book page posters

Do you ever give much thought to a reception venue's walls?  They're usually pretty neutral to appeal to all brides and decor.  Of course they can be dressed up with flowers and wall hangings, but that is probably the last thing you're adding to your budget. 

Yesterday Jenifer of Gordon Gossip posted some lovely ideas using book pages.  One of them is to blow up a page of your favorite book.  It's my favorite idea in the whole wide world and I'm going to steal it for my living room.  

You can take it to a blue print shop and have them scan and enlarge your page like Susan of Freshly Picked did here. 

{Gordon Gossip via Cake Ink and Project Wedding}

What would you choose? A poem, a page from a favorite book or something in another language?

lemon bridal shower

This weekend I went to my girlfriend Christine's bridal shower.  Her wedding colors revolve around beautiful lemons brought back from her Aunt's house in California.  Her Sister's threw her a wonderful shower with lots of yellow and lemony details.

The Bride and moi

Sunny rooftop garden

My Mama...we like Twilight ;)

Champagne, white wine spritzers, pink lemonade

Amazing sweet potato fries and gorgonzola fries with balsamic reduction

Perfect gazpacho and the perfect wine for a middle sister (found at Target)

Yummy lemon cake

 Mr. & Mrs. pillows made by Kate

(I'm stealing this for my next bridal shower)

Gifts and speeches by Hosts (and Sisters) Kate and Liz

An over sized yellow balloon provided shade

(can you see the sun?)

Three generations

Congratulation's Christine

and thank you Kate and Liz for a beautiful shower!

How was your weekend?

bridesmaids skirts

We are on the hunt for cute grey bridesmaids dresses for my friend's wedding.  Oddly we're having some trouble finding some, but I'm hoping when all the Fall lines hit we'll find a few good ones.  Ever since I saw this grey skirt on Modcloth something in me has changed (I blame Emersonmade).  I think this skirt/silk top combo would be adorable. The silk tank takes it up a notch, don't you think? You want the skirt now too don't you? ;)

bridesmaid by nikkidz featuring j crew shoes

J crew
$65 - jcrew.com

Skirt
$50 - modcloth.com

J crew shoes
$218 - jcrew.com

woodsy aisle runner

I've had an image similar to this saved for my garden for some time, but when I saw it on Pinterest the other day I began to visualize it as an aisle runner.  It would be super easy and beautiful.  What do you think?

{via shelterness}

placecard tree...a real one

Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?  Leave it up to Style Me Pretty to make me fall in love with a tree. 

{marianne taylor photography}

You should go see the whole wedding, in Florence...if you haven't already *sigh*

oyster shell votives

This weekend we went away to Orcas Island with some friends.  We ate a lot of oysters, a lot.  We grilled them on the beach and threw the shells back into the sound.  The shallow waters were littered with them, it looked like that scene from Alice in Wonderland with The Walrus and the Carpenter. 

I forgot that I pinned these pretty DIY oyster votives.  I wished I would've saved all those shells!

Find the instructions at Completely Coastal

{via Once Wed}

I also love this vintage tin vase for a subtle homage to the oyster.

Do you like oysters?

See some photos from our fabulous weekend here.

diy chicken wire basket

Whenever my Sister and I hit the flea market I always find wire baskets I wish I had space and money for.  They are so useful for tossing mail into, herbs, fruit.  Of course they have so many uses for weddings as well.  They can hold flowers, candles, cards and even drinks ;)  All you need is some wire baskets from the dollar store and little elbow grease!  You can find the full tutorial at Craftberry Bush.

Rifle Paper Co.

Pretty much everything Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. makes floats my boat, I just love her illustrations.  Her full wedding collection will debut in early 2012.  That means more beautiful invitations and cards to dream about!

{via Rifle Blog}

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

ceremony readings

{via Weddings Tumbler}

Have you asked a friend or relative to read a special passage at your ceremony?  I had always thought we would have "Falling love is a lot like owning a dog" read at ours because we have two furbabies that rule our lives.  I can't remember why I didn't, maybe because it was very popular at weddings that year.  Now looking back...who cares?  We should've read it anyway.

A girlfriend of mine was asked to read at a friend's ceremony so I sent her a few things.  Here are some of my favorites.  You can always cut things down to fit your day, there are no rules...just make sure you give credit where credit is due!



Having A Coke With You by Frank O'Hara



is even more fun than going top San Sebastain, Irun, Hendaye, Biarritz, Bayonne
or being sick to my stomach on the Travesera de Gracia in Barcelona
partly because in your orange shirt you look like a better happier St. Sebastian
partly because of my love for you, partly because of your love for yoghurt
partly because of the fluoresent orange tulips around the birches
partly because of the secrecy our smiles take on before people and statuary
it is hard to believe when I'm with you that there can be anything as still
as solemn as unpleasently definitive as statuary when right in front of it
in the warm New York 4 o'clock light we are drifting back and forth
between each other like a tree breathing through its spectacles
 and the portrait show seems to have no faces in it at all, just paint
you suddenly wonder why in the world anyone ever did them I look
at you and I would rather look at you than all the portraits in the world
except possibly for the "Polish Rider" occasionally and anyway it's in the Frick
which thank heavens you haven't gone to yet so we can go together the first time
and the fact that you move so beautifully more or less takes care of Futurism
just as at home I never think of the "Nude Descending a Staircase" or
at a rehearsal a single drawing of Leonardo or Michaelangleo that used to wow me
and what good does all the research of the impressionists do them
when they never got the right person to stand near the tree when the sun sank
or for that matter Marino Marini when he didn't pick the rider as carefully
as the horse

it seems they were all cheated of some marvelous experience
which is not going to go wasted on me which is why I am telling you about it


From "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" by Louise De Bernieres

"Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion... That is just being "in love," which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident."


Wedding Song by Bob Dylan


I love you more than ever, more than time and more than love
I love you more than money and more than the stars above
I love you more than madness, more than waves upon the sea
I love you more than life itself, you mean that much to me.

Ever since you walked right in the circle's been complete
I've said goodbye to haunted rooms and faces in the street
In the courtyard of the jester which is hidden from the sun


I love you more than ever and I haven't yet begun.

You breathed on me and made my life a richer one to live
When I was deep in powerty you taught me how to give
Dried the tears up from my dreams and pulled me from the hole

I love you more than ever and it binds me to this all.

You gave me babies, one, two, three, what is more, you saved my life
Eye for eye and tooth for tooth, your love cuts like a knife
My thoughts of you don't ever rest, they'd kill me if I lie
But I'd sacrifice the world for you and watch my senses die.


The tune that is yours and mine to play upon this earth
We'll play it out the best we know, whatever it is worth
What's lost is lost, we can't regain what went down in the flood


But happiness to me is you and I love you more than blood.

It's never been my duty to remake the world at large
Nor is it my intention to sound a battle charge
'Cause I love you more than all of that with a love that doesn't bend


And if there is eternity I'd love you there again.

Oh, can't you see that you were born to stand by my side
And I was born to be with you, you were born to be my bride
You're the other half of what I am, you're the missing piece
and I love you more than ever with that love that doesn't cease.


You turn the tide on me each day and teach my eyes to see
Just being next to you is a natural thing for me
and I could never let you go, no matter what goes on


'Cause I love you more than ever now that the past is gone.


I also love these short ones by E.E. Cummings:
May my heart always be open to little
You being in love
One's not half, its two are half of one

alphabet cake

Oh the options are endless... 

{via eat cake be merry}

You can buy a gumpaste/fondant kit and make them yourself.  So clever!

maxi bridesmaid dresses

I swear this isn't turning into a beach wedding blog, but I do like the look of maxi dresses for those dog days of Summer weddings.  What do you think?  Too mumu-ish?

{via gypsy05}

{via JCrew}

I'd pick this one...and pair it with that nautical tablescape from last week...

Okay, okay...once a beach bride, always a beach bride ;)

peppermint foot scrub

I think if you're going to have favors, homemade favors are the best.  I would love to receive a jar of this homemade foot scrub to take home from a bridal shower, wouldn't you?

{via in between laundry}

 

Peppermint Scrub
Mix together 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup mineral oil, 2 T. corn syrup, 1/2 t. peppermint extract and a drop of green food coloring.

Brown Sugar and Honey Scrub
Mix together 1 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup mineral oil and 2 T. honey.

Sugar Cookie Scrub
Mix together 1 cup raw sugar, 1/3 cup mineral oil, 2 T. corn syrup and 1 t. vanilla.

faux red coral

Manzanita branches never fail to amaze me.  When I was pinning the heck out of Completely Coastal yesterday I found this photo of manzanita branches painted to mimic red coral.  LOVE!  Perfect for a beach wedding.  I can't get enough!

Hope you have a lovely weekend.  Any plans?



mix your own cocktail...bar

What do you think of a mix your own cocktail bar?  You could start with a big pitcher of spiked juices and let guests muddle in their own fixin's?  I would love to play bartender at a wedding. 

Even better would be to wrap tags around the glasses so guests can write down their concoction and compare notes.

{Chelsea Petaja and Tec Petaja, styled by Talitha Sha- via Design Sponge}

diy wood wedding ring

I know a few guys who might like this beautiful ring.  Or at least appreciate that you made it yourself and that it was under $30?  Yeah, that's what I thought ;)

When I sent my Husband to buy his wedding band (I was busy...) he told me he was going to buy a cheap one since he's an electrician and can't wear it on the job anyway.  He came back with a beautiful ring and told me it was $300.  I sent him back and he bought a $70 ring.  Thank goodness because last month when he was cleaning out a closet he found it, so don't feel bad for him...

You can find the instructions for this awesome ring at Black Box Case.

Could be a great Christmas Gift too!

nautical tablescape

Did you know Ikea has a blog?  It's called Livet Hemma and it is chock full of inspiration.  The other day they posted this nautical themed table that made me want to find a beautiful boat for a wedding reception.  I love the rope tied around the cutlery and the fishing lure wine glass charms.  The lobsters scare me a bit...

All you need are some beautiful lanterns to line the tables.

trash the dress

The day after our wedding we did a trash the dress session with Cecilia Dumas.  Mostly in the ocean and pool so there wasn't too much trashing going on.  I figured because I am short and had my dress altered to be worn barefoot, I would never be able to sell it.

Afterward I wore my dress into the shower and rung it out and was able to wear it again in this session last year.

More smooching photos, again my apologies ;)

Do you think you would trash your dress? 

summer cocktail hour

Wish I had thought of these margarita pops for our cocktail hour!  These genius and pretty pops made with Mike's Hard Lemonade are by Baker's Royale.  Perfect for the weekend, happy Friday!

•Dixie cups, popsicles sticks and Mike’s Hard Lemonade Strawberry Margarita. As a side note, the traditional margarita made with Tequila needs a much colder temperature to freeze than the tradtional home unit allows, so that’s why something like these Mike’s Hard Lemonade is better suited for making these popsicles.

•To assemble: Pour and freeze the Strawberry Margarita for two hours then insert the popsicle sticks in the middle. Freeze for another two hours or until the Strawberry Margarita Popsicles solidify. Garnish with a lime and serve.

•Small note, do not rim with salt until serving time as the salt will melt the pops. Alternatively, you can rim the Strawberry Margarita Pops with chunky crystal sugar for an aesethetic effect without worrying about the melting factor.

•To keep popsicles chilled as long as possible, place the serving tray in the freezer and then top the tray with a layer of crushed iced.

*You can purchase the popsicle sticks from Sweet Lulu

ruffled hobnob milk glass vases

I love milkglass.  Martha Stewart brought it into my life when I was a young subscriber, but I didn't really take to it until my Sister started her collection.  If I had the space, I'd probably buy up every piece I see at Goodwill.  I still regret that jade milkglass coffee canister I passed over in Portland.


One of the things I come across often are these ruffled hobnob vases.  I have two.  I'm not usually a fan of tall arrangements (although this isn't that tall I guess), but I do love this one.  It is so romantic!

{Flowers by Fudgie and Photography by Gina Leigh}

glove table numbers

Thanks for all your great comments yesterday about our wedding.  I felt like a blushing bride again ;)  I have another little bit to share and a few observations too.  Coming soon!

Yesterday I got an email from Spool No. 72 letting me know about a $20 sale starting Thursday at 6am.  You bet I'll be camped out in front of the computer Thursday morning!

When I was clicking through wishing a few items to be on sale I came across these numbered garden glove clips.  Aren't they funny?  I smell a cute DIY, starched gloves, a little paint.  It would be darling for a garden wedding or shower.  You could even do it with knit gloves for a winter wedding.

my wedding

Guess what?  I found them...

I'm not sure what to say about our wedding except that it was one of the best days and vacations of my life.  We decided on a beach wedding when Bryan  refused to wear a tux, and I didn't want the stress of shopping for wedding shoes.  We had never visited the island before, but I remembered seeing a poster for it on a trip South a few years before.

On April 5th 2008 we were married in Isla Mujeres, Mexico surrounded by 63 of our close friends and family. It was perfect. 

I've only just now realized how many smooching photos we took...my apologies ;)

Playa Norte

 

The rings

Annabelle

 

Bridal party

My favorite

My ladies

Obligatory jumping shot

 

Under lit tables, heavenly

My Sister holding my bouquet of roses and orchids

Me and my best friends

Our favors, a tequila tasting table

Or shots...

 

Swing bar

First dance and bouquet toss

Cooling off in the water

 

My Mother and her congo line...

My second favorite photo

 

Details...

Wedding coordination by Maria del Mar of Weddings Isla Mujeres

Photography by Cecilia Dumas

Dress:  Nicole Miller

Bridesmaids and Flower Girl: JCrew

Groom and Groomsmen:  Express and Gap

Hair and makeup: friends