pastry place cards

I don't know that I'll ever eat a round pie again, or accept anything less than a pastry pie place card ;)  These little pies are so pretty and perfect for a bridal shower or small wedding.  Fill dough with your favorite pie filling and fold corners over.  Use alphabet cookie cutters to cut initials from scrap dough, bake and serve!

See the full instructions and more pretty pictures at You Are My Fave!



moss graffiti

Have you seen the recipe for moss graffiti around the web?  It's pretty simple actually and would look awesome if you had a shady brick wall to paint your wedding date or monogram on.  You can even paint it on to plywood for the helpful "wedding this way" sign.

{green grader}

Moss paint recipe via Apartment Therapy

What You Need

Materials:
Moss
Blender
Sugar
Butter Milk
Water
Container
Paint Brush

Instructions

1. Decide on an image and transfer onto the wall in chalk. You could use a stencil or draw freehand.

2. Collect a handful of moss.

3. Wash as much of the dirt and plant matter off the underside of moss as possible.

4. Place the moss into the blender.

5. Add a table spoon or two of sugar and 1/2 cup of butter milk.

6. Blend to the consistency of a thickshake. Add some water if your mixture is too thick.

7. Pour mixture into a container with a lid.

8. Using a paint brush, paint on the moss mixture onto the wall in the shape of your image.

9. Keep the additional moss mixture in the fridge. Reapply the moss mixture every second day and on the alternative day spritzing the area with water.

Additional Notes: After a week you'll already start seeing the moss establish itself on the wall.  It should take about a month to be fully established.



morning proposals

I like weekend mornings when we have time to hang out and enjoy each other's company.  We don't have a coffee maker at home (that explains my weekend headaches), but we usually make breakfast and plan out meals for the week. 

If we did have a morning coffee ritual, I think this would be a wonderful way to propose.  You could use a ceramic pen and write the words at the bottom of their favorite mug, then bake it to make it food safe.  Stand back so she doesn't spit out her coffee in surprise.  You could also write it out in pancakes, but that's a no brainer right?

{via tumblr}

Yesterday morning my Husband made fried eggs and I had to get out of bed twice to watch him attempt to flip them in the frying pan.  I've never flipped fried eggs before but he wanted me to watch.  He lost two to the kitchen floor.  The dogs were pretty happy.

How was your weekend?

bow tie dog collar

We didn't have a chance to have our dogs at our wedding.  My Husband wanted to bring them, but I wanted a break...and it would be ridiculous to take your dogs to Mexico, no?  Charlie would've looked so handsome in a bow tie collar like this though...maybe I'll get him one for every day wear.  He would just love that ;)  Check them out Etsy shop Silly Buddy.

What are you up to this weekend?

diy watercolor envelopes

Look at how much character a swipe of watercolor paint gives this envelope!  I'm saving this idea for my 30th birthday, or maybe I'll just make some for every day use...30's not that big a deal anyway ;)  Right?

{Brooklyn Bride}

dancing in the minefields

I love this song, and the video too.  But Bright Eyes "first day of my life" is still my first dance pick ;)

b-a-b-y shower

A few weekends ago I helped my SIL with a baby shower for her friend.  The shower was at the Mother-to-be's home and I didn't want to cart a ton of stuff over, so I picked a few high impact decorations to add to their beautiful new home.

The "T" residence

I'm going to start calling her husband Mr. T

Milk glass and lace wrapped mason jars

Wishes for baby

we used this printable from Lauren Makes

Cake stands ready for pizza

Ready made pizza shells topped with goodness

bbq chicken, gorgonzola pear and bell pepper artichoke

A few of the pizza making machines

Yarn wrapped BABY

One spoiled little girl

Congratulations Stacy!

popcorn macaron with salted caramel

I don't know if it's my love for caramel corn or meringues that drew me to this recipe, but I would love to see these on a dessert table.  They'd be the talk of the town for sure!  Salted caramel filling and buttery popcorn, who could resist?

Get the recipe at Eat Show & Tell

wedding day fail

My friend posted this story on Facebook after she found it on The Ellen DeGeneres Show's page.  I laughed for the bride and then I cried a little...but what's important to remember is that it wasn't the end of the world.  Heck, maybe you'll get to be on Ellen in the end ;)

chair sashes

These little sashes from BHLDN remind me of capes for your chairs!  I can picture a group of them lining the head table.  If you're getting your girls pashminas, you could display them on their chairs for decoration.  No need to embroider, color would be enough!

For bride and groom chairs try fabric glue and ribbon for a more affordable version ;)

{BHLDN, $168}

Thanks for sharing your marriage and relationship favorites yesterday.  I loved reading them!

Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day ;)

10 things we love about marriage

{My Yogi tea fortune yesterday}

Happy Valentine's Day!  I thought it would be fun to write up a list of 10 things I love about marriage.  Weddings are awesome, but then there is (hopefully) years of marriage to follow. 

I asked my Husband to write down 10 general things he loves about marriage, just for comparision.  First he huffed and asked the dog if he has to do homework too.  Then I cut it down to 5...then I changed my mind and asked for 10 again.  Oh marriage ;)

Me:

1.  Trying new things because I'm forced to compromise.  Sometimes they turn out to be great and I never would've known without him.

2.  Sharing responsibilities.

3.  Having each other's back.  Even if you're just venting and they can tell you that the other person is totally crazy.

4.  Someone who knows your strengths and weaknesses and doesn't hold them against you.  Unless it's about pull ups...apparently upper body strength is open to ridicule.

5.  Living with your best friend and always having someone to do things with. 

6.  When they shrink your clothes and you're FORCED to buy new ones ;)

7.  Honesty

8.  Someone to tell you that's a really bad idea before you make a fool of yourself.

9.  That brownies are a perfectly acceptable gift.

10.  Having a built in foot warmer in bed.


Him:

1. Being able to help wife with her dreams/visions

2. Have someone to share your aspirations in life

3. Companionship

4. Having a family with two dogs and wife

5. Debating on anything that I can debate on

Extra credit 5 items:

6. Tax credits (if applicable)

7. Having an amazing cook (wife specific)

8. Trying new ventures (travel/food/etc)

9. Help figuring out spouses problems - financial/personal/work/etc

10. If she starts a blog, your valentines day list / homework ends up on the Internet


Apparently wives have a lot of problems they need help with ;)  What do you love about marriage or being in a relationship?

valentine escort cards

If I were having a wedding in February, I wouldn't hesistate to use Valentines as my escort cards.  Vintage or Looney Toons...they would be so much fun!  I think I would pick super hero cards, they were always my favorite.  I love a man in costume ;)

They could also double as a thank you card...the options are endless!

{photography by Katherine O'Brien via Ruffled blog}

love poster

Although I do like guest books that can be displayed in your home, people's messy handwriting drives me nuts.  This LOVE ALWAYS poster that you can download at Martha Stewart Weddings is a little easier on my OCD.  Wait, I'm one of those messy handwriting people I'm talking about.

It's lovely though, isn't it?  Would you hang it in your home as a reminder of those who shared your special day?

{get the download}

Have a fantastic weekend!  I have a baby shower and a bridal shower...phew!

lace dress + red tights

I feel like most of the odes to love and marriage start with "Oh", am I wrong? 

Oh to be as bold as this bride in her beautiful crochet lace dress with red legs.  Gorgeous. 

{plan your beautiful event, I don't think this is the original source :(}

I want to recreate for Valentine's Day. 

I only wish I had bought one of those lace dresses I always blog about ;)

silver spoon pops

This has got to be the best use for silver.  Pour your juice (or champagne) into dixie cups and place in the freezer.  When they begin to firm up, press in your best silver spoons or forks.  Don't have any?  Hit the thrift store on their deal days and pick up some mismatched ones.  So fancy!

{living at home}

portlandia - cool wedding

Do you guys watch Portlandia?  I find it hilarious and spot on considering the city's "Keep Portland Weird" motto.  Although I'd move there in a heart beat and brunch my life away if someone would give me a job down there.

I haven't had a chance to watch the full episode yet but this excerpt cracked me and sounds like most brides today.  Check it out!

gifts for the gentlemen

Valentine's Day is coming up and everyone is racking their brains on what to get the men folk.  Except for me, I haven't even thought about it.  I'll probably swing by the grocery store on the way home from work for a card and a pint of Ben & Jerry's, or I might put some thought into it like these beautiful booze boxes...

{Victor Sizemore Photography via Ruffled}

Flasks are so College years right?  These would be a great gift for any occasion, especially for your wedding party.  Buy some fancy bottles and redistribute the liquor, add personalized tags and seal with a sticker. 

I love how classy and thoughtful these ones are.  They even include some extras so you can mix your own drink!



cotton boll centerpieces

Because I'm cheap and lazy, I like to find centerpieces that are easy to do yourself and can be put together in advance.  Then all you need is a trusted friend to throw them on the table and you have yourself a beautiful tablescape.  Okay maybe there's a little more to it than that...

I am always eyeing the silver and brass goblets at the thrift store, perhaps I should start snatching them up.  Look how pretty these cotton bolls and greens look in them.  Summer or winter these would be beautiful centerpieces.

You're singing Cotton Eyed Joe now aren't you?

{Southern Living}

Okay now you are ;)  Sorry!



stamped fondant

I'm not a big fan of eating fondant, but I do like the clean lines it gives cake.  Check out these stamped fondant embellishments.  Just enough fondant to keep it classic and cover your frosting mistakes!

You can purchase food grade stamps here, and make your own fondant using this recipe.  What do you think?  Monograms, wedding dates, a heart for Valentine's Day....what else could you stamp?

{babyjewels via Etsy}



super simple place cards

The easier the better I say.  It doesn't get any more simple than this...

unless you know, you just have any then it's pretty simple ;)

I loved hearing your thoughts on photography costs yesterday, thanks for weighing in!

{Calder Clark Designs via Ritzy Bee}