Thursday, December 20, 2007

Vintage Florals


As part of my new non corporate life I am getting back to creating and crafting and it just feels so good. I am working into it slowly and trying to find a space in our house where I can create chaos and not have it be front and center, but that does not really exist because everything is really front and center in our house. But JP is putting up with it, as he does oh so well and we are really excited that I am working on things for myself again. I have placed a few of my flowers for sale at Red Tree in Baltimore, where I am working now, and loving every moment of it. I have to start making some fresh ones for the spring. And I am trying to figure out if I want to incorporate them into the wedding, and if so how. I can think of many ways I just do not want them to be to overpowering. I also set up some earrings at the store and within about half and hour a pair sold, we were all really excited. We hope that everyone's holiday's are going well and are full of cheer. JP is doing most of his shopping this weekend, well tomorrow night and then we will be making the rest of our gifts this weekend.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Big Changes

Sadly, I have not been very active with the blog lately. We have been busy with holiday events and work, and all of the wedding plans that we had have changed. It took a bit of wind out of my sails and we are in the process of regrouping and setting forth a new wedding path. We are so excited about the changes, but have to start back at square one and that is never fun.

I am heading out there in the beginning of January and hopefully will get everything pulled together and secured.

But enough about all of that, one of the blogs that I read on a daily basis, Style Me Pretty, is having a DIY contest for brides and items that they are producing for their weddings. There was one entry that I really enjoyed and wanted to pass along.

photo from Style Me Pretty


I feel like this is a great project for any party, not just a wedding and what is printed on the card can be so custom and pertinent to the couple that it really gives it that nice thought out touch. I am so excited to see what all the brides come up with there are already about 4 or 5 things that I am going to incorporate into ours just from the suggestions so far.

I also think that I am going to be pulling out my Donna Hay entertaining book as well as some other craft books that I have to really pull out the details of the wedding. I am have found that there is really only one bridal magazine that I find interesting and helpful, Martha Stewart Weddings, of course, and other than that it is all blog based, but even that took some digging to get through all the crap out there. And even the blogs a lot of them have very planed and detailed, high budget weddings. While they are great to look at, they are not really reasonable for most of us. So I am turning to outside resources to draw my inspiration and tweak it to be wedding appropriate. I will let you know when I have boiled down the ideas to a choice few.


One other really great place that I will be drawing inspiration and talent from is my brides maid Melissa, she works in the display world at Anthropologie in Philadelphia and is an amazingly gifted artist. I am so thrilled to have her helping with the wedding and excited to get together and brain storm. If you take a moment to check out her web site, Paper Satchel, you will get a quick glimpse at her talent.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Creat Your Own Cookbook


I am so excited about this new site that I found via another one of my favorite food blogs, well really my favorite food blog. The blog is 101 cookbooks and an amazing resource. Heidi's food is amazing, and she published her first cookbook earlier this year and it is where I go to first for recipes these days.

So the new find is TasteBook.com, this site is just so great. It enables the user to create their own hard bound cookbook. You can choose from ones that have already been compiled, Heidi has one, which is great and made up of her favorite recipes from her past years of blogging. Or, you can create and publish your own family recipes and upload photos to go along with them, I think this is such a great gift. When you purchase a cookbook you receive 100 recipe credits, much like in itunes if you purchase a gift card. You can then edit already created books, so that you are only receiving recipes that you want. The site is also paired with epicurious.com and you can search through their data base of 25, 000 recipes. The book is made so that you can take out, and insert recipes as you need. So when you order a book you do not need to use all of your credits as once, you can order them as you need or find them. I cannot wait to create my own and give it as gifts...


Also, JP received a really lovely voice mail from his Dad yesterday that he shared with me and it was really uplifting, heart warming, and gave us a little wedding cheer that we needed. I just wanted to share that tid bit, because it really meant so much to us.

We hope that everyone is having a good and cheery holiday season. Ours has not been that crazy yet, but in saying that, we have plans every night from Wednesday to Sunday... and it just keeps going from there.

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Fantastic Florals


I am looking for really simple, naturally inspired, primarily green and white fl orals. Through one of the other wedding sites that I have been frequenting I found Artfool, and really enjoyed some of their bouquets.

There were also some table set ups that they did that I thought could be really nice for the wedding. Perhaps a bit kitchy, and might need to be brought in a bit, a little more of a sprinkling, a little less of a theme. Because lets face it, I am not a camper and JP is not a miner, so the theme of having lanterns does not completely speak to us as a couple. But still something to think about.


I had been planning on using some vintage table linens to create runners from one person to the other, as done above for our table, or tables. Depending on what out set up ends up being. I think that it adds some intimacy especially if it is one great long table. And the vintage table lines are a touch of ourselves, well myself, that we can add to the event. Because, it really is about us and who we are and celebrating ourselves as a couple. Now I just have to figure out how to work JP into the mix...

Artfool also had some other images form another event that could also be a great inspiration. I see these as being more of a elegant rustic event table setting. Possibly a mix between the two is what will be best for us.


Saturday, December 1, 2007

Summer in Telluride



So today I have decided to venture into YouTube, I am really late on the whole YouTube thing and this was really my first visit. But I found a fun video of Telluride in the summer and thought that I would pass it along. The last bit is of Gunison which is not Telluride, but could be a nice place to go for a visit as well. So at any rate I hope that you all enjoy. Click on the photo to go to the video, I could not figure out how to get it right onto the page. Also I would like to mention that the poster for the video is YouTube user fgallina, so thanks.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Great Find




I have found the best site ever. Well maybe the best site ever. But I love it, exactly what I was looking for and I did not even know that I was looking for it. Garnish, has all kinds of great little packaging to make all kinds of gifts, and kits and memories. Really the choices are endless. They have even made little kit ideas. They have done and mock up and then given you all of the pieces that you will need to complete it and a list of what you will need to add once you receive the packaging. I think that I am going to use this for welcome baskets for the wedding. But who knows I might also try and make some kits to sell here in Baltimore and see how it goes. At any rate, I highly recommend that you check out this site.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Fun Finds


I found these great handmade silk flowers when I was wondering around the web today. They are from The White Aisle and have a really interesting story to go with them. They are all handmade in Phenom Pehn, Cambodia by young women who were sold into the sex trade by their families when they were young. 100% of the profits from these silk goods go back to the project. This will enable the company to not only pay the women salaries, but set up housing for these young women so they will no longer have to go back to the brothels at night. This is a new program but I think that it really has a strong product and will be able to grow nicely. The silk that is used for the flowers, and other products, is hand loomed Khmer (Cambodian) and local to the area that the woman are working in. Each flower is individually assembled, so no two are alike, much like the ones that I produce. The company is planing on expanding their offerings from roses, to gardenias, lilies and orchids. For $10 a bud I think that it is an elegant way to add a special touch to any occasion, and it has a great cause. I cannot wait to order some and come up with great things to do with them.

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Family time



It has been about a week, well exactly a week since our last entry. We have been busy with family and wedding arrangements. My Mom came into town on Tuesday afternoon and we were off and running on Wednesday at Hitched in DC, our first bridal salon. We had a wonderful experience there and found a dress that we both loved.

Wednesday morning we also picked up all kinds of goodies as Atwater's in Belvedire Square. We love this place and could eat there for every meal. They make wonderful breads, all from certified organic flours ground at a family mill, and with great additions like grains, nuts, fruits and seeds, all organic as well. They also make splendid soups that are different each day. While I was enjoying my lunch there a few weeks ago they had order forms out on the counter for Thanksgiving treats that they would be offering. Let's just say that I might have gotten a bit to excited and ordered a bit to much for the four of us, but we are moving through it all quite well and it should all be gone by the time that my parents leave tomorrow morning. Just in case you were wondering here is the run down of what we got. One quart of lobster butternut squash bisque, amazing but rich. One quart of roasted fall vegetable minestrone, i heard it was good, but there were a few to many veggies in it for me. A brioche, huge, we are still plowing through that, I might cut it and freeze it for french toast on some lazy Sunday morning. There was also a round of cranberry and walnut bread which was a great hit and we are going to pick some up for my parents to take home with them. And the finale were three pies. The first was a sweet potato, second was an apple pie with cheddar cheese crust, and the third a pecan pie, not to gooey or sweet, just right and the first pie to be finished as well.

On Thanksgiving we went to JP's grandparents house for lunch and my parents were able to meet his family. We had a really nice time and enjoyed being with family and friends.

Friday we had the misfortune of going to a bridal salon in Pikesville, Maryland, a suburb of Baltimore. The place was horrible, very uninviting, overall really creepy. My Dad said that it was like being at a used car lot. The sales woman was trying to pressure me into buying from them and did not listen to anything that I was say in regards to what I wanted. Needless to say we left quickly and without a dress.


Saturday was much more productive. We all went to brunch at Golden West in Hampden, a neighborhood in Baltimore that JP and I really like. JP lived there for two years and I am currently working at a store there, but more about that later. We then went to Chelle Paperie, and met with Katie about our invitations. We all loved what she had come up with and are really excited about the finished product. I know that I have mentioned the store before, however I just found there blog and it is really nice so that is the link that I used for this mention of the store, I suggest that you check it out.

After the the invitations we trekked down to DC to go back to Hitched to show Dad the dress that I am in love with. He put his stamp of approval on it, we did measurements and in a few months, well about 6 we will have a dress! I am so excited and cannot wait to see the finished product.

Today we are cooking the turkey that my Dad transported from Missouri here on Thursday. It is a heritage Red Bourbon turkey, they are very tasty and we are all excited to sit down to a turkey dinner, again.

Cheers

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Share it with the world



JP and I went to Chelle Paperie, in Hampden yesterday to start the process of designing our invitations. We are really excited to be working with a locally owned store. The woman Katie, who we are working with to design the invitations also went to MICA. This is where JP and I went to school in Baltimore for any who might be wondering. And when I say working with to design the invitations, I mean that we came with an idea, some photos and some suggestions about packaging, colors and a few graphics and she is really doing the rest. We will meet with her when my parents are in town next week for Thanksgiving and we cannot wait to see what she has for us to look at.

The inspiration for our invitations comes from this amazing press, Mr. Boddington's out of NYC, of course. The image above really has nothing to do with what our printing will look like, but I did not want to give everything away. In any case, you should check out their site, it is very inspirational, and keep an eye out in great stationary stores for their pressed cards.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Feel the burn



On Sunday JP and I went and looked at a gym that just opened in downtown Baltimore and I ended up joining. I am really excited about the facilities and all the classes that they are offering. I went to a Pilates reformer class last night, which I loved, and am super excited to get back into it. Today I had a meeting with a 'personal coach' who checks in with me every 4 to 6 weeks to see how I am doing and what progress I am making. I have to say that it was the most effective and useful gym membership initial consultation that I have ever had. I even got to stand on a scale that also calculated how hydrated I am, what percentage of my body if fat, scary, and how much each of my limbs weigh, strange but I guess useful. Just in case anyone was wondering I am symmetrical in my limb weight. So I thought that the best way to celebrate the gym was to research desert for the wedding on line.

Apparently not everyone lives in the digital age because most of the vendors in Telluride do not have web sites. So I decided to find what I want and then find someone to create it for me, or at least find what I like and then go from there. While I have had no wedding cake luck I did find the cutes little petits fours, which I love to eat, but never do. Sadly, we do not live a petits four lifestyle, heartbreaking I am sure, but for a wedding everyone should have a petits four lifestyle. I will have to make sure that there are extras that we can pack up and nosh of for as long as they will keep, but more realistically, as long as they last. These are also monogrammed which I love, I cannot get enough of it. Monograms, monograms, everywhere.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Wedding gifts galore


Today was a big day. We received our first wedding gifts. Well gift with a few goodies in it. JP was ecstatic because the gift was centered around glasses that he registered for. Even Porter got into the action and scratched at the box helping to tear the paper and open the gift, it was really a family affair.

We also learned today that the photographer that we liked will not be able to work with us so we are on the hunt again. She referred me to a few other people, one of which I had already seen and given a strong no to, and the other two I was unfamiliar with. Hopefully the gentleman who we liked will be around in the summer, looking at his photos it looks like, in true Telluride fashion, he travels a lot.

JP made it home safely from his trip at about 11:20pm on Saturday night. It was a long haul but everything turned out well in the end. Porter was excited to see him and is adjusting back into his normal routine.

And one more thing. We are starting to compile music for the big day and would love to know what songs are meaningful or great lasting songs in your opinions. We are looking for anything and everything and cannot wait to see what everyone comes up with.

Friday, November 9, 2007

Sad Boy



JP has been gone since Monday on a pack job that is taking him from DC to Alabama, where he packed for 3 days, to Chicago and back in about 5 days. Porter, our puppy has been having a hard time with his absence. He has been very needy and restless. We will be happy to have him home sometime tomorrow.

I was really excited earlier this week because I found a photographer in Telluride who's photos I really liked and I think fits our style and how we want to document our wedding, however there is apparently another wedding on the same Tuesday, how strange, and she might already be booked. So keep your fingers crossed that the other bride changes her mind. This is the second vendor that I have come across that is dealing with people holding their services. I find this to be a bit frustrating. People need to commit to what they want and not be able to hold one thing while they look for something better. Whatever happens I am sure that it will work out for the best.

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Inspirational Moments


I found Michelle Rago, a wedding designer out of NYC when I was out and about searching the web and I loved what she did with one wedding in particular. The other ones were a bit to much for me, but to each their own. Interestingly one of the weddings that is featured on his site is from a country club in St. Louis. But in any case, I wanted to share some images because I thought that they were great. I particularly like the bottom right image, a nice way to add a touch to the isle chairs without adding a large floral cost. Easy enough to make ahead of time and provide yourself for the wedding. Also keeping in mind location and using materials that might be found naturally, it is just another way to tie everything together and that's why I love it!

Monday, November 5, 2007

What everyone has been waiting for...




The ring! JP designed the ring with, Lauren Schott, a local artist here in Baltimore. The center stone was from JP's great great Aunt Dessie's ring, and there are seven stones set into the band to represent the seven years that we have known each other. I love it and think that it is just so beautiful and thoughtful.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Kitchen Galore


Today was our registry day at Williams and Sonoma. I think that we were there for about 3 hours. Who knew that there was so much to decide on... I was wiped out by the time that we left. I think that we went a little crazy, well perhaps a lot, but the ladies there were so nice and they kept encouraging us to register for everything that we might ever want, so we did. I am really excited about the yogurt maker, I have wanted one for years. JP does not quite understand why we need one, but I convinced him to just go along with it.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

8 months from last Wednesday

We set a date and cannot wait. July 1st 2008 is the big day. There is a lot to do in the next 8 months, but I am sure that it will all come together ok. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for us over the next few months or for the big day.

Just wanted to mention that this is no longer the date for the wedding, it has since changed.

Friday, November 2, 2007

Great custom press in Baltimore

Recently, I have been on the invitation hunt. There is a lot of ugly out there, and trying to find something that has a hand touch and is still elegant has proven to be a bit of a challenge. I did find and fall in love with a press out of New York, of course. However, it is important to JP to try and find a local printer to create our invitations.

While I was out the other day looking for some Russel and Hazel products and I found the greatest little gem in Baltimore. Chelle Paperie has been open for just over a year now and has a very thoughtful selection of office organization goods, stationary, notions and inspirational custom creations. I am really excited to go and work with them on our invitations. And, also like a sign that we should have our invitations printed there, I saw some small note cards printed by the press that I love out of NYC. I purchased one for Curt and Bonnie for their shower, I am really excited about it.
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