I adore much of the architectural style that came out of Arts & Crafts movement/Craftsman style homes. I am loving the way {this} 1920's craftsman style has been transformed, while still keeping much of the original character. The high-end modern furniture and chic handmade decorative accents have put a whole new spin on Arts & Crafts.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Binder Clips ~ Cable Organizer!
This is genius! Why go out and spend money on cable organizers when you can just do this?! Found on {Apartment Therapy} .
The Litte Things
I love this kitchen decor found on {The Little Things} blog! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the splashes of color, yet it still has a very neutral overall look and feel. Just my style :)
Natalie & Garret's Wedding Dessert Table :)
So this was my first time doing a dessert table set-up for a wedding :) What better than doing it for the wedding of a close friend!
With beautiful table runners made by the bride's mother, awesome DIY cake stands and framed chalkboards made by the bride herself, San Luis Obispo's Cowboy Cookies, a delicious chocolate cake from Claim Jumper that I decorated with flowers, and 188 cupcakes I made and decorated myself...it all came together nicely in the end :) I had so much fun baking and decorating all of them then finding a way to arrange the whole table to make it all work together. Made me really want to do this for a living...ah...someday :)
The beautiful photographs were taken by {Jake and Necia Odening} from {Mike Larson Photography}. They do incredible work - check back in a few days for some gorgeous photos taken from the whole wedding!
Wedding at FK Event Space
(Snapshots by Chelsea!)
These pics are of our set-up. We used the event space's freight elevator to transport our materials to the ceremony and reception rooms.
The flowers were a mix of all reds. Calla lilies, roses, and dahlias were used in the bridal bouquet. The same red color scheme was used in the bridesmaids' bouquets and at the reception.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Fruit and Flowers
Monday, March 22, 2010
Last Chance! Fox 2 Hot List
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Busch Stadium Ceremony
Monday, March 15, 2010
Crystal Moss Tree
We added curly willow branches to the black metal of the tree to soften the base. We added reindeer moss balls to the branches in addition to the hanging crystal and votives. Spanish moss was also used to hang from the branches to add another natural dimension.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Handmade Thank You Cards!
Here is my first project combining print and sewing! I made two versions - one that says "Merci Beaucoup" (Thank you very much) and one that says "Merci Mon Amie" (Thank you my friend ~ female). I am almost ready to open my shop on Etsy...so if you are interested in these...check back soon for updates on that!
Goldiehome ~ Eco-Conscious Homewares
I came across the home furnishing designs by {Goldiehome} on the {2Modern Blog}. Not only are the designs beautiful and sophisticated, but the products are also eco-conscious and inspired by the geometry and tactility of nature. Goldiehome has begun to set a whole new standard for luxurious organic modern design, all made from certified organic cotton.
Bite™ Produce Bags
With the ever-growing need to be environmentally conscious, there has been a huge move to make a change in our lives wherever possible to help do our part. One way people are doing this is by using reusable grocery bags. Here is a way to take that even one step further! Although we may be saying "neither" to the question "paper or plastic?", we are forgetting all the individual plastic bags we use for our produce. {Bite™} has come up with a solution, designing these amazing reusable produce bags. Here is a little fact off of their website that is more than convincing that this is a great idea: "500 billion (1 million every minute) plastic bags are used each year and are contributing to the endangerment of our environment." SOLD! They even have a drawstring to eliminate the need for twist-ties. These bags are machine washable, durable, lightweight, and made in the USA.
Frosting Practice for Wedding Cupcakes!
A close friend of mine is getting married at the end of the month and I am so excited! Obviously I am excited for them to be embarking on their lifelong journey together, but I am also excited to be making the cupcakes for the reception! The cupcake recipe was set and we were discussing the frosting, both of us agreeing that regular buttercream frosting is pretty sub-par. After some research, she came across a recipe for {Swiss Buttercream} on one of my favorite blogs {Smitten Kitchen}. Though we are going to experiment with adding some flavor, I made my first attempt at making Swiss Buttercream and it was a success! Mmmmm buttery goodness :)
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Wedding Ideas
When it comes to organising your wedding party, you have a wide range of options. You could have a simple event or a themed party, perhaps featuring 60s, beach, Bond, or medieval themes. Or you could have a casino or celebrity look a like. As for decor you could feature an ice sculpture or chocolate fountain.
You'll need music of course and you have the choice of a live band, jazz band or a DJ laying down disco beats. Or your might prefer a string quartet, harpist, singer, piper or pianist. You could employ a toastmaster to be the master of ceremonies and keeps the event moving along. And on the all-important entertainment front, you could hire a caricaturist or silhouette artist. But for a wedding party that really goes with a bang, you can't beat a magician.
When we say magician, we're not talking about a man on a stage pulling a white rabbit out of a hat. We're talking about a modern interactive close-up magician. This magician moves among the tables or groups of people and entertains them with a sophisticated magic routine. Here are 5 great reasons why having a magician at your wedding reception will make it a rousing success.
Firstly, nothing gets a wedding party swinging quite like a magic routine. It provides an immediate spark to the atmosphere, creating a genuine buzz of excitement. Along with tucking into the food, swilling down the champagne and dancing to the band, your guests will be delighted to find you've arranged something special. Imagine their cries of surprised joy when the magician begins to weave his way through the tables and groups of guests bringing that special touch to the occasion. By personalising his act for each group, the magician is perfect for building and maintaining the relaxed atmosphere that makes every wedding party a success.
Wedding Accessories
Wedding Accessories play an important part of any wedding, the bride must have her accessories to go with her wedding attire and the groom also needs his, not to mention the guests should keep one accessory in mind, a hat! Accessories add those finishing touches to every wedding that every couple are going for!
Everyone wants to look individual on their big day. But although there is a wealth of accessories to choose from, the only real way to look individual is to create your own. As individual, one-of-a-kind fashion items are becoming sought after and higher priced, more and more people nowadays are starting to develop to make their own style. Creating your own wedding accessory gives your wedding that much more personal feel to it and makes you feel good when you walk down the aisle with your own unique accessory and everyone gapes at how wonderful it is and asks where you bought it! Creating your own wedding accessories is also a lot cheaper than buying them!
Jewelery is a favourite area for brides when it comes to putting together an outfit. With such a vast range of beautiful beads and wire available, it is so simple to make a pretty pair of earrings or some other trinket. For an elegant look, top-to-toe, you need to make sure that your hair looks as glamorous as the rest of you. A tiara will be that finishing touch! Every girl knows that the key accessory to finish off a look is your handbag. There is such a huge variety of bags available to buy that you can pick one up quite cheaply. So you can be sure that you can make your self appear that much trendier with just a few accessories!
Wedding Supplies
While some people can afford large, opulent weddings, others have to stick to smaller events that are on a tighter budget. If you're the latter, don't worry-there are a plethora of resources online geared towards helping you throw a beautiful but inexpensive wedding.
Buying cheap wedding supplies is probably one of the most important elements to think about when you're planning your wedding. First, figure out a budget. Without a budget, you'll get lost and open yourself up to numerous problems.
Set a realistic budget and stick to it; this alone will help you immensely in planning your wedding. Get the help of friends and relatives, especially those adept at doing online research. There are some great deals to be had if you look in the right places.
One of those places is in the clearance section of online stores like americanbridal.com. There are often excellent deals on wedding favors, decorations, invitations, and more. Another thing to look for is coupons or special deals, especially around holidays. Often, merchants will list coupons on their site to get you to buy; this works to your advantage because you're there to buy something anyways.
Another thing to think about is buying in bulk. This is the most cost effective way to buy things, especially wedding favors and similar decorations. If you want to do something personal, keep in mind that some stores offer personalization free with certain items, and others charge it as an extra service.
Wedding Party Decorations
Not many things beat a good party. But a good party can quickly become a great party when you add the most important thing: the right party decorations! No one enjoys going to a party that is barely decorated or decorated poorly. Poor decorations make a party seem boring and not special. But great decorations suited perfectly to the occasion make a party seem unique and heartfelt.
Hopefully every woman has experienced the pleasure of an afternoon spent at a lovely tea party. Gathering with friends and enjoying great conversation is something everyone loves. It is a perfect way to get away from the kids and relax without the pressures of home. Sharing tea and specialty treats makes any party memorable, but accenting that good food with appropriate party decorations makes any tea party even better.
Or maybe you are trying to plan the perfect surprise party for your teenage daughter. There are many important things to consider and many details to get right. What time of day do you want to have the party? Will you invite just girls to the party or will you include boys as well? Will the party have a special theme, perhaps centered around something your daughter really loves? All of these are questions to think about while you plan. You can create a menu filled with her favorite foods and plan activities appropriate for her age and hobbies. But don't forget the party decorations! Will you make the party seem elegant and grown up, or maybe your daughter prefers something cute like a beach theme? Whatever your daughter will enjoy, just be sure to get the perfect party decorations as you plan her big surprise.
Church Wedding Decorations
Wedding is an occasion which demands everything unique. Wedding decoration is one of the most fascinating and interesting part of the wedding.
Whether marriage is traditional or contemporary, a decoration is a vital part of the grand occasion.
Since a lot of guests are making their way for the wedding party, the entire show must be presentable.
Wedding decorations are of many types. Friends can help you in deciding which decoration can best suit.
Few things must be considered before deciding any type of decoration. You might have allocated budget for everything concerned with marriage. Budget set on decoration my also depend on the area which has to be covered for decorations.
If you are arranging the party in your home, then you can save lots of bucks. But paying for the decorations for the banquet hall or restaurant can be quite expensive.
You can hire a good decorator for the party. First thing you can do is to collect a catalogue of decorators. You can check online some of their best works. You can briefly have a chat with some of the people who have taken the benefit of their services.
Before finalizing things, check the proficiency of the person whom you have rendered responsibility from some of his previous clients.
Wedding Reception Decorations
A bride will put a lot of thought into the type of decorations that are used on the tables where guests will sit during the after wedding celebrations in the reception hall. The bride might choose to place a guest book at the entrance so that everyone who enters can see it and sign their names. Some might choose to leave small comments that are meant to be best wishes for the happy couple on their special day, and the bride will ensure that a decorative pen is posted for all guest to use.
One special table in the room will be reserved for the Bride and Groom. This table will boast large flower arrangements and place settings for every member of the wedding party. The bridesmaids and groomsmen will use crystal goblets to toast the happy couple and then make comments that wish them a happy future together. The Bride and Groom will add their own favors to the table in the form of presents for all who participated in the wedding procession.
Some reception tables will be decorated with ribbons and bows and many boxes encased in shiny wrapping paper. The silver and white wrappers could be accompanied by gift bags that are filled with various colors of tissue paper. More than one table will be assigned for this purpose because every guest will bring a wedding gift for the happy couple and as they fill up, the decorative theme for the wedding will inspire many exclamations from the people that pass by.
The wedding reception tables could be decorated with balloons that bear letters of silver on white. A Bride might choose a ballroom to host the reception in and everyone will love the rotating disco ball in the center of the room. The decorations for the room could extend to balconies and porches, where candles are lit and streamers were placed overhead to give a semblance on the great celebrations that are being rendered inside.
Cheap Wedding Decorations
While most of the couple today are thinking of preparing a fortune to spend for one of their most memorable day – wedding, some might find this hard to believe that planning a cheap wedding is quite easy to do. Just like planning for an extravagant wedding celebration, cheap wedding ideas are also great and fun, and can be really unique and creative, too! So if you are one of many couples who opt to have a cheap wedding without compromising what you have desired to be in your special day, consider saving money on your wedding location, reception and decorations.
One way to trim down your wedding expenditures is by planning of having a cheap wedding location. Planning to have this cheap idea is not impossible to do. In fact, you can have your wedding ceremony in a variety of locations that are completely free. A great example could be a local park. Usually, going to a local public parks doesn't require any fees, and so planning a cheap wedding ceremony there doesn't give you any cost. They don't usually require any permits of other fees too. However, just make sure you have double checked it with your local city authorities before anything else.
Beaches are also a free place where you can held your wedding. Other ideas may include: having your wedding at a family member's home, or having it in your own backyard. If you and your partner loves nature, it may be free or very inexpensive to have your ceremony at a local zoo, nature reserve, or even at flower conservatory also.
Another area where you can save some money is your wedding reception. If you are on a tight budget, you can always go with cheap wedding reception, and believe or not this is not too difficult either. One of the most popular cheap reception is idea is to make a pot luck meal. You can ask each of your guests to bring their own dish. But if you'd rather not ask guests to bring food for your wedding reception, then perhaps asking a few family members to get together and cook food as a wedding gift for you can lighten your burden.
Wedding Decorating Ideas
Spring is a great time for new beginnings, especially for starting a new life with someone special. What better way to celebrate than to incorporate a spring theme into your wedding decorating! A few simple touches are all it takes to have a big impact. After a dull winter, your guests will appreciate a bright and happy occasion.
Popular colors for a sping wedding are pastels, so keep this in mind when shopping for your bridal party and for your decorations. If you want a darker color for your bridesmaid dresses, try using the same color in a lighter shade for the wedding flowers and centerpieces. The contrast will add freshness to your big day while making everything look smart and well coordinated. Try not to use too many different pastel colors together unless you're planning an Easter wedding. Some great color choices are: pink or rose, light blue, yellow, lavender, and a soft green. Some good color combinations include rose and lavender, lavender and light blue, or yellow and soft green. Using colors that are close to each other on the color scale will give a softer look to your day, while using opposites will create bolder combinations.
Other than color, some easy ways to add spring to your wedding are:
- Use potted bulbs in your decorations. They can be used to decorate your ceremony, as centerpieces at your reception, and on the gift and cake tables. Just make sure to choose bulbs whose flowers aren't heavily scented in case any of your guests have allergies. A lot of scent in a closed in room can have people looking for fresh air very quickly. Daffodils and tulips are great choices and are available in a variety of colors. You don't need to have the same flower at every table, and using a variety can make your decorating more interesting for your guests.
Wedding Decor
Selecting the appropriate decor for you Toronto wedding event can be a fun project. The bride typically selects the Toronto wedding decor colours, which are the base by which the bridal party's attire and accessories are chosen. In addition, the bridal bouquet often coordinates with the Toronto wedding colors whenever possible.
Flowers are a large part of the Toronto wedding decor for any wedding. They are beautiful, romantic and add a touch of happiness whenever present. Flowers are found in the bouquet, as dinner table accessories, on the Toronto wedding cake and everywhere possible. Some ceremonies feature fresh flowers while others are done in silk, which are crafted so beautifully to look exactly like the real thing.
Additional wedding decor is found in the selection of dinnerware. An elegant setting is often chosen with classic silverware. Tablecloths and napkins, napkin rings and place cards are among the many other considerations that a bride and groom must choose for their reception. It's customary that the bride and groom cut the wedding cake together before sharing a bite. There are a variety of elegant cutters, which include special custom-made products with the newlywed's names or wedding date engraved.
Wine glasses are often used and labelled 'Bride' and 'Groom' for the happy couple, as well. Toronto wedding decor would never be complete without ribbons. They are everywhere from the flowers to the cake and even at the dinner table. Ribbons are used to compliment flowers, to add pizzazz to your Toronto wedding favours, on church seating and in some hairstyles. They add a touch of elegance and take an otherwise simplistic design and give it life. Balloons are an important part of wedding decor, as well.
Wedding Table Decoration
Decorating the tables at a wedding can be a hassle unless the whole thing has been planned well in advance. The reason is that guests are going to come and sit at these tables and converse with each other. Therefore, it is the duty of the decorator to set the appropriate ambience for the wedding to take place.
The Cover Cloth
The first thing that one should take care of while decorating wedding tables is the cloth that covers it. You may stick to the traditional white and ivory colors. However, if you are open to experimentation you may use pastel shades such as pink, green and mauve. Sometimes more than one color is also used. This means that more than one table cloth might be required to set the table. Make sure that the cloths are taped to each other so that they don’t slide off each other in time.
Centerpiece
Centerpieces can make or break the environment of a wedding. Most people choose to place flowers in vases on the table as the centerpiece. Roses, lilies and orchids are good choices. However, care should be taken that the centerpiece, no matter what it is, it should not dominate the table. People should be allowed to carry on conversation with each other at the table without discomfort.
Another choice for centerpiece is scented floating candles placed in bowls of water and lit a few moments before the guests start arriving.
Personalization
If the couple wants to make the table decoration a little more personal they can also place small photos of themselves together with the flowers or the candles in photo frames with the date of the ceremony engraved on the frame.
Tables can also be decorated with plates of snacks that the guests can pick from during the ceremony if they wish to. Cheese, fruits, dried nuts and fruits are popular edible choices of centerpiece decoration at wedding tables.
Wedding Decoration Ideas
When it comes to decorating for your wedding, it can be very expensive when it comes to the flowers, hiring a wedding planner and all of the elements involved in making your wedding beautiful. If you are on a budget, there are many things you can do yourself that will help you save money and keep your costs low. One of the most costly portions of putting on a wedding involves using flowers for decoration. If you decide to use flowers, one money-saving tip is to do your own arrangements. This is not as difficult as it may sound and can be done easily if you limit the types and colors of flowers that you choose. Choose at the most two colors and/or kinds of flowers along with a standard type of vase to put them in to help keep things uniform. Then, you can arrange one white flower, for example, surrounded by four red flowers giving you a very simple and at the same time elegant presentation. When you purchase flowers make sure that you get varieties that are sturdy and long-lasting which will prevent wilting before the big day. You also want to make sure that you plan well in advance for making the arrangements so that they can be efficiently put together shortly before the wedding. This also make sure that the flowers look fresh when you want them to.
This tip is also very useful when making the boutineers and corsages for the wedding party. These can be simply made using supplies that are found at your local craft store. You can use real flowers, but you might consider choosing fake flowers, which not only mimic their real cousins but also are very inexpensive and at same time will create a permanent memory of your wedding. Again, keep things simple limit the colors and types that you choose to make arranging the flowers easier. False flowers are also wonderful to use for pew end decorations, table centerpieces, and any other accents you desire for the space. If you do not want to have to make your own flower arrangements you can also plan your wedding around the time of year when the establishment will be already decorated. Many churches will be adorned with lilies around Easter time, and also during the Christmas holidays with lots of pointsettas. These flowers are both beautiful and striking their color, form and arrangement that will accent your wedding beautifully. This can also save you a lot of money.
Wedding Reception Decoration
You will need to spend your time to plan for the decorations of your wedding reception. This is because it is considered the most important part in your wedding. You will need to ensure that all the details will be carefully considered. As a matter of fact, you will want to impress your guests with the elegant decorations of the reception.
So, you may wonder how you should decorate your reception. There are a lot of issues you have to consider to this end. In fact, there are some rules of thumb you can follow so that you can create some elegant decorations.
#1 You will probably have a theme for your wedding. You should try to make sure that the decorations will be following the theme. This is probably the baseline here. You have to make everything in your event consistent. This is why you need to follow the theme. You may also have a color theme for your whole event. To this end, you should try to use this color scheme to decorate your venue.
#2 You will certainly want to get a lot of ideas for the decorations. To this end, you will need to do some researches. You have to read some bridal magazines to this end. There will probably be sections on the decorations on the magazines. The idea here is that you will know the latest trends and ideas on how you can decorate your wedding reception hall. Yet, you have to remember that you do not just read the magazines and follow the ideas you see. You have to consider these ideas with your theme so that you can make the decorations perfect.
Wedding Decorations
A balloon arch is ideal way to add up flair to your celebration or wedding. The simplest way to make this piece is to buy a pre-built wedding arch made of white metal. If in case the wedding arch is not available, you could even build an arch using strong bendable metal wire. Just be sure it is strong enough to stand on its own.
After placing the arch appropriately, just attach full balloons onto the arch using wire tires or string. Wrap the tie it up around the bottom of the balloon and then onto the arch. It is best to begin from the top and work your way down both the sides consistently to crate a wonderful look. This can also be done with multihued balloons or one shade of balloons. Balloons need to be filled with helium however. The more balloons you attach, the superior the piece would turn out.
The completed balloons arch could be used in varieties of places. Some brides prefer to place the balloons arch outside the way in to the ceremony. This permits guest to walk through the arch in addition to the bride and her attendants. Other brides prefer to use the balloons arch as a ceremonial highlight. They want to place it in the ceremony area so that they could stand under it while they are saying their vows. Lastly, many brides also feel this decoration is superior suited for the reception area and should be decorated for the after-ceremony event.
Wedding Decorating
A balloon arch is ideal way to add up flair to your celebration or wedding. The simplest way to make this piece is to buy a pre-built wedding arch made of white metal. If in case the wedding arch is not available, you could even build an arch using strong bendable metal wire. Just be sure it is strong enough to stand on its own.
After placing the arch appropriately, just attach full balloons onto the arch using wire tires or string. Wrap the tie it up around the bottom of the balloon and then onto the arch. It is best to begin from the top and work your way down both the sides consistently to crate a wonderful look. This can also be done with multihued balloons or one shade of balloons. Balloons need to be filled with helium however. The more balloons you attach, the superior the piece would turn out.
The completed balloons arch could be used in varieties of places. Some brides prefer to place the balloons arch outside the way in to the ceremony. This permits guest to walk through the arch in addition to the bride and her attendants. Other brides prefer to use the balloons arch as a ceremonial highlight. They want to place it in the ceremony area so that they could stand under it while they are saying their vows. Lastly, many brides also feel this decoration is superior suited for the reception area and should be decorated for the after-ceremony event.
Tips for balloon arch decorations
•Make sure the hall is free before time - decorators would surely require time to setup. Some halls would have other events as well before yours, making it complex or impossible for decorators to finish their job.
•The higher the ceiling is better the look would be. Halls that have tall ceilings permit for more remarkable balloon arches and designs.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sisters Honored at 2010 ISES Awards!
The party was held at the Palladium with a Cirque du Soleil theme. Here are some set-up shots of the centerpieces we provided for the night.