Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Vintage Bride

There is no doubt that wedding couples are incorporating more and more vintage items into their wedding days. Just a quick click around the wedding blogo-shpere and you’re going to find your self immersed in weddings featuring old books, typewriters, trucks, teapots… you name it, it’s out there.

There’s just something about the charm of using a vintage item. It calls back to the days when life was simpler, when beauty was in the quality and not quantity. It gives us a way to connect with our older loved ones and helps us to simplify in a beautiful way!

What I love about incorporating vintage items into weddings is the possibilities are endless.  Looking through your grandparents attic could be a great place to start. Looking for inspiration on old wedding albums is a great authentic place to start.  Here are some gorgeous examples of vintage inspired weddings. The vintage elements were incorporated seamlessly… and the results are stunning.

french vintage inspired wedding decor

Using vintage items during engagement sessions is becoming more and more popular everyday. Suitcases, tables, pianos, all are popular choices. Why not consider using something close to the heart. Are you a writer, a librarian, a chemist… consider the location and the props you’re using like a little hint as to who you are as a couple.

There are so many beautiful options!!! Now what’s a Dayton girl to do if she wants to incorporate Vintage items into her wedding style. Well you’ve come to the right place!

I recently had the pleasure of meeting and spending some time with the wonderful owners of Vintage Scouts Interiors. They operate a vintage interior design firm and have a gorgeous storefront right in Centerville!!!

What a true pleasure it was meeting with them and discussing an upcoming project!!! I’ll keep it on the down low for now… but it’s going to be awesome! So keep your eyes open!

I brought along one of my favorite Dayton area photographer, Tracy Abston with Pictures by Tracy, who will be lending her talent to our upcoming project. She has graciously offered you a look into their studio!

Avoid trouncing around flea markets and rummage sales. Step into Vintage Scouts and find yourself in a world full of vintage classics for your choosing. Have a special items you’re looking for? Just ask! These ladies are scouting geniuses and can find exactly what you’re looking for to add that extra spark to your wedding day! And a heads up: I hear word that they even have a registry option in the works… now wouldn’t that be cool?!!!

I am so thrilled to be working with them on the upcoming project. I can’t tell you how cool these ladies are! You must stop in their shop and see all of the lovelies that have to offer for a quick gift, your home decor, and your wedding design!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Vintage Inspiration

This month at the Planny Pants blog I want to talk about all things vintage.  So the photo above was found on the blog of a vintage shop in Paris called Paris Hotel Boutique. Here’s a few ways to incorporate this color scheme and design into your wedding.

264.jpg image by retro248

I love the simple yet elegant touch the ribbon on these chairs creates.

Such a beautiful color combination and leaves tons of room for countless inclusions.  Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Shoe Appeal Wednesday!!!

I love love love love love love love love these…

ScreenCaptures549

I absolutely love the look of these ruffles shoes!

The truth is I have no idea where they came from… but I did find a gorgeous alternative at DSW.

They’re a great deal for $59.95. Gotta have them?

Here ya go! But don’t blame me for contributing to your shoe addiction!

It’s Fabulous Isn’t It!

I wanted to follow up on a previous blog post about the super cute and affordable necklaces I found at JC Penney.

Well a couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to pick out a few of these beauties to take home. Enter the title of this blog. Let me tell you… every time I wear one of these necklaces I get tons of compliments. Now I just answer, “Yes, I know. It’s fabulous isn’t it!

Check out my MUST HAVES:

8-4-10 004 

8-4-10 001

Next on the docket is this baby… come to mama!

JCPenney : Mixit® Flower Statement Necklace

And at $19.99 here at JC Penney’s website. It’s “fabulosity” (yes, I just made up that word) far outweighs it’s price.

What do you think about statement necklaces? Do you love them, hate them, or wear them?

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Brides and Books at Borders

I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Borders Books at the Dayton Mall to host Brides and Book at Borders- A Wedding Planning Class.

This class is a great opportunity for Brides and their man, maids, or moms to come out to Borders and get great wedding planning advice and learn more about the resources Borders offers.

I’ll be talking about questions to ask your vendors, ways to save money, and things to watch out for when planning a wedding.

If you're a local bride out there you don’t want to miss this FREE event. Pass the news on too… do you know someone you can share this info with?

See you there!

Friday, July 30, 2010

Vendors For Charity- A Night of Nibbling

I recently had the opportunity to attend one of the areas coolest networking events.  Here’s the down low from the brilliant mind behind the event, Matt Pine of Lifetime Films.

Couples planning a wedding in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (AND DAYTON MATT!!!)  are so lucky. In the past couple of years, several hundred wedding specialists: caterers, florists, wedding coordinators, photographers – everyone you might need – have formed an extremely powerful networking web.

About 200 of us got together last Wednesday, July 14, A NIGHT OF NIBBLING: Wedding Vendors for Charity at the amazing Leapin’ Lizards Art Gallery. The event featured 4 of the area’s foremost caterers who vied for “Best of The Evening” title: Eatwell, A La Cart, Bensons, and Creations by Melody.

We all sampled their dishes and voted for our favorites, paying $5 for each ballot. We collected quite a bit of money, of which 100% went to charities designated by the caterers. Donations were made to Lighthouse Youth Services, Cincinnati Parks, USO-Operation Enduring Care, and The Greenacres Foundation Equine Center. The charities benefited, and the vendors had a blast.
As an added bonus my dear friend Tracy Bellman (T-Bell as I know her) of
Tres Belle Cakes provided some delectable cupcakes. The incredible Jeff Martin of Le Sucre Bakery entertained us all by deconstructing a traditional wedding cake Jackson Pollack style. It was something to see.

 

We had a great time at this event… here’s a few of my picture highlights from the evening.

A great time was had by all! It always feel so good to be able to give to charity in a fun and exciting way!

Till next time vendor friends….

Etsy Spotlight: lilimandrill

I ran across this wonderful Etsy seller the other day and just can’t wait to show you some of the super cute things she has in her shop.

The first thing I fell in love with were these super cute personalized stamps.

Custom / double face / handcarved rubber stamp

A description right from the store.

You are in love...
You are getting married soon...
You have to make hundreds of wedding invitations cards...
... This stamp is for you!
Send me a picture of you and your love,
i will do my best to draw and carve it.
Then stamp your faces on your cards,
a nice an original way to show your love!

And what a great job lilimandrill does. Check out the original picture of this couple.

And some others:

Custom / double face / handcarved rubber stamp

Custom / double face / handcarved rubber stamp

I can think of tons of ways to use these cute stamps. Stamp invitations, stamp out of town guest bags, stamp favor tags, stamp gift wrap, stamp belly bands for napkins, and and and and. I would love to hear your ideas for using these super cute stamps!

Here’s a few other great items in the line up of products.

Pink cranes / mobile / large

Sign Language / Custom tote bag

I love that you can personalize the ASL! How cute would it be if you used these for with the letters for LOVE. This is…

Enjoy every click through the lilimandrill Etsy store!  And snap up those super cute stamps! They are just awesome!