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Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Bridal Party

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My best friend from high school got engaged this week and I couldn’t be more happy for her and her new fiance. She’ll be the first in my group of friends to tie the knot, making her wedding a momentous occasion for all of us. Despite the busyness and excitement around the engagement, I got a chance to speak with her over the weekend about the proposal, her engagement ring, and, of course, her ideas for the wedding.

My friend has loved the color baby blue ever since I’ve known her (we met in the 1st grade); therefore, it didn’t surprise me that she wanted to have it as one of her wedding colors. When I came across this beautiful baby blue dress by Ananya, I couldn’t help but think of my friend’s wedding. Besides being the perfect shade of blue, I love the elegant simplicity of this dress. The architectural collar adds just the right amount of elegance to this otherwise simple, but timeless piece. And just in case my friend changes her mind, there are plenty of other fabric colors to choose, everything from hot pink to black.

My friend wants to make sure that every girl in the bridal party feels completely comfortable in her dress, no matter what their body type. The Coda wrap dress by nataJane is the perfect solution. It can be worn a dozen different ways, from strapless to sleeveless to kimono style, and will look great on everyone in the bridal party. Oh, and it comes in baby blue as well as 44 other amazing colors.

My friend loves strapless dresses, and I think she would just adore the sweet ruffles and the architectural look of the Kia dress by Nostalgia. Accenting the smallest part of your waist and falling around the knee, this dress is universally flattering and timeless. With a price tag of only $89, it’s affordable as well!

I can’t wait to pass along the links to each of these dresses to my friend. With so many great choices, I have no doubt that her bridal party will look absolutely amazing for her big day!

**The photo featured at the top of this post was taken by CAPow Art & Design.

haute couture bookbinding

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This week I am multi-tasking as I write my column. I am selling my jewels at the Pawtucket Rock And Roll Yard Sale. Please excuse me should any random song lyrics find a way into this post. As I sit surrounded by vinyl and rock memorabilia I have been focusing on these elegant journals and albums from local artist Natalie Stopka. Quite a contrast I know.

Natalie of Natalie As Is has an amazing eye for integrating vintage odds and ends into her books. The lace here is so precious and adds a special detail to the canvas she has bound together.

And when the artist doesn’t have the proper trimming in her stash she makes her own from scratch by creating hand sewn embroidery. I am in awe of Natalie’s description of her book as “humble” as they are far from that in my eyes.

Her details are ever so carefully collected and utilized. We can recognize the fabric swatch on this book cover and feel comfort in the memory of soft cotton against our skin. This repurposed smock adds a delicate detail and gives the book a dreamy quality, possibly dictating what stories or pictures are to be logged on it’s pages.

The book in the photograph above is my favorite of Natalie’s collection. I am in awe of the detail and care in construction. It is the same care someone would give to the making of a wedding dress, as this would make for the perfect guest book for any bride and groom. It is timeless and classic, always a favorite.

This is another great example of the artist creating the perfect landscape for her vintage finds. The whole piece is well balanced. No one element outweighs another. The subtle hues of the book’s covers allow you to appreciate the artist’s skill in bookbinding. This same neutral cover allows us to appreciate the antique satin ribbon she chose to accentuate her album. This mastery of design is a unifying element in Natalie’s work. I am never ceased to be impressed when I browse her shop. Enjoy and happy shopping.

Save The Date

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When I got married 12 years ago wedding invitations were sent and only a handful of people had prior knowledge of the date. However in the past few years ‘Save The Date’ cards, like the above from Artcadia Wedding Stationery, seem to have become the norm when thinking of wedding stationery.

Yet as these ‘Save The Date’ cards are a relatively new concept brides can easily be confused as to the etiquette regarding to whom and when to send these cards. The above bookmark style cards by nmi Photo Creations are especially creative.

Traditionally wedding invitations are not sent until 6-8 weeks before the wedding. Yet by sending a ‘Save the Date’ card, like those above by The Little Stationery Company, you can give your guests a heads up of the wedding date, 4-6 months in advance. This is particularly beneficial as guest lists become more spread out throughout counties, states or countries. Therefore by providing the date of the wedding in advance people can start planning necessary travel arrangements.

Many weddings are held in the Summer months at peak holiday time, so by sending a ‘Save the Date’ card you can avoid the main wedding party and important guests being on their summer holiday at the same time as your wedding. This great card by Serendipity – Beyond Design is perfect for a destination wedding. Obviously this is also an important consideration if your wedding is to be at Christmas or during other key festivals or holidays.

Whilst etiquette suggests that an r.s.v.p. is sent in response to your wedding invitations there are no rules for responding to ‘Save the Date’ cards, like the above typographically-inspired cards by ABSINTHE Custom Print. However you maybe able to gauge a response from speaking to your guests, enabling you to have a preliminary head count.

When you have sent your ‘Save the Date’ cards you need to remember that these people will be those who receive an invitation to your wedding, so you need to be very sure of your final guest list prior to sending these. The above cards from Ello There are a fun way of confirming your head count. However you can add to your guest list after sending ‘Save the Date’ cards.

By sending a ‘Save the Date’ you can provide your guests with a first impression of your festivities, as these are often in the same design as you wedding stationery. The above card by ABSINTHE Custom Print announce a very formal upcoming event, whereas the below card by eb1 lets you know the wedding is likely to be more close and intimate. These notes can just say the couple’s name and the date of the wedding however it may be a good idea to include the venue location so that guests will be able to consider travel arrangements in advance.

So when you have booked your venue it’s time to choose your ‘Save the Date’ stationery and let your guests know the date of your big day.

New in the Gallery

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Lavender and Spring Green Easter Glass Soap Dish

Elegant and contemporary style soap dish in spring green and lavender opaque glass, with a stripe of pale purple tint in the center. Perfect for your bars of beautiful soap, this dish has 2 raised bars down the center to keep your soap dry. You could also use this… details »

Blush Flower Polka Dot Tulle Handmade Hair Fascintor

One-of-a-kind handmade, double-use, pastel pink flowered ribbon sash belt decorated with handmade pink petaled flowers nested on pink mild striped satin ribbon. Magnolia like look flowers, enriched with doted white tulle, are made of pale pink colored petals around a pink button stigma. details »

Blue Leaf Mosaic Candle Holder

Bring a little extra magic to any room with this square mosaic candle holder in shades of blue and purple.
I set a pretty glass leaf in the center and grouted in charcoal gray.
It sparkles from within when lit by a tea light or votive.
Use as a… details »

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