Handmade With Love

I found these adorable charms for anyone who is creative and makes things to give away or sell. For only $3.29 you get a package of 70 heart charms! What a bargain! 

Hammered Metal "Hand Made with Love" Charms 

Personalize any craft project with these cute antiqued silver finish "Hand Made with Love" charms.Add flair to handmade cards or use on a charm bracelet or jewelry project. What a wonderful way to add that special, personal touch and let everyone know you put lots of love and time into what you make.

Lynne Lucente Floral Design - Wins the Bride Choice Award!

Here's a little good news I wanted to share with you all! Do you remember Lynne Lucente? She generously donated a floral wedding package to Wish Upon a Wedding back in November for their silent auction. I bid on, and won, that floral package....that was valued at $1265.00! I did a giveaway in November for the floral package. Well, I was just informed that Lynne Lucente floral designs was chosen to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 on Wedding Wire - this is her 2nd year in a row to be nominated - and win this award! This award recognizes the top 5 percent of local wedding professionals from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate quality and service excellence in the wedding industry!

Inviting Invitations

If you are planning a wedding or any kind of party you will soon realize a big chunk of your budget will be going to invitations! If you think about it...once you get engaged you will be sending out: Save the Date cards, Bridal Shower invites, Bachelorette Party invites, Rehearsal Dinner, Wedding Invitations (invite, response card, reception card, menu cards and directions) and Thank You cards! That is  A LOT of paper goods! When I planned my own wedding, I had so much fun doing all of these things myself! I had a theme through out all of my paper goods. Even though other people planned the Bridal Shower and Bachelorette party I volunteered to make the invites! I bought cards and printed them myself - saving a lot of money in the process. There was some trial and error with the printing and I did invest in a fun software program to help me (I have used this program over and over after the wedding so I think is was a good investment!). One of the companies I love is Inviting Company. I was sent an email with some new products they have coming out...they are whimsical and fun! 

The key is to pick your "theme" and then find paper goods to go with it! You can purchase Inviting Company invites (blank cards) at several retailers online - do your homework to get the best deal! All of these companies sell the products:

I mentioned investing in an invitation software. I bought Printing Press from Mountain Cow. I only invested the basic charge of $29.99 - since I was only using it to get the printing specs. 

You do not need the graphics package if you are buying cards like the ones above and you do not need to invest in their font package - there are plenty of nice, free fonts out there! Mountain Cow has come up with a lot of new software choice over the years so, you actually have plenty to choose from if you want to go a different direction! I chose them because their basic layout was easy to use! It was a lot of fun doing my own invites and I still have fun doing them for friends and family for birthday parties and other celebrations! 

Mocha Maddness

I love tea length wedding gowns! This Justin Alexander gown inspired me to create this board...and I suppose my obsession love of coffee helped. I wore the traditional bridal gown for my ceremony but, switched into a tea length gown for my reception! I loved having two gowns - especially the freedom to have fun and dance around without a big, poofy, heavy dress. 

Dress by Justin Alexander - Shoe: Nine West - Coffee Cup Candles with Whipped Cream Topping - Stamps.com - Coffee Flavored Wedding Cake - Bella Umbrella 

The Wedding Collection by Mindy Weiss

I am LOVING this brand new "not yet available" collection of wedding goodies from Mindy Weiss! These are a sneak peek at BRAND NEW items that will be available to purchase!

Mindy Weiss is having a sale right now and it's worth checking out for wedding party goodies! 

"The Perfect Bridesmaid"

Was $8.00 now...$5.99

"Here Comes the Bridesmaid"

Was $14.00 now...$8.99

Invitations - "Classic Plate"

Print it yourself invitations - Was $30 for 20 on sale now for $15!

The Best Bridesmaid Style - Your Opinion?

I got an email yesterday from the Dessy Group - they make dress for maids, destination brides, flowergirls, etc etc. This dress was featured as the "best bridesmaid style of the year". What do you think? Would you wear it?  Personally, I love the bodice! I am not crazy about the flat bow or the shirred waist. I know it wouldn't be a flattering style on my body shape...but the ruffled neckline I love and this dress has pockets...which is another plus in my book! Now, your opinions please??

Cake Love - Deal for the East Coast

Over the summer, while visiting the East Coast, I was lucky enough to stumble upon CakeLove and it was love at first bite! I posted about our visit to their Washington DC location here. You do not want to miss the TODAY ONLY deal on LivingSocial! You can get $40 worth of baked goods from one of DC's favorite eateries for just $20.00!  

You can redeem your deal at any one of the six locations (U Street, Shirlington, Tyson's Corner, National Harbor, Fair Oaks, or Silver Spring). Oh, you lucky East Coasters! Here is a ray of sunshine for all that snow you have been getting....