This is dedicated to the one I love…
Monday, August 9th, 2010
Happy 8/9/10! A most unforgettable day…
Archive for the ‘inspiration’ Category
Inspired by…an 18th-century Irish manor for the honeymoon
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
My first thought when I dream of vacation is usually poolside in Mexico with my sweetheart. Anywhere in Mexico, or truly, anywhere with a nice pool & a peaceful atmosphere for that matter… But my second vacation thought is nearly always Ireland. We’ve never been, but the Mount Juliet estate in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny (in Southeast Ireland), may have to be our first stop when we do. I think we’d quickly be happy strolling or riding horseback along woodland trails surrounding the manor house that once belonged to an Earl, an immersive taste of country life. Then there’s the spa, the French brasserie, a bar in the clubhouse & the fairytale bedrooms. Rates start at a reasonable $208 USD. I just had to share!
Summer wedding color scheme: pool blue, grass green, candy pink
Monday, June 14th, 2010
Poolside summer weddings have an easy color advantage with built-in aqua blue in the mix. Wouldn’t this juicy combo sizzle under a summer sun? Vintage 1960s hot pink patio set care of fabulousmesson etsy, $295.
Just wanted to pass on some quick eye candy… We’ve been uber busy launching our new line of vintage tea stands, custom wedding cupcake stands, & tiered cake stands all of fine bone & vintage European china. Some are already available, with more to come soon… Our “official” launch will include a chance for you to win a saucer stand, ideal to prop up calling cards & business cards, serve candy & nuts, display favorite rings & earrings… See you in the shoppe!
This face has been known to relieve wedding stress
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Ever sit down at the dinner table planning to keep the conversation light & casual until… yeah. It’s easy to do. Life has its conversations & not all of them are easy & carefree, unfortunately. Add planning a wedding to the mix & more than one bride and groom has claimed “loss of appetite” as a symptom of pre-wedding madness. Alas! Dinner feels a little more jovial no matter what the topic with these adorable funny face plates, inspired by the vintage Wooly Willy children’s toy. (I remember my brother & I fighting over the travel version we had for long car trips.) Available for $12 each from uncommongoods.com, the plates are supposedly meant for kids. But really, they’re heavy ceramic! Seems like adult tableware to me. They’re not your wedding registry china, to be sure. But for an uplifting boost to any meal, they cannot be topped.
Inspired by: our candle pick for spring-fresh garden atmosphere
Thursday, April 22nd, 2010
I admit the packaging sucked me in on this one. Look at the depth & colors of the wood grain box top! Besides, who can resist a candle that’s “inspired by the clean aroma of garden fresh ingredients both in bloom and pulled from the soil”? Pas moi!
James Boyce’s Herb Garden candle in Black Canterelle & Cardamon Flowers will spring-ify any room & catapault you right into summer before you know it. And… candles from Voluspa’s James Boyce collection are made with a new type of wax featuring Apricot seed oil. It is crushed from the seeds of the apricots then processed into oil and finally into wax. Sold!
Burn time: 50 heavenly hours.
Available at the lovely home fragrance shop, www.nooksandniches.com.
Become a Zappos.com VIP for free overnight shipping on shoes
Monday, March 29th, 2010
I guess we’re not the only ones feeling deliriously generous now that it’s Spring. (You read about our upcoming April Fool’s Day sale, right?)
I got an email from zillions-of-shoes-and-much-more site Zappos this morning offering free overnight shipping if you sign up for their free VIP club in the next seven days. They said “free” twice! I signed up right away.
If you you’ve been pondering a new pair for your wedding, honeymoon, rehearsal dinner, or just running errands until then, here’s the free overnight shipping on shoes link.
These were a few of my faves for causal summer living…
Clockwise from top left:
Water Lily by Born ($120); Deco Style by Naughty Monkey ($60); Gemology by Kenneth Cole Reaction ($71); Felicia by Kate Spade ($165); Pretty by RSVP ($63); Chrissa by BCBGeneration ($79).
Inspired by: Tulips! Bring in the spring with something you love today
Thursday, March 25th, 2010 
Tulips are always a good start. Want to know something interesting? Tulips still grow after being cut. I know there’s some inspiration in that… Happy fifth day of Spring!
TGIF! A ’70s groove for soulful romantics
Friday, February 26th, 2010We’ve all heard this oldie but goodie a million times. But I’d never heard it like this until I tripped over it online a few days ago. This version of the 1972 hit by Al Green was actually recorded live in 1993 at the Apollo Theater, but it’s completely timeless. The funk & soul is hard to resist; the sizzling gold lamé collar is priceless. I used to think the lyrics were about a couple on the verge of breaking up. But no! They’re actually about a couple who want to choose each other, day after day, year after year. Yes! That’s how it’s done. Happy Friday!
Do you know Anna? You will love her! (AND she’s British…)
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
The most wonderful people order from us. (We are so lucky!) Here is another! I always love to meet people like Anna. It would have been selfish & piggish to keep her all to myself.
Not only is she planning a “shabby-chic luxe” wedding, but she also writes an entertaining blog straight from London called “Anna and the Ring.” She’s got loads of readers because she has a really addictive online personality, fantastic taste, and lots to say. Without her? Well…
How would I have known about the Marry Me ring? Or that it makes sense to buy a playful vintage planter (that is a planter, right?) to hold your ring? Where would I have seen these lacy pendant lamps (I can’t believe they are recycled material), or heart-shaped umbrellas, or the shrug (for all of you who are feather-obsessed) to top all wedding feather shrugs?
I’m too busy trying to find lovely new & vintage wedding items for the shoppe. And launch our new product line in just a few weeks. (It’s rather British, too, actually.) I’ll just count on her to clue me in to all of these things. And she will… I just know it.
She also has fun links to UK home shopping & to neighboring wedding blogs. Thank you, Anna! PLEASE promise to send pics of your fabulous wedding! I know you’ll be beautiful in your new additions. We’re so happy to be a small part of your big day.
Happy Valentine’s Day! And, vintage giveaway with Classic Bride…
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
Happy love day, everyone! I am sure you have lots of wonderful things planned today and, well, every day, to show your love. Here is the little limoncello-inspired centerpiece with our new rose petal garland I made for hubby for the weekend. It’s lovely antiqued cake stand is from Tracy Porter. Totally scrumptious. It just arrived a few days ago and I can’t wait to think of more things to pile upon it…
I also wanted to share this sweet little book I picked up for him in an antique store recently. Inside each spread has poetic prose and a darling illustration. It dates to 1925.
An excerpt: “Some one like you makes the heart seem the lighter, Some one like you makes the day’s work worth while, Some one like you makes the sun shine the brighter, Some one like you makes a sigh half a smile. Life’s an odd pattern of briers and roses, Clouds sometimes darken, nor sun shining through, Then the cloud lifts and the sun light discloses, Near to me, dear to me–Some one like you.”
Oh yes, the giveaway!
Well, sometimes I pick up vintage items here & there that I really adore but that upon closer inspection don’t quite make the cut for our vintage wedding boutique. So, the wonderful Sarah Darcy of Classic Bride blog & I decided to bring you a clever little contest. If you’re on a budget but love vintage (even if it’s rather shabby chic or needs a bit of crafty help), you might just win one of several vintage wedding accessories. For more details & to enter, visit the Classic Bride blog this week! You’ll fall in love…
