Shoe Bling

Still looking for something blue? Here ya go! For $5.00 you will have a cute little photo op for your shoes! This Los Angeles based company carries an entire line of bling - from T-shirts to flip flops!  From Classy Bride:

But, if you don't want to spend $5.00 and you want to DIY....here is a great tutorial I found on the web!

Hope is the thing...

Hello Friends! We are back in sunny, southern California...just in time to remind you all that the August giveaway will be ending in a few days! I have spent some time looking at Lisa Leonard's site today. She designed a new necklace...will you choose it if you are the winner? Hope is the thing...

Inspired by a simple feather  found on the beach and a sweet emily dickinson quote. The words read, "hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul". The quote is written in Lisa's handwriting and transferred to the sterling silver pendant. Both sterling charms are strung on sterling chain and sweetened with a cream, freshwater pearl. Stunning and so meaningful!

Cake Love

We spent the day in our nations capital today! It was a beautiful, COOL day! We played tourist until it was time to get serious. If you call tasting delicious confections serious! I sure do. I read a review about a cupcake/bakery called Cake Love and I knew I could not leave the city without trying them! Hey, I needed to test out the goods before blogging about them! Cake Love sums up the name perfectly because I am in love! It was hard to decide what to try because they all looked and sounded amazing. This is what we ended up sampling:

Homemade raspberry puree flavors this CakeLove classic, fluffy raspberry buttercream. This was our daughters choice - because it was pink! She ate it right up!

Chocolate cupcakes dipped in decadent chocolate ganache, topped with peanut butter buttercream, accented with chocolate, caramel and sprinkled with candied peanuts. Not to be missed! This was the hubby's choice! It was a good one. Reminded me of a Snickers candy bar....but it still didn't compare to my choice which was....

Designed for our 44th President; each vanilla cupcake is topped with vanilla buttercream, scratch made caramel and a light sprinkle of sea salt. OH-MY-GOSH. This was/is my dream cupcake. Seriously. The mixture of the caramel and salt. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

A classic vanilla butter pound cake bursts with vanilla buttercream and fresh, sugared strawberries. A CakeLove favorite that's heartily endorsed by Mom (and me)! Wow. This was seriously amazing!

Cake Love offers wedding cakes if you don't want to go the cupcake route. Their approach to cakes is: simple is better. Let your guests "ooh and aah" over the flavor not the decoration. And, in this case, they have it right! If you live in the area (lucky!) you must try them...if you are visiting this is a must stop location and if you won't be in the area but are excited and must get some lovin' well you can order pound cakes, cookies, brownies and scones online for delivery and I would bet all are just as amazing and delicious as their cakes and cupcakes!! 

Finally, let me share some fun links from their site: The calendar! Important if you are local and want to do cake tastings (which are posted already for September!), Cookbooks; United Cakes of America - heck yeah I bought mine and I can't wait to try out some recipes! The blog! Get updates and happenings from the founder of Cake Love and finally if you have an iphone you can download the free app - I got mine before I left the Love Cafe!

Crimson and Clover - Baltimore, MD

Still blogging to you from Baltimore, MD! I just can't seem to get myself back to Southern California (well, not entirely true...my stay here ends, sadly, on the 26th!). I have been posting about some amazing wedding vendors on the east coast while I have been here (The Tiny Kitchen cupcakes, Antrim 1844 Inn, and Patio Day Spa) and today I wanted to tell you all about Crimson and Clover! Owner, Amy Epstein opened Crimson & Clover in 2003 and has since gone from a small neighborhood flower shop to one of Baltimore's most sought after wedding florists! Check out these favorite photos to see why!!

Every where I look in Maryland you see GREEN! Must be all those rain showers we have been getting...or I am just use to the crazy jungle of Los Angeles. Beautiful greens will always remind me of my stay here though!

I am completely in love with the table arrangements at this wedding! What a unique use of these large flowers! Gorgeous don't you think?

Another favorite was this set. An audible "Awww" actually came out when I saw the pretty wreath!!

Hmmm...Orange and Pink....I have mentioned before that these are favorite wedding colors of mine - right? Guess that is why this gorgeous picture jumped out at me!

Love Love Love these flowers! The vibrant colors against white and green....ahhh! So pretty!!

Mrs Maryland 2006 - Patty Markos

This summer, while vacationing in Maryland, I was able to meet Mrs. Maryland 2006 Patty Markos! Patty owns and runs a BEAUTIFUL day spa called The Patio Day Spa - very appropriate since it's off a tranquil patio leading into her walk-out basement. Patty is warm and generous and very talented when it comes to hair!

This day spa was so amazing! Not only is it in a gorgeous location in Olney, MD (very tranquil and peaceful) it is also one of nicest salons I have been to! You would never know you were at someone's private home once you enter.

I got to hear the story of how The Patio Day Spa came to life and talked with Patty a little bit about her pageant days. Pretty cool stuff. The day spa also has a licensed esthetician/manicurist three days a week named Visa Manessa (she is awesome at the foot massage part!). Patty does on location hair and makeup for bridal parties or better yet - host a shower or beauty day at her location - she is totally accommodating and a truly gracious person! I know she would love to meet you...so if you are in the area, check her out and give her a call! You won't regret it. :)

Deals and Steals

I came across a few good deals! The first one is actually pretty AWESOME! Picaboo is offering a FREE BOOK for new customers! You just need to pay for the shipping (which is $8.99). You get a free 20-page photo book using the code FREEBK - exp 08/31/10.

*includes Large Hardcover Classic, Classic Custom or Classic Leather Book


If you are the DIY type....or if you thought you might try for the first time to create something - here is a deal for you! On Amazon you can get this 

Cuttlebug Machine for Die-Cutting and Embossing with Bonus Tool Kit for an AMAZING steal! The regular price is $89.99 but I saw it on Amazon tonight for $39.00! Oh yeah....free super saver shipping too! Yahoo! Not sure when this deal ends but I would jump on it...like now!

My final deal only has about 3 hours left...! It's a daily Target deal for a Paper Cutter! It's $112.49 but this baby could crank out some serious invitations!! Take a peek at perfection: trim, tailor, top off any creation for $112.49 but HURRY!!!

Features:

Cartridge-based system offers great versatility and crisp-cut shapes, letters and phrases with the touch of a button Lightweight portable system simply plugs in; just add a cartridge (sold separately) and start cutting! Cuts images up to 5.5x11.5"

Save The Dates for the couple who loves travel!

So...I was imagining a couple that met traveling or perhaps work for an airline....or maybe a couple that tried out for The Amazing Race...those were my feelings when I saw these Vintage Boarding Pass Save The Date cards from Etsy seller BeyondDesign. The seller writes about herself:


• Life is way too short to be ordinary
• Pink isn't just a color, it's a lifestyle
• Taking criticism seriously is a dangerous habit
• Nothing is more rewarding than working for yourself
• The growth of this business is a direct result of having really supportive friends and a phenomenal husband.

I absolutely agree with BeyondDesign's philosophy so I am proud to share her gorgeous Save The Dates! Check out her Etsy store - she has so many unique save the dates and she does invitations and monograms too! 

Vintage Boarding Pass Save The Date

Free Subscription to Bridal Guide Magazine!

Hey there! Just saw this offer and thought I would pass it along! You DO NOT have to enter any credit card information and you can opt out of getting any other promotional type emails!

Free bridal magazines are pretty awesome! Get it while you can by clicking here!

Wedding Gown Giveaway on Bonny's Blog!

Not sure how I missed posting about this in my Giveaways That Might Interest You post because what would interest someone more than a FREE WEDDING GOWN?! This is actually the 3rd wedding gown Bonny has given away! Pretty cool. This giveaway is for a modest, conservative gown from the Bliss line of dresses. My favorite dress has a pretty orange sash:

Bonny Bridal Gown Style 2019 from the Bliss Collection

And, while we are on the topic of Orange...one of my favorite wedding colors - especially for Fall....check out this post I did called Orange You Glad You Stopped By! 


So, here is a link to the giveaway on Bonny's Blog! Good luck to all my readers and make sure you let me know if you are the winner!!

Postage Options

My blog is still being typed from the wonderful state of Maryland! We extended our time out here, but will be heading home in a couple of weeks. We have had a wonderful time here and we will be sad to leave the East Coast. We have had some amazing wedding experiences here, seen some gorgeous places to get married, found some fun wedding vendors and now we have a couple of stamps to tell you about!  Had to share these special stamps with you while we are here:


On May 1, 2009, in Washington, DC, the Postal Service issued these two stamps (one a 61–cent stamp and the other a 44-cent stamp). Both the Wedding Cake and Wedding Ring stamps were designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland!

Giveaways that might interest you!

Here are a couple of wedding related giveaways that might interest you! Make sure you check them out and enter to win! Good luck!

You could win 50 Save the Date cards from Celebration Designers! These are awesome! Click here to enter this giveaway.

Damselfly Studio Bridal Tiara and Veil Giveaway - you can win a limited edition 

tiara ($135) or a bridal veil ($39). Leave a comment on post with your favorite item from Damselfly Studio! Entry closes on August 16th!

Thank you to Everything Up Close for letting us know about these giveaways! 


Also...don't forget to enter my FAB giveaway for a Lisa Leonard necklace! You have time to get in your entries! 

Gearing Up for Fall

I know you don't want a reminder that summer is almost over - I know I don't! I love Fall though. I was married in Fall and it always seems we have so much to celebrate at the end of summer! I was sent some beautiful fall reminders and wanted to share them with you...


Bring the magic of nature to your special occasion with these delightful felted acorn Cake Toppers. They will look so very pretty on your cake... elegant, natural and magical! Just right for your Fairytale Wedding! They look gorgeous on cupcakes too, don't you think?

These are made using real acorn caps that Etsy seller Fairyfolk gathers with her children! You get 10 acorns for $25.00. Also, to compliment these fun cake toppers you can use these matching Fairytale Wedding Acorn and Oak Leaf Place Card Favors. A set of 10 Wooly Felted Acorns with tags cost $30.00

Another absolute stunning item I wanted to share was this beautiful flower arrangement for your hair. Etsy seller MyraKim of Twigs and Honey created this masterpiece. She also has some stunning bridal veils to check out!

Something Old - Something Blue - All in One

By now, you must know one of my favorite things are old fashioned brooches! I have blogged about them many times and suggested use for them. I absolutely love them on a bridal bouquet! I saw this antique brooch (in blue!) and would you believe while I was typing this blog post - it sold! The Etsy seller, primitivepincushion, has several beautiful pieces though!

This one sold on 08/07/2010

Here are some available antique, vintage brooches still available:

Vintage Brooch Pin with Turquoise and Merlot Rhinestones

Vintage Brooch Potmetal and Glass Rhinestones

I found her! I found her!

My mission today was to find the jewelry designer that has been haunting me! And....I am here to tell you perseverance pays off! I found her...and rediscovered why I fell in love with her pieces all over again!

Ladies and gentleman, I would like to introduce you to Lisa Leonard. She is a mother, a wife and an inspiration. I remember reading her blog - months ago - and then loving her jewelry. I wanted to do something special this month for a giveaway, since I missed last month and this is it! 

A lucky reader is going to win their choice of  Lisa Leonard necklace (up to $100)!! I am so psyched I found her again and I will not lose her site again...and neither will any of you.


Lisa will make a completely custom piece for you or you can choose from any of the premade designs and then customize it. It is totally up to you!

Lisa has been featured in many magazines, on many blogs and on the necks of countless women! Here is a piece of her work, used in an inspiration photo shoot on Style Me Pretty. I just love this engraved heart (it has the 1st line of a song)

Photograph is by the amazing Jessica Claire

Here are some of my favorite necklace designs:

So are you ready for the giveaway? ME TOO! Let's get this party started. Just click here to go to the giveaway page and follow the instructions! Good luck to all...this is really, really special!