Category — Steals & Deals

Wishing you all a terrific holiday! Here are some fun goodies to celebrate with from around the web…

• Picnic party ideas from Country Living;
• Summer drink recipes from Martha Stewart;
• Peach almond lattice pie from Country Living;
• DIY sparkler cards, matchbook and straw tags by Twig & Thistle;
• Free printable gift tags from Leo On The Loose

Enjoy!

Time for some non-damask pretties!  Melissa from A Very Chocolate Wedding shares 2 wonderful sets of envelope wraps she designed and which you can download for, you guessed it, FREE! Yeah, we have the most awesome readers! Scroll down below for the links.  As a reminder, please respect the designer’s copyright— Freeware usually means ‘for personal use only’. Thanks, Melissa!

Set 1: Dot envelope wraps

Set 2: Colorful envelope wraps

Aahhh, so excited!  BBQs, summer soirees, warmer weather, road trips, beach excursions, and the abundance of fruits… glorious fruits!  I’m looking for an excuse to par-tay soon just so I could try and sink my teeth into these fruity delights

Cheery paper fruit pouches (with tutorial from Martha)

Cut up your favorite fruits and put them on a skewer!
Fruit kabobs (via Armelle)

Icy vodka, display then drink, hehe
(also via The Martha)

Easy DIY centerpiece idea: Fruits in wooden crate
(via Michelle Rago)

Basket centerpieces and place setting favors
(once again, via The Martha)

How about you guys? What are you excited about this summer?

Ever wished a fave cookie or candy also came in your wedding colors?  You know, so that they’d, uhm, match the rest of your wedding stuff?  (C’mon now, it can’t be just me. Or was it? )  Well, say hello to tissue paper and cute ribbons.  Pretty ‘em up and tie it all together!

Minty Makeovers from the Hip Hostess Blog

From The Indigo Bunting’s Flickr, cookie favors
wrapped with tissue and parchment and gingham ribbon

oh, and cute buttons! (DIY tutorial here)

Last but not least, here’s a fancier version from The Martha using lace ribbons and strings.

Wanna hear all about my amazing weekend?

Last Saturday, I had the honor of being invited to the first ever B-List Conference for wedding bloggers, organized by Vané of Brooklyn Bride and Anne of From “I Will” to “I Do”.

About twenty-ish of us from across the country met up at the Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO, and had a chance  to chat and share ideas and tips about blogging and weddings.  So wonderful to finally meet and connect with some of my favorite bloggers in person!

We also had a meet and greet with some of New York’s finest vendors, while enjoying drinks and a catered lunch by Sterling Affair.

I love the centerpieces by Seaport Flowers …

… so much so that the  li’l sucker on the left below is now sitting prettily on my desk, hehe.   Thank you Amy!

Wedding cake by Mark Joseph Cakes.  Lovely and super yummy!

It was fun to meet all the fabulous photographers, floral designers, invitation studios, and event planners.  Names that I would previously only read from all the blogs!

Ami {Elizabeth Anne Designs}, Anne {Perfect Bound} and Bee from {Weddingbee} putting on their blogger pins from Rosenow

Rebekah of {EAD} with yours truly

I Love, Jenna’s calligraphy (featured here on Anne’s belly, teehee)

Maria {ritzy bee blog} and Liene of {Blue Orchid Designs™}

Afterwards, we headed over to the gorgeous loft home of Michele Preli, editor-in-chief of Brides.com, for a wine tasting by Swirl Events.

Vané {Brooklyn Bride} with Janie from {The Bride’s Cafe}

Courtney {The Little White Book}, Me, Nole {Oh So Beautiful Paper}, Christy {What Junebug Loves!} and Kristina from {100 Layer Cake} ’round the cocktails table

The B-Listers

{left to right}

Front row: Maria {ritzy bee blog}, Bee {Weddingbee}, Anne {From “I Will” to “I Do”}

Middle row: Liene {Blue Orchid Designs™}, Kelly {Santa Barbara Wedding Chic}, Courtney {The Little White Book}, Janice {The Bridal Wishlist}, Anne {Perfect Bound}, Amanda {Vintage Glam Weddings}, Vané {Brooklyn Bride}, Rebekah {Elizabeth Anne Designs}, Emily from {Once Wed Blog}

Back row: Luzel {iDiY}, Kristina {100 Layer Cake},  Janie {The Bride’s Cafe}, Darci {With This Ring}, Christy {What Junebug Loves!}, Nole {Oh So Beautiful Paper},  Jen {Green Wedding Shoes}, and Ami {Elizabeth Anne Designs}.

You can check out more info and photos from the event over on The B-List blog.  BIG thanks to Vané and Anne for making all this possible.  Everything was just amazing!

My special thanks too to all the sponsors of the FANTASTIC gift bags! OMG. I seriously diiiieeed and gone to gift bag heaven!!   Thank you all for my Fresh goodies, Jennifer Behr hair accessory, NELLE evening bag, earrings from Viv & Ingrid, custom B-list mug from Jessica Rust Designs, edible treats from Abigail Kirsch, Jones Soda, Gumdrop Cookie Shop, Nunu Chocolates & Papabubble, Destination Wedding Planner from Chronicle Books, Wedding Day Emergency Kit from Hallak Cleaners, yummy soap from Saipua,  One Love Photo’s li’l toy camera viewmaster, and papergoods GALORE from Blue Ribbon Design, Delphine Press, INK + WIT, Iomoi, Linda & Harriett, Minted, Mohawk Paper, Nantaka Joy, Paper+Cup, Paperwink, PosePrints, Sarah Drake Design, Smock, Stuck Labels, Thoughtful Day, Two Bees Press & Wedding Paper Divas + more!  (And this lazy blogger thanks the {ritzy bee} for putting together this linky-list!)

{ Photos at the Galapagos Art Space and the group photo are by the amazing Jenny Ebert; Wine tasting photos by Vané and Christy;  The B-List logo and graphics designed by the uber talented Erica from Thoughtful Day }