Icing On The Cake

I kind of feel like my head is going to explode with thoughts of lists of things to do (actually, somewhat literally – my migraines flare up when I’m stressed… which I officially am). Must: buy sparklers for post-reception get-away, help design jewelry for bridesmaids / gifts, buy host gifts for upcoming couples’ shower… ETC, ETC, ETC…

The good news I’ve found that if I blog about something, that kind of serves to remind me of the research I’ve already done (like the cupcake post or the ring bearer / ring holder post). In that vein, I found these cute cake / cupcake toppers by a vendor called “Naked Peggies” on Etsy (below).

You send them a couple of photos of you and your groom (so, for Will & me – we’d get a cute, blonde groom & a brunette bride), tell them what your dress looks like and what color his tie will be, and they will custom, hand paint your two little figurines – so cute!

These (above) from Dandelion Land on Etsy are similar – they have a bit larger heads, for a different aesthetic, but also custom. Actually, they’ll even add a little dog figurine, based on your favorite furry friend (which, I would do for Elle Marie, but Will won’t let her be in the wedding). Adorable, no?

Finally, I found these neat little banners – FunFavors on Etsy will write whatever you want on a tiny banner (you pick the colors) – like “Will & Jennifer, November 13, 2010″ or “Eat, Drink & Be Married!” I think this would be sweet for a casual outdoor wedding reception.

Which one do you like the most (looking for votes here, friends!)? I know these are all slightly more casual options to the traditional porcelain or jeweled monogram, but I like the juxtaposition a reception in a super-elegant place with some sweet, casual elements.

XO, Jennifer

Bake It Pretty

I have cupcakes on the brain. This week, Mari Sawyer of Mari’s Sweets delivered a dozen mixed cupcakes for us to try this week – ChocoLatte (mocha chocolate cake + espresso buttercream), BlueBerryLicious (vanilla cake infused with blueberries, blueberry filling and cream cheese frosting), Glitz & Glamour (spice cake, lemon + ginger cream cheese with candied ginger), Sweet Tart (lemon cake, lemon curd + lemon cream cheese frosting), PB&C (chocolate cake, peanut butter cream cheese frosting + Reese’s cups) and the Goody Two Shoes (buttermilk cake injected with strawberry white chocolate ganache + white chocolate buttercream).  They were all so good! I think we’re going to pick four kinds and do minis of them so that our guests can try more than one – can’t wait!

All of this thinking about mini-sweet treats made me think of one of my favorite food blogs, Bakerella. The woman who writes it (I’m pretty sure she’s in Atlanta) is as good of a photographer as she is a baker. She always has the greatest baking “accessories” – pretty edible glitter, patterned cupcake cups and more. I recently clicked through from her site to her source for all of these cute baking supplies… I found “Bake It Pretty.” It’s such a fun site – I wish I had occasion to bake or entertain more – maybe one day! Here are some of my favorites…

And, finally… this set of four different damask patterns. If we do end up picking four cupcake varieties… I think it could be fun to use the different wrappers as part of the “key” on the table, so that guests would know which flavor was which.

Have a “sweet” rest of the weekend!

<3,

Jennifer

Throw It In A Bag

I love this time of year (no, not the 100 degree Atlanta heat), since it’s now that you start getting catalogs full of fall fashion – boots, yummy sweaters, cashmere scarves, little wool dresses, patterned closed toed shoes and so much more. Based on what I’ve seen from Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, it appears that oversized satchel bags are going to be big this fall. Polished black, bright turquoise leather, distressed camel… all so pretty. Here are some of my favorites!

Fossil Vintage Reissue Weekender, $238, Nordstrom.com

I love this bright Kate Spade. Obviously, not very versatile for the price in bright tangerine… but so pretty.

Kate Spade, New York Five Points Camille Leather Femme Satchel, $475, Bloomingdales.com

Lord knows, I love some animal print. Isn’t this DVF one elegant? I love how it’s a subtle zebra  – black and charcoal makes it so wearable!

Diane von Furstenberg Grace Zebra Print Day Bag, $625, NeimanMarcus.com

There were actually a handful more that I wanted to post, but A) I seem to have a short attention span these days and B) you can’t copy and paste images from the department stores’ sites… and a lot of the designers I love haven’t posted images up online. Anyway – add some of your favorites to my list! I’d love to see “readers’ choice” satchels.

<3,

Jennifer

S-Mitton

I’ve been a super-delinquent blogger of late. It seems like I can barely keep my head above water with “real life,” even though I just looked and have 19 blogs saved as drafts (i.e. started, but not finished / posted). I’m going to *try* to be better about posting regularly. Girl Scout’s honor (I wasn’t a G.S., but moving on…).

Now, onto the weddings stuff! As I’ve said about a million times, weddings are all about the details. A special detail for the bride is one that Daily Candy wrote about recently – garter belts by Florrie Mitton on Etsy. Each style is handmade and they even have bespoke offerings, based on your colors, style and interest. Aren’t they delicate and pretty?

Ethereal Silk Tulle Garter, $92.

For something a little more simplified, I love the one below:

Forever Lace Garter, $81.

I’m still holding out hope that my DeeDee (mom’s mom) will maybe find her garter from her wedding in the 1950′s for me. And, I know it seems silly to spend nearly $100 for something that no one will really see… but these are stunning. And, who can’t use a little eye candy mid-week?

Happy Wednesday!

<3,

Jennifer

With This Ring…

It occurred to me today that I need to find a receptacle of some kind for my soon-to-be-nephew Harrison to carry our rings down the aisle. **Or actually, since our sweet ring bearer is only five… perhaps dummy rings? I love the idea of doing a little twist on the traditional ring pillow and as I’ve been doing research, it seems that ceramic bowls (which can be used post-wedding as a dish for rings on top of one’s dresser) are en vogue. What do you think?

From Paloma's Nest on Etsy.com, $38

Or, you can have them custom-made, with either your names or the date of your wedding, like this:

Paloma's Nest, $48 for custom stamped bowl.

I also found

Etsy by RaeDunn, $50.

Which do you like best? Or, have you found something you like even better? Suggestions very welcome!

<3,

Jennifer

Sketchy

I was reading somewhere that Giorgio Armani gave Katie Holmes a sketch of her wedding gown, and that got me thinking: what a neat thing to have in a small size that you can frame! A few years ago, I guest performed in Ballroom Magic with the University of Georgia’s Ballroom Performance Group and I designed (I say this very loosely and humbly – much as I’d love to be, I’m NOT a fashion designer) a salsa costume. My friend Fritz, who is a budding designer, kindly drew me a gorgeous colored pencil sketch of the finished product. I love it and still have it today! In fact, I think I may reach out to him and see if he’ll do one of my wedding dress (which should arrive this week… CANNOT WAIT!).

If you’re a bride and this idea appeals to you – because, let’s face it: the wedding dress is likely the most expensive garment you’ll ever buy and you’ll probably keep it closeted away and preserved post-wedding – here are some ways to make it happen:

With artist Jennifer Angilello (www.aboutthedress.com) $425 will get you a personalized, hand-drawn sketch in an 8×10, matted and framed. You send her eight to ten photos of you in the dress and in six weeks or so you get back something cool like…

OR

If $425 sounds a bit steep (after paying for a wedding!), Penelope Altman, who lives in the South of France will create a sketch from photos for just $100. The finished product isn’t matted or framed, but those may be details you’d prefer to decide for yourself. Isn’t her work lovely?

If you’re one of those who loves the phrase “Free Gift With Purchase,” Lazaro Perez (if you buy a dress at one of the trunk shows where he appears) will sketch something on-site gratis (jlmcouture.com for dates).