For as long as I can remember, I have fixated on the contents of goody bags at parties.  A fully stocked goody bag or parting gift is truly icing on the cake at any event, especially at weddings.  Our friends at Beau-coup share their top tips for choosing memorable wedding favors.

If a bride wants to give favors but has no clue what she wants to give, how do you typically guide her in selecting appropriate favors?
We’d start with a series of questions to help the bride figure out what’s most important to her:
-Is there a theme? The easiest favors are theme based, e.g. a bag of seashells for a beach-themed wedding.
-Is there something special or significant about how she met her husband-to-be? If you they met while playing golf, then golf balls and tees would be a great way to share that memory with guests.
-Does she prefer practical or pretty? Knowing whether she wants guests to display their favors or get some sort of everyday use out of them will help her narrow it down.
-And lastly, does she prefer getting hands-on and crafty, or does she prefer to set it and forget it? This will help her decide whether she wants to create every aspect of her favors from scratch, or buy pre-made favors.

What is standard wedding favor etiquette? What if a bride and groom decide not to hand out favors to guests?
It’s totally okay to skip the favors. It’s not a breach of etiquette and really should only be included if the bride and groom want to do it for their guests and have the budget to support it. Brides should remember that if they choose to give out favors, those favors do not need to be extravagant or expensive because it really is the thought that counts.

What are the biggest wedding favor trends you have seen for 2013?
Right now, vintage and retro are huge. Thanks to shows like Mad Men and Downton Abbey, the roaring ‘20s are playing a big part in décor and outfit styling. We are seeing our Victorian-era products increase in popularity. People are also really getting into the bold colors and contemporary patterns of the 1960s. And lastly, people still love giving more environmentally friendly favors like plantable favors.

What trends are you hoping to retire?
A donation to the bride and groom’s favorite charity in lieu of favors is a kind gesture, but can also be a deeply personal choice. If the happy couple decides to donate to charity, they should try to choose something that is important to them and has touched many lives. Political causes and obscure charities could potentially be divisive.

What are some unique ways to display favors?
Some of the most creative ways to display favors are inspired by the location of the reception or ceremony and their natural surroundings.  For example, if the wedding is outdoors in an orchard or on a farm, trees with low level branches can be perfect for hanging favors.  Favors can also be arranged into centerpieces that guests can break down and take home.

What are some of the interesting or unusual requests you have for favors?
We have had several guests request favors with the comedy/tragedy theater masks as a sort of logo. We hope that wasn’t a representation of their love lives!

Semi-homemade wedding details have become a staple in most weddings today. What favors are a good choice for brides who want to get a little creative but not be attached at the hip to a glue gun?
The easiest way to dress up a favor and make it super personalized is by starting with a favor that means something to the bride and groom and using different packaging items to make it special. For example, a bride could fill a favor box with her favorite candies, accentuating the box with colorful ribbons and personalized tags. The hand-assembled look adds a little something extra that guests love.

On average, how much should a bride budget for favors for her guests?
That depends on the overall budget. There’s no hard fast rule, but the average is $2-3 per guest. If the bride and groom think of it in terms of spending a few dollars per person, it becomes easier to calculate.

What are some ways for a bride to personalize her wedding favors?
There are a variety of options available to suit any style. Couples can add personalization by affixing custom stickers, labels, or tags to their favors. These options typically include space for monograms, names and event date, or special quotes or sentiments from the bride and groom to their guests. Alternatively, couples can order personalized favors that come engraved or printed or embroidered.

What are some favors that are sure to “wow” guests?
Favors that look like a lot of thought went into choosing them or putting them together are the ones most likely to “wow.”  It’s the little details like a handwritten note to each guest, or a story about how the favors were chosen (chocolates from the bride and groom’s favorite candy shop, e.g.) that make an impression.

Edible vs. non-edible. Which is better? Why?
We love a favor that will last. The Holy Grail is a trinket or a practical favor guests can use that also happens to fit the theme event perfectly. Having said that, sometimes the bride and groom just can’t seem to agree on anything, and that’s where edibles come in…who doesn’t enjoy a sweet or savory treat after a long day of celebration?

How soon in advance should a bride order her favors? In addition, what quantity should she order (is there a magic formula or do you just recommend ordering one favor per guest?)
We recommend two months in advance, but sometimes you want to wait for RSVPs to come in, so it helps to decide on a favor, and take note of the lead time. In many cases, it takes less than two weeks to receive an order, but all products have their own leads time, so it’s good to plan ahead, even if you don’t actually place an order until close to the event. As far as quantity, a good rule of thumb is ordering one per guest, plus some extra just in case. If there are unexpected guests this ensures there will still be plenty to go around.

Do you offer green/sustainable and/or charitable favors?
We do offer a variety of green and eco-friendly favors, from seed packets to recycled paper products to small plant favors. We also have a large selection of reusable glass favors that double as decorations and guest favors, which significantly helps reduce waste.

Check out a few of Beau-coup’s best selling favors.  To learn more about Beau-coup or to place an order, please visit www.beau-coup.com
Happy shopping, brides!

“Meant to bee” personalized honey jars

Nautical Themed Bottle Opener

Miniature Glass Bell Jar with White Fluted Base

Personalized Milk Jars and Straws

Sounds simple, but so intriguing and complex when you see some of the work. Apparently, the Newari (wood-carving community) craftspeople have detailed prescriptions for wood carving in medieval texts, which give exact and specialised instructions for every aspect of the craft. Now here’s the ‘catch-your-breath-moment’  no nails or glue were used  and so the execution of the decorative work had to be very precise so that the countless tiny components of a pattern fit perfectly!

The three Durbar squares in the valley – the ones in Kathmandu city, Bhaktapur and Patan – have preserved the stunning architectural frameworks fittingly. While Kathmandu Durbar Square can get too populated, Bhaktapur and Patan are relatively less crowded and richer in terms of what you can see and absorb. When in Bhaktapur ask around for the delicious mishti-dahi (sweetened yoghurt) parlour and when in Patan the museum is a must-visit. You can also sit in its cafe, soak in the history and sip on a drink and be calmed!

In the last half century or more, wood is no longer used as a building material. Concrete came in and the need to swap the old for the new happened. The dwindling crafts community, now creates miniature souvenirs, photo frames and are engaged in restoration work. I bought a few frames myself. And it’s definitely a great souvenir to pick up from the valley.

It intrigues me to look at these carved wonders and imagine how aesthetics came so naturally to our ancestors and how it would be to live in an abode like this. My next post, is going to be about one such endeavour on restoration blended with Nepali culture and hospitality that gives you a sense of living in the past, in the present.

Carved wooden doors, windows set with rendered red bricks and a stone entryway! 

An outdoor resting area just outside Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Charming home in Bhaktapur, converted into a fruit stall

Grand entrances into the stories of the past

Colossal yet simple

A part of Patan Durbar Square

Stone, brick and wood – tell me a better combination!

A view of the gorgeous Patan Museum, a must visit!

More prettiness when the light streams in and the carving makes patterns

Worn out and pale, yet rich

Carved doors, windows and pagodas, with the brass dome adding the perfect contrast 

The busy and buzzing Kathmandu Durbar Square. Not to miss the windows and doors!

Donna Ruff grew up in Miami Beach, Florida, and was an award-winning children’s book illustrator in New York before earning her MFA at Rutgers University in 2000.  Her work with books and graphics may have been genetically determined, since her great-grandfather was a book binder in Russia and her grandparents were early recyclers of books and paper in Chicago.

Pugh made these black dresses below out of bin bags sourced from a pound shop in Stoke Newington.

The collection also featured floor-length dresses in heavy fabrics and leather.

White dresses were embroided with gold branches.

I love the colour of the dress below.

Of course I could never wear one of these but I love the fact that they were designed in Hackney and are just so incredible. He started his career at the age of 14 designing costumes at the English National Youth Theatre – which is just so young to be so focused. I was lucky if I got out of bed at 14.

Pugh’s show took place at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris on 27 February 2013.

I reckon any of the reasons I stated is good enough. Given our limited time, the Himalayan landscape clinched it for us.

From the moment I saw the archway of the resort, I was lured. The rich red earth made for the perfect welcoming. The lovely cottages built with rendered red bricks and authentic bamboo and thatched roofs reflected local architecture beautifully. The interior decor of its cottages – modest, warm and welcoming.

We spent the evening in the earthy surrounds of the Resort’s restaurant dotted with geraniums, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, carnations and so on and basked in the verdant views of the rugged Himalayan mountain ranges featuring Langtang, Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shanker and the Everest region.

Come nightfall, cricket calls accompanied us to the restaurant where we met a bunch of travellers returning from a soulful trip to Kailash Manasoravor. We chatted as we dined a sumptuous sattvik Nepali fare.

The Mountain Resort and Dhulikel itself, is perfectly positioned for day treks and hikes. M and I headed out on a hike in the morning, taking a path to a little heritage village higher up in the mountain. On the motorless road, we walked along side hurrying school children of various ages. We saw people tending to their vegetable patches on the terraced gardens and saw glimpses of everyday life in the hinterlands of Nepal. Life in these terrains can be challenging to say the least with no motor transport and schools and supplies a good walk away.

We wrapped our morning hike with a walk in the garden at the Resort. The perfectly curated garden has a variety of native plants, flowers, orchid, herbs, an organic fruit orchard and umpteen pathways. I was lucky to be taken on a tour of this bountiful garden by none other than its maker : the gardener who’s been working on it for over 40 years!

So, by all means, if you are going to Nepal, go to Dhulikel. If not as a starting point, stop over at some point. You will like it here.

Mists descend, as we ascend. Thankfully they cleared! 

The archway of the Dhulikel Mountain Resort by the roadside on Arniko highway, the gateway to Tibet 

Now, look at that red!rich!earth!

An open-air reception seating area. I’ll say, I love it!

Look at the rich!red!brick!architecture!

The outdoor restaurant, the arena for watching the Himalayan spectacle

Mountain view like no other

Our cottage for the evening

Closer look at the cottage

A religious tree called Swami under which no one is allowed to speak ill, smoke or do any bad deeds. So says the gardener on his tour of the Resort’s verdant garden.

Flowers, flowers, catch my sight! 

The gardener and his landscape 

Another view of the cottages at the resort

“The Windows of New York project is a weekly illustrated fix for an obsession that has increasingly grown in me since chance put me in this town. A product of countless steps of journey through the city streets, this is a collection of windows that somehow have caught my restless eye out from the never-ending buzz of the city. This project is part an ode to architecture and part a self-challenge to never stop looking up”

all images by José Guizar.

The Helvetica poster seen below,  is printed using silver metallic ink (Pantone 877) on 250gsm (roughly 90lb Cover) Burgundy Keaykolour uncoated card.  You don’t need to pay to get them framed – they look great stuck straight on your wall. They suggest when putting your poster up leave a 10mm gap between cards.

To win this fabulous exploded poster all you have to do is follow my blog or if you already follow me please leave a comment. All names will be put in a hat and chosen randomly by my 2 year old. The competition closes on March 9 at midnight so you have 2 weeks to enter. The winner will be notified by Tuesday March 12.

The second edition of The Print Handbook is now available for only £5. They also sell greeting cards.

Good luck!

www.printhandbook.com
www.twitter.com/printhandbook
www.facebook.com/printhandbook

The horse meat scandal has been foremost in my mind these last few weeks and when Jimmy Carr uttered these words on 8 out of 10 cats the other night this image popped into my head. I’m not sure the Dala Horse would be pleased.

A quote I definitely agree with. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. I have included two new buildings on the skyline – The Shard and The Pinnacle. The latter might be removed as I’m really not sure I like it.

Beards are so fashionable right now. I was down at Broadway Market in Hackney yesterday and I couldn’t move for beards. So this card is for all the hairy men out there.

Mother’s Day is on March 10 in the UK and May 12 in the USA. This one can read Mum or Mom.

My scrabble Valentine’s card was one of my most popular – so I just had to make one for Mother’s Day.

For the modern Mothers -I actually really like sperms as a design element so this is my third sperm card. The inside reads ‘I’m so glad I won the race’ Other colours are available.

and something a little more traditional – the petals are little love hearts. Awwwhhhhh. Comes in teal and white

For all my blog readers you can get 10% off with BLOG10. I hope you’ll visit my shop. All comments appreciated.

www.dickensInk.etsy.com

I find this really creepy. I’m sure I saw something similar in a Dr Who episode.  Japanese clothing retailer United Arrows has found a novel way to make customers stop and pay attention to their shop windows.

Using two ‘MarionetteBots’, these half mannequins-half robots are capable of mimicking the movements of customers that walk in front of the display windows. 

It uses Kinect technology and wires, which allows the mannequins to copy the movement of any person—similar to a marionette.

It’s the laser death rays in their eyes that you have to watch out for.

Their names (yes they have names so you have to treat them well) are Doll’s Face, Kooky Cat and Spotted Nose. My favourite is Kooky Cat but I’ve bought all three. Actually I’ve bought six but as I say, it’s not often I get excited about a shopping bag!

Watch the interview with Lulu here.

Carine Roitfield, for her newest endeavour CR Fashion Book as she looks out over Manhattan

Some of Beck and Burg’s many evocative  cinemagraphs

I’m not sure I can go back to still images now. Stunning!

oh comely is published six times a year, available in over a thousand nice places in the UK as well as internationally. See what’s in the current issue here.

The number one concern I hear about over and over is the crazy price tag on today’s average wedding.  A little careful planning and wedding savvy will help you save big on your wedding expenses.  Here are our top tips for cutting costs on wedding expenses.

Attend Wedding Shows and Expos
I know the stigma surrounding wedding expos is that they can be cheesy and overwhelming.  If you plan ahead, though, you can score serious deals.  Most vendors exhibiting at wedding shows offer deeply discounted packages or promotions for their products so make sure to speak with as many vendors as possible and add their business cards and marketing collateral to your swag bag.  If you really love a certain vendor’s product or service, follow up after the event, sing their praises and try to negotiate a deal for your wedding.

Manage Your Subscriptions
Whether you decide to subscribe to print magazines or use digital wedding planning tools, do some research before plunking down your credit card.  Websites like Retail Me Not offer discount codes for just about everything under the sun including discounted magazine subscriptions as well as free shipping on wedding-related products and services.  Many sites also offer free trial periods.

Something Borrowed
There is no shame in taking “Something Borrowed” to the next level.  Don’t want to shell out $8 grand for a new dress?  Ask to borrow a gown from a friend or family member.  Same goes for wedding decor elements and accessories.  Gently used equates to dollars in your pocket.

Enlist a Planner to Handle the Dirty Work
Although it seems counter intuitive, a seasoned event planner will save you money in the long run.  Planners have existing relationships with vendors and will help to get you deals on rentals and wedding services.  In addition, a planner will have all of your “T’s” crossed and “I’s” dotted in a timely manner so you are not ordering materials last minute and paying a premium for shipping or rush orders.

When In Doubt, Turn to Etsy
I cannot say it enough – I want to scream it from the rooftops!  I use Etsy for everything.  Wedding gifts, wedding favors, wedding invitations, wedding decor, wedding fashion.  You name it, Etsy has got it!  I particularly like using Etsy because you can read reviews of vendors and the vendors typically put tender love and care into crafting their custom products.

Buy Local
To save on costs, you can buy flowers that are locally sourced and in season or buy online in bulk.  In addition, seasonal and local food items can help to keep your costs down.

Dress shopping
I know that a lot of girls dream about the “Kleinfeld” experience for dress shopping.  Don’t get me wrong – I love shopping and I love being pampered but there are SO many ways you can cut costs with dress shopping.  If you don’t mind foregoing the luxurious dress shopping experience, stores like Off Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and Lord & Taylor have great wedding dress sections with knowledgeable staff members.  You only wear your dress once so I am in the mindset that a wedding dress (even designer label) should not cost more than $3,000.  Use coupons, shop during sample sales and don’t bring a big entourage with you.  You will 100% score a great deal on your dress and accessories with a little patience and creative shopping.

In addition, sites like Etsy and Ebay have deep discounts for brave online shoppers.  Designer sample sales are also a great option but I recommend popping a Xanax or two before embarking on a trip to a sample sale.  Ultimately the score on a designer dud will far outweigh the fight you have with another bride who has her eye on the same dress.

Don’t Rent – Buy!
Although this tip seems counter intuitive as well, sometimes it is actually cheaper to BUY event materials than to rent them.  Check out sites like Ebay and stores like Homegoods to source linens, chargers, floral vessels, props and accessories.  In return, if you do not need the materials after your event you can re-sell them on Ebay and make back part of your money.

Turn Re-Gifting Into an Art
If you are engaged, you are probably in the midst of a handful of other friends’ weddings.  As your wedding gifts start to roll in, pay careful attention to what you receive, what you really need and what you are willing to give up.  If you receive items in multiples or gifts that you know you don’t need or won’t use, re-gift them to other couples, return them to the store for credit or sell on websites like Ebay and Craigslist.  One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

Beauty Blitz
Let’s face it, beauty treatments are expensive and time consuming!  Scour sites like Groupon and Gilt City for deals on hair salons, nail salons, spas and gym specials.  Most spas and salons will extend a special discount to you for large parties so be sure to mention that you plan on bringing in additional business to their establishment.

Piece of Cake
Instead of using a fancy cake designer, many local grocery stores have in-house bakeries that create wedding cakes.  You will save on transport costs and inflated design fees by shopping local.  In addition, another trick of the trade is to create a small cake that is intricately designed and then serve your guests sheet cake from the kitchen.  None of your guests will ever know the difference!

Enlist Your Friends
There is no shame in asking ofr help!  If you have a friend that is a skilled baker, artist, or someone who is a craft aficionado, let them help out!  Your guest will be excited to play a part in helping with your wedding and his or her service will help to keep costs down.

Get Creative
Let’s face it, flowers are expensive.  If you are watching your design budget, work with your planner or scour sites like Pinterst to find alternatives to floral centerpieces (petrified wood, fruits and veggies, props, candles, etc.)  The possibilities are endless!

Cash In On Credit Card Points
If you’re struggling to pay for your wedding, use existing credit card points or miles to help pay for your wedding and honeymoon.

The Internet Is Your Friend
I always try to educate brides that they really have to do their own homework!  The Internet is teaming with all sorts of information – and discounts!  Scour websites of vendors you admire and search for discount and promotion keywords for vendors in your area.  Don’t be afraid to be upfront about your budget and ask if a vendor can work with you to keep to the allotted dollar amount.  The worst the vendor can say is no.  Become a master negotiator and start clicking your way to savings!

What are your favorite wedding tips and tricks for saving money?  Share them with the WedInsider community!

This past Sunday I attended the Martha Stewart Wedding Party held at Gotham Hall in Midtown Manhattan.  I’m no stranger to bridal shows and events and, as expected, the Martha Stewart event did not disappoint.  The icing on the cake was when I came close to literally bumping into Martha herself as I was exiting the event.

I had a hectic schedule on Sunday so I unfortunately had to miss the full day of guest speakers but I loved how the Martha Stewart and Wedding Library team paired the expo with a full day of education.  The schedule included wedding heavy hitters such as Claudia Hanlin of Wedding Library, Darcy Miller of Martha Stewart Weddings, designer Peter Som, blogger Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty, Cake heavyweights Sylvia Weinstock and Ron Ben-Israel, as well as Peter Callahan of Callahan Catering.

As guests entered Gotham Hall, they were greeted by a giant ice sculpture created by Okamoto Studios featuring the word “Love” with a ceiling Gobo projection of the current issue of the Martha Stewart Wedding magazine.  The expo portion of the event featured a variety of wedding vendors from dresses to sweets and everything in between.

As an aside, I’d like to apologize in advance for somewhat fuzzy photos, I had a bit of a hard time navigating through the crowds of people which lent itself to a shaky camera hand.

One of my favorite trends that I spotted was a laser cut invitation from Atelier Isabey.  The invitation design is chic, modern and on trend.

Wedding fashion proved to be aligned with my predictions for this year.  I spotted a lot of “Downtown Abbey” inspired fashion, sleek silhouettes, interesting dress necklines and pops of gold and pink blush.

Cake pops and mini desserts still reign supreme.  I loved the heart shaped pops from New York Cake Pops and whimsical cookie shapes from Eleni’s.  In terms of cakes, clean lines with interesting textural accents seemed to be popular trends.  I loved Heather Barranco‘s cake interpretation of a whimsical wedding dress and her use of moss accents for mini cakes a la Great Gatsby.

In terms of table design concepts, I love that long banquet style tables are still popular.  The rabbit plates and unique branch-inspired candelabras pictured below are a great departure from standard floral centerpieces with neutral chargers and table settings.

All in all, I think the event was beautifully produced and laid out well.  I think that brides should attend at least one wedding show so they can have a first hand experience meeting with wedding vendors and pick up ideas on trends since vendors are showcasing the coolest and best products and services.  Vendors at bridal shows also typically offer up discount packages and promos so they are a great opportunity to score deals on wedding services.  Next up…the NY Magazine Wedding Event in March!

These little match girls are created by Illustrator Mai Ly. She sells prints and t-shirts from her website.

I would love to attempt one of these with the massive bag of felt I have in my cellar. The pattern is available from mmmcrafts

Definitely more art than craft Souther Salazar’s sculptures are amazing. The light bulb might not the best toy for children but I’m sure something similar could be achieved with a ballon and  Papier-mâché. One of these would look great hanging in a child’s room.

and who doesn’t have some old pegs lying around?

There’s loads more on my board.

Today is all about you, dahling!  We want to hear about how you are planning your wedding.  Weigh in on your planning style and WedInsider will share the results.  Feel free to leave comments, the more the better!  Cheers and happy Friday to our lovely brides!

Below are some of my favourite pages. Packed full of stylish products and some wonderful styling.

These trays are inspired by the stars – made with Laminated birch veneer

Fantastic striped and geometric patterns cover cushions, cups and bags 

The soft focus photography used throughout really compliments the Scandinavian feel. Lovely!

Photos: Ferm Living

You can purchase products from the ferm LIVING website or if you’re in the UK Heal’s sells a range including wallpapers, wall stickers and soft furnishings.

About ferm LIVING – Based in Aarhus, Denmark, ferm LIVING was originally a graphic design agency founded by Trine Andersen in 2005. While redecorating her own home, Trine was frustrated not to find any wallpaper she liked at an affordable price – so she decided to come up with her own original concept. The result was the brand’s now iconic wall stickers.
Today, ferm LIVING’s products range from cushions, candleholders and throws to storage and desk accessories – all of which are characterised by their clean design, bold patterns, and a fresh and quirky spirit that never fails to delight.

I won a £250 voucher to spend in a selection of mydeco boutiques. Below are just some of the items I chose.

Flo Grinder from Skandivis. We have been looking to purchase a pepper and salt grinder for the table for sometime. These are perfect. We chose one in black and one white.

For the kiddies – an E and a J cup from Nordic Elements. The typography is designed by Arne Jacobson.

Summer Salad bowel from Nordic Elements I love the pattern

Igloo Containers from Nordic Elements 

And of course I couldn’t go past the Juniper Slice Trivet made by my friend Lotta Cole. 

Thank you Mydeco. It’s like Christmas all over again. See my winning board here 

Although the thought of an intimate destination wedding sounds appealing and relatively stress-free, there are many hidden issues that couples are likely to experience when planning and hosting a destination wedding.  Before you book your destination wedding, take a peek at our suggestions for factors to consider when planning a destination wedding.

Weather
It may seem like the most glaringly obvious concern, but make sure you track the weather predictions and seasonal trends for your wedding destination.  Is the area prone to a tropical storm season?  Are the warm months reversed with the American summer and winter seasons?  Does the weather change drastically from day time to nightfall?  Plan ahead!

Food
Travel is usually equated with exotic food and local delicacies.  As you plan your wedding, make sure that you pay careful attention to what food and beverages are available at your destination and what food items may be harder to get.  In addition, the price of certain ingredients may differ drastically from what you are used to paying so plan accordingly in your catering budget.

Money Matters
In some foreign locales, a separate currency is the primary method of payment.  Make sure you pay particular attention to exchange rates and calculate the pricing of your wedding details accordingly.  In addition, tipping customs and taxes vary drastically from one country to another.

Whether or not you plan to pay for airfare and accommodations for your guests, you need to explicitly state your position early on and make sure you give guests enough time to plan ahead.

Shipping & Customs
If you can, try to avoid shipping items to your destination wedding as much as possible.  Items in transit can get stuck at customs or re-routed and delayed.  Try to make friends with the concierge and catering team at your wedding hotel to get assistance and expertise on shipments to make sure they arrive safely and in time for your event.  Always, always, always travel with important items (i.e. your wedding dress!) in hand.

Language Barriers
Don’t let your wedding plans get lost in translation.  If English is a second language for the majority of your vendors, make sure to enlist a local translator to assist with vendor negotiations and wedding communication to make sure every person is on the same page.  C’Est magnifique!

Time
In terms of travel to and from your destination wedding, make sure you build in time for guests to adjust from jet lag or time zone changes.  In addition, some cultures have very different view points on time.  For instance, when I studied abroad in Greece a few years ago, I came to find that the majority of shop owners take a nap between the hours of 12 noon and 2 p.m. and shut down their businesses for a significant portion of the day.  In America, we are used to everything happening in “A New York Minute” so you should plan to be patient with slower communication and movement in other places.

Beauty/Attire
If your destination wedding is in a sunny locale, you may  need to change up your normal beauty and make-up routine to accommodate extra heat and humidity.  Make sure you do a test run with your make-up artist and put your make-up through a test in the hot sun.

Safety
Some places are much safer than others.  If your destination wedding locale is known for having shady outskirts of town, plan ahead and make sure you have proper transportation and/or security for your guests.

Cultural Differences
If your wedding is being held in a locale that has a culture vastly different from your own, prepare guests and help them plan accordingly for the proper attire and behavior.

This LOVE card is also available as an A3 print.

This Valentine Scrabble card is available in the colours on the Scrabble board  - Teal, Pink, Red and Light Blue.

You are my cup of tea.  Available as an A3 print too

Also available as an A3 print – ready to frame 

The famous Renee Zellweger quote in Jerry Maguire – super cheesy 

There are loads more in my shop. All cards are A6 and come with a white envelope. If you use the code THANKYOU10 you can get 10% off for the next 2 weeks. All cards are made to order so if you want to change any colours or text please message me and I’ll see what I can do. Thanks for looking

http://www.dickensink.etsy.com

We can happily report that the one projected trend that will remain for 2013 is a break from tradition with a focus on adding a personal touch to each and every wedding!  After consulting with the wedding gods, we have come up with a list of what’s “in” and what’s “out” in 2013.  No vibrant images, no frills, just cold, hard written predictions.

FOOD & DRINK
In: Locally grown fare and seasonal vegetables served in interesting new ways
A focus on incorporating dishes from a bride and groom’s cultural heritage
Artisanal cocktails & Tequila drinks
Out: Bite-size Everything
Emphasis on Comfort Food
Signature “Couple” drinks

CAKE
In: Multiple Mini cakes
Serving an assortment of desserts
Homemade desserts and pies featuring local and regional ingredients
Absence of cake!  Dessert bars with a wide variety of offerings appeal to discerning palettes
Out: Overly opulent multi-tier cakes
Theme cakes (Cakes crafted in the shape of a couple’s beloved dog, favorite hobby, etc.)

FASHION
In: Interesting necklines (sleeves, off-the shoulder, a-symmetrical)
Layered fabric
Peplum waist gowns
Pops of color (gold, silver, blue)
1920s inspired fashion
Laser Cut accents to replace traditional lace
Flower crowns
Varying bridesmaid dress styles and prints from non-bridal dress designers
Fifty shades of “…INSERT COLOR!…” for bridesmaids.  Pick a color, leave the style and design to your best girls!
Floor length bridesmaid dresses
Out:
Runway dresses & shopping by designer
Birdcage veils
Cowboy boots, sneakers and other alternative footwear for brides and bridesmaids

DESIGN & DECOR
In: Art Deco design and decor
Incorporating mixed metals including copper, silver and gold design elements
Interesting patterns & textures in linens
Laid back lounges with furniture in mixed materials
Out: Shabby chic and overly girly/romantic design
Overuse of monograms and wedding “branding”
Sleek “clubby” lounges with white sterile furniture

COLORS
In: Neutrals; gray, blush pink, mint, cream
Out: Deep reds, purples, pinks and stark white

INVITATIONS AND PRINTED GOODS
In: Custom illustrations and personalized invitations
Textured & metallic paper accents
Interesting envelope liners
Vintage stamps
Out: Matchy-matchy paper suites
Cookie-cutter formal invitations
Custom stamps that match invitations (think Zazzle)

FLOWERS
In: English Garden  a la Downtown Abbey
A return to “minimalist chic” with opulent florals taking a backseat to interesting candlelight and decor accents
Vegetable and backyard garden inspired bouquets
Bridesmaid bouquets each featuring one type of flower; a bridal bouquet with elements of each of her bridesmaid’s flowers combined
Out: Over-designed and fussy tall floral centerpieces
Brooch and non-floral bouquets

ENTERTAINMENT
In: De-constructed photo booths set in front of interesting backdrops
Late night food trucks featuring gourmet fare
Out: Traditional photo booth structures with props
Flash mobs and choreographed dances performed by the bridal party

MUSIC
In: Electric violins
Incorporating interesting musical instruments into modern day music
Shift from DJs to bands overall
Out: String quartets and harpists

LIGHTING
In: Natural candlelight and amber washes(most universally flattering tones for all skin tones)
Out: Vibrant color washes like blue and purple; save it for the galas!

FAVORS
In: Edible favors (Secret family cookie recipe?  Homemade treats are always a plus!)
Seasonal Treats (hot cocoa & mittens for winter, chilled lemonade and mini fan for the summer)
Hangover helpers (You know your guests want them!)
Forego favors overall in lieu of a donation to the couple’s favorite charity (Giving back is always in style!)
Out: Useless nicknacks; anything branded for your wedding day

RECEPTION VENUES
In: Alternative venues like camp grounds, farm houses, personal estates, warehouses and rooftops; expect the unexpected!
Out: Ballrooms and country clubs

SOCIAL MEDIA
In: Pinterest will reign supreme as the primary source for wedding inspiration and idea sharing.  Single ladies, we love the idea of creating Pinterest wedding boards for your future nuptials, but, whatever you do, steer clear from naming your albums “One Day” or “A Girl Can Dream.”  #CrazyCatLadyInTraining
Creating a signature #Hashtag on Instagram for guests to tag and share photos at your wedding
Out: Over sharing every detail of your planning process!  Limit your engagement, wedding and honeymoon photos to 3 albums and enjoy the one-on-one time with your mother planning behind the scenes.  #EnoughAlready

PLANNING PROCESS
In: Hands-on brides taking on a DIY approach; “My wedding, my way!”
Shift from a focus on wedding magazines to Pinterest for inspiration
Out: Flashy “celebrity” wedding planner dictating style and design trends

TRADITIONS
In: Personalized vows (Always a wedding “do!”)
Nondenominational wedding officiants
Throwing wedding “rules” out the window!  It’s your day, do your own thing (no matter how weird, unpopular or non-traditional!)
Out: Bouquet and garter tosses

What are your thoughts?  Love the list?  Hate it?  Weigh in on YOUR predictions for 2013 weddings and what you hope to see more or less of in the coming year!

Charlene Mullen has a fantastic website with a large range of quirky embroided cushions and a selection lampshades. She sells her range in various stores including Selfridges and SCP. And if you hurry you might just get one on sale.

Monsieur Red Linen Cushion 

Big Flower Cushion 

I now have my eye on the  Pantile Cushion in black and yellow. Which will also be MINE.

After trying to make the room work as is for the 1st year, it was time to do a much-needed room makeover. The process started while my sister was away for summer vacation but took some time to complete and put up on the blog.

Before – Plan View

This is what we started with before. Aside from the space being small, the room poses a challenge with a traditional style heating/ac unit. The width of the room didn’t even allow for her twin bed to fit in horizontally. We made the bed work vertically for the time being, but it never left much room for anything else, and definitely not much walking space. Besides the drawers chest and under the bed storage, there wasn’t any room for books. They found a home on the floor instead!

We also had this rather dull looking off-white paint colour, which my sister destroyed by putting up pictures with cheap bluetack (notice it below). I was left with a wall full of sticky stuff to scrape off.

Not so pretty wall paint

I wish I could make this room into a luxury bedroom but that’s not going to happen so it came down to prioritizing 3 key things that I wanted this room to do:

• Sleeping area: Fit the existing twin bed with under-the-bed storage, while leaving some room to walk (and not bang your knees on the corner every morning)
• Storage: Ample storage for books and cloths as well as an area to display travel finds and jewelry
• Depth: Room should feel bigger and brighter

The room was given a full makeover keeping the above in mind. To start off, I chose CIL ‘White Lilac’ (colour matched it to a Para Paint as I was already getting ‘The Silhouette’ by Para Paints for the living room) as the paint treatment across the room. The colour is light and feminine and has given the room an airy feel.(Tip: make sure you get a good quality painter’s tape, one that doesn’t take your newly painted surface with it. I chose the 3M Scotch Blue for this project).

The next challenge came with adjusting the bed so it would fit horizontally. This required a bit of handy man work where I had to take out the side casing of the bed to cut the width and re-level the bed with a wooden plank. The casing is to hold two bed frames as one unit (one pulls out as a guest bed but isn’t needed). I’m pretty proud of my Ikea hack here as the bed was a perfect fit after the adjustment and opened up the entire room.

In order to add extra storage and display area, the room has a nice little niche, used for small shelving on either side. I added 3 to each side, leaving the middle for picture frames or artwork (still looking for the right one!). Since the space opened up, I was able to fit a lean bookcase and add storage boxes for papers.

Finally, the most fun part of the project was styling it with my sister’s travel finds, pictures and few new accessories.  A mirror was hung above the dresser to give more depth to the room, and the jewelry that was hidden away in drawers, displayed on top. I also put up a jewelry hanger on the side walls (believe me, this girl has a lot of jewelry for a 19-year-old!) and added a lovely Chevron laundry hamper in the small space between the dresser and heating unit.

Here are some pictures from the final look. (Now the challenge is to keep it looking like this!)

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What do you think?