Going Postal the Pretty Way

As we get close to sending out our Save the Dates, I have been looking for ways to jazz up our mailing (and cut some corners). An address stamp seems to be a must these days and luckily Etsy has so many wonderful customized options to choose from.

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

Sources: 1 & 2

 Of course cool postage is also on my mind. I found tons of amazing vintage postage on Ebay, Champion Stamp, Kenmore Stamp Co. and Invites by Jen. I am usually great at finding deals, so the though of paying double the price just for a pretty stamps if hard to justify.

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

Sources: 1, 2 & 3

 Luckily and surprisingly to me the United States Post Office actually has quite a few unique stamps to choose from, so I think I will probably end up going with one of the following options.

Source: USPS.COM

How did you get creative with your mailings? Do you know a great resource for reasonably priced vintage stamps?

The Lab iPhone App is Here!

I know we have unofficially announced this, but today, for real, our iPhone app is officially LIVE and up for grabs! Download it here.

For the past I don't know how many months I have been working on this little project of mine. And finally, it is time to share it with the world. As I said in my last post, I am oh so very serious about helping brides connect with the perfect vendors for them. Finding vendors doesn't have to take as much time and stress as it currently does. This app was created to eliminate this insanely time consuming process and make it easier than ever to find your perfect fit.

See something you like while at the event? Easily favorite the vendor who created it, or better yet, send them an email right then and there to ensure you don't forget to get in contact with them. We have it all, and we want to share it with you brides! Not going to be able to go to The Lab? No problem, you can still look through all the portfolios of our fabulous vendors! Download it here.

The Lab Event is just a handful of days away! Engaged or know someone who is?? This event is something you won't want to miss. Get inspired, find your vendors and have way too much fun. Get your tickets now.

Bridal Beauty {resolutions}

Happy New Year! I've never really been one for serious New Years resolutions because I try to make little resolutions all year long. I already work out on a regular basis, drink lots of water, and make healthy food choices (most of the time ;-), but in these last seven-ish months leading up to our wedding I definitely want to step it up a notch. When I'm dancing in my wedding dress, I want to know that I gave it my all. So this New Year marks a chance for me to make some little resolutions so that I'll be the best version of myself by my wedding day.

Here are my bridal beauty resolutions...

Source: left, right

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- Set ambitious, but do-able, fitness goals. My goal is 3-4 Dailey Method classes and 2 jogs per week. The Dailey Method is a similar workout to The Bar Method or Barre3. I started DM early in 2012 and was so thankful to finally find a workout that I enjoy this much. I love that it is always challenging, but, at the same time, you don't feel like you are beating yourself up. It feels healthy. And gives us ladies that long, lean, and strong body. I like to mix in some jogs for cardio and because it's something my fiance and I like to do together.

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- More tea, water, and veggies. Less coffee, sugar, and starches. These are sort of on-going, but I will be making an extra effort to amp up the water and tea and cut down on the coffee and dessert up until my wedding. Also tipping the dinner plate in favor of veggies over starches and white breads. I know these aren't the most measurable goals, but I'm a big believer that you can have most things in moderation, so I don't like to set hard-and-fast rules when it comes to food.

- Take my vitamins daily. I have vitamins but I always forget! Keeping them at work and taking them right after lunch has proved to work pretty well for me recently. Vitamins are great for that glowing skin and hair.

 

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- Facials. I'm going to schedule one this month to make sure I'm using the right products and then shoot for three, about once a month leading up to the big day. WebMD recommends scheduling your last facial no later than two weeks prior to your wedding day. I might have to throw in a massage for general relaxation :-)

If all fails, I'll be surrounded by some pretty awesome family and friends, and one wonderful fiance, and I think that's what really gives us brides our 'glow.'

Some healthy, glowing bride inspiration...

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What will you be doing in the new year to make sure you are looking your best by your big day?

Less than 6 months out

Ok, I know everyone says it but seriously, time flies. One day you have 14 months to plan your wedding and then pow you're less than 6 months out. Crazy if you ask me. We're now at the planning stage where things could potentially get stressful, all the moving parts are coming together and we need to make sure it all blends well and makes for a great day. I am 100% a goal setter and I need goals/lists/checkboxes listed out in order for me to get things done. So with less than 6 months to go, I vow to:

 

How was the final 6 months of planning for you? What were some of your major accomplishments?

Minted Design Contest

Minted always has the best collection of stationery, invitations, and cards. Today you get to be the judge and choose the next Save The Date design that will be available for sale on Minted! The designer of the winning card will receive a cash prize (how awesome is that?!) AND Minted is giving away not 1 but 3 $100 Minted giftcards to 3 random voters! HOW TO ENTER:

Choose your favorite design + comment which number it is!

PRIZE:

3 random commenters will each receive a $100 Minted giftcard to use for anything on their site. The winners will be announced January 15, 2013.

Good luck to all!

Our Holiday Gift Wrapping

I have an obsession with wrapping. If you don't believe me just look at my wrapping Pinterest board. All year I have been trying different designs, color palettes and toppers in preparation for my holiday wrapping. between my husband and I there are over 20 people in the family to give gifts to, so I needed something awesome but easy!

Remember this Sarah Seven brunch I designed last month? Well, I made a pom pom wall and therefore ended up with several hundred poms that made perfect toppers for presents. I bought some grey paper, gold ink, and a snowflake stamp from Paper Source and went to town stamping all the paper before wrapping them up!

I them made some fabric tags with each person's name. They look like they took a while, but it was the easiest piece of the wrapping puzzle.

And for good measure I made a few glitter tape bows. I was obsessed with this one.

Over the holiday season I accidentally accumulated a bevy of glitter tape options. I can't wait to use all of these in 2013! (What's left of them anyway)

What did you do for your holiday wrapping?

Put Her Best Foot Forward {flats for your bridesmaids}

My sister is my MOH and sole bridesmaid, and, while she is amazingly smart, gorgeous, and funny to boot, she is not a heels girl. Lucky for her, I am not a bridezilla (hate that word), and couldn't give two hoots about the shoes on her feet. That being said, her dress is short, so I'll take it upon myself as bride and the more shoe-obsessed sister to find her a lovely, wedding-friendly pair of flat sandals to wear with her dress. Her dress is similar to the below, from David's Bridal and J. Crew:

Source: 1, 2

Here are a couple of shoes I think would be fun and unique for a bridesmaid...who ever said all bridesmaids need to wear silver kitten heels from Chinese Laundry? Ugh.

And a few more sparkly options:

Source: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

As for me, I'll be in these... ; )

Source: 7 

Bold & Bright Wedding by Lowe Photos

There are so many things I love about this wedding, first being those bridesmaid dresses! It is hard to find fashionable dresses for your lovely ladies, especially if like me, you prefer something non-traditional-bridesmaid. The bride is so giddy and excited that you can't help but smile when looking through this wedding. And lastly, the ombre floral backdrop is awesome.

"Kara and Eric's beautiful wedding was full of love and amazing details. It all took place at the beautiful Westward Look Resort in Tucson Arizona. From the hand painted ombre flower backdrop at their ceremony to the floral print shoes the bridesmaids wore, the whole day was lovely and elegant."

 

Floral Designer:  Inglis Florists
Invitation Designer:  Magnet Street
Cake Designer:  Village Bakehouse
Tuxedo and Mens Attire:  Men's Warehouse
Bridesmaid Dresses:  Asos
Event Venue:  Westward Look Resort
Hair Stylist:  Gadabout Photographer:  Lowe Photos

Holiday Engagement Shoot by McFadden Studios

Before we all shut down for the holidays, here is a fun engagement shoot to warm your hearts. I love everything about this shoot from the wardrobe, to the ornaments and of course those awesome lights. You just don't see lights like those anymore! Everything was captured perfectly by McFadden Studios.

"Nestled between a small private airport and a quaint small town in you will find a Pygmy Forest hidden from sight. Paige and Will thought it would be fun to decorate one of those pygmy trees with their special ornaments, wrap up in a cozy blanket with some home made hot chocolate and marshmallows, and watch a sunset together. They brought "Cupcake" along too, yes, it's the pale blue truck they snuggle up in. Paige handmade the wreath, marshmallows, garland, and some of the ornaments that adorn the tree for this session. Our hearts melted as we captured the love shared between these two."