Bridal Shower (1950's Style)

I'm absolutely obsessed with anything 1950's, but I thought this idea was particularly creative and interesting.

I absolutely love the fun bright colors (specifically the red). And look at those cute aprons! What a fun way to incorporate the 1950's into a bridal shower!

I originally saw this fun shoot at The Pretty Blog. They feature so many pretty things! Go check it out if you want to find out more about this bridal shower... or just see more pretties! :)

Anthro Haul

I can never resist sharing my awesome finds from Anthro., but really can you blame me? Anthropologie is not the cheapest of stores, but what they sale tends to be more 'artsy', 'creative', and EVERYBODY (well, mostly females) loves it. Justin loves that the clothes are well made. My mother wishes she had clothes that fit like the dresses I buy from Anthro. My grandmothers think the home decor is awesome.

Recently Justin and I have started looking at the cookbooks from Anthro.

We won Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream during a giveaway, but it is currently on sale at Anthro. so you may want to check it out. It has awesome reviews on Amazon!

Justin and I made the cherry chocolate ice cream from the book for Justin's dad's birthday this weekend. While it was absolutely delicious, we couldn't get it to 'set'. We're going to try another recipe from the book again soon. We may have been in too much of a hurry. Recipes I'd love to try from the book include: strawberry balsamic ice cream, blood orange sorbet, and maple walnut ice cream among others.

We also recently purchase The Good Life by Adrian Richardson. Adrian Richardson, it seems has a tv show in Australia. He is also really big into cooking meat (which you may not surmise from the cover). Apparently he and Justin both believe that a happy animal is the best tasting kind of animal (i.e. one without growth hormones, one that eats grass and grows naturally). Of course, they also both agree that alligator, rabbit, quail, and pigeons taste good (or would taste good). *shrugs*

I guess what got me excited about this cookbook (beyond the delicious looking comfort foods that I could get behind making) was the graphic design. There is a really awesome bookmark that comes with the book that looks like the tablecloth on the front of the book. It is really crazy and makes you feel like you could have cooked that delicious pie on the cover. The book is hardcover, and the pictures of the food frame the text and recipes. I love that the images aren't overly saturated in color. And the best part: the book is FULL (to the brim!) of images! I hate cookbooks without pictures; they make me sad! :(

We got some gifts for my grandmother which I don't really feel like I can post online without sharing with more people than I want to. We also got some bathroom 'cutes' that they no longer have for sale at the Anthro. website. A soap dish and a toothbrush holder in a lovely turquoise with some intricate floral scrolling. Very pretty. (Justin picked it out. He didn't like the cheap, also turquoise, toothbrush holder I had gotten from Kohl's. *shrug*)

Overall, my favorite thing we got from Anthro. this weekend (or actually, last night) was the Native Birds dress.

I'm planning on wearing this dress to my cousin's outdoor wedding in October. I think. Maybe. I've been watching and waiting for this dress to go on sale since July!! When I went to the first Anthro. store yesterday, I was informed they were out of my size. The store sales associate told me I could order it, but I really wanted to try it on before purchasing. She told me she had the dress and loved it! She also told me that the dress was true-to-size, which I found to be true when we located the dress at another location. I couldn't believe that the guy helping me in the dressing room remembered who I was from a previous trip to Anthro. and gave me advice as to what type of belt to purchase to 'jazz' up this dress. (Talk about amazing sales associates!)

I also tried on the Jacquard Circle Skirt dress, which I knew we couldn't afford.

Let me just mention how absolutely awesome this dress truly is! I really didn't think I would like it on me. I tend to have issues with circle necks; they just don't look right on me. I also thought I would hate the sleeves, but they look really elegant. This dress truly looks like something right out of the 1950's era with the huge circle skirt. I love the model in the picture above; I think she looks a bit like Audrey Hepburn in the dress. :)

So yeah... Go check out your local Anthropologie store if you are interested in any of the things I mentioned above. In the case with the cookbooks, you can get them cheaper at Anthro. than you can get them online right now! (Huge plus!) And who doesn't like clothes on sale? ;)

Favors or Cake Toppers?

Check out Rue la la!

I think some of these swarovski crystals would be such a fun cake topper or to use as reception decor. Besides, I can hardly resist anything sparkly!!!

They also have some really fun macarons that are bright and colorful. Can you imagine putting these on a table as favor for guests to take home? What about as an addition to your dessert table? Such bright colors to offset your wedding cake and make it beautiful!

Act soon if you are interested though. Rue la la sales don't last very long!

10 Summer Vacation Must-Haves

Justin and I are going on vacation soon, and I thought it would be fun to list a few things I feel are vital to our vacation-going experience.

1. A dress. My pick -- Anthropologie's Sunshades Dress

A cute dress that is summery and comfortable is perfect for going out to dinner.

2. Cute shoes. I like DSW's B.O.C. Adie shoes in blue.

I fell in love with these shoes in February, but I held off buying them. Now they are on sale and impossible to find! I managed to snag a pair on clearance for 30% off with a $10 coupon. After searching sooo many stores I was soooo excited to find exactly the shoes I wanted for a much better price than the original price. (Plus, they are super comfortable!)

3. Awesome sunscreen. Try Neutrogena Wet Skin Sunblock Spray for sunblock you can apply even after you are wet!

Some of the kids I babysit for were using it. This vacation will be the first vacation in which I try it!

4. Iphone or Smart Phone.

This really almost feels like a must-have even when you aren't going on vacation. They are great for entertaining children on long rides and saving money with coupon apps. My top coupon apps are Coupon Sherpa, ScoutMob, RetailMeNot, Pocketly, and Entertainment. There are also games that teach children languages, colors, and more! I also love taking pictures with my cell phone camera using Pro HDR.

5. Snacks and drinks for the trip. Aquafina is my favorite drink to take with me.

One of the best things about vacations is trying new and fun food. Obviously we have done research about the restaurants in the area where we are visiting, but it's fun to have treats for the road trip (specifically if you are driving like we are). We also are taking along some water bottles, veggies, and fruit. How fun!

6. Cash.

Honestly you never know when you may need it. Some shops and restaurants don't take cards. Plus you also need to consider whether or not you will be driving over toll roads or paying for parking.

7. Pillows.

I have a real issue with using hotel pillows. I HAVE TO HAVE my pillow. So I bring it. And I get the sleep I expect.

8. Hairspray -- This time I'm trying the Big Sexy Hair: Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray.

I've never used their hairspray before, but it was given good reviews on Good Housekeeping, so I thought I would give it a try. My hair is very hard to manage in humid conditions and most hairsprays I have tried in the past haven't worked. I'm going to try this and hope. If it doesn't work, I have backup ponytail holders for some cute braids and ponytails.

9. A good book. I'm taking The Lamplighter and Portrait of a Lady, one book I've read and one I haven't. Justin is taking The Hobbit.

10. A Friend! How can you possibly go to the beach without a friend or family member?

Hopefully my list has provided some awesome suggestions for your next summer vacation. What do you think is a must-have for vacation?

Chandelier

I just wanted to share this picture of the completed chandelier. Remember how Justin was working on it in October? I think it turned out quite lovely. :) (I love how the lights in the background look like stars.)

Cards

When I was researching what to do with my leftover cards, I found a lot of posts on what to do with "gift" cards that people send/give you during the whole getting married "thing". I loved seeing these ideas, so I thought I would share.

First of all is the obvious. . .turn them into another card. See here.

If you are a bit more sentimental, you can always store them in a box.

But sometimes, you want something prettier than just a box. Perhaps something that doesn't take up as much room as a box might? I thought this was a pretty awesome idea. However, if you aren't super-crafty, you can always have a book of cards made for you by a company like this one. (I could see this also being awesome for a baby!)

Idea of the Day

Taken from Green Wedding Shoes and (Once Like a Spark) wedding photography, I loved the idea this couple, Brittany and Mark, had for huge wedding flowers when they spotted some at my favorite store, Anthropologie. The huge flowers thing really brings out the part of me that is in love with all things Claes Oldenburg!

Spoonbridge and Cherry (c) Claes Oldenburg and Coosje
Van Bruggen; Photo courtesy of Walker Art Center

I'm Late, I'm Late for a Very Important Date!

Over the weekend, Justin and I realized why it is that most engaged couples just buy everything. It's just easier! We find that most of our weekends are taken up running around trying to obtain all of the things needed for DIY projects, but then we have very little time left over to actually DIY anything. :/

On that note, let me share with you a few of our decoration inspirtation images and some DIY projects we think are awesome!