Chic Impression

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Contributing to earth with your wedding

Your wedding announcement or invitation can set the tone for your environmentally friendly wedding. There are many options today for 100% recycled, partially recycled or completely tree free papers from wedding invitation suppliers. If you are interested in making your own invitations, the choices are unlimitied. Consider all these places for paper on your wedding day:

* engagement announcements
* save the date cards
* shower invitations
* shower thank you notes
* wedding invitaitons
* ceremony programs
* place cards
* menu cards
* wedding announcements
* thank you notes

Many brides today are communicating electronically to cut down on paper and waste. Here's a few places to check out for environmentally friendly wedding invitation options:

Earthly Affair

If your looking for something that is not your typical traditional design, Earthly Affairs has some wonderful choices. Choose from 12 different clean designs, each available in many different color combinations. Choose between either 100% post consumer paper or FSC Certified Cotton Paper.

Green Field Paper Company

They have Grow a Note cards which are tree-free. The cards are embedded with a custom mix of wildflower seeds. ...you can just toss them in the ground when you are finished and a few months later- voila! --up pop flowers!! Green Field also has in a 100% Junk Mail paper and Garlic Paper infused with garlic skins.

InviteSite

have wonderful beautiful rich luxurious tree free papers, 100% post-consumer recycled papers, archival papers (when this is important to you) and vellum papers that can be recycled.

Sweet Invitations

Several collections of handmade invitations that are made from discarded and shredded cloth using petals, flowers, silk, grass, colors, glitters which are acid free and 100% recycled.

Tasha Rae Designs

Specialize in custom designed invitations and have a wide variety of recycled papers to choose from. No charge for samples, however, Tasha suggests you donate a few bucks to your favorite charity instead!

Twisted Limb Paperworks

offers a large line of handmade 100% recycled post consumer waste invitations. This is great company that walks the walk - at least half of their studio's energy is provided by green electricity, and water used in the papermaking process is recycled from the studio's dehumidifiers & air conditioner whenever possible. 10% of their profits are donated to environmental conservation efforts each year.

Free Wedding Invitation Catalogs

Wedding Invitation Catalogs

Clink on the link to their website and "order a catalog" for free!

The Image Gallery

Invitations and accessories that fit your image ‹ perfectly! Stylish invitations are printed with your photos for a personal introduction to your wedding. Coordinating accessories add a picture-perfect finishing touch.

Seasons of Love : by Dawn

Seasons of Love by Dawn features wedding invitations and accessories that will fit your fall or winter wedding - whether it is casual or contemporary!

Rexcraft

Rexcraft truly has something for everyone! With Rexcraft's huge selection of wedding invitations and accessories, you will find everything you need to make your wedding perfect.

Seal-n-Send.com

Seal-n-Send.com offers a wide variety of all-in-one wedding invitations that include a removable response card for your convenience.

Now&Forever

Now and Forever offers contemporary wedding invitations and accessories that feature bright colors, modern styles and unique items.

Naturally ever after

Naturally Ever After’s collection of wedding invitations are made from quality, recycled paper containing at least 30 percent post- consumer fibers. These wedding invitations and accessories combine nature-inspired artistry with richly textured colorful papers certain to make you proud of your wedding ensemble choice.

Jean M

Jean M wedding accessories and invitations offer stylish papers, ribbons, and ink colors to coordinate perfectly with each other and your wedding scheme.

Modern Distinctions

What's your kind of modern? Modern Distinctions offers the perfect style of invitation, favor or centerpiece that reflects not only today's fashion, but your personality! Hence, Modern Distinctions. Distinctly modern, distinctly you.

Wedding Country

Whether you're gettin' hitched way out West or having a traditional wedding with touches of country flair, Wedding Country by Dawn has what you need to help you celebrate in style!

Invitations by Dawn

Invitations by Dawn provides wedding stationery and accessories to fit your theme wedding - from elegance to Disney!

Ann's Bridal Bargains

Ann's Wedding offers a large selection of wedding invitations and accessories that allows you to have the wedding of your dreams at prices you can afford!

Friday, May 15, 2009

Design-Her Gal Obsession!

I was reading through other blogs and came upon Design-Her Gals , I registered to their site and created my own gal that is just ME with my dog Blackie! What do you think?

This adorable web site allows you to personalize stationery, tote bags, stickers and more with a cute image of your illustrated self! You pick everything, from hair color to skin tone and clothes to accessories, plus a lot more options to choose from. Your "gal" can hold magazines (ahem!), pocketbooks, musical instruments, pets and basically everything and anything else you could ever imagine. I have spent way too much time designing all different versions of me (as you can see). It's addicting!

They make the perfect gift for a bridal & baby showers, Birthdays, any holidays or a special occassion!

When you sign up, they send you special discounts and promos to your email monthly.

Also..... You can send e-cards (like this one of me) which is cute for Birthdays and much more!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Pink & Brown Bridal Shower

A good friend of the family Mandy Bremer (aka Miss Dumpling, on Wedding Bee) is getting married March 20th 2009 in Las Vegas. Back in January my mom and I helped plan her Bridal Shower in Tuscaloosa AL. It was the perfect weekend for a shower. For months before the shower her sister and I were emailing back and forth assigning certain tasks and things to haul all the way from Gainesville FL to Tuscalossa. Down to the nitty gritty details, my mom and I made it to AL with a car loaded down with square plates, silverware, wine glasses, decor, favors, linens and much much more. Everything turned out so beautifully, Miss Dumpling loved her shower!

* The Tables *

Each table had handmade table runners (pink and brown) in Damask and Polk-a-dot print. Square mirror attopped with glass rectangle vases wrapped in ribbon, filled with pink carnations and (alternate tables) hydrangeas. Each table setting had white large square plates, wine glasses rimmed with pink sugar, brown ribbon tied pink napkins and the take out box favors.

* Favors *

Each guest received handmade favors. I bought white chinese take out boxes that I filled with Bath and Body Works minature lotions and white curly filling. I cut to length brown and pink ribbon that I glued from top front to top back. Placed printed tags " Mandy's Bridal Shower" and date in the center front. For the final touch tied a small bow on the top. Everyone loved them and can you believe cost me only $1.50 for each favor!

* Food *

My mom and I took care of all the food. We had about 25 guests all together and the shower was around 3 in the afternoon, so we wanted to take it easy and make simple good elegant food.

Pink Lemonade

3 cartons - Minute Maid Pink Lemonade concentrate

2 Liters - Sprite

Artichoke Parmesan Crostinis

1 package - garlic toasted rounds

2 jars - marinated artichokes

1 container - freshly grated parmesan cheese

Chicken Heart you Sandwiches

4 packages - Premade (Publix) Chicken Salad

2 Loafs - Wheat Bread

1 heart shaped cookie cutter

Arugula Pasta Salad

Marinated Shrimp

Pink Fruit Salad

Cupcakes

Everyone thought the food was just absolutely delish! And I did too. I was very proud of it all. Most of all I enjoyed making and seeing the cupcakes finished. Don't they look great?!

* Shower Games *

We played only a couple shower games. Mandy wasn't too fond being the center of attention so we tried to keep each game short. First game we played was a question and answer game to see how well she knew her fiance'. Surprisingly she didn't do well but he had answers that were old and not up to date, so I guess she didn't do so bad. lol.

The next game we played was the dress the bride in toilet paper. Here the guests joined in and made a wedding dress out of Charmin. As you can see Mandy's dress turned out really good, next future Madonna labeled Charmin dress.

* Gifts *

Knowing me I wanted to make a little gift basket for the bride to be. I got most of the items from Victorias Secret. Like body glitter, sleep mask, (to be funny) "Smack That" underwear, sexy white laced thong, pink travel luggage tag (for her new name on the honeymoon), fuzzy pink nail filer. Mandy actually didn't want anyone to give her gifts. She actually had everyone donate money to the Brides Against Breast Cancer. Mandy wore a pink breast cancer pin during the shower. A very cute idea to take over gifts.

The shower was a complete success and Mandy loved it! It was a complete honor to do the shower for Mandy and be around her family. I love them all dearly!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

The best Baby Shower Gift Ideas

Top 10 Baby Shower Gift ideas

Need to find the perfect shower gift that is most certain to be a "shower wower"?

Take a look at this awesome website How Fast They Grow - this is a site for new mommies to make their own 12x12 Scrapbooks for their little ones. Purchase a uniquely styled gift card from any amount of $25-$200 or a Gift set made in pink or blue (gift card included) for only $50.

Does the mommy-to-be own a Pandora bracelet? Buy the Pandora baby carriage to add to her bracelet for only $25.

Have you ever heard of Mommy Cards? Mommies work too, you know? Get these new mommies a business like card to hand out to fellow mommies for playdates and contact information about them and their little one. Starting at $35 buy a gift certificate worth 35 stylish cards.

Mix, match and personalize your favorite little uni tee or one-piece starting at $30 at Little Uni.

Personalize story time with original alphabet books that feature the childs name on the cover, starting at $29.95. Or buy a personalized print to hang in the babies bedroom for $9.95 made by Sweet Arts Design. (CMP for 10% off)

A baby needs their first spoon, take a look at these super sweet gift idea. Stainless steel personalized spoons starting at $20 made by Lisa Leonards Designs. (babyshower for 15% off).

These little ones grow fast. Purchase this charming, cute and stylish Growth Chart for the mommy to be to put in the babies room. Starting at only $16, choose the color of choice for a cute and cheap gift at Rag and Bone.

A fabulous new fix for fussy babies and “I want my pre-baby jeans back” mommies. Lullaby Exercises offers a new kind of workout for moms who want to take better care of themselves and their babes. This 35-minute DVD features a high-energy “groove” set and then slows is down as the “sleep” set sends the little one into slumberland. This dvd set is only $14.95.

A unique keepsake for mom and baby is this Personalized baby Block for $30. A handmade, hardwood block custom-made with baby's name, birthdate, and initial on three sides. The fourth side has a pull-toy graphic.

Be creative and make a Storybook basket. I made a basket (laundry wicker basket) for my friend where I bought about 20 different items, like baby bubble bath, creams, bibs, clothes, sugar daddy (candies) and more. From the items I made a storybook about the mommy to be and her baby. As she reads the story and comes to the numbered item, she finds it in the basket and opens it, filling in the blank of the story. Once she's done everyone will applaude and think how creative and cute this gift was, plus the mommy and baby have lots of gifts! You can go as cheap or expensive on this idea. For help email me.

Do you have a recommendation that would be the perfect Shower gift? Leave a comment and let me know :)

Monday, March 9, 2009

Oh baby BOY

One of my best friends Brittani was having a baby Boy in April 08. My friend Sheena and I hosted a shower for her. Here's the cute details :)

I bought Large wooden letters and painted them blue and white to put up for decor. After the shower I gave them to Brittani for Cade's room. A cute and memorable touch.

The Cake was designed as baby building blocks and spelled "BABY" (when looking at it from the front) I had a talented friend make the cake for the shower

We played 3 different games at the shower -

1st one: We had 2 Cabbage Patch dolls diapered and dressed in dresses, made 2 teams of 3 (make sure to include the Mother to be and grandmas). At the same time each team started by having one hand behind there back and had to undress the baby completey, next one up had to dress the baby and last one undressed the baby. First team to finish all got a prize!

2nd game: We bought 8 different jars of baby food, removed the labels and numbered each jar. Each guest received a piece of paper and pen and had to guess by the color and smell of the baby food what was in the jar. Whoever got all 8 correct won a prize. Believe me this game was not easy!

3rd game: Get the Mother to be, and Grandmas together. Put them in a circle and hand them each a real baby bottle filled with apple juice. Fill the bottle about a 1/4 full and each person must feed the one to their left. Whoever finishes the bottle first gets a prize. This is a good laugh!
The shower was a huge success, I think we had about 35 people at this shower. We had Mimosas for each guest in wine glasses decorated with ribbon and plenty of healthy snacks for the guests and Mother to be.

Wedding Planning Templates

Brides if you want to save some money on hiring a wedding planner and/or for buying a wedding planning book.... Create your own using these fabulous templates available on the Russel+Hazel site

This will help make your life easier. They are free to download and are all in a nice PDF format so that you can easily print them from home.

Here is a list available for PDF Download