HOW TO: Make a Fun Rehearsal Bouquet

It's traditional, at least around here, to make a bouquet out of bows from the bridal shower for the bride to carry at the rehearsal.  As the Maid of Honor, I got tasked to make one for my friend Jessica.  It's a pretty goofy, not-supposed-to-be-glamourous tradition, but I still wanted to try to make something cute. 

Finding Gems in Chain Stores: Decorating with Pottery Barn Kids and Land of Nod // Land of Nod edition

So, I don't have children and I'm not planning on it.  I'm also not one of those women who loves to ooh and ahh over cute kid stuff.  However, every time we're at the mall, I can't help going into Pottery Barn Kids.  They have some really good stuff, that I could easily see working in an adult space.  It's not always possible to have the time/money/resources to find unique pieces, so it can be super helpful to know where to find good stuff at the big box and chain stores.

Emily Henderson is a great inspiration for using cute big box kids' stuff in not so cutesy ways.  She uses Pottery Barn Kids as a good resource for affordable draperies.  She also did a really great room with the similar Land of Nod. Granted, this room is for nine year old, but most of the stuff I want for myself.

Style by Emily Henderson

When the season of life is changing...

I've been in a somewhat melancholy contemplative mood today, as I have been, like many, saddened by the passing of actor Robin Williams.  I always felt a kinship with this man that shared my name and brought such joy to so many people.  People and things all have their seasons of life and sometimes they leave us before we're ready.

I recently started a new job and while new beginnings are exciting and hopeful, it often means that with this same cycle of life, some people and things reach their end.  I was thinking along these same lines a few weeks ago, when I heard that Chalet Suzanne, a local restaurant and inn that had been open for 83 years, was closing.  It was a quirky family-run landmark that had a special place in many people's hearts.  I always feel change very acutely and it makes me sad when the vintage places that I love close and are so often torn down.

B and I went out to Chalet Suzanne a few weeks ago for a final meal.  We brought the camera and got some great pictures of this awesome old place.  It is obviously in need of some maintenance, but you can still see the greatness of what was there.

HOW TO: Make a Potted Felt Fern

I love having potted plants in my home and for the most part, I'm pretty good at keeping them alive.  The sad exception was a poor little aloe plant that I had in my bedroom.  There's not much natural light in there and the plant didn't fare too well.  I love the look of houseplants though and I was determined to have one in the bedroom... preferably without killing anything else.  Then I got to thinking... I make things with felt, why not make a felt plant?

Lovely Summer by Celest on Etsy: Orange and Yellow Summer Wedding Treasury

I love featuring fun product treasuries from Etsy that I've been included in.  Today's featured treasury, Lovely Summer, comes from Celest on Etsy and features items perfect for a summer wedding in shades of orange and yellow.  Orange and yellow can seem dated, but it seems these colors are making comeback, according to Pantone, at least.

Check out the preview of this fun treasury below and visit the treasury page here for a bigger view and product links!

Alexandra + Ryan's Eco-Friendly Maryland Wedding

Despite the fact that I sell mostly boutonnières for men, most of my clients are brides. Ryan is actually one of the few grooms that have contacted me.... getting boutonnières was one of his only wedding responsibilities.  I was surprised when he messaged me a few months later to tell me that their awesome eco-friendly wedding had been featured on the DC-area blog, United With Love.  Even more to my surprise, United With Love has become the top referring site to my Etsy shop, with over 800 views!  

This green and blue wedding is cheerful and preppy with lots of Etsy-sourced items and eco-friendly elements, including composting and recycling as much as they could! The reception was held at a family friend's property and family and friends pitched in to DIY many parts of this wedding.  It looks like such a bright and happy labor of love!

All images by Jessica Schmitt Photography

THRIFTY WEDDING DRESSES: Neiman Marcus

When I think of Neiman Marcus, "thrify" isn't exactly the first word that comes to mind.  So I was super surprised that while browsing through their formal dress section (just for the fun of it), I came across a $350 dress that looked almost exactly like a Pnina Tornai dress (from Kleinfeld's of Say Yes to the Dress fame).   

If you're not familiar, here's an example of one of Pnina Tornai's dresses:

Pnina Tornai

Most definitely not my style, for the record.  Still though, I was pretty excited when I found something like that for so cheap.  It wasn't this exact dress and I'm kicking myself for not taking a picture, but here's a similar one:

Jovani 1531

This dress is no longer available online, but inspired by my find, I starting hunting through the Neiman Marcus website for other evening dresses that could work as wedding gowns.  It's no secret that tacking "wedding" onto anything instantly increases the price, but it's still shocking how many thousands of dollars cheaper white evening gowns can be. (Edited to add: While hunting around the website, I did notice that some of these dresses were also included in a "bridal" section, but I don't think these were manufactured to be bridal gowns, hence the lower price.)

SHOP LOCAL: Thrifty Chix

I love cute little shops and small businesses and it's always exciting to see new ones in the area, it seems like we just don't have enough of them.  Mom took me to a new shop in Winter Haven this weekend called Thrifty Chix.  It's located in a cute little house on the corner of First Street and Avenue A NE.

Thrifty Chix is operated by a retired nurse who had "open a shop" on her bucket list.  She's got a good mix of vintage items, new decor, and repurposed furniture.  The prices are reasonable.

I got a graphic, colorful pillow that says 'I am the light of the world' for only $15.  It's also weather treated, so I can use it inside or outside.

I also got a vintage wood and brass wine rack.  I've always wanted a wine rack and this is a good one, plus it was a steal for only $7!

Thrifty Chix is open Tuesday- Friday 10-6 and Saturday 10-3 and is located at 98 Ave A NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881.

Shop local!