A Weekend of Events... One Big Birthday Celebration

Guests arrived to the Inn at Stonington and Orchard Street Inns to a custom designed (True Event) welcome bag

Inside the Welcome Bag:
1. Bag, Sport Systems Custom Bag Corp.
2. Farm Coffee, Ashlawn Farm, Lisa Birthday Celebration Blend
3. Lobster Cookie, Sugarbelle
4. Map of Stonington Mug, La Grua's
5. Mystic Chips
6. Bottled Water
7. Custom Designed Map and Things to do in Stonington Borough Card, Chocolate Creative Design
images by Anna Sawin Photography

The weekend Began Friday Night at Skippers Dock, Stonington, CT. It was the first time Skipper's Dock hosted a private tented event on the deck, and we rocked it!

Collaboration:
1. Band, Steel Rhythm, totally set the mood for a fabulous party.
2. Name Cards, Chocolate Creative Design
3. Tent Decor, True & Wesson
4. Event Coordination, True Event
5. Floral, Hana Floral Design
6. Rentals, Party Rental Ltd.
7. Tent, Taylor Rental, Westbrook
7. Venue, Skippers Dock
8. Photography, Anna Sawin Photography

Saturday morning guests boarded a private charter with a historian on the Argia, surrounded by perfectly clear, blue skies.

Saturday Night was the Official "Birthday Party" at the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club

Collaboration:
1. Floral, Hana Floral Design
2. Name Cards & Menu, Chocolate Creative Design
3. Event Coordination, True Event
4. Paper Flowers, St. Jude's Creations
5. Photography, Anna Sawin Photography
6. Venue, Stonington Harbor Yacht Club
7. Band, The Cartell's, after dinner guests danced into the night.
8. Rentals, Party Rental Ltd.

Crop Circles...

After two -three weeks of straight rain in the Northeast, I am ready to take back our jungle of a yard and mow. I am thinking of doing a design like this since the grass seems to have reached outrageous heights!!  Ms. True hates to mow, but I love it! Exercise and instant gratification in one fell swoop! Did you know that you can burn 198 calories in 30 minutes using a push mower (ours is not self-propelled by the way and 2 1/2 acres of grass)! Also by doing serious weeding and digging in your garden can add up to 252 calories per 30 minutes! Ms. True can train for those marathons but I'll take mowing any day!

Image found on BBC News.

Monday Typefaces...Zip Ties...

Ms. True and I used a lot of these this past weekend while decorating the Birthday tent!

Found via Flickr.

I Heart Paper Decorations

images by Mel Barlow Photography, via Martha Stewart Weddings

Last week in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, a number of top wedding experts came together with Martha Stewart Weddings to sponsor the Pop Up Wedding Series. What a fantastic idea!

As I was flipping through the images I was blown away with the festive, fun, feminine, inexpensive paper decorations. What a great detail to add to your party. I especially love the clusters of tissue balls strung on a string to form chandeliers and the leaf garland as a backdrop to the champagne station.

Surprise Birthday Weekend in Stonington

Map created by Chocolate Creative Design

Sorry for lack of posts the past couple of days. I am working in Stonington this weekend for a surprise 50th birthday celebration. I started working with this client back in March, and having never been to Stonington he hired me to help coordinate a full weekend of events for his wife, family and closest friends. It has been so much fun planning all of the details.

Friday throughout the day guests began arriving to the Inn at Stonington and they all met at Skippers Dock for cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, steel drums, and lobsters on the water. Today they will board the Argia for a private sail and tonight to celebrate Lisa's actual birthday they will enjoy cocktails, dinner and dancing, with music by the Cartell's, at the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club. A truly memorable weekend!

Laura and Clark... Island Farm

Images by Erica of Adeline and Grace Photography

This past weekend Laura and Clark got married on Elihu island in Stonington. With the impending forecast tensions were high, as we were hoping to get the ceremony in prior to the start of what they were predicting to be heavy rain and flooding. We made the decision to start the ceremony 15 minutes before scheduled and as Laura and her dad walked down the aisle the rain fell lightly but it didn't put a damper on the energy and love that surrounded her as she took her place next to her groom. The heavy rain they had been predicting never came, the storm totally missed us! It was the most incredible affair, with an amazingly talented group of vendors. Congratulations Clark and Laura!

Collaboration:
Stationary: Chocolate Creative Design (Wesson)
Event Coordination: True Event (True)
Flowers: Hana Floral Design
Photography: Adeline and Grace
Catering: Gourmet Galley
Makeup/Hair: Jennie Fresa Beauty Library
Lighting: Power Posse Productions
Rentals: Rentals Unlimited
Tents: Sperry Tent
Additional Rentals: Taylor Rental and Country Portables
Justice of the Peace: The Copps
Venue: Island Farm (Elihu) Island

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 22

Found via FFFFOUND.

Monday Typefaces...Bikes

Summer is officially here!!  Time to get outside and enjoy!

Bike Type created by Emma Webb.

True and Wesson in Action... a behind the scenes look

Wesson made fun of me all day but I have to say I love my new LeSportsac Fanny Pack!

On Saturday Clark & Laura got married on Island Farm (Elihu Island) and Miss Anna captured us in action. This was the first time we had a photographer follow us 4 hours before the event began. It is so neat to be able to see a behind the scenes look at all of the details, set up, and coordination of the arrival of vendors. It truly was a fantastic event and we somehow we managed to dodge the heavy rain they had been predicting all week. I can't wait to share with you the pictures Erica of Adeline and Grace captured of the wedding.
Hopefully we will have them up later today!

Father's Day

Dads, there is nothing quite like them.  I am very lucky because I have an amazing one.  It is true what they say, you do end up marrying someone who has similar characteristics as your father. I am fortunate to have a father and a husband who respect each other and are great friends.  They are strong and silent, silly and empathetic, loving and kind. They also make great pillows. There is nothing better than to have a Dad's arms wrapped around you while you sleep, keeping you safe, warm and protected.

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads..especially mine and Creighton's. We Love you!

Clever packaging..almost good enough to eat..

Created by illustrator Hiroko Sanders for Kleenex which can be found only at Target. I sure hope they have a few left!!!

Found via The Dieline.

Friday Wine Tasting... Trumpeter Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine of the Week
Trumpeter Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
$9.99


With all of the rain and cooler temps I have been craving a nice glass of red wine like I do in the winter. I keep asking myself is it really the middle of June?! I am longing for hot summer days on the deck with Margarita in hand, or a nice cold crisp glass of white wine, but to help get me through the rain this is a great cheapy red! Happy Friday and Father's Day to all the dads!

Winemaker’s notes:
Color: deep ruby red with violet tones
Juicy berry fruit aromas lead into concentrated flavors of raspberries and blackberries. Well-balanced with firm tannins. Hints of vanilla, cocoa and sweet oak appear on the finish.

Food match: beef, grilled red meats, pork, sweet breads

On Location...Island Farm, Exclusive Venue in CT

Before the tents went up

Sperry Tents are in

images via my mobile camera

Today I am blogging on site from Island Farm "Elihu Island" in Stonington, CT. It is truly one of the most special places I have had the opportunity to work. Home to only 4 weddings a year the island is a premiere destination to host your wedding. Today is day 2 of production and it is almost eerily quiet as I wait for the the bride and groom, remainder of rentals and vendors that will all be arriving on island in the next two hours. Sitting here looking out over the water watching the sun peak through the clouds you can't help but get lost in the romanticism and beauty that exists all around. We are so excited to be working with Laura and Clark as they get ready to say "I do" on Saturday.

TRUE & WESSON Philosophy # 21

Found via FFFFOUND.

Birthday Inspiration...Paper Flowers

Image Via Brides.com

This is the color story for an upcoming birthday party Lucinda and I are collaborating on for a client. I have been having so much fun working with him in planning all of the details for a full weekend of events and Lucinda is designing all of the paper pieces to coordinate. From the invitation to the menus, and escort cards, every detail is just so. The colors are fun and full of energy, the perfect summer palate for a celebration.

Using the above image for inspiration Lucinda discovered a super talented lady that makes custom paper flowers, and is located right here in Connecticut, St. Jude's Creations. She has designed for us paper poppies that we will be using to accent the escort cards and for guests to take as a favor. They are just perfect! I'm already thinking of a million different ways to incorporate her beautiful creations into other upcoming events.
Stay tuned for more fabulous details from this weekend affair!

Tie-pography....

With Wedding Season, Graduations and Father's Day approaching, I thought this "Tie-pography"would be perfect!

Created by Ed Nacional.

1, 2 Forget about 3... First Dance

Husband played this fabulous song for me over the weekend and I just had to share. This is such a great first dance song. To be honest I am loving this whole album and Josh Kelley. Other favorites "Amazing, and Home to Me."

1,2 Forget about 3... Lyrics

You like summer, and I like spring
You like to read, and I like to think
Together we are made of fire and rain
You shake it all together in a bottle and pray I said, 1, 2, forget about 3
The only thing that matters is you and me I said, 1, 2, don’t worry about 3
You’re never gonna find another liver like me

I say thanks, and you say please
I like meat, and you like cheese
Together we are made of bears and bees
You shake it all together in a bottle and scream
I said 1, 2, forget about 3
The only thing that matters is you and me
I said 1, 2 don’t worry about 3 You’re never gonna find another lover like me

I like to drink, and you like to smoke
You like to laugh, and I like to joke
Together we are travellin’ planes and trains
You shake it all together and you go insane
I said 1, 2, forget about 3… The only thing that matters is you and me
I said 1, 2, don’t worry about 3 You’re never gonna find another lover like me

You like to bake, and I like to grill
You wanna talk, and I wanna chill
We fit better than a lock and key
Put us in the oven at a hundred degrees
I said 1, 2 forget about 3… The only thing that matters is you and me
I said 1, 2, don’t worry about 3 You’re never gonna find another lover like me

You like fast, and I like slow
You like to tell, and I like to show
We’re made for one another like a ball and glove
Bases fully loaded with some home-team love
I said 1, 2 forget about 3 The only thing that matters is you and me
I said 1, 2, don’t worry about 3
You’re never gonna find another lover like me
You’re never gonna find another lover like me
You’re never gonna find another lover like me