When the pieces fall into place..you know it's love...

When designing and styling a wedding, sometimes it's the smallest details that can be the hardest. Choosing a design for details such as escort cards,table numbers and guest books can be seriously overwhelming because believe it or not they can become the most creative elements. I often spend sleepless nights racking my brain thinking of the most out of the box and original idea. It is indeed a puzzle as you want to be as creative as possible but it also has to fit in perfectly with the decor and the story that you are telling.

Well I couldn't believe my eyes when I found this amazingly genius creative idea for the Guest Book!!!!!! A custom puzzle. Now this is no ordinary puzzle, it is made of REAL wood and can have wonderful hidden little pieces like words, names, dates or even shapes.

Where did I find this utter fabulousness?? Bella Puzzles on Etsy!!

The options are endless....

I love that it can be just plain wood...It would look fabulous on a coffee table.

Just having the date can be simple yet elegant.

Guests pick a piece of the puzzle and write on the back..

I am in LOVE with the packaging!!

It even come with pens!! I can't tell you how many times that couples forget the pens for the guest book!

Problem solved.

In my opinion these don't just have to be for weddings....what about a new house, 1st year anniversary, birthday, new baby....the possibilities are endless...

So Thank you Thank you Bella Puzzles for your fabulousness, creativity and allowing me to have a good night's sleep.

LSW

People that Touch our Lives... Thanks!

Two of my brides recently surprised me with the most thoughtful gifts from Etsy vendors that I just had to share with you all. These designers are so incredibly talented, and make the perfect gifts as you think about bridesmaids gifts, holiday presents, etc. I can't get enough of this fabulous zebra clutch and absolutely gorgeous yellow handmade necklace, they will always remind me of two very special brides and their weddings. Happy Friday everyone!! This Saturday husband and I are celebrating our 6 year wedding anniversary and it is our last wedding of the season!

Oatmeal & Lace (Oatmeal and Lace is offering free shipping November 15-25th)

Allora Handmade

Advent Calendars..The magic of December 1st.. Part 2!

Last year on December 1st, I created a post called Advent Calendars...The Magic of December 1st.

This year, there was no question that I HAD to post earlier, so that you could find the right calendar and then be able to fill them just in the nick of time.

Recently, I found this absolutely creative calendar on Just Something I Made that WILL not break the bank!

I love how she shares with you her secrets on creating it!

You have to check it out and she even has free downloads!!

How perfect to make it into a hide and seek game!

But it doesn't end there...

The Traditionalist

For those of us who miss NYC during the holidays, this one is perfect...Yellow cabs and all!

Metropolitan Museum of Art Advent Calendar- $16.95

Hand-Made

Advent Calendar by Stitch Sprite on Etsy-$89

Little Magic Forest Advent Calendar by Dear Adam on Etsy-$42

One of a Kind Natural Advent Calendar in Oatmeal by Dear Adam at Etsy-$82

Recycled License Plate Funky Primitive Advent Calendar by Recycled Art Co on Etsy-$129

LOVE THIS!!

Sans Serif Advent Calendar by Rennadeluxe on Etsy-$33

Classic Paper

Eric Carle Advent Calendar-Designed by Ray Marshall- $10.99

Store Bought

Burlap Sack Advent Calendar by Pottery Barn-$99

Bucket & Branch Advent Calendar by Pottery Barn-$299

$299 really?? I definitely think this can be made for a LOT less!!!

The Modernist

White Advent Calendar Tower designed by Christian von Ahn for Philippi on design3000

I can definitely see this in Miss True's Home!!

Happy Hunting and we would LOVE to hear about your favorites as well as the best goodies to fit in them!

LSW

Monday Typefaces..Home is where the heart is...

Alphabet Houses by thelittlereddoor on etsy

LSW

Custom Pillows....No carving required...

This is an absolute MUST!

Designed by Cozy Blue on Etsy

LSW

Happily Ever After....

I am absolutely in love with this hand embroidered tablecloth by Bird and Bear on Etsy.

Wouldn't it make the perfect wedding present??

Love!!

LSW

Not just for Grandma... The Art of Crocheting

Crochet LOVE!

Wood and Wool Stools, on Etsy, discovered on decor8

Crochet Earrings, by Tania Nova for Etsy, discovered on shefinds.com

A couple of years ago while I was living in NYC my best friend Marissa introduced me to crocheting. I quickly fell in love with the hobby, however I never learned beyond the basic stitch and lost interest. The blanket I started, became a project that I never seemed to be able to finish (it remains a long skinny lap blanket or could maybe even pass for a make shift scarf, rolled up in a bag it sits in my closet). Over the weekend while doing spring cleaning I rediscovered the half complete blanket and without even really searching discovered a couple of really talented ladies that are doing the coolest things with the craft. Totally re-inspired I am thinking of pulling my crochet needles back out, I am just in LOVE with these benches and must have a pair of those yellow hoops!

Small things=Great things...

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together" Vincent Van Gogh.

Living with a 6 1/2 year old can be quite challenging at times. However, there are those moments when you have realized that the student has become the teacher. So, as the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday approached , I waited in baited breath to see what questions I was up against. I mean let's be honest, the man was truly amazing and what he accomplished and still accomplishes today is a little bit heavier than a cherry tree and wooden teeth. But strangely enough there were no questions...Instead, what came home from school were pieces of artwork and compositions about this very important man. On the first piece, there was a giant handmade birthday cake with candles, while a drawing of Dr. King's wife and his Nobel Peace Prize lay on the front. On the back, he was asked what he thought Dr. King hoped for. The words were friendship, sharing and kindness. On the second piece, they were discussing "Hug-a-War" and Tug-a -war" (these are two categories of people who either help others or who don't). What he wrote was, " I would help Mason open his locker". So there it was right in front of me...clean, simple and to the point....As adults, we tend to overthink, take things that were once simple and make them more complicated. So there in lies my lesson for today, that a 6 1/2 year old can show me the simplicity of a word and it's true meaning. That small things can turn into great things and all it takes is a dream.

So when I thought of the words that he chose like sharing, kindness and dreaming, I searched and found a very simple and creative way to achieve this...

I fell in love with these interactive postcards from Threefold on Etsy. Simple, yes, but they allow one to share and/or just make a wish.

Beautiful and to the point!

"Make a Wish"

"Sharing is Caring"

LSW

A bag of many talents...

So it's officially the start of the Holiday shopping season. So why not get a great bag to hold all those great finds! Well, look no further...Check out this great bag created by melangerienyc on Etsy. Not only does it make a great tote for shopping but can also make the perfect wedding shower gift. Why not fill it with the bride's essentials for her honeymoon, a great beach towel, travel kit, sunscreen..the possibilities are endless!

LSW

Table Manners..

With the Thanksgiving Holiday biting at our heels, most of us have gotten a little bit rusty on our "formal" table manners. Not just for the "Kid's Table", these embroidered napkins by BetsyGrace on Etsy will not only educate us but will serve as a conversation piece just in case the topics go to areas such as religion, politics, "the turkey is dry", "why didn't you tell me" and my favorite "How could you forget the whip cream"...

LSW

Keeping warm...Handmade...

I feel a bit ridiculous writing about winter accessories since our November seems warmer than our summer, but I know the cold will come very very soon! I find that there is nothing like a Hand-Knit Scarf made by a Grandmother, Mother, Mother-in-Law or even a Great Aunt Mildred. But if you don't have any of these wonderful knitters in your life, Etsy has come to our rescue! You can find millions and even zillions of beautiful Hand-Knit accessories created by Grandmothers, Mothers, Mothers-in-Law and Sisters. Now I know what you're thinking, the prices seem a little high compared to your local TJ Maxx but these are created with care, passion and love just like Great Aunt Mildred!

Enjoy!!

Top Row: Beige Ribbon Scarf $45.00 , Nuno felted Shawl/Wrap/Scarf $95.00 , New Yorker Hand-knit Scarf $40.00, Tuesday Cowl $60.00, Turquoise Mohair Shawl $75.00

Middle Row: Fuschia Mulberry Pom-Pom Scarf $18.00, Multi-Bubble Scarf $38.00, Sweet Cherry Capelet or Scarf or Collar $60.00 , Cable Knit Scarf with Flower Brooch $48.00 , Year-Round Wrap in Taupe $88.00

Bottom Row:

Hold me Neckwarmer $55.00 , Textured Hand-knit Scarf with Rose Pins $75.00, Purple Shawl $80.00 , Light Blue Neckwarmer $45.00, Sweet Cherry Capelet or Scarf or Collar $60.00

LSW

Tattoo Tights....

Too scared to make the commitment of getting a tattoo...Look no further as Tattoo Socks has solved the problem!

The tights/pantyhose come in 5 different colors to match any shade of skin and the designs are to die for. Just in time for Halloween, they have the flying bat motif.

For Ms. True, they have the peacock feather...Maybe she will be wearing them this Sunday, November 1st at her new studio's open house in Clinton, Connecticut!

LSW

Monday Typefaces...pillows for all ages..

Alphabet Pillow found via Etsy at Pilosale

ABC Bear Pillow found via Etsy at Pilosale

Block Printed Linen Typography Pillow found via Etsy at 1girl1boy.

Block Printed Linen Typography/Woodgrain pillow found via Etsy at 1girl1boy.

LSW