i'm ashamed to admit...

This is not a glamorous post. I don't really have any shiny photos or appealing visuals. Mostly, I'm passing on info about this service (not because I've tried it) but because... (true confession alert)... I have been married for more than three years, and my own name is still not completely clear to me. I'm Ms. Law (my maiden name) when I fly to Canada. Mrs. Sala when I drive my car. Ms. Law gets calls from telemarketers all the time. Mrs. Sala gets mortgage bills. Ms. Law gets all my Syracuse alumni mail. Mrs. Sala owns the car, but it's paid for by Ms. Law's credit card. This has been going on for 3 years. 3 years people! I'm sure I could get it all done in a week, I'm sure it would be "easy". But at this point, I'm just totally intimidated by all the paper work. Looking back on my own experience, it might have been worth it to order a service just to have something that tells you what to do and when to do it. Just paying money for the service might have compelled me to get it done. If anyone has a chance to try this service (Maiden Name Change.com), please let us know how it goes. Those of us* (*read "me") who have no service? We have stalled.

purposedesign: spice labs

{medium everyday spice kit}

because who doesn't need more spice in their life? ingenious spice kits and gifts. more at purposedesign.etsy.com

as i am running to the airport *right now* (internet addiction, anyone??) i promise to edit this post when i return from my *hopefully* delicious vacation. the spice of life!

have a great weekend, all!

mamameo: fortune cookie soaps

{fortunate fortune cookie soaps}

this *fabulous* etsy idea from exit, pursued by bear, in a great post.

more at mamameo.etsy.com

bling

Gorgeous jewelry over at Raul Frisneda Jewelry. My favorites are the earrings, no wait, the bracelet. No! Wait! The ring. It's the ring. Who cares, they're all amazing. They leave me wishing for an occasion for dressing in jewels.
That reminds me. Today, is a very special day. Today is the LOST premiere. I'm a total LOST junkie. So much so that whenever I type LOST, I must use all CAPS, like in the logo... LOST! I must admit that the event is bittersweet. When we lived in Brooklyn I would host "LOST Night" every Wednesday. My friends would all come over and I would make dinner. It was the highlight of my week. Now that we're in Rhode Island, and my dear friends are far far away, LOST Night is sure to be a little sad. Luckily I have Sawyer to distract me from all the sadness.

sweet and simple

Chic and simple cakes from Flour Girl of Cleveland. I love the mocha one with the airy flowers. Wouldn't one of these little beauties on each guest table be adorable? They're just the right size!

pillowhead: sachet favors

{customized + hand-embroidered coffee sachets (set of 2)}

cracked out on too many late-night seating chart wrangles?
struggling to stay awake writing one more thank-you? (just... one... more...)

this find courtesy of angel at lifeseventful, who thinks these would make brilliant favors. what a great idea! these are not skivvy-sachets -- for those, pillowhead makes lavender -- they're desktop, good morning, wake-up sachets, made from repurposed canvas and felt, and (!!) hand-embroidered with a lovely sans-serif initial/number/symbol and color of your choosing. they'd also be a kick for a bridesmaid brunch. good morning minions
best girlfriends!

thanks so much for the suggestion!
more embroidered treats at pillowhead.etsy.com

jennysherbie: soy candles

geranium soy wax candle

ok, how's this for an eco-clever idea? non-toxic soy wax candles, scented with all natural oils, in vintage glassware. once the candle is finished, a little soap and water and the glass can be used for toasting your bad green self.

you could get unscented ones for the dinner tables in an assortment of glasses, *or* jennysherbie also lists a whole armada of candles in reusable jars to be given as favors, complete with a custom-designed decal featuring your wedding particulars.



more info at jennysherbie.etsy.com

get down, get down.

Picture these babies with a mod little sheath, out on the dance floor, cutting a rug with the new husband. Love the subtle pattern, love the almond shaped toe, and it kind of looks like the heel would be sturdy enough to get down and boogie. Tory Burch shoes at Neiman's.

short stack

Now we haven't officially named him yet, but we're leaning toward "Shorty". So Shorty, meet everyone. Everyone, meet Shorty. He's six weeks old, covered in velvety puppy fur, and the sweetest little muffin you've ever had the pleasure of snorggling. We don't get to take him home for another 5 weeks or so, but after our visit with him today at the breeder's, it all seems so real! I'm back to regular wedding blogging tomorrow, but I'm too hopped up on puppy to focus on anything else tonight.

reggieanna: ring pillows

white satin wedding ring pillow

san diego-based reggieanna makes lovely, simple, and *reasonably priced* ring pillows. she has a lovely selection of 7"x7" pillows in basic colors, and also does custom work. i could see the ones with a wide 'sash' bow even working as an accent pillow on your future married-life sofa -- so you could say they're *eco-friendly* and reusable. (i'm not selling that one, am i? :)

more lovelies at reggieanna.etsy.com

minnak: gowns and veils

michelle

after many moons, i've come across actual wedding gowns on etsy (a simplicity or butterick pattern simply won't do) -- ny-based minnak studied in paris, ny and tokyo, then launched her own line of simple, immaculate dresses. custom handmade-to-order, and priced accordingly. you can choose a color other than white, for the offbeatbride set.

she also makes beautiful veils -- more at minnak.etsy.com

great gift

We've received so many nice housewarming gifts since we've moved in to the new house. One of my favorites was this collection of five white vases by Rosanna (they also have a colored collection of the same vases). If you're looking for thoughtful off-registry wedding gift, a great item to add to your own registry, or just a treat for yourself, these are awesome. I love mine so much that if I know I'm having people over and we're going to be hanging out in the kitchen, I'll move them all to the kitchen. If we're going to be playing games in the living room, I'll bring them in there. They're like a traveling side show! I sort of wish I had a few sets so I didn't keep having to take them with me.

palomasnest: ceramics

custom tiny white ceramic text bowl

paloma means 'dove' in spanish, and i love the white on white simplicity of caroline's etsy shop -- the handstamped, customizable teensy (3") bowls with your saying of choice would be sweet, quirky wedding favors or bridal party gifts. suggested use: on a dresser or desk, "to catch jewelry and all of life's little treasures." or, my stepmom used to have a little bowl by the kitchen sink where she put her rings when she washed up.

(you may have noticed by now that i *love* hand stamped, customizable things, whether jewelry or gifts -- partly because it enables you to give such a personal message writ permanent. and i like the imperfect, jumbled aesthetic, the distinct signs of human manufacture, more than the 'things-remembered' professionally engraved look. just me!)

the shop's lovely 'craft peace' theme is in keeping with the dove motif, which makes a frequent appearance on the ceramics themselves. there are larger bowls, plus an intriguing set of balsa-wood invitation/thank you cards (noted on the UK's bridalwave), and you can customize/order in multiples. final plug: made with heart in austin, texas -- one of my hometowns. more at palomasnest.etsy.com

omg

I stumbled across Estate Diamond Jewelry.com by accident, and found some of the most beautiful engagement ring settings I have ever seen. I absolutely love the setting with the Asscher cut diamond on the left hand side. The princess cut one, surrounded by the sapphires is also just amazing. Granted, if it were me, I might not want quite such an enormous diamond. I might even substitute the diamond in some of these settings for something else. An aquamarine? A sapphire? A citrine? I can't imagine any stone looking bad!

brooklynbookbinder: albums and journals

black and copper photo album

pretty and perfect as an engagement or wedding gift or your own wedding album. or use one of the journals or sketchbooks as an alternative guestbook -- even better with a bigass feather pen, sold separately. more at brooklynbookbinder.etsy.com

louisa beccaria

As much as I love white gowns (and there are some stunners out there), there are multitudes of gorgeous colorful ones out there too. I can't imagine limiting myself to white when there are delicate confections like these from Louisa Beccaria out there. Are you considering anything other than a white dress for your day?

envelope dress up

Depending on your color scheme, these could be just the ticket to dress up your invitation envelopes. From, (you guessed it), Ms. Martha. I'm picturing them on a bright yellow envelope, a lavender one, or maybe even a celery color... The options are endless. Grey Cherish Labels, Martha Stewart.

calypso wrap dress

I'm guessing that most people are enjoying their day off. I'm working a bit, trying to catch up on loose ends. I thought I would post about these gorgeous silk wrap dresses from Calypso. They come in so many amazing colors and wrap in a variety of ways (although this style is my favorite). I thought they could be a wearable/versatile bridesmaid's dress, while still having that really lush, silk look. They'd also be perfect for a rehearsal dinner dress, or a bridal shower. I love, love the coral color. Something about that color, I keep wanting to paint everything in the new house this color. I must... hold... back.

ontheinside: handmade lingerie

sassafrass camisole and forget me not panties

the hell with that victoria. mall tart. here's a fancy handmade option for your shower/bachelorette -- made in asheville from luxurious laces and eco-friendly organic cotton and bamboo (really!) pantyliners. ooh la la.



more at ontheinside.etsy.com