Delicious Vendors: Whimsey Spice
I came across this delightful etsy store via Swanky Tables a long time ago. Whimsey & Spice is the creation of Jenna and Mark, an art direction and a pastry chef living in New York. They specialize in making sweet food with a dash of spice. I have to admit, I haven’t tried Whimsey & Spice personally, but I can tell you that if it tastes only half as good as it looks, I might develop an addiction!
Among their products, my favorites have to be the pillows they call marshmallows, butterscotch bars, and the gorgeous earl gray sandwich cookies. Yum! For more delicious goodness, visit their etsy shop. They also have a wonderful blog, sweet fine day, where they share insight into their business and family. It is one of my favorite daily reads in my rss feed!
DIY Details We Love
This week Style Me Pretty is featuring amazing DIY projects from their readers… a bride can find herself in heaven (and a bit overwhelmed!) at all the gorgeousness going on over there. Here are some of my favorite projects they’ve featured:
Monogramed Favor Boxes
When your special day is winding down and coming to an end its time to thank your guests for sharing in your special day. I obviously wanted to personalize this but on a budget you have to be cautious of how you can accomplish this. So I ordered 1/2 pint Chinese to go boxes. It was something like $30 for 200 boxes. Now that you have these very plain and simple boxes its time to make it personal. I have incorporated my monogram in many places throughout the wedding so when this presented itself it seemed like another great opportunity (FYI: if you plan on using monograms just remember your fiances last name should not be used on anything prior to the ceremony. Think of it like this its not your last name yet so you cant use it) . So I designed the template using photoshop and made it into stickers! I made the stickers 2 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches and printed it out on photo paper. . .
Once you have your monogram labels printed you are going to cut all of them out. I cant tell you how helpful this paper cutter from Michael’s has been!
Now you will need to take your cut out monogram and make it into a sticker. I purchased an 5″ Xyron creative station to accomplish this. It doesn’t get any easier all you have to do it turn the handle and there you have it. . . stickers!
This is what comes out on the other end 
Your final step is to adhere your sticker to you white chinese box.
Perfect!! 
Vendor Spotlight: Le Viette
I love when talented and creative people contact me about their products! Kaitlyn from Le Viette emailed me earlier last week to introduce the beautiful works of art she and her team create. Le Viette is creating a wave of new trends in gift-giving and event decorations with elegantly designed towel sets that resemble real desserts. But wait until you see them! They look good enough to eat.
Are they not amazing? I think they would be spectacular for a desert themed bridal shower (stay tuned because we are planning a great post detailing some ideas for one!), desert themed dinner party, and of course, wedding favors! I would love to be greeted, as a guest, by one of these on my plate. I think they also make a great hostess gift!
Le Viette also paid attention to detail, and put the same amount of artistry in the packaging of these beautiful faux deserts – they are elegantly gift-wrapped with satin ribbon bows, custom-made gift boxes, mini insert-cards, flower lace papers, and much more. Le Viette products cost between $6.99 and $7.99.
Vendor Spotlight: Sandals For Events!
Click an image to enlarge!
Last week I received a lovely email from Julia Bornstein from Sandals 4 Events, introducing her company and product to me. I visited their website and was immediately impressed with the quality of leather sandal that they custom create for any event. Julia shipped one right over to me and it arrived Tuesday! It came in a darling black, white, and pink shoe box and inside, wrapped in tissue, was one of their custom sandals and a satin draw-string carrying bag. Of course I was thrilled that she sent me the hot pink, but they do come in a variety of colors! I slipped it on my food and it was very comfortable. These are a super chic favor idea for a bridal beacheon (or luncheon) and to give to guests as favors for your beach wedding. I also love them personalized for your bridal party to wear on the day-of and as a thank you gift.
Julia was also kind enough to extend a little something special to Jubilee’s brides who purchase sandals from her company. Thank you Julia!
Update: Alphabet Tags
I received an email from Stu at Three Potato Four regarding the alphabet tags I wrote about in yesterday’s blog. The good news is that you can special order the tags in the letter(s) you want for .50 a tag! What a bargan!
Dressing Up a Table
I love designing table scapes, especially for intimate dinners and parties. I’m always looking to acquire unique and beautiful vases, pitchers, and other containers to use on the table and as interactive pieces for dinner (I love best when things serve a multipurpose!). I have a closet full of greatly shaped containers in a variety of different textures. While surfing the ‘net this afternoon, I came across this darling website called Three Potato Four. They are based out of Virginia where they run their self-proclaimed “mom and pop shop.” What I love most, besides almost every single item they sell on their website, is that they’ve taken the leg work out of finding unique vintage pieces. They have a wealth of items to browse, but my favorite was their array of unique, delectable and colorful pitchers, containers, vases, whatever!
I first fell in love with this milk bottle carafe that looks so beautiful with a single flower, a bouquet, or just filled with your mornings orange juice. I love the shape of it and the thickness of the glass. It is a unique piece that I can’t wait to use!
Of similar ilk is this vintage water bottle that also looks wonderful with just a single bloom. My mom use to have these types of vintage pieces that she would occasionally pick up at tag sales or estate sales. She especially loves medicine bottles.
My most favorite item is their alphabet gift tags. I’ve emailed them about personalizing the order to just include a set amount of one letter. I doubt it is possible unless they are vintage inspired pieces, but if they can offer that option, these would be wonderful as favor tags and in other elements of a weddings design. And because they are black and white they can appeal to a variety of different decor palettes. Either way, I’m ordering myself a set. For $8.oo, how can you go wrong?
Favor Idea: Something Regional
The favor you give your guests at your wedding is a wonderful way to thank them for sharing in your special day. Its also a great way for your guests to get to know you better by giving them something that is a reflection of you as a couple. I love the idea of regionally inspired favors. Long gone are the days of the covered almonds or popuri filled swans. More and more, couples are coming up with unique favor ideas that represent them while being cost effective.
Regional favors represent the area in which your wedding takes place. Its not only charming to give something local, but it is also great for the local economy. Whenever you can spend your money in local businesses and specialty stores you’re giving back to your community.
Many of the bridal magazines have explored great regional favors in other states, but no magazines talked about Connecticut-centric favors, so here are some ideas for you Connecticut brides!
Bottles of Connecticut wine. DeGrazia, Jones, Hopkins, Sharpe Hill, and Jonathon Edwards are all local vineyards that have wonderful varieties of wine. Often, you can pick up their bottles in your local liquor store… but better yet, why not visit the vineyard yourself?
Having a fall wedding? Why not give your guests small bottles of maple syrup from Lamothe’s Sugar House in Burlington. You can even personalize the bottles with your monogram, or specific design elements from your invitation.
Is decedent chocolate more your thing? Why not give your guests handmade, gourmet chocolates from Bridgewater. Bridgewater Chocolates are known as Connecticut’s Most Delectable Chocolate. Give them away in small colored boxes wrapped in ribbon. Attach a tag expressing your gratitude or affix your monogram or invitation design.
If you and your future hubby really enjoy coffee, why not give gourmet ground coffee or coffee beans to your guests? Independent Coffee Roasters in a family owned business in West Hartford. They have a dozen or so yummy flavors listed on their website and they also do personalized labeling with their in-house graphic designer!
These are just a few great ideas for wedding favors. If you know of a local specialty store please post a comment! There are so many wonderful businesses and artesians in Connecticut.
