The weather here in South Florida is heating up to damn near unbearable (especially given the tropical storms we keep getting slammed with), but off in the rest of good ol’ America it’s the start to wedding season! Though it may not be the first step in wedding planning, invitations are the first thing your guests see when it comes to the big day. Here are some invites that tickled my fancy this week:

Romantic

1. Minted 2. Etsy 3. Minted 4. Paper-Source

Modern

1. Swash 2. Jupiter and Juno 3. Hello Lucky 4. Future Mrs. Darcy

Whimsical

1. Minted 2. Wedding Paper Divas 3. Elum 4. Wishing Tree Designs 

Letterpress (because naturally anything this beautiful requires it’s own category!)

1. Jupiter and Juno 2. Hello Lucky 3. Wedding Paper Divas

So there you have it. Lot’s of beautiful paper to drool over. I’ll be back with another round up next week. Thoughts on the new addition?

My results…

Modern! I agree with the result, though some of the items may not have been EXACTLY what I would have chosen.

#1 Kate spade new York Dinnerware, Gardner Street Platinum Collection

#2 Rowenta DW5080 Iron, Focus

#3 Simplehuman Trash Can, Deluxe Rectangular Recycler 16L

#4 Nambe Serveware, Gourmet Collection

#5 Samsonite Luggage, Silhouette 12 Hardside Spinner

I tried to play with my responses to see what other result options were there and the only two I could come up wtih were classic and preppy. It was interesting to see what they classified in each category and I really enjoyed seeing all of the recommended Macy’s items too. Head here to take the quiz for yourself and let me know if you came up with different results! Does it fit you or was Ruffled way off?

poppies and so many pretty bouquets

Honor the summer spirit with this stomach worthy invite

Throw down some patties on this firecracker red grill

Feed your guests with these porky plates

Keep em refreshed with yummy cocktails

Top your table with goodies that will last all summer long

DIY your dessert to entertain the crowd

Occupy the kiddos with some lawn twister

Last but not least – don’t forget the pooch!

This was not only a wedding I was planning, but also a wedding I was in.  Jaci is one of my oldest and closest friends and we have known each other for almost 20 years! Anyway, to refresh your memory this was a lovely spring wedding with a “whimsical modern garden” feel (or something to that effect). In case you forgot, this was the Save the Date that I designed.

I also had the honor to design the entire invitation suite for the wedding. Using the forsythia and the gray and yellow color scheme as inspiration we wanted the invitation to have a bit more of a traditional yet whimsical feel with the illustration, rather than the modern feel of the full color style used above. To help with this I once again enlisted the help of one of my graphic design friends Courtney O’Connell and we used this pretty number (with a few tweaks):

I made a few size options in both rectangular and square so that the bride could decide what route she wanted to go. Ultimately we decided upon rectangular as it was easier for both printing costs and mailing purposes. Initially, the plan was to go with a pocket fold invitation but again, costs and ease of mailing came into play and the decision was made to go with a twine wrapped stack.  This is what the whole suite looked like put together:

By happy accident the important titles (a.k.a. everything in black) actually printed with a slightly raised texture which I think added to the invitation significantly. The whole thing was finished off with a pearl silver envelope for the RSVP and the suite.

All in all I was pretty happy with the final product. I didn’t actually get to see anything printed until the full invitation arrived in the mail so it was a nice surprise! I would definitely recommend DIY’ing paper products for anyone worried about budget. With so many online sites to help with purchasing the envelopes, pockets, even pre-cut paper – it’s a breeze! (or you could always hire me! lol)

As great as all the paper parts are, I know what really matters is the wedding….so stay tuned for pt 2 with details, photos and more!!

In shameless self promotion I have to admit that part of my disappearing act was due to the fact that I spent the majority of March preparing for and participating in a local art show in my neighborhood. Gifford Art Stroll is an annual street art fair in Coconut Grove, Florida featuring eclectic artists, musicians and street food vendors from around the town. Having lived in the neighborhood for a few years I have previously volunteered but this was my first year participating as an artist. I have to say – it was awesome. Showing/selling my work to the public was something I have wanted to do for a while so jumping that hurdle felt fantastic! I sold a few pieces and generated a lot of interest from passers by.

All of my work is for sale year round though so check it out here. My website is still in the construction phase and only features highlights so if you are looking for anything in particular let me know – I just might have something for you! Again, check out my website art by elle.la.mae and buy some pieces!!! Your walls are begging for it I swear!

Even with nothing new to report there are still a LOT of people visiting my site every day. This is amazing. All I can say is THANK YOU! It gives me a new spark of determination and inspiration! To keep all of you coming back for more, I do have a lot on the table for you.

This weekend I will be doing a wedding at the beautiful Coral Gables Country Club with one of the sweetest couple’s I’ve ever worked with – so teasers will be coming!

Also, I am working on a complete site overhaul so look out for that as well.

In the meantime, I leave you with this little reception tip:

If you can’t decide on a signature drink – pick two!

image source: Martha stewart weddings

Offer a bride and a groom cocktail recommendation for your guests and let them decide. I will be doing this at the wedding this weekend with a refreshing summer twist: strawberry margarita and raspberry champagne spritz. Yum!

What Men Think of Valentines Day

from Women’s Health

and

Why Women Love Valentines Day

from Men’s Health

Super cute.

First of all, I can’t believe it’s already February! Yikes! With February comes what is essentially the last holiday of holiday season (you know, following Turkey Day and Christmas and New Years) and all that jazz. It’s one of those days that I feel you either love it or you hate it – personally I think i’m on the fence. Either way, I stumbled upon this post about the situation on one of the many blogs I read and I quite liked it. This particular topic (post marriage) is a bit out of my realm but I thought it was worth a share anyway. Listen up boys!

(all text copied from original blog found here, I just wanted to make it easier to find/read)

Valentine’s Day Survival Guide

(written by Katie at Marriage Confessions)

Today we are going to talk about something real. Something serious. Something looming. We are talking Valentines Day. The big V. V-Day, one of the most critical days of the year. One of the few days of the year that lets you sleep in the bed, or on the couch.

(FYI Ladies- This would be the part when you would call your man to come and read…)

There are two types of Valentiners. Ones that absolutely go over the moon for it, and ones that despise it. I happen to be somewhere in between those two. The day does not completely annoy me, however I’m not much for the random holiday thing. I not here to tell you which one you are. That is your business. But I will say regardless of which one you are. This year do something nice for your lady. She deserves it. Here is you guide:

Valentines Day does not have to be all-fancy-like with roses and dinner and makin’ babies. You don’t have to get all dressed up and go dancing. Don’t get me wrong all of that is fantastic and a wonderful evening. But to me, that is not what Valentines Day is about. Valentines Day is like Mother’s Day, without church. It is a time for you to tell your lady that you love her. It is her day. And it can be simple, and it can be romantic, and it can be knock your socks off fun all at the same time. Just be sure to make it your own. Don’t be typical.

You know your significant other better than anyone. Get her something that she really wants. Get her something that makes her feel pretty. Get her something that takes care of her. Get her something that tells her you appreciate everything she does. Get her something to tell her that she is perfect.

I’m sure you get her red flowers EVERY year, right? Well this year change it up. If you always give her red long-stem roses that you got on the side of the road for five dollars, change it up and get her white, pink, and red tulips. If you always give them to her when you come home from work, it will always seem like a last minute thought. Change it up this year and have them waiting in the bathroom for when she wakes up that morning instead. If you always have them in the morning, change it up this year, and send them to her office and surprise her there with flowers. That will make her feel good all day.

If you typically give her chocolates, change it up this year and bring home chocolates, a bottle of wine and make fondue.

If you typically give her jewelry, change it up this year and find a piece of jewelry that is different. It does not have to be diamonds, or anything expensive. Get her something that fits her style, something that when you see it in a store you can picture her wearing it.

If lingerie is in your repertoire each year, this year change it up and get her something different. Regardless of what you may or may not think, women do not want to wear that sexy stuff all the time. This year go for a practical gift like underwear or a nice bra.  It will make your lady feel good about herself everyday she wears it. This year don’t buy something that she will wear once in a blue moon, go practical and get her something she can wear once or twice a week.

Now, do we need to talk about buying underwear and lingerie? Shame on you if you have never bought your lady something nice from Victoria’s Secret. Listen, if you are not man enough to go in there and pick out something nice, then your girl needs to move on. Go in. It’s not scary. It’s not confusing. And most of the time, there are attractive sales women everywhere! Go in there and ask, “What is the most popular bra right now?  I need an everyday bra that my beautiful wife/fiancé/girlfriend/partner will love.” That will not only make you feel good about doing the right thing, but it will also make the attractive sales women give a you a nice smile and then take really good care of you. And in a last resort, if you just can’t bring yourself to do it, then the online store will have to do. Then you can browse as long as you need to.

If you are a dinner and movie at home kinda guy, change it up this year and YOU cook a nice dinner, or order take-out, or pick something up from her favorite restaurant and bring it home. If you like going out to dinner, take her to her favorite spot. Don’t take her to the sports bar, even if she wants to go. Take her somewhere nice. Get her to put on lipstick and a cute dress and go out to dinner and movie. Don’t take her to something dark or intense or scary (unless that turns her on…) take her to something girly and fun, a romantic comedy or something light-hearted.

Lastly, don’t get her something from the neighborhood drug store. Pay attention, man. Put some thought into her this year. It’s not hard. It’s not expensive. But it’s going to take some thought, and maybe some planning. But take the time to do it. Your girl is worth it. And it’s your responsibility to tell her that. Don’t mess it up this year. Surprise her. Make her smile. Make her laugh. Make her cry. Make her happy. Make her feel pretty. Tell her you love her.

So there it is. I’m a fan!

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