2011 Wedding Season

With the new year comes the obvious change in date, resolutions and of course...another wedding season!! It's a time of year I always look forward to. This year promises to be another busy but exciting spring and summer full of weddings! 

I wanted to share our current line-up of 2011 weddings we'll be attending, their cute pictures and a few of the details... 

Melissa & Parker

February 26 ~ Tambor, Costa Rica

Melissa and Parker are having a small ceremony on the beach with immediate family and a few friends. They choose a destination wedding for a few reason, the biggest (no pun intended) being that they're expecting a baby in May (see the bump here)! They wanted to tie the knot now and plan to have a large reception back in Colorado in late summer or fall, after the baby is born.  

I will be traveling to Costa Rica sans B, but with some of my favorite high school ladies (plus Dave!). Not only am I looking forward to watching one of my besties tie the knot, I'm thankful for the motivation it's currently given me to workout! I am currently helping with a few wedding details (and surprises!) that I will share after the big day.

Debbie & Jeremy

April 30 ~ Turlock, California

Debbie and Jeremy are having a large ceremony (350+) and reception in Turlock, California (Debbie's hometown). While in Boston (Jeremy's hometown) last spring they had engagement photos taken at Fenway Park, home of the other love in Jeremy's life, the Boston Red Sox! 

The photo below was turned into their save-the-date, which you can see here on Debbie's blog. You can also follow along with her wedding projects as she counts down 30 before April 30. 

Over the last year or so B and I have both become good friends with Debbie and Jeremy so we are both really looking forward to witnessing their big day! I'm especially looking forward to seeing all Debbie's projects come to life, I know they won't disappoint. 

 Katie McElwee Photography

See their entire engagement photo session here! 

Sara & Andy

May 28 ~ Denver, Colorado

Sara and Andy are getting married over Memorial Day weekend in Denver. Their ceremony will take place on the grounds of Denver University, followed by a reception at an art gallery on Santa Fe. 

Perfectly aligned with their city wedding, are their adorable city engagement photos. The top photo was used in their save-the-date cards.

When Sara began her planning I was honored that she asked me to be her coordinator. After one talk we decided it would be more fun to help plan along the way and attend the wedding as a guest. Sara ended up hiring another friend as her wedding coordinator, Jackie with Jaclyn Michelle Weddings (great name, eh?)! And Kaci will be baking the cakes!

Angie Wilson Photography

Sarah & Derek

July 29 ~ San Rafael, California

Sarah and Derek are getting married this summer in San Rafael where they currently live and work. Their ceremony will take place in a local park and fitting for these teachers, their reception is at the St Vincent School for Boys! 

Their engagement photos were also taken in their neck of the woods and I just love everything about them (the photos and the couple)!

Sarah and Derek have been together for over five years, so I've known them both a long time. I know I'm not alone in saying that I can't wait for their wedding! I have a feeling it will be just like them - unique and a total blast.

 Meghan Roberts Photography

Layna & Dave

August 5 ~ Denver, Colorado 

Layna and Dave are getting married towards the end of summer, just outside of Denver at the Boettcher Mansion (same venue as Stephanie & Mark's wedding). These love birds will tie the knot in their element - surrounded by the trees and their families and friends.

Over the holidays Layna's twin sister, JNelly, took their engagement photos in Beaver Creek. Not only are they an adorable couple, but these photos truly capture their love of the outdoors. The photos will be used for their save-the-dates, which are currently in the works!

I've known Layna since Kindergarten and have been friends for a better part of that time. I could not have better hand selected a man for her to marry. I am very much looking forward to being a part of their special day!

JNelly Photography

 I promise to share details along the way and highlights after each. 

2009 wedding highlights: here

2010 weddings highlights: here, here and here

Cheers!

here's looking at you, 2011!

{inkandiron}

a new year is here! in fact, we're four days in so i've had plenty of time to mull over some resolutions. while i've never been a hardcore resolution type of gal, i do like to think of a few. i like goals, structure and having something to work towards. while i continually set goals for myself (which i've shared here and here), resolutions feel more like something to work towards, not necessarily something i can check off a list. that being said, this year i am going with three themes: save more, waste less and be timely. 

save more. mainly, money. over the last year i worked hard at actually creating a savings that contained more than the minimum balance to gain interest. this year i want it to be an actual pot of money that grows with each paycheck. for future needs (like a new car, wedding, down payment on a house), vacations and emergencies. i'd also like to make smarter purchases, because even though i'm trying to be on a saving kick, i know there are tons of purchases i'll still want to make. with an automatic deposit into my saving and a financially savvy boyfriend, i think this resolution is doable, although it's going to take some work. 

waste less. food, paper and time are the things that come to mind, although i know there are other areas i can cut back. before we left for CO i cleaned out the fridge and was sad with how much i was throwing away. on the plane ride i read this fascinating article in Sunset magazine about a zero waste family. it really inspired me to think of the ways i can cut back or use less.  with organization, planning and a few people i already know that are good at this i am hopeful to get better at this! 

timeliness. sigh. sadly, i am that person that is usually 3 minutes late. i have the best of intention to be timely and then when i'm not i get disappointed in myself. considering that, i wanted to pick a few things i could work on this year to feel better about my timeliness. they are: be on time to work, respond to emails within 24 hours and get things in the mail so they arrive in time for birthdays. easy enough, right? so far i've made it to work before 9am this week. my goal is 8:30am. yep, i've got work to do!

speaking of goals and birthdays...HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Kaci!!! read her 2011 resolutions here, and while you're there give her some birthday love!

his & hers: Christmas toys

hello, hello! I'm back from a 10 day vacation to Colorado. Although I was on vacation, seemingly leaving lots of free time for things like blogging, I decided not to make time to blog. Instead I had lots of time with family, friends and my beloved Mile High city. It was a nice little break, but I'm happy to be back (to blogging. real world? not so much). 

Before diving into the new year and sharing a few intentions for my 2011, I want to share our Christmas toys! I've decided to play along with Hooray Design's weekly series called his & hers. 

I can't remember the exact age when I stopped asking for toys for Christmas. All I know is that its been a while! Now that I'm (ahem) an adult, doesn't mean I can't start asking for toys again! In the 3 years we've been dating, B and I have always set a limit on Christmas gifts. For some reason this year we decided on a higher than normal limit. I was so excited to give him his gift and equally excited to receive mine....just like a kid on Christmas morning!

HIS: the new 4th generation iPhone

B rocked the Slvr for 4+ years and was overdue for his upgrade. It didn't take long for him to fall in love with his new iPhone. I can't lie, I'm also in love with all the free aps, games and that I can change his background and locked screen to denim (hello Canadian tuxedo!). Minus the alarm clock fiasco, it's been a solid purchase. 

{apple}



HERS: Cricut Expressions 

In plum...isn't she cute? I received word late last night that she's arrived in the East Bay, thanks to A&B for the safe journey! I look forward to all the crafty endeavors ahead of us, including play dates with Debbie and her Cricut. From others I received 2 Cricut cartridges, craft paper, stamps and a gift card to Michael's. I'm looking forward to a crafty 2011!

{cricut}



Warm Holiday Greetings

I've been wanting to share my holiday cards here, but decided to wait long enough for everyone to receive them in their mailbox first. This morning I uploaded all the pics, planning to write the post later in the day. I realized the post was meant to be today because a) it's actually WARM and sunny here today, so it truly is a Warm Holiday Greeting and b) many other of the blogs I follow also shared their holiday card today!

My only real plan for making holiday cards this year was to use materials I had on hand, which included a large pack of festive holiday paper. I saw these cute cards ideas from Paper Source and was planning to use them as inspiration. 

Over Thanksgiving we took this nice photo in Laguna Beach and I got to thinking...why not use the photo for our cards. I mean, who wouldn't want to see B and I arrive in their mailbox? :) 

While there are many wonderful websites that will produce beautiful photo cards, I still wanted to make the cards myself (need to use up that holiday paper!). Using Picasa I added the Warm Holiday Greetings as seen below. In less than an hour Wallgreens had my photos ready for pick-up! 

I mounted the pictures on dark brown cardstock. Using my cherry Divine Twine (I know, I am obsessed with it) I wrapped the photos to look like a package. 

Using 12x12 sheets of holiday paper, I cut a festive base for the card. I attached the holiday paper to a flat piece of Kraft paper.

With scraps from the paper above, I made coordinated envelopes! 

I attached the two pieces of paper together, added labels and stamps to the envelopes and viola - a Warm Holiday Greeting from our house to yours! I'm really happy with how the cards turned out and have received so many sweet comments from friends and family. 

I wanted to make something smaller but similar for a few of my co-workers. Here is what I came up with...

While I truly enjoy making and mailing holiday cards, there is nothing I love more than coming home to holiday mail. Our Happy Holidays garland is filling up nicely!

Here are a few of the presents I wrapped last night. Cute tags, eh? I decided to use simple paper this year (it's actually packaging paper from CVS) with the tags I made and festive ribbon. Easy breasy. Now hoping they all travel well on the airplane! 

Tonight we're off to Colorado! I am SO EXCITED to be home for the holidays!! 

Not your mother's craft fair

Over the weekend Rachel and I went to the Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco. The weather threatened to rain on our parade (forecast: heavy rain and wind - yuck), but thankfully it only sprinkled making the day just perfect. 

I didn't know exactly what to expect at the craft fair, I just had a really good feeling it would be RAD.  When we were in Chicago for Emily & Ryan's wedding I stopped by the actual store Renegade Handmade and while it was cool, I was expecting more. That's when I realized there are bi-annual Renegade Craft Fairs across the country. I confirmed on Saturday - this in fact is what the hype is all about. We settled on two statements to describe it: not your mother's craft fair and a live version of Etsy. 

I purchased a few gifts, which are surprises so I can't share here. But I will offer you a glimpse of the fair...

{renegade blog}

After browsing every aisle I was left with a lot of appreciation for the time, effort and talent of the vendors. I saw a lots of letter press goods (which really makes me want to take a class), mustaches are apparently really popular and tons of vendors had their company name on a bunting paper (yay!). I also was really curious to know if all these vendors have real jobs like me or do they get to craft all day long (jealous!)? 

I didn't have a chance to get cash before the show and was delighted to see almost all of the vendors took cards. One of which had a card swiping device attached to her iphone - ahh technology! 

If you ever have a chance to check out a Renegade craft fair DO IT. Need someone to tag along? Call me! 

28 (a little bit late)

Rachel sporting her birthday crown!

At the beginning of December the lovely Mrs Rachel turned the big 2-8. Another year older, wiser and just as beautiful. On the eve of her birthday a group of us celebrated at the Burger Bar in Union Square. 

For Rachel's birthday I wanted to make her a set of cards. When I lived at her house I was always making cards, including this set of 30 for Kaci, and she mentioned how she'd love to order some. I made a mental note of that and decided her birthday was the perfect opportunity. In honor of her birthday I settled on a set of 28 cards. 

Unfortunately I didn't have them done for her actual birthday celebration, so I made it my goal to give them to her at the Gingerbread party. I am happy to report I did it! And here are a few of my favorite cards from the bunch (appropriately displayed in a 2 and an 8!)

I put all of the cards and their envelopes in the pillow box I made with my Paper Source wall calendar (as seen here). Tied it up with a bow and added a small matching card.

Even though they were a little late, I know she greatly appreciated the cards, as she's already expressed her gratitude. It just goes to show...good things come to those who wait, even when you're 28! 

I have a good feeling about the year ahead for you, Rachel! And I'm happy we are the same age again (wink).

Gingerbread Village

On Monday night Rachel hosted a Gingerbread, candy and wine party. In other words...a group of ladies gather at Rachel's, each bring a bottle of wine or appetizer, two bags of candy and we all make gingerbread houses while indulging on wine, apps and the candy! 

(you may remember we did something similar for Halloween)

The result was an eclectic village of nine houses,  over-consumption candy but an all around good time! Welcome to our Gingerbread Village...

The mound of candy and frosting used to build the village

And the most fun part, an up-close photo of the houses and my favorite part about each one!

Look at the roof on this house - each tile was cute out of Twizzler's pull-n-peel. Favorite feature: the melted snowman in the yard!

Welcome to my elf hut. I'm sure it's really cute and cozy inside, which is good since the outside leave a bit to be desired! Favorite feature: sour patch lawn with a corner garden. 

Do you have a stomach ache from eating too much candy? Have no fear: we're at the hospital! After making a window that looked like a sign for an emergency room, Ariane decided to make her house a hospital. Favorite feature: the ambulance on the sprinkle filled street. 

The house on the block everyone envies - look at that immaculate lawn and perfect path way! Favorite feature: chocolate pretzel lined roof. 

As you can probably tell, this is the Architect of the group: perfectly spaced bushes, fences and look at that curved pathway! Favorite feature: the perfect sprinkle tile roof. Need a professional, for your real or gingerbread house, you know who to call!

Maybe I'm biased because Molly was sitting right next to me, but I think her house turned out super cute! Peppermint fence, gum drop lined path and those chocolate pretzels for the roof. Favorite feature: turning a (tree shaped) sugar cookie into a large yard tree. 

My other neighbor (while decorating) sure is handy with the frosting! In no time at all she had a Smartee roof, mint chip lawn and pretzel fence. Favorite feature: trees in the yard. Holding that front tree up is a roll of Smartees - clever!

Last but certainly not least, the A frame at the end of the street! Elana made the most of her lawn space by creating several lawn ornaments. A festive, wide path leads you to my favorite feature: the cute red door with a sprinkle door knob. 

(i'm a sucker for red doors and little details)

That wraps up our Gingerbread Village tour of homes! To continue the holiday creativity we're planning a Valentine's cookie, card and wine (of course) gathering. 

Ashlee, Debbie and Sarah - you were all missed!