Thanks to the lovely ladies over at Pacific Weddings Magazine for asking us for our advice on some of the best favors for a California bride. The new issue just landed (and will be available for the taking at the bar very soon). But in the meantime, check out this sneak peek. The cover is truly a one-of-a-kind beauty!! Love the colors, fabulous florals, stunning bride, and clean look with no headlines (it's their 10th anniversary edition - congrats!!)
New year, new resolution - organize! And if you're newly engaged then there is no better time than the present to prepare yourself accordingly. Plan and prep in style and efficiently of course with this fabulous russell+hazel binder by Anne Chertoff (bridal expert from iVillage, Martha, Brides.com, and her own I Will to I Do).
The easy-to-use system takes a whole new approach to organization. Inside are printed tabs for primary sections and unprinted tabs for customization; there is a planning notebook for list-making, note-taking and sketching and the pages are perforated and punched so they can be moved to the binder. Also included are business-card holders, pockets for receipts, sheet protectors (perfect for fabric swatches or magazine clippings of dresses and flowers), post-it notes and page markers. These elements, with their chartreuse and orchid accents make it hard to stop planning!
And if your the tech-savvy bride, download the worksheets available from russell+hazel. Just print out the worksheets and put them in the binder. Now you have no excuse not to stay on top of things!
Destination wedding? Your parent's backyard after a church ceremony? Or perhaps a swanky ballroom affair? No matter how or where you wed, your guests should know where to go. But maps...so impersonal, so not with your wedding "vision." Well, think again! Laura Hooper Calligraphy has not only found a creative and custom way to get your guests to the party, but she's discovered the perfect welcome basket in the process. Weave your wedding locale into every element of the experience by turning your map into your gift too!
These canvas bags are perfect to welcome your friends and family to the party - design your own map and remind loved ones of the treasure that was your wedding. 
We just received some information about a new book put out by the folks at Harper Collins. We don't typical write reviews on this site (not enough hours in the day to read all the fabulous bridal books out there). But today we were inspired by a video short that was sent - interviewing the author about the content and inspiration behind the book.
The message is simple - remember the sweet things. Ellen Greene's husband past away after 21 years of marriage and this book is about their life together. But she didn't write it by thinking back about the big picture, she already had the little details jotted down. For the previous twenty years every time her husband (or fiance before they were married) did something sweet, small, seemingly insignificant, or simply said something of meaning, she would take a moment and write it down. What a great idea!! And what a brilliant gift to give yourself, your spouse, and your children to come.
Every time you notice something about him or her that you love or is meaningful to you, write it in a journal. That way every time you have a spat, you have the good times to go back to and remind yourself why you love that person. As time goes on, you have memories to enjoy, and as your kids grow up, you have an incredible gift to share with them long after the two of you have past.
So while you may not become the next best-selling author, this idea of regular gratitude for the little things he does will better your outlook, your memories, and your life. We are going to begin doing this at the bar I think. An an idea that could be applied to all your relationships to keep the scales balanced when things aren't always so perfect. Start the new year with this resolution because wedding planning is not really about the wedding, but about the two of you...and the little things.
To read Ellen's sweet things, check out the book and information on her website, Remember the Sweet Things. The book hits shelves on Jan. 27th.
Check out this artistic interpretation of what love between “you and me” looks like. The vision grew from the inspiration of a couple carving their initials into a tree or telephone pole. The original work of art poster was part of a summer music series and installation at MoMA and is now available in silkscreened prints in two color palettes. Makes a great and affordable housewarming gift for the new nesters...
Martha Stewart is giving all of us something unique this holiday season...free, downloadable gift wrap! How fab is this? Runs right out of your home or office printer and your packages can look like they popped out of the pages of Martha. We heart her :)
This holiday, don't forget to get your maids something special for all their hard work and friendship. Just a few of our totally affordable favs from this season...
How about a sweet pair of Lollipop Juicy Couture Undies?
Now a wine stopper may not be a one of a kind gift, but Juicy made our Christmas list twice this year with this Juicy Couture Brass Diamond Ring Wine Stopper. Now that's a new spin on an old favorite!
The animal print movement is back and what better way to re-join the jungle than with these Giraffe Products at Weddingish.
How about a yummy peace offering with this Chocolate Peace Sign Box?
And so your vendors can always hunt down your girls, Calling Cards by Paperwink.
Or a little bling for your bridesmaids with Tejani's Bridesmaid Bangle Collection.
To keep your gals on track with all their wedding must-dos, give them the gift of organization with this Planner.
For the wedding obsessed, give Unbridaled, the coffee table book by Swarovski featuring everything crystalized in the wedding world.
How about a lipstick that's not your average lipstick? This Lipstick Queen creates a sheer look on your lips much like stockings on your legs. With a bit of just-been-kissed plumper, you'll be under the mistletoe in no time!
And just about anything from our fav candle company, Voluspa. It's so amazing to see such incredible and truly deserving people (the owners and founders) not only create something so wonderful and succeed at it, but find love (with one another) in the process. These products really are lovely!
Happy Holidays!
If you're hosting or attending an outdoor ceremony, chances are you've thought long and hard about what heels to wear that won't get you stuck in the mud. Well, fear grass no more with these fabulous little heel platforms. Clear in color to vanish into the grass, or glammed up with a bit of bling to accentuate your look, gals no longer have to worry about walking on eggshells thanks to Belle Divine. Could this change your walk down the aisle?
So instead of sharing a fabulous themed wedding today, we thought we'd scare you a bit (or delight you depending on your taste). Check out this themed and colored hair dye (for hair down there). That's right, add another step in your beauty regime ladies, and be sure to use Betty to be perfectly color coordinated before your big day! 
Check out these fall and winter favors by the gals over at Creative Touch Decor. A little festive dressing goes a long way on an old candle favorite. The beauty of it? They can customize to fit any theme, color palette, or design idea you can dream up!
The Bonnie Marcus Collection actually donates a portion of their proceeds to worthy charities year-round, so this month is no exception. Give back when giving your maids little goodies. Our favorite? These purse pads to keep them organized on the go.
Next up in our fight for a cause are these fabulous pink ribbon soaps from Gianna Rose Atelier. 15% of the proceeds are donated to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation to support their fight for a cure.
Scented with Fresh-Linen, the beautiful boxed set comes complete with four French-milled soaps embossed with a pink ribbon, the symbol of hope.
Pink Ribbon Soaps
in a slider box
$ 29.00 ea
What better way to say thanks to a lady in your life who helped you with your wedding or co-hosted a shower for you!?!?
It's that time of year again, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means it's time to shop for a cause!
And Weddingish is thinking Pink!
Shop now through October 7, 2008 and Save 30% on every purchase!
Enter coupon code: pinksale to redeem savings. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. Stock up for your bridal party now and support a great cause!
Hailing from NYC is the talented artist, Kristine Baerlin of Figment Portraits. She sent us over these amazing hand-painted pieces of wedding day art. Inspired by a selected wedding photo, Kristine and her clients meet to discuss color options, style, and size and then she goes to work using her signature circular pattern...and voila! Love it! Perhaps you could even do this with a boudoir photo before the wedding and give it to your groom as a gift?!?!
What will they think of next? The iPhone now counts down your "I DO's." This new application allows you to be a bit more obsessed with your date. Now every time someone asks how long it is until the big day you can have an exact answer! Simply enter in your wedding date and time and let the countdown begin. Wedding Day app counts the years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, and even seconds until you say
“iDO!” Helpful in planning since every second counts for busy brides and
grooms! 
Wedding Day app continues to work even after you say your vows, by tracking how long you have been married. Down to the second! Since your iPhone or iPod Touch is always with you, the countdown is only a click away. Wedding Day is a real time tool and available on the iPhone App Store.
Kathryn Murray Calligraphy has some fun new favor boxes for saying thanks to guests for sharing in your big day. Made by hand, these delicate little goodies can be filled with goodies of your choice, to show your love and appreciation for friends and family. We are loving the flower-topped boxes (it's the little details that matter most).
Yes ladies, that's right, Evian now makes bottled water even more beautiful. Check out this limited edition glass bottle designed by the fabulous Christian Lacroix!
What better way to dress up a reception table than with H20 in style? Designed with a coppiced lace pattern, the inspiration came from the flora that can be found at the French Alps, where the water is bottled. Love it!
That's right - you can make your own wine just like you were living on a vineyard in Napa. Well, sort of. For the maid or mom who has everything, give her a toolbox to build her perfect blend. The Fusebox blending kit gives you all the tools you need to turn good wine into great wine.
Each fusebox blending kit includes:
Six 375 mL bottles of blending wine, made from some of Napa's finest vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon(2 bottles) , Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
One 375 mL bottle of Mystery Wine
You try to unlock the components
Four pipettes
Graduated cylinder
Four wine evaluation cards
Four tasting placemats
Recipe cards
Vinography aroma card
Corkscrew
Have your maids over for a night of vino blending and tasting and maybe even ask them to be a part of your bridal party during the fun. We love this idea!!
What to get your maids is always a challenge. We came across this cute little pink car kits that I know I'd love to have (if I knew how to use the tools that is). It comes complete with jumper cables, ice scraper, phone charger, protective gloves, insurance holder, flashlight and glass breaker. Because it's important to be fashionable when stranded on the side of the road. Room Service Home has lots of ideas for your gal pals, but this takes the cake!
Looking for a fabulous Ketubah? A one-of-a-kind marriage certificate keepsake? Or perhaps a memento of your recent marriage license from a same sex wedding? An Englishman in LA came across the pond to Los Angeles and began making these stunning, modern-day relics. On a block of wood, a tile to put in your kitchen, or a piece of stained parchment, Jeff Cane and his crew can design, customize, and embellish these beautiful works of art for your wedding day. Complete with a certificate of authenticity, these are the real deal. And even celebs know it...Freddie Prince Jr and Sarah Michelle Gellar got one for their wedding (way back when).
