Really Organic Arrangements

I know i've mentioned this before, but I just love the way fruits and vegetables can make such a fresh visual impact. Here are a few examples:
Love this picture of London Restaurant, La Petite Maison. I got the photo from Gwenyth Paltrow's blog, GOOP. There's nothing simpler and cleaner than stacking up fruits and vegetables in big vases.

Forget the grocery bought veggie & dip platters. You can easily arrange veggies in a "bouquet" like manner in a basket just by bunching veggies together. The dip is nicely presented in a scooped out red pepper. Photo from LA based caterer, Joan's on Third.

I like the idea of bringing the arrangement outside the bowl. Check out how Joan's on Third catering used the blood orange peels sto create a flower.

Homemade Gift Ideas

I've always loved the idea of giving homemade gifts and cards for Christmas, because I think that thoughtfulness should always be the biggest part of the gift. I've found these great homemade gift ideas from Martha Stewart and picked some of my favourites. Not only do they make great Christmas gifts, they're great party favours.
How much do you adore these Candle tea cups?! This would be a great favour idea for a tea-themed bridal shower. Homemade scented salt scrubs

A box of cookies wrapped in kraft boxes, decorated with Christmas cards.

Personalize gift cards by putting them in these cute card holders.

I love this spiced coffee idea- take whole beans and mix them with cinnamon and nutmeg spices, or vanilla bean seeds.

You can also make small bundles of mulling spices. Be sure to include a recipe and use natural cheesecloth and non-dyed twine (unlike the picture shown). Jams, preserves, marinated olives and nut topics (shown) also look completely elegant, especially when you dress up the jar with fabric and/or spoons.

A totally cute yet simple bonbonniere- paper cones filled with goodies such as caramels. The trick to making homemade items pro-using nice script fonts like "edwardian script" and my favourite "Windsong".

Centerpieces Under $20

In this day and age, budget is the word, and unfortunately there's no easier way to blow your budget than using fresh floral centerpieces. On the bright side it forces us to become a little more creative when it comes to setting the table. Pictures from The Knot.com and a British wedding mag.

Centerpiece Money Saving Tips:

- Up the romance and save money by filling the table with inexpensive tealight candles. I usually get large packs of tealights from Ikea for around $2/bag. I think groupings of 3 look best, especially on round tables.

- Consider purchasing the containers (ie vases, urn, etc) instead of renting from your florist. You can get really nice glass vases from some places like Ikea. Providing your own vases can definitely save tons of money (depending on the ones you pick of course). We saved about $30 off the price of each of our centerpieces by getting copper urns on sale from Michaels.

- Use flowers that are in season

- Consider inexpensive fillers that are still elegant like hypercium berries and galex leaves.

- Stay away from labour intensive floral arrangements. For example small pomanders (round balls covered with flowers can cost $75 or more. If you love the pomander look, try using a less expensive flower like carnations, or mums.

- Pile up your favours in the middle of your table on a cake plate instead of purchasing a centerpiece

- If you're looking for visual impact, renting table linens can sometimes do a lot more for the room than the actual centerpiece. You can find nice linens starting from $15 per table.

Here are some centerpiece ideas under $20:

You can get a lovely pot of orchids from Costco for $14.99. Personally i'd recommend to wrap the base in a strip of shantung silk, or pretty paper to get an even bigger impact. Using inexpensive potted herbs, or grass with one or two blossoms of gerbera daisies is a charming and fresh centerpiece.

Try to find centerpiece vases or troughs that can be a part of the statement, so you dont have to spend as much on flowers.Another example of that is this cute tea tin as the vase. There's no better way to add charm and personality to the table than taking the usual and making it unusual.

Isn't this teacup and saucer an adorable centerpiece for a shower!?

Taking small bunches of flowers and putting them in fabric wrapped cans (even washed tin cans) can make it seem as though you have more flowers on the table.

I love fruit centerpieces because there's so much colourful impact, yet you can buy them cheaply by case from your local grocery store or chinatown. Bonus- these can be done ahead of time, or easily by helpers on site.

I love this arrangement! What a deliciously fresh mix of peaches, apricots, cherries and leaves.

Sale at Martha Stewart Crafts

Just thought i'd pass on the good news that Martha Stewart Crafts is having a sale and use this opportunity to share my favourite Christmas items from the site!

I'm usually not a big fan of pointsettias but this wreath is so cute (made from paper). What a cute idea!Loving this acorn napkin ring idea- just in time for American Thanksgiving.

This cookie box is from this new line of "Gingerbread Village" designs (which only Martha Stewart staff would think of!)

Note the teddy bear graham cracker-sized cookies in the box!

Speaking of Gingerbread men- how adorable is this felt trim?

Simply gorgeous scalloped edge divided boxes. Love the idea of giving home baked items for Christmas.

Trunk Shows/ Sample Sale News

Hello all,
i know it's been a really long time since I blogged. I have since gotten married and really had the wedding of my dreams (I know it sounds cheesy, but it really was!), gone on my honeymoon, and settled into our new home. My husband and I are working on a special website so once that's up everyone can view our wedding photos :)

For now, i've gotten a couple of Trunk Show & sample sale news items:

JUSTINA MCCAFFREY
Bridal Gown Sample Sale
2 Locations/ 2 Weekends

TORONTO BOUTIQUE
Saturday & Sunday October 26th & 27th10 AM to 5 PM Both Days 114 Cumberland St. Suite 200, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaT: (416) 928-1329 torontoretail@justinamccaffrey.com
OTTAWA BOUTIQUE
Saturday & Sunday November 1st & 2nd10AM to 5PM both days 465 Sussex Dr. Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaT: (613) 789-4336 ottawaretail@justinamccaffrey.com

Brand new Couture Gowns starting as low as $500Visa, MasterCard, Debit or Cash will be accepted during the sale.Call 1-888-874-GOWN or email either boutique for more information.

Badgley Mischka Bride Spring '09 Trunk Show
Hot off the New York runways and debuting in Canada first at White, Toronto.
Join us for an exclusive trunk show Friday, October 31st and Saturday, November 1st, at White, Toronto. Space is limited. To book your appointment, please call 416.849.9196 or email us at info@whitetoronto.com

Le Bouquetier Floral Design

I love this florist Le Bouquetier (I love the name) out of Pleasanton, California. Beautiful work!

April Joy Events

Another incredible event designer I found off Once Wed, is event designer April Joy Events, based out of Chicago. From the photos you can see their firm is very detail oriented, which of course, makes more memorable and beautiful weddings.

Florist Nicolette Camille

I found a great florist, Nicolette Camille off this amazing blog, Once Wed. I've posted some pictures from her website of examples of how you can take a traditional spring colours such as pink, and turn it into a fall bouquet by mixing it with dark green, deep orange, and deep burgundies.

Fall Shoe Picks

As you all know from a previous post, i'm not a big fan of white bridal shoes (just a personal preference thing!). Due to the popularity of the last post, I decided to post my favourite shoes for fall.

Prada T Strap Jeweled Shoes

Charcoal Suede Ruffle Prada ShoesGorgeous Valentino Half D'Orsay Shoes.
Absolutely GORGEOUS pink Valentino pleated bow shoes.