Mmmm, chocolate cake.

It's cold and rainy here, so I'm in nesting mode. On days like this, I want to curl up under a blankie with a big old piece of warm chocolate cake. Doesn't the color combo seem fitting for this weekend, as well? Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!



Credits (clockwise from top):
Baking Arts; Via Brides.com: Alice's Tea Cup, Confetti Cakes, Cheryl Kleinman

Etsy find: Fox & Clover.

I am head over heels for these lovely necklaces by Seattle's Fox & Clover. I saw them in person a few months ago, and can't wait to add one to my collection. What makes these pieces even more appealing is that each one is made from reclaimed old windows and picture frame glass—glass that is often excluded by recycling programs and destined to end up in a landfill. Gotta love that.

A very inspired DIY dessert buffet.

Love the look of dessert buffets, but can't quite fit one into your budget? Or, are you already married, but looking forward to hosting a fabulous party this holiday season? Why not do it yourself? Maddy at The Inspired Bride posted an amazing set of tutorials this week. The resulting look is so impressive that your guests will never suspect that you put it together!

• Overview
• Centerpiece
• Winter Wonderland Cupcakes
• Winter Wonderland Brownie Pops
• Marshmallow Pops
• Candy Display
• Dessert Buffet Treat Bags

Think you might try it? I'm seriously considering it...

Wai-Ching.

You know how wedding gowns can blur together at times? Seattle-based designer Chrissy Wai-Ching has a very unique point of view, and I am loving it. With its imperfect details and pop of bold color, the top gown has an edge to it that I find very refreshing. Sweetening the deal is the knowledge that it is made from reclaimed silk scraps. Also highly appealing: Wai-Ching's Soleil graphic bridesmaid dress. It's chic and truly post-wedding wearable.



Via Seattle Bride

On Classic Bride.

A big thank you goes to Sarah at Classic Bride for posting a lovely feature on my new letterpress for less line today! Be sure to check out the post. There might just be a little something in it for you... ;)

Tweet tweet!

For those who are looking for inspiration and advice in bite size helpings, come follow me on Twitter. ;)

Quirky + fun letterpress holiday cards.

I'm excited to share a new addition to Maida Vale's Etsy shop: our 2009 letterpress holiday cards! Featuring a fancy coffee drink and quirky snowflakes, the card has been lovingly printed on 100% cotton, tree-free cardstock that is buttery to the touch. Add a real pop of color by pairing it with your choice of envelope (swatches shown below).

- available as single cards or in sets of 6
- size: 4.25 x 5.5
- blank inside
- letterpress printed on heavy 100% cotton, tree-free cardstock
- includes coordinating envelopes in your choice of color
- please contact me if you're interested in purchasing in bulk



Have a great weekend!

In the spotlight.

I'm super excited to be in the Stationery Spotlight on the Elizabeth Anne Designs blog today! If you haven't seen the blog before, you're in for a treat. Enjoy! ;)

Bright pops of color = fun wedding photos.

Once Wed posted a darling wedding (part 1 + 2) earlier this week that shouldn't be missed. The color palette is so cheerful, and the cute couple (Cory + Chris) managed to work it in brilliantly. As per usual, I especially love the little details. All photos by Kate Murphy.

Surprise! A favor tag giveaway.

Remember the Autumn of Giveaways that the Etsy Wedding Team is sponsoring? Well, as of today, 50 of my monogram favor tags are up for grabs. Follow this link to enter. The giveaway ends at 10/27/09 @ 6:00pm EST. Good luck!

J. Mendel

Ummmm, yum. I present to thee: a few choice pieces from J. Mendel's Spring 2010 collection. Stunning.


Via Classic Bride

Urban Unveiled.

Last Thursday, I attended an incredible wedding event here in Seattle: Urban Unveiled. You might suspect that I am not a huge fan of big wedding shows. Going into this event, I had very little idea of what it would be like... and it turned out to be unbelievably chic and fun. Exactly the kind of thing I would have wanted to attend when wedding planning.

Servers were passing tasty little bites (mini hot dogs, cold Chinese noodles in takeaway boxes) and pretty cocktails, a dj was spinning calming, atmospheric music, and the lighting was low enough to put everyone in the right mood for mingling. On top of that, the vendors were some of the highest quality I could have imagined in a room together. Needless to say, I simply cannot wait until next year's event!

Why am I sharing all of this with you? Because I came away with a very important tidbit of knowledge that must be shared. Caramel apples at a wedding are a bad idea. They may look adorable, but what happens to your teeth afterwards is not a pretty sight. ;)

Sample packs now available!

Offset and letterpress sample packs are now available in the Etsy shop! For the cost of two samples, you'll receive three. See each sample pack's listing for more details. Now, here's to a wonderful week! ;)

Color Combo: Dark Robin's Egg, Pumpkin + Butternut.

Why not go ahead and end the week with a color palette based on yesterday's post? All credits follow at the end. Have a great weekend!



Credits (clockwise from top):
Union Photography, Jim Hjelm, Merriment Design via The Knot, Oh. Hello Friend

Oh So Beautiful Paper.

One of my guilty pleasures is Oh So Beautiful Paper, a lovely blog that is simply overflowing with inspiration.

Anyhow, I am thrilled to say that Maida Vale is featured as this week's wedding invitation portfolio. Please drop by to check it out, and see if you can tear yourself away... ;)

Thanks for featuring Maida Vale, Nole!

Soft autumn colors.

I love the soft colors in the following photos, and think they could make for a lovely autumn wedding... All images by Union Photography via Once Wed.

The Art of Marriage.

Thought I'd share a nice reading today. Enjoy!

The Art of Marriage
by Wilferd Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In the art of marriage, the little things become the big things.

The little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, "I love you"
at least once a day.

It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other,
not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice,
but in the spirit of joy.

It is speaking words of appreciation,
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo
or the wife to have the wings of an angel.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.

It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humor.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere
in which each can grow.

It is finding room for the things of the Spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which
the independence is equal, dependence is mutual,
and the obligation is reciprocal.

It is not only marrying the right partner,
it is being the right partner.

Letterpress save-the-date samples now available!

Now available in Maida Vale's Etsy shop: letterpress save-the-date samples! As usual, if you purchase a sample and place a subsequent order, the cost of your sample is credited to you in full. Thanks for looking!

Grace.

If you haven't seen it already, be sure to check out design blogger Grace Bonney's wedding. Its colorful and eclectic details are quite charming. I especially like the brightly patterned fabric buttons that adorned her favor bags. A few of my favorite images follow below, but you can see much more (including photo credits) at the following places. Enjoy!

• Martha Stewart slideshow
• Grace's posts at Design*Sponge

Introducing letterpress for less (+ much more!).

I'm back... and very excited to announce big changes at Maida Vale. Our website has relaunched with the addition of letterpress for less!

What is letterpress for less?
Every design in our collection is now available in luxurious letterpress or affordable offset printing. To fit within your budget, nearly every design is now offered in either 1- or 2-ink colors, as well. For 100 sets, offset printing starts at $4.64 per invitation, and letterpress printing starts at $7.85 per invitation. As with before, the price per invitation decreases significantly as your quantity increases.

What else is new to the site?
We've also added new products, updated pricing and much more:

• New products
  We've added new designs to our collection including the Wren and Astoria invitations, several save-the-date cards, plus programs, menus + more.
  
• Coordinating pieces for every design
  It is now possible to see coordinating pieces for our wedding invitation collection! By viewing the entire suite for each design, you can now see envelope liners, patterned sashes, additional insert cards, save-the-dates, menus, placecards and thank you cards that complement your chosen invitation. Take a peek at our full Astoria suite below to see what I'm describing here.
  
• Expanded color + personalization options
  Our designs are so customizable that we've created an entire section dedicated to the range of options.
  
• Pricing
  Maida Vale believes that no couple should be denied a stylish wedding invitation or birth announcement due to budget constraints. Our new pricing structure offers the option to choose a 1-color version of our designs—offering you significant savings in many instances.

Please drop by the site, and leave a comment to let me know what you think. Thanks! =)