Letterpress samples now available!

Letterpress samples are slowly arriving at Maida Vale's Etsy shop! Every design is available at two pricing levels based on how many ink colors you need (and your budget, of course!). Please drop by and take a gander. =)

Martha's favorite Etsy crafters.

I was pretty stoked to see this list of Matha's favorite Etsy shops. Etsy is a wonderful resource and, since buyers work directly with the artists, can also be helpful in finding ways to save money.

Out of the shops Martha has featured, I particularly like Milla Love's offerings. Her pretty paper garlands and cupcake toppers are colorful and cute. Any of these would be especially fun at a bridal or baby shower.

The little blue box.

When I first saw Tiffany's new pendants being advertised, I immediately began coveting them. They're oversized and chunky, and just all around fun. Well, my sweet DH surprised me big time for this year's anniversary, so I now have the simple silver "crown key" hanging around my neck. I think these pendants would be a great wedding day gift, too. Who wouldn't want their groom to hand over a key to his heart?

Lela Rose.

I'm back at it after a nice getaway with the hubby for our fifth anniversary. We took a romantic trip to the Oregon Coast and Columbia River Gorge. It was hot (nearly 104 degrees one day!), but gorgeous. I can't wait to go back!

Thought I'd share some fab dresses by Lela Rose today. I am smitten with the vintage style of her scoopneck gown. Its jewel-encrusted belt is stunning, and the overall look is quite flattering, but simple. I just love it! The bridesmaid collection has a few stunners of its own. The tuxedo-inspired pleats of the first dress below are an especially darling touch.

My love.

Today, my DH and I celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. I don't know how the time flew by so quickly and easily, but it did. Looking back, I think my hair might have been a little big (and perhaps a tiara wasn't necessary), but really, I wouldn't change a thing. It remains the best day of my life, and my heart fills with happiness just thinking about it. =)

Here is a reading from our wedding that rings true for us, as partners and best friends.

Love is a Temporary Madness
from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
by Louis de Bernieres

Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are.

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. We have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom have fallen from our branches we will find that we are one tree and not two.

Thanks for reading! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'm off to celebrate!

Stephanie & JJ cont'd...

To wrap up Steph & JJ's modern wedding, I have a few more detail shots to share with you. I especially dig the patterned runner that Stephanie chose for her candy buffet. It really pulled the whole look together in a fun way. Thank you again to Scott Hayne Photography for these wonderful images. Most importantly, big congrats to the happy couple!

Real couple: Steph & JJ.

As promised yesterday, this is the first of two posts highlighting Stephanie & JJ's royal blue spring wedding. I am so proud of the pieces I was able to create for them. Stephanie expressed that she wanted her wedding to have a very modern and chic look with a bit of pattern mixed in here and there. Needless to say, it was a very fun wedding to work on! Aren't they such an adorable couple to boot?! Seriously gorgeous.

A huge thank you goes to Scott Hayne Photography for sharing these beautiful images with us! Check back tomorrow for more detailed shots (which will include a candy buffet!). =)