Fab Blog

Something that has been around for a long time but hasn’t really been as popular as it is today are the “Save The Date” announcements.  Fondly referred to in the wedding world as STDs.  Don’t worry, these are the fun kind of STDs and besides, the p.c. term for the other kind is STIs.  Did I really just put that in a wedding blog?  I digress…

[a personal fave from MarthaStewart.com]

Save the dates are a great way to show off your engagement pictures or show off your crafty side and clue family in about the exact date of the wedding.  Don’t worry, even after they’re sent you’ll still get a lot of “do you have a date yet?” and “when is the wedding?!”  At that point you can kindly refer them to the beautiful piece of graphic art that should be prominently displayed on their fridge.  People have done everything from a postcard with either a picture or monogram on it, to magnets, photobooth strips, and even fake plane tickets for destination weddings.

[faux plane ticket Save the Dates found at Brides.com]

What is the point of an STD?  They are meant to announce the date of your wedding and give guests accommodation information.  Simply sending a picture of yourselves with a date stamped on it isn’t enough.  The pros suggest you add the following to your announcement: 

[ ArisingImages.com]

 My favorite kind of save the dates are ones that use the unique photos your photographer took from the engagement session.  Remember they don’t necessarily have to show your face as long as your names are stated on the announcement.  Sometimes those pictures have the most impact!

[magnet save the date from MagnetStreet.com]

When making a magnet or something that doesn’t allow all the pertinent information to be on the same item, make a flat or folded card with all the right information and attach the magnet or picture to it. 

If you’re trying to go green ( and by green I mean environmentally and monetarily cutting back) you can always do save the dates via email.  This works great in a tech savvy world, but just know that some traditionalists don’t like it.  You could skip the tree products and the expense of stamps to easily design something like the last two pictures shown above and attach in an email with all the information or you could try to send them out from some of the following websites:

Have fun making them and if you have any fun ideas or designs you’d like to share with the world, send them my way and I’ll post them here!

fab.kirsten create, fab.paper, fab.style, save.the.date, to-be-weds, totally you

I ran across Nimli.com and just had to share it with you. Nimli is an online retailer that boasts selling products that are not only fashion forward and unique, but also eco-friendly in many different forms. Lots of couples I’ve worked with are looking for ways to be less wasteful and more earth conscious in their planning process, and this site offers another way for couples to express their love for Mother Earth through the gifts they give each other, their wedding party, or even a little something for themselves!

Looking through the sites you’ll find symbols under tons of fabulous items to indicate that they are vegan friendly, made of recycled material, made of natural materials, organic, and so on. The site is perfect for anyone looking to step up their ‘green’ living and also for people looking to give gifts that are completely personal and complimentary to the person receiving them. There is also a wide range of prices, which is helpful for anyone trying to artfully work their wallet.

From the Nimli website:
“Nimli is an online retailer devoted to providing natural, organic, and sustainable lifestyle products while embracing style and aesthetic. Nimli offers clothing, accessories, home décor, beauty products and much more from independent designers who combine their effortless creativity with our environmentally conscious ethics. We offer an array of ecologically friendly products that are natural, organic, recycled, sweatshop-free, and cruelty-free. We are firmly aligned with a lifestyle that cultivates a green conscious mind, body, and soul.”

What’s a good browsing session through a website if I don’t share some of my ‘wish I could buy that” list? Here are just a tiny sampling of the things that I fell in love with:

fab.kirsten fab.deals, fab.find, fab.style, totally you

Do a Google image search on ‘Indigo and Plum wedding’ and you’ll come up with this picture (among other things) from the ever inspiring Elizabeth Anne Designs Blog:

fab.kirsten create, fab.style, totally you

One of the best kept secrets of the craft world is Etsy. It’s like an ebay “buy it now” shop of incredibly talented artists that have everything from hand carved bowls to ring bearer pillows and just about everything between. Be sure to open up an afternoon of your work calendar to get lost in all the shops. Simply enter what you’re looking for in the search bar, and shop away.

There are tons of shops that I absolutely love and think that many of you will be able to find things to personalize your look for your next party or big event. I’ll share some of my favorite shops with you from time to time… and I hope you’ll share your faves with me.

On to the good stuff!

Myrakim owns the shop ‘Twigs and Honey’ and makes gorgeous, non-traditional hair pieces that would be great for the bride that wants to forgo the veil or change it up with something special just to kick off the reception. I absolutely love the vintage glam look and feel of her items and she’s got items for both the maids and the new Mrs.

A few of my faves hair pieces

I’m not sure which compliments the other better: The model to the birdcage veil or the veil to the model…. either way, the whole look is so eclectic and stunning.

I love love love the colors of the hair piece on the left with the silk flowers and peacock feathers. It’s a punch of unexpected color in her dark hair. I love how the hair piece on the right is delicate yet stately. If you’re not comfortable with this as high and forward on your hair, you could easily wear both of them snug against a chignon or pony tail.

Another fantastic take on the birdcage veil combined with a small fascinator of silk flowers and feathers. Embrace the birdcage! A lot more people look as awesome as the model but they’re afraid they can’t pull it off. At least try one on if you think it would compliment your ensemble.

There is something so airy and feminine about this bolero. It’s clearly meant for cuteness and not for warmth, so pack accordingly!

As if the hair pieces and bolero weren’t enough, her boutonnieres are incredibly detailed and unique… and reusable! A combinations of silk flowers, feathers, beads, and dried seeds make these something you haven’t seen before. You can buy them individually or as sets.

If you find any Etsy shops (or other great event style and event ideas) that you love and that I must share, email me at info@fabyoulousevents.com!

fab.kirsten Etsy, fab.style, fab.weddings

The eternal dilemma for many brides is WHAT do you get your bridesmaids? Lots of brides have a hard time figuring out just what to get their ladies in waiting because they want something that is as unique as each of their friends are, but practical and (hopefully) fun!

I’ll admit, I’d never have known about the 1154 Lill Studio bags if it hadn’t been for my best friend and her fantastic taste in bags. What I love about the 1154 Lill Studio bags is that you are getting a custom designed bag that best suits your taste in shape, size, and textiles. I also LOVE that you can pair different fabrics from flamboyantly girly to classic solids to cover the straps, the body of the bag, and the inside. So not only is it fun for the world to look at, you get a little excited every time you have to dig for your keys too! You can keep the bags smaller as well as shop the fabrics by price range to help keep the cost down. The bags range from wristlet size to carry on totes. You can also design pillows, day planner covers, or headbands.

Here is the bag I’m diggin’ right now… The Custom Andi with Plum Breeze for the exterior with deep purple for the strap and Garnet Tweed for the inner lining and ‘strap attachers.’ A little mellow compared to some I came up with, but perfectly fall.

http://www.1154lill.com/

They are more pricey than your average bag, but well worth it for something that you put thought and love into when choosing something to say ‘thank you’ for standing up for you on the biggest day of your life. And even if they’re too pricey to buy… at least you can kill some quality time on the site designing your dream bag while you’re supposed to be working! Have fun designing!

And who says a business tote has to be all business? Custom Sophie in ‘Moroccan Tiles’ with ‘Aruba’ for the straps and accents:

fab.kirsten fab.style, fab.weddings, the Maids