DIY Calligraphy

Always and perpetually amazed by the talent of the DIY among us. That calligraphy? Amateur. Done by the bride. Much better than mine, eh? (It's the thick and thin... got to work on that...) See more from this lovely wedding and a bit more of the bride's handiwork here!

Image c/o the talented Amelia Lyon

Bunting cards

You've all seen this version of my bunting card:



This weekend I put together a new, mini version with spring colors:



Which one do you like better?

Spring dresses

I pushed the season a bit by wearing a dress with tights + flats last week to work. Ever since, I've been dreaming of spring for real, when I can wear a colorful dress every day if I'd like! Loving these pieces from Old Navy, all available for under $30 (and some for just $15!). Clearly at that price they're not built to last, but I like to have a few dresses in my arsenal that aren't too precious (perfect for the salt and sand of the beach!).

Which is your favorite? I think mine is the kelly green striped number, but it's a close call.

K + C: Google Docs

One of the tools that has been the most helpful to Kate and me while wedding planning has been Google Docs. For those of you who aren't familiar with them, there are four main types of Google Docs: Document (similar to Microsoft Word), Spreadsheet (similar to Microsoft Excel), Presentation, and Form*. The best part? The Docs can have multiple editors, so you can share them with family and friends!

Kate and I currently have four active sheets -- three are Documents, and one is a Spreadsheet. Our Documents: "Ceremony," "Reception," and "Other." And our Spreadsheet: "DIY Progress Tracker." At the start, we had one Document, and we filled it with ideas and images of things we loved from the day of the engagement until last month. At that point, we split the main Document into three more specific Docs in order to help clarify our "vision" for the different parts of the day.

The DIY Tracker is the most recent addition to the bunch, and let me tell you, it's a doozy. It has seven columns: Project, Part of the weekend, Who's in charge, Where the inspiration or instructions were found, Supplies needed, Next steps, and Comments.

Want a peek? Okay!



{Click to enlarge!}

There are currently 38 prospective DIY projects in the works. Do I think we will accomplish all 38? Heck no. In fact, I know we won't -- some are duplicates because we haven't yet decided which direction to go with the design. For example, we're still deciding whether we want to do a driftwood arch at the ceremony or hang long, colorful ribbons from the branches of the tree under which they'll exchange vows. Both are in the Tracker, but we'll obviously only complete one in the end.

Want another peek at some of the designs we're considering? You got it!







So there you have it -- our DIY insanity, neatly encapsulated by Google Docs. Are any of you using them for wedding planning?

*Form is a great way to collect mailing addresses for your save the dates and invitations. Ms. Fondue of Weddingbee explains in more detail here!

Persimmon & Pink

Just picked up this print from Persimmon & Pink, but I love so many of the colorful pieces in their shop. And they're offering free shipping until the end of February!

{Thanks, CJane!}

Valentines: A Recap

You saw my sheep and olives already. Here are the felt fortune cookies I made for co-workers (instructions here!) and the extra special, extra simple card I made for J. I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Campfire votive

Fell in love with the votive holder in the bottom right after seeing it in this month's Martha. And taking into account that it's classified as art, I was pleasantly surprised to see that it retails for only $20. Design by David Weeks, available at his shop tweek.

Board No. 65: Stone Fruits, Baking Tarts

{Click to enlarge!}

Not quite as blatantly pink and red as last year's V-Day effort, but pretty nonetheless, no? This board was inspired by the beyond-gorgeous photograph from Cannelle et Vanille, one of my favorite "eye candy" blogs and the only food blog to which I subscribe. Everything editor Aran touches is magic, but I found these stone fruits particularly gorgeous, especially since my mouth is watering for peaches, cherries, and nectarines right now, what with the cold weather we've been having. I hope y'all had a lovely love day!

The Details
First row, left to right: stone fruits + baking tarts photo by Cannelle et Vanille; bride and groom portrait from Brides; ballet flats photo by Our Labor of Love; tablescape from Martha Stewart Weddings

Second row: dresses from J. Crew; mason jar flags; cabbage rose bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings via Weddingbee

Third row: handwritten invitations by MSW; ballet flats from J. Crew; floral centerpiece by Matthew Robbins Design

Valentines: Hearts in nature

Isn't this cool? Nature is pretty amazing.

Via Black*Eiffel. See more here!

Task lamps

Thinking of adding an architect-style lamp to either side of the bed. A few options, arranged from least to most expensive, top to bottom:

Antique Pewter Pharmacy Desk Lamp from Target ($29.99)
Vision Max Full Spectrum Architect Lamp from Walmart ($33.88)
Hi-Light Task Lamp from PB Teen ($79)
Architect's Smart Technology Table Lamp from Pottery Barn ($149)
Atelier Task Accent Lamp from Restoration Hardware ($249)

Valentines: Knottedrush

Isn't this ring beautiful? Simple and classic, but with a twist -- I love how thin the metal is. It's made by a company called Bario-Neal. And bonus! All of their jewelry is handcrafted in Philadelphia with reclaimed precious metals; ethically-sourced stones; and low-impact, environmentally conscious practices. Reminds me of our little friend from last week!

Dinghy Driving

All images c/o Gabriel.Ryan.Photographers

What do you think -- a little break from last week's valentines? And while we're at it, how about a little break from the winter blahs, which are definitely starting to sink in here at Casa P&P. Didn't we move to the South for warmer weather?!*

These lovely images from Gabriel.Ryan.Photographers are just the ticket, I think. The portraits are beautiful, especially the one above, but it was the ship details he and his wife captured that really struck me. They remind me of the island off the coast of Maine I visit in the summer -- elegantly nautical, coolly chic. See more here!

*Um, no. We didn't. But warmer weather was supposed to be a nice byproduct of the move!

John Takes a Hike!

I wanted to take a moment to clue y'all in to one of the recently added links in my sidebar, John Takes a Hike. It's the new blog of my better half -- a hiking aficionado and an excellent writer and photographer -- and its purpose is to record our adventures. I'm sure he'd love for you all to stop by and check things out. Bonus! There may or may not be a few photos of me in embarrassing outfits. Maybe.

Click here!

Above: a few snaps from our trip to Cumberland Island.

Board No. 64: Cassie's Sunburnt October

{Click to enlarge!}

This board is for my friend Cassie, who's getting married on the Connecticut shore in October. She's using a variety of greens and browns, and as I looked at the pictures she provided me (the cake, the bouquet, the bridesmaid dress, the bracelet), I couldn't help but imagine tossing in a bit of yellowed-green, almost the color long grass turns in the fall. Some of her bridesmaids will be wearing one of my FAVORITE J. Crew dresses, and its sharp lines and classic, stylish details seemed representative of many of Cassie's choices.

White compotes filled with hydrangea, ivy, Queen Anne's lace, ranunculus, and roses would make lovely centerpieces, and the trailing ivy would make the centerpiece live larger than the size of its container would lead you to believe (meaning fewer centerpieces are needed -- score!). A tone-on-tone striped tablecloth, if not possible for all tables, might be a nice splash of color for the cake or escort card table. A lemonade and mojito bar would be a welcome reminder of summer. And a few custom chalkboards will keep things from feeling too stuffy.

I hope this helps, Cassie!

The Details
First row, left to right: bouquet from The Knot; tie photo by Sylvie Gil via Style Me Pretty; flower centerpiece from Martha Stewart Weddings

Second row: church photo by Kate Webber via SMP; balloon portrait from Brides; cake from The Knot

Third row: dress from J. Crew; lemonade bar photo by Kristen Grinnel via Style Me Pretty; pearl bracelet from J. Crew

Valentines: Catbird

This wee ring is too cute! And at just $88, it would make quite the darling -- and reasonably priced -- wedding ring, no? Pick one up here!

Valentines: Rifle Paper Co

Aren't the hand-drawn flowers on this card darling? Made by a staple name in the blogosphere, Rifle Paper Co, and one can be yours for $4 (or 8 can be yours for $16!).

Valentines: Bird & Banner

Another lovely package from Bird & Banner. Can you tell I'm on a love kick? Purchase here.

Valentines: Woven paper hearts

The ladies of Bird & Banner, the duo behind this project, suggest making these woven paper hearts out of your leftover wedding invitations, but any lovely scrap will do! Instructions on Once Wed here.

Bonus! These lay flat for an easily-mailed valentine.

101 in 1001: February, 2010

As many of you know, I'm entering the third and final year of my 101 in 1001 challenge. It ends on September 28, 2010. I'd like to complete as many goals as possible before then, so to keep myself accountable, I'm reporting on my progress on the first of every month (or close to it!). I'll tell you how many goals I've completed, how many goals are in progress, and which goals I'm going to be focusing on for the month.

So how did I do on my January goals?

Did I...
1. Read three more books of the Bible for no. 3? Read two! (II Samuel + I Kings)
2. Send one more handwritten letter for no. 10? Yes! I sent another letter to my best pen pal Molly.
3. Buy a book of New York Times crosswords for no. 25? Not yet.
4. Look into local opportunities for mini internships for nos. 34-38? Yes! But unfortunately without much success. I did find one potential local letterpress printer, but their hours are 9-5, Monday through Friday, which is not exactly compatible with a full-time job. I also looked into adult education opportunities through my pretty amazing and reasonably priced local Parks & Rec department, and have my eye on two separate bookmaking courses, a papercutting course, an upholstery course, and an embroidering course.
5. Read another financial literacy book for no. 43? Yes! I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. It was okay.
6. Post snack list for no. 45? Yes! It includes, among other things, hardboiled eggs, cheddar cheese and reduced-sodium Triscuits, popcorn with dark chocolate shavings, hummus and pita chips, clementines, and any combination of peanut butter and bananas.
7. Complete no. 57? Not yet. Man, this one is hard.
8. Research growing vegetables for no. 86? Yes! I figured out the last frost date for our area using the NCDC charts, I took notes on Martha's growing tips, I decided on the varieties of tomato, lettuce, and (maybe) cucumber that I'd like to grow, and I ordered seeds from Seed Savers just in case I attempt to start the plants as seedlings.

Bonus! I completed no. 76 by making a loaf of bread from scratch (thanks to sister Kate and her KitchenAid Mixer!).

Where am I now? 35 completed and 23 in progress.

So what will I be tackling in February? I will...
1. Read three more books of the Bible for no. 3.
2. Send one handwritten letter for no. 10.
3. Attempt to get safety certified for no. 20 and look into local builds.
4. Read another classic for no. 27.
5. Memorize another poem for no. 28.
6. Contribute to my IRA for no. 44.
7. Just do it already for no. 48.
8. And -- this is the big one -- attempt to complete no. 59.

See more details on any of these goals right here!

Board No. 63: Woodsy Lodge

{Click to enlarge!}

And now for something completely different from our last board... a rustic lodge, an all-green bouquet, and honey bear favors. Put together centerpieces of white punched paper luminarias and jars of raw hickory nuts, pick a simple white or gray dress, and spend the majority of the wedding weekend hitting the slopes and relaxing in front of the fire with friends and family. Doesn't that sound amazing?

The Details
First row, left to right: lodge photo by Jonathan Canlas; bouquet photo by Carrie Patterson via Style Me Pretty; skiing girl from J. Crew

Second row: handful of nuts photo by Karen Mordechai from Sunday Suppers via 100 Layer Cake; gray wedding dress photo by Marianne Taylor via Style Me Pretty; outdoor fireplace from Napa Valley Celebrations

Third row: rosemary cake photo by Jose Villa via SMP; honey bear favors photo by Allyson Magda via SMP; pie from Country Living; luminaria centerpieces by Beth Helmstetter, photo by Jose Villa