emily anderson

*unruly things* and emily post

i have long recommended skipping the save-the-date and save-the-paper instead. i still think a printed wedding invitation is a special and important part of the experience...but no judgment if you do send everything electronically. i know some people feel this is not proper etiquette. but i like to say that the internet wasn't around while emily post was alive, and her recommendations have always been based on good common sense as well as being selfless, rather than a selfish person.

alyson of sunali design can bring beauty to your wedding. and make your wedding more eco-friendly. and save you money too. i am giving alyson the "Eco-Chic Weddings Editor's Choice" award. i hope she approves of my own novice design skills ;)

you can read more about alyson and sunali, as well as an excerpt from my book about mindful weddings on the indie weddings guide...

and as for the great wedding-email debate, publsher's weekly wrote in a review of emily post's updated book "etiquette" this: 

"The original book was considered revolutionary in its time because it recast manners from rigid Victorian rules into behavior that was based on ethics, values and common sense."

*the red balloon*

We went shopping at Trader Joes this week. I was happy to see that much of their produce is now from the USA. (Read more about this issue on The Daily Green.) As we were checking out, the nice guy at the register asked me if my little girl would like a balloon. "Oh no," I said, "Balloons are very bad."

(image found on holycow blog)

I explained about the fact that because balloons do not biodegrade, the rubber ends up in waterways and landfills, or trapped in trees. Birds and fish and other wildlife eat the rubber to their demise. (Read more about it in this BBC article.)

(film still from Le Balon Rouge, director, Albert Lamorisse, 1957)
"Wow, I din't know that," he said. "Well, how about a sticker." Which Sydney promptly put in her mouth. So, instead of balloons, think about using could re-useable paper lanterns, or these eco-paper balloons from
the SHOW Corporation....
         

 

*teacup wedding favors*

Next time you see a lonely teacup and saucer who has been lost from it's set, you might be able to use it in many ways, for your wedding, and in your home. I love these teacandles from Etsy.

They would make the perfect wedding favor, as well as adding a little style to your table setting. Just tie the place card name to the handle, and voila, tea for two becomes a three-in-one idea. These teacandles are made from soy wax which is a renewable resource, as well as that traditional paraffin wax is a petroleum byproduct...the cups are reused from long-forgotten china sets, and can be washed out and reused as guess what? Teacups.

                     

                         
The idea for candles came from Martha Stewart (for me anyway)...but after the candles are finished, you can wash them out and use them for pretty storage containers, for jewelry and other little items...here's an image from Martha Stewart I found...but the storage idea I got from my grandmother who did this herself...

                      

                         

Or, you can use you can use the teacups as mini-planter like teleflora....
                      

Or a teacup topiary from SavonCrafts...not my favorite image, but you get the idea.

                         

                            

I have many random teacups doing storage duty in my home, and sometimes they turn into little flower vases too. I see them at every thrift store, just waiting for someone crafty to take them home and give them a job.

freegan weddings by portovert

you should check out this great article  by my friend meghan meyers, founder of portovert. she gives you a step-by-step guide how to have an affordable green wedding...

she feels, like i do, that the entire point of having a green wedding is that you reduce...money, resources, stress... what are your thoughts? tell me how you're reducing...in life or for your wedding...

emily featured by: the toronto star

stephen scharper, columnist for the toronto star, mentions eco-chic weddings in today's paper. i had a nice conversation with mr. scharper last week about community, marriage, and our connection to the world...which is the perfect opportunity for me to introduce my new site...

i've posted the toronto start article for you here too...

 

*editor's choice* d. sharp

our first official *editor's choice* award goes to d.sharp, aka diane sharp, whose meticulously designed handmade items have graced the pages of martha stewart, country living, among others.

she also sells directly to the public, so you can get one of her one-of-a-kind items for your special day. i always like to stress the importance of focusing on a few key elements, the flowers, the cake, or the table settings, rather than taking a crap shoot approach and trying to make everything perfect, big, and meaningful. all great event designers know that focus is the key to a successful event, so even if you spend a little more on something like a handcrafted item from d.sharp, this will certainly be a focal point for your guests, as well as something worthy of display and to be treasured for a lifetime. emily

more rehab dishes from *etsy*

i wanted to give you guys some more options if you are interested in registering for refashioned dishware...all of these items are available on Etsy for under $40.

jenn3star

jennale

porcelainandpaper

i believe in the democratization of style, and i think etsy is at the forefront of this quiet revolution. viva la revolucion!

born again dishes by sarah cihat

think out of the box for your wedding registry...think about what you actually like and what you will really use, rather than things you might just end up keeping in the closet. rehabilitated dishware by sarah cihat. find her stuff here:
clio
i heart

happy earth day

yippee...

in the spirit of reducing and reusing, i think the "glo-canvas" from duffy london would make a fab design element for a sophisticated wedding...

you can purchase them state side on design public...you can also "design your own"lampshade which could be a great way to commemorate your wedding day...

flower girl dresses

okay, what's up with dressing little girls like mini-bridesmaids or worse, mini-brides? let her wear one of these adorable designs from annie girl. she'll dance and twirl around in it just like a little girl should.