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Made by Milla is full of vintage and handmade loveliness. Plus she has the cutest web site. Here are a few of my favorites.
more things I like:
Emma Ginnever
Handmade Paper Cranes by Nicole Osseola
Beklina and Kirsten Dunst
Here's another wacky idea...These cute and useful bags from Flip and Tumble can roll up into colorful little balls...perfect for--centerpieces! How's this for sustainable style to the nth degree? Here's how I envisioned it...
I'm going to start posting more of my own photography, since I really don't like just plopping someone else's lovely work into my blog...I really do try to be as respectful of other people as I possibly can. I hope you enjoy my humble creations.
more centerpiece ideas:
Fabulous Ebay Finds
Raise the Flags
Tablescapes
Maybe it's the cynic in me that finds these wallets hilariously funny. I think they'd be a great lighthearted gift for a girl or a guy--your friends, fiance, or maybe even your groovy parents. Certainly there's someone in your life who would appreciate the ironic humor of Paris House.
And on a side note, I have to laugh at all of the hoopla about having a "Green Wedding." It's like a whole new industry within the wedding machine has sprung up...Which I guess is okay, but not exactly what I had in mind. I really just want to inspire a shift in how wedding planning is approached, and communicate the message that it should be fun and creative and not like a freight train that comes crashing through your life. And since it's a time when a lot of money is spent, we might take a look at where our dollars are going...that's it...kind of simple, right? So let's remember to keep it simple...xo
here's where to go for some simple stuff:
Outpost Hokianga
The Succulent Wife
The Paris Flea Market
I love to bead. Back when I was at Martha Stewart, I produced beading events for kids and their parents. I wish I could have ordered beads from Bead For Life. This is an incredible fair trade concept that teaches Ugandan women to create jewelry and beads for commerce.
You can host a beading party very easily--just order the beads, and the materials (scissors, clasps, string). Etsy has "groups" where you can go to learn lots of crafty ways to make jewelry.
More Fair Trade ideas:
Fair Trade Bridalwear
Handmade by Shabby Cottage
Beth Lauren and Armour sans Anguish
Turning the idea of trash on its head, artist Aurora Robson shows the beauty and complexity in man-made material things. Depressing and inspiring at the same time, she also shows us an alternative to toxic landfills...
Find out how one community is fighting to improve their urban community by lobbying against landfills and other unhealthy initiatives.
Sustainable South Bronx.
Do some digging on your own to find local organizations you can support, either through volunteering or financial contribution. Remember--social causes aren't necessarily halfway around the globe, they just might be in your own backyard.
Speaking of Philadelphia based businesses, Joy Deangdeelert Cho's Nantaka Joy line of paper items is the perfect wedding shower gift, or you can really stock up yourself so those thank you notes don't get left to the last minute.
Here's a tip: write the notes when you find out someone has given you a gift. You can easily check this information out on most retail sites. And don't forget to ask for your items to be held for pick-up at your local store--you can not imagine how much paper is wasted on wrapping, packing, and shipping wedding gifts.
I know it's not Valentine's Day anymore, but aren't these free stationery templates cute? You can find them on the Free People blog.
In case you didn't know, Free People, Urban Outfitters, and Anthropologie share the same origins. I remember wearing a lot of Free People clothes back in the day.
More paper ideas:
Lovely Design
Oblation Paper Recycled and Handmade Wedding Invitations
Brown Sugar Design
Want to learn how to make your own floral arrangement? How to create the perfect chignon? Now you have a place to go...Expert Village has random how-to videos for everything from how to be a ventriloquist (might be good during those toasts...) to applying your make-up. It's a little easier to navigate than YouTube just because it's all specifically how-tos.
My personal favorite: Courtney Gray's jewelry making demos...
Good doesn't have to mean sacrifice...nor does it mean that you have to scour the web for fair trade, sustainable, or even eco-chic items...
Sometimes good is easy...and fun. Did you know that (according to the knot) 20% of brides buy two dresses for their wedding day? Instead of spending green on two things you will never wear again, why not spend it on something pretty and silky--and that you will wear again and again. For example, the pretty little items here, all are from Faire Frou Frou; a local, mother daughter owned store in California (2 more reasons to feel good...)
I was reading Martha Stewart's Blog (The Martha Blog), and I saw these photos she took at Madonna's benefit for Malawi. The table top design was so simple, chic, and easy to do.
You could just opt for the little arrangements, which are small containers with about 4 roses a piece. You can choose locally grown roses (but should plan a summer wedding), or use organic flowers. Because you don't need that many flowers, you won't be spending an arm and a leg in the process. It would be simple for almost anyone to create these arrangements, so you can order your flowers from Organic Bouquet, or California Organic Flowers, or find a local farm, and hire someone to create the flower arrangements for you on the day of your wedding. You can also find pretty containers in a sustainable way-etsy is full of handmade goodness, Craig's List has tons of reusable stuff, and of course there's always Ebay.
More about flowers:
Junebug Weddings
My Eco-Chic Wedding
Dried Wheat and Branches
