Heart of Green

A little piece of me cringes every time I give money [or a check or gift card, for that matter] as a gift. It feels so wrong. So impersonal. Yet, sometimes you know that the recipient will probably enjoy it or benefit more than something they may not have needed or wanted. A while back I talked about the money bouquet and then recently I stumbled upon this.

[Source.]

How sweet is that? Next time you go to slip a twenty into a card, why not try a little origami on it first? I don't know if I would ever want to unfold and spend it it's so pretty. Full instructions can be found here.

Have you received creative gifts of money? I'd love to know some other fabulous presentations.

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

We officially have a winner for the LargeFormatPosters.com giveaway.

Winner was Kristy, who said "I want a cool arty picture of my kids to hang in my bedroom. A close up of three smiley faces." Congratulations Kristy, I will be contacting you shortly about claiming your prize!

To everyone else, you still have one more day to enter for free earrings from Modest Peach Jewelry. Good luck!

iSwoon

Source via Behind the Knot

You've probably seen this image a thousand times. And, honestly, so have I. But every time I do I get that warm fuzzy feeling inside. Everything about this shot is perfect: The model. Her expression. The hairpiece. The makeup. The lighting. The angle. I think I could make a whole inspiration board on this image alone.

No matter how many times I see it I get inspired. But, whenever I go looking for it I cannot see to find it. But now, here it is... in all it's glory.

Now if only I knew where it originated. Someone told me it's an advertisement for the hairpiece. Anyone know?

Just a Reminder

Just a reminder: don't forget to enter our giveaway to win a free photo-quality poster print from LargeFormatPosters.com. Enter here. Contest ends tonight at midnight EST.

And, while you're at it, don't miss out on the chance to win earrings from Modest Peach Jewelry. Enter here. Contest ends Thursday, October 1st at midnight EST.

Happy entering!

Inspiration: Box of Chocolates

On a Monday, there are few things better than a little eye candy and some inspiration. This weekend I was feeling particularly inspired by a box of chocolates [cue eye roll here]. No, I wasn't depressed, lonely, or upset. I just stepped back and noticed how beautiful a box of chocolates can be with the rich textures and variance of warm browns. Perfect for fall, in my opinion.

...the palette...

...the inspiration...

...the board...

{chocolates, ring exchange, dress, photobooth, shoes,

invitation, rings on rhino, rings on bark}

So what about you? What has inspired you lately?

Giveaway: Modest Peach Jewelry

As promised, today we have another giveaway - this time courtesy of the fabulous Modest Peach Jewelry. Modest Peach is a new line of jewelry featuring all types of pieces from the most classic to incredibly modern. Their necklaces and pendants range from those suitable for a night out on the town to those perfect for the biggest day of your life [speaking of which, I've been obsessing over these - wouldn't they be the perfect wedding day earrings?]. And, regardless of your tastes, the Modest Peach line is likely to have something to suit it.

And today, they are offering to give three [that's right - there will be three winners!] lucky SWOONOVERIT readers a choice of earrings among the three pairs shown below. From left to right they are "The First Date," "The Cocktail Party," and "Day at the Beach."

To enter, just head on over to Modest Peach and comment on this post telling me which piece of jewelry you are most in love with and why. Anyone is welcome to participate but entries must be received by Thursday, October 1st at midnight EST. Oh yes, and do not forget to also enter on this post for a photo poster print.

Happy weekend lovelies!

iSwoon

Ummmm, yes please.

Perfection by Pure by Lindsey.

Giveaway: LargeFormatPosters.com

Are you prepared? Are you ready?

This week I give you not just one, but two giveaways in a desperate attempt to make up for my extended absence last week. First off, one of you lovely readers will win an 18-by-24-inch rolled poster print sponsored by LargeFormatPosters.com.

This is for a poster-size print of photo-quality but it can be of anything that you so choose. Theresa from Diagnosis Deferred is hosting this same contest [head on over there for a chance to win again!] and suggests that crafty types could even make their own design, using the "For Like Ever" poster as an example.

I'm also pretty in love with the "Get Excited and Make Things" which has made it's way around the blog world a few times. To me, it still hasn't gotten old.

And if not that, perhaps I would do something a little nutty like this. Admit it, it boggles your mind - even if it's just a tad.

[Found via Proof.]

You can get more ideas and see more samples here:

Poster Printing: http://www.largeformatposters.com

Large Format Printing: http://www.largeformatposters.com/large-format-printing.html

The details: This contest is open to US residents only who will receive free UPS ground shipping. To enter, leave a comment explaining how you would use your print if you won. Contest ends Tuesday, September 29 at midnight.

Good luck! And do not forget to come back tomorrow for another fabulous giveaway!

The Irony

I am not sure what it is but there seems to be some kind of irony in blogging about an article written on blogging. But, here I am doing it nevertheless. Why? Because I have some fabulously exciting news and a wonderful article to share with you all.

A long, long time ago I was contacted to do an interview regarding the amazing blog Something Old, Something New written by Mackenzie Sala. Of course, I gladly accepted. Months later, come to find out, the article itself was about bloggers that have made it big and was to be published in "Elegant Bride." It features the likes of Bee Kim from Weddingbee, Abby Larson of Style Me Pretty, and Vane Broussard of Brooklyn Bride.

The cover of the Fall magazine [which includes the article!]

Now, don't get me wrong - the article isn't in anyway a feature on me - but I am honored to have been included at all and even more thrilled that I had a chance to talk about how fabulous Mackenzie's blog is. I suppose it's a blessing that I had no clue that the article was on these other fabulous bloggers as well or I would have been on the phone with the interviewer for even longer than the thirty minutes we spent chatting.

And, just in case you were wondering... here is what I had to say...

Anyway, the whole article is [and, in retrospect, the whole magazine is] a fabulous read. And, anyone who has been in the wedding blogging world for any length of time knows that this author hit the highlights with these lovely ladies. In case I hadn't already convinced you, I highly recommend you pick up a copy.

iSwoon

Amazingness by Stacey Reeves.

Dear President

...please come to our wedding. Please?

Did you know that if you send a wedding invitation to the President that you will likely receive a letter of congratulations in response? And, let me tell you, now matter how many of these I address I still get nervous each time I go to address another.

[Source: My crummy camera - please excuse the photo quality!]

But, the process is quite simple. Send along an invitation just like you would to any other guest and mail it to:

The Honorable Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama

The White House

Greetings Office Room 39

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, District of Columbia

20500

And, of course, if you'd like SWOONOVERIT to do it for you - you know we would be more than obliged to help. Also, in case you were wondering, the "letter of congratulations" thing holds true for lots of big name celebrities. Recently, I addressed one to Matt Lauer himself.

Have you done this or know someone who has? What was the outcome? I'd love to hear.

iSwoon

Photo by Audrey Snow. Gorgeous, no?

We Love Pockets

One of my favorite trends? Pockets for the 'maids. I mean, what better gift could you give them than a dress with pockets? Who doesn't love pockets?

And, I am seriously loving that so many fabulous dress lines are picking up the trend.

From Ann Taylor.

From Nordstrom.

From JCrew.

Oh and P.S. the bridesmaids aren't the only ones having fun with the pockets.

Check these lovelies out.

Photo by Margaret Singer Photography.

The Silk Taffeta Sascha Gown via JCrew.

Now, just how do you go about finding a dress with pockets? Some sites, like Nordstrom, will let you search for "pockets" and then narrow it by dresses. But for the sites that do not, here is a tip [and for some of you this might be a "duh"], when you are searching online look for photos of the models with their hands in them. The vast majority of stores will use this as the main photo for the dress to emphasize the feature.

So, what about you? What are your bridesmaids wearing? Are you digging the pockets?

iSwoon

The fab team Bobbi + Mike never disappoint. Love it.

Weddings We Love: Ryan and Rochelle - Sneak Peek

So, last weekend I was honored to be a part of the lovely wedding of Ryan and Rochelle. They were married in the itty bitty DeLand, Florida [my hometown!] and had a gorgeous wedding at the same church Rochelle's parents were married in - with lots of lovely natural light! Their reception was at the DeBary Golf & Country Club and was gorgeous. Rochelle had so many DIY touches and the whole day was just the perfect blend of romantic and classic.

Their photographer, the fabulous Ashley McCormick, was wonderful enough to post a couple sneak peek photos the very same night. Unbelievable. Needless to say, I cannot wait to see the rest, but I couldn't resist giving you a taste of the gorgeousness that is to come.

P.S. That veil? Totally was Rochelle's mother's.

They spiffed it up to bring it to the 21st century - but isn't it stunning? So classic.

The flowers were perfect.

And that boutonniere! Doesn't it look marvelously pinned on?

You cannot see a bit of pin at all. Impressive, huh (winkwink)?

All photos copyright the wonderful Ashley McCormick.

Stay tuned. There are sure to be many more beauties from this lovely day.

iSwoon

Lovely photo by Jemma Coleman Photography.

We Have a Winner: Wedding Survival Handbook

Sorry to build up the anticipation so much, but we finally have our winners for the Wedding Survival Handbook. 

So, a major congrats to Princess Christy, who said: 

And to Erinn Ryan, who said: 

Ladies, please send me an e-mail at scribble {at} swoonoverit {dot} com to claim your prize. And, a huge thanks to Chronicle Books for the lovely giveaway. To everyone else, stay tuned - we just might have another coming soon.

The Exit: Rebuttal

So, last week I posted on the various types of exits. In that post, I totally dismissed the use of rice. The lovely Krystal of The K Gallery called me out on it and, justly so. She sent over some of her favorite birdseed/wedding rice photos and I'm in love.

All photos courtesy of The K Gallery.

Gorgeous, no? I certainly think there is something sweet and traditional about it. Your thoughts?