Here's How: Honoring the Hometown

A friend recently lamented that she wont be holding her wedding in her hometown due to travel restrictions for many of her fiancé’s family members. We wanted to find a way to help her honor her roots during her celebration and here are a few of our ideas that anyone can incorporate into their own wedding:

 Your state flower or tree can be used to make a wreath for the sanctuary doors or for aisle decorations. Are there local artisans who make pottery, baskets or candles that can be utilized during the ceremony? How about a pillow embroidered with key locations and famous spots in your state to carry your rings? 

Spray yourself with a perfume that features the scent of your state flower—and use it on future anniversaries to bring back the memories of your big day!

 During your reception, there are more opportunities to showcase the work of local craftsmen via baskets for bread or favors, state themed glassware and dishware. Locally made jams or specialty foods are perfect for favors or to eat during the reception, as are cookies and other baked goods from your favorite hometown bakery. Is your state known for being the birthplace of a food or drink related company? How about displaying those items with tags explaining the origins of the company?

 Need more ideas? How about using the seeds of your state flower during your farewell walk out of the reception or as a favor for your guests. Your state bird can make for a lovely cake topper or as a part of your centerpieces. Your state flag (or even your college logo) can be attached to drink stirrers and maps of your hometown can be cut into darling confetti. There’s no reason to leave your hometown out of the equation if it’s important to you. The options are endless!

If you don’t know the specifics about your state, you can find information HERE!

WHAT/ WHERE:

Glasses à Uncommon Goods

Plate à My Granny’s Attic

Moravian Cookies à Mrs. Hanes

Birds à Andrea by Sadek and Save on Crafts

Map confetti à Maps

Seeds à Eden Brothers

Wreath à Worchester Wreath Co.

Candles à Bee Hive Candles

Pillow à Cat Studio

State Facts à www.50states.com

Do It Yourself : Time Capsule

A man in France ordered that his home be sealed for 100 years after his death. The home was recently reopened and serves as a fascinating view into the lives of the French in the early 1900’s. While we find the idea of an entire house functioning as a time capsule we don’t happen to have an extra home to spare.

Instead, we made a box sized time capsule and filled it with personal mementos, business cards, and questionnaires that covered all the details of our lives in that moment. We buried it in a garden and plan to open it in 5 years. It will be so much fun to see what has changed, what has come to fruition, and what has stayed the same. Here’s what you’ll need to make one yourself:

WHAT/ WHERE:

French House à BBC News

Box à Save On Crafts

Bags à Ziploc

Paper à Kate’s Paperie

Markers à Sharpie

Charmed : Abigail Reynolds

With all of the 3D movie hoopla going on these days, 3D feels played out. Played out, that is until we discovered Abigail Reynolds’ 3D paper and print work.

We love the way the 3D elements really pull the viewer in and give a feeling of being present with the locations and structures. 

WHAT/WHERE:

You can see more of her work here à Abigail Reynolds

Do It Yourself : Care Packages

One of the universal truths we’ve discovered over the past few years is that everyone – male or female, young or old – loves snail mail. Care packages are the holy grail of parcel post.  They’re a great way to stay in touch and send a little love and they aren’t difficult or expensive to make.

Our dear friend Shaun recently moved to Canada. He’s one of the most talented designers we know and we can’t wait to see the first collection under his new label!

We decided to send him a care package to inspire him as he develops his new line of clothing. Here’s how we did it:

 Shaun mentioned that his new collection will be inspired by the Native Americans of Canada. We decided to throw together some earthy elements like wooden buttons, turquoise beads, strips of leather, and earthen colored zippers to inspire him. We also made some silly composite pictures of his head superimposed on the body of a designer taking his final bow down the runway and paper feathers galore. 

The Final Contents looked like this:

 Another dear friend, Mary Katherine, has been slaving away at her job for the past several months. We decided to send her a care package to make her workspace a little bit more enjoyable. Here are some goodies to send the workhorse in your life:

WHAT/ WHERE:

Buttons à M&J Trimming

Leather à Tandy Leather Factory

Zippers à Zipper Stop

Memo Mouse Pad  and pencil holder à Galison

Stapler à See Jane Work

Paper Clip à Fred Flare

What We Want : Bright Pants

Maybe it’s the chilly weather or the abundance of beige we’re seeing on the streets but we have been craving color in our lives! We just painted our walls with blue and teal stripes but it isn’t enough. We want more vibrancy to counter these overcast days we’ve been having.

Enter the bright pant.

While we haven’t been seeing them on the streets, we’ve found bright pants in stores all over. We suggest pairing these statement pieces with white tops and neutral colored accessories. Beige, light brown, and white allow the color to pop and keep the look sophisticated instead of clownish. For full effect, pair the pop of color with another bright pop via nails or a statement necklace. 

WHAT/ WHERE: 

(Far Left) Blue à Opening Ceremony

Green à Zara

Pink à Cycle

Yellow à Opening Ceremony

Light Blue àCycle

Light Green à Ralph Lauren

Light Yellow à Quicksilver