Wishpot and Avelle Giveaway

Wishpot and Avelle (the new Bag Borrow or Steal) have teamed up to give away the Kate Spade bag at left! For details on how to enter the giveaway, check out the post over at the Wishpot blog for more details.

About the bag:  kate spade ‘Quinn’ Knightsbridge Croco Tote
The clean lines and elegant croc-embossed patent leather of this kate spade tote transition effortlessly from daytime to evening.  Designed to fit snugly under your arm, it’s finished with an open top, goldtone hardware, metal feet, three center compartments, signature lining and interior zip and cell pockets.  Dimensions: 12"L x 3"W x 9"H.  7" handle drop.

Winner to be selected on October 5, 2009

Image courtesy of Wishpot

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Engagement Party Favors - He Popped the Question

For fun engagement party favors, thank your guests with these old-fashioned style popcorn boxes that let everyone know that "he popped the question".    These boxes are also perfect as casual wedding favors or bachelorette/bachelor party favors.   Simply modify the sticker to suit the occasion and add your names and date.



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July Wedding Giveaway Winners Announced

Congratulations to our July 2009 SpaFinder Giveaway Winners.   Here's how they plan to use their gift certificates:

• $150 certificate - Gretel K., Murfreesboro, TN
  "I'm using it towards a spa vacation."
  
  
• $100 certificate - Jennifer A., Portland, ME
  "I'm giving as a birthday gift."
  
  
• $50 certificate - Laura W., New Smyrna Beach, FL
  "I'm getting a cleansing facial."

Each month, Things Festive will pamper three of our customers by presenting them with a SpaFinder gift certificate.  It's our way of saying "Thank You" for shopping with us.

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Charitable Wedding Favors - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so now’s a good time to purchase wedding favors that give and give:   to your guests and to breast cancer survivors.   By purchasing wedding favors from our Pink Ribbon Collection , you help us to contribute to The Young Survival Coalition.   This national organization is devoted to supporting women—young and old—living with breast cancer, and granting the wishes of terminally ill breast cancer patients.

The Pink Ribbon Collection includes three pink ribbon-inspired favors:   a favor box, a photo frame and an eco-friendly, plantable favor.



For more information about the Young Survival Coalition and its mission, visit their Web site at www.YoungSurvival.org.

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"Perfect Pair" Pear Wedding Theme

A pear wedding theme is the perfect fall theme for pear lovers or for couples who want to express that they’re the “perfect pair”.   To make the most of this theme, use pears throughout your celebration for sweet and stylish results.  Resources below.


Click to enlarge

Row 1:   Grey Pear Martini;   Marzipan Pear Wedding Cake;  Pear Blossom;  Silver Pear Place Card Holders & Cards

Row 2:    Pear Guest Book Wish Jar;   Table Settings;   Pear Favor Sticker;   Scented Pear Soap Favors

Row 3:    Fresh Pear Place Card Holder;   Perfect Pair Favor Ribbon;   Baked Pear Parcels;   Pear Wedding Invitation

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Want a Free Honeymoon? Here's How to Get It!

If you're looking for a way to cut the expenses of your honeymoon (or have a free honeymoon altogether) register your wedding with Traveler's Joy and let friends and family contribute to the cost of your dream honeymoon.

The registry allows gifters to contribute towards specific honeymoon experiences (i.e. a day of museums, a night at the opera, a fancy dinner, a charming hotel, snorkeling/hiking/fishing tour), or towards the cost of the entire honeymoon.

To spread the news, send Traveler's Joy email notices to friends and family telling them about your honeymoon registry.   Also, print out their custom invitation inserts to include in your wedding & shower invitations.   If you have a separate wedding home page, include a link to your Traveler's Joy registry page to make it easy for your guests to give a gift.

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Bridal Shower Theme Ideas – Bridal Shower Tea Party

For a bridal shower theme idea that's oh so girly, go with a bridal shower tea party.   It's a positively delicious way to spend time with girlfriends and relax with a steaming pot of tea.

A bridal shower tea party can be intimate, with just the bridal party attending, or it can include other female friends and relatives that will attend the wedding.   Although co-ed showers are increasing in popularity, this shower theme isn't suitable for mixed genders because the food and decorations are typically light and feminine.

• Create the perfect setting with pastel tablecloths (or in your wedding colors) and floral centerpieces.   Use a tea pot that coordinates with your table decorations.
  
  
• This is not the time for paper plates or cups.    A fun idea is to have each guest bring her own tea cup and saucer (a tea-for-one could work as well).    If you're having a fairly large number of guests and don't have enough real plates, beautifully decorated paper plates may not be a bad idea after all.
  
  
• Have your tea party indoors or find the perfect spot in your garden.   Check local listings for a Tea Room in your area or click on the photo above for a Tea Room Directory.
  
  
• If you're the hostess, gift the bride-to-be with a tea pot.
  
  
• Serve finger sandwiches, scones, cookies, chocolate covered strawberries, fruit salad and other treats buffet style.
  
  
• Plan to have beverages besides tea on hand for non-tea drinkers.
  
  
• Be sure to keep refilling teapots with boiling water and allow a few minutes for the tea to brew nicely.
  
  
• Leave each guest with a memento of their delightful afternoon.   This type of bridal shower makes favor-giving quite simple: give favors with a tea theme such as a tin of tea, tea infuser or honey pot.

Bridal Shower Tea Party Favor Ideas
Row 1:    Japanese Tea Leaves in Favor Boxes;    Homemade Cookies in Labelled Jars;   Teapot Tape Measure Row 2:    Teapot Timer;    Heart Tea Infuser;   Tea Bag Caddy Row 3:    Cup & Saucer Favors;    Bridal Shower Cookies;   Ceramic Honey Pot Favors

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Fall Wedding Table Decorations & Centerpieces

If you're putting the finishing touches on your fall wedding plans, be inspired by these gorgeous tablescapes, place settings and centerpieces.



Table #1;   Table #2;   Table #3

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Nature Inspired Wedding Theme – Leaves, Glorious Leaves

This wedding inspiration board is inspired by nature but also by my favorite color – green and my favorite decorating element – leaves.   I absolutely adore leaves and trees.    I’m always drawn to them when planning a design theme for entertaining or home décor.



Row 1:    Leaf Themed Wedding Cake;    Ring Pillow with Leaf Motif;   Botanical Leaf Candle Holders

Row 2:    Wedding Favors with Leaf Tags;    Leaves Invitation;   Leaf Bridal Bouquet


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Unique Boutonnieres for Your One-of-a-Kind Groom

If your groom is seeking a unique boutonniere or simply wants to share his fondness for a particular sport or hobby, take a look at some of the original designs by Fritts Rosenow.   Whether he's obsessed with baseball, golf, computers, bowling or cars, the designers at Rosenow will help your groom create a look that's all his own.



Row 1:    Nautical Boutonniere;    Boat Wheel Magnet Favors;   Boat Tealight Holders

Row 2:    Playing Card Boutonniere;    Lucky in Love Favor Boxes;   Lucky in Love Favor Cards

Row 3:    Musical Instrument Boutonniere;    Piano Place Card Holders;   Musical Notation Ring Pillow

Row 4:    Ski Boutonniere;    Skiing Couple Cake Topper;   Snowflake Bottle Stopper

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Wedding Cake Stands That Stand Out

With the perfect cake topper and one of the gorgeous wedding cake stands from Raise the Cake, your cake table will be the topic of conversation for months to come.    Using their "cake stand studio", you can design your own cake stand to match your event or choose one from the Couture Line.


Row 1:   Indian Bride & Groom Topper;   Indian Inspired Tandori Cake Stand;  Beach Cake Topper;  Beach Wedding Cake Stand

Row 2:    Cake Topper with Crystals;   Cake Stand with Crystals;   Snowflake with Crystals Cake Topper;   Jeweled Cake Stand

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Paris Bridesmaid Gifts & Gift Packaging

If you're looking for the most exquisite Paris bridesmaid gifts & gift packaging for your Parisian themed wedding you have to visit A Gift Wrapped Life.



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Vintage Wedding Cake Stands

The exquisite vintage wedding cake stands by Clara French will take your cake to new heights.   Cake and cupcake stands can be customized to complement the theme of your wedding and are available for purchase or rental.

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Cheap Wedding Flower Ideas - Bridesmaid Bouquet Alternatives

Looking for ways to whittle your wedding's flower budget?   Instead of having your bridesmaids carry fancy bouquets, save big by giving them something else to carry such as a candle,  single flower,  parasol (for a garden wedding),  hand fan (perfect for an outdoor or Asian themed wedding),  lantern (for a beach or outdoor wedding),  small bible or book of prayers.   As long as there are no religious conflicts, a bible decorated with ribbon and engraved with each bridesmaid's name could also serve as a bridesmaid gift.


Click image to enlarge

Image Credits:   Bridesmaids Carrying Candles;  Bridesmaids Carrying Parasols;  Bridesmaids Carrying Fans

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Art Inspired Wedding Themes - Starry Night Wedding Theme

An art inspired wedding theme?    The most obvious places to find wedding inspiration are bridal magazines and wedding blogs.   But how about being inspired by your favorite work of art?    The following inspiration boards show how a trip to an art gallery can spark a myriad of wedding themes.  Resources below.



Row 1:   Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh;   Star Themed Wedding Cake;  Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL

Row 2:    Moon & Stars Invitations;   Starry Night Inspired Place Setting;   Gold Toasting Flutes

Row 3:    Blue Bridesmaid Dresses;    Gold Place Card Holders/Favor Boxes;   Starry Night Tie

Take a look at how Van Gogh's Sunflowers can lead to the following sunflower based wedding themes:



Sunflower Board #2 - Resources and credits follow. For Sunflower Board #1 resources, click on image.


Row 1:   Bridal Bouquet;   Sunflower centerpieces;  Wedding Bulletins;  Topiary Place Card Holders

Row 2:    Sunflower Cupcakes;   Groomsmen Boutonniere;   Wedding Invitation;   Sunflower Wedding Cake

Row 3:    Sunflower unity candle;    Sunflower Postage Stamp;   Sunflower Bridesmaid bouquet ;   Sunflower Mini Bouquet Decoration

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The 15 Best Honeymoon Spots - Destination Wedding Ideas

According to an annual survey conducted by Modern Bride, here are the top 15 hottest, hippest and sexiest honeymoon spots.   A panel of elite travel specialists weighed in to help you find the perfect place to indulge in post-wedding bliss.

1. Italy:    With fashionable hotels and restaurants, world-famous museums, and picturesque Tuscan landscapes, Italy tops the list of exciting honeymoon spots.
   
   
2. Hawaii:    Considered to be America’s tropical jewel, the Hawaiian Islands boast lush valleys, vibrantly colored birds and flowers, and white sandy beaches.
   
   
3. Tahiti:   There’s a reason why lovers always return to the islands of Tahiti – warm lagoons, air perfumed by gardenia and endless vistas that blend sea into sky.
   
   
4. France:   From the twinkling lights of Paris to the glimmer of Cannes, France is a seductive treat.   The pace is unhurried, the cuisine is rich and the people intense.    Art lovers will appreciate the museums of Paris.
   
   
5. Greece:   Since Zorba the Greek made this ancient country chic in the 1960s, the Greek islands have become quite the passionate escapade.    Beach lovers can indulge in secluded coves and turquoise bays, culture afficionados can sightsee the numerous ruins, and gourmands can feast on fresh Greek cuisine.
   
   
6. Bali:   This sensuous tropical retreat is enhanced by culture and mysticism and has been called Heaven on Earth for good reason:   aqua water surrounds golden sand and the fragrance of sweet champaka flowers fills the air.    The spicy cuisine is sure to tantalize.
   
   
7. Mexico:   With dazzling resorts, silken beaches and charming colonial towns, you’ll never run out of places to whisper I love you.    While you’re there, indulge in a Mayan-inspired chocolate massage.
   
   
8. Fiji:   Considered to be the jewel of the South Pacific, Fiji is a tropical paradise where the pace slows so significantly that many newlyweds choose to simply relax on pristine beaches and gaze at the sea.
   
   
9. Maldives:   Luxe spas and some of the world’s best diving draw newlyweds to these idyllic coral islands which stretch across the Indian Ocean.
   
   
10. St. Lucia:   St. Lucia is an island that’s as multifaceted as a diamond.    It’s sexy yet serene, raw yet refined, traditional yet trendy.    Its lush terrain lures adventurers, but couples also visit to be pampered in private.    St. Lucia offers the dramatic scenery of the South Pacific with the convenience of the Caribbean.
    
    
11. Turks & Caicos:   These isles feature indulgent spas and Eastern-minded retreats on the main tourism hub of Providenciales and nature-lovers’ playgrounds on outlying cays (only eight of the 40 islands and cays are inhabited).   Turks is home to the third largest reef system in the world which makes for great snorkeling.
    
    
12. Costa Rica:   This lush Central American nation lies between the Pacific and the Caribbean and boasts coral-lined beaches and a landscape filled with rivers, forests and volcanoes.   Lovers of adrenaline and pampering can have it both ways, using ecoresorts as bases for adventure and places to indulge in relaxation.
    
    
13. Seychelles:    Pegged by many as the original Garden of Eden, Seychelles is a 115-island Indian Ocean nation with exotic ambiance, spicy cuisine and humongous palms that line deserted beaches.   Spiritual, romantic and tranquil, this African-French-Asian-infused country is the place to slow down and smell the orchids.
    
    
14. Anguilla:   Elegance and sophistication combine with a mellow Caribbean vibe to make Anguilla one of the region's most accessible five-star islands.    Seaside spas help honeymooners let go of stress.
    
    
15. St. Barths:   This chic yet secluded isle is the perfect blend of Paris and the tropics.   Celebrities and fashionistas are drawn to the tony boutiques of capital Gustavia, epicureans to the haute restaurants and nature lovers to the unspoiled and uncrowded beaches.

Row 1:  Beach Favor Bags, Destination Love Favor Cards, Beach Cake Topper, Destination Wedding Favor Card
Row 2:   Cruise Themed Magnet Favor, Miniature Travel Suitcase Container, Miniature Travel Trolley, Honeymoon Beach Attire
Row 3:  Shell Place Card Holders, Heart Unity Sand Ceremony Set, Orchid "Just Married" Flip Flops, Seaside Allure Garter Set
Row 4:  Palm Tree Favor Boxes, Destination Love Cruise Ship Luggage Tag, Flip Flop Placecard Holders, Sea Shell Spreader Favors

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Unique Wedding Dresses of Flowers - Wear Your Bouquet!

Are you looking for a unique wedding dress?    Flowers have always featured prominently at weddings so why not wear them?   These flowerful creations show that you can not only be a blushing bride but a blossoming bride as well.

Bridal accessories to complete your wedding day look



From left to right:   Wedding Dress with Yellow Flowers;  Singer Kelly Rowland in couture wedding dress inspiration;  Wedding dress by Julian & Franz Grabe;  Pink & White Flower Dress

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