I'm Back

I know that I have been away for a while - lots been happening and big changes in my life. But I am determind to carry on with the blog and hopefully get more followers on board to get the blog to where I want it - so hold thumbs, keep reading and thanks for all your support.

'Till next time

Tania's invites

To follow on from our previous post - Tania's 21st - we have a few options of invites that Tania designed.

In keeping with the yellow colour theme Tania has come up with a few options:

the first two are the front cover - she is going to punch the side of the invite and bind it with yellow ribbon.

I really think the designs are classic and very in-keeping with the cocktail style party she is wanting. My favourite is the first option with the design to the side of the text.

The next two are options for the inside:

I am in two minds about these designs. I like the first one as it really incorporates the yellow theme. However it might be a bit too much. I like the second one as it includes some black which will be included in the overall designs for her 21st.

As we said above, Tania designed it using a basic design software and printing it on some card stock. Whether for a wedding, children's party or 21st, stationery does not have to cost a fortune. Designing stationery yourself gives it such a personal swing on the event and the best thing is you can include things that are important to you.

'till next time

A 21st to remember

My gorgeous cousin Tania is turning 21 this April. I was over the moon when she asked me to help her out with the planning of her party.

Now Tania is very trendy, creative and....well a fantastic person to know so I want to try and help her create an amazing night that she will always remember.

We started with a colour theme. She wants a simple cocktail style party, so no jeans! She has a beautiful yellow cocktail dress so we decided to work with that colour. A lot of people are not too keen on the colour yellow as a basis for a party, but yellow (with the addition of either/both black and white) can be an incredible combination.

We started looking at some inspiration boards. This is a great way to see how colour combinations can fit together (or in some occasions don't fit together). Although we are mostly sticking to yellow and white, adding a bit of black gives it some depth. Remember, inspiration boards don't have to have pictures to do with any particular thing, it is just to put the colours together to see if they work well.

So we have a great starting place. A great base to get the rest of the planning going.

Currently we are waiting to confirm a venue for the party. Once we have this decision we can decide how we are going to incorporate the colours Tania has chosen into the venue.

As we don't have a massive budget to work with incorporating DIY projects we will be able draw on her creative to make it a personal, memorable event.We are going to be coming back to this party-planning over the next few months.

Our next insert will be on the invite (designed by Tania), again, taking a simple design, putting your own stamp on it and making a very fancy looking invitation.

'Til next time

Your memories on mail

Did you know? Royal mail offer a simple service of personalising your postage stamp.

After you have spent quite a bit of money on your invitations the last the you would want is to stick a really horrible stamp on your lovely envelope.

Taken from the Royal mail website "capture and share your treasured moments with personalised smilers stamp sheets, from just £7.42 for 10 stamps. From weddings to new arrivals, you're just a few simple steps away from creating stamps that are uniquely yours".

Have a look here: http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/content2?catId=3800007&mediaId=3800008

'Till next time

A little idea...

A simple idea but something you may not think about leading up to the special day...score your wedding shoes, both bride and groom.

The last thing you want is to be slipping and sliding around the dance floor during your first dance. Score your shoes with a non-serrated knife and make horizontal and vertical lines and don't forget the heel.

And don't forget to break in your shoes as well. It does not go against tradition that the groom cannot see the brides shoes before the wedding, so wear them in well.

'Til next time

Inspiring Inspiration Boards

Many brides are creating inspiration boards to help them pick the perfect wedding colour or theme.

Basically, an inspiration board is a collage of pictures that inspire you. They don't have to be wedding related. There are many different ways you can make an inspiration board - on your computer using photoshop or any design package or you can use the good old fashion method of sticking your pictures onto art boards and keep in your planning file.

Not sure where to start? What inspires you, flowers, scenery, food? What colours do you like? Cut out all pictures or save them on your computer and start arranging them together. Seeing different colours and textures together will let you narrow down the colours and themes you might want to have at your wedding.

The board below appeared on http://ritzybee.typepad.com/ by guest blogger Kathryn of http://snippetandink.blogspot.com/. It is a gorgeous board for a winter wedding. Simple and elegant with different hues of blue.

'Till next time

Been away

I know that I have been away for a while.

I got the horrible winter-cold that had me out of action for a week and then xmas hit. I am sorry but I promise that I am working on a stunning wedding to add to our Real Weddings - so stay tuned.

I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas and that you will have a safe and awesome New Years.

'Till next time