Modern Ink Studio

Etsy seller Modern Ink Studio offers full-service paper suites from Save the Dates - Escort Cards, digital files, and printed pieces. I love the clean look of her designs.

{Sources: Invite - Modern Ink Studio, Dresses - J. Crew, Cake: The Knot}

{Sources: Invite - Modern Ink Studio, Dresses - J. Crew, Candeholders - CB2, Cake: The Knot, Shoes: In This Instance}

Because I Had A Sh*tty Day...

...I insist that you all have a laugh.

{Source: Unknown}

I did a google search to for the source of the above picture and found this instead:

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And on that note, I am going to bed.

My New Desk!

I desperately need to set up a home office in our new condo. Unfortunately, I also need to set up a dining room, a bedroom, and a living room. Since I don't have time to get a second job, I need to prioritize and cut corners be creative where I can, which meant a visit to the Fountain of Youth, Ikea, this past weekend.

While I am hoping to have a cool home office like one of these someday...

{Source: All Desk Images}

I think that I've found an awesome consolation prize -- the Vika Blecket desktop from Ikea has built-in glass for a light table! I can't wait to set it up.

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I bought the Vika Artur legs, which will allow me to angle it as needed.

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Retro Dresses by Audey

I love the retro style of the dresses by Chicago designer, Audey.

{Sources: Dress - Audey, Invite - EnfinLaVoila , Flowers and Cake: The Knot}

{Sources: Dress - Audey, Save the Date - Cheerupcherup, Cake - The Knot}

Visit her blog here.

Fabric Necklaces

I was so drawn to the bride's necklace in yesterday's post.

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Then I saw nie's cute necklace...I think that I need a new treat.

{Source: Florabond}

{Source: Vintage Lace}

{Source: littlejardin}

{Source: whiteowl}

Oh, do I wish that I could wear headbands! They just don't look right on my noggin.

(Source: hollywoodandvine}

Adore.

I adore this bride's outfit - perfect dress, perfect necklace, perfect shoes, perfect flowers.

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I love the wedding cabaret. Mara is a great editor with an excellent eye.

Pin the Shoes on the Shoe Addict

Love this game designed by Keg Design...

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Bridesmaid Gift Ideas: Tea Drinkers

I drink a ton of tea - which is not a cheap habit. Tea and tea accessories are great gifts for a variety of budgets.

No one can deny the cuteness of teapots. I have two of these -- one for work and one for home. They're great for preparing loose teas without a mess.

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Loose teas must be stored in air tight containers. The ones sold in stores are cute, but not cheap. I like giving gifts that someone would not normally buy for themselves. These Washi Tins are frivolous, but affordable, which make them a near-perfect gift! (This is a great DIY-opportunity too -- just buy some pretty paper and a cheap tin and have at it.)

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Tea infusers are great for a quick fix when you only want a quick cup of tea.

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With everyone looking to cut costs, a travel mug with a built-in infuser is a great way to get some affordable gourmet-on-go.

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I am forever pulling random tea bags out of the bottom of my purse. I've been meaning to buy myself a tea wallet for ages.

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We received this tea box from Crate & Barrel as a wedding gift and I love it.

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Hooray for Joanie!

The Chicago Bride-to-Be is a Chicago Wife-to-Be. Have fun! Savor every moment.

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I can't wait to read about  how things come together. Based on her Photobooth Bookmarks, I think that it's going to be great!

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Check this post to read about her idea for using all of the ribbon that adorned shower gifts received from her Bed, Bath & Beyond registry.

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Happy Weekend!

The Air & Water Show is hitting Chicago this weekend. So jealous of this picture -- talk about luck. I've been trying to get pictures of those planes for years. (Granted, many attempts were on a disposable camera.)

 

{Source: Rick Aguilar via Dettagli Weddings}

Bridal Party Gift Ideas: Art

Maria of The Pied-A-Terre, who is getting married in October (yeah!), recently commented that she is looking for bridesmaid gift ideas. Like many people, I l-o-v-e giving gifts. Reigning myself in on hostess and bridal party gifts was actually one of the tough parts of my wedding planning. (And I didn't do a very good job at it. )

Giving art as a gift may be risky, but I adore the idea. If you know the recipient well enough to buy what they'd like (not what you'd like), I think it could be a pleasant surprise. (And much better than a candle. I believe that candles should never be given for anything other than a polite hostess gift. Anything scented is off-limits to me -- too personal.) If you buy something reasonably priced, they can enjoy it during its shelf-life and won't feel obligated to keep it for the rest of their lives. Here are few random pieces found in my Google Reader and bookmarks:

• These Motivate prints from Orange Beautiful would be great for someone with a home office and a sense of humor. I think that I need one to hang above my alarm clock!
  

{Source: Orange Beautiful}

• I can't imagine a gift from MadeByGirl EVER bombing:

{Source: MadeByGirl}

• I went through a huge folk art phase in my late 20s. During that time, I bought several pieces from Canadian artist, Helene Lacelle - Neon Matisse. Her pieces are odd and bright and whimsical. And she is COOL! I still have the cards that she sent me from Christmases past.

 

{Source: Neon Matisse eBay shop}

• And these are a few of my favorite pieces from the Renegade Handmade shop in Chicago.
  

{Source: Renegade Handmade > Art}

• Next time you have about four hours to kill, type "letterpress art" into etsy. Oh my. There's just so much!

{Source: luludee}

 

{Source: cindytomczykart}

• Hometown Shout-Outs: I love ANYTHING that gives mad props to a hometown with something other than a black and white skyline photo. That being said, I have been debating whether I can buy this poster for ages now given that Manhattan is not my hometown. I know exactly where I'd hang it.
  

 

{Source: Three Potato Four}

 

{Source: Louella Press}

 

{Source: Michele Maule}

{Source: Ork Posters!}

• Don't forget to celebrate their iconic celebrity crushes! I'd get this for my friend that LOVES Bruce:

 

{Source: SchroederJim}

 

{Source: Lake Illustration}

• I can spend a whole year documenting my favorite pieces from the 20X200 site.

Would you ever give art as a gift?