Design & Decor Blog

As I ran around town this weekend doing errands and groceries, I found my gaze following after the trains of more than a few brides. It’s the height of summer, which also means it’s the height of wedding season. I love weddings and all the pretty little details but I was reminded of all the challenges that faced my friends as they prepared to walk down the aisle to say their “I dos”. There’s so much for a bride to think about: the colours, the dress, the bridesmaids’ dresses, the flowers, the cake, the music, the venue, the centerpieces – it’s enough to make your head spin. And then, there were the bonbonnieres. Oh, those bonbonnieres. I’ve seen it all. My sister made (made!) rosemary infused olive oil and filled sweet little bottles (tagged and ribboned, of course) for each guest. I’ve been to a wedding where guests received Werther’s candies. It’s a tough one – weddings are an expensive endeavour under the best of circumstances and finding a small but lovely gift for guests isn’t easy. I stumbled upon myweddingfavors.com this morning and just as its name promises, it’s got an endless assortment of wedding favour ideas. My fave idea is mini soaps. Everyone needs soap, right? And when they’re presented in pretty packaging, they make a lovely gift and will look beautiful on display. Check out some of my favourites:

It certainly doesn’t feel like we’re heading into June. It’s c-c-cold in Toronto today. But despite the weather, June is indeed around the corner and you know what that means: Wedding season is upon us. Whether you’re planning your own big day or are helping someone who is, you know that weddings can be enormously expensive. Even a small, intimate wedding seems to see costs racking up at every turn. If you’re looking to cut some costs without sacrificing the style and beauty of your big day, consider this. Stampin’ Up! is an online resource that can help you personalize everything from invitations to menus, place cards and bonbonnieres. They offer gorgeous stamps and card stock and you can order personalized items at stampinup.com. Discover your inner artista and save some money at the same time. Handmade items are not only so much more personal (your guests will love them!) but this also ensures that everything is truly unique and one-of-a-kind – just like you! So invite friends and family over and make a weekend of it. Check out some of the things you can make below. For more information and to order, visit stampinup.com. And for more great decorating and design inspiration, follow me on Twitter!