Newly Wed-nesday: Tea Towel Invitations

I was so thrilled when Karen Brown of UK based The Original Wedding Tea Towel found me on Twitter. I had not seen her designs before but I am obsessed with them. (yes, obsessed is a word everyone is over using and I generally despise, along with amazing, but it fits in this case because I mean it.) I love all things vintage and wedding and adorable. These tea towel invitations are all of the above. Here's the harsh reality, those beautiful paper crafted invites are gorgeous and artful, but most recipients will put them in the circular file. Not these beauties, they will be kept and hug proudly. They would be perfect favors for a bridal tea, luncheon, shower or send them as thank you's.

Here is the skinny on how to get you hands on these unique creations. Since Karen is based in the UK she has teamed up with Peter Loves Jane to distribute them to US customers. (Thanks Peter and Jane, that kinda makes us love you back). You can connect to their Etsy site to get more information and place a deposit on your custom order.  Happy Tea Time!

Photos: Peter Loves Jane

Treasure Hunting: A Peach of a Picnic

Visit us at PackandAlleys on Etsy to see today's picnic inspired treasury. Its a southern inspired peach of a summer afternoon. Stop by our shop while your there, we are adding new items all the time.

A Peach of a Picnic Etsy Treasury

Mothers Day Gift Giving For Every Style

Mommy and Me Set etsy

Mothers day is a special time of year when we get to spoil moms and mom-like figures in our lives.  We found some unique ideas for her that she will actually use and enjoy!

For the Casual Mom a simple conversation tee that sums it all up:

Queen Bee Tee  waxingkara

For the Dress Up Mom the perfect spring garden party clutch:

Flower Beaded Clutch anthropologie

For the Sentimental Mom a nest necklace with all her chicks on it:

Nesting Bird Necklace uncommongoods

For the Bookworm Mom something personal to keep her reader cozy:

Needlepoint Monogram Nook Cover landsend

For the Garden Mom a little project to do together and grow for seasons to come:

Hen and Chick Growing Kit redenvelope 

For the Active Mom the perfect go anywhere handle anything skort:

Denim Bettona Classic Skort Athleta

For the Sporty Mom a wristband to track all your data for her busy life:

UP Wristband Jawbone

For the Traveling Mom a tote and cosmetic bag made to last:

South Cosmetic and Tote Bags
with Monogram
markandgraham

For the Teacher Mom a wall hanging to remind everyone of her favorite lessons:

Family Rules Wall Canvas wisteria

For the Baker Mom the ultimate kitchen mixer that looks gorg too:

Kitchen Aid 5qt Stand Mixer Target

For the Foodie Mom a collection of unique inde sweets and treats:

The Mother Load Gift Assortment newyorkmouth

Finally, for the DIY Mom a project that you can make for her:

Easy Child Silhouettes DIY cottagehill

Remember, whether you break the bank or glue together a macaroni embelished trinket box, the biggest gift you can give Mom is hug, kiss and a really big thank you. Now go call your mother! Happy Mothers Day!

Weekend Project: Cleaning Your Cast Iron

I came across this great tutorial from Lodge on how to clean your cast iron. It's simple and the music is kinda jazzy too!

Design Day Friday: William, Kate, The Bump and The Union Jack

I must admit I have always had a bit of a Brit crush. I remember waking in the wee hours of the morning to watch Charles and Diana marry, then Andrew and Fergie and later to watch Diana being laid to rest. I was so captivated by the tradition, the grandeur and the elegance of it all. Recently, as I was working on my current archaeology project also know as "the garage," I discovered a tea cup that my mother gave to me. It was a commemorative piece to celebrate the marriage of Charles and Diana. I smiled. I thought about the hours I would pour over magazines and draw my "someday" princess wedding gown in my notebook. I even tried my hand at drawing a sketch from a photo of Diana on the cover of Ladies Home Journal. Now, William and Kate have sparked another royal crush. This time its hip and young and fresh just like the couple and their bump-to-be. This British invasion has crossed into the design world. We are seeing those traditionally English elements and icons with non-traditional twists from rocker chic to whimsical fabulous.

Jeeves and Wooster Pendant Lights

Lumbar Pillow

Dog Collar

Vintage Wash Quilt Set

Book Page Wall Art

Queen Wall Clock

Baby Shoes

Turkish Hoodie Towel

Union Jack Sofa

As I always say the key to pulling this off is to only use one statement item in a room. If you create a "theme-y" looking it will come off as cheap and cluttered. Keep it simple and highlight your focal point. Cherio!

Quick Tip: Hanging A Shelf Up High

I love Ikea shelving. My only issue is the lack of finish on the underside. When hanging a shelf that is higher than eye level, the bottom is exposed and not so pretty. So, flip it! Now everyone can see the cool finished side. What do you think? Happy hanging.

Newly- Wednesday: The Best of Wedding Cinema

Weddings are anything but cookie cutter these days. More and more couples are steering away from the traditional checklist and concentrating their budget and time on the details that most reflect who they are as a couple. Wedding videos are no longer hours and hours of the ceremony and reception from a fly on the wall perspective. They have become mini-movies capturing everything about the wedding day and giving insight into the couples love story.  You will surely not have to force your family and friends to sit through boring footage of clanking plates and drunk uncles. The idea is to document through cinema and create a beautiful lasting keepsake that captures a precious moment in time. I chose some of my favorites for different reasons, but I am sure you will have a stack of used tissues and a red nose after you view them.

First, is a charming look at a quirky couple, complete with father of the bride in Trek-y attire.

Wedding Highlights | Jenefer & Matt from Reel Weddings on Vimeo.

Next, is one of the sweetest, most intimate ceremonies I have seen. The bride and groom decided to forgo the hoopla and make their wedding about nothing more than the two of them. The only guests are their parents and its awesome.

Christina + Sean's Hoo Feature: A rainy day with emotional vows in a Sonoma wine cave from Hoo Films | Shannon Avery on Vimeo.

This relaxed, rustic, handmade outback wedding is complete with a suprise puppy for the bride waiting with the groom. Stanley almost steals the show.

Clare + Justin | Love, Life, and Stanley from bubblerock on Vimeo.

Its not just the wedding that is going feature film! Couples are creating short films of their proposals and even Save The Dates.  The first clip is a bit long but it is worth watching. The groom created a flash mob in downtown Chicago to propose to his bride, who was in love with musicals.



Finally, this Save The Date is so corny that it's adorable. I give them credit because I am not the best roller skater, but they are cute enough to pull this soda pop themed bit off.