Thank a Soldier

As Memorial Day quickly approaches, I find myself thinking about what the holiday truly means. In our every day hustle and bustle, we seem to forget the importance of recognizing those who have volunteered to keep our country safe.

In my job as a golf course and swim club manager, Memorial Day is a big deal! It's our opening weekend for the pool and we spend a lot of time working to lead up to that point. For our family, however, it has now become even more important. My brother, Cameron, leaves for the Army today. He's a third generation serviceman following the footsteps of both of my grandfathers and my great grandfather. It's a bittersweet moment for my parents and me. We are immensely proud of his career choice and know he will succeed, but it's still sad to see him go.

(Cam on his hiking trip in the Grand Canyon)

In the past two years, I have come to view the life of a soldier in a whole new light. My fiance, Luke, served in the Army's 82nd Airborne and completed a tour in Iraq. Hearing the stories he has to tell really puts things into persepctive. Some are funny, some are sad, and some are down right scary! Our men and women in the service are facing adversity during their tours and even after they return home. I'm so thankful that Cam has someone at home that can really relate to him on this level. Luke has been such a great help in supporting Cam and giving him all the advice he could ask for.

(Cam and all of his buddies at his send off party)

Even if you don't have any loved ones that serve in the military, it is very important to be aware of the challenges that our soldiers and veterans face during and after their time in service. Whether, they flew airplanes, provided medical help, fought on the front lines, or had a desk job, remember that we would be nothing without them. These men and women deserve much more than they receive in support now. So thank a soldier whenever you can. I can tell you now that they are as humble as they come, but every little bit counts :) We are also avid supporters of the Wounded Warrior Project! Check out their website for more information and to see how you can help!

Happy Memorial Day to Cam, Luke, and all of the brave men and women in our country!

Big Happenings at Baci Designer!

Announcing big happenings from Baci Designer, the company I interned with this fall!

First, check out their updated website! Amanda is ready for your custom stationery orders or help with wedding planning and event styling!

Amanda and I also had the great pleasure of working with Something White, A Bridal Boutique in March styling two looks - Old World Glamour and Elegant Art Deco – at the Tudor Arms in Cleveland for their Spring/Summer 2013 Look Book and it's now available for your viewing pleasure.

{Something White Spring/Summer 2013 Look Book}

We enjoyed working with some of our favorite local vendors, some of whom we've featured on our blog: Arielle Doneson Photography, Sitting Pretty Linens, Event Source, The Budding Tree, Borrow Vintage +Eclectic Rentals, Hummingbird Bake Shop, Cake Couture Custom CakeDesigner, and Fringe & Foundation Studio.

Also, the Anna Karenina inspired shoot Amanda styled and designed the stationery for and Arielle Doneson photgraphed will be featured in The Knot Ohio Magazine this fall! Congrats Amanda & Arielle!

Local Vendor of the Week: JaNicki Photography

Alrighty all you beautiful brides, let's talk photography! I know you have a budget to respect but PLEASE don't cheap out on your wedding photos! This is the biggest day of your life and you only have one opportunity to photograph it. Make sure you do your research and choose someone who will capture these memories beautifully :)

If you're looking for a photographer in the Akron area, there are some good ones! One of them is Margaret JaNicki of JaNicki Photography. Talk about a sweet and bright personality :) Her style of photography is what I like to call, "natural". Margaret stays away from the corny poses and sticks to capturing the true and loving interaction between you and your fiancé.

(Cleveland wedding)

JaNicki Photography offers a variety of different wedding packages for you to choose from, based on your budget. Every package includes two photographers, a custom designed wedding album, and even an engagement session! This engagement session below is one of my favorites! They're so hopelessly in love :)

(Akron engagement session)

Don't think that she stops at wedding photography! Margaret specializes in baby, family, maternity, and even puppy portraits! Some of my favorites include the adorable newborn portraits that she has in her collection. A friend of mine had her little one photographed by Margaret and the pictures turned out amazing!

And of course there's the sweet Marlin photographed below :) So give JaNicki Photography a call to schedule a consultation for your next photo session!

(Family Photography)

(Pet Photography)

Add a Special Touch with Custom Artwork by No. 5 Designs

One of my oldest & sweetest friends, Bobbi, has always had an innate artistic ability. She paints lovely murals and can turn a simple piece of furniture or fabric into a unique and colorful treasure.

After years of making things for friends and relatives, she has now started her own custom line of unique custom artwork - from hand-painted shoes to canvas totes to furniture & decor to small murals.

Recently she decorated a special pair of Toms for a bride to wear on her honeymoon - who wouldn't want these cute shoes to show the world that you've just married the one you love?

And if you're looking for wooden initials for the Bride & Groom or reception decor that have flair, check out  these cute ones below. She can design around your theme and colors. A custom tote might be just the thing for your bridesmaids! You can find more of her custom design work on her No. 5 Design's Facebook page.

Spartan Race 2013!

This post is completely unrelated to weddings or event planning but I'm still so pumped about it! This past weekend, my fiance, Luke, and I participated in the Indiana Spartan Race with some friends! It's a 5.2 mile obstacle course that tests the limits of your body and mind. Team ARO Group brought home some impressive times ranging from 1:25 to 2:05!

Here's me and my sorority sister/bridesmaid, Jess, representing Kappa Delta! We like to show that even KD Ladies can get down and dirty ;)

Jess and I mid-way through the race working through the obstacles. It was so great to have such a supportive teammate. Our friendship definitely grew stronger from this experience.

Taking on this final obstacle right before the finish line really got us going! Luke and the other guys were cheering us on to help push us though to the end!

Here's the whole team! I'm so proud of us all for such a great accomplishment. All of us finished in the top 1%! Congrats my fellow Spartans!............... And yes, Luke is the lumber jack looking one ;)

Bridal Market 2013 NYC

We try to make the Bridal Market in NYC every couple of years since my cousin, Ralph, works in the industry. He currently works at Victor Harper Couture, which carries a line of sophisticated, elegant wedding gowns known for their intricate beading.

This year, Ashdon Brands hosted a Bridal Event and Grand Opening of their NYC showroom, featuring the designers Victor Harper Couture, Yumi Katsura and Simone Caravalli.

Here is the new show room and the folks preparing for the show...

Here are just a few of these designers' absolutely gorgeous gowns!!

{VHC258 & VHC251 Courtesy of Bridal Reflections Boutique in NYC}

{VHC225 from a previous show}

{Yumi Katsura - Tenshi Collection 2014}

{Simone Caravalli 90133}

Local Vendor of the Week: Totally Cooked

Founded by Dante and Kelly D’Avello in 1998, Totally Cooked is a full service catering, event planning and specialty food company based in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. They offer creative cuisine, along with unmatched service and reliability to meet the catering needs throughout northeast Ohio.

Along with a wide variety of chef-inspired creative cuisine, Totally Cooked provides innovative and delicious vegan, kosher, diabetic and gluten-free menu options for those with special dietary requirements. You can select from a wide range of menu options from a formal sit-down dinner to a more relaxed BBQ style complete with a mobile, fully loaded Chuck Wagon! Click here to see their range of menus that can serve as a starting point.

A unique and established leader in the northeast Ohio event planning arena, with nearly 14 years of experience in special event planning and a culinary-trained chef staff, Totally Cooked Catering can handle a wide spectrum of events – ranging from a small, intimate dinner for two to a 5,000-person buffet.

The Totally Cooked catering team will work with you to first understand your needs and budget, then follow up with a detailed proposal outlining their recommendations, services and associated costs. Once their proposal has been approved, they’ll transform your ideas and inspirations into a truly memorable event. Depending upon your specific needs, they can provide:

• Menu planning
• On-site chefs
• Site sketches
• Professionally trained waiters and bartenders
• Tents, tables, chairs, china, linens and glassware
• Pastry chefs
• Set-up/tear-down
• Entertainment, live music or DJ services
• Audio-visual services
• Limousine services
• Themed events

We've sampled their delicious food at the Boutique Bridal Bazaar and can definitely say that it is beautifully presented and scrumptious! To contact them visit www.totallycooked.com.

Dress Dreams: Vintage Inspired

Elizabeth Dye is a Portland, Oregon-based designer specializing in special dresses and wedding gowns. Her dresses are made in small quantities and often feature unique trims and fabrics, taking inspiration from the style of past eras.

Her first wedding dresses were for friends who were shell-shocked by all those poufy polyester gowns out there and she began designing custom one-of-a-kind dresses in 2000. If you love unique, soft and feminine bridal dresses, this designer is for you. Click here to read her blog.

You can find her designs on her Etsy shop or her Portland Boutique, The English Department.

{North Star}

{Siren}

Local Vendor of the Week: Borrow Vintage + Eclectic Rentals

Ann King, the owner of Borrow Vintage + Eclectic Rentals loves discovering uniqueness in otherwise overlooked places. Whether it’s an up-cycled or used table, a piece of writing, a unique shop or a business venture, her heart has always felt most at home in the “out of the ordinary.”

{Ann at the Cleveland Boutique Bridal Bazaar hosted by Something White Bridal Boutique}

When a dear friend proposed that she start a rental business and rent out her assortment of unique and beautiful furniture finds for weddings and events, she felt an immediate connection and her eclectic collection expanded beyond personal furnishings to a warehouse full of treasures.

{Ann's display at the Grand Barn of the Mohicans Bridal Show}

Based out of Cleveland, she provides a wide assortment of vintage and rustic tables, seating, china, small and large accessories for those planning a unique wedding or event. She uses unique items in a different capacity to give a creative twist or lend a sense of comfort and character to your event.

{Vintage Bridal Display at Happy Days Lodge Bridal Show: Silver+Glassware from "Let's Entertain" Place Cards from "Borrowed & Blue" Florals from "Urban Orchid"}

She’s combined a passion for discovering the out of the ordinary with a dedication to customer service and business ownership. In doing so she’s created a warm and friendly space to imagine a wedding or event that combines high style, a sense of humor and love.

I have worked with Ann and other vendors in the industry to create some really cool style shoots, like the Anna Karenina Styled Shoot for Style Me Pretty (click here to read our post!) and I can say she is a warm and creative person who will help you put together the look you’re dreaming about for your big day! Click here for her website - You can also find her on Facebook and Pinterest.

{Borrow Vintage Display from Anna Karenina Styled Shoot - Arielle Doneson Photography}

DIY Friday - Mason Jar Storage

My best friend has one of these mason jar storage shelves in her kitchen! She uses it all the time and it's absolutely adorable! I love the creativity with the twine dispenser in this example. Store pencils, scissors, and  little kitchen doo-dads easily :) For more cute craft ideas with mason jars, check out Somewhat Simple's Mason Jar Mania post!