Join me at The Preppy Baby

I'm taking a break from wedding blogging these days. If you want to read up on my adventures in motherhood, join me at The Preppy Baby!

Spring Favorites

Hey guys -

Sorry I disappeared for a while there, I blame it on working hard and having only 8 weeks left on my pregnancy.

Anywho, I haven't done a favorites post in a while, so here are some of my wedding favorites for spring 2009:

The new William Arthur collection at Wedding Paper Divas. There are letterpress and thermography options. I am loving the simplicity of the Winged Monogram design.

The Emily Elizabeth Jewelry Wishbone necklace. Love, love, love it for a bridesmaid gift. Couple it with a sweet note about future wishes for your friendship.

You guys know my love of Hanky Panky. Well how about a hanky panky something blue garter set? Divine!

Coren Moore's Lily style dress. I would love this even more in seersucker!

Oh and brides to be, you gotta check out ruelala on March 30. There is going to be a Nicole Miller bridal boutique and judging from their deals in the last few days, you better check it out.

Bella Figura Winner

Hey guys, just wanted to pop in and let Sara know she is the WINNER!

Here's her comment:

I am still in need of invitations for my June wedding - we have had a few last minute "surprises" that have kept us from moving forward with purchasing them. Not to mention the fiance and I can't seem to agree on a design we both love - he likes plain, I want to make a statement. However, two designs we both agree on are the Deveril and the Odessa from Bella Figura. Both of these invitatations are simple to suit him, yet have an elegant flair that gives it the statement I need. We are getting married in a historic building and I love that both of these designs tie into the theme of the building and our wedding - timeless, elegant, classy, and yet unfussy. We don't need a lot of decorations at the church and neither do either of these invitations. They are perfect as is! The letterpress is fancier than we thought we could afford for the wedding, so the extra money would allows us to have invitations that perfectly fit the style of the wedding.

Sara - just e-mail me with you info (preppywedding@hotmail.com). For all you other gals, fear not, I have another great give-a-way brewing.

Oh and don't forget to check out Bella Figura's sister site Smock Paper for some amazing personal stationary options!

Bella Figura Contest - The Preppiest Letterpress Around

Ok guys, I told you I would be back this week and here I am!

I have the coolest give-away to talk about today. I know you all have heard me sing the praises of the awesome letterpress company Bella Figura, well they want to introduce themselves to all you preppy brides-to-be out there. And they are doing it with a 200 dollar gift certificate to one special preppy reader.

To qualify, all you have to do is go to their website and leave a comment about what you would purchase with your 200 dollar gift certificate. The folks over at Bella Figura are going to pick the winner, so make sure to tell us how you are going to tie their oh so beautiful product into your own wedding. I am going to close the contest next Wednesday, February 18.

And in case you didn't know, Bella Figura has over 40 eco friendly designs and six amazing letterpress designers. They have an invitation to fit the feel and design of any wedding. They are also one of the most environmental letterpress shops in the country - they're wind powered; they donate 1% of sales to environmental causes through 1% for the Planet - so you can feel good about purchasing a beautiful product from an all American vendor that is concerned with giving back.

Now, if I were entering this contest today, here are my favorites (with a little wedding imagination mixed in):

The Palais. I see a sweet little bouquet, a vintage cake topper, an outdoor reception by the sea, and the perfect something blue.

This is the new calligraphy design. I see an antique rolls royce, this dress, white tie sit-down dinner and a saber champagne welcome to the reception.

The Fieno. I see a sunny day, a clapboard church with a red door, a converted barn reception and bridesmaids in yellow. Oh and a pie dessert buffet in lieu of the wedding cake.

And just because, here is my favorite Bella Figura pick these days. I only wish I could enter the contest!

Real Simple Weddings 2009

I was lucky enough to get a copy of the new Real Simple Weddings last week sent from their publisher in NYC. And, I gotta say, where were you Real Simple Weddings when I was planning my wedding?

You brides-to-be need to go out there and get this book (it's way more like a book than a magazine). There are inspiring pictures of real weddings and real wedding details, lots of helpful planning information and its all written in that down-to-earth real simple style that makes me such a fan of their magazine. You'll definitely be inspired and there's still a lot of practical information and advice to help through all stages of planning.

You can pick it up at Barnes & Noble or even Crate & Barrel on your way to register.

And even better girls - there is website.

Check in early next week, I have a VERY cool stationary giveaway coming up. Two words, Bella Figura.

Erin Gallagher

Have you guys checked out Erin Gallagher jewelry? Her stuff is beautiful.

She makes the perfect bridesmaid gift or something to work with your wedding dress. What I love, love, love is the the everything is customizable. You can pick your gems, adjust the length of the necklaces, the metal of the chains, anything.

And if you enter "gems" at checkout, you'll get 40% off your order until January 25! Thank you Erin.

In case you're wondering, here are my favs:

The Elsa Necklace
The Isabella Bracelet
The Violet Necklace
The Eleanor Earring

Go buy yours now - remember the discount ends on January 25!

Soulmates

Ok. All you brides-to-be out there. Meet Soulmates. Ingenious ideas or hideous heel appendage? Would you outdoor brides wear these? Or hand them out to guests?

Anyone wish they trademarked these things?

Update on Rue la la

Here's an update on Rue la la girls. From now until December 31, if you do the following, they are going to give you a 10 dollar credit to use for their sample sales. Do I need to mention that the John Hardy boutique is up and running this morning AND shoshanna starts tomorrow? And by doing this, you automatically are invited to join the fun, so I am going to stop manually adding those of you who commented on the last post.

Here's what you do:

1. Go to www.ruelala.com/gift
2. Enter my e-mail: preppywedding@hotmail.com

And WOWSA. You get a 10 dollar credit.

Thanks to our friends at rue la la.

Great Bridesmaid or Christmas Gifts

UPDATE:
The Vera Bradley code is no longer working. I hope lots of you got some deals before they pulled the plug. As for rue la la, let me know if you're interested and I will invite you!

Don't know if you gals are looking for cute bridesmaid or Christmas gifts this year, but Vera Bradley has an awesome sale going on right now.

Cosmetic bags for 12 dollars (and an extra 50 percent off)
Belts for 5 dollars (and an extra 50 percent off)
Duffels and purses for as low as 15 dollars (and an extra 50 percent off)

Go here now to order friends!

Here's the details on the free shipping and extra 50 percent off:
Additional 50% off clearance with code VBMILITARY and free shipping on orders of $100 or more with FreeShipDec (the free shipping code expires today).

Also, are you girls members of Ruelala? It's a members only site that is like one big sample sale. Today is the Kate Spade sale and the next sales will be David Yurman and Shoshanna. Some awesome deals there too. If you are interested in being a member, just leave your e-mail in the comments section and I will send you an invite!

Guess whose Christmas cards are done? All for $5.50, shipped. Times are tough and this preppy gal is adapting. Head to snapfish to order yours today!

Great Christmas Card Deal

Just wanted to share this fantastic deal I found online last night. If you order 20 of the 4x8 photo cards from snapfish and enter the code CARD08 at checkout, the cards are only 1 penny each, a total of 20 cents plus a few dollars for shipping and handling.

While these cards aren't as cute as some of my other favorites, this is a great deal. I think the code expires on 11/23, so get them while you can!

Here are a few of my favorite designs -

The Preppy Empire Expands

First, I want to thank so many of you for your concern these last few weeks. I have been a bad blogger lately and it shows. No posts, no fun quips from yours truly, no preppy wedding finds, not even a peep about politics.

Well, I am hoping all you readers out there in blogland will blame this on my inability to do anything other than spontaneously gag, sleep and cry these last few months.

And if you really need someONE to blame....

Try the little preppy baby that Mr. Preppy Wedding and I will be having in May. That's right - we're pregnant.

It's been three months, but I am still trying to wrap my head around the whole having a baby thing. I'm so excited, but I am also nervous and am just glad that as I enter my second trimester, the whole day sickness phenomenon is starting to wane.

So, here's the deal. I am still going to post on this site. I'm going to tailor my posts specifically to wedding related stuff. And if you want to hear more about all things preppy baby, check out my new site.

It feels good to finally fess up to you guys about my absence. Don't give up on me though, I've still got lots of preppy inspiration to share.

Happy Halloween

Hi Everyone ... I'm Fine

Hey everybody -

Thanks for all the well wishes gals (and guys). I am so sorry for my absence these last few weeks. Things just got pretty crazy and overwhelming, so I needed to try and take a blog breather.

And not to worry, I have not been hiding under a rock this last month, instead, I have:

- Seeing Bailey perform as Elle Woods in one of her last performances of Legally Blonde on Broadway. LOVE. THIS. SHOW. I was singing Oh My God, Oh My God You Guys the entire time I was in NYC.

- Hung out with my in-laws for a week in Duck. We stayed in an awesome neighborhood AND I got to stop here for a fro-yo flurry on the way there and on the way home.

- Found the perfect fall dress. In leopard print. For 20 dollars. Warning for you gals who wear larger than an A cup, this dress makes your girls look huge!

- Am almost done planning my 10 year high school reunion. We're having a party on Saturday here and a picnic in our hometown that's kid friendly on Sunday. Anyone want to drive over to my house to help me stuff 30 grab bags for the kids on Sunday.

I promise to bring you some wedding/fall/preppy inspiration in the coming days, I just wanted everyone to know I was ok.

Oh and one more thing, I need help lovely readers. As you know the preppy pooches, Dempsey and LuLu always make a costume statement on Halloween. I am totally stumped this year. I haven't seen anything cute at my normal go-to places (target and old navy). Suggestions?

Preppy Pop Art Paintings

Kristine over at Figment studios sent me these really cool pop art inspired wedding portraits. I totally dig them. Get your own here.

Preppy Bride Organization

Calling all money is no object preppy brides. You NEED these monogrammed file folders to hold your important wedding planning papers (ok, well they can hold the contact information for your celebrity wedding planner). And, if stripes aren't your thing, try toile.

Also, do not forget your pink retro phone for taking important calls from said planner. You know cell phones can be rather irritating to the wrists.

Preppy Wedding Inspiration

So, Patricia Lyons just sent me a link to the fantastic Charlottesville wedding I attended in August. It was just the inspiration kick in the butt I needed. Easton Events served as wedding planner. So, so gorgeous. I think this one belongs on the Southern Weddings Blog. Don't y'all agree?

Check it out here:
http://www.patricialyonsphotography.com/KellyandGraham

Fall Fun

Some things I am LOVING about September:

1. One Tree Hill on Monday nights. You know it's not high school anymore!
2. Doing some advanced planning and invitation shopping for the first annual Halloween Party at chez Preppy Wedding.
3. Having an excuse to make chili.
4. CNN stalking. See that B.A. from UVA in American Politics makes it impossible to turn off the election coverage.


Things I am NOT LOVING about September:
1. Getting on the highway this morning and realizing I had a flat tire.
2. Planning for the high school reunion, why is it that you can never make EVERYONE happy?
3. Being totally uninspired wedding wise. I need to get back on my game.

Back from the Beach

As you'll see below via wordle, we created lots more memories during Beach Week 2008. Hope everyone had a good week without me.

Vacation

Hmmm. Did I tell you I was going on vacation? Because I am. For one blissful week. I'm going to shop, eat, read, and drink. Be back in a week!