The wonderful art of Helen Dardik!

I am in awe of artist Helen Dardik! In fact, I'm saving up so that I can purchase some of her wonderful artwork.



Don't you just love how vibrant and brilliant her paintings and illustrations are?

Check out her blog and shop!

Flat files! Flat files!

Okay, okay. You know how I've been looking for the perfect storage for my craft area? Well, I've blogged about it before, but I didn't know what the heck it was that I was looking for...until now.

Thank goodness I follow and read a lot of deco and crafty blogs, because I think I found the answer (via Jamie from I Suwannee): flat files!

Now, I just need to find something at a reasonable price that will fit my budget (and my big ideas!).

Perhaps these ALEX units from IKEA ($119 each)? Of course, I'd take off the casters...

Beach Date outfit!

Beach Date by amyhoerler featuring Christian Dior sunglasses

Finders keepers!

Here's a fab find: super fab and comfy vintage T-straps in perfect condition for only $3! Aren't they great?

Wedding, anyone?

Oh, wow. You know how I'm always poking around the Internet, checking out favorite blogs and finding new ones? Well, I happened to stumble on these blogs and thought I should share it with future brides-to-be.

I was married almost six years ago (September 5, 2003). For those of you who don't know the story, Dan and I were married at St. Savior R.C. Church in Brooklyn, NY on September 5, 2003 and held our renewal of vows ceremony at Jupiter Lighthouse in Jupiter, FL a few weeks later for friends and family September 25, 2003 (long story here, folks, and I won't bore you with the details). Anyway, marrying my best friend was the best day of my life, and DIY'ing it made it all the more special. That said, I thought maybe I could pass along some inspiration to future brides-to-be:

-Once Wed (great DIY section here!)
-Martha Stewart Weddings (for obvious reasons)
-Martha Stewart (where I got a ton of inspiration and ideas for my own wedding!)
-Real Simple
-Style Me Pretty (lovely inspiration!)
-DIY Bride
-My DIY Wedding Day (sweet!)
-Snippet & Ink
-100 Layer Cake
-All Things Lovely

Makeup and hairstyle inspiration:
-People Style
-OnSugar (allsorts)
-InStyle
-MopShots (hairstyle ideas)

Other stuff:
-Etsy (splurge and get something handmade for your special day!)
-eBay (I found my silk Ralph Lauren strapless wedding dress for $50 and our platinum wedding bands by Bailey Banks & Biddle on eBay!)
-JCrew has some nice dresses, too (for those with a bigger budget)
-David's Bridal ($99 wedding dresses!)
-Bluefly (I found bridesmades dresses on here--on sale--by ABS and they were lovely!)
-Craigslist (my sister found her wedding gown on there!)
-thrift stores (i.e. Goodwill, Salvation Army)
-bargain stores (i.e. Marshall's, Ross, Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx)
-garage sales (easy peasy to find!)

I think heirlooms add a special touch to your special day! I wore the cross passed down from my great-great grandmother.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and silver sixpence in your shoe (I'm superstitious, and I did all this, too).

Be finicky about things you absolutely want. I had to be married in a Catholic church. In New York. We made it happen.

Invest in a good photographer. I cannot stress this enough!!!

Make stuff. Let your artistic side gleam!

Have I forgotten anything? Oh, probably. But, this guide is a great start for any DIY bride!

Finally, RELAX and have fun. Treat yourself. Enjoy this part of your life. It's the most wonderful, wonderful, wonderful time of your life!

p.s. There's a show on BBC called Don't Tell The Bride that's pretty entertaining to watch (as an alternative to Bridezillas)...