Archive for March, 2010

Love & Beauty, Planet Venus

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010
This diagram shows the approximate relative si...
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I heard this morning on VPR that Venus will be visible again tonight (another sign that the seasons are changing!) until about the end of the summer and when I looked up “planet Venus” I found that it was named by ancient astronomers for the Roman goddess and represents Love & Beauty.  Since I deal in the business of Love & Beauty I thought it was apropos to mention it here!  You can often see Venus first thing in the morning even after the sun rises and it’s the brightest planet you’ll see in the evening, too. According to NASA it is the brightest planet or star that you can see from planet Earth.  So look up in the sky tonight and you just may see the closest planet besides Mercury.  Happy gazing…  

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Vermont Maple Syrup Season is On!

Monday, March 15th, 2010

Maple is the official flavor of Vermont and with the warm temperatures we’ve been having the past few weeks the sap is flowing like crazy and sugarmakers are hard at work.  Since my husband works for Butternut Mountain Farm when the sap is and isn’t flowing is a big part of our lives.  Dave wakes up around 4:00am to get an early start on these busy days and when he hits the alarm I often say, “Time to make the syrup” which admittedly is probably funnier to me than it is to him.  He really is like that guy in the old Dunkin’ Donuts commercials though–he pulls himself out of bed even though he is tired because he really loves that sweet, sweet syrup!

There’s a good chance we’ll have a short sugaring season this year if the nighttime temps don’t get cold enough to slow down the flow of sap, but from what I’ve heard (from my husband of course!) this year’s crop has been delicious!  The 2010 annual Vermont Maple Open House Weekend will be held at sugarhouses throughout Vermont from March 26-28th so mark your calendar and make a date to experience pure maple at its finest.  To learn more about how maple syrup is made click here.

After the sap stopped flowing from our maple tree last year I put a bouquet in the bucket!

Alison’s favorite things (vol. 9)

Friday, March 12th, 2010

At the risk of sounding kinda boozy–I do realize that I have blogged about vodka already!–I just have to mention Layer Cake Wines as one of our favorite things (Dave is on board with this one, too!).  Not only is the story on the label so up my sentimental alley (the layer cake being the soil–oh so romantic sounding to a Plant & Soil Science major), but the wine is simply delicious.  I stumbled upon it at the Jericho Center Country Store a few weeks ago and am just about ready to buy out their entire stock.  Try it with a lovely homemade meal or a slice of pizza and it will be equally yummy.  Worth the price and worth seeking out!  Cheers!

Flowers by color–yellows

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

If you’ve been paying attention you know that gray is the color this year.  It’s a great shade that has both a classic and a modern feeling for your wedding (think bridesmaids’ dresses, linens, or invitations) and if you are really paying attention you’ve seen gorgeous yellow tones  popping off of gray, white & black palettes for a little while now.  

Here are 10 of my favorite yellow flowers for weddings:

Freesia, snapdragons, spray roses, sunflowers, rudbekia (aka black-eyed-susans), ranunculus, zinnia, lilies, callas & tulips.

Tanning for your wedding day–Hate it!

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Many people feel they look their best with a little sun kissed color, but when I hear someone say that they are going tanning I must admit I cringe.  Maybe it’s easy for me to say because I’ve never gone to a tanning booth (yes, I am from NJ and have never been to a tanning salon!) and I worked on a farm the summer that I got married so I had a bit of natural color on my wedding day, but seriously?…tanning for your wedding?  Tanning beds have been bumped up to Group 1, the highest cancer-risk category, and are considered “possibly carcinogenic to humans”.  A World Health Organization report finds that those who started using tanning beds before age 30 increase their risk of developing melanoma by 75%…hear it again, 75%!  Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer and causes a large majority of skin cancer deaths.  According to the report it may also increases the risk of melanoma of the eye. 

Brides Magazine and Glamour both devoted pages in recent issues declaring that the fake bake is out!  It’s clear that it’s a matter of when the damage will be visible as opposed to if there will be harm to your skin.  So consider the fact that you are beautiful just as pale and pasty as you are!  It is recommended that you apply sunscreen daily (at minimum SPF 15 to 30 is recommended in all seasons), even if you are trying to get a natural sun tan and keep in mind that there are lots of artificial tanners and bronzer options out there!

Don’t be fooled!  Tanning beds are not “safer than the sun” and they won’t prevent you from getting a sunburn.  The reason you only go in for a few minutes is because it IS so intense.  If you do tan and you have no plans to stop (I know some people say they like how they feel after tanning), then you might consider taking up smoking as well or adding a sprinkling of asbestos to your cereal in the morning–what the heck!  The bottom line here is:  There is no bright side of tanning beds.

In love with cupcakes on Style Me Pretty

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

I love these cupcakes!  Style Me Pretty posts some of the most unique and beautiful weddings with fabulous details and this one is no exception.  There is something just so darn cute about cupcakes in vintage teacups that I can’t get over it.  If not for a wedding, then I think this would be fabulous for a bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, or your next get-together with friends.  The Mad Hatter would most definitely have these cupcakes at his wedding!  Click on the image below for a link to Style Me Pretty or check out more wedding details here

Above:  Cupcake photo from Style Me Pretty shot by Garbo Productions.

Sarah Jessica Parker’s Chanel dress

Monday, March 8th, 2010

After watching the Oscars last night I decided that in my next life I’d like to come back as Sarah Jessica Parker’s Chanel dress.  It was just too perfect.  I would love to design a wedding inspired by the vintage-glam style and the soft yellow and silver palette!  This image from The Huffington Post should fill you in if you missed it! 

To see more images from last night’s red carpet check out The Huffington Post here.

Alison’s favorite things (vol. 8)

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Okay, so maybe it isn’t right to put a human being on my list of favorite “things”, but Linda at Rapunzel Salon has got to be one of my absolute favorites.  When I moved to Vermont from New Jersey to go to UVM in 1996 I was sure that I was doomed when it came to maintaining my short, styley do.  I did have a few great hairdressers in Burlington before I found Rapunzel, but I have had such a long relationship with Linda they seem like ages ago.  After my first  appointment I was hooked.  Not only does she do a great cut, but she does amazing color.  (I mean, I am naturally blonde and everything, but I’ve heard she does great highlights!)  It’s a special relationship a gal shares with her hairdresser and Linda is pretty fantastic.  If you are looking for someone to help freshen up your look you should give Michelle & Linda a shout at 802-658-7883 to get pretty.  They’re located in Burlingtonon Center Street right next to the Daily Planet…well, actually they are left next to the Daily Planet and up the stairs as a true Rapunzel should be.

Style Me Pretty Posts Beautiful Weddings

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Gorgeous weddings don’t only happen in Vermont (I know, I know…it’s hard to believe!) and Style Me Pretty posts just about the prettiest weddings you ever did see.  If you don’t already you should check in regularly to see all that StyleMePretty.com has to offer.  Some weddings are so worth sharing that they deserve a link.  I just can’t get this fabulous purple palette with peacock feathers out of my mind and the adorable details (like the locks…you’ll have to read it to see how truly adorable) and the absolutely beautiful couple.  Click here to be enchanted.  It’s kind of a twofer…you’ll see what I mean at the end.  Enjoy!

Invitation tips from Kate Youlen of That’s Inviting

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Kate Youlen of That’s Inviting thinks invitations are so much fun and she tells couples to think about the style of the invitation as it relates to the mood they are trying to set with their event.  “I love sitting with brides/couples and pouring through paper and ribbon samples, putting together the perfect combination for that couple,” she said.  Working with brides who are not local to Vermont is also fun, although it may take a bit more time as swatches are sent back and forth to get the perfect combination.  

Since your invitation can set the tone for your event it deserves a little attention.  According to Kate some couples don’t think about their invitation as really being an extension of their wedding because they are created so far in advance of the event.  She believes that invitation suites do not have to break the bank, but a quality invitation helps your guests get excited about the event you are planning.  Invitation suites often include additional enclosures informing guests of activities in the area, weekend events that may be associated with the wedding itself, directions, and accommodation & dining suggestions.  Kate finds couples sending out invitations as early as six or more months before their wedding, depending on how far their guests have to travel, whether it’s a holiday weekend, and the size of their reception venue.

As opposed to the very formal, black & white engraved invitations of the past, invitations are now very colorful and very unique.  Couples are not afraid to choose bold colors and make a statement with their invitations.  As a graphic designer Kate can assist with all of your invitation needs including menus, favor tags and signage (like the Candy Bar sign below)!  Visit Kate’s website to find out more about how That’s Inviting can help make your wedding more inviting!  Here are a few sample photos of her creations…I love the Wildflower Seed Packet favors in the bottom left hand picture (I did the flowers for that wedding so I may be biased, but I LOVE them!).

 

DIY Tips from Kate:  Be unique…Search for high quality/thick paper for your invitations. If you can’t print on the thick paper, print on a lighter sheet and layer them. Layers can add a pop of color, or simply frame your invitation.  Keep in mind that making your wedding invitations may seem fun at first, but be very realistic about your abilities and your time.

I’d like to thank Kate for sharing her advice!  Do you have any invitation questions or issues you need help with?