...Like A Fluffy White Romantic Dream!

There is something special about old traditions and romantic French style that I just can't tear myself away from! It's like a really good dream that you just don't want to wake up from. In honor of old traditions, love and dreams, I created this wedding inspiration board...

(Photo credits: via the darling French Blue & Co. shop in CA)

For more lovely vintage wedding inspiration, visit my friend over at Vintage Glam Weddings or head over to my guest blog on the Onewed.com Savvy Scoop blog this week, by clicking HERE. Happy planning!

...Get Fit With The Shoes!

You know I'm all about high heels and pretty little shoes. However, if you're looking to show off those legs of yours with a fabulous pair of heels on your wedding day, consider getting these shoes which I guest blogged about this week on the Wishpot.com Wedding Blog...

The Fit Flop from Victoria's Secret:

"Get a workout while you walk around. Engineered to engage muscles, lessen joint impact and absorb shock, these flip-flops burn calories and tone legs with every step." - V.S.

Reebok Easy Tone Shoes:

"With built in balance pods, the Reebok EasyTone will help you firm and sculpt your legs and rear while you go about your busy day. These balance pods create a naturally unstable platform as you walk, causing your muscles to activate and adapt." - Reebok

With all of the running around and shopping brides do with wedding planning, shoes like these are the perfect way to get fit in time for your wedding day, even if you feel you don't have the time to excersize. Hot legs, nice butt? These are great for any fabulous multi-tasking woman!

...So Fitting For The Soon-To-Be Wife!

Sure, times have changed. Much of what used to be tradition had gone out the window. Poof, gone! Just like that. However, nothing says we can't bring a little bit of it back, right? I mean, they do it all the time when it comes to fashion, so why not bring it home too?

This week over at the OneWed Savvy Scoop Blog, I guest blogged about a theme to bring out the pinup housewife in all of you...so of course I had to share! If you're planning a bridal shower, get ready to get girly...

(Photo credits ~ Top L: LB Event Couture, Bottom L: CookingLight.com, Bottom M: Head Of The Table, Right: Anne Taintor)

Consider serving cherry pie instead of cake and grab some Coca Cola inspiration from my friend Kim over at Head Of The Table. Or, customize your own bottles with Jones Soda! To personalize, use similar sayings like shown on the gift bags above or even upload vintage themed photos to your bottle labels.

Thank your guests or pamper the bride with pretty little pinup style bath products from one of my favorite stores, Margarita Bloom!

(Photo credits ~ Left: Beauty goodies from Margarita Bloom, Right: Vanity Girl of Vanity Fair)

When it comes time to decorate your shower space, mix your retro theme up with this unique turquoise and red Modern Kitchen Theme by Hostess With The Mostess!

(Photo credits: Flowers, tablescape via Hostess With The Mostess, Cherry apron via The Merry Martini)

I especially adore how serving utensils were used for the centerpieces - what a great idea! After the shower, let the bride take them home so she can work on becoming her own domestic diva self. Don't forget the apron!

Craving more retro? Click HERE or visit a few of my favorite vintage loving peeps at Glamourville, The Glam Guide, Vintage Glam Weddings, Rock 'n Roll Bride, GaGaVida and Pin Me Up Photography. Happy planning, beauty girls!

...How Hosting A Partylite Party Can Get You Free Centerpieces & Decor For Your Wedding!

I'm not a Partylite consultant. Nor am I trying to sell you anything. I'm simply a huge fan of Partylite because of the fact that thanks to them, the majority of my wedding decor was free! Want to know a secret? Some of my bridesmaids' gifts were free too. Sshhh...nobody has to know, right?

So how did I do it? By doing something I love to do anyway...I threw a party! What if you did the same thing? It's the perfect excuse to get your girlfriends together to have a little fun, maybe drink some wine and do what we all love...shop! All from the comfort of your own home.

Plan to have the party during the evening, so the candles that your consultant brings can really show off their glow. Perhaps you could start the it around 7pm, after everyone has already had dinner. That way, you can keep it affordable with yummy wine, cheese, coffee or desserts.

Put on some music, drink some wine and relax! Play some games to include candles as prizes, talk about your favorite candle scents as you smell new ones, giggle over stories about how your fiance might think you have enough candles to have a seance...you know, just have fun!

There is never any pressure on your guests to buy, but your consultant will be there with catalogs in case they do want to buy something nice for their homes. I mean really - who doesn't love candles, right?

Based on the total sales from your party, you can easily earn yourself free or half-priced products of your choice, for your wedding! So how does one host a really great show to get their free candles? It's not difficult, my dearies...to see how, visit my guest blog post over at the Wishpot Wedding Blog by clicking HERE.

So...when are you having your party? To learn how to host a show, visit the Partylite website. Chicago brides, contact my favorite Partylite consultant in the area, Janet Garreau, by clicking HERE.

After you get your free product and the wedding is over, take the pieces home to decorate your newlywed pad or give them away to guests. Cheers!

...Submurged In Love!

Every time I think about helping my aunt plan my cousin's wedding last year, I laugh. Why? Because I was trying to offer creative ideas to my aunt and ended up saying to her, "You know what would be really cool? If you put water into the vases!", (duh)! She laughed at me and replied with, "No kidding? What a concept!".

Yes. I know. Apparently it's quite common to put water into a vase. Amazing, isn't it? However, what I was actually talking about was submerging flowers or other items into the water for the centerpieces, like a couple of these pictures shown below...

(Photos via: Bride Sophisticate, Flowers On Mars and Premier Bride)

I also love the idea of putting whatever else your little heart desires into vases or bowls. For more ideas, visit this week's guest blog post over at the Wishpot Weddings blog! Let your imagination flow.

You don't have to spend thousands of dollars on lavish floral centerpieces to make your wedding glamorous. You just have to get a little creative and spend a little time to find exactly what you want, to make your centerpieces fit within your wedding color, theme and most importantly, budget. Happy planning!

...Made Stylishly Simple!

Last week, on the OneWed.com Savvy Scoop Blog, I featured the toasting flutes I created for my sister's upcoming wedding! They were so easy to make, I just had to share them with you here too! Take a looksie...

What do you think? I gave them to her as a gift at her bridal shower and she seemed really excited about them, as I created them in her wedding colors. It was nice to give her a gift that was some what handmade, from the heart. Not to mention affordable!

To see how I created these along other ideas for your own DIY toasting flutes, head on over to my guest blog post on OneWed.com by clicking HERE. Cheers!

...And Happily Ever After!

This week on the OneWed.com Savvy Scoop Blog, I featured some flirty accessories and lingerie not just your honeymoon, but ever after as well! To read my guest blog entry and see more of my selections, click HERE...

Enjoy!

...Less Is More With Affordable Decor!

Earlier this week, on the OneWed.com wedding blog, "Savvy Scoop", I decided to throw some ideas out there to help you cut down on your floral costs. Brides, if you're looking for fun, affordable decor ideas for your wedding day, head over and read my guest blog entry by clicking HERE...

Go on...save yourself some money, honey! You can even let your wedding decor double as favors for guests. How's that for killing two pieces of wedding cake with one bite? Wait - did I just mention wedding cake? Whoopsie daisies! Sorry, for some reason I always have wedding cake on the brain. I can't help it. Happy planning!

...One Very Crafty Way To Ask Your Girls To Stand Up!

Last week, on the Wishpot.com Wedding blog, I guest blogged about these fun little DIY treasures. Brides, if you're looking for a creative way to ask, "Will you be my bridesmaid?", why not make each of them a flower pop up card...handmade with love by you?

Hibiscus :

You could create cards using paper in your wedding colors in patterns of your wedding flowers! Or, get personal and view other patterns that might remind you of each of your friends. You'll have plenty of options to choose from...

Tiger Lily :

If you're feeling really crafty and have the extra time and patience, you could also totally use these as thank you cards. What a sweet way to show your guests how special they are and that you truly do appreciate everything! According to the site, they're very easy to make.

Visit Easy Cut Pop Up to view more from their wide selection, get your free pattern download or purchase any of their extremely affordable patterns! Happy crafting!

...And Welcomes Me As A Weekly Guest Blogger!

Recently, the Chicago based wedding planning site OneWed.com contacted me asking if I'd like to be part of their new blog launch, Savvy Scoop! Being a Chicago girl myself and a huge fan of their site, I felt very honored and excited, so of course said yes!

This week, they welcomed me to their blog! Let's get to know each other...

They also featured this week my very first guest blog entry, A Marc Jacobs Inspired Wedding, filled with registry, decor, fashion and gift ideas for you darling fashionista brides! Make sure you check it out, because I posted some amazing bridal shoes that you really must see...

After you're done visiting Savvy Scoop, head over to their website at www.onewed.com, for all your wedding planning needs, including the free wedding websites they're offering to couples! These aren't your typical wedding websites. Instead, they're stylishly modern, fun and super classy...plus, who can beat free?

To learn more about what OneWed.com has to offer, visit their site or read the press release recently featured in Market Watch! Be sure to visit Savvy Scoop for weekly inspiration and guest blogs by other wedding bloggers, including yours truly:

"Featured regular contributors will include The Man Registry, Always a Blogsmaid, Bubbly Bride, It's A Jaime Thing, Bride Chic, DIY Bride, Ever After Market, and Hostess with the Mostess. In addition, the blog will feature a column called "Honest Answers from the Experts" with advice from top wedding vendors including photographers, stationery manufacturers, event planners, wedding hairstyle experts, and more." - MarketWatch.com

Happy planning! ~ Jaime

Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve...Or Shirt!

Many of you may have previously read my rave reviews and interviews about new designer Amy Snider and her online shop, Every Little Counts. Well, just in time for Valentine's Day, Amy has launched a special treat for us...her romantic new 2009 line, Love Songs! This week, on the Wishpot Fashion Blog, I decided to share my favorites from her new line. Here are just a few to get your heart started:

"Lost In Love" Tee:

Brides, flaunt your love by wearing this before and after the wedding!

"Feel Like Making Love" Tee:

Pack this baby for your honeymoon, let it double as lingerie!

"Lost In Love" Tote:

Use this to carry all of your bridal mags, bridal show goodies or vendor info while planning!

To see my other favorites, view more from the collection and learn more about the designer, read my guest blog by clicking HERE or visit www.everylittlecounts.net. You'll fall in love with not only her fabulous and affordable designs, but her as well. She's a total sweetheart, so be sure to give her some love and sport her new line this Valentine's Day and happily ever after. Cheers!