An Event You Won't Want To Miss...

Chicago brides, looking for a fun and fabulous way to get inspired for your big day? Indie Wed Chicago is coming up on January 30th!

"Indie Wed caters to unconventional couples who are taking a more modern, edgy, or eco-friendly approach to their special day as well as the more conservative couples who simply want to add some special touches." - Indie Wed

This event is unique compared to others, as it's both a show and a market rolled into one! You'll have the chance to meet vendors and also shop some very cool wedding related items. Tickets are still available...to grab yours or to grab more info, click HERE. Enjoy!

...For The Chicago Bride & Beyond!

Have you heard the latest? The new Erin Gallagher Jewelry store recently opened in Chicago and I bet you're going to love it! A few hot-off-the-press pieces from this new city gem...

Not a local? No worries, you can do your shopping online. Find jewelry for yourself and your bridesmaids - shop by color, by neckline, design your own or give a gift card and let the girls pick out their own!

(Photo credits: Erin Gallagher)

While you're at it, be sure to check out the Erin Gallagher Jewelry Blog for all of their latest updates and giveaways. Cheers!

...As Featured On Chicago Style Unveiled!

I'd like to give a big huge welcome and a sincere thank you to the new Chicago Style Unveiled! You can imagine my excitement when I found out that It's A Jaime Thing was listed on their site, under The Perfect Ten - Chicago Wedding Blogs! What an honor...

(Via: The Lounge on Chicago Style Unveiled)

Also on the list were several of my favorites including...

Allori Photography

Scarlet Petal

Engaging Events by Ali

Olivia Leigh Photographie

Honey Bee Weddings

The Third Coast Bride

Chennergy

Elizabeth Anne Designs

Lola Event Productions

To read about the list and get loads more of stylish Chicago wedding inspiration, click HERE.

(Photo credit: Chicago Style Unveiled)

But wait! I'd also like to introduce you to my Chicago wedding blog friends at...

OneWed.com

Bubbly Bride Events

Trendsetting Wedding

With This Ring

Yes, it's pretty awesome having such creative and talented neighbors! Please do take the time to stop by their blogs and introduce yourselves with a lil' bit of comment or link love. Now I raise my glass (or rather, my coffee mug, but we can pretend)...

Cheers to all of you!

xo -Jaim

...Inspired By Bloomingdale's!

A few months ago I was lucky and excited to join Editor-In-Chief of Brides.com, Michelle Preli, on the panel for the Chicago Here Comes The Blog event at the gorgeous Bloomingdale's Home Store, along with Ami of Elizabeth Anne Designs...

While there, we got to see some creative tablescape inspiration so I thought I'd share some of it, to hopefully inspire you either for your upcoming wedding, bridal registry or adventures in home decorating! Take a look...

Today, it's all about mixing and matching...or just mixing!

Incorporate things into your tablescape that you normally wouldn't think of. Don't be afraid to use objects that you might not be used to seeing at the table such as bags over chairs (or maybe aprons, beaded necklaces, hats), large potted plants, umbrellas, etc. Tie it up and tie it in!

Get into layering your dishes, chargers or placemats. Play around with them. They don't have to all be so matchy-matchy anymore! Have fun with it. Let your personality and style shine through. Make your tables unique, like you!

Below are a few close-up shots of the different tablescape ideas we ran into...

(All photos taken by letterpress expert & designer, Denise of www.bellisstudios.com)

The majority of these items shown above can be found by shopping at Bloomingdale's. Before you shop, consider playing around online using the new Set Your Table Top Tool created by Brides.com and Bloomingdale's - careful, it's addicting but super fun!

I even created a few of my own table settings using the Set Your Table Top Tool. Take a looksie:

Set Your Table: Sexy Black And White Bliss

Set Your Table: Iced Tea Or High Tea

Set Your Table: Take Your Wedding Home With You

Want more? I'll be posting other tablescape and wedding registry ideas soon, so keep checking back! Can't wait? Find more bridal registry ideas or wedding ideas by visiting Brides.com or by clicking HERE. Cheers!

...Start The Party Before The Party Even Starts!

Holy whoa. Have you heard the awesome news? My friends over at OneWed.com have officially launched one of the coolest ways to get your wedding planned and your guests socializing! Let me introduce to you the brand new WeddingPreParty.com! Check it out...

With WeddingPreParty.com, you can invite your wedding party and guests to talk, share wedding ideas and advice, post pictures, dish out some wedding truth and provide wedding inspiration on everything from gowns to flowers and everything in between, all within a private atmosphere.

Couples can manage their checklists and also create a free wedding website! Lucky singles can check out the other single wedding guests before the wedding even starts, to prevent any awkward moments at the singles table. Those lucky singles might even get lucky...if you know what I mean (wink, wink!).

So check it out for yourself. Get started. Because you're invited!!!

Create your own page and invite your friends through email or Facebook. Get pre-wedding partying! For more information, visit OneWed.com's Savvy Scoop Blog. Party on.

...Turned 1st Annual Senoritas & Margaritas!

Recently, I had decided it was time to get my girlfriends and I together for a fun lil' margarita party. So it began, our "1st Annual Senoritas & Margaritas"! Take a look...

(Photo credits: Yours truly, can't you tell by my mad photography skills? Or rather, lack thereof?)

The pictures above give you an idea as to how we decorated, however it looked so much cooler with the lights dimmed, the candles lit and the white lights strung! We even danced to some festive music which played in the background all night.

There were only about 12 of us girls, so it was nice...I was actually able to visit with everyone before the night was over. Of course when that time came, I made sure my friends had party favors to take home with them to remember our first "Senoritas & Margaritas" by. Everyone took home a silly lil' shot glass...cheap, but fun nonetheless!

(Photo credit: Del Sol shot glasses from Party City)

It was such an awesome time, so I'm hoping to turn it into an annual event. Why not? With all of the party decor I've collected over the years from planning bridal showers, weddings, birthdays, etc. and now this, I can't allow it to get dusty! Maybe next year we'll give it more of a "Margaritaville" theme. Hmm...

Are you planning a margarita party for your girlfriends or a bride-to-be? See my original margarita party inspiration, which I posted on OneWed.com's Savvy Scoop blog, by clicking HERE. For more ideas, also check out the Margarita Party I've started over on my Wishpot page. Olé!

...Now You're Truly On Cloud Nine!

Hello, coolness...imagine having your wedding up top a rooftop! Many restaurants, bars and buildings are starting to get in with the in crowd by playing up the space up top. So if you're currently in the process of looking into possible wedding venues, consider looking up! Chicago brides, take a peek at the C-View Rooftop Bar ...

Can you picture it? Light up the night with wedding decor in the form of stars in the sky and scatter lanterns or candles across your tablescapes. Maybe string white lights around but keep the scenery of your beautiful city as the main attraction, aside from the both of you, of course...

(Photo credits: C-View Rooftop Bar in Chicago, IL.)

Be sure to have a plan B, just in case Mother Nature doesn't like your idea of a rooftop outdoor wedding or in case the weather man was looking out the wrong window in forecasting your wedding weather. Hey, you can never be too safe!

Have you ever been to a rooftop celebration? If so, do share! Or perhaps you have a couple favorite rooftop venues in mind near your city? We'd love to hear in the comments below. Cheers!

...Bridal News & Wedding Inspiration From Around The Web!

Coffee in hand? You know I've got mine! Let's catch up on some yummy Bridal Coffee Talk, shall we?

(Photo credit: Wedding fashion via SingaporeBrides.com)

The latest and the greatest? Let's take a looksie...

Put your picture, your words or your art on a personalized canvas! Enter for your chance to win the Custom Canvas Giveaway we're hosting with Geezees by July 24th! Need your canvas now? Geezees.com is offering readers of It's A Jaime Thing an exclusive 5% discount throughout the duration of the giveaway so get your orders in!

Brides.com and Colin Cowie get together to share with us ideas on how to Save Money Without Sacrificing Style!

Vintage Glam Weddings features some ooh-la-la sexy Vintage Inspired Lingerie perfect for your upcoming pinup or bridal boudoir shoot, wedding night or honeymoon.

One of my most favorite Chicago wedding blog buddies, Kristine of Trendsetting Wedding, launches her fabulous and newly redesigned wedding blog! Make sure to follow her and update your links and rss feeds...you won't want to miss out on her gorgeous posts!

(Photo credit: Trendsetting Wedding)

Jomygoodness features a lucky Interview With The Founder Of Ceremony Magazine, one of her favorite sources for wedding inspiration in sunny California!

Take a look inside weddings from the past in LIFE Gets Married, to see classic wedding photos from the LIFE archives. These include actress Grace Kelly and Monaco's Prince Rainier III, Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart sharing a slice of their wedding cake in 1945 and many more!

Tickled Pink Brides inspires us with lovely Moroccan Wedding Ideas, sure to please anyone who loves color!

Everything Fab shares with us some bubblicious, sweet like candy looks from the Christian Dior Haute Couture Fall 2009 runway - brides, get inspired for your wedding day and wedding night look!

(Photo credit: via www.everythingfab.com, from Wire Image)

It's getting down to the last few days to enter the very exciting POP A Platinum Proposal Giveaway over at the OneWed.com Savvy Scoop blog! One lucky Savvy Scoop winner will receive a pair of designer Kirk Kara platinum wedding bands! Hurry, your stories must be received by July 15th.

Wedding Paper Divas gets us ready for the upcoming season with a gorgeous array of Fall Wedding Invitations to choose from no matter what your style.

Listen to the latest interviews from some of your favorite wedding experts over at The Wedding Planning Audiocast!

CLM Weddings inspires us to create a Unique Lounge Style Wedding without having to rent expensive furniture. Add a little bit of DIY wedding creativity and put your own stamp on your wedding decor and design!

(Photo credit: via CLM Weddings, taken by Elegant Images Photography)

Ashley of Ashley Kohler Events leaves us speechless with unique wedding parasols including one very special one made out of leaves and what looks like crystals too! Pure awesomeness.

Jennifer Sbranti, founder of Hostess With The Mostess is helping co-host the upcoming SocialLuxe Lounge Party event in Chicago this month to kick off the BlogHer Conference. This week, she's given us a sneak peek with her SocialLuxe Party Inspiration Board. It's beautiful (of course, she always shares such great inspiration!) ~ so be sure to check it out!

Brides planning a seaside soiree, grab some fresh Seaside Wedding Inspiration from Bravo Bride!

There's a new wedding blog in town, have you heard? I'm happy to introduce to you the blog, So This Is Bliss, of Luxe Event Productions. The blog is filled with lots of style and gorgeous inspiration, so leave 'em some love!

(Photo credit: via So This Is Bliss)

That about rounds it up for now, deario cheerios! Stay tuned for more and of course, happy planning!

...How Will You Light Your Night?

I find it so cool how something as simple as lighting can change the look of your wedding! To go from this...

To this...

To this...

(Photo credits: Birch Design Studio, Chicago)

Think about it. Lighting has always been used to "set the mood", so why not set the mood for your guests? Turn your venue from drab to fab by lighting several candles all around, sticking different color lights in the corners of the room, under tables, inside centerpieces or by replacing bulbs with black lights! Whoa.

Talk to your venue or wedding planner and discuss different options for lighting to achieve the look you want. Instead of spending a ton of money on flowers and wedding decor, save your dough and switch out some bulbs. Could it be so easy? You'll never know unless you ask, right? Any event planners or wedding vendors out there that could give brides helpful tips on lighting? If so please do comment and share!

...Where The Inspiration Stops, Nobody Knows!

It's been inspiration overload lately and with the new blog launch I've been busy trying to get everything in order. Now that everything is coming together, I thought I'd share a little blog love along with some fun ideas and exciting bridal news! Let's catch up with some wedding coffee talk, shall we?

(Photo credit: picture via OutsaPop, Coffee filter/tea bag dress created by Angela Bright)

Brewing Bridal News...

Wedded Bits finds a cool way to inspire your dress shopping: Follow your favorite dress designers on Twitter!

You can also follow us on twitter at @brides and @itsajaimething for even more updates and bridal news! Take the conversation even further by joining me on Bridal Tweet by clicking HERE.

OneWed.com celebrates the launch of their Engagement & Wedding Ring Gallery with the Platinum Guild International Contest challenging brides to "POP a Platinum Proposal" and win $4,500 in platinum wedding bands designed by Kirk Kara! Contest ends July 15th, so hurry!

Another sweet Chicago neighbor, Trendsetting Wedding offers tips on how to get complimentary night at Trump Hotel New York, Chicago and Las Vegas for your honeymoon! Chicago Cubs baseball fans? Consider a Wrigley Field engagement session.

Planning a Chicago wedding? Check out my guest blog on OneWed.com's Savvy Scoop Blog and let your love for the "Windy City" inspire you with my Chicago themed wedding ideas!

(Photo credits: via Chitown Bride by Studio This Is)

Looking to update your wedding blog or website? My good friend Prima Donna Bride just launched her lovely new blog this week. She's giving brides and vendors the chance to do the same with a custom site by That Window! For details on how to enter, click HERE. You have until June 26th, good luck!

Fall in love with this silhouette themed wedding idea over at the fresh new Bridal Inquirer!

In the (bridal) market for some sexy, unique garters for your wedding day? Julianne Smith has recently launched a fabulous new line of frillies you're going to love!

Grab some first dance inspiration by watching Dancing With Brides, then vote for your favorite couple!

Worried about planning your wedding while the economy is down? See if the recession is affecting wedding guests and their decision to accept or decline wedding invites. You'd be surprised!

(Photo via Bridal Inquirer by Cut Arts)

JOMYGOODNESS + One Cool Girl = Fabulousness. Check it out.

My friend Missy over at Isn't She Lovely said "I Do" this weekend!!! Visit her creative wedding blog if you have the time and send her happy wishes - congratulations, Missy & Chad!

Intimate Weddings is bringing back handwritten notes in a modern way! She even shares with us how to turn your handwriting into your very own font!

Choose the perfect way to display your placecards via my guest blog on the Wishpot.com Wedding Blog! While you're there, see my outfit choices for an affordable yet stylish summer (I had bachelorette party in the back of my head the whole time, of course).

California brides who live near the Sacramento or San Francisco Bay area (or those who are willing to travel there), get ready to get excited! The darling Kat over at Rock 'n Roll Bride is hosting a contest where one lucky couple will win a Tinywater Photo Shoot!!! Closing date for entries is July 6th.

(Photo credits: via Rock 'n Roll Bride by Tinywater)

So tell me, what's inspiring you this week? Happy planning!

...With These Unique Chicago Landmark Postcards Turned Paper Models!

Couples planning a Chicago wedding, take a look at these super cool postcards which could easily be used as save-the-dates or favors for your Chicago loving wedding guests! Each postcard comes with a complete paper model they can take take home to assemble. Check it out...

"Build Your Own Chicago is a series of postcards published by Wurlington Brothers Press which can be cut and assembled into miniature paper models of prominent Chicago landmarks."

(Photo credits: BuildYourOwnChicago.com, found via GapersBlock.com)

"The postcards generallly measure 4-5/8" x 6-3/4" and include all pieces and instructions necessary to make one model. All the cards are mailable postcards, with space on the reverse of the card for a stamp and address and a message. Each card also includes a short but informative description of the landmark the model represents. Instructions are included." - BuildYourOwnChicago.com

Can it get any cooler? Choose from several different models including The Sears Tower, Chicago Tribune Tower, CTA Trains, John Hancock Center, Michigan Avenue Bridge, Water Tower, Wrigley Field and more! Get them and read more by clicking HERE. Cheers!