...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.

...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!

Because Pink, It Was Love At First Site!

Brides, are you inspired by music? Maybe you feel like a song was written just for you even though a million other people might feel the same way! What if you used those inspiring lyrics from your favorite songs to help plan your wedding? One that comes to mind is the song "Pink" by Aerosmith. Oh yes, you know I'm a fan!

(Photo credits ~ Top: Flickr lilacvelvet, 2nd Row: Flickr, Flickr the other tiger, Bridal Affairs Blog, Bottom: Flickr Andicat, David's Bridal dress via Brides.com, Heather Louise Photography Heather Louise Photography)

For this inspiration board dreamed up thanks to my love for Aerosmith, I vision a retro loving rock and roll bride who loves all things pink. Maybe she incorporates pink into her wedding decor, wedding flowers or bridal gown!

(Photo credits: Blooms By Martha Andrews, Alison Ulshoffer Events)

Pink white-chocolate covered cherries are served as dessert or favors. Instead of bubbles, guests are given pink kites to fly or helium balloons to dance in the wind.

(Photo credits: Flickr jek in the box, Team Thomson Photography)

The sidewalks leading up to the wedding reception are graffitied with words in hot pink chalk, sharing lyrics of their favorite couple songs. Even better, this rock and roll bride uses the sidewalk as her wedding guestbook which guests can sign with the chalk! Come on - how cool would that be? Maybe you can't take a sidewalk home with you, but you can surely have your photographer take a picture of it to later frame and remember forever!

(Photo credits ~ ceceyy Flickr, Erin's Camera Blog, im on tambourine Flickr, rahxy Flickr)

Pink.

(Photo credits: Aerosmith, beth retro {break} Flickr)

Happy planning!

(P.S. Thank you Sean for inspiring me.)

...Inspired By Indian Culture!

Vibrant colors, luscious details, the long celebration of Indian Weddings that can last up to days...I'm in awe! Every time I see pictures from one of these gorgeous celebrations, I wonder - who couldn't be inspired by the beauty of it all?

(Photo credits: Birch Design, brides via Wedding Sutra)

To see more Indian inspired wedding inspiration and get help planning, visit my guest blog post from this week on OneWed.com by clicking HERE. Cheers!

...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!

Wishpot is a great place to set up your wedding registry. However, what many people don't know is that you can also use Wishpot to bookmark wedding ideas and inspiration for your day. I’m happy to say there will be a new addition to the Wishpot Wedding Blog! We will regularly showcase a few fabulous finds from wedding wish lists.

With Wishpot, you can also bookmark any graphic and the URL from any site. This means that our showcased items are from all over the web! And who better to turn to for wedding inspiration than our wedding experts? Now, for the first of many {Wedding Wish Lists}! Here are some spectacular things from JuneBug Weddings, It’s a Jaime Thing and myself, Gift Girl...

Wedding Wish Lists ~ Ivory Wedding Inspiration

Many brides today are moving away from white wedding dresses altogether. If you are looking for an alternative to white but aren’t quite ready to go with a bolder color, you may want to consider ivory. Ivory compliments any skin tone color and works well as a wedding accent color. I adore the soft, delicate and oh so feminine feel of these wish list items. There is something so wonderful about combining materials, feathers, soft draping silk and ruffles!

The feathers are from Leah C. Couture and were added by Junebug Weddings. While they are a bit on the pricey side, if you are looking to splurge why not do it on a stunning hair accessory?

The dress is an Etsy find by a peaceful afternoon by sarahseven and added by me, gift girl. I simply love it. You can order it to measure either long or short and it’s also available in color. As far as wedding dress prices go, this is very reasonable.

The umbrella is from Raindrops and is a It’s a Jaime Thing find. I live in Seattle, so umbrellas have a special place in my heart. Plus, you can take some spectacular wedding pictures with umbrellas! They are also a great alternative to wedding bouquets.

Anyone planning on incorporating any of these wedding trends into their wedding? A Wishpot wish list makes it easy to save your wedding ideas! ~Gift Girl

Follow me on Twitter @gift_girl.

...Ideas To Hang Onto!

Looking to pull a little bit of whimsical wedding inspiration your way? Some of my most favorite ideas come from above ~ you know, with things to hang! This week over at Wishpot Weddings, I shared a few fun ideas, however below are just a couple more. Take a look...

(Photo credits ~ Top: Bliss In Bloom, Darlene Devita, Pottery Barn Kids Middle: Big Events Wedding, Bliss In Bloom, Wedding and Bride Bottom: Stemz, Couture Parties)

Happy planning!

...Feeling Crafty?

Often times, inspiration for your wedding can pop out in places that are so not even wedding related. For example, Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen! I can easily see using these pieces below to help compliment a beautiful, sunny wedding or bridal shower...

(Above: Top ~ Butterfly Chandelier, Capiz Chandelier Bottom ~ Hanging Bubbles, Mini Heart Mirrors)

Aren't they cool? Oooh, but I bet you could make them yourself, no? Or at least something similar...just use your imagination and visit your local craft store. See what supplies you can find to help you create your wedding decor.

Even if you're not crafty yourself, I bet one of your friends or family members are! Don't be afraid to ask for help. Or, if it fits within your budget to buy them, go for it! Happy planning!

...Featuring Event Jubilee!

In March, Connecticut wedding planner Candice Dowling of Event Jubilee, opened up her gorgeous new planning studio. It's just so beautiful, I love the rich violet purple hues mixed in with the white and cream - stunning!

(Photo credit: Event Jubilee)

Seriously, it almost makes me wonder if designers Vera Wang and Versace came over to lend her some interior design inspiration. Maybe afterwards they sat and enjoyed tea together, over yummy wedding talk. Who knows? All I know is I L-O-V-E it!

(Photo credits: Dresses by Versace and Vera Wang)

On her blog, Candice writes, "The Studio is a relaxed planning atmosphere where we sit down with our couples to design and plan their wedding. We have a ton of inspiration on hand, from design books, magazines, vendor portfolios, fabric swatches, prop rentals — you name it!". Congratulations, Candice!

If you're planning a wedding near Connecticut, be sure to contact Candice to pay a visit to her lovely new studio. You'll love not only the new studio and her services but her as well. She's totally sweet and extremely creative! Not to mention, she wears really hot violet purple heels. Happy planning!