...At Wishpot!

My fab friend Gift Girl over at Wishpot.com has informed me that they have teamed up with Avelle (the new Bag, Borrow or Steal) this week for one very fabulous giveaway! They're giving away a real Kate Spade designer handbag!!! Check out this red beauty...

Maybe you want a new purse to start your happily ever after with as a newlywed. Or, perhaps you would like to give it as a gift to your stylish maid of honor! Whatever your reason, there are several ways to enter to win your very own Kate Spade as shown above. Hurry, Wishpot will be drawing the winner on Monday, October 5th! Click HERE for details on how to enter. Good luck!

...There's Still Time Left, Could You Be The Next Winner?

Enter to win a fabulous wedding band by leaving a comment on the Wishpot Wedding Blog with your most favorite tungsten ring! You can even view more styles by visiting Wedding Rings Forever. There are still 3 more chances to win the Ring-A-Day giveaway, so hurry!!!

You can also enter by adding a ring to your Wishpot Wish list or Registry and by joining Wishpot and inviting friends. All new members and everyone who invites 2 or more friends are automatically entered to win the final tungsten ring.

FRIDAY BONUS: Every Wishpot member receives a promotional $25 off any purchase to Wedding Rings Forever just enter the coupon code: WISHPOT. Good Luck!

...A Guest Blog By Wishpot's Gift Girl!

With Halloween just around the corner, you're sure to see more orange! However, this color isn't just for jack-o'-lanterns. It's also one of the top colors for fall weddings...

(Photo credits: Brides.com, AppealingFlowers.com, Teleflora.com)

Orange is hot this season! Who doesn’t love orange? It’s vivid, cheerful and fresh! For weddings, use it as an accent color or combine it with purple, chocolate brown, yellow, pink, sky blue or green. The possibilities are endless. For a romantic setting, pair it with darker colors and low lighting!

Looking for more orange wedding inspiration or style ideas? Head over to Wishpot.com or visit @gift_girl on Twitter! Also, be sure to check out the Wishpot Wedding Blog.

...It's A Hot Summer, Cool Your Look With Color!

Maybe its just that Seattle, the location of Wishpot headquarters, has been reaching record high temperatures...but it seems like this summer, less is more and color is everything! That’s why we’re loving these turquoise accessories and items, recommended by Wishpot Expert, Gift Girl.

(Photo credits: Board created by Wishpot, items via Etsy sellers...top: YogaGoat, BagItDesigns, bottom: 1337art and Zappos.)

The Mini Dish with Dahlia designed by Etsy seller YogaGoat is a handmade porcelain dish made on a potter’s wheel and is ideal for a dipping sauce or a pillar candle. The diversity and unique design make it perfect for use as wedding décor.

The brown & teal polka dot coin purse from Etsy’s BagItDesigns is a beautiful example of the use of color contrast. It spices up any summer outfit and fits into the smallest of purses. Perfect for a cool, carefree summer evening!

These Something Blue rose hairpins by 1337art are an amazing way to accessorize your hair. Whether you’re sporting it up or down, they add the fashionista element to any outfit or hairstyle.

These Nine West Sheik heels from Zappos are sure to cool your summer ensemble. These shoes are so versatile - they can go from day to night or even add the finishing touches to the look of a bride or her bridal party!

For more wedding or wish list information, check out our wedding blog or follow us on Twitter @gift_girl and @wishpot!

...Fall Brides, It's Right Around The Corner!

Recently, over at the Wishpot Wedding Blog, I featured some beautiful rustic bouquets created by Martha of Blooms By Martha Andrews, from sunny California...

To see more of her amazing work, head on over to my post on Wishpot.com by clicking HERE. Or, stop by her lovely Blooms Blog! If you're planning your fall wedding and looking to save some dough, consider gathering your own blooms for wedding decor while leaving the design of your bouquets to the pros.

I'm loving the idea of collecting old jars from candles, jelly or jam to use as vases for your DIY flowers or as candle holders to help set the mood...

(Photo credit: YumSugar )

Looking for more fall wedding inspiration? Click HERE, HERE or check out some of my fall wedding inspiration boards I've created. Happy planning!

...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!

...To Keeping Healthy & Happy!

Have you heard of the unique Count Me Healthy Jewelry? It consists of pretty little beads on a bracelet that you can use to keep track of your goals. Goals to being healthy, happy, a good mom or even to becoming a golf goddess - move each bead over to count and keep track of your accomplishments!

The website also has count cards which you can download and print out to help you keep track even more...

(Photo credits: CountMeHealthyJewelry.com)

What a great gift idea for your maid of honor, bridesmaids, mothers of the bride and groom or other women in your family - including yourself! To read more about this jewelry, click HERE. Love it and want to register for it for your wedding? Do so by adding it to your Wishpot.com Registry! Cheers to living a long, happy & healthy life - one goal at a time!

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!

...Pure Happiness In Vintage French White!

Dreaming of a soft white wedding?

It doesn't get any softer than this...products by French Etsy seller Lapomme! Imagine using handmade cloth flowers instead of real ones, a swan to sign instead of a guestbook or cloth apples as decor describing what love is!

To read more about these lovelies, visit my recent guest blog post over at the Wishpot Wedding Blog by clicking HERE!

...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!