...For A Stylish Shower Or Sexy Bachelorette Party!

Just when you thought you've seen it all, something new and crazy pops out that screams creativity. Ladies, kick your party into new heights, with high heels featuring sexy succulents! Check it out...

Oh yes. These are definitely hot to trot...

"The concept is about hard-working women, the increasingly artificial nature of American femininity, and the impossible images that women face in our society. It's a prickly, spiky, sticky situation..." - GiddySpinster on Etsy

Love 'em? Get inspired by these daring desert creations by visiting GiddySpinster on Etsy. Get that party stylin'.

...With Sexy Tattoo Knee Highs & Thigh Highs!

Rock and roll brides, are you stuck on bridesmaid gifts? Maybe you've already on it! Either way, consider these totally unique and stylish stem frostings in nylon form...

(Photo credits: Tattoo socks & more from Etsy seller Post)

Ya dig? Let your girls wear 'em with their bridesmaid dresses and allow them to strut their stuff down the aisle with you! Not so sure about tattoos on your wedding day? Pass these frillies out the night of your bachelorette party instead and let 'em take over the town. Maybe grab a pair for yourself, too!

These lovelies can be found on Etsy or by visiting the designer's website at TattooSocks.com. Now, go on wit yo bad self!

...Not The Laundry Blues!

Newlywed? You're probably too busy showing off your fab new frillies to do any laundry! Procrastinator? I hear you. Domestically Disabled? Me too. Afraid to go into your basement to do your laundry because there was a big, huge spider that sent you away screaming last time? Now there is a song and dance I am very familiar with! The answer? Soak!

Darling dearests, no matter what your story, Soak can help you out with your issues. It's as close to a fairy godmother as you're going to get. I tried it tonight for the first time and fell in love with the fresh scents and how easy it is to use! To my surprise, it actually worked better than my regular detergent. For real - I LOVE this stuff! Here's the deal...

"Soak is modern care for fine fibers. This rinse-free formulation is perfect for washing your laciest lingerie, your softest sweaters, swimwear, workout gear, hand-made quilts and even baby clothes. Soak is gentle and deliciously scented with fabric-friendly ingredients that revitalize fibers so they look great and last longer. Soak is biodegradable, non-toxic and has eco-friendly packaging." - SoakWash.com

Planning a bachelorette party or a bridal shower? Order a few sets of the Soak Mini Samples as a fabulous yet unique favor idea - it's an easy, affordable option, as they come in sets of 12. Perhaps you get crafty and tie a ribbon with a tag around each!

Order a few bottles of Soak Celebration to give as shower game prizes or a few bottles for the bride so she can Soak wash all of her new lingerie. The Soak Label Of Love 12-Pack also makes a great gift!

(Photo credits: www.soakwash.com)

Head on over to www.soakwash.com to get yours or learn more. Now through December 31st, 2009, guests can enter code SOAK09 upon checkout for 15% off all orders placed on www.soakwash.com.

Also, be sure to stop by the Soak Worthy Blog and add Jacqueline, the founder, to your list of super cool Twitter peeps. Cheers and happy soaking!

...Napkins & Plates That Dress To Impress!

No matter what kind of party you're about to host, be sure to do it in style! With so many fabulous party supplies out there, I know it's difficult to sometimes choose a theme. Fear not, I've hand selected some of my favorites to hopefully inspire you for your adventures in planning the perfect soiree...

These cocktail napkins are sassy, sophisticated and make an easy tool in helping you set the style of your event. Love them? See these and more by visiting PlatesAndNapkins.com and ShopCocktailNapkins.com. Want to really wow 'em? Do so with these pretty lil' party plates...

Impress your guest of honor by personalizing the party plates with a nice mug shot of them and a sweet lil' message. They'll LOVE it! Find these plates exclusively at Hallmark.com. Happy planning!!!

...Juice From Around The Web!

With so many things going on in the wedding world right now, I think it's time to go totally bridal and pull it all together. So come on, grab some bridal caffeine and let's get to it...

(Photo credit: Luxe Event Productions)

Brides, are you seriously planning on dragging your man to that big huge bridal expo coming up? If so, send him over to the TheManRegistry.com first so he can read the Grooms Guide To Surviving A Bridal Expo. After he comes out alive, be sure to thank him that night with fried chicken, beer and a football game (something manly) so he can breathe again.

Have you heard? Ivanka Trump is getting married! This socialite turned jewelry designer has shared some of her wedding planning ideas over at Brides.com. To read about her style before she walks down that aisle, click HERE.

Brides craving a little bit of their own bling bling for their big day can win a rented pair of diamond earrings from Adorn Brides by entering the Red Carpet Wedding Giveaway hosted by Bridal Tweet! The giveaway runs through October 30th. Click HERE for more details.

Feeling sassy? The NEW online wedding shop, Champagne Promises by designer Astrid Mueller, has officially launched offering brides fresh, flirty, adorably illustrated wedding accessories and invitations to tickle your bridal fancy!

(Photo credit: Design by Astrid Mueller of Champagne Promises)

The ultimate rainbow wedding cake? Um, yes I'll have a slice, please! While you're at it, don't forget The iCiNG.

Missy of Isn't She Lovely just opened a new shop while keeping other brides in mind. Visit her Etsy shop HERE for fun bachelorette, shower or wedding trinkets for the bride and her 'maids!

There is still time to enter to win a $200 gift certificate to Atelier Isabey by entering the Maharani Weddings September Inspiration Board Contest. For details, click HERE. Hurry, entries must be received by Noon PST on Monday, September 28th. Good luck, everyone!

Want butterflies? Swoon over this beautiful afternoon wedding outdoors featuring tented tables, honey jars and rain boots with a whole lot of love and creativity! To see this sweeter-than-honey sunshine wedding, visit Katie Anderson Photography by clicking HERE.

(Photo credits: Katie Anderson Photography)

Simply Seductive lures us in with a few drool-worthy color combinations!

Get inspired to liven up your hallway in your newlywed love nest by visiting Hue Consulting.

Create your signature wedding drinks based on your favorite decade, such as the 80's inspired cocktails over at JomyGoodness!

Speaking of favorite decades, this 1920's wedding recently featured on Vintage Glam Weddings is amaaaaazingly beautiful! See more pictures of it by clicking HERE. Serious loveliness!

(Photo credits: By Sydney photographer Marzena Wasilewska via Vintage Glam Weddings)

Crave then create these yummilicious candy apple cupcakes recently featured on the Party Blueprints Blog for your Fall wedding! Serve them up with apple martinis and let your guests do the talking! Can we say yum?

Fabulous True Blood Inspired Weddings featured recently on A Regal Affair, Bella Signature and Masterpiece Weddings! I was originally going to just make it a week long feature, but I might be adding a few more vampy ideas. Be sure to keep checking back! Also, if you've posted some vampire wedding inspiration on your blog as well, do share!

Weddingistas gets sexy and goes Under The Dress with La Perla - featuring only some of my favorite lingerie out there. Oooh, love - sweet love!

For my guest blog this week over at OneWed.com, I thought it would be fun to feature some fashion inspired wedding decor! To read, click HERE.

(Photo credits: Dolce and Gabbana and JL Designs)

Phew! That was fun! We had a lot of catching up to do, so I'm glad we could sit and do this. Cheers and of course, happy planning!

...Oh Yes, She Did! Vegas Style, Baby!

You can imagine my excitement when I found out that Barbie got married again, only this time it was a fabulous Las Vegas wedding!

Hmm. Sometimes I lose track of how many times Barbie has gotten married, especially with the amount times she said her "vows" at my house when I was little! Keeping track of Barbie's nuptials is like keeping track of Ericka Kane's on All My Children. Sheesh! Nonetheless, I love Barbie. Always have, always will. I'm a true Barbie girl at heart, without the blonde hair.

Congratulations to the happy couple! Hopefully this time her and Ken get it right. Especially after I heard about her bachelorette party at The Palms Resort in Las Vegas! Rumor has it that's where it was held and that it got pretty wild. Oh, dear. Barbie, what are we going to do about you? Party with you? Ok, I'm in!

Have you heard the other exciting news? You can now party with Barbie in her brand new Barbie Suite at The Palms! Barbie is movin' on up in the world and has transferred some of her things from her Malibu home (location of Barbie's 50th Birthday Bash) to her new diggs in Vegas. Designed by interior designer Jonathan Adler, it's "the ultimate bachelorette pad"!

"Featuring custom details that celebrate Barbie's pink panache, such as skirted, corseted, lace-up “dress” chairs, a sunburst mirror made from 65 Barbie® dolls and custom wall coverings in Barbie’s signature patterns, this suite lets guests live it up in true Barbie style! Guests can also enjoy relaxing in an extra-large Jacuzzi tub, get cozy in front of a two-way fire place and take in amazing views of the Las Vegas strip." - The Palms Resort & Casino

(Photo credits: Barbie: All Doll'd Up & The Palms Resort & Casino)

To see more pictures of this gorgeous new Barbie Suite at The Palms in Las Vegas, become a fan of Barbie: All Doll'd Up on Facebook and be sure to check out Barbie's Blog too! Book your Barbie bachelorette party by visiting The Palms Resort & Casino website. You're in for a treat!

On a tight budget? I totally understand. Not all of us can just pick up any day and fly to Vegas like Barbie can! No worries, my friend Jennifer Opsahl, event planner behind Hello Bella Events in Vancouver, BC recently featured a Barbie Bridal Shower Barbie-que she did to help inspire you...

(Photo credits: Hello Bella Events)

To see more pictures from this event, check out Jennifer's lovely blog! Enjoy...

...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!

You Put The Lime In The...Cupcake? I'm In!

With the huge cupcake craze, I've never seen cupcakes like these. Bartender, I'd like to buy a round of margarita cupcakes for the house!

These fabulous margaritas were created by one of my very talented Chicago neighbors over at Oh, Sugar!
To see more of her adorable designs, click HERE or grab her margarita cupcake recipe to make your own. I could totally see these being served at bachelorette parties, bridal showers or weddings - it's the perfect way to celebrate!

...Unique, Handmade, One-Of-A-Kind Creations!

Have you ever visited the kind of jewelry store where inside, you fall in love with every piece displayed? That's the exact feeling I experienced when I visited Oye Modern online today. Brides, if you're trying to find the right jewelry for all of your pre-wedding parties or your wedding day, take a look at some of these beauties below!

Looking for unique wedding bands or engagement rings? Check out this Inner Message Ring! Choose from "Marry Me", "Always" or personalize your own message. If you take the ring off, you'll see an imprint of the words on your finger...pretty cool, right?

Order a set in either sterling silver or gold, to exchange on the big day. Not only stylish, but somewhat practical for those who might work in construction and need to take their rings off for safety reasons!

While I love their jewelry, the other thing I love about Oye Modern is their eco-friendly state-of-mind. To see how they're doing their part to be "green" and help the planet, click HERE. Also, if you need something in a jiffy, fear not! They offer 2-4 day worldwide shipping.

Happy shopping!

...Just A Few More Days!

Until then, tickle your senses with this groovy violet purple and red wedding space...

(Photo credit: Choccywoccydoodah.com.)

Planning a wedding, bridal shower, bachelorette party or other event? Choose a space that already has an awesome atmosphere and save on decorations! Who needs extra decor when your venue looks like this?! Simply fabulous.

Stay tuned for a few of my favorite places around Chicago that provide the look so you don't have to. Simple as pie, darlin'! Oh dear, now I want pie...ok, maybe chocolate will do.

...So Grab A Cup-A-Joe & Let's Get Some Ideas Flowing!

For some reason, drinking coffee helps me focus and get creative. It motivates me. Perhaps I drink a bit too much of it and need to cut down. For now, however, I continue to enjoy it...even more so that I recently broke out our espresso machine! Frothing is fabulous. Even saying the word "froth" is fun! Go on. Say it. "Froth!".

Let's take a look at what's brewing around the wedding industry and froth up some ideas, shall we?

(Love this coffee print? Get it at the Etsy shop by Pictorial Boom)

Here's what's up...

Bliss Weddings Market: Shares with us ways to go paperless when it comes to favor and gift styling. Using fabric, enjoy the Japanese art of Furoshiki wrapping! Seriously way cool. Thanks to this idea, I can finally put my old bridesmaid sashes to good use!

Isn't She Lovely: Shares with us her gorgeous wedding band she's decided upon...in the shape of a horseshoe! I don't think a wedding band can get much more unique, do you? I think this is a great idea for brides who want to show off "feeling lucky" to be marrying the man they love.

The Blissful Bride: Makes us laugh with hilarious but harmless pranks for friends and family to play at your wedding...ooooh too much fun!

Perfect Bound: Inspires us to coordinate our wedding food with our wedding colors. I'm especially loving the jewel-toned wedding palette...yum!

Sonia Roselli Esthetique: Sonia invites girls over for a bachelorette party, in her brand new Chicago shop! A perfect way to have a little fun or get dolled up before that night on the town. Let Sonia help you customize 2 of your own personal flavored & colored glosses, do your makeup via airbrushing techniques, apply temporary individual lashes and get glam, currently starting at under $100! For a little extra fee, you can get your hair styled too. Ooooh la la!

Snippet & Ink: Popular for her inspiration boards, Kathryn is also the queen of sharing discounts and cool giveaways from around the web! She also shared with her readers about my very first giveaway, a chance to win a signed copy of the book, "Intimate Weddings" by author Christina Friedrichsen! If you haven't entered yet, you have until March 4th. If you haven't had the pleasure of visiting Snippet & Ink yet, do so now! Thanks, Kathryn!

ABCD Design: Introduces the idea of hosting a house-cooling party instead of a house-warming party since she's moving out of her house soon. I love it. Be sure to check out her ideas to see her plans for this awesome party idea!

Truly Engaging: Offers an extremely affordable but adorable idea for DIY wedding or shower favors. Simply print out tiny pictures of you and your soon-to-be husband or wife and cut them into circles to apply to the bottom of Hershey Kisses! For the favor tags, write: "What's Under A Kiss" - how sweet is that? So creative.

Bubbly Bride: Caroline realized that while everyone is a not cake person, most of us do love Rice Krispy Treats! What's the next best thing? Rice Krispy Treat wedding cakes...feast your eyes over a few of the ones she's featured...so yummy and well, "krispy"! Save a piece for me, please.

Prima Donna Bride: Features a Marie Antoinette Inspired Party, a fabulous idea for your bachelorette party or bridal shower! Without a wig, I bet you could just tease that hair up and hairspray the heck out of it...maybe stick some pink bows in there. Your man might think you look like Marge Simpson, but your girls will think you look ultra fab!

Tickled Pink: Offers brides loads of truly affordable wedding dress ideas...each one of them absolutely gorgeous!!! Save your dough, yo. After you're married, you might want to use that extra money to decorate your house with, if you're anything like my sister (or a million other brides, for that matter...). I mean, you could actually just save your money too...

Happy planning!