Merry Christmas Everyone

Just wanted to wish everyone a very merry christmas. I'll be taking the next week off to spend with my family! Be back in 2008.

Preppy Winter Wedding Favorites

Just some of my favorite winter wedding ideas via Martha for all you January & February brides.


Use fun extra long bendy straws from for your party in a knot motif for guests.

You know my love for mason jars. I like the pairing of emerald and turquoise. Wouldn't these look great paired together in a night-time ceremony at a country church?


Love, love, love this cake. The garland details really work for a winter wedding.


Last, but not least, this raw bar display is to die for. Bring the ice from outside, inside my friends.

Preppy Cookie Exchange

I promised pics from this year’s cookie exchange so here they are!

The spread -

I love these fun placecards from Pottery Barn (last summer), they are super cute!





I used these placecards from the Martha Stewart collection at Michaels so people could write the names of their cookies.
Here’s the bar. I did champagne and chamboard with blackberries as the signature drink, so yummy.
And the other food table, I made this recipe for pigs in a blanket (one of my favorites). They were all gone by the end of the party.
I also got this awesome cookie box kit (also Martha Stewart Crafts) for everyone to take home their treats in.
All in all, a great party.

And just because I had the camera, here are some shots of the Preppy Wedding House during the holidays.


And Santa’s favorite elf.

Preppy Cookies

Just signing off for the weekend! Today is my Friday.


I'm actually hosting a cookie exchange on Saturday - can't wait it should be lots of fun. I think I am making these lovelies (do you see the peppermint obsession?). If I had married in the winter, we would have totally had this cake.




I'll be sure to post pictures on Monday ...

Preppy Tree Skirt and Decorations on Sale

So, I have something to confess. I have an addiciton to this webpage. I use it to reap the knowledge of lots of stay-at-home mom's trolling the internet for great deals.

And I wanted to share this one with you. Take a look at the post. Basically you re-type the pottery barn kids christmas codes and you can get this super cute tree skirt for 34 dollars and FREE shipping.

There are lots of other super cute Christmas deals there, so take a look. (MMM, I was thinking about you when I found this).

Looking for a good christmas cd ...

Try Mindy Smith's My Christmas. Love it.

Christmas Meme

Saw this over at More, More, More.

I warned you, I'm going all Christmas round here at The Preppy Wedding.

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?
Tall Starbucks Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
So glad to see this question. The husband thought our Santa growing up was just lazy. But, when I was a kid, I knew Santa would not have the time to wrap everyone's gift. Instead, he quite obsessive compulsively arranged everything round the fireplace.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Only White - I'm a purist.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No, can someone explain where that tradition came from. I'm sure some guy invented it as a way to get lucky.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
The weekend after Thanksgiving. It makes me feel ahead of the game.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish:
Does Edy's slow churned peppermint icecream count? Mimosas on Christmas morning (a new tradition).

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?
Going to see Richmond's legendary Santa at Miller & Rhodes (He's now at the Children's Museum). You got to have tea with Santa and the Snow Queen, Santa called you by name, there was a talking Christmas tree (Bruce the Spruce) and my mom went to see the very same Santa. Favorite holiday memory - minus waiting in line for hours to see Santa.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Age 12. My sister's ghostbuster doll house had a Toys R Us price tag on it. I still subscribed to the thought that Santa made his own toys. Anyone else extremely sheltered as a child?

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yep, our Christmas pjs.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Traditional red and green ornaments. These cool initial ornaments from Restoration Hardware for the whole family (including dogs). Old School Pearl White Lights. Big Satin Ribbon on top.

11. Snow: love it or hate it?
Loved it as a child. Hate it now. Especially when I lived in the city. Who likes the look of dirty snow.

12. Can you ice skate?
I fall ... a lot. But, I like the thought of an ice skating outfit.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Cherry red, old school Volkswagen Cabriolet. I was 21. Thanks mom and dad.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Making new traditions.

15.What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Handsdown - Ghirardelli Limited Edition Peppermint Bark.

16. What tops your tree?
A big red bow.

17. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?
Giving - I like to come up with the really cool gifts.

18. What is your favorite Christmas song?
Silent Night while holding candles sung at the Christmas Eve midnight mass at Church.

19. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Elf.

20. What would be the best gift you could receive this year?
A Nickelodian circa 1990's style shopping spree at J. Crew (with a big shopping cart and a two minutes to fill it). A real ipod? An SLR digital camera?

12 Days of Christmas

So, I need to come up with a gift for my office's 12 Days of Christmas Celebration. I've already purchased some super cute green and red polka dot bags from the dollar bin at Target, so I'm thinking of doing this for each of the participants. You like?

Update: I am going to try to be crafty and do this one on my own. I did some similar for the dogs in my family last year (and I'll try to remember to take a picture and post this week). All you need is a matte ornament, paint pens, ribbon, patience and good handwriting.

Preppy Gift Wrap

Saw this in the December Country Living and was totally inspired. When you have a cottage (meaning small, older home) you have to maximize your space and this is so cost effective. I'm just thinking this would look so cute in our office and it could double as a craft station?

Also - must apologize for the lack of wedding related posts. It's December, so there will lots of Christmas talk around these parts.

Still looking for a holiday card ...

Try the shutterfly's new designer card collection. There are designs from Martha, Stacy Claire Boyd and Shirley Lee.

Here are some favorites:

Even better, this week they are 20 percent off.

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving ... is it Christmas yet?

Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a very happy thanksgiving. I got to attend dual celebrations yesterday (my parents and Mr. Preppy Wedding's extended family). Not counting the 3+ hours in the car, not a bad time. I managed to succeed in making this peanut butter pie (it was really good) and the good old standby - the green bean casserole. Next year, Mr. Preppy Wedding is obsessed with deep frying a turkey, which sounds like some fun!

Today, I popped over to the local outdoor mall (still wondering why an outdoor mall is a good idea for Richmond - it was 40 degrees tonight) and got the husband's big gift.

Right now, I'm still up burning holiday CDs for the 2007 Preppy Wedding Christmas Cards.

I know y'all are dying to know, so here goes for our selection this year ....

Here are the his/hers letterpress cards for relatives and work contacts. If you like these take a look at Looky-Loos etsy site. Her stuff is so beautiful in person and very economical.






And for our young friends this year, we're doing personalized holiday CDs using this kit from Chronicle Books (one of my favorite go to gift sites). I'm really excited about how cute they turned out. Just a little nervous about figuring out how to mail them, but I'm sure I'll make it work!!

Here are the songs I picked for the CD:

Christmas Time Is Here - Ivy
Love Came Down At Christmas - Jars of Clay
All That I Want - The Weepies
Maybe This Christmas - Ron Sexsmith
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Martina Sorbara
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Sixpence None The Richer
O Come O Come Emmanuel - Sufjan Stevens
Grown-Up Christmas List - Michael Bublé
The First Noel - Leigh Nash
All I Want for Christmas Is You - Billy Paul Williams & Lauren Carter
What Christmas Means to Me - Mandisa
Wonderful Christmastime - Jars of Clay
What Are You Doing New Year's Eve - Kate & Anna McGarrigle & Rufus Wainwright
Auld Lang Syne - Barenaked Ladies
Be Thou My Vision - Van Morrison

Hope all of you had a very happy thanksgiving and a very happy long weekend!

I Need to Have It

The story goes when I was a little girl instead of throwing a temper tantrum on the floor of ToysRUs, I would calmly look at my mother and say ....

I NEED TO HAVE THIS.

I would then list all the reasons I could and would not live without the item I was coveting.

Today, I was on GirlyTwirly's website and saw this - a monogram adhesive for the bane of my existence, my blackberry.

And, I NEED TO HAVE IT.

• Because it will make working more fun.
• Because I won't mistakenly grab Mr. Preppy Wedding's instead (and nobody touches his gadget)
• Because my dog has a monogrammed Ralph Lauren polo shirt, why not shouldn't my blackberry have some fun?

Preppy Inspiration Monday

Thank you, Thank you for all your great suggestions for godparent gifts. I am working on a small time-frame (the baptism is this Sunday), so I’ll let you all know what I choose.

This weekend seemed to breeze by, but at least I felt semi-productive. The husband and I went to the outlets this weekend with my parents and the J.Crew outlet had lots of cute stuff. Hopefully Santa will understand my obsession and deliver me some good finds. I also dusted off the running shoes and made it out with LuLu in tow on Saturday. I know, very strange, but our basset hound loves to jog around the neighborhood with me. And, I only have a few more gifts to buy for Christmas. I, too, have an excel file to keep me (and my husband’s budget) in line.

So, enough about me. Let me share with you a few things I have been saving up these last few weeks.

Brides, check out Bella Figura. I’ve featured them in a few of my storyboards in the past and their letterpress work is beautiful. And, you know my love for letterpress people! Anywho, their creative director Andrea e-mailed last week and offered a sneak preview to their 2008 line. I am loving the Modern Calligraphy card. And guess what? My readers are entitled to a fabulous preppy discount! Just reference PREPR1 at checkout before December 31, 2007 and receive 10 percent off. Any bride knows that discounts on beautiful letterpress wedding stationary don’t come very often, so y’all better jump on this one!

I am also so obsessed with the wedding day service offered by the fabulous Patricia van Essche. If you take a look at her portfolio you’ll see some of the illustration work she has done for J. McLaughlin. Well, she’s now doing the most beautiful illustrations of your wedding. She attends your wedding and actually illustrates your day. What an awesome service and her work truly is gorgeous.
OK gals - back to work. And I gotta decide what to make for thanksgiving …

Question for my Brilliant Readers

Got a question for all of you brilliant preppy readers out there. Mr. Preppy Wedding and I have been asked to be godparents for our super cute nephew. Since it is both our first time around on the godparent track, I need some ideas on what to give our soon-to-be godson for his baptism in a few weeks.

Suggest away and happy weekend everyone!

Inspiration Monday - Fantastic Preppy Free Fonts

Good Monday Afternoon Everyone!

I made it back to VA safe and sound and really liked my Dallas experience. Nothing better than eating authentic Mexican food after a walk through Neiman Marcus.

Now onto more pressing issues, like the one that has been consuming my hours this weekend … finding the perfectly preppy Christmas card. Unlike last year’s family picture (I do recommend the Martha Collection on Kodak Gallery), I think this year is going to revolve around his and hers letterpress cards. So, I’ve been browsing etsy, the I Love Letterpress Blog and Luxe Paperie for the perfect find.

While browsing, I ran across this beautiful calendar by Linda & Harriett. If anyone wants to buy me the perfect Christmas gift, I love this. Mr. Preppy Wedding are you listening?

But, I know you lovely readers have come for your Monday dose of inspiration. And I have a good find for you via Oh Happy Day. Smashing Magazine put together this great list of 40+ free font downloads. I love Mido, Just Old Fashion and Qlassik. Do take a look. These would be great for that pesky wedding welcome brochure or the fun bridesmaids/groomsmen updates.

Headin to Texas

Hi everyone.

I am en route to Dallas tomorrow morning and have been doing lots of real work to get ready for the trip. Wish the real work was more important that my musings on all things preppy wedding, but unfortunately LuLu and Dempsey need dogfood (and Dempsey eats organic food for medical reasons and you all know how expensive that is).

I do have some fun wedding finds for you this evening …

Via Stacey Kane’s new blog, I found the lovely Kate Parker Weddings. Her events are super cool and totally inspiring for the preppy bride. Take a look at her weddings and event design galleries and you’ll see what I mean.

What I really want you to see, though, is her new prducts section. She has taken the headache out of crafting genius out of town bags and the flip flop favors. Cute, cute, cute. I love this Maine inspired basket.

I also want you to take a look at fellow preppy blogger Happy Homemaker’s post here and here on the wedding of her preppy lil sis. Love the cake and adore the seersucker tablecloths. And if that isn’t enough preppy for you - take a look at this wedding via Patricia Lyons Photography. You’ll see a totally inspired candy bar that echoes throughout the reception décor. Made me hungry just watching.

So, I am leaving Richvegas (sometimes called the Mecca by locals) for the sites and sounds of Texas. I think my hair and my chest are gonna fall flat.

Happy Halloween

I'm off to DC for work, so we celebrated Halloween in style on Monday night.

Dempsey & LuLu (our preppy pooches) wish you all a very Happy Halloween.

Preppy 80s music

Happy Friday everyone.

I know I haven't been writing too much about weddings lately and I'm sorry about that. Not too sorry, because my friend sent me the most hillarious entry from cracked.com today that crowns the 10 best songs of the 80s. Take a look, it may be the funniest thing I have ever read.

Just a little quote about one of my personal favorite songs - Highway to the Danger Zone (Top Gun anyone?) by Kenny Loggins.

"Danger Zone" is comprised of entirely guitar riffs and vague references to machines and speed. He did not settle for a lesser concept. He put you on a highway: the fastest, straightest route possible directly to an entire zone that is nothing but danger. There was no "Parkway to the Naughty Territories," or "Off Ramp to Risky Town," or even "Scenic Route Through Fistfight County."

Seriously peeing in my pants it's so funny! Have a good weekend everyone.

Fall/Winter Bridesmaids Gift

Hi all.

Today is kicking my ass. Seriously.

However, I did take the time to order a classic red down vest from Lands End. And while ordering, I was thinking what a super cute gift for the preppy bridesmaid.

Order her favorite color (fret not, there are lots of choices in regular, petite and tall) and cusotmize the rest of her gift in that lovely hue.

And save money. They are 24.50 and right now, there is free shipping. Just enter GIFTSHOP as the Source Code and the PIN 512451245 in the space provided.

Not getting married? How about down vests for all your friends and family this holiday season? As kanye would say - Me Likey.

Preppy Sitcom

Reasons why my life would be an awesome sitcom:

• Last weekend, I arranged a trip with some friends to our local haunted forest. While crawling through the last “haunted indecipherable structure that contained bodies hanging from the ceiling and clowns drinking toxic clown juice," my husband (aka our fearless leader) got stuck in a trick dead in. I thought he was climbing into a tunnel, so as I began to get on my knees, he stood up, knocking me so hard in the nose that I literally saw stars. Well stars and a clown drinking toxic clown juice.
  
  My friends, fearing I had a bloody nose, tried unsuccessfully to get a creepy monster with exposed brains to show us to the exit. The monster was so committed to his character that my friend got nothing out of him, just a grunt and finger point towards the way we came.
  
  
• And this morning, our lovely animals Dempsey and Lulu were playing with one of their 1200 nylabones and decided that they both wanted to chew the same stinky, old, should have been thrown away months ago bone. After a little fun bantering back and forth, LuLu (the basset) barked a little too loud and Dempsey (the Jack Russel) decided to plummet his teeth into her long right ear. The result? Blood, cursing and a late start for this gal. Fret not, LuLu is fine after a visit to the vet, Dempsey is grounded and I got to see a really disastrous medieval themed TLC A Wedding Story on daytime TV. However, if you have Cesar Milan's cell phone number handy, please do share.

Hmmm. Maybe I should quit my day job and move to Hollywood?

Inspiration Monday

Some inspiration for your brides to be courtesy of Real Weddings on the Knot.

Love this pink cake.

It isn't a preppy wedding without some toile. Love these fans for an outdoor ceremony.

Yummy topiarys used to greet guests at an outdoor ceremony. Take a look at the notes written by loved ones to celebrate the couple.

And I love this graphic cake. Think a totally circular themed wedding - arrangements, invites, tables - y'all know I love some polka dots.
I am also know obesessed with Good Stock Press & Bindery. Kim allows you to customize the story of your family in such a cool and unique way. What an awesome gift for your parents. Or even the neatest way to celebrate the story of your family for a little one. Take a look at their recent projects here. Maybe we can get Kim to start thinking about creating a collection around weddings! Also check out Kim's post on Black Eiffel.

Nothing New Here

So, nothing new going on here blogworld. I'm just working and traveling and trying to be the best wife I can be. And by best wife I mean, actually making dinner three nights in a row, making a pie from my newlywed cookbook (very 1950s - I know) and taking the time to vacuum all the dog hair lingering underneath my bed. Impressed, aren't you?

The husband I did get to see UVA take their fifth consecutive win of the season. And better yet, we watched the game in the comfort of a nice luxury box, with air-conditioning, an open bar and some yummy bbq. Thank goodness for the perks of the hubby’s job.

We also managed to brave the local berry farm to get our pumpkins. Much like Happy Homemaker, we were sort of over the crowd of family folks pretty quickly. I mean the air was charged and dads and kids seemed determined to find the perfect pumpkin, even if it involved jumping off a hayride that was not fully stopped. Next year, we’re going to grow our own.

Speaking of halloween, fret not LuLu and Dempsey do have costumes for 2007. And I’m not going to spoil the surprise for you. You’ll have to wait until November 1 to get a glimpse of their utter cuteness.

In other news, I am contemplating a major diet in preparation for destination wedding 2008. If I have to be pale in Mexico, I don’t want to also be 10 lbs overweight. So, I’m trying to figure out how to loose weight while still eating obscene amounts of M&Ms, not cutting out my weekly mashed potato intake and not really doing too much physical activity. If you have suggestions, do tell.

Hope you have yourselves a happy Thursday folks. Shout out to the husband who is having his first 4:00 boys happy hour in months. Please call me for a ride home if/when you all start taking shots. In case you’re interested - Grown Men Gone Wild at City Limit this afternoon !!

Things I Love

Who’s ready for the weekend, huh?

I thought I would leave you with a few fun bits before the weekend officially begins.

• Check out Abby Larson’s Style me Pretty Blog this week. She had a guest blogger this week, the ever fabulous Tara Guerard of Soiree Charleston. Her ideas are totally preppy chic with a little southern something. She also doles out some great advice on stylish entertaining. Here’s my favorite little tidbit (and I wholeheartedly agree).
  

"It’s important to remember that wedding details aren’t all about grand flowers and towering ice sculptures. Those may be the first items guests see, but they aren’t what guests are drawn to. The small and thoughtful details are what are remembered and give a glimpse into the personal lives of the couple."

• We’re getting our pumpkins this weekend, so Martha’s 15 Years of Pumpkins provides some great inspiration on what we’ll do this year to top the polka dot pumpkin of 2006.


• Lovin’ this awesome band for perfect downhome fall music. David Shultz grew up in my neighborhood and he’s a cutie. I actually got to see them while I was in NYC and they were better than seeing Ryan Adams in concert. They’re just starting out so buy their CD or listen on itunes.
  
• Adore this Bananna Republic dress I bought while in NYC (their flagship store has a whole floor of petites, so fabulous). It’s super cute and flattering!

Also - want to let you know Wedding Paper Divas is offering an early bird savings discount of 20% off their holiday cards. The coupon code is EARLY20 and the offer expires November 5!

Preppy Christmas Cards

Well, it is close to 90 degrees here in Richmond this afternoon and I find myself wishing for the fall. I want leaves on the ground, the justification to buy a pumpkin and to wear my brand new J. Crew houndstooth coat. I’ve been trying to make plans with friends to visit the local haunted forest and this weekend I’ll be heading back to UVA for the homecoming game!

And you gals know, once fall is here, we also get to do a preppy gal’s favorite thing. We get to pick out our super duper cute 2007 Christmas Cards. I just found out this morning that Wedding Paper Divas (who work in conjunction with Tiny Prints) are offering their very first holiday line. There are lots of choices (cards with and without pictures, holiday party invites) and I’ve selected my favorites below. They even have newlywed cards! So, take a look and get out your turtlenecks girls, fall is coming, I can feel it.

Inspiration Monday: A Preppy Secret Garden Themed Wedding

I’ve gotten a few e-mails from readers about how to throw a garden (or picnic) themed wedding without losing the pomp and circumstance of a traditional more elegantly themed affair. I think you can strike a perfect combo of preppy, sophisticated, witty and whimsical, you just have to make sure all your choices are well thought out.

Want to see what I mean, take a look at this affair on brides.com. I like the choice of a shorter dress, the influence of gingham and check in the reception décor and the use of natural floral elements mixed with tough fabric like burlap and felt. Also (most importantly) they didn’t theme the food to fit a picnic. Instead, they had a gourmet menu and left their guests with a witty take home dessert - smores!


Need some more inspiration?

Check out this featured wedding photographed by Mallory Mason.

Or this vineyard-inspired outdoor celebration

This cool slideshow from Kenny Pang Photography features a big, antique red truck straight from a J.Crew ad.