4 Years!

I have been married to my wonderful husband for 4 blissful years.  

Here are some of the major {and not so major} milestones of the past 4 years: 

traveling to London just for fun

moving from Boston to DC

starting this calligraphy business and blog

becoming members of our church

developing our own traditions

learning "our" favorite foods - the things we both love

establishing our home, nesting

and now most significantly, carrying our first child, due in January!

Trees on Tables

Now that fall has officially arrived, I have begun to embrace the fanciful decorations that fill table tops and mantles this time of year.  Check out these two options whether it be for your wedding, or simply your autumn dinner party:

{image from Pottery Barn}

While I have never decorated with branches before, this just might have to be the season to give it a shot.  Will you be putting trees on your table top this season?

Wanna Get Away?

...and no I am not talking about a South West Airlines commercial.  I am talking about your wedding photos!  Have you thought about how you will be leaving your ceremony or reception?  Here are some stunners:

Kate and Scott's Fantastic Smooch!

Probably the cutest punch buggy ever! 

Photo by: Tony Hoffer

Transporting your guest by school bus or trolly?  Don't foget the photo op!

Photo by: Joy Moody

Whit and JD's Big Kiss!

Photo by: The Smiths

Don't these pictures make you want to hop in a car and practice kissing?

Just don't forget to ask your photographer to capture the moment!

Make It, FAKE IT, or Buy It: Pottery Barn's Found Oversized Wine Bottles

Hi, Calligraphy by Shannon Blog Readers! I'm Lina, and I'm the co-owner of Square 3 Ventures, a micro-consignment business that focuses on turning one person's trash into another person's treasure. Thanks to Shannon for asking me to guest blog this feature, Make it, Fake It, or Buy It, which fits right in with what S3V does!

For MFB, I will share pretty things from the world wide web that I covet (and usually can't afford) and ways to get them without spending a lot of money. I will detail ways you can make it yourself, fake it with inexpensive materials, or, in a blue moon, buy it at a shop if that makes more sense economically.

First up -- FAKE IT: Pottery Barn's Found Oversized Wine Bottles. As a aficionado of all things glass, when I first saw these bottles, it was a case of love at first sight.


...until I saw the price tag -- $99.00 – $279.00! Goo! I knew I would have to figure out an alternative.

Enter my good friend, Mr. Carlo Rossi.

After using this lovely 4.0L bottle to cook up some delicious sangria, I washed out the the (very) few wine droplets that remained. The trick to removing the label is to soak it in very hot water with dish soap for a few hours. It should then peal off easily. Any residual stickiness can be removed with nail polish remover.

The result? A gorgeous bottle that catches the light beautifully.

You can pair it with 1.5L or 3.0L sized bottles, other items in your collection, rough it up with sandpaper for a more vintage look, or leave it alone. Any combination would make a lovely centerpiece for your table or wedding!

Cost? $9.99 (including the wine)!

What do you think of this centerpiece? Have ideas for this feature? Let us know in the comments section!

Towel Wraps: Personalized Bridesmaid Gifts

Why not give your bridesmaids adorable terry towels as a gift they will wear for primping on the big day as well as continue to wear post nuptials?  These adorable hot pick terry towels, complete with monogram are perfect for your bridesmaids. 

Find a similar look for your bridesmaids:

Initially Yours on Etsy

Sears

So Cute and Cozy

New Friday Feature: Make It, Fake It, or Buy It!

Lina (like Linda without the "d") hails from O-H-I-O originally, where she grew up helping her mom re-arrange furniture and paint rooms for fun. Her favorite day of the month was when the glossy home magazines like Martha Stewart Living slid through the mail slot. Ever since, she has fostered a (mostly healthy) love of design, decor, and DIY. She believes that good design can and should be affordable.

Lina will be writing a feature on the blog called Make It, Fake It, or Buy It every other Friday, where she will select a bauble or craft that caught her eye and discuss how best to add it to your collection. She will catalog ways you can have great looking pieces for your wedding or home by making it yourself from scratch, faking it with inexpensive materials, or, in the rare instance, buying it at a retail store. She will also highlight some of the best crafting, DIY, and wedding sites she finds in her adventures.

Keep an eye out next week for the first installment of our new friday feature!