Unlike leaf tea, Korean tea is liquid, often honey or simple syrup infused with favors like plum, pomegranate, jujube and others.

But I recently figured out a wonderful new use for my Korean Tea that I wanted to share with you: the Korean Tea Latte. This would be a unique, delicious drink for friends or parties as an alternative to coffee or cocoa.

Usually we make our tea (my favorite is pomegranate, while Justin loves plum) by scooping about a tablespoon into a mug and adding hot water. Super simple.

For the latte version, I scoop out about a tablespoon, just like usual. But I add only enough hot water to thin the tea, about a tablespoon or two and stir. I then add a tablespoon of vanilla and stir. Finally, I fill the glass with almond milk (though you can use milk or soymilk).

And when I’m done I have a Pomegranate Vanilla Tea Latte. Sounds and tastes fancy, but it’s super easy to make! You can make this cold or warm depending on whether you heat your milk.

How’d I come up with this?

I tasted something similar in a Caribou Coffee. I loved it and wanted to share it with Justin. But he shouldn’t drink milk or soymilk (food allergies), so I needed to find another way…and I did using almond milk and our Korean tea.

So browse your favorite international supermarkets for Korean tea flavors you like. They can also be bought online. Regular or latte version, Korean teas are delicious.

All the save the dates with the envelopes.

Justin and I want to get much better about sharing the behind the scenes of how we design and make our handmade social stationery.

So to kick things off, here’s what we did last night: Paisley Wrap Around Labels.

After all, nothing says “romantic quality time” like a little late night crafting. I jest, but we really do like making these together!

Sometimes people will simply order the labels to apply to their own envelopes. But in this case they coordinate with matching save the dates, which we happened to have designed at the request of a bride the day before.

I really like these pictures because I feel that if I showed them to you fast enough they might just look like stop-motion animation.

To see product shots of this layered design, visit our Etsy save the date section.

And I should know. I actually sleep under a huge framed poster of a Frida painting every night. To get your Frida on, I present 5 Fridas in different shapes, sizes and moods. Viva Frida:

Adorable Frida

Forget the tortured soul who endured a tragic accident and the many affairs of her husband Mexican painter Diego Rivera. Maybe in happier times Frida Kahlo would sit around reading to an orange tabby. Tascha.etsy.com is full of adorable images of Frida, but this is my absolute favorite.

Sassy Frida

“Yeah, that’s me with a cigarette and bird, what of it,” that’s what this Frida says. And you can keep her defiance close to your heart on a pendant made out of a scrabble tile by SweetBMarie.etsy.com.

Frida in 3D

With flowers in her hair, this Frida is like a Kahlo self portrait come to life, but cuter. I love how Dandelionland.etsy.com has used simple and iconic shapes to make this wooden doll obviously Frida.

Frida to Go

If you like your Frida iconographic and very modern then this might be the Kahlo for you. It’s Frida sans uni-brow and she looks so stately on this bag by BaoStudio.etsy.com.

Make Your Own Frida

These Fridas are great, but maybe you have your own Frida ideas. In that case, there’s the Frida stencil from StencilMeBrightly.etsy.com. So go out and set your inner Frida free. And if you do be sure to share it here.

Here are 5 handmade design ideas for the beach bride, from head to toe, from my fellow Etsy Wedding Team members:

beach hair pins

Think tropical. Tropical flowers, plant life and birds can be an interesting addition to your theme design…and your bridal wear. Here plumeria flowers are the inspiration for these lovely hair pieces.
{handmade by www.heartinhawaii.etsy.com}

pearl tiara

Light and airy. Formal or casual, a beach wedding often has a “less is more” feel. But that doesn’t mean you necessarily have to go without. Just think lighter, and in theme. This pearl hair piece, for instance, gives you the presence of a tiara, just lighter. {handmade by www.Handwired.etsy.com}

pearl necklace

Beyond shells. Mixing shells designs with other beach inspiration, like the water, will give you a fuller wedding design. These freshwater pearls evoke the theme in a subtle way. {handmade by www.WeddingJewels.etsy.com}

shell bouquet

Theme floral. For a fuller theme, look to add tropical flowers or beach elements to your bouquet. Here fabric and shells form a “forever bouquet”, that will last beyond your wedding. {handmade by www.hairbowswonderworld.etsy.com}

beach wedding sandals

Don’t forget your feet. Yes, it can be difficult to get heels on the sand. So if you are looking for sandals, make them beachy with an appropriate accessory like this starfish clip. Another alternative is to go barefoot with beautiful jewel “beach sandals”. {handmade by www.ShellScapes.etsy.com}

This design features our pattern based on a traditional Indian print. We’ve started using our own designs as decorative paper so brides and party hosts can have more freedom on color choices. See more handmade designs in our www.KembaCelebrations.etsy.com shop.

Butterfly wedding motif

Layered panel ceremony program

Natacha Atlas

I love how some artists are able to mix the music of different cultures, times or tones and make something new and beautiful. One of my favorites is Natacha Atlas, who mixes the sounds of North Africa and the Middle East with modern dance beats. And that voice! Wow.

She’s great for background music when you’re entertaining your most interesting group of friends or when you just want to dance around your home (I know I do!). My favorite song of hers is a cover of “I Put a Spell on You”. Brilliant!

Here are some other clips to introduce you to Natacha Atlas.

I love being part of the Etsy wedding team. Usually it’s just because I’m inspired by the wonderful designs and crafts that my fellow team members create for beautiful weddings.

But recently we’ve banded together to donate our items to raise money for Haiti Relief. From now until Feb 12, this Friday, the team has donated items for sale, and not just for weddings. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross. Visit the team shop: www.etsywedteam.etsy.com for more info.

Here are some of my favorite items from the Etsy Wedding Team Haiti Relief shop. Get them before they’re gone…and it’s for a great cause.

One of my favorite designs is an icon/slogan Justin and I developed that means “love makes the world go round”. Behind the icons we’ve translated love into 14 languages for a subtle graphic print. It’s a message that I hope lasts beyond Valentine’s Day.

Card: Love Makes the World Go Round

Here are some of our other designs for Valentine’s Day, using world inspired prints and global style. We’ve designed cards and gifts, from cute to sexy. See the entire Valentine’s Day gift collection here.

I’m still designing, so hopefully, I’ll have more v-day designs with global style to share with you soon!

Today Justin and I are surrounded by beautiful red and gold handmade paisley paper for these layered Indian wedding invitations we are working on for a bride.

Indian Paisley Invitation

And that has gotten me thinking about other Indian wedding design. I love the colors and patterns with Indian design.  So I went looking for more! Here are 10 modern and beautiful Etsy finds for modern Indian weddings or Indian theme celebrations.

Indian print purse

The Clutch. For a modern take on traditional Indian prints, look for a tighter, more geometric pattern with few colors. This purse with Indian print has a very modern, sleek look. {handmade by www.BrianaEdelmanDesigns.etsy.com}

Indian silk ring pillow

The Ceremony. I love wedding items that can live beyond your wedding day. And I can see this ring pillow at home on a sofa or a favorite chair as a reminder of the day you got married. {handmade by www.karenyee.etsy.com}

Gold necklace

The Jewelry. Gold jewelry is an important part of traditional Indian bridal wear.  For brides who aren’t going to don the full traditional jewelry, a necklace like this, with an intricate gold pendant can be a modern and elegant choice. {handmade by www.eluniaBride.etsy.com}

Indian lotus save the date

The Stationery. For a cohesive wedding design, announce your theme or style as early as possible…starting with the save the dates. This is actually a new layered Indian wedding suite design of ours. It’s inspired by Indian architecture and the lotus, which we’ve turned into a custom pattern.
{handmade by www.KembaCelebrations.etsy.com}

custom wedding flutes

The Toast. Again, these champagne flutes with Indian pattern are a keeper from your wedding day. Great for re-toasts on your anniversary or special holidays. {handmade by www.Laserbird.etsy.com}

Indian cake topper

The Cake Topper. For weddings blending traditional Indian and American ceremony elements, an Indian couple cake topper can bring the styles together. {handmade by www.weddingcollectibles.etsy.com}

Paisley guest book

The Guestbook. The rich deep purple of this custom bound this guestbook is stunning. A beautiful keepsake for a lush, vibrant wedding. {handmade by www.EmersonBindery.etsy.com}

Sari favor magnets

Magnet Favors. How clever. These favor magnets made from Indian patterned fabric are a beautiful way to keep Indian design alive in the home of your guests. {handmade by www.tweedylane.etsy.com}

Mehndi favor bookmarks

Bookmark Favors. For style your guests can take with them, these mehndi patterned bookmarks are cute favors.
{handmade by www.tuccipaperco.etsy.com}

handmade Indian style card

The Thank You. How beautiful are these? As thank you cards, these are almost a second favor for your guests, some of whom just might frame them. {handmade by www.withanindiantouch.etsy.com}

For more Indian design inspiration, check out these pictures.

Seashell and Seahorse Beach Invitation

Beach wedding planning season must be on. And so to help narrow down the many choices out there, here are 10 of my favorite handmade designs for beach weddings found on Etsy.

Beach theme save the date bookmarks

Save the Date. Not only does this save the date announce your theme early on, it’s a bookmark your guests can use again and again…maybe while relaxing on the beach with a good book. {handmade by www.SunshineandRavioli.etsy.com}

Wedding dress shrug

Dress Up the Dress. Beach wedding gowns are often light and airy. But if you want to add a little more va-voom…and still be able to walk easily on sand, this glamorous shrug could be your answer. {handmade by www.Countessa.etsy.com}

Handmade beach wedding signs

The Signage. Handmade custom signs point your guests in the right direction, in a fun personal way. {handmade by www.Funkifolkart.etsy.com}

Shell aisle decoration

The Aisle Decor. These shell balls are a beachy alternative to floral balls for the back of chairs lining the aisle. {handmade by www.magartsypartycrafts.etsy.com}

Handmade beach starfish guest book

The Guest Book. This map covered handmade guest book is a real heirloom piece, not just because of the guests’ words within. But also because of the hand bookbinding work, including coptic stitching.
{handmade by www.OliveArt.etsy.com}

Anchor wedding place cards

The Placecards. Anchors are a nautical alternative to shells and starfish for beach weddings. And these are very unique, very fun placecards. {handmade by www.TimelessPaper.etsy.com}

Starfish place card holders

The Placeholders. Real makes an impact. So as much as you can include real shells, starfish, anchors, etc. to your wedding decor, the more you immerse your guests in your theme. {handmade by www.seasidedesigns.etsy.com}

Handmade shell cake cutting set

The Cake Cutting. The cake cutting is often the signature event of the wedding (after the “I dos” of course!). Beach it up with elegant shell covered cake servers that become a memento of your special day.
{handmade by www.Beadz2Pleaz.etsy.com}

Fish glass sculpture

The Centerpiece. Wow. Forget ice-sculpture, this glass fish inspired centerpiece is elegant eye-candy you can keep. And can I say it again…wow! {handmade by www.ConfectionsInGlass.etsy.com}

Starfish favor tags

The Takeaway. Clean, friendly design makes these favor tags appropriate for a variety of beach weddings, from casual to elegant. {handmade by www.maidavale.etsy.com}

For more ideas for beach theme weddings and parties see this three-part celebrations guide on Polynesian-style beach designs.