Luna and Chloe Weddings

On the Table: Red, White + Wood

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:13:00 +0000

Hi there lovelies! How is your Wednesday going? Mine is just peachy really ;-) I know I still have a lot of explaining to do, but I just don't have the time right now to do so...and you just might not want to hear all that I have to say. So while I still contemplate explaining my disappearance for almost two months, I thought I would still pop in and leave you with some lovely inspiration!

I know we are in the midst of Winter...hello highs of 52...and everyone is looking forward to Spring, but when I saw these pictures, I just couldn't help but think how fabulous Fall really is...

Here's a closer look at those table names...

Eeks - fabulously rustic and Fall. Here are a couple more details for you to devour...

I gotta tell you that I am loving all of this, aren't you? And the leaves on the floor are one of those details that sends me over the moon ;-)

~ Ciao

...photography by nikki meyer via the pretty blog

It's Friday...And I'm Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:50:00 +0000

I know, I know...I have a lot of explaining to do! But that will just have to wait until Monday ;-) As today I wanted to ease back into blogging and end the week on a positive, if not bright, note. And...

my loves - so let's celebrate with some flowers...

Here's to a bright new year, and future for LCW! Happy Friday lovelies...I super sure did miss you.

~ Ciao
...images via hello hello design on tumblr & 3.bp.blogspot

Technical Difficulties

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 04:50:00 +0000

PLEASE STAY TUNED!

Fantasy Friday: Mint & Coral

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:46:00 +0000

Happy Friday lovelies! So happy the weekend is here. Here's a little glimpse into what I have been dreaming about this week ;-)

An affair where bridesmaids are dressed like this...

And tables are adorned with this...

Oh so pretty dreams, no?

~ Ciao

...photography by from me to you & image via going to the chapel

Handcrafted: DIY Fabric Feathers

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:42:00 +0000

Happy Thursday my dears! Please forgive my absence yesterday - I was working on a couple big projects that NEEDED to get done. And I still have a couple more projects that need to be finished...one big, but super duper special one that I am mailing to my sisay for my niece's birthday party in December ;-)

So while I off crafting and playing catch up, I thought I would pop in and share with you, in case you missed it, this fabulous DIY by Ez of Creature Comforts that was featured on 100 Layer Cake a couple months back...

What I love about this is that there are three ways to make these lovely feathers! And since I have been on such a bow and arrow kick lately...feathers just seem fitting, do they not? Not to mention that I think there was a week a couple months back that I posted feathers all week long ;-)

Anyhoo, I see soooo many ways in which to use these lovelies. Yes, you can use them as bouts, in your hair or adorning napkins, but they would also be fun to use on an escort table, and on a bigger scale as table markers, or even a table runner...you get the idea ;-)

Have fun feathering your nest, table, hair, etc...my dears!

~ Ciao

...photography by creature comforts via 100 layer cake

Tuesday Thought: Arrow Escorts

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:29:00 +0000

Good morning darlings! How is your Tuesday morning going for you? Wonderful I hope ;-)

Well I am back this Tuesday with another thought for you. I have been finding myself drawn to arrows and feathers a lot lately. So when I ran across these arrows...

...and found out they were a DIY - I knew it was time that I did an arrow post!

So here is your 'Tuesday Thought' darlings: Use these arrows as escort cards for a fabulous desert themed affair. Since they are a DIY using fabric scraps, washi tape, and paint amongst other items, you can customize them anyway that you like. And to turn them into escort cards, just add a tag. Also, you could have each table be a different arrow style/pattern/color. Then on the tables you could have two arrows forming an X, and attach them to a table runner that hangs over the edge of the table! Would be wonderful, no?

And you know me...I would take it a step further, and add a feather or two onto place cards. Also, I might tie the napkins with some suede shoelaces...you get the idea ;-)

If you would like to make your own you, Modern Kiddo featured a guest post by Thompson Family Blog their blog with a step-by-step how to. You can get it right HERE.

Happy DIYing darlings!

~ Ciao

...image via modern kiddo

Flowers of the Week: 11.14.11

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:01:00 +0000

Happy Monday to you loves! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend ;-)

So here is some oh so pretty flowers to start off your week...

I am adoring this centerpiece. I love the square wooden box, and I love that it's filled with what looks like freshly picked wildflowers...all topped off with a succulent. Gorgeous, no?

Hope these brighten your week...and if not your week, at least your Monday ;-)

~ Ciao

...photography by amy and stuart via style me pretty

Fantasy Friday: My Wish List

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:43:00 +0000

Hiya lovelies! Happy Friday to you. I am so tickled that Friday has finally arrived - after having to go to the doctor...yep, I finally did, and being put on antibiotics and told to TAKE IT EASY (which I have been doing...from bed...hence all the pinning that I have still been doing) I am looking forward to this weekend.

This weekend is my cousin Cass' 70's inspired birthday party on Saturday. And any party that Cass is involved in is guaranteed to be a good time. I offered up my disco ball for the event...and I hear that we get to learn the hustle under it - see told you good times ;-) While I will most definitely make it to the party, partying will most likely not be happening from me ;-( I guess I can go home early with Aunt Millie and play some cards, then it will be off to bed...and if I am really lucky I will be able to sleep til noon!

Anyhoo, after last week's 'Fantasy Friday' I have a whole list of things for this week...and they are all things that I would love to have...but funny enough, as I can always spin things, they would work for weddings too...I'll just tell you how - HA! So let's get on with it, and start with that dress I featured last Friday. The more and more I looked at it, the more and more I loved it ;-) And in my searches I just happened to come across a top that made me do a double take. Here, have a look-see for yourselves lovelies...

I would so wear this Madewell top for a bridal luncheon, shower, or paired with a skirt or sleek cream slacks it would be perfect for a rehearsal dinner too. And after all the wedding events, it would always look darling with cutoff shorts and sandals for summer and of course, jeans and heels. Oh and the top is on sale right now too ;-) You can get it right HERE!

Moving right along...I still have gold on my brain. So when I ran across this bottle opener (which I am in desperate need of one that actually works), it was love at first sight...

It's sleek, simple stylish and works - what more could you ask for? Plus, I think it would make an awesome gift for the groomsmen, don't you?

And speaking of gold, I still am in LOVE with this Rag & Bone knitted metallic sweater...

It just looks like the perfect layering piece...with a bit of glam ;-) However, I think simple dresses for the bridesmaids would look lovely with this sweater thrown over as the night cools! Add a brown belt to tuck the sweater into a bit and your girls would be good to go. Need a visual on the look I am describing, then have a look-see at THIS.

I also fell in love with Kate Spade's gold hedgehog coin purse...

Quirky - absolutely ;-) Kinda like me...that's probably why I love it. Yet, the gold glams it up a big...and I love a bit of glam. And I think it would be a fun gift for your event designer (if you decide on giving them a gift), like me...hehe!

Finally, these crown hairpins from Dariami on Etsy are just DARLING...

And while they are on my wish list, I really would love them sitting on my dresser, even if I never wear them, as a reminder that we all deserve to wear crowns, no? However, they would be fabulous for the flower girl to wear ;-)

Wow, I think I could really get used to a weekly wish list post. Hmm, I think I will start doing it on Luna and Chloe Style - my long lost all things non-wedding related blog (interior design, fashion, etc...)...which I have been missing posting on...just another thing to add to my list!

Anyhoo lovelies - Happy Friday and wishing you a wonderful weekend! Hope you enjoyed your week, and thanks for indulging me in my wish list ;-)

~ Ciao

...images via rue magazine with photography by jose villa, madewell, muhs home, net-a-porter, kate spade & dariami on etsy

Handcrafted: Infinity Bracelet

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:37:00 +0000

I am loving this handcrafted infinity bracelet by Mesa Blue on Etsy...

They would make fabulous gifts for the girls, don't you think? I love that you are able to choose from a variety of colors (black, green, violet, blue, turquoise, white, etc...) for the leather straps, and either gold or silver for the infinity. So lots of choices means something for everyone ;-) Oh and each bracelet is custom made...so different sizes are not a problem!

~ Ciao

...image via mesa blue

Who Says

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:00:00 +0000

...you can't have bonsai as centerpieces?

I think this would be such a wonderful idea! I would keep the rest of your table decor simple with clean lines, and you're good to go. And you could even go bigger if you'd like...

Oh yes, one of those on each table would definitely make a statement! But I can so picture it...there is the perfect spot here in Northern Cal that this would be amazing at...they even have a pond with Koi...goodness, I just can't think of the name...hmmm I'll follow up if I remember ;-)

Just keep in mind lovelies, that if you go the bigger route that it doesn't block the view across the table. Yet, I think the ones above would would perfectly, no?

And while I prefer the maple bonsai, because they are a bit softer, any type of bonsai would work ;-)

~ Ciao

...via riazzoli & bonsai plants guide

Aisle Style: Simple Benches & Spools

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 08:01:00 +0000

Good morning loves! You know how I love different, right? Well when I came across this aisle style on the super talented Jeni's blog, The Found Blog, I fell head over heels in love with it. Have a look-see at this sweetness...

It's just so simple and lovely - just look at those hills! Sometimes things get over done, however, this is just perfect. Slim benches with a darling detail...

Large vintage industrial spools painted pretty shades...

The softest pinky-purpley blooms and yarn...

And delicate foliage in lace pots, kept safe within some vintage baskets...

You bet your buttons I L-O-V-E it all!

~ Ciao

...photography by jose villa via the found blog

Tuesday Thought: Drawer Liners

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Good day loves ;-) You know the old saying: "when it rains, it pours?" Well it is POURING in my neck of the woods...and I'm not talking rain either! Well not yet at least...that's supposed to start on Thursday this week. I must say that I would take pouring rain down over this type of pouring anyday! But all that has to wait unitl I get my window fixed in my car ;-( Yes, after just a couple weeks ago spending almost $1500 to get my car fixed, I now have to dump another...at least $450 because my driver side window won't go up! Of course this doesn't happen in the Summer...nope, it happens when I have to drive to work in 50 degree temperatures. Oh and yes, it is stuck all the way down. And yes, I have to get it fixed as it's supposed to start raining on Thursday.  So you see, I still have a day job...gasp - I don't think I have ever mentioned that before...which with two postings daily here, one posting on OTMVR's blog (which I haven't posted there in over a week - bad Kristi), a vintage rental businesses, two Etsy businesses and an event planning business...you can see how it's P-O-U-R-I-N-G in my neck of the woods right now.

So hang tight with me loves as my posting has been a bit off for the last two weeks...I have soooo much going on right now I can't see straight...including a possible MOVE!  We, being me and LCW, are not going anywhere...we are just ironing out some kinks and fixing up the car ;-) So stay with me please as the next week or two might be a bit sporadic in posting...I promise I will be back to normal by the first of December!

And while I didn't get a Tuesday Shoesday post done today, I did do my 'Thought Thought' post.  Here was my inspiration this week...

Gold chevron drawer liners ;-) Oh how I would LOVE to line my drawers with these! And as always it got me thinking. These liners are too pretty to go inside a drawer...hmmm.

So here is your 'Tuesday Thought' loves: Use these drawer liners as decor for your tables! Can't you just picture a glam event with these running the lengths of the tables? And it doesn't even have to cover the entire table...just a couple on a long rectangular table would be fabulous.

It's so perfect for a bridal shower, bridesmaids luncheon, or just about any other party. And another 'Thought' for you...is you could possibly use them for place mats for a smaller affair! Hey, if I can use wallpaper (and lots of other different things) as place mats and table runners...then I can most certainly use drawer liners...hehe ;-)

You can get your own fabulous golden chevron drawer liners right HERE.

~ Ciao

...image via hammocks & high tea

Flowers of the Week: 11.7.11

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:43:00 +0000

Good morning darlings! Even though today is the 7th of November, it is the first Monday in November...which just seems weird to me for some unknown reason. Another thing that's weird is it getting dark at 5:30 p.m.! The extra hour of sleep last night I was TOTALLY fine with ;-)...but getting dark an hour earlier - NOT okay! Am I the only one that feels this way? Please tell me no.

And while I am in the mood for some oh so pretty flowers today - neither bright colors nor soft colors are doing it for me on this first Monday in November. However, these, these are...

Love, love, love! This is just the right amount of pretty for me today. Add to that the rustic feel of the bouquet, and a hint of glam from the brooch, and I think I just found the PERFECT bouquet to start November off with...wouldn't you agree?

Hmm, yes this is exactly how I like to start my Monday's - with pretty! Tell me darlings - how do you like to start your Monday's?

~ Ciao

...images via a savvy event

Fantasy Friday: A Fashionable Fete

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:08:00 +0000

Good morning darlings. Happy Friday!

I was thinking the other day, while watching football, about something new and fun that I could bring to my blog - and it dawned on me...if boys (and girls too) can have 'Fantasy Football' - then I, you, me, we can most definitely have 'Fantasy Friday' - hehe ;-) Don't you just love how I can rationalize that? I am told I am pretty good, quite possibly a master, at it...at least when it comes to rationalizing with men. However, I think most woman are, are we not? A master that is. Not that I have to rationalize anything here...but in case you're wondering - that's just how 'Fantasy Friday' came about.

Anyhoo, what is 'Fantasy Friday' you ask...well it can be anything that I am fantasizing about. But I want you to play along with me - and tell me what you have been fantasizing about this week. Maybe I should clarify that - fantasies about weddings, fashion, food, shoes, flowers, baubles, stationery, beauty, style, etc... Here is mine for this week...

A fashionable fete in white and gold. I am LOVING white and gold these days. Seriously, LOVING it ;-) In my fantasy I would create a fete with an all white and gold palette with some stunning details that are, of course, a bit different - like the detail on the dress. So I would use the Tiffany pill box as a ring holder. Don't you think it would make the most PERFECT ring holder ever? The centerpieces on long tables would be a variety of all white flowers, with smaller vases filled with just one type of flower. And I would use the mirrored tray to hold a fabulously tall three tiered white cake. It would be stunning, no? Just thought I would share a couple of things I have been fantasizing about this week.

So tell me darlings - what have you fantasizing about this week?

~ Ciao

...dress photography by jose villa via rue magazine, gold tiffany pill box via 1stdibs, flowers via bing & cinchwaist iron/mirror tray via interior homescapes

Inspired By: A Print

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:46:00 +0000

Hiya lovelies! I am running way behind today...so sorry ;-) But I do want to try and get this post and my Handcrafted post that I have up before the end of the day today...I will try my best!

It's been a bit since my last 'Inspired By' post...so I figured it was about time I did one. So here goes ;-) I think this cake...

Was inspired by this print...

Wouldn't you agree? Hehe.

I know, I know...I just posted this print yesterday with a color palette...but I gotta tell you lovelies - ALL WEEK LONG I have been seeing this color palette...from cakes to feathers and everything in between. I was trying really hard not to post anything in this color palette again this week, but when I remembered that fabulous cake...I just couldn't help myself. So forgive the duplicate print post...but it is just such a perfect match for that cake I HAD too post it again!

Okay, off to get some more work done...and hopefully my Handcrafted post ;-) Hope you're having a fabulous day!

~ Ciao

...images via martha stewart and sunday in bed via look o on flickr

Who Says

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

...you can't use a lighted mirrored garland as a backdrop?

Whether for the ceremony, behind the head table or the dessert table, a photo booth, as an escort area (kind of like the idea in my Tuesday Thought I posted yesterday) or just as decor...this would add the perfect amount of SPARKLE to your big day! All you need is mirror garlands and one (or more depending on how big you make it) white light strands to make your own ;-) Or go right HERE for a step by step how to.

Now go get your sparkle on!

P.S. - Ooh, I gotta say...I would love this idea with my earlier Picture Perfect Palette today. A winter wedding with a gorgeous, but unexpected, palette with lots of spakrle...now that's my kind of affair ;-)

~ Ciao

...images via apartment therapy

Picture Perfect Palette: A Painting

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:47:00 +0000

Good morning dearest darlings ;-) How about we start today off with a lovely palette? Yes. Fabulous. Then have a look-see at this 'Picture Perfect Palette'...

Gorgeous! A smashing palette for Spring and Summer. But I can't help but think that it would make a wonderful palette for a Winter wedding ;-) I know, not your typical Winter palette, however, it sure could be fun, no?

~ Ciao

...image via sunday in bed via look o on flickr

Tuesday Thought: Light it Up

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Hey sweet peas! It's Tuesday...which means it's time for another 'Tuesday Thought.' I love doing this post. For me, sometimes it's like finding a needle in a haystack...100's of pictures later, I find the one that triggers a thought ;-) Well honestly, they all trigger thoughts...but I'm always on the lookout for one that would work for weddings and events (even though I usually can make them all work...hehe), can be something that you yourselves can recreate and of course, most importantly, is a bit different!

So here is the picture that triggered thoughts to swirl and twirl inside my head...

How simply spectacular are the globe lights with pictures, notes and bits and pieces? LOVE it ;-)

So here is a simple thought for today sweet peas: While you can always use globe lights to hang pictures from at your wedding, I think this would make a FABULOUS escort area for an evening wedding! Talk about a winter wonderland come to life...string up globe lights, or twinkling ones if you'd like, and clip your escort cards right on! I might add little sprigs of greenery here and there too.

You could even take it up a notch by using glittered clothespins (like the ones I make here...nice plug, no?) so they sparkle and shine. Oh and if your looking for globe lights, well I have those too...in clear and frosted ;-)

Granted, these globe lights are fantastic outside too...so all the Spring and Summer garden, winery, beach, ranch, barn, etc...weddings would all work perfectly as well. And you can always change out the style of clips to fit your theme/setting.

Also, I think having your guests clip on notes for the two of you...to help your love shine...would be cute too!

What do you think sweet peas? A good thought?

~ Ciao

...image via birch and little

Tuesday Shoesday #47: Glitter Everywhere

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 07:01:00 +0000

Happy first day of November darlings! So tell me - did you have a happy Halloween? Mine was quite nice...mellow with a handful of trick or treaters, and one of the cutest little firemen I ever did see ;-)

Anyhoo, now that Halloween has passed I can start thinking glitter,sparkle and shine as the holidays approach. And I can't help but love these Hunter Glitter Wellington Boots...

And I would love to be wearing them while eating this fabulous glitter cake by desserts for breakfast...

A match made in glitter heaven, no? I think I just might need those wellies as it's supposed to rain here on Friday...hey, need to keep my tooties dry ;-)

Ah yes, this is just what I needed to get me in the mood to start thinking about the holidays. Glitter on girls!

Be sure to check out these lovely blogs for more Tuesday Shoesday goodness:

~ Postcards & Pretties ~ Brancoprata ~ Life in the Superburbs ~ Magnolia Rouge ~ Landlocked Bride ~ The Demosielle ~ Swatchbook Weddings ~ A Realistic Wedding ~ Merci New York ~

~ Ciao

...image via net-a-porter & desserts for breakfast

LCW Style: Halloween Inspired

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:08:00 +0000

Hi there lovelies! Continuing on with all things Halloween...I couldn't help but think that this dress would be PERFECT for Halloween...

Oh yes, love the dark side...hehe. And you know what, black or not, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this dress especially the neckline! And I LOVE it that much that it just made itself onto my all time fave list ;-)

P.S. - How perfect is it with the flowers I posted earlier?

~ Ciao

...images via onewed

Flowers of the Week: 10.31.11

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:01:00 +0000

HAPPY HALLOWEEN my little darlings!

Of course, since today is Halloween, I just couldn't resist going to the dark side for this week's 'Flowers of the Week'...so have a look-see at this arrangement...

Perfect for today, no? Wishing you a wonderful Halloween darlings. I hope it's filled with lots of treats ;-)

~ Ciao

...image via eddie ross

Handcrafted: Stumped

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:30:00 +0000

Hi there darlings! It's funny that I am struggling a bit here with posting today. I know I have been pinning away like CRAZY, but I have nothing! NOTHING...and I keep sitting here trying to figure out what to do about it. Maybe I'm on idea overload, or maybe my ideas have flown the coop - but whatever it is...I don't really like it ;-( Does this ever happen to you?

And as I was sitting here totally stumped about what to post...the idea hit me - I will post about stumps! Yes, that's it, and I just pinned it a little bit ago. And I kid you not...that is exactly how it played out...funny how that works sometimes, no? Anyhoo, I pinned it not with this post in mind have you, but just cause I knew I liked it. So here my darlings is your 'Handcrafted' with a 'Tuesday Thought' thrown in post for today...

Fun, no? And as you can see in the first picture - your venue or home, if you like, does not have to be rustic. I think these would be FANTASTIC in a loft area ceremony...marking each aisle. Just paint the tops silver or gold for a more glam look...and you can sprinkle some silver or gold sequins to line the aisle as well. No need for flowers with all that fabulousness ;-)

But if you did use them for a more rustic setting - then mason jars filled with flowers on top would be the cat's meow! Yes, I just said cat's meow...love that saying...HA. However, you know I would LOVE to use them as fun seating at a casual outdoor affair too.

And since I am now on a roll...that's just what happens darlings...how about using smaller or shorter stumps as table markers...paint each one a different color for each table. Then you could have branches cut into coaster size pieces, paint them to match the color of the table that the guest is to sit at and have the guests names written on them!

Even patterns for a more modern affair would be fun - chevron, check, quatrefoil (love that one) would be oh so FUN! And if they were in gold and silver - so naturally glam. Just keep in mind that for a more modern look clean edges of the coasters and stumps (like pictured above) would be best. So you would want remove the bark darlings to achieve the look. But I am sure you knew that ;-)

Learn how to make your own right HERE. Thanks Martha for the inspiration!

~ Ciao

...image via martha stewart

Who Says

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:00:00 +0000

...you can't use fabric filled embroidery hoops as your ceremony backdrop?

I L-O-V-E this idea! I really, really do ;-) And even if you don't want to use this idea for your ceremony, it would be fabulous just as decor or even for a photo booth.

~ Ciao

...image via purl bee

Perfectly Presented: Cake Table

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:42:00 +0000

Good morning darlings! How are you this fine Wednesday morning? Well, I hope.

Goodness, it has been a while since I have done a 'Perfectly Presented' post. However, I cannot tell you how over the moon I am about this cake table presentation...

It is just perfection, no? Well you know how I feel about the vintage industrial sized wooden spool...AH.MAZ.ING in case you didn't...but the burlap is fabulous too. I love how it's wrapped around the middle of the spool. Plus the burlap on top with the ruffle, and the burlap covered potted plants, the two arrangements in vases, and the flowers on the top are all just so perfecly pretty to me. And just so you know, I am dying to add one of these to Over The Moon Vintage Rentals collection!

Don't you love it when you run across an image that makes you catch your breath? This one did just that for me ;-) Hopefully it did it for you too!

~ Ciao

...photography by matthew morgan via the wedding chicks

Tuesday Thought: If The Bride Likes To Cook

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 17:18:00 +0000

Happy Tuesday dears! Question for you? Do you ever have an idea that you hold onto for a while...not quite ready to share with anyone, yet alone everyone? I do ;-)   However, it seems that sooner or later I always end up sharing them with you! Yet, this idea I have held onto for 12 + years.

You see, I LOVE to cook. I don't cook very often anymore and I am pretty sure that I lost my touch now...however, at one point I was a very good cook, or so I like to think. At my bridal shower years and years ago - I received a cookbook from Aunt Millie as a gift. Yet, there was a super special part - and that was I was living in the Chicago area at the time, and she was living here, in California. She had mailed my gift to my soon to be mother-in-law's house to have her bring to the shower. So you could only imagine my amazement when I unwrapped a gift from her, as she wasn't even there.  I cried when I opened it! It was sooo special to me, especially since my Grandma had passed away years before. The cookbook she sent me was The Joy of Cooking and had a lovely little note inside the front cover. It was at that moment that I thought a cookbook shower would be so fabulous!

I know long story, but not too long ;-)  But I felt I had to share so you knew where my thought came from... because when I ran across these two pictures, it brought back all the memories...

And figured that now was the perfect time to share my long held thought ;-)

So I have a couple Tuesday Thoughts for you! The first being for a BRIDAL SHOWER (my original thought) - why not host a cookbook shower for the Bride (or Bride and Groom even). Have each guest bring a cookbook (you can have them e-mail you the name, so there is no duplication), with their favorite recipe bookmarked in the book and an short note on the inside cover! You can deorate the tables, as above, with a couple of the cookbooks the hosts are giving. And you can have other cooking utensils or items than the rolling pins...even though I heart the rolling pins ;-) It would be cute to do a variety of cooking utensils on the table - a whisk, a wooden spoon, etc... Not too many, just like above is perfect I think.

My second and final thought is for a WEDDING - instead of table numbers have each table be a different cookbook ;-) I LOVE this idea. Then as a favor you can copy a recipe from each book, bind all the recipes together, and give it away as a favor ;-) I think I would attach a little wooden spoon and some cooking string to the small bound book too!

I know I have talked about recipes and possibly even cookbooks before, however, I don't think I have shared these ideas with you. Can't you imagine (if you like to cook) getting bunches of cookbooks with a note in each one with favorite recipes in the book, words of cooking advice, or even thoughts on the recipe for a good marriage.

I have always beleived that cooking together and eating meals together is an important part in a relationship. It's a chance to work as a team, and then sit down together and actually talk to one another. It is ONE of the biggest things I miss being single...along with being the little spoon and kisses on the top of my head...but you don't really need to hear that ;-) And if you don't cook...then just enjoy your takeout together...hehe....cause there are definitely days we did that too!

Just my thoughts for you on this Tuesday my dears. See you tomorrow.

~ Ciao

...images via my tartelette