{shopping for a pair of prints}

This past weekend, we worked on getting all the art up on to our walls (including the indecision I was having over the Slim Aarons prints here).  Even though some of our art doesn't have a space and will go into storage for the next couple years, we also need to purchase a few new pieces.  The biggest space I'm shopping for right now is behind our sofa.  We will be using this sofa table again and directly behind it is an eyesore in the form of a metal grate that covers an air conditioning unit.  I decided to cover it with two large layered frames and now have begun to shop for two prints or photographs that would work well next to each other.  Here's some pairings that are currently inspiring me:

1. Abstract Anthropometrie Print & Stephanie Vovas piece

2. Floral plotter print from Debbie Carlos & Peony No. 3240

3. Abstract Test Case Print & California Beach Photo

Which pair do you prefer?  Do you have a great resource for inexpensive but large art prints or photos?  

{2nd anniversary art}

We will be celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary next week and in keeping with the tradition we started last year we started searching around for another piece of art to add to our collection.   We chose to go with a large photo print from our wedding day for our first anniversary which you can see see right here.  This year, I came across these amazing palm leaf watercolor prints from The Aestate and thought one of them could be perfect!  The more I tried to decide which of the four variations of the Beverly print series was the best the more it occurred to me that it could be amazing to grab up three of them to create a sort of large triptych piece.  I also briefly entertained the idea of having them print us one extra large one like this, but the custom framing cost behind something that large is atrocious (over $600!!!).  We picked up white frames for these from Ikea and depending where we move to we could always switch them out for the walnut finish frame or even paint them!

{etsy faves}

After my unsuccessful trip the beautiful Paris flea markets, I consoled myself with a little trip down the black hole of Etsy shopping.  Since I found about 100 things I want to purchase immediately on Etsy, I thought it might be fun to round up some of my faves that are actually affordable (not to mention purchase-able from the US!).  I'll take one of each please...

1. Black & White woven hammock  $89

2. Pair of Brass Pineapple Urns $189

3. Brass pocket change tray $25

4. Pair of Swan Vases $68

5. Peony Print $50

6. 10 yards of navy Ikat fabric $86

7. Vintage highball caddy set $89

8. Black leather miniaudiere $90

9. 36" by 48" Floral Poster $50

10. Infinity Handle coffee mug $39

{jeff+katie's wedding paper goods}

As you might have seen on instagram last month, we travelled back to Southern California to celebrate the wedding of two of our very good friends, Jeff and Katie.  The event was absolutely beautiful and one of the most fun weekends I have ever had.  The couple was married at one of the most lush southern california venues called Rancho Las Lomas in Silverado Canyon.  Besides being a massive estate with a gorgeous area for the ceremony/reception, there is also a menagerie of zoo animals on the property including tigers and zebras!!

Katie asked myself and fellow bridesmaid, Kay, to help out with creating the menus and programs for the event which we were more than happy to do (and by happy I mean ecstatic- we all know how much I obsess over paper goods!).  We drew inspiration from the color of the bridesmaid's dresses and went with a simple design that showcased white text against the saturated blush/coral backdrop.  And then we of course had them printed at the best kept secret in downtown LA.

Here are a few snapshots of the menus and programs in action on the big day (you can see even more of the lovely photos from this day on their wedding photographer Cean One's blog right here):

 {programs on the ceremony chairs and amazing florals by Chelsea of Hello Gem- the same talented lady who did my own wedding flowers}

{custom beer escort cards/favors plus a little sign you might recognize from here and the 

menus at each dinner place setting}

Congrats Jeff & Katie!

{event images via Cean One Photography, all the rest taken by Mint Love Social Club}

{terra's mint+ fuchsia bridal shower invite}

Next weekend, my girlfriend Terra will be having her bridal shower in Southern California.  Her aunts graciously offered to throw her shower, but I couldn't help forcing myself into the paper goods situation by offering to do the invites.  Terra gave me the freedom to do what I wanted with the invites- her only request being that I use some pink since she wont be incorporating the color too much into their upcoming summer wedding. 

Sometimes it is much more difficult to focus in on a design when someone gives you carte blanche rather than being overly specific about they want, but luckily I stumbled upon this fabulous fuchsia zebra paper from Paper Source which served as the inspiration for the entire invite as well as the envelope lining.  

I absolutely love a double sided invite that leaves a little mystery when the guest first pulls out the invite from the envelope so I kept the front of the invite ambiguous with a simple "you're invited" placed upon a minty striped background.  Using the bright fuchsia as the color for all the text, I decided to keep the main information on the back of the invite simple with a fun mix of Luella font and Reina font on a plain white background.   I tied all the colors together by printing the guest's addresses in fuchsia and the host's return address in mint on the envelope flap. 

I am so happy with how these turned out- especially the unexpected zebra paper!  I love that they still feel girly and fun, but really capture a less traditional feel for a bridal shower invite. 

If you are looking for custom paper goods design, you can contact me through my etsy shop to get some pink zebra action for yourself!

{gold confetti invitations}

One of the most visited posts on this blog is the DIY gold confetti artwork that I posted over a year & half ago! Inspired by that popular post, I have added these new gold foil confetti invitations to my Etsy shop.  I'm pretty much in love with everything these invitations have going on.  With a little bit of sparkle, some confetti and a pretty script font what's not to like?!  The photos show them used as a wedding save the date, but the design really works well for almost any event like a birthday or bridal shower! 

Check out the new listing here!

{glitter banners in the etsy shop}

After getting multiple requests to sell the gold glitter Happy Birthday Banner from this post, I decided to add a few for sale in my Etsy shop.  

See the selection of phrases in the Etsy shop right here 

Here are a few of my personal favorites!

 {cheers banner}

 {cocktails banner}

{mr. & mrs. banner}

{etsy shop: custom thank you cards}

Now that we are in the home stretch of getting settled into our new place, I decided it was time to start putting up some new listings in my Etsy Shop.  I have just added two new items to the paper goods secton of my shop; each are of 10 pack sets of Thank You cards that include pointed flap envelopes custom printed with your return address.

I originally used "heart banner" design to be sent out after my bridal shower (which is why you see my maiden name on the return).  Even though the cards are printed in black on kraft paper, I tried to keep this design a little girly with the hearts on the notecard and the return address. Purchase the heart banner set here. 

I created the "arrow" design by using an arrow element from our wedding programs to be used as our wedding thank you notes.  Since these notes were coming from both Chris and myself, I tried to keep the design very modern and simple. The "ampersand" return address is a modfied version of the return address from our wedding invites.  Purchase the arrow thank you set here.

As with all the items in my shop, I am able to fully customize the text/wording, font, design, etc so feel free to contact me if you are looking for something a little different!

{diy bridesmaid's hangers}

 {image via Cherry Blossom Girl}

One of my favorite pictures from weddings are the ones of the bridesmaid's and bride's dresses hanging all lined up (like the gorgeous image above from MLH).  I recently spotted a great deal on a set of vintage gold hangers on Etsy and I immediately knew what they would perfect for (similar hangers available here).  Rather than use whatever hangers are lying around on the day of the wedding, I decided to take a few minutes and make some more photogenic hangers.

I picked up two different colors/sizes of lace from Target Trim and then whipped up a little girly graphic which I personalized for each bridesmaid and printed onto a plain white cardstock.   After cutting out each graphic, I affixed it to the lace with a small dab of hot glue.  If you would like a copy of the graphic I used email me and I will send you a file that you can personalize yourself. 
 

{thanksgiving ideas}

I am pretty much an equal opportunity lover of all holidays, but Thanksgiving definitely ranks up near the top.  I always love how its more of a casual and cozy holiday without the pressure of gifts or costumes.  With Thanksgiving only a week away, I started searching around for some fun ideas to use this year....

These napkins are available on Etsy, but could be a really easy and fun DIY project for this coming weekend.  Plus, they arent Thanksgiving specific so we could get use out of them year round!

Although its a little late this year to send out invites to Thanksgiving, I think it would fun to save this idea for next years get together.  Even though most people already know they are invited to Thanksgiving, it is still fun to receive a physical invite in the mail.  These postcard invites are also available on Etsy.

Chris and I are always put in charge of the cocktails for Thanksgiving, last year we made up a big batches of these.  My brother is obsessed with all things bacon and requested a cocktail that lives up to his expectations this year.  We have decided on making bacon infused bourbon which will be used to make a bacon old fashioned.

As much as I love mini sized desserts, Thanksgiving just isn't the holiday for that type of sizing.  These individual pumpkin mousse desserts from Spoon Fork Bacon are the perfect compromise since they are an appropriate proportion for Thanksgiving, but still have all the charm of "mini" since they are served individually. 

I love these simple placecards from Etsy that do double-duty on Thanksgiving by having everyone write down something they are thankful for.  These would be a very quick weekend DIY project.  The best part would be saving them to bring out the following year and reminiscing about what everyone wrote down.

{ipad shopping + giveaway winner!}

Chris and I ordered a refurbished Ipad2 last night which means I spent some time online shopping for a great case!  Here are some of my favorites...

 {Alison Leather Case from Capulet London}

 {custom Lawrence case from Etsy}

 {Juicy Couture Gemlock Case}

{indian paintbrush case from Totokaelo}

{memo envelope case from Etsy}

And the winner of last week's JewelMint giveaway is.....

 Elspeth- I will contact you shortly to claim your prize!!! :)

 

{etsy shop in the works}

{mint love social club etsy shop}

Over this past weekend, I listed my very first item for sale in my newly launched Etsy shop!  Right now the first item for sale is my Confetti artwork from this previous post.  I am currently offering the same size you have seen on my blog which is a 24 inch square box canvas with gold glitter and gold metallic "confetti."  For an additional $5, I can also make this item in custom colors of your choosing and different canvas size pricing is also available upon request. 

I intend on adding a few more items to the shop as soon as I figure out what direction I want to go in.  Any feedback or suggestions you might have are very much appreciated and welcomed!