A Sparkly Merry Christmas, Everyone!

First Row: Snowy NYC, Metallic Bells, Grayish Blue Christmas Tree

Second Row: Braided Hairdo, Hand-crafted Miniature Christmas Trees, Mercury Glass with Blue Christmas Ornaments

Third Row: Merry Christmas Tags

Fourth Row: Baby Breath Centerpieces, Wishing Tree, Silver and Gold Christmas Ornaments, Wrapped Gifts

Wishing my dear friends and family a healthy Merry Christmas!
Rachel Beh

Thank You Flag!

How lovely this Thank-You Note is!

Stationery Card

View the entire collection of cards.

In Love With Hydrangea Flowers

Are you looking for flowers that create drama and wow factor for your wedding? Look no further than the fluffy delicate hydrangea which come in different colors that would fit into your wedding theme color. 

Hydrangeas are produced from early Spring to late Fall; they grow in flowerheads at the end of the stems. There are two flower arrangements in hydrangeas - Mophead and Lacecap. Mophead Hydrangeas are large round flowerheads that look like pom-poms or simply the head of mop. This type of hydrangea is commonly seen in wedding floral arrangements. On the other hand, Lacecap Hydrangeas are round, flat flowerheads with a center core of subdued, fertile flowers surrounded by outer rings of showy, sterile flowers. This looks less dramatic than its peer (Mophead) and less popular for wedding.

Colors! Hydrangeas come in variety of colors; ranges from white, green, blue, pink, purple, and antique tones. Interesting but it is true that the color of hydrangea is affected by pH of the soil. Acidic soil produces blue hydrangeas, neutral soil produces pale cream hydrangeas, and alkaline soil produces pink-purple-ish hydrangeas. The amount of Aluminum absorb through the roots change the color of its blooms.

Here is WeddingHydrangea description of different shades of each color category:

Blue: Light sky blue, periwinkle blue, deep cobalt blue, and blue with lavender tones.

Red-Purple-Raspberry-Pink: Red, dark purple, raspberry, deep violet, and pink.

White: White and white with a little pink or blue blush.

Lavender: Dark to light lavender.

Antique-Green-Jewel Tones: Green, burgundy, jewel tones, antique pink, blue, and purple/lavender.

Hydrangeas are popular for weddings and always being incorporated into bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, ceremony decors, centerpieces, as well as desserts (some creative cake artists actually took the challenge to re-create the beautiful blooms using butter cream and sugar). Need some ideas? We have got some in the pictures below for your reference. 

Different shades of Hydrangeas being incorporated into Bridal Bouquets

Hydrangea Boutonnieres

Ceremony Decor with some Hydrangea Blooms

Hydrangea Centerpieces

Layers of Hydrangeas around Wedding Cakes and on top of Cupcakes

Photo Credits:
1- Pot of colorful hydrangeas
2- Pink/Green centerpiece
3- A table full of hydrangeas in bottles
4- Blue/Green hydrangeas end table decor
5- Green hydrangea bouquet
6- Pink & Purple hydrangea bouquets
7- Bride holding a white and soft pink roses mixed with soft pink hydrangeas bouquet
8- Red hydrangea bouquet
9- Green & White mixed bouquet
10- Green boutonnieres for the wedding party
11- White & Green boutonniere
12- Purple & Green boutonniere seen in weddingbee
13- Blue hydrangea boutonniere as seen in Midge Flower Boutique
14- White & antique green hydrangeas wreath
15- Antique hydrangeas & champagne grapes wreath
16- Hydrangeas in glass vase and mason jar
17- White hydrangeas ceremony decor
18- Antique pink hydrangeas
19- Antique pink/green hydrangeas
20-Antique pink/green hydrangeas and purple roses in box
21-Antique purple/green hydrangeas
22-Hydrangeas-adorned birdcage
23- Pot of hydrangeas
24- Hydrangeas Berry centerpiece
25- Hydrangeas & seashell tablescape
26- Soft pink & white hydrangea arrangement
27- Hydrangea & rose table arrangement
28- Buttercream cupcakes
29- Sugar hydrangea petals on cupcakes
30- Petit Fours
31- Buttercream frosting cupcakes & Blue/Green hydrangea cake
32- French pink hydrangea cake
33- Hydrangea fondant cake
34- Hydrangea wikipedia

Fourth-Of-July-Inspired Wedding Fireworks!

Fireworks + Sparklers = Happy Ending + Beginning of Your Sweet Marriage!

My husband and I were at Downtown Des Moines to watch some fireworks last night. They are so beautiful and just right above us! The person who invented fireworks is genius! Thank you for sharing such a beautiful artwork.


It is Fourth of July weekend, we are off to see more fireworks again by the pond tomorrow! Meanwhile, hope you enjoy the above posting of wedding fireworks pictures!


Happy Independence Day, America!


Photo Credits:
1- Sparkler writing
2-  U.S. flag-inspired fireworks by A Simple Photograph via Style Me Pretty
3- Married couple kissing under the fireworks via WeddingBee Forum
4- Married couple dancing under the fireworks and walk passed the sparklers aisle via The Knotty Bride
5- Wedding ceremony under the fireworks via Head over Heels online wedding guide
6- Married couple kissing middle of sparklers aisle via Best Destination Wedding forum
7- Another sparkler writing via DSL Fireworks
8- Happy Fourth of July clip art

Recap of the Beautiful Royal Wedding of William and Catherine (The Cake)

The Royal Wedding Cake of Prince William and his wife Catherine was a traditional eight-tiered wedding fruit cake designed by prestigious British baker Fiona Cairns. Each layer represents something special and meaning. The cake looks gorgeous, must have took the baker team days and hours to prepare for the Big Day. Great job! 

Insights of the WEDDING CAKE:

Along the cake's base ran ivy leaves, symbolising marriage, and the bottom three tiers were decorated with piped lace work and daisies, meaning innocence, sweet William - grant me one smile - and lavender.

There were infill features of cascading orange and apple blossom, honeysuckle, acorns with oak leaves - meaning strength and endurance - and bridal rose, which symbolises happiness, and myrtle.

The fourth tier featured the intricate garlands, reflecting the architectural details in the room, and above this was another cake covered with lattice work and piped leaf detail.

Lily of the valley - representing sweetness and humility - covered the sixth tier which also had an artistic interpretation of the couple's cipher - their initials intertwined below a coronet.

The four flowers of the home nations - English rose, Scottish thistle, Welsh daffodil and Irish shamrock - were featured on the penultimate tier and the top cake, around six inches in diameter, was covered with lace details with a garland of lily of the valley and heather on top.

Fiona Cairns, stands next to the wedding cake that she and her team made for Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, in the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Palace. - UK Daily Mail

The project has left cake-maker Fiona Cairns exhausted but elated after working for five weeks on the project. - UK Daily Mail

Staff perfect the special cake, that was covered in cream and white icing and decorated with up to 900 delicate sugar-paste flowers. - UK Daily Mail

The chocolate biscuit McVities cake that was specially requested by Prince William. - UK Daily Mail

The McVitie's Cake Company has been asked to make a chocolate biscuit cake for the reception, as well as a few hundred slices for the buffet. Apparently, this type of cake is a favorite of Prince William. McVitie's has a long history with the royal family, dating back to the wedding of King George V and Queen Victoria, and just recently Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip's 60th wedding anniversary in 2007. - E! Online

Recap of the Beautiful Royal Wedding of William and Catherine (The Fashion)

Now that Miss Catherine's mysterious wedding gown has been revealed, let us find out how others dressed up for the Royal Wedding such as The Queen, Princess Camilla, Carole Middleton, and the wedding party. How do you like their hats and fascinators? 

Queen Elizabeth II chose an Angela Kelly single crepe wool primrose dress with hand-sewn beading at the neck in the shape of sun rays. Pinned to her matching double crepe wool tailored primrose coat was Queen Mary's True Lovers Knot diamond brooch. Her hat with silk roses -- also designed by Angela Kelly -- was a lovely addition to her outfit. Ladylike accessories like white gloves, pearl necklace and white handbag added a timeless elegance. - AOL Royal Wedding

Camilla wore a hand-embroidered Anna Valentine champagne silk dress and duck egg blue coat. - UK Daily Mail

Carole Middleton chose a pale blue Catherine Walker wool crepe coat-dress over a matching silk dress. - UK Daily Mail

Arrival of Princess Anne, daughter of The Queen

 

Philippa Middleton, Kate's younger sister and maid of honor, arrived at Westminster Abbey on Friday wearing a sleek ivory satin dress with a crepe cowl neckline by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen. - AOL Royal Wedding

Philippa Middleton, the maid of honor, changed into an emerald green Temperley London gown with a plunging neckline and sparkly embellishments. She paired the jewel-toned stunner with Aruna Seth's "Lynn" sandal, a silver strappy shoe with rhinestone accents. - AOL Royal Wedding

The cheerful bridesmaid and page boys

 

 

The young Bridesmaids’ dresses were designed by childrenswear designer Nicki Macfarlane to echo the Bride’s dress.
The Bridesmaids’ dresses have been created using the same fabrics as the Bride’s dress.  The ballerina-length, full, box pleated skirt gives the dresses a sculptural quality, with the layering of ivory over white satin gazar adding depth of colour.  They have all been hand-finished with delicate English Cluny lace, which is visible under the skirts, and four layers of net underskirt.  The puff sleeves and neckline are trimmed with the same English lace as the Bride’s underskirt. The backs have been finished with the same button detail.
The sashes are made of pale gold, wild silk, which is tucked at the front and tied at the back in a sumptuous bow.

The Pages are wearing a uniform in the style of that worn by a Foot Guards officer at the time of the Regency (the 1820s). The Pages will wear a gold and crimson sash (with tassel) around their waists. - Official Royal Wedding Website

Recap of the Beautiful Royal Wedding of William and Catherine (The Dress & Jewelry)

Miss Catherine Middleton's wedding dress revealed! It was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen.

Hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace throughout the bodice and skirt of the wedding gown

Gorgeous look of Miss Catherine's timeless wedding dress - The skirt echoes am opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats.

Here's the details of the DRESS:
Hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace have been used throughout the bodice and skirt, as well as the underskirt trim. The dress is made with ivory and white satin gazar. The skirt echoes an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats. The train measures two metres and 70 centimeters long. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen's designs. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops. The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace. 


Here's the details of the JEWELRY:
Miss Catherine wears a Cartier 'halo' tiara, lent by The Queen, on her wedding day. The tiara was presented to The Queen by her mother (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) on the occasion of her 18th birthday. Also, Miss Catherine's wedding look completed with a pair of diamond-set stylized oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pave set diamond acorn suspended in the center, by Robinson Pelham. The earrings are inspired from the Middleton family's new coat of arms, which includes acorns and oak leaves. According to the official Royal Wedding website, the earrings were made to echo the tiara and a personal gift to the Bride from her parents for her wedding day.

Recap of the Beautiful Royal Wedding of William and Catherine (The Decor & Bridal Bouquet)

An English Garden inside Westminster Abbey on Prince William and Catherine Royal Wedding. The simple elegant green and white decor speaks classy and modern at the same time. I simply love it!

The Westminster Abbey

Getting ready for the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Miss Catherine

Preparation for the Royal Wedding

Simple green and white theme for the church decoration - LOVE IT!

Eight Maple Trees lined inside The Westminster Abbey

The grand altar decorated with green and white floral - shows ELEGANCE

Catherine Middleton's Royal Wedding Bouquet

Bits and pieces about Catherine's bridal bouquet:

According to a statement on the Official Royal Wedding Website, the bouquet is a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. (Isn't sweet that Catherine actually included "sweet William" blooms into her bouquet? I wish I could find "sweet Randy" blooms for my bouquet too!) The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers. 

Here are flowers' meanings in the bouquet:

Lily-of-the-valley: Return of happiness

Sweet William: Gallantry 

Hyacinth: Constancy of love

Ivy: Fidelity; marriage; wedded love; friendship; affection

Myrtle*: The emblem of marriage; love

*Check out the history of Myrtle in Royal Wedding Bouquet here!



Photo Credits: Yahoo!

Recap of the Beautiful Royal Wedding of William and Catherine (The Ceremony)

It is official now...The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge! Prince William becomes His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge and Miss Catherine Middleton becomes Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.


It was such a beautiful Royal Wedding. I did wake up at 3 in the morning Central Time to witness the wedding of Prince William and his bride Miss Catherine Middleton. How about you? Did you have your own version of "royal-party" to hang out with friends who enjoy the wedding as much as you do?


For those of you who missed the great show, here are some photos I found on Today's Show and MSN. Make yourself a cup of aromatic coffee and (maybe) a piece of homemade pie/cake while immerse yourself into the beautiful royal wedding of William and Kate! There are more coming up next...The Dress, The Decor, and The Cake!

The arrival of Prince William and his best man Prince Harry.

Miss Catherine Middleton and his father on their way to Westminster Abbey.

The wedding party is ready to walk down the aisle (a long aisle inside Westminster Abbey, took about 3 minutes I think!)

Simply beautiful wedding party!

Finally, at the altar and Kate met her future husband, Prince William.

The Ring!

All smile on their faces!

The ring from a nugget of Welsh gold - her wedding ring!

The Official Royal Wedding Portrait

The Official Royal Wedding Portrait

The Official Royal Wedding Portrait

Time flies, it has been 30 years since the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Although I were not there to witness their wedding 30 years ago, but I am glad that I made it to their children's wedding 30 years later on April 29, 2011! Congratulations to Prince William and (official now) Princess Catherine!

Romantic DIY Hair Up-Do

How to: Make Eva Longoria Bob

Going For A COLORFUL Wedding!

Have been seeing many colorful blog posts this week and that inspired me to gather some rainbow color pictures to create my first rainbow inspiration board! How do you like to incorporate multiple colors into your wedding? Colorful bridesmaid dresses, bouquets, rainbow desserts, what else you have in mind? Would you be bold enough to try on a rainbow color gown for the wedding?

Here's other rainbow inspiration posts elsewhere in the blogsphere!

Polka Dot Bride


Wedding Bee

Hank & Hunt Blog
The author included seven lovely color inspiration boards based on rainbow colors; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Beautiful, especially love the indigo and violet inspiration boards!

Vanessa Reed Photography
Rainbow Wedding, do check out the rainbow color dress of the bride =)

Photo Credit:
1- Rainbow dress photographed for NYLON Magazine
2- Butterflies wedding cake
3- Rainbow strip straws
4- Rainbow color bridesmaid dresses
5- Rainbow color bouquets
6- Colorful confetti
7- Slice of rainbow cake
8- Pastel color cupcake frosting