Sweet & Saucy Cake toppers

For years now, I have had a little crush on Sweet & Saucy Supply. If you're a baker.... or a bride, you'll probably find something in their shop to fall in love with too! Aside from the numerous cute & character-filled cake stands, bowls & platters, they have a killer selection of cake toppers for weddings, birthdays and more! We're absolutely in love with some of these customizable options...

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There are also serif & sans serif options if you want to include your initials! Thank you, Sweet & Saucy Supply for offering more pretty things for our wedding day desserts & beyond!!!



The Mrs. Box

On the chance that you haven't heard by now, we couldn't miss the opportunity to share the arrival of the hottest "must have" that just arrived on the wedding scene. The minds behind the beloved & inspiring blog, Grey Likes Weddings recently released The Mrs. Box. These vintage velvet covered ring boxes are surely the snazziest way to showcase your bling for wedding detail shots... or for those of you popping the question, we can't think of anything better to present the ring in!! They come in a variety of colors & the top can be foil stamped with an initial. Perhaps indicating the soon-to-be last name?! Whatever color you choose, foil or no foil printing, we're absolutely smitten with these bright boxes. Check out the whole selection here!!

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Because Every Kid Needs to Celebrate

Last week I had the chance to catch up with Stephanie Frazier Grimm, a wedding planner friend based in Newport, RI. My time with her was every bit inspiring… as an understatement!! Not only is Stephanie running a very successful event planning company, Couture Parties {specializes in all types of celebrations, in addition to weddings} but she recently launched a non-profit that we instantly fell in love with. Friends, meet the Confetti Foundation...

The goal of the Confetti Foundation is to give every hospitalized child the opportunity to celebrate their birthday by delivering a "Party Starter kit"... AKA a party in a box. While so much of these kiddo's lives is defined by the illness they're being treated for, taking a moment to celebrate their special day and feel like a "normal" kid again is a huge gift to them and to their family. At absolutely no cost to the family or to the hospital, every themed Party Starter kit includes the following items to help get the party started:

2 tissue pom decorations

4 wooden spoons & forks

4 Napkins

4 Plates

4 Cups

4 straws

Themed Coloring Pages

Crayons

Stickers

Happy Birthday Banner

Birthday Card

And it's all beautifully wrapped together in a white gift box!

If you're moved by this awesome cause like we are, we can help them reach their goal of making 500 party boxes by December 31st... or help spread the good news so they can have a presence in all 50 states! Check out their website for opportunities to support it & get involved!!

*all photos are courtesy of Meghan Sepe Photography

From the Designer's Desk: National Stationery Show

 

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I can't even begin to share the joy that I was filled with while attending the National Stationery Show in New York City this past weekend! It was a whirlwind of amazing color, paper, designs, and people!! Walking up and down the aisles meeting with new (and returning) print & design companies, paper vendors, and so much more, sparked the creative buzz in my head.

What I love most about the NSS is to be able to see how these amazing creatives have their own voice…and stick to it! There is nothing more beautiful then seeing the hard work of artists come out in their work. Just a couple of my favorite freebies from the show include two great frame worthy cards from Power and Light Press and Sycamore Street Press (who doesn't love a good copper foil?!?). And of course, luggage tags from Rifle Paper Co.

These artists, collaboratives, and business owners are truly inspiring to keep creating and stick to what I know and what I love. Passion and verve will always create the best stuff.

 

Until next time, from my desk to to yours!

xo

Caitlin

 

What a weekend!

Wow, that was quite a weekend!! Just in time for all of the fall festiveness, the Mr. and I attended a beautiful wedding on Saturday night. I've heard that the first wedding after your own is the most fun, and in many ways I agree. To simply enjoy someone else's celebration- their making of a covenant & the ear to ear smiles to follow- it was an incredible night of dancing & merriment! Of course, it helps to not have any responsibilities or stress about things going according to plan. :) Have you experienced this before? Anyway, we're kicking off a fabulously busy week in the Paper Moss office and you better believe that good music {and coffee} will be fueling us. While shopping on Etsy for a gift the other day, I ran across these beautiful prints... all displaying lines & phrases from songs. If you're a music lover like myself, there's a good chance you'll find one {or more} that you can't live without!! Check out Lyrical Artworks for prints from some amazing artists!

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Vendor Crush: The First Snow

Yep, we've had another vendor crush and I think you'll feel the same! I first laid eyes on one of the beautiful creations by The First Snow when I saw this feature on Wedding Chicks. For obvious reasons, I fell in love with this gold foil print of the couples vows:

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Adorable, right!? Another Etsy SCORE! As I peeked around their shop, I stumbled upon cuteness ranging from these "Will you be my bridesmaid" cards:

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To customizable cake toppers or cute generic ones:

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And fun framable art like this beautiful quote by J.R.R. Tolkien:

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Which is your favorite? I hope you're equally inspired by The First Snow as we are!!

It's a two-fer!

I'm a huge fan of scoring a good deal, especially when it comes to bridesmaids or wedding-related things. When I heard about Durga-Kali and their reversible bridesmaids dresses, I just about fell over. Imagine the possibility of getting to flip your dress inside out and get another LBD out of the deal!

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With lots of styles and colors to choose from, I'm dying to know if this is too good to be true. Has anyone tried one yet?! For now, I stand in awe of this brilliant invention.

Vendor Crush: Naked bouquets

Now that I've got your attention {eh-hem, must we use the word 'naked' in the title to do so?!} I am dying to share with you a huge vendor crush I have. Yes, today I am going to dish! I've been in the market for a florist for my big day so as of late, I've been paying much more attention to arrangement styles, vessels and what blooms are in style during various seasons. While scouring Pinterest for direction, I fell upon Naked Floral's blog and I haven't been able to stop thinking about their stunning style ever since.

*all photos courtesy of Naked Floral

At least consider it

Finding a bridesmaids dress that suits all your ladies can be quite the task, especially if you have a large bridal party. This is a challenge that I've recently had to face and while trying to consider budgets, color and styles they'll all feel comfortable and beautiful in, I've come across some helpful options that I couldn't resist passing along in case you're in the market too! Consider the option of renting!!! If this was an option during the peek of my friends getting married, it not only would have saved me hundreds of dollars, but also some valuable closet space. Why did I keep the dresses for so long? I have no idea! #fashionfail Anyway, there are 2 awesome options should you choose to go that route.

Little Borrowed Dress is a site specifically for bridesmaid dresses! You can choose different dresses in the same color or the same dress in different colors!

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Rent the Runway {also great for showers & rehearsal dinner wear!} has some stellar options in a variety of colors and styles. This site is perfect if you're looking for a non- traditional bridesmaid style.

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You can have either site send two different sizes of the dress so each bridesmaid can pick the one that fits them best. They'll arrive in the mail {professionally cleaned and ready to wear} to the address of your choice. Rent the Runway has a 4 or 8 day rental {you pick the arrival date} and Little Borrowed Dress arrives 2 weeks prior. After the big day, your friends just pop their dresses back in the provided return mailing materials! Super simple!

Merci beaucoup

A few months ago we had the chance to meet up with Jacqueline Weppner, the beauty behind Merci New York. Can I just tell you, this woman is inspiring?! Along with being incredibly sweet, she founded & operates a {New York based} company that offers styling services for brides, an inspiration-packed blog and a lovely little online style shop. Today's Purseday pick is straight from their shop. This coral python clutch is begging to be in my closet but really, any color would do. ;) I just love the versatility of this little bag and one of my favorite parts... you can choose between vintage inspired brooches for the front closure!! Oh details!

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To all of you brides reading this, if you're looking for a chic, flawless wedding style, hook up with Merci New York! And, if you haven't checked out their blog yet, it's a must!

You're invited to Fashion Crush

We've joined forces with some other awesome local vendors for a super fun event next Thursday night {05.16.13} at Crush Boutique on Charles Street. Swing by during the open house to see some of the seasons hottest wedding trends- whether you'll be the bride or a guest! Grab the gals and enjoy some bubbly, some bites from Fireside Catering and a shopping discount at the boutique! Here are some more details...

Hope to see you all there!!

Etsy crush: Oelwein

Happy Monday! How was your St. Patrick's Day weekend?! As promised, mine was low key with a steady intake of Lucky Charms. It was just what the doctor ordered! Today, I'm excited to share a little Etsy shop design crush that I've been enamored with for weeks now. France based, Oelwein rolls out bright, kitschy, patterned items that are perfect little gifts or fun treasures for the home. These are things you likely won't stumble upon in your local boutique...

Obviously the Ohlala tote bag is among my faves, but that neon pink antler dishtowel is kind of awesome, don't you think? Oelwein is reminding us of how much we LOVE patterns and NEED some more color in every day. On that note, here's to hoping that you have a bright and cheerful Monday!

A little bit of paradise

Emily and I ended last week with a special site visit to the Ocean House in Westerly, RI. We were honored to be over night guests along with a handful of other wedding professionals including the ladies from True Event, Merci New York, A.a.B Creates and Daughter of Design. Now let's preface this by admitting that we were huge fans of this venue to begin with, but after two days of soaking up the five star luxury first hand, we're flat out obsessed. So of course, we've got to give you the scoop about our time behind the doors of this iconic and breathtaking resort!!

Toni {their Sr. Catering Manager} hosted us and could not have been more welcoming, warm and professional. Our time started with a full tour to get acquainted with the property & amenities, including the restaurants, bars, the on site herb garden, work out facilities, lap pool, hearing about the array of activities offered seasonally & daily and touring the award winning OH! Spa {check out their relaxation room that over looks the ocean}...

We settled into a wine and cheese tasting with the Ocean House's own Food Forager {who was so sweet, knowledgeable and clearly passionate about her job} then finished our tour by taking in the INCREDIBLE views from the penthouse, various balconies and the side deck that over looks the ocean as well as the croquet court...

Post tour, we checked into our rooms and proceeded to gush about the cozy beds {with 400-thread-count Frette bed linens and 100% goose down pillows... OMG}, the huge soaking tub, the luxe robes, our fantastic view... and the complimentary treats just pushed us over the edge.

Our day finished with cocktails with the general manager and an incredible dinner with Toni and a special visit from Abby from Style Me Pretty. The service was impeccable, food was phenomenal and their house made wine {as well as their full selection} was to die for. 

Really, these few photos and brief overview can't begin to do justice to our experience. You really must go, if you're an east coaster... whether it's just for a day trip and dinner, a special celebration or a search for the perfect wedding venue!!

*all photos courtesy of the Ocean House

Vendor Love: Donna Morgan

Those spring & summer weddings are rapidly approaching, and we've got our eyes on these gorgeous bridesmaids gowns from Donna Morgan that are perfect for those seasons. In a variety of colors {we're kinda digging the soft sherbet tones}, these chiffon frocks can be mixed and matched to compliment each maids body type and complexion! Pick as many styles and colors as you like, but we guarantee, if you let them wear a style they're comfortable in, your ladies will LOVE you for it... and they'll be able to focus more time and energy on making sure you're having the time of your life!

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What do you think of the mixing and matching trend? Would you do it? Did you do it?

Handmade wedding gowns

While perusing Etsy the other day for some holiday gift ideas, one thing lead to another and well, we ended up finding some pretty stunning wedding gowns. It's hard to resist!! From custom to eco friendly to designer inspired, Etsy has quite an array of handmade styles and price ranges. This begs the question... would you order your dress from an Etsy shop? Do you know anyone who has?

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Take a seat

Something as simple as selecting the right chair can have a huge effect on the ambiance of your wedding- whether it be the ceremony or the reception. Yes, it can be a little intimidating knowing where to start or even what to ask your wedding planner, so we put together this little chair guide to give you the "vocab" needed to brainstorm the best option for your style and budget. Of course, there are more chair options out there, but these are an accessible and affordable place to start!

If you're tackling the planning + coordinating of your own wedding and are looking for a great rental company in the New England area, we can't sing enough praises about our friends at Rentals Unlimited!!

*All photos courtesy of Rentals Unlimited

Real Weddings: Arianne + Spencer

In the rush of getting ready on the big day, many couples loose time to capture the fun that is had with their dearest friends: the bridal party. We're absolutely head over heels for Arianne & Spencer's wedding photos and today, for this reason, are so excited to share some awesome shots from their little pre-ceremony adventure. Seattle based Ryan Flynn Photography fabulously captured the funky Seattle vibe, as well as the personality of this gorgeous couple...

I'm kind of obsessed with these!!! You've got to see more from their big day {here}... HAPPY FRIDAY!!!