made by jessa | odds and ends

kate + joe | wedding invites

2011-08-04T09:12:00.008-04:00

i was so lucky to work with this fun-loving, down-to-earth couple, kate + joe. when kate first came to me and said their bridesmaid dresses are seersucker and her colors are blue and yellow, i was excited to get creative! we came up with a relaxed pocketfold that would hold the reception card and rsvp postcard, while still functioning as the directions card when untied and folded down.

we used two different complimentary blues...

one for the graphics and one for the text.

untying the blue twine bow is one of my favorite parts. i always like to get the guests involved in the invite, whether its a puzzle, asking them to write a note, or simply untying a ribbon, i think it gives the guests a hint of the "playfulness" to your wedding and the fun that is yet to come!

all the elements

we knew what we needed to put on one side of the postcard (the response), but the other side was up for question. i mentioned that it might be cute to do a love story/timeline of their relationship.

they did a lot of traveling during their first few years to see each other so it was fitting to use a map and little planes. i love how the design came out!

here is the full directions card/open pocket.

i had so much fun designing this wedding suite and working with kate! it was a pleasure. i will post all of the fun day-of paper goods after their august 20th wedding. check back soon!

oxox

nursery paint

2011-07-28T08:49:00.003-04:00

its an exciting day today! i'm buying the paint for the nursery!!! yay! my mom and i will be painting all weekend :) before i was pregnant, i found this baby fabric that i fell in love with...

i think the elephants and bunting are so cute. i decided to decorate the whole nursery out of these colors, which has been a little hard, but i think it will be worth it. i'm painting frames, crocheting a blanket for the rocker, and possibly refinishing a toy chest. i'm going with an aqua color for the walls called "refreshing pool" which is fitting for our hot third floor in the summer. i'll try to post photos of our painting progress... stay tuned!

paper love

2011-07-27T09:12:00.000-04:00

my love of paper never ceases... check out these cool things i found across the web!

this dress is made solely out of toilet paper! you can see the other dresses

submitted to the contest here.

this koi mobile is so creative! i'm thinking about making a paper mobile for the nursery... maybe of elephants, sailboats, or just circles.

the patterned paper is a great compliment to this nautical combo...

3d paper calendar!

i can't believe july is almost over! my bump is growing by the day and little buddy's kicks are strong now. i can't wait to meet him!

oxox

catie's picks

2011-07-21T09:07:00.000-04:00

on vacation, i came across a handful of adorable trina turk dresses and accessories and i thought it was serendipity that catie sent me trina turk picks before i left for vacation. here are her picks...

this black shift foliage dress is sexy!

love this geralyn dress! so simple and can go easily from day to night

love the blue/black combo on this bebel dress

beachy, watermelon st. topez dress

thanks to catie for sending me her picks! if you need styling or shopping help, please contact her (catharine.joyce@gmail.com)! she is wonderful and knows exactly what your body type will need.
oxox

vacation treasures...

2011-07-20T09:47:00.005-04:00

i've been on vacation this past week with my family and it has taken me a few days to get back into the groove of things. it was so nice spending time on the beach, in the pool, or shopping (which we did alot of) with my family. we went in a bunch of cute boutiques with items you don't see everyday and the shop owners greeted everyone at the door. it was like they were saying, "check out my treasures," each one of them proud of the hand-picked, hand-made, or organic items they had on display. i found a ton of things that i could buy and wipe out my whole bank account... sweet furniture, amazing rugs, fun jewelry, antique mirrors, and the cutest pencil drawings of puppies in the world! here are just a couple of the treasures that i found...

haha!

hope everyone is having a good week!

fascinator

2011-06-30T09:36:00.003-04:00

i'm LOVING this holiday bridal fascinator! from lo boheme's new collection, this cute head piece is made from silk and fabric flowers and different types of feathers. i want to wear this somewhere... would it be too much at the grocery store? probably. i'll have to save it for my next british wedding... haha.

lovely items of the week...

2011-06-17T09:54:00.001-04:00

here they are!!!

folk cards, perfect for any note... by rifle paper

i never find enough time to write in all the cute journals that i buy but oh well... maybe one day i will have a "cute journal exhibit."

i love them anyways. these colorful journals make me want to write romantic poetry at the beach...

i'm loving this curvy aqua + red chrysanthemum vase from anthro!

a catie's pick...
"one of the best styles of denim on the market... and it's on sale!"

citizens of humanity amber mid rise jean, thanks catie!!! oxox

i love these bold, colorful shoes by tabitha simmons!

found in us weekly...
demi moore and jennifer aniston have been sporting them!

happy friday everyone!!

red + purple shower

2011-06-16T09:54:00.001-04:00

i had so much fun designing these red + purple shower invites. they were letterpressed with a deep, beautiful impression which made each font stand out in its own way.

i'm obsessed with the square-look of this invite on a rectangular shape.

yay for white space! haha

the design was printed on crane's 110lb. fluorescent white and envelopes to match.

the feel and finish of letterpress is wonderful... so crisp and classic

i designed a few "tags" for the bridal shower... one to tell the guests to save their wrapping paper, and the other one saying that the bride decided to donate to the wounded warriors program in honor of all her guests. what an awesome idea!

thanks genna! you are wonderful to work with!

happy thursday! oxox

on tuesday, we found out the little monkey in my belly is a boy!!!

bring on the sharks and basketballs!

these shoes are made for walking...

2011-06-15T09:16:00.002-04:00

found these kids shoes at the converse outlet on sunday and had to share!

love the stars!

its amazing how small these are... with velcro!

cutest aqua shoes ever.

and my husband's favorite... dino shoes!

have a good wednesday!

lovely items of the week

2011-06-10T08:52:00.001-04:00

here they are!!!

painted votives from terrain

perfect for an outdoor bbq!
fill with a citronella candle and you'll safe from mosquito bites.

alright, fine... let's party!! confetti card
usually i hate when confetti gets all over the floor when i open a card, but somehow this card is so adorable that it gets a hall pass!

pennant drink stirrers by paper anniversary

i'm loving this charming print for a little girls room called alphabet soup and it comes in different colors to match your color scheme.

i think this card is classic and possibly fitting for every single dad out there!
by paper plates press

how freaking cute are these peep-toe pumps by valentino!

happy friday!
oxox

catie's picks

2011-06-09T10:17:00.007-04:00

need to go weekend casual? here are catie's picks for a summery day or night on the town...

hive & honey crochet trim tee found on piperlime
breezy and easy!

lauren by ralph lauren crop pants found at nordstrom
i like the high waist. most of the time, capris make me look frumpy, but the high waist on these would make my legs look longer, and black is always slimming... win win!

pierre dumas sands sandals found on piperlime
LOVE these! might have to get them :)

big buddha ryan bag in taupe
how awesome is this bag! somewhere between modern and boho... i would be able to fit all my "purse junk" in there!

thanks to catie for making her picks. if anyone needs styling, re-organizing your closet, or just advice on what to wear, please email her (catharine.joyce@gmail.com).... especially mothers of the bride or groom!

hope you are having a good thursday!

love!

2011-06-07T09:26:00.003-04:00

found this wedding on style me pretty and fell in love with this table...

i'm obsessed with the earthy qualities... wood, rock, huge green trees

and i love the lights... they might be the same ones we used for our wedding

these thank you stamps are from the same wedding

i just love how simple this design is... no need for bows, tags, etc.

sorry i have been lax about posting recently, its wedding season!

not to mention, i have a little bump to think about :)

(i think the baby knows i'm talking about it because its kicking like crazy right now!)

how terrible was bentley on the bachelorette last night?

ugh, can't stand him!

favor ideas

2011-05-26T09:21:00.001-04:00

i always think gifts from the heart make the best wedding favors. something that you and your fiance share, something that is part of your hometown, something that made a change in your life, something that is near and dear to your heart... whether its a hershey kiss or a donation to a charity, make it important to you. here are a couple charming ideas with packaging that i love...

the yellow color is a wonderful compliment to the green/silver combo... not only does it look like the dessert with the diagonal lines, but it seconds as a placecard for the guest... yay, two birds with one stone!

succulent favors found on once wed

old-fashioned candy table and cute jars with your favorite candies

from your childhood, candies in your wedding colors,

or confections from a local candy company

found on the planned to perfection blog

i love this idea for outdoor or beach weddings!

i went searching for sunscreen wipes last night at target,

but they didn't have them... but ulta does!

found on martha stewart weddings

i think any gift that grows after given is an awesome reflection

of your blooming relationship...

and check out the cute stitching on the glassine bag. love!

found on martha stewart weddings

this matchbook packaging is perfect for little seeds.

its like magic...

you think its matches and its really "love in bloom" inside... haha

i think the four different colored books make the favor even better.

found on martha stewart weddings

its thursday and only a couple days away from the big day!

can't wait! oxox

bouquets

2011-05-24T09:23:00.004-04:00

i love these two bouquets i found on oncewed.com. they are right up my alley. bright colorful wildflowers paired with the soft, light pink bunches of ranunculus and roses.

by the way, i tried to grow wildflowers in the front of my house and a bunny or another animal ate the seedlings! argh! so i'm totally jealous of the blooms above... oh well!

happy tuesday!

lovely items of the week

2011-05-20T09:50:00.004-04:00

here they are!!!

how cool! 1934 antique secretarial typewriter

this pillow made me laugh out loud!

so cute and comfy! toms in olive canvas

together print

j.crew hobo bag in tuscan olive

havanna sunglasses by madewell

i can't wait for summer!

charming carly botanical pendant

have a great weekend!

oxox

coolest cakes

2011-05-19T08:44:00.006-04:00

have you decided on your wedding cake yet? here are a few ideas to make it unique...

cute 4" squares with traditional quilting techniques

found on martha stewart created by city bake shop in sandusky, ohio

samson the elephant from the maryland zoo in baltimore turned 3!

adorable cake by charm city cakes in baltimore...

and they now have a new location on the west coast!

daisy cake by the one and only sylvia weinstock

i met her about a year ago at an industry event and she was great...

funny and wearing her famous glasses that she's known for

blue flower cake by whipped bakeshop in philadelphia

love the flowers!

happy thursday!

blooms

2011-05-17T10:17:00.002-04:00

things are starting to bloom around here!

this was the peony i killed last year and it came back in full force!

lovely items of the week

2011-05-12T09:26:00.000-04:00

here they are!

in honor of mother's day and upcoming father's day... mint green owls

could this be possible?

cute as wedding favors or for valentine's day!

"you are my match"

baby elephant necklace... i'm in love

this dress is one of catie's picks... what a great color!

enjoy the beautiful weather!

oxox

happy chic

2011-05-10T09:53:00.005-04:00

i'm always looking for fun ways to spruce up my house. i found this book that seems perfect for spring time and redecorating. infuse jonathan adler's fun style in your home with this happy chic accessorizing book. it includes a bunch of tips and tricks for adding humor and funk when arranging your accessories. save money and get it here!

while you are at it, check out the happy chic colors book as well. want color-drenched rooms? learn how to increase hues and discover fun patterns that will work well in your house. find it cheap here.

happy decorating!

catie's picks

2011-05-09T10:34:00.007-04:00

maxi dresses galore! check out these adorable dresses!

swirling colors with a subtle shimmer and a sweetheart neckline

one of my favorites!

perfect everyday dress in navy

makes me want to eat outside with the sun setting in the background

with a warm breeze flowing through my hair...

i'm really liking the flouncy tie on this black mist dress

silk maxi in zebra by jenny han

happy monday everyone!

and a special thank you to catie for picking out these sweet dresses!

oxox

stephanie + joe

2011-05-04T09:16:00.000-04:00

once upon a time... stephanie + joe are getting hitched in less than a month! for their wedding invites, we did a fairytale theme in pink and navy complete with birds holding banners and enchanted stars. everything about their wedding suite is charming from the silver embossed tag to the wonderful "name" logo on the postcard.

i embossed a quote that steph loves on the tag on top of a subtle "d"
and tied with a satin silver bow

love the tiered banners... they came out so beautifully

we went with the elegant script font to continue the fairytale theme

and paired it with a small caps serif font

the fun response postcard

hope you like this wedding suite as much as i do!

oxox

lovely items of the week

2011-04-29T09:55:00.000-04:00

here they are!

mason jar chandelier

great for outdoor parties!

sweet sandals by anthropologie

how great is this newborn hat!!

i couldn't write a blog today without acknowledging the royal wedding!

lace shrug... love it!

a hair comb by lo boheme

the ring!... beautiful

congratulations to will + kate!

happy friday!

darling!

2011-04-27T09:39:00.003-04:00

i created sweet thank you cards for my nan-in-law featuring peonies and a springy coral color. very simple, but very useful! do you like them?

happy hump day!

oxox

colorado wedding

2011-04-26T09:59:00.000-04:00

this is a recent wedding i came across on style me pretty and loved the flowers, dresses and photography. the location was redstone, colorado at a historic inn. lots of friends helped make the day possible. find more details here. and check out the pretty pics below!!!

the bouquets were made by the bride's sister and what a great job she did!

love the color combo!

the bride's hair looks so pretty and romantic

bridesmaid dresses by j.crew

lucky!

the black and white contrast in this picture is really beautiful

check out the scenery!

cute dress!

fun idea replacing the traditional pillow

darling!

all photos were taken by julie afflerbaugh photography

have a great day!

oxox

happy easter!

2011-04-25T11:52:00.003-04:00

instead of dying easter eggs this year, we decided to make bright, fun colored sugar cookies! hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!