Winifred update

Who doesn't enjoy a cute puppy picture for a Friday afternoon? She was such a little nugget and she's getting so big! (Don't you love how we let her sit on the kitchen counter. No, we're not that gross. My husband bleaches and scrubs, scrubs, scrubs after her grooming ... I swear ... he's very OCD.)

I need a FAVOR

I Need a Favor From Kate is a great find. This Seattle-area company specializes in custom favor boxes for your upcoming event. All favor boxes are made from patterned, double-sided cardstock, with a coordinating solid color on the reverse. Click here to see more than 150 paper options available to you!

Etsy find: SusyJack

GREAT find on Etsy today. I'm already planning on getting three things:

Contest: LAST DAY!

Time is running out for our contest this week. Send your submissions to me by 5 p.m. today, and you'll make the cut. Check back over the weekend to vote for your Favorite reader wedding photo. Voting will last through Tuesday, March 4 at 5 p.m. The winner will be announced on Wednesday!

Reminder: Enter your one favorite wedding photograph from your own wedding! I'll post the photographs as I receive them. At the end of the week, we'll open up the lines for voting! The bride with the #1 favorite wedding photograph will receive a $30 gift card to Anthropology (tucked in a package of treats)! E-mail emilycheramie at gmail dot com. Be sure to include Photographer Credits!

15. Renee (Photo courtesy of Candid Moments Photography)

This photo was taken at my grandparents’ home. We got married on their lawn, with its incredible views of Harrisburg and the Susquehanna River. I felt so pretty and relaxed (for the most part) that day, and I think the picture reflects that.

Day 4, Part I

Just one photograph to share with everyone so far today. I'll post a second round this evening, so be sure to send in your entries.

Reminder: Enter your one favorite wedding photograph from your own wedding! I'll post the photographs as I receive them. At the end of the week, we'll open up the lines for voting! The bride with the #1 favorite wedding photograph will receive a $30 gift card to Anthropology (tucked in a package of treats)! E-mail emilycheramie at gmail dot com. Be sure to include Photographer Credits!

14. Katherine F. (Photo courtesy of Laura Vaillancourt)

I like this picture because it's unexpected. It was taken right after the receiving line and we were all milling about, my husband (in brown) was looking to me for directions and I replied, "who cares what's next, we just got married!" That continued to be our theme for the rest of the weekend. Also interesting, that's my new brother in law, (also known as the pastor) smoking in the background!

Wedding Paper Divas blog

When I was planning my wedding, I frequently referred to the Wedding Paper Diva's site for their section on wedding etiquette. I'm thrilled to discover today that the fabulous Divas have launched a new blog—Diva Dialogue! I'm just starting to read through it now, and it's worth my undivided attention.

Day 3: Part I

It's not too late to send in your submissions! Do so before COB Friday and you will be safely entered in the contest. Voting starts this weekend!

Reminder: Enter your one favorite wedding photograph from your own wedding! I'll post the photographs as I receive them. At the end of the week, we'll open up the lines for voting! The bride with the #1 favorite wedding photograph will receive a $30 gift card to Anthropology (tucked in a package of treats)! E-mail emilycheramie at gmail dot com. Be sure to include Photographer Credits!

11. Liz R. (Photo courtesy of Chad Bosma Photography)

The reason why we love this picture is because it reflects the calmness of that moment.

12. Sarah B. (Photo couresty of Becky Pomp)

This is my favorite because my husband and I are just leaning together, talking. She really captured who we are when we're together. And I love that you can see the whole length of my dress. :-) PS - Sarah MADE her dress!

13. Mimi of Enjoy : {the blog}

Here's my pick. I just love this picture. It captured a spontaneous, relaxing moment between my husband and I. We had just gotten married and we were able to sneak away from it all for just a few minutes. (This is also the picture that my husband secretly had blown up and professionally framed as my first anniversary gift so it has a very special place in my heart.)

SFGirlByBay

The home of Victoria Smith, the genius behind one of my favorite blogs Sfgirlbybay, is featured in this month's issue of Sunset. Be sure to check out the blog - if you haven't already!! - and the magazine for more pictures and tips to achieving Victoria's vintage glam style.

Contest: Day 2, Part I

Here are the first of today's entries.

9. Chelsea (Photo courtesy of A Fleeting Moment Photography)


10. Mrs. Magnolia from Weddingbee (photo courtesy of 35Atlanta)

I love this picture because our photographers captured exactly what I was going for - an elegant, evening wedding in the city. We're dancing in themiddle of thePeachtree Street in downtown Atlanta, GA.

Reminder: Enter your one favorite wedding photograph from your own wedding! I'll post the photographs as I receive them. At the end of the week, we'll open up the lines for voting! The bride with the #1 favorite wedding photograph will receive a $30 gift card to Anthropology (tucked in a package of treats)! E-mail emilycheramie at gmail dot com. Be sure to include Photographer Credits!

Guest blogger

Speaking of photographs ... I am a guest blogger today on my photographer's blog. Be sure and check it out!

New Joshua Radin song

Not a great video, but if it means you hear the song then it doesn't matter! Joshua Radin ... Ingrid Michaelson ... "Sky" from Unclear Sky EP. Download it today and become addicted!

Day 1, Part II

Thrilled to say the entries are streaming in. Keep 'em coming! {As a reminder: Enter your one favorite wedding photograph from your own wedding! I'll post the photographs as I receive them. At the end of the week, we'll open up the lines for voting! The bride with the #1 favorite wedding photograph will receive a $30 gift card to Anthropology (tucked in a package of treats)!E-mail emilycheramie at gmail dot com. Be sure to include Photographer Credits.}

4. Mrs. Onion from Weddingbee (Photo courtesy of Daria Bishop Photography)

I picked this image because it captured the sweetness of our wedding day. The one thing I asked of my soon-to-husband was to carry enough cash in his suit pocket to buy me an ice cream at Ben & Jerry's at the end of the evening. Our photographer captured the sweetest moment of us kissing while sharing a cone.


5. Sarah T. (Photo courtesy of Amy Carroll Photography)

6. Christel (Photo courtesy of Ben Powers from Powers Studios Photography)

This is my favorite picture because I love how our photographer, Ben, captured the beauty of the ocean view in addition to the love between my hubby and I. This picture was taken on the beach in Hawaii on the island of Kauai, our home. It not only represents our love for each other but also for our home in Hawaii.

7. Jessica (Photo courtesy of Ben Pancoast Photography )

We absolutely love this picture because it captures our get-away ride from the church. Our photographer actually sat on the back of our convertible as we drove about 5 miles from the church to the lake where we took pictures. This is the amazing photo he took, and it is such a unique moment to have captured in a picture!


8. Jane

Contest: Day 1, Part I

To kick off the wedding photo contest this morning, I have three incredible photographs to share.

1. Aletha (Photo courtesy of Jen Kroll Photography)
Please also be sure to check out Aletha's fabulous blog!

2. Rebekah (Photo courtesy of Steve and Kari Whitaker)

3. Christina (Photo courtesy of HyStudio)

We love this photo because our wedding venue was in the middle of an industrial area and we were worried about backdrops for photos. Of course our wonderful photographer (HyStudio) found this awesome location 5 mins from our venue. We decided to sneak away during the cocktail reception to get these cool photos!

Be sure to check out the Simply Modern Weddings blog too!

More soon! Spread the word and get your friends to enter the contest too!

A contest for all you married ladies!

So many of my favorite daily reads are wonderful resources for couples planning their upcoming nuptials. I find myself a wee bit sad that my blessed event has passed, and I know I am like a million other women out there who would love to do it all over again ... different, more avant garde, maybe saving a bit more money, and - of course - incorporating all of the latest trends!

In honor of our 6-month wedding anniversary (I seriously am pathetic about finding any and all excuses to celebrate), I'm launching a week long contest ... for all of you fabulously married women out there.

You see, six months after our wedding, I'm just finally starting to put my wedding album together. Going through the 700 + photos, it quickly became obvious that my husband and I have a favorite - the one that will get printed and framed in our Pottery Barn signature frame. I'm wondering how many of you have a clear winner as well?

So, here it is: Enter your one favorite wedding photograph from your own wedding! I'll post the photographs as I receive them. At the end of the week, we'll open up the lines for voting! The bride with the #1 favorite wedding photograph will receive a $30 gift card to Anthropology (tucked in a package of treats)!

E-mail emilycheramie at gmail dot com. Be sure to include Photographer Credits! Remember, just one photo per entry!

Without further ado, here is our favorite:

We love this photo because our photographer captured a perfect intimate moment between the two of us, and we vividly remember this kiss.

Coming Soon

A new contest! I'm working on putting something together, and am picking a fabulous prize this weekend, so stay tuned!!

Dreaming of warm weather

It snowed today! Beautiful, fluffy white powder, that my little puppy adores.

And, though I love it to death, I couldn't help but dream about warmth and sunlight ... and gorgeous, short and trendy wedding dresses. These would be daring, and I would love to be the friend of a bride who could pull these off with style!

Top to bottom: Priscilla of Boston, Jim Hjelm, Anne Barge, Ramona Keveza. All photos: Brides.com.

Craft Project

I discovered Jessica Jones' button tacs on Design*Sponge today and was quite enamored. I've gone ahead and purchased supplies from J Caroline Creative, and I hope to start on this latest project shortly. I have a little fabric left over from the curtains I recently made, but I also went ahead and purchased the fabric remnants bag from J Caroline Creative because I'm loving their fabrics (yeah, Amy Butler). Crossing my fingers there are some good little scraps in there.

Click here for the metal button kit.

You're gonna want to check this out...

And you might also want to print image and tape them all around your room. I'm fighting back the urge right now.

Oh dear, Sweet Paul. Please come to my house and style me. Make everything look pretty, ethereal and glowing. Nothing would make me happier. And please also bring me all of these delicious treats to snack on!

Martha: Part I

While we had a blast on the Martha show, it wasn't quite as miraculas as expected. We left our house in Philly around 5:30 in order to take the train to NYC and be there by 7:30 a.m. Hubs and I were pretty exhausted and slightly out of it, and it wasn't a total surprise that Hubs left his wallet in the cab that dropped us off at Chelsea Studios. (Shh, don't tell him I told you!) So, it was Emily-Hubs drama per usual!

Here I am all bundled up in the sun glare, in line outside the studios after Hubs cancelled all of his credit cards:



We ended up not being featured guests on the show, which wasn't entirely bad since we were both a little preoccupied at that point. But I'd heard great things about how Martha treats her audience - offering delicious coffee and treats in the waiting room, etc. and I hate to say I was disappointed when we entered the building. I tried to stay positive the entire time, but I guess I had high expectations. How could I not!? Instead there was a table with Evian and stale muffins at the front of the room. After waiting in the freezing cold for 70 minutes, a number of people were complaining that there weren't hot drinks. (I totally don't mean to sound like an ingrate :)

Here's the Martha sign, washed in pretty pink hearts for Valentine's Day:


One thing worth noting is that is doesn't matter how early you show up at the studios, the seating for the show is pretty random. The first people in line that morning actually were seated behind us! I was surprised. Every ticket has a different color stripe on it, and it seemed as though the distribution was pretty random. Once seated, a few of the interns walked around and strategically placed a few remaining couples. Good camera shots, I imagine! It was great watching all of the audience members in their holiday red. A total mix of people.

The studio looks just like you'd imagine. There are so many things to look at, and it's incredible how the entire look of the room can be changed in a matter of seconds. Below is the view as you walk in: the prep kitchen - with people working throughout the show - is directly in front of you. All of Martha's products - from furniture to cookware - are scattered around the studio.

Next up: details on the two shows that were taped, plus Martha's "Meet the Producers" and secret facts about the domestic diva that you've never heart before. Plus, more pictures!

Laura Novak's Wedding

Everyone, PLEASE check out Laura Novak's blog for the most amazing photographs of her own wedding. I'm wishing I could do it ALL over again (like I don't confess that on a daily basis!) because her celebration is so completely stunning!

Please also note that Jessica Claire was one of Laura's bridesmaids!

Somee Cards

If you haven't poked aroung Somee Cards, you'll want to do so for a quick Friday laugh. I'm dying at my desk reading through these great greetings! Many are just TOO perfect.