our favorite things {for the bride}

Between the many brides that come into Fleur de Lis, all of us having been brides within the past 4 years and the many weddings we’ve attended {or planned} throughout the years – we’ve seen our fair share of showers gifts and bridal gifts for the soon-to-be Mrs. We’ve compiled a collection of our favorite things {for the bride} that she is guaranteed to LOVE.

1. One-year subscription to Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine, $12: With DIY ideas, etiquette and beautiful wedding inspiration from Martha herself {and her panel of amazing experts} – this gift will keep on giving every time it arrives in the mail box. If you want a more frequent magazine subscription, TheKnot and BRIDES are good options too.

2. Wedding Organizer, Russell + Hazel, $37.50 {originally $75}: This organizing set will help brides stay organized and on top of all the details for her wedding day. Set includes a signature binder, planning notebook, organized adhesive note set, sheet protectors, 2 business card pages, 10 81/2×11 pages and 5 multi-format pages. Free Downloadable templates, such as wedding timelines, budget worksheets, checklists, music worksheets, floor plans, day-of wedding checklists, etc, available here.

3. Engagement Bracelet, Kathryn Giarratano, $50: Give a lovely bride a beautiful reminder of her wedding and engagement with her “something blue” and sparkly wrapped around her wrist. Kathryn creates one-of-a-kind jewelry for all occasions, but we are gaga for her sweet engagement bracelet. You can order through Kathryn’s retailers {including Fleur de Lis}, or e-mail Kathryn directly at kathryngiarratano@gmail.com for special orders.

4. Customized Bridal Hanger, Suspended Moments, $25-$27: We are in LOVE with this personal gift that will be the picture perfect shot on her wedding day {as the hanger holds THE wedding dress}, but also a reminder of her wedding day and her new journey as a Mrs. {hanging in the closet every day after she says, “I do”}. Match the wedding colors, or stick with a wooden hanger – either way – this gift will have a bride feeling very special. A bonus – Dawn, the shop’s owner and creator, is SO wonderful to work with.

5. The Bridessentials Kit by Ms. and Mrs., sold online and at Fleur de Lis, $28: A survival kit for the big day is essential for any bride. Kit includes brush with mirror, hairspray, safety and bobby pins, earring backs, blotting tissues, emery board, clear nail polish and remover, mending kit, scissors, double-sided tape, stain and static remover, pain reliever, antacid, breath freshener, floss, deodorant towelette, bandages, tampon, super glue, extra wedding bands, and a “something blue” heart-shaped crystal.

For our Holiday List 2011 Finale, we are going out with a bang. This week, we have TWO giveaways from our {for the bride} list that are fabulous!  Check back here Tuesday and Wednesday this week to enter your name in the giveaway drawings! 

{images via Tutto Bella, Suspended MomentsMartha Stewart Weddings, Ms. and Mrs. and Russell + Hazel}

a few of our favorite things

Our list of favorite things grows daily, but today here’s a few things we think are just great…

I-Pad Cover
BookBook for I-Pad by TwelveSouth
{I gave this to my mother-in-law and she loves it}

Rosebud Salve {a lip gloss/chapstick}, sold at Fleur de Lis, a paperie, $7

Decorative Plaques, Ben’s Garden, sold at Fleur de Lis, a paperie, $50-$100

I’m buying this one for my fabulous girlfriends…and of course for my daughter’s room…e-mail Jenna at paperie@fleurdelisdtc.com to buy one, or just stop in.

Ring Bear Bowl, Paloma’s Nest
{These ring bear bowls are the perfect shower gift or wedding gift…such a unique alternative to a ring bear pillow. I’ve also customized a tiny text bowl with: with this ring and the couple’s wedding date and name. Be sure to check out their other creative gift ideas…also available on etsy.}

Do you have a favorite thing{s} you would like to share? Please leave a comment or send us an e-mail at trejsorelle@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you and who knows – it just may be a future feature on our blog.

{images by TwelveSouth, Tutto Bella and Paloma’s Nest}

something for the host{ess}

We all love to bring that perfect little something to say thank you for being such a lovely host and/or hostess. Well, here are a few host/hostess gifts we think are just great.

Jodi just bought our aunts and grandma pairs of Toms shoes {in one of her wedding accent colors} to show her gratitude for the nice bridal lunch they hosted for her upcoming wedding. So comfortable and cute.

Lisa at With Style and Grace has a brilliant idea for “morning after” hostess gifts – all the ingredients and recipes for a Bloody Mary and Mimosa cocktail –  beautifully presented, of course. Love it.

Martha Stewart Living has a fun and creative game{s} on gift. Games are a perfect gift for the host and/or hostess…and the newly married couple with no money that need to be spending most nights in throughout the week to save their pennies.

Martha also came through with the simple, yet great, idea of a bar in a box.

Get some funny cocktail napkins at Fleur de Lis {a paperie}.

Who doesn’t love a personalized gift? Monogrammed stationery from Fleur de Lis would be oh so thoughtful.

Buy the reader in your life a PSA Essential stamp {also available at Fleur de Lis} that he or she can stamp From the library of… inside the cover of all his/her books.
Or, give the host and/or hostess a PSA Essential stamp with his/her address.

{images via Tutto Bella, With Style and Grace, Martha Stewart Living and PSA Essentials}

DIY photo lantern

photo lantern

One of my fave DIY projects has made an appearance several times on this blog…diy photo lanterns. I’ve made them for a several parties, and people continue to make comments about how much they love them. So, I’m going to keep a good thing going and attempt to share my how-to instructions to make this easy, affordable DIY project that will impress your guests with their personal touch and warm, soft glow…and have you looking like a little Ms. Martha Stewart.

You’ll Need:
black and white vertical photos
vellum paper
lanterns {I bought mine from Pier 1, but have seen adorable lanterns at Pottery Barn Home Décor too}
double-sided tape
scissors
candle {real or fake will work}

How To:
Measure the openings on the lantern where the photos will be placed
Edit black and white photos on a computer program to the exact size of the lantern openings {I just used Microsoft Word to adjust the size accordingly}
Print the photos on vellum paper on a laserjet printer
NOTE: An ink jet printer does not work as well because the ink is too wet once printed on the vellum
If needed, cut the photos and adjust them accordingly
Place a small piece of double-sided tape on the corners of the lantern opening
Place the photo on the glass and press gently on all sides and corners
Put a candle inside the lantern and light it before party guests arrive
voila

photo lantern with candle

{p.s. this makes a great gift for your mother or mother-in-law with photos of the grandkids, or a bride with engagement photos}

photo lantern with candle inside