Natural Updo: Date night or wedding formal

I am back on the blog and I will kick start with this bit of gorgeous natural hair perfect for a wedding or formal event!

It is really cute and although not that simple to make, there is a video tutorial! The images and video are all from youtuber Kinkyislandgirl

monday moodboard: white wedding accessories

Are you planning a traditional wedding with all the bells and whistles or would you just like a tiny touch of white? In either case, today's moodboard should have something for you. I have handpicked beautiful white accessories which are both elegant and feminine. A touch of lace, pearls and flowers, perfect for a girly wedding!

Image credits
White Lace Collar - Epuu
White Wedding Gloves - Mamma Mia
White Pearl Ring - Nihan Atakan
White Wedding Hairpins - Lucie Tales
White Veil - Ella Gajewska
White Rope Necklace - Nasukka

the kindness of strangers: cancer, loss and fundraising to help a fellow etsy seller

Sandra, her son and her husband who recently passed away

I am taking a break from the regular schedule to tell you about this raffle that I am so proud to be part of and donate to. In business, many networks are all about business. Some are in it to gain exposure for their brand, others are looking for customers or a mix of both. It is rare that you will find a network where business owners actually care for each other.

I am so privileged to be a part of such a network, the European Street Team on etsy as part of my stationery business. In the Spirit section, we work hard promoting each other trying to get the very much desired front page to boost our sales. We get to know each other's likes and dislikes. We share in each other's happiness and commiserate when hurdles appear along our paths. One team member, Sandra, recently lost her husband to cancer. Her etsy shop is her sole source of income and she has a 5 year old son. Our etsy team has rallied around her donating gifts and organising a raffle to help keep her head above water.

Many of us have not met Sandra in person but we are nonetheless happy to help her by donating products from our shops and/or buying raffle tickets. Raffles tickets are just $5 and if you have some spare change and would like the chance to win one of over 50 prizes as well as help a hardworking business owner, then do support this cause! We have sold 500 tickets so far and we would love to sell more! Read more about Sandra and Buy your Raffle ticket here!

handmade wedding favours: natural soap and perfume

As far as wedding favours (or favors) go, the norm seems to always be something to eat. This can be the traditional truffles in a box or a sweet cart at the wedding. However, if you do not want to go for edible favours, how about a beautiful handmade soap, natural perfume or a lavender scented sachet for your guests? Here is a selection of some of my favourites from etsy.

Botanical Inspiration: Natural Soap, Perfume and Lavender Wedding Favors

Image Credits
Lotion Bar - LaMiaCasaNelVento
Botanical Soap -  LittleRagaMuffin
Natural Perfume -Illuminated Perfume
Lavender sachets - Garden Mis
Burlap bags - We Craft

saturday style: gifts for bridesmaids

If you are unlucky, your bridesmaids may be more interested in wearing a pretty dress as opposed to helping you as a bride throughout the wedding. However, if you have selected well, you should have some very wonderful helpers, often ready to stand for hours in heels, run around to make sure you have everything you need and generally ensure that you never get into a fuss or flustered. For these special ladies, here are some pretty gifts that are natural and neutral perfect for the ecochic girls!

Natural and Neutral Gifts for Bridesmaids

Image credits
Bridesmaid lace necklace: Skrynka
Personal names in ceramic: Paper Whispers (Me!)
Cotton handbag : House of Wonders
Aveda gift set : Aveda
Natural cosmetics: Shea Butter Cottage
Fruit Basket: Marks and Spencer

handmade: beautiful wedding dresses from katie jean

Could there possibly be anything more special than getting a handmade dress made to order? Well how about a special little touch of vintage thrown in? If you are looking for such a dress then Katie Walker's beautiful dress at her boutique Katie Jean may just be up your street. A beautiful touch of bohemian with fine materials such as silk and chiffon make this collection really worth a look or two or three!

Simple and elegant vintage inspired dress

1960s inspired boho chic wedding dress

 

Be the centre of attention in this tiered gorgeous gown

There are also beautiful shorter knee length dresses in the collection and of course all made to order. Here are some of my favourites.

Short and chic wedding dress

Beautiful silk wedding gown

Subtle sparkle in this vintage inspired design

If you like what you see, go over to Katie's shop to see more designs or purchase a dress - here

country rustic chic wedding moodboard

Happy new year! I am kicking off with an unconventional touch, a wedding dress that is not white! I love the whole country rustic chic wedding touch and why not extend that to your wedding dress.

This moodboard features a beautiful bohemian low scooped back wedding dress in brown and I love the countryside shoot complete with sheep in the background.  There is also a beautiful flower girl's dress in linen and a ring bearer pillow with burlap and lace touches. To round off the moodboard, there are pretty crochet fingerless gloves (or wrist cuffs if you wish) and a cute touch with floral decorated wooden pegs holding up escort cards.

Country Rustic Chic Wedding

Where to get all of this? Etsy the handmade palace of course!
Wedding Dress - Raori
Flower Girl's Dress - Lefthandedcraftclub
Rustic Ring Pillow - Iren Designs
Escort Card Floral Pegs - ManniaTitta
Gloves - Smiling Knitting