I would say a little birdie told me this, but then I would really seem to talk to birds a lot, so let’s just say I heard by word of mouth that a lot of you really adored the snacks sets.  Really what isn’t to love about them?  They are adorable.  But then I heard another truth, many of you are cabinet challenged.

Trust me I may not seem like I understand this, what with my love of anything for entertaining, but until mid-June when I have my counter-top extended slightly so new cabinets can be installed in the unused space where they put an area for a bar (we don’t use a bar we eat at a table like civilized people), I do have only moderate cabinet space.

I don’t want to give up chic for function, it really isn’t my thing but a girl can only have so much china that will fit in her small apartment.  So I have brought you a compromise.  I found this when I was strolling through a wonderful little kitchen shop in Sonoma called Sign of the Bear.  It is a lot like a William Sonoma or Sur La Table, but in cute country general store format.  Anyway if you are in Sonoma it is a must stop little place.  Conveniently enough they ship too, so I have a nice little box of goodies that they shipped home to me being held hostage in the package room downstairs.  Anyway without further ado:

The Wine Glass Plate Clip.

So these really aren’t as cute, but with my China pattern that is white and silver they wouldn’t look THAT bad, nor would they on plain white plates or black plates.  They are small enough to throw in a drawer with your wine tags, bottle stopper and cork screw (which I know you have a drawer for).  And really their functionality is so great, I think the fact that they aren’t as cute as the snack set may be able to be overlooked until you get more cabinets.  See girls, there are always solutions.  Always.

Now they can’t be used with flimsy plastic plates, which in all honesty you shouldn’t use unless you have a very large group size and in that case you shouldn’t have enough of these to go around so it should all work out.  You can get these in multiple places, The Container Store has a pack of six stainless steel ones for $14.99 which seems to be a pretty good deal.

These from WineOpeners.com are a bit cheaper, but are not as nice in quality.  I mention them because you can buy in bulk and get them printed with a logo or picture.  I know many of you in the DC/Arlington area throw big corporate functions so I thought I would mention them as a reference.  How nice would it be to receive this at a big function?  I promise I would take mine and hubbies home to use.  You could also get them printed with a cool picture to make them a nice present.  Even better might be a wedding favor if you are having a reception that doesn’t have a sit down dinner.  (Sorry I love weddings, I could spend my whole life planning weddings if only it paid as well as my current profession)

This Wedding Wednesday I am exhausted, absolutely exhausted…

Wedding portraits last weekend, this weekend is an endless list of things to finish so this week Wedding Wednesday is going to be short and sweet:

Make-up.

You have a couple choices airbrushed make-up, having a salon or spa do your make-up, get it done at a cosmetic counter or do it yourself.

Air brushed make-up:

If you are going to do this make sure you get it done by someone with a good reputation.

In the DC area I suggest Rodney Pinion at Andre Chreky.  Pinion uses an airbrushing gun to gently spray tiny droplets of color onto your face. The results are very natural: Even those with a fear of foundation will love it. You can get base, blush, eyeshadow, and even brow tints, all of which last for ages, go on remarkably evenly, are hypoallergenic, and won’t clog pores.  The bonus is it photographs really well because of the even matte finish.

Having it done at a Salon or Spa:

I am not very good with make-up.  I don’t normally wear it and putting it on scares me a little.  So I trust the professionals.  Again reputation is key.  Not only should they have good make-up, but a good knowledge of what will photograph well.  Sparkly powder or eyeshadow with sheen does not photograph well.  I recommend splurging on this a little more than you regularly would.  Find someone who does this often, who has good credentials and does this often.  People that work often with people being photographed really helps.  I recommend when you do your make-up test to do some photographs, and really scrutinize the look.

Having it done by a cosmetic counter:

I really don’t recommend this unless you can test the results.  Although, I had a great experience last weekend at the Bobbi Brown counter at Belk in Charlottesville.  I didn’t have a salon to do my make-up for my wedding portrait because it was in Charlottesville, not the Greenbrier and I didn’t drive down from the city.  Luckily I found someone really experienced.  If you go this route, you want the make-up woman who is older and has worked there forever, not the young thing, but their make-up should look good. They will have done a lot of make-up, they will know the product and have a good eye.

Also choose the brand carefully.  You should probably go with what you normally use, but consider your look.  I find Bobbi Brown to be very natural.  They don’t have a lot of bright colors and that would look odd on me, who never wear make-up.  Really I think natural brides look best.  so unless you really want a “look” you might consider going that route.  Certainly don’t switch to a brand you have never used.  Many people are allergic to cosmetics.  Mom is allergic to blue eyeliner from Lancome, I am allergic to a lot of Clinique products.  But I think looking at the make-up and testing the products you will find something you can use.  this bonus is so you can learn how to apply it and use it for the honeymoon.

Make sure to ask if they have any sample products like these online that you get for free with an order:

Do it yourself:

Don’t… just don’t.  Unless you are getting married out in the middle of nowhere.  If you do go get your colors done and buy the products they recommend that you don’t have, especially correctors and concealers.  Practice, practice, practice.  But really you are going to be so stressed out, do you really want that added pressure?

So think about it, test it out and find what works for you.

Readers these Totally Bamboo products are dishwasher safe, food safe, made from renewable, sustainable products and naturally anti-microbial.  I got a beautiful bamboo cutting board from here for the MIL to be for this reason.

Now you can get one too at 20% off. They also have free shipping on orders over $50.

They have trays, plates, cutting boards, frames, bowls and even kitchen and bar carts.  See some of my favorites below:

Green-lite Large Oval

Malibu Groove

Soft Zebra Small Plates

And the nifty bar cart, perfect if you have a large house, lots of events and an extra $1,000.  So obviously not a need of mine, but McLeaners any takers you have HUGE houses where you may need an extra bar?  It is by far cheaper than building an extra bar.

Anyway readers Totally Bamboo has awesome high quality products that are a good price, even before the discount.  I really recommend them.  What other wood cutting board is naturally anti-microbial, dishwasher safe and harder than maple?  These really are superior than any other wood, plastic or other material for cutting boards.

Sometimes being a good hostess is about feeding people quick!

Dominoes and Papa John’s might keep a younger crowd happy, but most of us want something a little more sophisticated.  For the more discriminating pizza connoisseur try Z Pizza, pick your own toppings from a long long list or take one of their creations.  It is all organic and they have gluten free pizzas and wheat pizzas, they even have soy cheeses.  (And actually they have good salads too, darn wedding diet.)

As I live in Arlington I wanted to share with you all some great places to feed people fast with excellent food good enough that you won’t feel bad about not cooking.

One of the best places with a quick to-go pickup in Arlington is Liberty Tavern.  Call ahead and convientently pick-up great food, like the Vermont pizza or the frisee salad.  They offer homemade breads and locally sourced foods.  On this wedding diet it is nice to have a good salad to go, or roast chicken with veggies.

Another great option for take-out is The Italian Store.  They do catering of warm Italian food or their fabulous subs.  And close-by is the Lebanese Market Taverna which has a full host of great Middle-Eastern treats to-go.

If you don’t have any time to go pick something up, get someone to deliver to you!

Dr. Delivery is a favorite for us.  You can order from over 100 restaurants including Guajillo for great Mexican mole, El Pollo Rico for addictive chicken, Kabob Palace for great Kabobs, Mexicali Blues for good burritos and Minh’s for great Vietnamese and they will deliver it to hungry you or your guests!  You can even save your credit card info online, or your Fiance’s for quick ordering.

Another similar service is Take-Out Taxi.  They have some similar restaurants and some different, like California Pizza Kitchen to impress any little one with pizza far better than Papa John’s.  You could also get fried chicken from Flavor’s Soul Food, Levante’s for good Portugese food, Paya Thai and Raaga for great Indian, along with so many more.

So next time you need food fast, remember these great places, and your guests will be super happy.  Hungry Fiance’s will also be happy to have good delivery, and so do their enfianced who are too tired to cook sometimes.  So hopefully you enjoy all the great good food that you can get delivered right to your door or car.

So as a good kind-of-boss and friend, I am always in search of cool, but not too expensive gifts.  Often I will bring flowers in a nice arrangement, or a nice bottle of wine for friends who enjoy that kind of thing, but often I like something a little more girly or personal.  For girly girls, often times I pick up stuff at antique stores or during sales.  I always have a bag of small nice gifts, and can normally find something in there for anyone.  A great place to find those things is the Eastern Market.

I love the market, I love the interaction with local artisans, I love the fresh fruit and I love the selection of meats and cheeses.

I really love the card stand at the Eastern Market.  It is in the flea market section.  You can get all sorts of cards from $1.00 to $3.00 and even the $1.00 cards are nice.  I always flip through them and get a bunch of birthday cards, a few wedding cards, a couple baby cards and a couple get well cards.  I use blank cards for thanks you and other occasions, so I get those as well.

Another artist I really like is Amy Marx, her sea glass jewelery is really pretty.  I really like the connectors she has made that you can use to turn her bracelets into necklaces, that makes them very versatile.  Here is a sample:

Chris Water’s has very cool chopsticks and Asian ceramics.

Had Matter Art makes the coolest keyholders.  I really like the ones with funny prints like cows or hula girls.  I also like the collage ones like the one below.

You hook you keys below, and put little things like your extra garage pass on the shelf.

I also absolutely love the arrangements by Blue Iris.  They are modern and chic.  I think anyone would be supremely happy to get one of their arrangements, and they would instantly make a room look put together.

Man Made Design’s which makes very modern earrings, cufflinks and pendant’s has an etsy shop!  Find their beautiful and modern gifts like the aqua cufflinks below… they are super cool and a favorite color of mine.

But my very favorite is Turtle’s Webb.  A humanities major like me who took jewelry classes in college and fell in love with it, unlike me she makes more of a living out of it… someday.  I love her metal flower earrings.  I have ones similar to these below that are cooper and silver, I get compliments on them almost everytime I wear them.  I once saw gold ones that were phenomenal that I would love to have.  I really think this jewelry is so distinctive and creative.  My grandmother used to grow these flowers in hanging pots that look a lot like the flowers in her design so that is one reason they really hit home to me.  I can’t think of the name of the flower now, but maybe it will come to me.

You could also get some lovely cheese, fruit, bread in the Market itself.  The flea market has so many lovely gifts.  There are so many vendors I can’t even remember the name of like the box guy who has small boxes with cartoons and pictures on them.  The vendor who has super cute linens which look very April Cornell.  I love a day at the market I find things for me, and I find things for others.  All in all it is a great time.

And bonus if you get there early you can get bluebucks at Market Lunch, they are yummy blueberry buckwheat pancakes.  They are worth the wait.  If not then get a crabcake, they are one of the best in the city.

So it is time for orchid lovers in the area to slowly bring their orchids out of hibernation, introducing them back to orchid fertilizer, taking them outside for the nice sunny days.

I love orchids.  I am by no means an expert at growing orchids, but I enjoy mine.  For someone who travels often it is nice to have flowers that won’t die when not watered for a week.  Also getting your orchids to re-bloom is an event of immense pleasure.  The flowers are so delicate and intricate.

If you love orchids living in DC is such a joy, the United States Botanical Garden always has an orchid room, but in the Spring they always have a huge orchid exhibit.  This year is Orchids Through Darwin’s Eyes.  I highly recommend this exhibition.  Here is another link to the event.  The exhibition continues through April 26th.  Last year I was stunned by this blue orchid:

Afterwards when your obsession continues and you desire a source for beautiful orchids and then the knowledge to keep them alive I highly suggest Orchids for You in Vienna, Virginia.  Which has a plethora of varieties some pictures of their flowers are below.

They will help you learn how to re-pot your orchid, how much light they need, how often to water, how to mix your fertilizer.  And they have many specials, so if you think you might kill one, it’s ok, they have sales, don’t buy the expensive ones first.

So I  know earlier this week I posted a tea cup, so I may seem a little tea obsessed.  I should clear the record that I am only minimally tea obsessed.  I am actually going to a tea this weekend, and it had me thinking about tea, that may be the reason for all the  tea thoughts.  If your only experience with tea is Lipton or the normal Bigelow, you have not experienced tea.  I like using loose leaves that you can get bags to use it in or get a tea-maker.

We have an older version of this Teavana tea-maker.  Quite frankly, I don’t know if this one looks better or not, it only makes 4 cups.  Ours says it makes 8, but really in a mug makes 4, but a tea-maker is nice and handy.  You can add sugar or honey to the carafe and then put over ice to make iced tea.

I think a tea-maker of some type that you can put loose leaf into is essential for good tea, even if it isn’t this super duper fancy expensive one, that has a timer like a coffee pot.

I think one of the reasons I am minimally tea obsessed is that tea is a gesture of love:  iced tea in a nice pitcher for family, hot tea when you aren’t feeling well, and if you are English the tradition of tea in the afternoon with friends.

So if you don’t have the moola for that one think about this one, the bonus is it is beautiful and much cheaper so this is my pick, if I broke my tea-maker tomorrow.  You don’t even have to have a pretty teapot or carafe, because it is pretty.  Imagine it with the flowering bloom teas (the ones that when put in steeping water unfold into a pretty flower).

Next up is the tea itself.  I like the looseleaf variety Wegman’s has, I think it gets good turnover, Teavana of course is really good and then there is also Teaism, as well as, a host of small places and online stores.  I highly recommend the Peach White Tea at Wegmans for the best iced tea when added with a little honey when it’s warm to dissolve the honey . Jasmine pearls are also another favorite for hot tea.

So remember coffee is coffee, but tea is versatile, flavorful and something all enjoy, or even pretend to enjoy with stuffed friends at a table,  from the time we are little girls till now when we are still little girls at heart.  Enjoy.

P.S. If you want to really give a special little someone in your life a good experience the high tea at the Four Season’s in Georgetown or the Mayflower is really nice, a truly Madeline-esqe experience.  I want to take my two little cousins when they come and visit over the summer.

So you don’t know, but I am getting married in May.  That means wedding craziness has set in months ago and I am now wedding exhausted.  I decided to start Wedding Wednesday where I will give you my thousands and thousands of readers (what I don’t have thousands of readers?) advice, links and anything else I can offer you that will make it a little easier to plan your wedding pretty much by yourself, as you need it, trust me you do.

So today I can offer you: Paperwork

First off is the now-mandatory “Save the Date” magnet.  While readers trust me I scoured many sites for the best save the date magnet Pioneer Color has by far the best.  We used this one, but fortunately were not the couple featured here:

Save the Date Magnet

The good thing is that you can customize them completely, and insert your own photos, and they are definitely on the cheaper side of wedding magnets.  The only downfall is that the envelopes they give you are pretty cheap, but hey, they go through your printer so you could print them.

Next up: Invitations

You could spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on invitations, or you can print them yourself.  My advice, print them yourself.  Now I happen to have a fiance who does online graphic design for a living, so our wedding website is impeccable, and our invitation had all sorts of good graphics.  But I believe in this day and age, with a printer and some creativity you can make you own amazing invitations.  Here are some kits I found to be really awesome.

We used this one from LCI paper, they came quickly, were fairly cheap for a very nice quality, and absolutely customizable.

Ours of course were prettier.  We bought matching card stock which we cut to size and printed and put in the pocket to include extra information for our wedding including directions, schedule and accommodations.  I have even see people use this patterned paper to make a guest book on Etsy, so order an extra pack of bigger paper and make your own guest book too.  I think the metallic envelopes are especially good looking.

If you want to go green may I suggest Invite Site, pretty handmade paper invitations, that are earth friendly.  If you get Seedlings you can plant them after and they will grow!  There are many matching save the date cards if you don’t do the mandatory magnet, or want to send them additionally.  You can then print graphics on the inside printable card if you get one of the planner ones.  I really think the paper quality though makes them extra special.

Honorable mentions go to:

Paper Style who has some beautiful things you can order unprinted and print  yourself.  So get your graphic printing skills ready or order something ornate like the Georgette Scroll in blue so you just have to type.

Also a note, when you order, order lots of extras for those you will screw up, those the printer will screw up and extras for people you will forget on your list.  I also cannot stress how important  it is to make google lists (you can merge them from excel and back and forth onto excel) that you can share with family.  We shared our invite list so the Momma, MIL to be, FIL to be could all add addresses and RSVPs to the list, I did this with the shower invites too.

You could order shower invites, but really when Michael’s has them in the dollar bins, target will have them on clearance and other places have them for super cheap, unless they are a good deal and match completely and you order them with the magnets or invitations and don’t have to pay shipping, then it isn’t worth it.

My last advice, if you had a pyro problem as a kid, put wax seals on them.  You can order wax seals online, and I recommend the cylinder ones like these below from Letterseals.com where you get the wax that you can stick in a glue gun, or the ones with the pot that you heat over the candle drip version from Micheal’s.   They come in a large variety of colors.  People are really impressed by wax seals.

Trust me people will talk about them.  Do it.

As I look at my half-way demolished master bathroom and whistfully hope for the day it will be remodeled to a new beautiful bathroom, with uncracked marble tile that isn’t lose, glass shower doors that are oh so pretty and a toilet that doesn’t leak water under our tile making it loose to the point it cracks, I think about what I will also be able to do to improve my guest bathroom.

When not haphazardly occupied by my makeup, fiance’s electric razor and hair goop,it will be a nice tribute to one of my early visits to MIL to be’s house.

MIL to be is an amazing hostess.  She is one of those persons who when she goes places she picks things up for you just because she knows you will like them, she send cards for every holiday, remembers your favorite juice and picks it up from the store when you are coming down, in essence she is June Cleaver in our modern world.

On one of my first visits to their new house in Charlottesville I was delighted to find the shower stocked with Crabtree & Evelyn Lavender Shower Gel, Pureology shampoo and conditioner, Nuetrogena face wash and an exfoliating face scrub.  Most people put shampoos they didn’t like or extra toiletries from travels to nice hotels in their guest bathrooms, but this extra indulgence made me feel comfortable and welcomed, I was happy that I didn’t have to pack nice toiletries in the future knowing they were there.

This formulated into a decisive notion for me.  Great hostesses know what you want and have it there for you, so you don’t have to ask or want for anything.  I know I hate going to stay with someone and routing around their bathroom for an asprin, a personal care item or a hair dryer, and in the early morning everyone has their own time and you don’t like to disturb someone to ask for these items.  You guest bathroom should clearly have anything a guest should need in the shower, medicine cabinet, drawers or a nice basket on the toilet if you are really pressed for space.  I have come up with a bare minimum list and an all out list for those who really want to impress:

Absolute basics list:

Really nice shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash and lotion.  You won’t have to buy them often so get something nice, that way your guests know they don’t have to bring their own.  If you don’t want to go all out and get Pureology like MIL to be, get Biolage or Paul Mitchell, it is gender neutral and nice enough to keep everyone happy.   I think there are many neutral face washes out there, I like Nuetrogena or Burt’s Bees, as it is good for all skin types, avoid those with acne cleansers or harsh chemicals.  I have a girly scented body wash and guy body wash, but you could get something neutral, I love Crabtree and Evelyn and think Jojoba Oil collection would be well liked by all.

BONUS: Right now Crabtree and Evelyn is having a special on travel size items, so if you have a small guest bathroom, these would fit perfectly in a drawer or medicine cabinet.

And please keep a nice spray somewhere easily found like under the sink, guests hate to leave your bathroom stinky, so make it easy to find.

Minimum list:

Extra toilet paper, tissues, ibuprofen (not Tylenol in case it is a hangover to which Tylenol is not recommended), antacids,Immodium, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, disposable razors, shaving cream (get a shaving lotion or cream as opposed to a gel, the benefit being they often don’t have odors so it could be used by a male or female, you can normally find it in most grocery stores or pharmacies, I really like the one at Trader Joe’s and they have them in a small travel size normally so it can easily fit in a medicine cabinet), personal care items,  hair dryer, of course your normal cotton balls and cotton swabs, band aids and lip balm (again something like Blistex that isn’t scented or tinted).

All out list add ons:

Exfoliating face wash, sugar or salt scrub, hair brush, bobby pins, elastic bands, eye and face cream, make-up remover towelette, nail clippers, nail file, nail polish remover, eau du toilette, mouthwash, sewing kit appropriately stolen from a nice hotel and rubbing alcohol or peroxide.

Now being super anal, I store all this in the medicine cabinet and under the sink, I use these organizers from Ikea because they are super cheap and you can label them, so guests don’t feel like they are prying, two fit under my guest cabinet, with room for toilet paper, tissues and hair dryer on top.

So think about this next time you are going to have guests, or are the grocery or pharmacy.  It really is a super easy trick to make people think you are a perfect hostess who really lives like this:

P.S. Can I stress how much fresh flowers make your home look like you really are one of those people.