Simple & Sweet Favors

 

Confession, I really like candy coated nuts/ dragees.  And my favorite kind of favor for a wedding or celebration is something that one can snack on during the trip home.  Dragees have been a standby for favors for centuries and while there are all kinds of trends right now when it comes to favors, sometimes something as simple and sweet as a pretty box of dragees is the perfect touch.  A little glassine box with candy coated sunflower seeds tied with a pretty ribbon is timeless and something your guests will enjoy as a treat on the way home.  Keeping this age-old favor modern and current is all in the packaging... skip the tulle bag things and go with glassine or kraft packaging.

The nice folks at Superior Nut were kind enough to send me a sample of their candy coated sunflower seeds recently.  I don't usually do product reviews but I am always up for sharing a resource that I would actually use myself and this place fits.  Yummy! Both Dan and I would eat these by the handfuls!  And the price is definitely right.  One could easily package up simple and sweet favors or fill candy dishes for a holiday party for a reasonable portion of the budget with a couple of bags of the chocolate sunflower seeds...  Or mint lentils- yum!

Dressed for a Spring Party

The other day I headed out for a super quick trip to Anthropologie (seems like an oxymoron, right?) during my lunch hour and was stopped in my tracks by the loveliest dresses.  Anthropologie has been seriously on fire lately with their product offerings... they have me swooning on a regular basis.  Their dresses this spring are just perfect for attending or the bridesmaids at a wedding or for a bridal or baby shower... so pretty much for any pretty spring or garden party they will not disappoint.

If it was just two short years ago, my bridesmaids would be outfitted with one of these frocks.  

And Chicago ladies, did you know that an Anthro store opened on State Street by Marshall Fields?  Seriously great for an awesome lunch break.

Chic & Subtle Wallpaper

Wallpaper has come such a long way.  It can be so chic and pretty, but will our kids be groaning about the wallpaper choices of the early 2000's?  Either way the Martha's Vineyard Monique is absolutely pretty.  I could see this being an excellent choice for any room. And (depending on dimensions) it could be a chic and subtle table runner for a wedding reception, a pretty combination of paper and linens. Oh the possibilities with such a perfectly understated wallpaper!

Weddings 101 at a Discount!

There are just a few seats left for the January session of Weddings 101... and I have a sweet little discount to offer my dear Chicago bridal readers of $50 off!  The Weddings 101 class is essentially a wedding planning bootcamp for brides-to-be led by seasoned wedding planners Magnificent Milestones.  All you have to do to get the discount is to mention this blog when you sign up. 

Here are the details:

CS Brides presents

Wedding 101

With Magnificent Milestones

January Sessions

Offered Tuesdays & Thursdays

12 PM - 1 PM

Magnificent Milestones | 1041 W. Madison St.

Join us for our January session of Wedding 101, offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 PM to 1 PM. The classes cover budget, guest lists, timetables, vendors and venues. All "graduates" leave with a bridal swag bag full of over $1,000 worth of discounts and incentives, a customized budget and a list of our favorite vendors.

For more information please visit
www.magnificentmilestones.com

Cost is $200 for four, one hour sessions.
Lunch and swag bag included.

Lively Dresses

Sometimes you just need a pretty & sexy dress to wear to a celebration.  And sometimes you just need to find a pretty & sassy dress for your bridesmaids.  Something fashionable.

Michelle Williams, the force behind the striking designs of Quail, has launched Quail Bridesmaid.  The line is so quirky, feminine, and lively that I had to share it with you.  I am just loving these dresses as they are clearly made to have fun and celebrate while wearing.  And Michelle is clearly a girl who gets the details, she will work to match the color for the dresses with the example you bring in; find your inspiration for your colors from an umbrella? Not a problem.

Now for those of you searching for a pretty frock to celebrate the season, an anniversary, a bachelorette party... Quail has you covered too.

I really am loving the work at Quail.  Such amazing party dresses options!