DIY: Martha Stewart Paper Flowers Bouquet

Had to share my DIY bouquet bonanza, as it turned out entirely too well to keep it to myself!

A few weeks back, D. and I found ourselves meandering through Wal-Mart. I don't recall exactly why we were there, but, in true fashion, I went for the craft section and found a great Martha Stewart paper flower bouquet kit for $9.99. It makes 24 flowers, so I figured...what the heck and bought it, considering it as a possibility to play some role in the wedding.

Alas, putting all of the flowers together simply took entirely too long for me to consider doing this for, say, every table at the reception, but I now have a beautiful bunch of flowers that will cheer up my (getting there) home office!

I think these would be a super gift for anyone...they are great for the office, since they don't require any maintenance and look fantastic. They'd be great for allergy sufferers, those in hospital or your sweetheart (hint, hint..Valentine's Day is just around the corner!) For those DIY-challenged folks, there are very easy instructions to follow ;)

A True Oh My Word Moment...

Guess what happened to me on Friday? Oh yes...I found and bought my wedding dress! Not only is it The Dress...it was at an unbelievable price, acquired via Filene's Running of the Brides sale! Now, let me preface this with my preconceived notions on the sale. To begin, I thought it was madness to consider going to wait in line at 4 o'clock in the morning. Nothing, short of a plane to catch or a house fire, would get me up at some unearthly hour, let alone a dress. After all, I had really liked 3 dresses at other stores and had an appointment at Wendy's Bridal to try on more. This was a no-pressure sort of situation. More than anything, I really wanted to experience some wedding antics, some silly memory making moments to treasure forever and nothing beats stripping down to a strapless bra in the middle of a shoe aisle at DSW/Filene's for making memories!

My troopers joined me around 1 p.m. (that would be my mom, FMIL, and sister/MoH, by the way.) We grabbed a nice spot, bench and all, very near the dozens of racks donning dresses, just over into the shoe department. Given that I have forethought and zero shame, I wore a strapless bra and the tightest yoga pants I own, stripped down to said outfit, put on my favorite aubergine suede peep-toe pumps and tried on dresses. A. Lot. Of. Dresses. Something in the range of, oh, about 24. We each took turns scouring the racks, zipping, unzipping, pulling, tugging and dragging dresses on to me, off of me and back and forth and so on for four hours' time. Yes. Four. Hours. The moms were exhausted. My sister's finger was bleeding from where it split from pulling zippers. But somewhere in the middle of all of the wedding dress shenanigans, a gem appeared and was put into the 'maybe' pile...which consisted of all of 2 other dresses. There were so many lovely dresses, but most of them just didn't fit the 'girls', ifyouknowwhatImean...

So. There it sat, cocooned in a plastic garment bag, thrown on top of a shopping cart. I announced to everyone that I wanted to try it on again..for posterity (read: I couldn't remember which dress I was or if I even liked it.) And then I looked at myself in the mirror. Really looked. I watched the faces of passers-by and my amazing ladies. People smiled. I smiled. I checked myself out at every angle and it just felt right. Not birds tweeting, burst into tears sort of hysteria, but I honestly felt like a super fabulous version of myself, and thus, the Maybe Dress became The Dress. Mom and I walked over to a 3-way mirror just to check things out (and honestly, I didn't want to take The Dress off) and we had a mother-daughter moment complete with tears. My whole experience was perfect. Perhaps not perfect for everyone, but perfect for me. I mean, come on! I found my wedding dress in the heels aisle at DSW. How more 'me' does it get?!

My FMIL and I drove home together and decided my dress needs a name. We're both digging 'Lucy', but right now, given that it's laid out on a guest bed with a sheet over it, it's being referred to as The Lodger. I don't believe anything can beat that :)

Chances are, I'm not going to let you see it (unless you're a complete stranger..then I think it's safe!) It sounds terribly selfish of me, but I want it to be a surprise for everyone. And it needs alterations like the dickens. My apologies in advance if this bends you completely out of shape. I just can't do it. But I promise to make up for it with lots of great accessories pics to keep you afloat until November.

Ah...it feels great to check this off The List...Now I really feel like a bride-to-be!

Romance of Simple WWII Weddings...and Other Musings

Since our Internet service was down for a little while yesterday, I find myself playing catch-up with new posts! I hope you enjoy them :)

{Courtesy Fashion Era}

I came across a very interesting article and boy oh boy did it strike a chord in me. It is right along the same lines as what I touched on in my last post and I wanted to share it with you.

Please take the time to read it, as I am only going to paraphrase my favorite bits and pieces. I think we all could do with a bit of perspective and I believe this writer did a fantastic job. Bravo!

Taken from Ingeborg's memoir Still Life with Violin, regarding her 1946 nuptials, "It was not the wedding of a little girls dreams, but it was a wedding like thousands of others performed across Europe, the United States and Canada in the years after the War. Time, money, facilities, place dictated how people arranged and celebrated the most significant experiences of their lives. Strangers in a hotel took the place of family, and tradition was a luxury that had to be put in the back of a closet, to be pulled out sometime in the future when the heart of the world beat more regularly once again."

"Recent studies indicate that the cost of the average wedding in the U.S. is approaching $30,000, twice the amount of my first house. Beautiful fantasies are created for all involved with these hefty bills, every conceivable detail plotted. Technology has come to the modern American wedding reception, in the form of video productions. Music accompanies the story of the bride and groom from infancy through their courtship, with thoughtful tributes to parents, grandparents, family. Disposable cameras in the middle of reception tables have given way to video cameras. Perfection has become so important and the details so myriad that planning a wedding is too much for a mother and daughter to work out. Professional wedding planners add to the bill. Champagne fountains, off shore locales, miles of satin and lace, exotic themes, color schemes create the illusion of romance.

But are they romantic? Not an answerable question, I admit. One man's treasure is another man's trash. One couples romantic wedding is anothers self-conscious grasping for meaning and depth with plastic fingernails and phony traditions peddled by advertising genius."

Now, loyal readers, please understand that I am not judging, lest I be judged. Weddings are almost a hyper-personal event for a couple and there are countless facets which effect a couple's thoughts there upon. Culture, family, upbringing, age, situation, tradition, you name it - they all pay a part. To me, what is most important is to not get caught in the business of your wedding. It is not a show, a competition nor a popularity contest. Make every decision count and reflect you both as a couple equally. If you want 500 guests, a $2,000 gown (or several), and a $40,000 bill, my blessing to you. If you'd rather go barefoot on the beach, wear garlands in the forest or pin curls in the pool hall, own it! Just don't forget to breathe, feel and savor every moment because you only ever have your first wedding once.

To Eat, Drink & Be Married

As I catch myself mulling over the cost of weddings and the strange urge to overspend, overthink and overstress just about every aspect of our wedding planning, I try to bring myself back into reality and not lose sight of what truly matters most about that day -- that it's the first day of a new life with the man I love, my best friend and partner in crime. We have our church booked and, honestly, what else does one need? Regardless of what I wear, what we eat or what the flowers look like, we're going to be surrounded by our most beloved friends and family, making memories that will last a lifetime. I cannot explain the profound peace that alone brings me. There is no other way I would have it.

Another thought that keeps me from going into a complete and utter tizzy is remembering what those amazingly fabulous brides from the 1940s did. Those wartime brides had entirely more challenges brought before them than I ever will and those are the ladies who truly inspire me. I think the key is to keep things in perspective. Every person we are inviting is part of our nearest and dearest and would probably not bat an eye if I were to show up wearing a white sweatsuit. No one will starve, everyone will be comfortable, happy and share in the love of the day. D. isn't leaving for war, I don't have to work in a factory, no rations are being used to make a cake. We have a humble home, money coming in and plenty in our lives to look forward to and be thankful for. Already we're that much ahead of the game!

So, with that said, I vow to no longer let the details make me anything other than giddy with excitement and anticipation. I will not be stressed, sad or overwhelmed and instead, will cherish every moment of planning given to me. To life -- eat, drink and be married!

My Wedding Inspiration Board

So I think it's time to share with everyone who may happen upon my little blog my wedding inspiration board. I created this months and months ago. I am a big dork and even made it my computer's desktop image so I could see it easily everyday. I can't lie...I love it and hope, wish and pray D. and I can manage to capture the comforting timelessness found in these images. Enjoy!

{The imagery was pulled from goodness only knows where (*please let me know if you recognize where the images came from!}

{Silk Sashes & Roses: The White Aisle}
{Brown Dress: David's Bridal}
{Cake: Martha Stewart}
{Invitations: Martha Stewart}
{Wedding Dress: Judd Waddell via Brides.com}

To Top it Off

One thing about wedding planning that I'm really looking forward to is cake tastings! I love to bake and am a bit of a self-proclaimed cake snob. My mom makes killer cakes...so perhaps I'm genetically inclined to have a real, honest-to-goodness love of cake. But not just any cake. I'm very particular about what I look for in a cake and the frosting, especially. Boy do I love a good buttercream!

But regardless of what type of cake you hope for at your wedding (and I promise, I'll revisit this topic again later), you're going to need some type of topper. Nothing sets off a cake like a great topper! Whether it's fresh flowers, marzipan fruits or a little bride and groom, cake toppers are the crowning achievement of any wedding cake and shouldn't be forgotten. Given that just about anything goes nowadays (and that there are a billion options to choose from), I wanted to share a few topperse that I found caught my eye.

{Courtesy Rain's End}

This little wool bird cake topper has to be one of the cutest things I've ever seen. Not only would this quirky, adorable topper make a memorable statement, it's appeal and whimsy is strong enough to make a great conversation piece on a shelf at home post-nuptials.

{Courtesy Fancy Flours}

Who can go wrong with choosing a vintage bride and groom cake topper? Classic, timeless toppers like the one shown above have been a popular choice for decades. Many options are available online on various websites, but can cost more than a lucky eBay find, but nothing beats free -- ask your older family members if they held onto theirs all these years. You may get lucky and get to borrow a family heirloom!

{Courtesy Wedding Details}

If glitzy, kitschy or flowery cake toppers aren't your thing, check out this topper. This chic, understated pair of love birds would look great on a clean, modern cake at any time of year. Doves are a meaningful selection for celebrating your wedding day, too. What a stylish way to show your love for one another!

{Courtesy Debra Moreland via InStyleWeddings.com}

Attention all princess brides! Here's an original way to top off your fairytale wedding cake -- using a topper from Debra Moreland. Cake tiaras certainly add a bit of bling to the cake table and play up the drama and glamor at any fancy fete.

{Courtesy WeddingTactics.com}

Nothing says garden wedding like a delicate bird's nest. This example was originally created as a centerpiece, but I think it could be an amazing addition to the wedding cake for an outdoor or spring wedding. Bird's nests are an easy DIY project, too, for all you crafty brides out there, and don't require much time to put together. Look for prepainted eggs after Easter, too -- you may find some on sale in a variety of colors. To keep it more realistic, pale yellow or blue are your best bets for choosing eggs. To keep things safe, you may want to place a paper doily or piece of parchment in between the nest and your cake to avoid any issues with edibles.

{Courtesy WeddingFanatic.com}

My mom throws the kind of tea parties that little girls' (and big girls') dreams are made of. She's made table decorations from teacups using fresh flowers and they always look stunning. This example is not one of her original creations, but is a nice sample of how great a teacup, saucer and fresh flowers can look when arranged. The size is right for a multi-tiered cake, too! Just be careful of how much it weighs -- you wouldn't want your top-tier to get smashed from a too-heavy topper. Light, airy baby's breath is a great filler for these toppers and they help keep the weight down. And remember...the more delicate the teacup, the lighter it is (and higher the quality, normally!) This romantic, feminine topper idea would fit right in on top of a wedding shower cake, too. I think I may have to do this one myself!

{Courtesy Martha Stewart}

Wow. Can you believe these delectible fruits are made of marzipan? How beautifully they sit placed in a simple, white bowl atop this scallop-shaped fondant cake. Fresh and bright, these marzipan fruits would be perfect for a summer wedding cake. Maybe you're like me and your wedding will take place in the autumn? Marzipan acorns and leaves would make a perfect adornment. Wendy Kromer Confections is a must for marzipan enthusiasts. Check out the website here -- marzipan cherry kits, bulk cherry blossoms, leaves, fruit and more!

Brought to you by the letter 'W'...

So. I have a few posts now. Only just a few moments ago did I notice that nearly all of them begin with the letter 'W'. What do you think that means? Hmm..interesting..

According to the Uncyclopedia Wiki...

"W is the international symbol for pendulous witch's tits, often seen on the weather forecast maps of Scotland. Aberdeen is particularly prone to showers of witch's tits. (I honestly have no idea what this means..but found it amusing nonetheless.)

The W is also a favourite pirate's symbol, used to denote the location of important things, like buried cash or where to find the cheapest whores when you've spent all your money on grog. (I like pirates, but admittedly, I'm not so keen on cheap whores, though that starts with 'W' also..)

One of the two most boring letters of the alphabet (the other being "k"), rating only two lines in the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Fourth Edition."

I rather like the letter 'W', actually. And the letter 'K', for that matter. I have another word that starts With 'W'. Whatever. I digress..

P.S.

I BIG PUFFY HEART VintageGlam Weddings. If you haven't visited her blog, click now. Like. Right. Now. VintageGlam rocks my little world.

And while you're at it...check out one of VG's fav-o-rite companies ModCloth.

Things I love heaps & tons from ModCloth:

{Courtesy ModCloth}

Wrap It Up!

In my quest to find unique, yet affordable, wedding reception table centerpieces, I came across quite a few amazingly creative ways to not only highlight floral bouquets. Practical, customizable and budget-friendly, wrapping a plain vase is a great way to get a designer look for a fraction of the cost -- especially if you are a crafty bride-to-be like me!

{By Alyssa Ettinger, Courtesy Artnet.com}

This is it. My favorite. This stunning knitted vase wrap is by artist Alyssa Ettinger. I love the neutral texture of the cable-knit yarn. What I like the most about this particular wrap is the cozy look it exudes. It would be perfect for an autumn or winter wedding and, best yet, wouldn't require fuzzy, overworked floral arrangements -- just look how this single bloom shines! Though I don't knit, I crochet like the dickens and, if not for my wedding, plan on creating my own version of these beautiful vase wraps for myself. Do neither? What about repurposing the sleeves of old sweaters to fancy up those vases!

{Top, Courtesy Hostess with the Mostess. Bottom, courtesy Martha Stewart}

Perhaps paper is more your style. Well fear not, my paper-loving proteges, anyone with a glue stick can handle these beauties. All you need is a great paper and a glue stick! Extra bits and bobs, of course, always make your project look *that* much more chic, but are certainly not required. Check out the punchy pop printed paper on the left and the string-wrapped vellum sheets on the right. These are just a touch on the myriad of paper-wrapping possibilites. Extra wrapping paper, photo collages, old concert posters, scrapbooking paper, newspaper, sheet music, magazines...the possibilities are endless. This is a great opportunity to repurpse, too. Transform a garage sale find into one-of-a-kind and be the envy of all your friends!

{Top, Perfectly Pearls. Middle, Mi Piaci. Bottom, Inspired to Flower}

For the more eco-friendly bunch, look no further than Mother Nature herself. Bark, bamboo and banana leaves are natural choices for framing out flowers. The organic nature of these options is a nice contrast against silk, paper or fabric flowers, too, and will only help to make them look even more realistic. The bottom photo looks more complicated to make than it is -- look closely and you'll see that it is nothing more than a tall cylinder vase wrapped in a bamboo placemat. What zen space wouldn't benefit from any of these wrapped-vase options?

This is going to be a rewarding wedding DIY for me. Not only am I going to find great ways to cut costs, but I am going to infuse creativity and personality into what could have been a very ordinary tablescape. Can't wait to show you the final project!

Work It Out

{ Courtesy House To Home}

Lately, I've been doing a lot of work from home (not to mention the countless hours spent wedding planning.) It's been on the agenda for some time now to tidy up my office, get organized and give it a proper look. The problem I'm having is deciding on what kind of office I'd like to see. Practicality and storage options are a must, but aesthetic beauty is equally important. I'd like a space where I don't feel stressed, but feel happy, relaxed and creative. I'd like it to be personal to me.

Now, I'm not one for drippy, ultra-romantic shabby chic spaces. Actually, I really don't find myself immediately drawn to any space that can fit so easily into a predetermined design category. All of the "finished" rooms in my home are a happy design cocktail of 'eclectic' and 'classic.' I like the balance of new and old, refurnished, repurposed and new, inviting color and practical space planning.

For inspiration, I revisited textiles designer (and fellow Ohioan) Amy Butler's studio space via the web. To me, it embodies Amy's signature "Midwest Modern" style - a perfect pairing of updated color combinations, vintage-inspired pattern and print and has that certain je ne c'est quoi...it's something warm, familiar and endearing.

{Courtesy Amy Butler Designs}

Another lovely space is that of Drew Barrymore's Flower Films. I love the balance of the masculine dark wood desk and leather chair with bright yellow flowers and pale draperies.

{Courtesy Domino Mag}

Pottery Barn has great set designers and photographers. I can so easily see myself working out of these next few areas. Clean, bright, inviting with a dash of lived-in charm is the M.O. here.

{Courtesy Pottery Barn}

Obstacles: newish beige carpet, one small window, lack of storage, lack of general lighting, needs color.

This will definitely be a WIP over the next year. Our budget is going to the wedding (woot!) but creative inspiration is free, so that's where I'm starting!

Does anyone else work from home? How did you work it out in your home office? I'd love to see & share pics, inspirations and ideas, especially if you've successfully overcome similar obstacles or have a very unique, personal space that you'd like to share. Now...back to work!

ABOUT

Hello, lovelies! I'm Evelyn, a designer + creator of things. People have told me that I have an eclectic-meets-classic taste in fashion, in design + at home. I believe that objects have the ability to tell stories, but sometimes they just need the right  storyteller. I enjoy keeping my iPod on shuffle, making handmade gifts, finding treasures in junk shops, traveling the globe and laughing through life with my husband.

Oh My Word! began in 2009 as a way to embrace the process of planning + designing my own wedding, but has become a way to share bits about who I am, who I love, things that make me smile and all that inspires me along the way. Enjoy!

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Evelyn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the Columbus College of Art & Design and has worked both as a freelance interior designer and professional graphic designer in Columbus, Ohio. She anticipates the launch of her online boutique Hello Magpie in Spring 2010.

The Written Word

With the advent of technology and all of it's conveniences, I can't help but find myself longing for something more, drawn to the simplicity, beauty and thought put into the hand-written word. From amazing hand calligraphy to a simple thank-you note, all things ephemeral are a cherished (albeit old-fashioned art form) to me.

My soon-to-be MIL is ultra-talented in many different mediums, one of which is calligraphy. We are going to ask her to contribute her skills to pieces for our wedding as a gift to us. I sincerely can't think of a better gift!

Many people have complimented me on my very tidy handwriting, but rather than show you my terrible first-attempts at calligraphy, I thought I'd share with you my inspirations.

For anyone in the wedding blog world, Classic Bride is top-notch. Not only does she demonstrate impeccable taste, she has just recently launched her own company called SD Calligraphy featuring her fantastic calligraphy! Below is her Chelsea style -- the perfect amount of whimsy and classic appeal. Bravo Sarah! I'm a huge fan!

{courtesy of SD Calligraphy}

Below is a surprising bit of temporary artistry through handwriting. I wonder if the person who wrote this even knows how inspirational it is -- and that people all over the world are now appreciating it as more than the informational piece it was intended.

{courtesy of Flickr}

My love of the written word doesn't start and stop with hand calligraphy. I LOVE getting a proper letter or note through the mail. Last week, we had a meeting with a potential wedding photographer here in town. Not only did we have a really fun time, but in yesterday's post, we received this note. Talk about leaving us with a great impression! All of the details are so much fun - the recycled magazine envelope, the hand-stamped wax seal, the unique postage, the note's scalloped edge. She's an artist through and through.

{thank you kitty!}

Press + Praise

February 2010 · Scoutie Girl Spring 2010 Fashion Preview articles one, two, three + four.

February 2010 · Blogger-in-Residence at Scoutie Girl

January 2010 · Carli at The Last Straw talks about her interview with OMW!

September 2009 · Getting some love over at Crowns and Lace.

September 2009 · Quoted in an entertaining article written by the Life section editors on Blogs.com.

March 2009 · Kitty gives a shout out on her blog Kitty Maer Photography.

January 2009 · Sarah at Classic Bride gives thanks for all the blogs who posted about SD Calligraphy.

Sponsorship + Advertising

Thank you for popping in to learn a bit more on sponsorship + advertising on Oh My Word!

To me, sponsorship is all about connecting the dots between you + me + more folks like us. It is a grassroots effort truly about supporting, encouraging and promoting great people, products and ideas and I hope that you will consider OMW! as an outlet for your store, blog or brand.

Just getting started? Me too!

Having begun in January 2009 as a personal lifestyle and wedding blog, Oh My Word! has evolved into so much more. With more than 11,000 visits, 20,000 page views and 7,000 unique readers in it's first year, OMW! has shown steady growth month-to-month and the future only promises more. Daily posts, beautiful photos, creative projects and interesting commentary from a real person keep bringing readers back for more. The launch of my online store Hello Magpie in Spring 2010 will only serve to further encourage readership on OMW! through being active in the strong Etsy community, supporting ecologically-responsible initiatives and networking with indie crafters + creators globally.

Currently, I am considering everyone, every product and every thing out there, so I encourage you to email me at reevetobe{at}gmail.com to continue the conversation to see if we'll make a great fit.

Loves: handmade, indie labels, etsy stores, eco+green products, artists, designers, local businesses & brands (central Ohio only, please), crafts, lifestyle blogs...just to give a general idea of what I'm looking for in sponsors. Most importantly, sponsorship must be relevant to my readers. I reserve the right to decline products and services not in line with philosophies, ideals and aesthetics of the site.

The nitty gritty:

The sponsor spots are a static 150x100 pixels and will be placed along the sidebar. Locations along the side bar will vary and will be rotated frequently. These sponsorship spaces are $15 per month or $40 for 3 months and run from the first of the month to the last day of the month(s). Badge, link or product trades are all open to consideration, too. Let's find a successful way to help one another out!


Interested? Drop me a line and introduce yourself!

xo,
Eve

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The views and opinions expressed on Oh My Word! represent my own and not those of the people, institutions or organizations that I may or may not be related with unless stated explicitly. This blog comes with no guarantees. The content might contain errors and not be completely up-to-date. Any errors may not be corrected immediately.
 
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