SoCool

I'm out in SoCal for work this week...hence the lack of postings. I've been running around like crazy, but I'm definitely enjoying my surroundings. The ocean, palm trees and outrageously healthy (sea) food is great. Ironically enough, the weather in Chicago right now is warmer (75° and sunny) than San Diego (65°). Oh well. I hope everyone is having a wonderful week...I'll be back to posting soon. Cheers!

Heaven Sent

Photos via Minted.com/Wink Photography

I just entered these cuties into Minted's Here Comes Spring Birth Announcement Challenge.

Whaddaya think?

Eight

Photo by RHB.

This past Saturday marked our 8th month of wedded bliss! I can't believe that our 1 year anniversary (June 20) is right around the corner. Everything is going by so fast these days. I secretly wish I could plan our wedding every year...am I crazy?!

Save The Date: Kim & Jeff

Ornate scrollwork brings the vintage theme to life in this Save The Date design. Kim and Jeff chose to utilize a calendar format to communicate their special date. The tea length cards were printed on cream card stock and accompanied by #10 open end envelopes in navy. Silver ink worked perfectly for addressing!

and the WINNER is...

Congratulations to "Bel" from And Stanley Makes Three! You're the winner of the super chic Chalkboard Frame Sticker. I hope it looks amazing in your kitchen! Please send me your email so we can coordinate details. Happy Friday everyone!!!

don't forget...

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Don't forget to sign up for the Chalkboard Sticker GIVEAWAY! It's free! And I'll be sad if you don't participate. Contest closes tonight at 5pm CST. A winner will be announced tomorrow. Good luck!

Grow your own Shamrocks!

Perfect Irish wedding favors..."grow your own shamrock" kits and seed packets.

Image Sources: Grow It Kit; Irish Dirt; Bottled Shamrock Seeds; Seed Packets

Top of the Morning to you!

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Chalkboard Decor

It's all the rage! Do you have on old pantry door? Freshen it up with some chalkboard paint. I just discovered a great post over at Belle Maison that highlights a number of fun chalkboard ideas that you can incorporate into your own home. Also, don't forget to enter the CHALKBOARD STICKER GIVEAWAY I'm hosting on Keg Design this week. I'm excited about announcing the winner this friday! So get your comments in, and PLEASE, help me spread the word...

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Minted Wedding Challenge

Minted is hosting another amazing contest...The Breakout Wedding Challenge. Each designer was asked to submit 3 wedding invitations (no more, no less). The 1st prize winner, as voted by the Minted community, will win a chance to launch a collection of 4 wedding suites to be sold on Minted.com. This is such an amazing opportunity, and I'm very excited about the 3 designs I submitted below. I need your help with the voting - pretty please! Follow the links below, and Rate my designs 1-5 (5 is the best!). Thanks so much for your support, I really appreciate it. My full Minted profile can be found here.

PLEASE VOTE: Doodles A7 Wedding Invitation by Keg Design

PLEASE VOTE: Ornate Indigo A7 Wedding Invitation by Keg Design

PLEASE VOTE: Baroque Scrollwork A7 Wedding Invitation by Keg Design

Keg Design's 1st GIVEAWAY!

I'm so excited to host my first GIVEAWAY on Keg Design! I'm always looking for new ways to add character to my home, so when I came across this Kikkerland Large Decor Chalkboard Sticker I thought it was the perfect item to add charm and style to any bare wall. Hang it in your kitchen for recording recipes or your home office for writing daily "to do" lists. It would also work great in a kid's room for a safe alternative to drawing on the walls!

How To Win:

1. Become a Keg Design subscriber (follower). You must do this to be eligible.

2. Leave a comment telling me what you would do with the Kikkerland Chalkboard Sticker if you win.

3. TRIPLE your chances of winning by posting about this contest on your blog and linking back to this post. Don't forget to leave a comment so I know to add you.

This giveaway will close on Thursday, March 18th at 5pm CST. A winner will be chosen by random.org and announced on Keg Design on March 19th.

I'd like to thank CSN Stores for sponsoring this giveaway. CSN sells everything from kids bedding to modern accessories to everyday cookware. The chalkboard sticker frame we're giving away is backed with adhesive and easy to put up and remove. It leaves no residue on your walls and is 27.5" H x 22.6" W. I love the mixture of modern and vintage design in this piece. It's neutral color palette would fit in almost any room. For all you brides-to-be out there, it would be a great piece to frame or apply to an easel for wedding signage at your rehearsal dinner, ceremony or reception.

Here are a few examples of how similar stickers have spruced up some environments. Paper Source even suggests using Bistro Markers or rubber stamps (in addition to chalk) on your chalkboard sticker. Image sources here and here.

Here's a quick tutorial showing how easing the application of this kind of material is:

Paper Bags

Hip Hip Hooray! Have I told you how much I loooove kraft paper? If not, I'm telling you now. I used #10 kraft envelopes for my own Save The Dates last year. And I'm always trying to convince my clients to use kraft paper for their invitations and envelopes. Paper Source (one of my favorite stores ever) announced their new "Paper Bag" collection today. I'm so excited! Check it out at a store near you.

Puppy Love

This is Murphy, our "puppy"! He's a black lab with a little bullmastiff mixed in. He's 11 years old and the sweetest dog ever. He has grown quite the white "beard" over the last few years. I'm not sure that he enjoyed the impromptu photo shoot I initiated this weekend, but isn't he cute?

Envelope Liners

My productive weekend included lining these Paper Source envelopes! The envelope liner kit from PS was very helpful and easy to use. Don't you think the green paper looks great against the purple and red envelopes? More on these when I debut Sarah and Pat's Save The Date design...

Wedding Outtakes

I was sifting through my wedding photos last week, and came across these gems. Regardless of the hiccups we encountered along the way, our wedding day was tons of fun. We threw a good party! Isn't that what it's all about anyway...celebrating with friends and family? Dinner, dancing + drinks! Here are a few photos that don't require any explanation. Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words...

Pretty Stuff

I was sifting through my Sitemeter last week and came across The Pretty Purveyor as a referring site. I was pleasantly surprised to discover such a great blog. A big thank you to Jennifer at TPP for linking to Keg Design. The Pretty Purveyor has been added to my daily read list, and it is definitely worth checking out. There is lots of pretty stuff! Here are some of my favorites:

Mac BookBook. I WANT ONE! PP's posting here.

Whiskey Stones; A perfect groomsmens gift! PP's posting here.

Hanger Tea; Why didn't I think of this?! PP's posting here.