Friday Fav: Isms Butterfly Wing Jewelry

This Friday Fav is brought to you by a SUPER RAD company that I just recently(as in yesterday) became acquainted with ISMS! Yesterday when I got home from work, I found the cutest little box in my mail from my BFF Emily. I opened the box to see an adorable little mason jar labeled 'Butterfly Preserves'... At this time I was thinking 'what the heck'... and then I open the jar to see the most gorgeous chain necklace with a preserved monarch butterfly wing on it! 

When my grandmother passed away who I was extremely close too, we all had many times when we swore she was following us around in the form of a black monarch butterfly; and still do! So to say this was the perfect gift would be an understatement! I LOVE IT!

Not only are these beautiful, but they give back too; which is my favorite kind of Friday Fav!

'All jewelry is made out of real functioning butterfly wings sourced from the conservation farms. Each wing undergoes a meticulous 12-15 step process that renders the wings durable, prismatic, waterproof, and lightweight! The butterflies have completed their life cycle on the conservation farms around the world!  The goal of Isms is not to improve on nature, but to preserve it with functionality. Each piece is made as a talisman of courage for of life's changes, and the grace for all of life's choice!'

&&&10% of all sales go back to MN butterfly conservation efforts! WIN WIN! 

Visit their Etsy shop HERE... and make sure to like them on Facebook HERE!

5 New Wedding Trends We're LOVING...

I am not a 'tradition' kind of girl...who says traditional fits my style?!? It usually doesn't. I LOVE LOVE LOVE unique and fun out of the box ideas when it comes to weddings. Its 'Your' wedding day, why try and make it something its not, and something you are not. I whole heartedly feel that a wedding should be a perfect balance between the couples style, and not what everyone says it 'should be'. Break the mold, and be different. 

Here are our 5 favorite new wedding ideas that are currently trending for the unique brides...

1. MIS-MATCH BRIDESMAIDS: It doesn't get more on-trend than this! First off, I will be the first to tell you brides... strapless does NOT look good on everyone! Love the idea of having all bridesmaids pick something(with your direction) that looks great on them personally, all the while making your wedding look 'hip and cool'! 

Clockwise from the top left: Sweet & Romantic: BEAUTIFULLY Mis-Matched: Ombre Color Play: RUSTIC & EARTHY

 2. MARQUEE LIGHTS: These lights speak for themselves! Where its the couples initials or outlines the bar area, personally I think these are a 'must-have'! 

Clockwise from the top left: LETTER HEADS: Sweet Initials: BAR HERE: Dance floor Darlings

 3.UN-RULEY FLORALS: Probably the inner flower child in me, but I absolutely adore these 'unruly' flower arrangements! How gorgeous are these!!! 

Clockwise from the top left: Colorful Pop: EARTHY ROMANTIC: WILDFLOWER GARDEN: VINTAGE BOHEMIAN

 4.DINNER BOXES: Ok, really, how adorable are these 'lunch boxes'. I am obsessed with the idea of this personalized dinner option!

Clockwise from the top left: Southern Dinner Box: English Wedding Dinner Box: FARM PICNIC BOX: GOURMET PICNIC BOX

 5.PATTERN PLAY: If you know me well, you know this is my favorite new trend! Love mixes bright colors and patterns to make a rad and visually appealing table! 

Clockwise from the top left: GARDEN PARTY: GEO SOUTHWEST: RUSTIC FLORAL : VINTAGE BOHEMIAN

Easter Basket Ideas for the Littles

Its almost Easter basket time, which means The Modern Momma and I have put together some super fun and unique Easter basket gift ideas for the littles! Follow the links below to get your own! 

1. Land of Nod Jute Chick Basket

2. Melissa & Doug Felt Taco Set

3.A Little Bundle Ms. Deer

4. Happy & Hectic Bear Claw Moccasins

5.Land of Nod Color a Crown Kit

6.Land of Nod Animal Building Blocks

7. Happy Easter Mouse Book

8.Land of Nod Happy Together Wooden Dolls

9.Fawn Shoppe Wood Bubble Making Kit

10. Bunny & Duck Crayons

Happy Sunday! XOX

DIY Watercolor Table Numbers

Weddings are composed of so many little details, and they start to add up... I wanted to showcase a super super easy table number idea that is cost friendly, easily customizable and simply beautiful! 

Colorful: Bright: Fun: Spring Wedding Inspiration Board

I don't know about you, but this winter leaves me needing some color in my life...like not just a little, a lot; an EXPLOSION of color. I created this colorful spring wedding inspiration board that has me dreaming of green grass, flirty flowers, and warmer weather! Who wouldn't smile the minute they walked into this fun wedding?!!

Jessica & Ryan: Vintage Glam Barn Wedding

Today we are featuring one of our best friends weddings! Jess and Ryan planned their wedding for 2 years, and every little detail was just as perfect as the next! From handmade bridesmaid dresses designed by the bride, vintage key escort cards, to records for the guest to sign; all aspects of the day were custom tailored to this fun couple! I personally cannot say enough nice things about MichaelAngelos Event Company, they came in and transformed the The Red Barn Experience into a magical place with there fabulous lighting,  gorgeous chandeliers and breathtaking florals! The day was simply BEAUTIFUL and everything Jess had imagined for her wedding day; even down to the perfect cool fall weather! 

The pictures from Josephiney Photography absolutely speak for themselves and tell the story, but I asked Jess to give me some behind the scenes info, and some advice to upcoming brides! 

{ATE} What inspired you to chose your wedding theme & decor?

{J&R} If you know me at all, you would know that I don't come up with decisions easily....or quickly for that matter.  Deciding on my wedding theme and decor was no different. I absolutely knew from the beginning that I had to have gold and chandeliers, so I started from there.  Of course I got many ideas from Pinterest, but most of my final decisions were made through the help of my wedding coordinators, Katie from Michaelangelos The Event Company and Ashley from Ashley Thunder Events. I gave them my vision of a vintage glam wedding and they showed me options.

{ATE} is your favorite memory of your wedding day?

{J&R} favorite memory of my wedding day was definitely saying I do and the our first kiss as husband and wife, but celebrating on the party bus with all of our closest friends prior to the ceremony was a close second;) It was an awesome feeling of anticipation and the biggest high knowing that we were about to have the best day of our lives with everyone we love to share it with.

{ATE} piece of advice would you give to other brides about the planning process?

{J&R}Take your time and don't rush the planning process. It really is such an amazing feeling to be engaged and in the spotlight, planning for and anticipating your big day.  Enjoy every minute of it.  I know EVERYONE says that your wedding day goes by so fast, but seriously IT DOES!  And it's a little sad when it's all over. 

{ATE} DIY details did you create for your big day?

{J&R}I had planned to do many more DIY details than I actually did, but even with almost two years of being engaged, I found myself short on time. With the help of my bridesmaids, we made our wedding invitations. I created my vintage newspaper-style wedding programs.  I made the table numbers, escort cards, and favor tags.  I also did some antiquing and picked out some of the vintage decor, painting some items to match the color scheme.

***Vendor Love***

Photographer: Josephiney Photography

Venue:The Red Barn Experience

Floral, Lighting & Event Design: MichaelAngelos "The Event Company"

Details & Coordination: Ashley Thunder Events

Bridesmaid Dresses: Custom Made By Judy Smith

Wedding Dress: Davids Bridal

Caterer: Rolling Stone Pizza

Hair & Make-Up: Vanis Salon & Spa
Mens Clothing: LR Mens Clothier & Tuxedos