Happy St. Patty's!

Real Bride | Melanie

Congrats & lots of ♥ to my cousin Melanie on her nuptials today!

Real Bride | Tiana

Wishing a lifetime of happiness and love to our gorgeous island bride, Tiana! Tiana and her husband wed on the beautiful island of Hawaii.

Photo Credits: Anthony Consillio

Wear your heart on your head instead of your sleeve

Celebrate love with a leather heart hair pin trio!  Each heart is individually heat engraved by hand - this is what makes each piece unique, charming and special. Luxurious buttery leather scraps from thegreenwolf's Etsy shop. Leather measures approximately 1 cm in diameter. Attached to silver bobby pins.

Pinwheels

Were you one of the lucky folks to snag an Indie Wed swag bag? 

Here's what you would've scored from Clark & Diversey

Intersection

Clark & Diversey, looking south, standing in today's blizzard.  

See the city skyline in the background?  Neither do I. 

Swag bag sneak peek

Chicagoland brides - IndieWed is just a couple weeks away!  Do you have your tickets yet?  Come say hello on Saturday, January 28, 10am-4pm at the Ravenswood Event Center.  The first fifty folks in line score an awesome swag bag filled to the brim with goodies from all the awesome vendors.

Here's a little peek of Clark & Diversey's swag bag contribution:

Faintly visible through the vellum...

Check back in a couple weeks for the reveal!

Blanket

It hasn't stopped snowing in Chicago for over 24 hours.  I really do love winter and I'm one of the few that doesn't complain too much.  Usually a blanket of white falls over the city in December, however it's quite tardy this year.  The snowflakes are as large as pennies, which makes it a bit difficult to see when the wind blows in my face.   Although I have much fun in the snowy outdoors, it is wonderful observe from inside.  Here's the peaceful view from our living room window:

Happy Weekend!  Hope you're staying cozy wherever you are.

Real Bride | Amanda

Along with diamond white, this blossom can also be created with white, ivory or champagne hues.

Amanda was one of several June brides that added some Clark & Diversey flair to her big day. She's wearing the Chicago no. 64, available HERE.

Cheers to the newlyweds!

My Secret Santa Rocks

After years of requesting donations to charities instead of gifts, my Secret Santa came through.  I am overjoyed to receive such a thoughtful, personalized gift from one of my best friends.  Enclosed was Burt's Bees lip balm (can't live without it), but a gorgeous bracelet, and a sweet Christmas card complete with giraffe (one of my favorite animals).

The best part?  An Oxfam donation of art supplies for kids, two things very close to my heart.    Oxfam is an international relief and development organization that creates lasting solutions to poverty, hunger, and injustice. They are part of Oxfam International, a confederation of 15 Oxfams working in more than 90 countries. Together with individuals and local groups in these countries, they save lives, help people overcome poverty, and fight for social justice.  To find out more about donating to Oxfam America, visit Oxfam American Unwrapped.  You can choose between gifts from the following categories: animals, green, women & children, education, making a living, and emergency essentials.

Real Bride | Cydney

I am truly lucky to work with many amazing ladies who chose to go the handmade road and work with Clark & Diversey.  Every once in a while I have the pleasure of meeting a client who is also a small business owner.  I'm quite partial to supporting small businesses!  So, attention you lucky Denver area Brides: Stiletto Events is full-service custom event and wedding planning company that creates a wedding that's stylish, memorable and a true reflection of your personality.  Though owner Cydney Johnson has planned many weddings, it wasn't until after planning her own wedding that she knew she had truly found her passion.  And that wedding took place on October 22, 2011 in the gorgeous Manor House, located in Littleton, Colorado.  This post highlights just a sliver of Cydney's big day, so click through the links below to grab all the delicious details!

Don't Cydney and Kiel make a handsome couple?

The beautiful bride and lovely ladies.

Cydney and I collaborated on her custom hair flower, created with silk dupioni and silk organza, accented with pink Swarovski crystals, pearls sprays and wispy ostrich feathers. 

Cydney dons a gorgeous J. Helm ball gown, complete with a sweetheart neckline, blush lace waist, full gathered skirt, side pockets (yay!), and a sweep train. 

Cydney and Kiel were not only surrounded by family and friends, but by fabulous vendors. One of which was Volkel Image, the husband and wife team of Dusty and Michelle.  Michelle has known Cydney since elementary school, which made the affair even more special.  This talented duo captured amazing photographs, making it quite difficult to choose a few for this post.  Be sure to visit Volkel Image's blog for more stunning portraits of the newleywed's big day.

What's a wedding without an adorable Pomeranian in a tux (that's their dog, TC)!

To check out the fabulous and fun affair in action, follow this link to Cydney & Kiel's Sneak Peek from In Bloom Pictures/Weddings on Vimeo.  This fun flick showcases Cydney's festive vision and displays the creative details that filled her happy wedding day.  More information about Cydney's company is available HERE and on Stiletto Event's Facebook page.

Olivia

Here's little Miss Olivia, wearing a Clark & Diversey sage and gold blossom, the perfect stocking stuffer.

Real Bride | Claire

Cheers to the very sweet Clair, a local Chicago bride!  Her flower is a custom order with lace from her own gown.

 

Photo Credits: McConville Studio

My Sunny Wedding

Check out C&D's merry flair on page 148 of My Sunny Wedding!

Snag the Addison no.42 HERE and the keepsake garter HERE.

Real Bride | Liz

  Liz & Matt, September 2011

Photo Credits: OMG Photography — at Willow Harbor Vineyard.

On Wisconsin

Midway up Bascom Hill

I'll forever be a Badger and have a soft spot in my heart for The University of Wisconsin - Madison, where I spent my undergrad college years.  Aside from the most beautiful campus grounds, this city boasts genuinely nice folks, strong support for local small businesses and a rich history to boot.  We rented a car for our lil' road trip and I was excited to show M around! 

The new Union South opened in April 2011.  What a difference from when I was a Student Orientation Advising and Registration (SOAR) Guide!  It resembles a frontier resort, with cozy fireplaces and comfortable seating.  On top of that, there are bars, eateries, movie theater, study lounges - the list goes on!  And we were treated by the UW Band's drum line for an impromptu performance:

We also explored another building that was brand new to me - The Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.  Nestled in the absolutely stunning space are zen lounges, soothing chimes, interactive media, lush greenery, ample seating and windows, windows, windows. 

Then it was on the Badger game at Camp Randall, where we scored sweet seats!

We played Penn State's Nittany Lions and whooped their booties 45 - 7. This makes them the 2011 Big 10 Leaders Division Champions! Though it was rainy & chilly, we camped out until after 5th quarter to sing along with the other troopers.  What a great time.  Will you join me in singing Varsity?

Thanksgiving

Looking forward to heading home to the family for Thanksgiving.  Since I'm not much of a poultry eater, I'm a big fan of side dishes.  Paula Deen, I'm thankful for you and your Macaroni & Cheese and Green Bean Casserole recipes!   The white chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies are baking right now, just in time for breakfast.  Mmmm...

For those of you online shopper deal seekers, here's some excellent news: take 30% off ANYTHING & EVERYTHING in Clark & Diversey's Etsy shop from now through Cyber Monday.  Just enter coupon code THANKS11 at checkout.  Let the games begin!

A shot of my three furry lovies doing what they're best at!

Real Bride | Lindsay

Lindsay, wearing the Chicago #39

Photo Credits: Team Exclusive Photography
http://teamexclusive.org/

Clark & Diversey turns 3 today!

Many thanks to all our customers, family & friends for their love & support.
Cheers to another fabulous year!

Holiday is Here!

Without further ado, the Clark & Diversey Holiday 2011 Collection is here!  Each petite bloom is a one-of-a-kind original.  Check back daily for new pieces - each flower is handmade, one by one.  At only $15 a pop, grab one for yourself as well!  Please remember to support small indie businesses this holiday season. 

Just a sampling below ...

Real Bride | Lisa

Lovely Lisa's big day was June 24, 2011. Didn't she make a stunning bride? She's wearing the Grand #44 (with a snap clip attachment so it stayed put in her shorter hair the entire event).  Wishing the newlyweds lots of happiness and love!

Photo Credits: The Bleu Studio

The Best Kind of Breakfast

This morning, the lucky hubby was greeted by a tray of yumminess and an obnoxious rendition of "happy birthday".  Vanilla french toast with bananas, walnuts, graham cracker crumbs & chocolate drizzle, accompanied by a side of java and another of love.  Awww!