If I had a glamorous NYE party to go to, what would I wear? Red seems to be on everyone’s minds these days across blogs and magazines, and I’m falling for the deep cranberry, crimson, fire engine and cherry hues.
Holiday Finest
Author: Sarah Lubetsky
Save the Dates- A Cautionary Tale
So, say you are feeling ambitious. You are feeling like a real go-getter and you decide “I can use Adobe, why don’t I make my own Save the Dates!” You might think to yourself, “this will be simple, I learned how to do everything I’ll need to do in that one semester of graphic design I took… I’m practically a pro now right?”
Well, if you are anything like me, you will probably need a few tips to avoid landing yourself with blurry Save the dates. I forgot to set the file at a high enough resolution (300 DPI) and my 200 prints came today looking just a little bit out of focus…
Luckily the person I spoke to at Uprinting.com was incredibly nice and allowed me to submit another round of printing with the correct files (for the cost of shipping, they were very, very nice). In the end our postcards will be as sharp and stunning as planned.
Thanks to the Uprinting Setup Guide that they referred me to- Here are a few things to consider if you decide to make your own save-the-dates:
- Set a final trim size for your file adding a 1/8″ bleed on each side of your desired print area. Also, be sure to
- Don’t put any critical text or images within 1/8″ of the edge of your desired print area.
- Convert your fonts to outlines (a rookie mistake I made in my first print)
- Save your color in CMYK (not RBG)
- Set your image to 300 DPI (high quality resolution). That’s where I went wrong, I forgot to specify the quality of the image when I exported to a JPEG (another rookie mistake, I know). If you request a proof of your file, be sure that it is clear even when blown up to 400% zoom (that’s what the nice man at UPrinting.com told me when going over my file). If it’s clear at 400%, it should print clear as well.
I’m proud of how the overall design turned out. The photo is by our wedding photographer Emily Scott (gem-photo.com). I love the art nouveau font called Desdemona and the round, swirly, script font called Edwardian Script ITC (I searched for the right script font for a long time and in the end settled on this font when I couldn’t find the perfect era specific font that looked good in our names).
Not shown- The back of the save the date card has a wide navy blue band border, with the city of the wedding (Berkeley, CA) in the Desdemona font, followed by the details and wedding website in script navy and green.
Now, what to do with 200 slightly blurry copies?
XOXO,
Sarah
Bridal Shoes
Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Now for the newest of wedding trends, the all important wedding shoe!
I love a beautiful shoe, but I’m not afraid to admit that they aren’t on the top of my priority list when it comes to our wedding budget. I knew I wanted them to look special, to be gold and glittery to complement the champaign/macadamia colored bridesmaids dresses, and that I didn’t want to spend a fortune.
When my lovely bridesmaid Jes and I ventured out to Somerset Mall I was drawn like a moth to the flame to the expensive and glittering shoes of Kate Spade, Stuart Weitzman, and Jimmy Choo. Though they are beautiful and leave nothing to desire…besides a bigger budget… I just couldn’t get comfortable with the idea of treating myself in the shoe department.
After exploring the mall for what seemed like ages, we finally landed in Nordstrom (which was having it’s half-yearly sale for women’s apparel). I’d like to think it was destiny. Immediately I discovered an elegant, spectacular and glittery sandal that was, above all else, comfortable, beautiful and affordable! This Nina ‘Fonda’ Shoe will be LOVELY with my pouffy, glamourous dress and will be less of a challenge to walk in on the stone patio where our reception will be than the extra tall and thin stilettos I’d been trying on all day. I’m in LOVE.
xoxo,
Sarah
Thanksgiving Menu Planning
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!
I love this holiday. I love the warmth of home, the rich smells and gathering of friends and family all together for an evening of table conversation and after dinner fun. Things have changed in the last few years as my family has spread out and started their own traditions. For me this means I spend the day of thanks with my soon-to-be-in-laws. The food and company are always wonderful, and I’m glad to have somewhere to spend the holiday…. but I still miss the days of my family home, chock-full of people squeezed into our small victorian dining room.
As I’m getting older and making my own, new family home, I’ve begun dreaming of the day that I can try my own hand at the family Turkey Tradition. Here’s a little taste of what the day might be like when I’m the host some day. Anyone hungry!?!
The Turkey:
Pioneer Woman’s Orange Rosemary Turkey Brine
…and Turkey Roasting instructions for those of us who’ve yet to host and roast!
The Sides:
Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin from Dandy Dishes
Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic and Cranberries from the Pioneer Woman
Cranberry Relish from Simply Recipes (just like we made each year at my parents!)
- Image from Simply Recipes
Cauliflower Mashed “Potatoes” from Steamy Kitchen
Sweet Potato Skins from Pinch of Yum
The Dessert:
Gluten-free Pumkin Pie! From Design, Dining + Diapers
Looks pretty YUM to me! Have a wonderful, warm and delish Thanksgiving.
xoxo,
Sarah
All that Glitters
Must have-Bridal Shower Brunches in Blush, Coral, and Champaign Gold
With all of the responsibility and choice making that comes with planning a wedding (no matter how big or small), you might think I’d be glad the bridal shower is something out of my hands…. alas, it has become my obsession.
I just can’t seem to get enough of the über feminine, sparkling world of the bridal shower. Whether a tea party motif with stiff collars and pearls, or a colorful “new years eve gone glitter and rose on a sunday morning,” I’m in love and it feels so good.
My heart is particularly happy when multiple of my favorite pretty-girl perks are combined. Here’s just a little taste-
(Image via Martha Stewart Weddings)
Really, the Champaign is a must. Pink Champaign, Champaign with berries, mimosas bubbling with sparkling happiness and morning sunshine.
I can’t wait to plan one of these lady-fests one day. Oh unsuspecting bride, you will be thrilled 🙂
xoxo, Sarah
Swedish Crayfish Party!
Ever heard of a Swedish Crayfish party? I hadn’t either until I started dating Brian a few years ago and began hanging out around his Swedish childhood friend Conrad. From what I understand this kind of party is about eating lots of bottom crawlers and making toasts, calling out “SKOAL!” before each one. I kid, I kid, well sort of… there are also lots of songs that end with “SKOAL!” and a shot.
Now, I’ll admit that while I did get a bit tipsy I mostly sipped my shot with each skoal, and I didn’t actually try a crawfish… but it was still an awesome party with a great backyard party atmosphere. Conrad got married last summer and I think the new wifey might have had something to do with the pin-worthy decor ;-).
I’ll let trusty old Wikipedia tell you a little more about it:
“A crayfish party is a traditional summertime eating and drinking celebration in the Nordic countries. The tradition originated in Sweden, where a crayfish party is called a kräftskiva. The tradition has also spread to Finland via the Swedish-speaking population of that country.
Crayfish parties are generally held during August, a tradition that started because crayfish harvesting in Sweden was, for most of the 20th century, legally limited to late summer. Today, the “kräftpremiär” date in early August has no legal significance. Dining is traditionally outdoors, but in practice the party is often driven indoors by bad weather or aggressive mosquitoes. Customary party accessories are comical paper hats, paper tablecloths, paper lanterns (often depicting the Man in the Moon), and bibs. A rowdy atmosphere prevails amid noisy eating and traditional drinking songs (snapsvisa). The alcohol consumption is often high, especially when compared to the amount of food actually eaten (crayfish shelling is tedious work).
It is culturally correct to suck the juice out of the crayfish before shelling it.” – Wikipedia
I think I know who really enjoyed the party though…
It certainly wasn’t these guys…
Trying Again
My Sunday night words of wisdom last week must have been in the back of my mind as I finally got the nerve to speak up and get the ball rolling towards some change for (hopefully) the better.
Sometimes speaking up for what you need is scary… especially at work. I am hoping and praying that this is all happening for a reason, that the challenges I’m facing now are meant to point me in the direction of something wonderful.
Brian and I chose our wedding photographer last week. She’s awesome and talented, perky and warm. When we asked her how she got started the story she told me hit a chord deep in me that has been longing for something happier and more fulfilling.
Long story short she originally studied social work, but when she was planning her own wedding she was inspired to make a change and took some community college classes in photography and that training combined with her talent has blossomed in just 4 years into a strong business.
I found myself jealous and inspired by how she turned something fun and creative into what she gets to do each day. It made me sad that I haven’t been enjoying the work I once thought I loved. All of this climaxed last week in a way that felt like fate pointing me in a better direction… And I went with it. I can only keep my head up and eyes open and hope that everything comes together positively.
And off we go, into another week. This time with a little more hope to accompany the nerves.
Toughing it Out
Sometimes in life you run into a personality that just doesn’t mesh well with yours. It’s the worst when this is someone you have to collaborate with on a regular basis, or someone who makes you doubt your own capabilities. I’ve taken to having the Sunday-night-worries each week about how I will deal with the impending challenging conversations and tasks with a sense of calm skill, confidence, grace and dedication.
To help prep myself to deal with the coming week I’m going to share a few of the (un-vetted) quotes that I aim to remember and live by during my most challenging days…
I keep this one over my desk to remind myself when I most need it-
This one is important. It’s not about what I think of the situation – it’s about how I behave when confronted with difficult situations.
I feel a bit more equipped already. I may need to make a habit of this on some Sundays to get my anxiety in check.
Have a fabulous week!
Sarah
Wedding Planning at the Airport
I’m headed to Atlanta for the week for what I hope will be an awesome health communication conference. Exciting right?
After nearly missing my flight due to takeoff time confusion (you mean my flight is at noon? Not 2pm? Crap!!!) and a harrowing drive from Royal Oak to DTW; I made it to my seat just in time to learn the plane was broken. Sad. face. Sarah.
We sat patiently on the plane as our takeoff went from 12pm to 1:30, then from 1:30 to 3pm… They finally let us off to get food only to ask us to get back on the plane to grab our stuff and head to the other side of the airport. And now, as I wait for a 5pm flight to Atlanta what else should I do but plan my wedding?
Thank you Delta. Thanks.
So- here are some inspiration boards I have been piecing together with Picstitch using images I have found on Pinterest. Here is a link to my pinterest board where you can find links to all of the image sources (these are not my images).
I really want a warm feel for the wedding, classy but not uptight. We chose a Wtoo bridesmaid dress Macadamia (tan/champaign colored) for my ladies, which means the men will be in rich navy blue suits instead of tan linen as Brian had hoped…. But I think it looks fabulous!
Since more than half of our guests will be coming from out-of-state (the wedding is in Berkeley, CA where I’m, from Brian’s from Michigan) I want to draw in a few little nods to our home states. One of the ideas I’ve had for this is to find vintage travel postcards for Michigan and California cities to use in place of table numbers. Brian says if we do this the bridal party is sitting at “Detroit“. I’m down with that.
My mother and I both love cobalt blue glass. I thought it would be cool to make our centerpieces from little clusters of different size and shaped blue glass containers (bottles, vases, pitchers, jars), and to fill them with fluffy flowers like peonies and vintage roses in white, pale yellow and pale orange. Like this-
Oh look, now the sign says 6pm takeoff. I’ll be done planning before I reach Atlanta at this pace! Ok, I was nearly done already, but you’ve got to look for silver linings right? Thank goodness for iPhones and charging stations.
I’m really liking how the blues, yellows, golds, oranges and tans are all coming together. It will all go nicely with my dress which we found when my mom was in town last week! It’s a stunner if I might say so myself… and it is much more dramatic than I ever would have thought I’d choose. Since I can’t show off the dress, I’ll just share a few pics from the dress shopping adventure.
I ended up falling in love with the first dress I pulled off the rack and tried on a The Wedding Shoppe on Woodward. It was meant to be! The consultant, Natalie, at the Wedding Shoppe was awesome. I would definitely recommend her if you are looking for a wedding dress in the Detroit area. When we went back to take pictures of the dress the next day I noticed the adorable sign welcoming the brides with appointments! I’m the first one on the list!
Update- I finally made it to my hotel in Atlanta at 10pm… that’s a 12 hour travel day for what should have been a 2 hour flight. I could have driven here at that rate and seen a whole lot more of the country!
Brinkley Boo the Cockapoo
My heart has officially been stolen. Sound the alarms, there is one cute thief in the house!
Ready Set Sarah 
