purposedesign: spice labs

{medium everyday spice kit}

because who doesn't need more spice in their life? ingenious spice kits and gifts. more at purposedesign.etsy.com

as i am running to the airport *right now* (internet addiction, anyone??) i promise to edit this post when i return from my *hopefully* delicious vacation. the spice of life!

have a great weekend, all!

mamameo: fortune cookie soaps

{fortunate fortune cookie soaps}

this *fabulous* etsy idea from exit, pursued by bear, in a great post.

more at mamameo.etsy.com

pillowhead: sachet favors

{customized + hand-embroidered coffee sachets (set of 2)}

cracked out on too many late-night seating chart wrangles?
struggling to stay awake writing one more thank-you? (just... one... more...)

this find courtesy of angel at lifeseventful, who thinks these would make brilliant favors. what a great idea! these are not skivvy-sachets -- for those, pillowhead makes lavender -- they're desktop, good morning, wake-up sachets, made from repurposed canvas and felt, and (!!) hand-embroidered with a lovely sans-serif initial/number/symbol and color of your choosing. they'd also be a kick for a bridesmaid brunch. good morning minions
best girlfriends!

thanks so much for the suggestion!
more embroidered treats at pillowhead.etsy.com

jennysherbie: soy candles

geranium soy wax candle

ok, how's this for an eco-clever idea? non-toxic soy wax candles, scented with all natural oils, in vintage glassware. once the candle is finished, a little soap and water and the glass can be used for toasting your bad green self.

you could get unscented ones for the dinner tables in an assortment of glasses, *or* jennysherbie also lists a whole armada of candles in reusable jars to be given as favors, complete with a custom-designed decal featuring your wedding particulars.



more info at jennysherbie.etsy.com

reggieanna: ring pillows

white satin wedding ring pillow

san diego-based reggieanna makes lovely, simple, and *reasonably priced* ring pillows. she has a lovely selection of 7"x7" pillows in basic colors, and also does custom work. i could see the ones with a wide 'sash' bow even working as an accent pillow on your future married-life sofa -- so you could say they're *eco-friendly* and reusable. (i'm not selling that one, am i? :)

more lovelies at reggieanna.etsy.com

minnak: gowns and veils

michelle

after many moons, i've come across actual wedding gowns on etsy (a simplicity or butterick pattern simply won't do) -- ny-based minnak studied in paris, ny and tokyo, then launched her own line of simple, immaculate dresses. custom handmade-to-order, and priced accordingly. you can choose a color other than white, for the offbeatbride set.

she also makes beautiful veils -- more at minnak.etsy.com

palomasnest: ceramics

custom tiny white ceramic text bowl

paloma means 'dove' in spanish, and i love the white on white simplicity of caroline's etsy shop -- the handstamped, customizable teensy (3") bowls with your saying of choice would be sweet, quirky wedding favors or bridal party gifts. suggested use: on a dresser or desk, "to catch jewelry and all of life's little treasures." or, my stepmom used to have a little bowl by the kitchen sink where she put her rings when she washed up.

(you may have noticed by now that i *love* hand stamped, customizable things, whether jewelry or gifts -- partly because it enables you to give such a personal message writ permanent. and i like the imperfect, jumbled aesthetic, the distinct signs of human manufacture, more than the 'things-remembered' professionally engraved look. just me!)

the shop's lovely 'craft peace' theme is in keeping with the dove motif, which makes a frequent appearance on the ceramics themselves. there are larger bowls, plus an intriguing set of balsa-wood invitation/thank you cards (noted on the UK's bridalwave), and you can customize/order in multiples. final plug: made with heart in austin, texas -- one of my hometowns. more at palomasnest.etsy.com

brooklynbookbinder: albums and journals

black and copper photo album

pretty and perfect as an engagement or wedding gift or your own wedding album. or use one of the journals or sketchbooks as an alternative guestbook -- even better with a bigass feather pen, sold separately. more at brooklynbookbinder.etsy.com

ontheinside: handmade lingerie

sassafrass camisole and forget me not panties

the hell with that victoria. mall tart. here's a fancy handmade option for your shower/bachelorette -- made in asheville from luxurious laces and eco-friendly organic cotton and bamboo (really!) pantyliners. ooh la la.



more at ontheinside.etsy.com

evapaul: invitation design

custom wedding invitation package

for those looking for non-traditional invites, evapaul has a number of templates in unusual colors, with interesting fonts, ranging from modern to frou-frou. you choose colors and fonts, she does the custom layout and sends you the files, and you choose the paper and printer to print locally -- either an asset or a drawback, depending on how DIY you're feeling. the set pictured above also comes with matching response and direction cards, or you can just get the invite itself.




more at evapaul.etsy.com