Marla J for Every Occasion!

I am so excited to share this post! It was a community effort to bring such a cool little project together.

Super-talented Marla J Designs contacted me about possibly reviewing her jewelry designs for this blog. Now, I'm super-picky with fashion and art, so it's not as simple as writing a glowing endorsement about everything that comes my way. I thought to myself, "Well, let's see" and I looked into her selection. Can you imagine how thrilled I was to find that I just loved Marla J's designs?! Not only did I find her to be a super-cool person, she's an all-around entrepreneur and eco-conscious businesswoman! Those are two things that speak right to my heart. She sent me some samples while I arranged a photo shoot.

I asked the lovely Miss Broke-Ass-Bride herself if she'd consider modeling, and to my delight she said yes! She's a terrific model! I have to say, the camera loves her.

Next was finding the right photographer. I contacted the multi-talented Alexandra Breckenridge, crossing my fingers that she might be available. She agreed and we were on our way!

Oooh, so much fun!!! Check it out!

In the first pic, Miss Broke-Ass-Bride is on her way to meet the parents. A dash of old-time elegance goes a long way! Looking the part, she feels confident it will go smoothly. She's modeling a Satin Chocolate Fascinator embellished with Black Onyx and Feathers.


At her wedding shower, it's time to feel pretty and fun. She can goof around with her bridesmaids sporting a Silk Red Rose Fascinator embellished with Swavorski Cyrstals and Guinea Feathers.


When she goes for bachelorette night with her girls, Miss B-A-B takes no prisoners. The gorgeous Peacock Earrings highlight her eyes in vibrant green and blue. Eat your hearts out, boys!!!


Drama at the reception? Not for long!! Miss Broke-Ass-Bride puts every other girl to shame wearing a classic Ivory Open Rose Fascinator embellished with Swavorski Crystals and Coque Feathers. Completing her look are sheer White Peacock Feather Earrings, embellished with Swavorski Crystal and hung on Sterling Silver.


This all was sooo much fun! Please check everyone out individually via the links below. I'm so lucky to be surrounded with such talented people!

Jeweler - www.MarlaJDesigns.Etsy.com
Photographer - www.AlexandraBreckendridge.com
Model and Wedding Extrodinaire - www.TheBrokeAssBride.com

xoxo Siena

Inspired Butterfly Gift

I stumbled across these beauties on ButterFlyartGifts.com. At quick glance I wondered if the butterfly's were sacrificed for a great gift, but after reading more information on their webisite, I discovered, all their butterflies live a long and natural life. And, any purchases you make helps save the rain forest, how rockin' is that! There are several different varieties you can purchase on their site, my favorite being the Blue Morpho. Anyone having a butterfly themed wedding, or just loves butterflies, as I do, this site is perfect. I think it's a lovely gift for the bridesmaids, because every gal is as beautiful as a butterfly ;)

Bringing Your Loved One's Down the Isle

There are many times when loved one's can't make it to the wedding. Sometimes it's money, distance, circumstances or a passing. I love the idea of honoring those important to you, while walking down the isle, by wearing them in a locket around your neck.

With Stacey Samuels love for antiques, she founded Vintage Rehab in February 2008. Not only does she sell her own designs and lockets, but she can recycle family heirlooms into renewed and stylish jewelry! How awesome is it to take your out-of-fashion, precious heirlooms, and turn them into something you can wear now. By recycling old treasures, Vintage Rehab is also an environmentally low impact business! I do love Green!

Vintage Rehab is having a 25% off jewerly sale for Valentines Day, check it out!

DIY Gift Box

I think the nicest gifts you can give someone are handmade. Really, instead of the sugar -coated almonds or little chachke you decided on in a panic, how nice would it be for your guests to give them something lovely, from the heart? Here, I've made a Dragonfly Box that is a great gift by itself or you can fill it up with your favorite treat! I will walk you through how I did it:

What you need: (I purchased everything at Michael's)

1. Small Box
2. Ornamental Dragonfly or Butterfly
3. Ribbon (Martha Stewart has some nice ones!)
4. Glass Beads
5. Glitter
Glue
Scissors

1. Twist the included wire (on bottom of the insect) in the shape of a flat circle and glue to lid of box.

2. Cut enough ribbon to fit over lid of box. Trace the length of the ribbon with a small stream of glue and attach it to lid.

3. Put small dabs of glue inside lid and wrap ribbon so that the ends of the ribbon curl around the lip of the lid. Cut excess ribbon to look tidy. Let dry.

4. Put lid on box and use a pencil to trace where the ribbon will go on box. Cut and glue ribbon around the box to match up with markings so that the ribbon looks like it's wrapped around the whole box (when lid is on).


5. Put a spot of glue on the center of the lid and add beads to it. Then put more glue around beads and add glitter, carefully shaking off any excess.


You can place your new gift box directly on top of place settings, which can add another decorative element to your tables!

xoxo Siena

p.s. Feel free to contact me. If you want to try to make something or need an idea, let me know... I'll help you out! DiyWeddingGirl@gmail.com

Vintage Place Holders

These are so cool, they are advertised as Fork Easels but they are perfect as inventive place holders for the tables. I love how they are place holders with a dining theme and double as gifts for your guests! Two things covered under one expense...love it!


These are in the same spirit as the typewriter cuff links for those doing a vintage themed wedding.

Vintage Cufflinks for the Guys.

If your having a vintage inspired wedding these authentic typewriter key cufflinks are perfect for gifts to the groomsmen to wear on the wedding day! QA Create will make the links for whatever letters you want (including function keys)! I think this is a lovely way to personalize your wedding and give a gift that's cool and usable in the future.

Maui Jewelry

When the weather is dreary I always think of vacationing, and one of the most beautiful places I've been is Maui. While staying there, you see signs asking people not to take the beach home with them. In fact rumors were created saying if you take any of Hawaii of the island, you'll have bad luck for 10 years! And I can't blame them for being so cautious, because if I could, I'd plop the island in my pocket and take it home with me!
I met Jamee Jones, jewelry maker and owner of Jonara Blu Maui, who runs her business out of Maui on the side of the Volcano. Imagine the view! She draws all her inspiration for her jewelry from her breath-taking surroundings. She mixes shells, pearls, silk and beads into delightful pieces that are perfect accessories for any beach wedding. This is a excellent way of taking a piece of Maui without offending the islanders.

While scheming my imaginary Hawaiian wedding, I picked out my favorite piece called "Champagne Circles," (love the name also) which is made with mother of pearl shell, Swarovski crystal, silk, gold and freshwater coin pearls. The freshwater pearls are an added bonus for me, because it was my husband’s first gift to me! And I also handmade freshwater pearl necklaces, as gifts, for all by bridesmaids.

Gifts for your Guests

For my wedding I designed buttons and had them made at CafePress.com. I ordered the small ones and could barely see the image, so I scratched the whole idea. However I still think it's a great idea, and if I had spent more time on it and bought bigger buttons I think it could have been a fun, personalized gift for my guests. I also love the idea of the buttons being a little out of the ordinary and then I found these Robot Love Buttons at ShanaLogic.com. I think they are incredibly sweet and a present that your guests might actually keep. Forget those sugar coated almonds that break your teeth!

Personalized Lunch Boxes

I had a spa day for my bachlorette day where I made little gift bags for all the girls. I just put all the stuff in pink paper bags, but a personalized lunch box would have been sooo much cooler. When I was a kid lunch boxes were still a big deal so I get nostalgic every time I see them. You could stuff all kinds of cute gifts in their for the girls!

Cupcake bag

I don't know why I'm soo into retro cupcake patterns these days! This cupcake bag from LuckyFindDesigns would be perfect for any bridal shower gift, you can also fill it up with anything naughty! Right now they are 25% off for Black Friday.

Adorable Bridal Shower Gift

Jessie Steele makes the cutest retro aprons I've ever seen! If I could have one of each my life might be complete. Yet I have none so I share with you. My favorite is the cupcake apron and matching oven mitt. Any DIY Bride would love one of these for her bridal shower.
I found them on Amazon for pretty cheap, typically the apron goes for $40-$45 in online boutiques.