Vendor Spotlight: Branch

Branch: Sustainable design for living, three things of which I am a big fan.
Our DIY bar calls for cups. And knowing me I don't want just any cups. I want those compostable cups made from corn. Its just one of those details that appealed to me (Review: no to a wedding gown, but yes to corn cups. Crazy, I know).

Serving suggestion: Garnish your corn with mint & lemon.

I pay small prices for a better world, I hope.

Well, its super hard to find these in quantities less than 1000. But after striking out at office depot, I knew the internet was my only option. I came upon Branch, which in based in San Fran. Not only did they have 50 for $7, but they have so much other cool stuff. I've probably seen this company in my Dwell mags. The cups weren't cheap, but they were a better deal than bulk.

The site says the people that make them in Taiwan are treated fairly. and Also: 

These cold cups, lids, and straws look and feel a lot like their plastic counterparts, but with two big differences: they're made entirely from renewable resources. And they're fully biodegradable within a commercial composting facility. PLA cups, lids, and straws break down within 90-120 days in a commercial composting facility. (By comparison, standard plastic cups, which are made from nonrenewable petrochemicals, cannot be composted, and can take decades to break down.)These cups feature a green stripe that reads "Compostable - Made from Plants". This helps to convey your green message, and encourages people to dispose of these properly — in a compost bin.

Funny, in a compost bin, that must be why my cup from three weeks ago is still chilling whole in that hole in the back yard. Maybe I should stir it a little.

Branch has the coolest things for the home, and a registry to boot! I'd love to go into their retail store. On my list if I ever visit SF.

Check our their furniture, kitchen stuff, rugs, and kids stuff.

I am digging this rug, made of recycled leather belts:

Neato.

And this customizable mat:

Shawn, Leilani, Shawlani I, Shawlani II, a bunny, and Bully?

 The bedding and furniture are on the "designer" price side, but like I say, good design will sell anything. The majority of the stuff is reasonable.

Vendor Spotlight: Etsy Letters & Drawings & Toadstools.

Designer Lindsay of Letters by Lindsay makes custom flip flops, pins, and ribbons for the bride to be or the whole bridal party.  I've got these cutesy awesome buttons she custom made for Shawn and me, and I am no doubt gonna wear my L <3's S at our reception! Check it out:

 I love the idea of artisan elements for a special occasion. It means so much more, eh? And its more personalized. I've been a fan of Lindsay's designs and art for years, ooohing and ahhhing over her projects in college.

Want more?

She's even got bebe items! Visit her Etsy shop here.

Meg Hamilton sketches your gown, turning it into frame able art. She's got the training and the talent that makes you feel as if your dress was a custom designed for you. It's got that dress designer sketch quality. As my sis's matron of honor, I'm thinking of giving her one of these. (Surprise Grace!). They are absolutely gorgeous.

Just look:

Here's her Etsy shop.


And Toadstools just because they are cute, edible, chocolate, and cute. CUTE!

Vendor Spotlight: Cake Tasting!

 This past Friday we had our cake consultation at Maxie B's in Greensboro. I pretty much know I was getting my cake from this little local bakery, no questions about it. They have amazing cakes and the best buttercream frosting I've ever had.  I've tried most flavors on previous visits and have filled my slice card once. I am two more cupcakes away from a free one.
So its only natural....

I got to play with my cake fantasies here. I speak in singular because Shawn really could not have been less interested. I'm pretty sure an hour and a half of talking about cakes and cost really pushed his tolerance of uninteresting (to him) matters. I, on the other hand made some rad decisions. I believe a good cake is one of the three most important elements of a reception (or any meal for that matter), the other two being delicious food and drink.  I decided not to have other desserts but a satellite set up of a few different cakes and cupcakes. They will complement the candy bar I will set up.

We picked four flavors and I'll go ahead and tell you now. I won't be ruining any surprise here because you haven't tasted them yet. We picked:
                    Chocolate Sin Cake (chocolate w/chocolate almond frosting),  
                   Five flavor pound cake
                   Italian Cream Cake
                    and Pineapple Coconut
We ate ourselves into a sugar coma. Shawn then started to get irritable and wouldn't let me take the rest home. I only let him exercise this decision because I've made him my personal trainer, though I made it clear that it was a sad waste of cake and if I craved cake this week, I will just go get some. Then we went home and crashed. I actually don't think I'll have those cravings for a while.

                                                             oh yeah.

 

He's thinking I'm insane to spend a good few hundred dollars on cake.

But its all for you and us, so we will let ourselves eat it and love every bite!