Guest Post on Kiss My Tulle

To be honest, this isn't the post that I had planned for today. I apologize for that. Things have been crazy. I have been in meetings for two weeks now (they have been a lot of fun!) but I am tired. Happy tired. If you know what I mean? And putting a top on being overwhelmed. I have handled my stress very well with this new job but come Monday, I have actual kids in my classroom. Not just pretend faces. Oh and I have a pedicure lined up for this weekend. Maybe that idea is helping.

I get to meet my students soon y'all! I met a lot last night and I am so excited to meet more. They are characters and already teaching me so much.

Now the text above has absolutely nothing to do with my guest post on Kiss My Tulle but I know you will check it out anyway. And for more of me on Kiss My Tulle and Kiss My Tulle on Lovebird Productions (mouthful) click here, here, here, here, here, here and here. (<---We like to do a lot together. The gal is so fun!)

Guest Post on Kiss My Tulle

Hi there. How is your Wednesday? You are officially two days away from your weekend. Can we say everybody's working for the weekend? Or watch this video with Chris Farley? Whatever makes you happy. Personally Chris Farley as a Chippendale makes me happy.

The picture up above has absolutely nothing to do with today's post but you all know my obsession with New York. So why not a Flatiron building shot? Exactly. :)

On a different note, I am so thrilled with the really good thunderstorm we had last night and this morning. Like open up the skies, pour down from the sky thundstorm. But now I need time to stop and watch the storm. That is a must.

So the point of this post is that a sweet friend and the talented blogger behind Kiss My Tulle, Cris, had a baby. Isn't that incredible? It amazes me every time I think about it. To help out the new mom, I guest posted for her a few days ago all about my advice for newly engaged couples. It is so nice to be honest about wedding planning. Like really nice. So head over there now...

Do it y'all.

Image via Crystal Goss Photography  and owner of Ness

Guest Post: All About Stationery from Baci Designer

{Hi friends! I am currently out and about on the streets of NYC. I know..pinch me. Amanda from Baci Designer kindly agreed to guest post today. She is so sweet and probably one of the cutest pregnant women around. A big thank to Amanda for her generosity and lesson on invitations! And when you are finished here, go check out here portfolio and blog.}
 
Hi, Amanda from Baci Designer here! A very big thank you to the lovely Katie for having me!
Baci Designer is a wedding-focused custom stationery and event design company located in Northeast Ohio. Stationery is our first and true love so I'm here to give you a basic rundown of the different types of printing available - the same type of explanation I give to my clients during our initial meeting. If the terms thermopress and lettergraphy in the title of this post look odd to you - you're one step ahead of the game! It’s actually thermography and letterpress, but if you don’t understand what the difference is between these two printing methods, it isn't going to do you much good :) I'm here to help!

{One Color Digital Printing on Textured Stock | Custom-designed Program by Baci Designer, Image by Arielle Doneson Photography}

{One Color Digital Full Bleed Reverse Printing | Custom-designed Guest Book by Baci Designer, Image by Arielle Doneson Photography}

Flat Printing - Digital and Offset: The most basic and generally affordable type of printing is Flat Printing - either Digital or Offset. This type of printing can be done with dark ink on lighter, thinner papers (usually up to 100 lb.), but full bleed reverse printing is available to "fake" light writing on a dark stock. You can use multiple colors and two-sided & printing & is easily done.
Digital printing is done directly from a digital file on a computer - requiring no plates making it very time efficient and less expensive.  With Offset printing, ink is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket then back to the printing surface - this in turn makes Offset printing a bit more expensive.  It does offer a better quality and color matching though.

{Blind (Without Ink) Letterpress Printing | Custom-designed Thank You Note by Baci Designer, Image by Arielle Doneson Photography}

Impression Printing - Letterpress: The adored, yet more expensive, printing method is Letterpress, which is a relief-type of printing done one sheet at a time. Letterpress offers a very high quality look and texture – it also allows you to use a wide variety of papers and custom ink colors (typically mixed by hand). This process is pricey because it involves a skilled artisan positioning polymer plates (a reversed, raised surface) that are inked and then pressed into a sheet of paper creating an impression. Each color is printed separately and large portions of full, solid colors are not recommended.

{Two Color Thermography with Blind Engraved Graphic | Custom-designed Invitation by Baci Designer, Image by Brandy J Photography}

Raised Printing - Thermography and Engraving: Thermography is a process that uses heat and produces raised lettering that has a slight sheen to it. This type of printing can be be printed on multiple colored papers (even shiny metallic stocks) and with almost any shade of ink (the only exception is a light ink on a dark stock - as it won't show up). It also works well with thicker paper.  Typically you are limited to two colors with thermography and it isn't recommended you print two-sided pieces because you risk ruining the first printed side since it is raised.

Engraving is sort of a combination of letterpress and thermography, metal plates engraved with your design are hand positioned and pressed into a sheet of paper creating a raised print and it is then passed through an oven to dry. The result is an incredibly elegant piece of stationery with a gorgeous raised texture. Engraving is great for fine lines and white ink (which is super difficult to print with - the only other true option is to "fake" it with the flat printing as shown before). Two-sided printing should also be avoided with engraving and color matching is available.

Guest Post: 7 Fabulous Wedding Hairstyles From Fab You Bliss

{Stephanie is one of my favorite people. She is talented and keeps me in line. Ha! I am so thrilled to have her guest posting today. Make sure to follow me on Instagram @lovebird_prod for a little peek at New York! Now for Stephanie's wedding hair inspiration. Make sure to visit her at Fab You Bliss too!}

Hi there, my name is Stephanie, I’m the owner and editor of Fab You Bliss, a wedding and lifestyle blog that focuses on pretty inspirations. Today I’m guest posting for Katie while she’s on a much deserved vacation. So it's just you and me and a whole lot of pretty!

Since Katie and I both have a focus on weddings, today I thought I’d feature some gorgeous wedding hairstyles. I'm not featuring hair accessories though, rather just the style of hair which ultimately sets the tone for so many other details...including your accessories.
So here goes.

First up I have two gorgeous up-dos. This first one is an elegant style with the bun high in the back and straight wisps to the side. Isn't this so pretty? I love the chic, classic look!

{100 Layer Cake}

The second is romantic and a little messy, (in a good way), with the up-do lower at the base of the neck. Both of these lovely styles would work well if you have longer layered hair that you want to wear up on your big day.

{Style My Pretty}

Speaking of long hair, if you happen to have luxurious locks like the two images below, (or perhaps you want to go the extensions route), these natural long curly styles are simply divine. This style works well if you have thick hair or hair that holds curls well. It's such a beautiful and very romantic style !

{Tec Petaja} 

{The Oceanside Bride}

Braids have become all the rage over the past year or so. I love them! But I so wish I had someone to braid the back of my hair like I've seen in so many beautiful up-dos. This one though, the one below, I think could easily be accomplished by oneself without too much trouble. Although, I'd still have someone else like a professional do your hair on your wedding day, it's a splurge you should definitely save the money for.

{Keiko Lynn}

This Side Chignon is simply gorgeous. I've seen it pinned and repined a ga-zillion times on Pinterest, but I had to include it in this roundup because this style is just so elegant and pretty. Don't you agree?

{Martha Stewart}

And finally, probably my favorite style as of now is the ballerina bun. Again, it's so elegant and classy...clearly these are attributes I am definitely drawn to. But who wouldn't be, right? I think of Audrey Hepburn every time I see a bun like this, don't you?

{Elizabeth Messina - Wedding Chicks}

Clearly these images are just the tip of the ice berg as there are hundreds of hairstyles you can choose from. But hopefully this will give you the springboard you need to jump right in.

In some ways, the type of gown you have will dictate what sort of style will work best. For example, if your dress is very formal, wearing your hair up in a beautiful up-do is probably better suited. And if your dress is a flowy bohemian style, long curly tresses would be beautifully perfect.

How you wear your hair on your wedding day is a lovely and fun decision that's ultimately up to you and what sort of tone you want to set.

My advice is, gather all your girls together and try out all kinds of styles. Make a party of it and
always remember to have fun. This is your day to be anything you want to be.

Thanks Katie for having me guest post and thank you to her readers for giving me your time.

{Feature} Soundtrack To I Do

Today I am guest posting over on Soundtrack To I Do. Colleen is one of the sweet TWIPS that I have been able to build a friendship with. She is talented and so caring! I love her blog and her passion for finding the perfect song for each bride. Five minutes of reading Colleen's blog and you will be hooked! Check out my guest post today. Happy Tuesday y'all!

{Feature} Wedding Reports Blog

Good day friends! A few weeks ago I started working on a guest post for Wedding Reports blog. Today it is up and raring to go. Check out my tips and ideas for building a great relationship with vendors. Show Jen and the Connecticut brides a little love today! Take a peek here.