Tomorrow Is The Big Day!

It's all happening tomorrow ladies and gents!!! I'm so unbelievably excited I can hardly contain myself =) So for all of you who so graciously have "liked" or "followed" this blog on their readers or RSS feeds, please be sure to change the url to www.tastefultatters.com/blog so you don't miss all the fun stuff I have in store for you! And be sure to check out the new site tomorrow and let me know what you think!

Creative Connection October

I can't believe it's already the middle of October! Mostly because it's still in the 90's here =( But that also means there is another Creative Connection event!! In case you've never heard, CCLA is a creative networking group that I host for the Los Angeles chapter. And this month, I'm extra excited because we're featuring so many amazing creatives, including event designer, Marisa Albanese of Marisa Nicole Events who came up with the amazing theme for this months event. We will have a little bit of a wine challenge this month featuring wines & cheese from countries all over the world! How fun is that?! So if you are a female creative in the Los Angeles area, you should definitely check it out and snag up a ticket here! Oh, and did I mention that this event will be at my new studio!? Yes, it'll be the bomb dot com.

Get Ready For Cha-Cha-Changes!

I'm so excited to announce that this blog will be getting a facelift... along with a re-location! For awhile now, this blog has been an offshoot of my business Tasteful Tatters, but the two have been separate. My website linked to here, but that is all. Thanks to the very talented Lindsay Nicole Design Studio, our blog + website will become one and even more easy to navigate. So you can see our inventory and portfolio, but then also get to see the day to day and the behind the scenes. I'm so excited to have the finished product to show you all, but in the meantime, I thought I would share some screen shots of the proofs, just as a little peak at what's the come!

Do you love it? I'm just loving the whole process and learning a lot about myself and my biz at the same time - which is a really fun process. Happy Thursday friends!

Tasteful Wedding: Haley & Bob

I'm so excited to share this wedding preview today!! Haley came to me looking for vintage rentals and some fun ways to dress up her awesome outdoor venue at Rancho Camulos Ranch, and then, I ended up doing her event design as well! We incorporated lots of vintage pieces, and also created a beautiful vintage flare throughout her beautiful tables, dessert bar, as well as her killer cake table. I had so much fun working with Haley on her wedding and the photos by Lukas & Suzy Van Dyke are just stunning! To check out more of their amazing photos, check out their blog post HERE!

Tasteful Wedding: Molly & Caleb

I love it when people do vintage weddings because it is really apart of their everyday lives. This country chic wedding was the epitome of this couple. Not only do they love the country vintage feel, but they brought personal touches of what they love about country into their big day. Molly's family is also a traveling bluegrass family band, so the rustic country touches in her family's home provided the perfect background for their big day. And little touches like award winning beer made in Washington and the Washington apples as favors are a throwback to Caleb's hometown in Washington. And that's just the beginning! Take a look at these beautiful photos taken by Lukas & Suzy Van Dyke Photographers and you will too, fall in love with this vintage wedding and all it's details. Keep your eyes peeled for our Tasteful Tatters vintage pieces strewn throughout! It was a joy and a honor to be apart of your wedding Molly & Caleb!!

Adorable, right? Be sure to check out Lukas & Suzy's blog for even more fabulous photos!

Tasteful Wedding: Megan & Dex

I just love sharing photos of real brides that I have worked with! I recently received photos from the fabulous A+C Photography of the adorable couple, Megan & Dex's wedding from earlier this summer! I had the opportunity to work with Megan when I used to work in non-profit full-time. She is seriously the sweetest girl you will ever meet. Like, seriously. And her wedding reflected that to a tee. With soft pinks and creams with touches of lace in a beautiful setting of an old cottage in a giant garden. Ah, I just love it. I had the opportunity able to provide the vintage rentals as well as her garter and hair piece. So take a peak and swoon over the pretty =)

Introducing... Mini Packing Kits!

I'm so excited to share this with you guys today! As some of you may know, I've recently started a new branch of my Tasteful Tatters business: custom packaging design for creatives. I have loved every step of this new chapter and I'm excited for all the new projects I have ahead. So with that said, I have accumulated a TON of packaging supplies from my accessories Etsy shop, samples for clients, and just supplies that I have left over from many many projects. We're talking a TON of supplies. I thought it would be fun to create little mini kits of coordinating colors and concepts for the packaging loving gal who isn't running a biz, just wants their snail mail to be pretty =) So I did! Enter in, Tasteful Tatters Packing on Etsy!!

 

These kits come with EVERYTHING you need to add that swoon worthy touch to your mail and/or gifts. Supplies range from glassine bags, stickets, wooden tags, washi tape, ribbon, kraft pillow boxes, and so much more. Each kit contains more than 15 pieces to outfit any package with lots of color and even more details. I'll be adding more each week, and maybe even a giveaway every once in awhile =) So head on over and check it out and let me know what you think!

Life & Biz Update

 Hi friends. Today, I'm writing from a tired, excited, overwhelmed place. I've been writing this blog for about 3 years now. It started out as an assignment for one of my Journalism classes in college and turned into a platform to share my favorite ideas, projects, as well as document my business from conception to where it is today. So, needless to say, it means a lot to me. I feel like my entire life has been documented on this blog. I spend a lot of time planning projects, executing them, working with other vendors to host giveaways and guest posts. Because I love it - not because my blog is my business. I don't make money off my blog. I get joy from doing it and reading your comments and hearing and learning from YOU as well!

With that being said, I'm in the process of moving my business into a beautiful studio (eeek!) shared with some fabulous wedding vendor ladies and I am on cloud 9. This is the space where I will be meeting with clients, holding consults, sharing table mockups, and possibly working on some DIY projects as well. With that said, I have my work cut out for me the next few months...  So, if you enjoy this blog and get some inspiration and/or encouragement from it, let me know! Sometimes when life gets busy, it's nice to know someone is reading and all the time is well spent.

I'm incredibly excited about this new business venture and with many new phases in life, I'm trying to just enjoy this whole process and not get overwhelmed. I think it's so easy for people to get in the mindset of "well, next month everything will be awesome" or "I just want to be here in my business" and always have your head in the future of the hopeful or looking forward state. I just want to BE PRESENT. So what does this have to do with the blog? Well, I'd love to document this whole phase for me and my business... but I also want to keep my readers in mind as well. Based on my Google tracking, some of the highest read posts are my DIY and the few fashion posts (which I will have more of!) and lately, the wedding recaps and photos of my new inventory don't get much traffic. So I don't want to bore you people =)

I will be trying my best to be present in this crazy exciting process, and if you want to hear about the journey, leave me a comment and let me know! And if you've been in a similar situation, I'd love to hear how you have stayed present in the moment! 

Tastefully Packaged

I get a lot of emails asking me where I buy my packaging, or my thoughts/tips on packaging for your biz, and I love it because packaging is so fun for me... but what is really fun, is when a fellow business friend comes to me to design their custom packaging! The best part of the challenge, it's packaging for a guy! My dear friend Ryan McDuff of McDuff Productions came to me wanting new packaging for his wedding videography business. You may remember his name from my own wedding video posted HERE not too long ago =) Ryan is amazing at what he does and his packaging needed to be nothing short of that.

I started my project, by studying his brand and website and I implemented elements from those into his overall packaging concept: black lettering, wood accents, with an earthy feel of kraft paper and muslin bags. I knew I wanted to turn his logo into a stamp that he could use on just about anything i.e. thank you cards, invoices, letterhead, post-its, etc. From there, I made custom envelopes to fit the dvds, and I stamped muslin bags to wrap his entire package up in. I also made custom black thank-you notes topped with burlap so he could write a personal message to his couples when they receive their disks. I think it turned out beautifully and not to mention, super manly =)

 

Are you looking to improve or create your new packaging? Feel free to shoot me an email for a brainstorming sesh or I can give you a quote. Remember, your packaging is the first thing people will see of your product, why not wow them from the beginning?

Honest Wedding Tips

I recently had the opportunity to be interviewed & photographed by the lovely, Robyn Preston Photography! She wanted real advice from local wedding vendors for brides. It was so fun hanging out with her and even Olive got to come =)

Here are a few fabulous photos by Robyn and some of my top tips - to read all of my tips and to learn more about how I started my biz, you can check out the full article HERE!

Hire a coordinator.  Without one  you forget stuff and then on the day of the wedding details get left behind.  Friends and family don’t get to enjoy your wedding  when they are running around doing things for the wedding and that really pains me.  If I had a coordinator I could’ve had a day that I was pampered with my mom and friends and really enjoyed the day instead of running around trying to do all this DIY stuff.

Involve the groom.  Guys want to help but they are not given the opportunity.  They are not scouring the blogs all the time like the brides are so they have new and fresh ideas.  They are more raw and honest with their opinions.  And they might come up with a more original idea that better represents the couple.

Always have a consultation with the photographer. If they don’t 

take the initiative to meet this is a red flag!

Meet with your DJ and ask them to see a video of them at a wedding.  See how they set the tone and find out if they are a mic whore or if their style is too out there for you.

Vintage Wedding Highlight Video

Misty & Greg's wedding was a vintage stylist's dream. Not only did Misty have a great vision and knew exactly what she wanted to do with the pieces she rented from Tasteful Tatters - but she had so many fun pieces of her own and fabulous vendors to work with on her big day. I had a blast meeting some fab new wedding pros, specifically Couture Motion who put together this awesome highlight reel of Misty & Greg's big day - check it out and see if you can spot some of our fabulous pieces!!  

The Gardens at Mill Creek Bakersfield Wedding: Greg & Misty from Couture Motion on Vimeo.

Tasteful In Mexico!

 

Well, we didn't exactly go to Mexico... but one of our custom bridal pieces did! I love getting custom requests for bridal pieces, especially when they come from old friends from high school. Jessica contacted me that she was planning a destination wedding in Mexico with a sandy beach ceremony and all. And she needed the perfect hairpiece to match her stunning dress. It's not all the time that I get to see tons of photos from weddings that I make pieces for, so it's such a special treat to see this bright and fun wedding so I thought I would share it will you. Makes you want to go to Mexico, right?!

 

 

Interested in a custom piece for your big day? Check out our Shoppe!

Vintage Wedding Snapshots

Happy Monday friends! I'm taking the day off of Tasteful business stuff so I can rest up from my crazy weekend full of wedding crazy-ness and catch up on home stuff like laundry, dishes, cleaning... you know, all that fun stuff =) I actually love organizing my life, makes me feel like I have control haha

Anyways, I had the amazing opportunity provide a truckload of vintage rentals for a beautiful wedding this weekend in Bakersfield, CA. The wedding coordinator & stylist happened to be a good friend of mine, so I stayed around and helped her since it was such a large wedding (300+ guests)! I even got to arrange some of the flowers! Loved that! So take a look at all of the amazing vintage elements of the day that I snapped on my phone, can't wait to show you all the real photos =)

What did you guys do this weekend?! Did anyone attend any fun weddings??

Finding Calm in the Crazy

This past weekend, I had back to back weddings on Sat & Sun in 2 different towns. So despite the potential craziness, Mr. H and I decided we were going to make the most of the weekend. We were headed to Corona for the first wedding, which is where my parents live & is also near my bestie, Lauren. So we saw the fam bam, went thrifting through Old Town Orange and ate at a killer BBQ place, then headed off to Pasadena for wedding #2. Did the whole set up for a super cute travel inspired wedding at the Castle Green, and then headed out to visit with my in-laws and our adorable little nieces so they could meet Olive... then around 10pm went back to pick up the rentals. Phew! That was exhausting just thinking about. Through all the craziness, it was so nice to spend a weekend with family and friends and enjoy the beautiful summer weather. And yesterday, I spent the day by the pool drinking iced tea, and just letting my body relax - just what I needed!

 

What did YOU do this 3 day weekend?? I'd love to hear and see your photos =)

Real Wedding: Katie & Joey

If you follow me on twitter or instagram, you probably saw a few shots of this wedding last weekend for Katie & Joey and CBS Studios. I had the honor of styling this fabulous affair and I am so excited to share their wedding video with you guys today!! This couple is seriously the cutest and I had such a blast working with them throughout the whole process... and did I mention their reception was on New York St. (Seinfeld set!) Yes, that's right. Epic. Ok, here they are! Video was done by the talented Joel Muniz - great job Joel! You can see more of Joel's work HERE

1 Piece : 2 Looks

I get asked this question a lot: "I love your vintage pieces... but I'm not sure how to make them fit with my wedding look" Some brides will see my pieces from a shoot or other wedding I've done, and while they think it may look cool or interesting, the blue and black color palette does NOT fit with their backyard rose garden affair. I think this is because if they see it done one way, it's hard to see it fit somewhere else; visually. While others, take a look at my inventory pages and see furniture against a white backdrop by itself, and struggle seeing how to use it period. So, today I thought I'd show you one of my favorite pieces I rent out, and how it looks just by itself, and how me and my fabulous team have turned a simple wooden table into 2 completely different looks that I think will knock your socks off!

photo by: Lukas VanDyke Photography

So you want to throw a bridal shower - but one that screams of vintage and feminine touches - why not add some vintage furniture to spice up your delicious dessert table? With the soft pink and purple flowers, vintage lace runner, and pretty milk glass and vintage cake stands -  you would think you just walked into The Secret Garden!

photo by: Meghan Christine Photography

 Pink is not really your thing? You want to create a bold and bright head table for you & your hubby along with your maid of honor & best man, that looks sophisticated, bright, with a vintage flare. Add pops of blues and whites in your florals, some modern china, and we handmade this runner to match perfectly with a touch of black lace! And your look is completely different!

photo by: Brienne Michelle Photography

What do you think? Looks totally different, right? If you are interested in seeing how our vintage rentals can work for your big day, feel free to contact me and/or head on over to our Facebook page to see our latest pieces!

Pops of Spring

So yesterday was a full on rain thunderstorm here in town. It felt pretty dreary... so I thought I'd photograph some of the fun new spring items I've been working on, and offer a super sweet deal for those of you prepping your Easter baskets =)

 

So from now until April 2nd - you get FREE shipping on ALL orders if you enter POPOFSPRING at checkout. So if you order 3 pieces - that's almost $10 off! So take advantage of this deal and take a look at our brightly colored spring pieces in the SHOPPE available now!

The Big 1-0-0

Yes, you read that right blogettes! Our etsy shop has broken the 100 sales mark and I figure that is reason to  celebrate! So we're going to do a couple of different giveaways today: First, if you visit the shop and leave a comment of your top 3 fav items you will be entered to win a free Tasteful Tatters piece (excluding all Black Label items)! AND for all orders made this weekend - starting today through Sunday at 11pm, each person will receive a FREE TT tote bag!!

So I just want to say Thank You to all of our supporters and those who have made purchases from us through the shop, boutiques, & shows. You guys keep me going and I appreciate you!

I will pick a winner on Monday for the free item, and each purchase will receive their Tote when they receive their item =)

Real Wedding: Joy & Robert

I'm so so excited to share this wedding with you. This couple is absolutely stunning... not to mention Joy is rocking a custom Tatter that I had so much fun creating. Joy saw a piece that is available on our Black Label Collection that launched on Valentines Day. However, she took advantage of the custom adjustments options and the result is a completely unique and beautiful piece that matched her wedding perfectly - ah! I just love it! They got married in Valencia, CA with a beautiful nature backdrop, and their florals were done by the amazing Samantha of Primary Petals, who has once again, outdone herself on this wedding. Check out their beautiful photos below taken by the talented Shyla Photography, such prettiness I can't contain myself =)