Afternoon Blog Break

I thought a good way to ease myself back into the week was well, by catching up on some blog reading. I've been reading a great book, some fabulous magazines {caught up on celebrity gossip by the pool, of course!} but have tried to stay away from too much online while I was away. I need a cup of Jo to perk me up this afternoon so thought I would share some blog posts I found around the web that I'm loving since I've been gone. Enjoy! 

{The Bougainvillea that was EVERYWHERE on the Amalfi Coast was gorgeous! Shopping in Capri in the sun surrounded by pretty flowers wasn't too bad. I wouldn't mind being back there this afternoon.}

Olivia Palermo eloped this past weekend and I agree that she looked beautiful! 

A few years ago my best friend and I went to St. Tropez on one of my most memorable holidays ever. I loved reading about Camille Styles trip to that amazing spot here, here and here. 

Easy simple ways of how to tie a scarf like a french girl. 

Ooooo I love this London elopement! I mean how cute is the brides bow birdcage and the feeling of sweet and intimate about the entire ceremony. 

Clementines and Lemons for a Summer wedding inspiration is gorgeous. 

I loved the little snapshots my Floridian Weddings put together on Friday from our wedding. 

Oh how I dream of having a backyard like this to entertain in! 

Anyone want to get together for a Rose and Flower Arranging class? 

I loved this interview with the editor of Glamour magazine over on the New Potato. 

Happy Monday! Hope you are getting back into the work week! 

xoxo - Becca

Back to Reality

I'm back! After weeks of planning and celebrating, getting married and honeymooning, all topped with the amazing fact that I became an Auntie yesterday, well, life has been pretty crazy amazing recently! Today I woke up to the realization that it was time to head back to work and back into the normal every day, what? Really? 

{One of MANY pics from our honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast, Positano}

Without getting sad and angry and the post holiday blues, I am trying to think back to every precious little memory I have from our wedding and cherish them. I am trying to take all my inspiration from our insanely amazing Italian honeymoon and incorporate it into my events and daily life. Having so much to celebrate at once and then waking up to the idea of heading back to an office and sitting at a desk, isn't exactly the best feeling but for now it is what it is, I will make the best of it. I know a lot of you have been asking if the wedding was everything I thought it would be and well, it was more! It was seriously the best of day of my life and I want to press rewind and do it all again.

I am going to wait and share the professional photos in the next few months so for now you can see a lot of snippets from our big day at the hashtag #fkrdbigdayuk . Everyone had told me I would be overwhelmed with happiness and excitement but I had no idea it would be as amazing as it was. Advice to every soon to be bride out there, enjoy every second, every toast, every conversation, ever dance, every bite of cake, every kiss from your new husband, take it all in! 

During our time lying around by the pool in Capri and on a boat in Positano {man life was HARD these past weeks. haahha} I thought a lot about the blog and new content for the upcoming months. I had taken a little wedding planning break at Urban Flip Flops and now I'm back and ready! Advice on honeymoon tips in Italy, flower ideas, suggestions on the best ladies in the London business, party ideas, recipes, beauty, oh there is so much to write about it! 

For now I just wanted to say HELLO! I'm back! Thank you for all of your sweet notes these past few months! I am so thankful for it all! 

xoxo- Becca

Cheers!

There has been radio silence over here lately because…..I got married on Sunday! The week was a fairytale like dream and I can not wait to share it with you in the next upcoming months! I am off for our honeymoon and as much as I tried planning posts beforehand, celebrating got in the way. I will be back in July! Thank you for all of your sweet words!!! 

xoxo - Rebecca, the mrs. 

From One Blogging Bride to Another : Guest Post from Juno & Joy

We are getting married in less then a week, eeeekk, exciting! The sun is shining {hopefully that stays!}, our family and friends are arriving to London, my last day at work was yesterday, but still, while I should start feeling relaxed, I'm starting to feel a since of un finished to do lists that are driving me crazy. I was excited to have Sarah Christopher, the Creator & Editor of the wedding blog, Juno & Joy, stop by today to share some tips on how to wind down before your wedding, because this is advice I need. I'm going to let Sarah take it away….. 

As a former {nearly 3 years married!} blogging bride myself I understand just how much pressure you can feel ahead of the big day…it can be hard to manage high expectations – not least of all from yourself – and at a time when you should be simply enjoying every minute of the preparations…

So, for Rebecca and for any bride – blogging or otherwise – who might be feeling a little overwhelmed in the run up to their big day – here’s my top tips on how to keep your wedding day calm:

{Anna Roussos Photography}

Enlist help. Whether it’s paid or otherwise, if there’s someone who can act as your wedding co-ordinator either throughout the entire planning process, exclusively on-the-day or in the weeks running up to your wedding – GO FOR IT! A celebration of this scale can’t run itself and even the small, relaxed weddings take careful preparation to ensure they run seamlessly. By organising a specific person to effectively run your wedding day you’re not only going to be able to sit back and enjoy it but your nearest and dearest can too!

{Pete Cox Photography}

Don’t DIY SOLO. We all have visions of creating all the pretty little details that’ll make our wedding unique and personal but it’s really impossible to do alone. In this circumstance a little cheating is acceptable! It’s great to see you accepting help from your friends – a DIY party is an inspired idea Becca! And for the wedding itself, consider letting a couple of your closest friends in on “the vision” and have them help set up the venue décor…I was obsessive about doing everything on my own to make sure there was a real “ta-da” moment. Luckily my gals had other ideas and showed up unannounced to help – this not only led to the most incredibly fun day with them but also meant we were finished in time to pamper ourselves and have a really girly night together.

{Lucy Shergold Photography} 

Let go. You’ll never execute every planned details of your day as perfectly as you’ve built the vision up in your head. That doesn’t matter. Irrespective of whether you’ve remembered the colour-coordinated confetti that might offer an incredible photo op (I didn’t) or forget to pick up the surprise cookies and cream cheesecake for your husband’s Groom’s cake surprise (yep) – no-one lese will notice. They’ll be too busy enjoying the atmosphere and love…and you should too!

Retain a sense of humour. It may rain. Or hail. Or your transport might brake down en route (or all the aforementioned in our case…damn those vintage VW’s!) it doesn’t matter…come rain or shine, whether on horseback or on a bus – you will get married and it will be wonderful. Embrace the unexpected – it’ll make excellent anecdotes for the grandchildren.

{Lucy Shergold Photography} 

Take time out with your husband – and your photographer – your guests will hardly notice! We did a little of this – but not enough. I felt I hardly saw Adam post speeches and though we had some time with our amazing photographer Lucy – we should have accepted her offer to jump in the car and head to our favourite beach nearby. It’s such an important place for us I wish now we had some photo keepsakes of us in our favourite spot.

{Marianne Chua Photography}

Step away from social. No Facebook, live tweeting or Instagramming. Yes your supporters & followers will be desperate to see snippets of your day – but everyone’s entitled to time-out and all will understand. You need to be in the moment. Relish it, take it all in – the time passes so quickly. Plenty of time for technology once your home from Honeymoon…and it keeps the wedding high going for a little longer too!

Be the first to leave. We all love a good party …but there’s nothing worse than dealing with the anti-climax of seeing your party numbers drop. Know when to go…best time is usually after you’ve witnessed the first guest fall over on the dance-floor…it’s all downhill from there!

{With Love & Embers Photography}

Have a wonderful wedding day Becca, your plans look amazing and how lovely that you’ve so many travelling from far and wide to share this beautiful occasion with you! Can’t wait to see the photos – ahem – post wedding day!

Love Sarah xXx 

Thank you SO much Sarah for this advice! I can't tell you how RIGHT you are! After weeks of crafting and organizing, I'm ready to enjoy this occasion with my hubby! Ladies, take the advice and enjoy your day! xoxo

Juno & Joy Blog | Pinterest | Instagram  | Facebook | Twitter 

Working Women: Erin with BerinMade

I was lucky enough to be introduced to the lovely Erin, the lady behind the gorgeous company BerinMade, via email by one of my online friends Jillian. I remember Jillian mentioning that when I moved to London we HAD to meet up and that we would just love one another. Well, I can say I am so thankful she introduced us because yes, even though I have only known Erin for a short time, I can say, she is pretty sweet and absolutely amazing. One of the sweetest designers I have ever met, she has turned into one heck of business women!  Originally a fine arts degree major, Erin left her full time job to move full speed ahead with her design business and wow, how it has bloomed! For me, the girl who  has always been obsessed with pretty stationary, always popping into Paper Source in the States and browsing every beautiful card  shop in London, discovering  BerinMade was a little bit of happiness!

{Image by Babb Photo} 

I always find so much inspiration in hearing from entrepreneurial women in the events and creative business and am so happy to share Erin's thoughts on her business today! 

When did you start your business? 

BerinMade officially launched in the Summer of 2011, but I had been working and researching on the idea for about a year beforehand.

{Flourish Wedding Suite | photo by Marianne Taylor Photography}

What advice do you have for younger women looking to start their own business? 

Just follow your heart. If you’re creating/doing something that makes you happy, then work hard on a unique product and the rest will follow.

{Chapin Wedding Suite | photo by Kirsten Mavric}

How would you describe the ideal Berin Made couple? 

Authentic, in love, playful and creative. We are often sent photos of the day long after the stationery has been designed, printed and sent out because we’ve built such a great relationship with our couples—and I’m always blown away by the authenticity and love in their wedding photos.

Do you have a trademark style? 

Our aesthetic is feminine, whimsical, and playful. We are inspired by fashion, colours and an abundance of florals.

{Circle Menu Card on Style Me Pretty | photo by Ed Osborn & Rose Garden Wedding Suite}

What is your favourite part about running your own business? 

Favourite part: making new products! We have a couple of new lines in the pipeline so that is really exciting, and definitely the best part of the job.

What is your LEAST favourite part? 

 Least favourite part? I’m not sure. Perhaps the admin!

{Thank You Photo Cards  | photo by Marianne Taylor Photography}

Best moment of your career so far?

 Winning two national awards in two consecutive years was pretty exhilarating, and definitely the “milestone” for the business. That was the Wedding Industry Awards. But I would have to say that the everyday is what makes it sweet. I love conceiving designs, mood boarding, chatting with lovely brides, bringing designs to life, the packaging, the marketing… so it’s a lot of little great moments in the everyday.

{Polka Peony Wedding Suite | photo by Kirsten Mavric}

What is NEXT for Berin Made? 

You may have seen some jewellery on our instagram that I’ve designed. We have a few more unique items like that up our sleeves. Basically we want to create a line of lifestyle items that are very unique in the market. We also have a stationery line launching in January 2015, so that’s a pretty big project. I know that seems like a long time away, but in the life of a small business owner it goes by like a split second!

{Berinmade Instagram Account | ….can we say I'm in LOVE, 1year anniversary gift?!??!}

{Phoebe's Birth Announcement on Oh So Beautiful Paper | photo by Kirsten Mavric}

As you can see, Erin's scripty lettering and gorgeous painted flowers caught my attention immediately! If I was planning our wedding all over again I may have to incorporate some of those peony invites somewhere! However, I was able to have her create some custom, gorgeous table names for us, yay, a little BerinMade on our big day! 

{Picture from Instagram Account}

It's inspiring to see how Erin's art has turned into a gorgeous stationary company full time and is now growing into a lifestyle brand, amazing! With a lot of hard work and dedication, I'm pretty inspired to get there! 

Find BerinMade here: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

xoxo - Becca

*If you liked this post you may enjoy Working Women: Jay Archer | Working Women: Make Merry! | Working Women: Elizabeth Duncan Events

DIY Day

Throughout our wedding planning I have had so many people offer to help us with anything we need. In all honesty, sometimes I have a hard time accepting help and find I just want to do it my way. Well, with a wedding less then two weeks away, I wish I had accepted more! Two months ago I decided to ask some girlfriends over to help with a couple DIY projects and wow, I wish I had done it ten more times. We caught up, drank bubbly, and got some projects marked off our list. DIY day with your girlfriends, highly recommended, THEY WANT TO HELP YOU! 

I set up some bubbly, some brunch and of course some pretty flowers and invited the girls over on a Saturday morning to help me with some crafting projects for the big day. I had prepped most of the ribbons, organized all of the tissue and other items. With some simple instructions and all of the materials organized, it was a really nice morning and a fun way to have my friends help. 

The amount of ribbon I have purchased these last few months is out of control. I can not WAIT to show you the pictures though of all of the guests waving the ribbon wands as we walk to the reception!  

 Ummmm I couldn't resist a picture of my adorable friend Ann's awesome shoes! 

 Bubbly and crafting do mix!…. just make sure to stay far away from finished items! 

 Some advice I could give you if you are planning your big day and people offer to help, take it! Looking back I wish I had done ten DIY days and nights! It was fun to catch up with friends and honestly, crafting is a bit therapeutic. People want to help you and as much as I like doing things my way, there are just not enough hours in the day anymore.

 Bubbles, tissue cutting, bubbles, tissue cutting. 

Happy crafting! xoxo - Becca