Lulu and the Bee

Hallmark Script

2010-03-28T18:59:00.001-07:00

A recent project in Hallmark Script for a So Cal couple getting married in Cabo San Lucas this summer...

The extra long envelopes were a dream to work with.

Ready to send out!

grand opening....modern chic home!

2009-10-24T09:25:00.000-07:00

Modern Chic Home has launched!
A fantastic design boutique by the very talented designer, Julie Thigpen (of Belle Maison)!

The shop offers unique home accents; including decorative accessories, candle holders, pillows, furniture, kitchen and tabletop accents, and much more.

The perfect source for gifts and treasures, all hand selected by the designer herself!

These fabulous Cupcake Pedestals are the essential addition to any shower & just one of the many great finds in the shop.

Congrats Jules!

letters for bambinos

2009-10-04T17:42:00.001-07:00

For Amineh

For baby M.R.S.

Finishing Touch

2009-01-06T09:21:00.000-08:00

Beautiful hair combs are a classic finishing touch for a wedding or soiree ensemble.
Belle Nouvelle Designs offers a wide array of fantastically pretty combs and other sparkly prizes.
Some of my favorites...

Jasmine

Asanti (so very Carrie Bradshaw)

Sylvie

Siska Studio

2009-01-04T09:06:00.000-08:00

There are so many wonderful handmade treasures to be found on Etsy and Siska Studio offers an abundance of pretty things. From invitations, cards, calendars, calling cards, and other printed papers, the designs are simply beautiful. I especially love the graphic nature of the prints and the way the fonts are matched perfectly to the designs.

Desktop Botanical Calendar

Personalized Blank Mini Notebook - Vintage Bicycle

Flower Blossoms Personalized Stationery

Cheers!

2008-12-30T19:53:00.001-08:00

Letter Blocks

2008-12-02T20:54:00.001-08:00

In experimenting with different ways to translate lettering onto surfaces other than paper, I made this letter block for my adorable little nephew, Archer.
I started with an unfinished wood block, sketched the letters of his name onto each side, and then used a wood burner to burn the letters into the wood surface. This was the first time I used a wood burner and it was so much fun (the smell of the burning wood was the best part)! I wanted the letters to be carved into the surface and the burner did the trick.

I liked how it looked unpainted, but ended up painting it using bright acrylic paints (and forgot to take a picture before giving it to him).
A fun project all around and hopefully a keepsake for little Archer.

smock!

2008-11-19T21:02:00.000-08:00

If I had only known about Smock. when I got married!
Printed on renewable and sustainable luxury bamboo paper using 100% wind-powered letterpress, Smock. is at the forefront of creating eco-friendly papers that are both socially-responsible and absolutely beautiful!

A few of my favorite picks from their wedding invitation collection...

Rhon

Cavall

Nevis

etienne

Smock. also offers a fabulous line of social cards for all occasions, including shower invitations.

Love Letter

2008-10-15T22:49:00.001-07:00

Conway, Ark.
June 11, 1896

My Darling Lottie,

If you are awake now and will listen, you will hear the clear chiming of the clock as it tolls the passing away of Thursday and strews garlands of sweet musical flowers in the triumphal way of Friday as it again takes its place in the endless procession of time. There are but five more days till our wedding day. I pray the Good Father to keep my own Lottie for me. I miss you so much. But I don't intend to write you a letter. I am sure you are half way in the notion to scold me. I have been reading Latin for two days and nights in succession, and the end is not yet. The examination comes tomorrow evening and I'll be ready.

I was greatly disappointed because I did not get a letter yesterday or today. Surely a long one will come tomorrow.

We have a nice boarding place for this summer. Must I have Henry to return your pass book and get your deposit fee for you? Be sure to tell me this.

Goodnight my darling,
Willie

- Written by my great-great-grandfather to my great-great-grandmother, transcribed by my cousin, Alice.

Feel the Love

2008-09-06T15:57:00.001-07:00

In the mood for love.

My hubby and I celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary this week and what a wonderful 4 years it has been!

A few lovey photos by photographer Gosia Stepien to go along with my mushy mood...

Aren't these images beautiful?! More photos here.

Mi Belle Photography

2008-08-08T08:00:00.000-07:00

I happened upon the Mi Belle Photography website and was instantly taken with the stunning images. I was mostly struck by the unique perspective and the way the two-photographer team captures the important and quiet moments so beautifully.
A few of my favorites...

Great wedding photography as well as portraits.
I love Mi Belle!

Spotlight on Vivaldi

2008-08-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Vivaldi is one of my favorite fonts and has become the most popular of my font choices.
From weddings to parties, it is versatile and so elegant.
The lines are clean and modern with added curves that give it an extra formality and sophistication.
Three cheers for Vivaldi!

Busy Bee

2008-08-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

A few recent projects that I've been working on.....

150 wedding invitation envelopes for a bride and groom tying the knot in October.
Font: Artscript
Ink: Black

125 wedding invitation envelopes for a friend who is getting married in early October in Santa Barbara, California.
Front: Vivaldi
Ink: Black

News Flash!

2008-08-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

Lulu and the Bee has been added to the exclusive Elizabeth Anne Designs Library!
Check us out here.

A big thank you to EAD for making us a part of the club!

Etsy Find....Paper Schmaper

2008-08-01T16:38:00.001-07:00

Thanks to the wonderful world of Etsy, I discovered Paper Schmaper! A shop run by the lovely Krissy, who designs the most beautiful handmade cards.
My top picks...

Flourish - Pair of Gocco Note Cards

See With Your Heart - Pair of Gocco Note Cards

Perfect for any occasion, and even to use as thank you cards for a wedding or shower. Checkout the rest of her collection here, you are sure to fall in love!

Island Wedding Inspiration from Flickr

2008-07-31T23:59:00.000-07:00

Conrad Hotel Bali - Wedding Chappel

by yushimoto_02

Wedding Day, Turoa Beach, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
by halftheworldaway

Wedding Atmosphere - Santorini
by animadm

Save-the-Dates by Minted

2008-07-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

I am loving all of the fantastic paper designs by Minted!
I especially love their uniquely designed save-the-dates using the couple's photograph.

Garden Feast Save the Date Card by Helena Seo Design

Modern Library Save the Date Card by Sweet Paper Studio

Bird Lover's Save the Date Card by The Happy Envelope

Minted also has a wonderful selection of letterpress invitations, announcements, eco-friendly options (yummy), and custom design services.

Elizabeth Anne Designs

2008-07-28T16:31:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth Anne Designs has a great new library full of vendor lists and reviews!
"In the Library, you will find an exhaustive list of vendors, organized by category, to aid you in your event planning! We will be updating the Library links often, and each month, we will be featuring a vendor review from a recent bride."
An excellent resource for planning! Checkout the EAD Library here.

Green Letterpress

2008-07-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

Bella Figura is an eco-friendly artisan letterpress shop with an unbelievably beautiful selection of letterpress invitations, announcements, and stationary.
They print using antique cast-iron presses on 100% cotton tree-free paper. The shop is wind-powered, carbon-neutral, and 1% of sales are donated to environmental causes. A remarkable company dedicated to excellent quality, design, craftsmanship and environmental responsibility.
I picked a few of my favorites below, although it was really difficult to only choose a few....

Plume Wedding Invitation by Amy Graham Stigler

Deveril Wedding Invitation, Bella Figura Original

Owl Baby Announcement by Amy Graham Stigler

Joe Latter Photographer

2008-07-23T08:33:00.001-07:00

Today's photography spotlight is on Joe Latter, a fantastic photographer based out of Long Beach, California. His work is absolutely amazing and he is a dream to work with! I know this because I used him for my wedding.

As you can see, his photos speak for themselves....

Villa de la Vina, Agoura Hills, CA - June 2008

Seven Degrees, Laguna Beach, CA - May 2008

www.joelatterphotographer.com

Escort Cards and Table Names

2008-07-21T14:55:00.001-07:00

I recently completed escort cards and table names for a wedding that is being held this month at a So. Cal. winery. The couple chose to name the tables after various types of wine and their table was the Dom Perignon table. To create the elegant design on the paper, the bride used a sage card stock, cut to size, and used an ink stamp with embossing powder and gun.
Font: Vivaldi, Ink: Chocolate

The escort cards were done per group (individual, couple, or family) and included the table name.

Naming the tables after various wines was a fun way to stick with the theme of the venue.

Bridal Brooches

2008-07-21T09:27:00.001-07:00

photo by luxe photographics

As a big fan of wearing brooches in everyday life, I love the idea of adding this element to a wedding dress. This trend is popping-up everywhere on the bridal scene. I love it even more if the brooch is a family heirloom (time to raid grandmother's jewelry box) and will count as something old (or borrowed).
Beautiful!

Southern Inspiration

2008-07-19T18:04:00.000-07:00

Being a Southern Girl myself, or at least born in the South & raised in Southern California, these southern weddings really struck my fancy....

Norcross, Georgia
via Our Labor of Love

Georgia wedding via Our Labor of Love

Atlanta, Georgia
via W. Scott Chester

Baby Talk

2008-07-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

Because I recently found out that one of my good friends is pregnant, I'm excited to shop for cute baby goodies! And, she's an eco-conscious mom, so that makes the shopping even more fun.

A few of my favorite sources for eco-friendly baby gifts...

Baby Earth offers a wide variety of unique baby gifts and products. However, despite the name, not all of the items on the site are eco-friendly. Stick to the eco-friendly section to find lots of great green goodies.

Q Collection Junior Organic Soft Blocks

Green Babies, Sage Moms by Penguin Group
An excellent source of information for raising a green family simply and inexpensively.

Under the Nile is one of my favorite sources for organic baby clothing, bedding, and toys. All of their products are made from 100% pure organic cotton and are so, so soft.
Long Sleeve Baby Body
I bought these for my newborn nephew recently because I loved the bold colors. A nice alternative to the usual pallet of pastels.

Fruit Tote
I also bought him this basket of adorable organic fruit because it was too cute to pass-up and matched his onesies.

Our Greenhouse is a great source for all things green. From baby, to household, to pet, they offer so many fantastic products and great gift ideas.
Organic Baby Bedding Set - Jingo
I love this beautiful embroidered bedding. So fun with all of the different animals and pretty details.

September Wedding

2008-07-14T17:30:00.002-07:00

I recently completed 155 envelopes for a Southern California bride and groom who are tying the knot in September.

I used a custom font and black ink.

All packed-up and ready to go!

Baby Shower Place Cards

2008-07-09T12:54:00.000-07:00

Just finished up a set of place cards for a baby shower in NYC. I used Park Avenue as the font because the invitation was very modern and chic, and I thought this font was a nice compliment.
The place cards themselves are from Paper Source in Bluebell.

Baby Shower....Ducky Brunch

2008-07-02T22:17:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered the most fantastic site for party planning ideas via Belle Maison blog! It's called Hostess with the Mostess & it offers tons of great ideas & inspiration for showers, parties, and big soirees. This Bubbly Ducky Brunch theme for a baby shower caught my eye because it's cute without being cutesy and still maintains a modern sophistication. Who says you have to use paper storks and balloons?

I love these colors together & the place setting is perfect for the feel of the shower. The best part is that there is bubbly in that champagne glass! Who's to say the guests can't drink just because mama can't?!

Mini Blueberry Turnovers! Seriously, my mouth is watering.

Brilliant Trend.....Colored Shoes

2008-06-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

photo by Whitebox Weddings

The colored shoe trend for weddings is everywhere & I REALLY wish I had thought of this for my wedding four years ago! I adore the idea of a bride wearing a fabulous pair of colored shoes to add a stylish and fun touch to traditional wedding attire.

photo by Offbeat Bride

photo by Anna Page

photo by Anna Page

Custom Font....Megan

2008-06-24T21:39:00.000-07:00

I recently worked with a bride to create a customized font for her wedding invitation envelopes. We used letters from two different fonts (Hallmark Script and Manuscript) and came up with a font that I will call Megan, after the bride. I'm really pleased with how it looks & especially love the Capital M.

Sex & the City Style

2008-06-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Who better to take style tips from than the fabulous Carrie Bradshaw from the Sex and the City movie? Although her Vivienne Westwood gown stirred up quite a controversy, I loved it because it was bold, beautiful, and in true fashionista style. How can you not look fabulous with a teal bird on your head?
However, her 'real' wedding dress that she had originally chosen & ended up marrying Big in at the end (sorry for the spoiler if you haven't seen it yet) was my absolute favorite. Unfortunately, I can't find a photo of it anywhere. But, it was a tailored vintage piece in cream with clean lines & polished sophistication. I love, love, love the idea of finding a beautiful vintage dress for a wedding, pairing it with fabulous jewelry, and splurging on a pair of stunning designer heels to complete the look. Classically chic!

The idea of different colored dresses for the bridal party was genius & one I'm sure we will see more of now that the movie has set the trend. The various jewel tones looked beautiful together & I loved the incorporation of black into the mix. The gorgeous dresses that Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha wore give hope to discouraged bridesmaids everywhere. Unlike the many bridesmaids dresses we've had hanging in our closets for years because we're determined to wear again after spending $200+ on a poorly made frock in a color we hate. If only our cousin, friends, and sister-in-law had been this fashionable....

Side note.....From my St. John post below, I received a nice comment from a reader who happens to also work at St. John. Talk about a fabulous job! Anyway, I wanted to say thanks to Kristina & I hope you received my e-mail.

St. John Sophistication

2008-06-11T20:03:00.000-07:00

St. John Knits is the definition of classic sophistication.
Even as a little girl, I was very aware of the coveted and treasured St. John suit that hung in my step mother's closet, only worn on the day she married my father in the early 1980s. I have admired the label ever since for its chic refinement, polish, and exquisite craftsmanship. The beautiful fabrics and knits create crisp silhouettes that lend themselves to wearable elegance and comfort.

Saying your vows in a St. John is a classically chic choice that I very much love.
Below are a few options that would look wonderful on a summer bride.

Knit Dress

Eyelet Wrap & Knit Dress

Adorned with Letters

2008-06-10T21:28:00.000-07:00

I adore this Word Jumble Necklace from Anthropologie!
It's the perfect way to pay homage to typography & letters while looking fabulous in a unique statement piece.
There's also a bracelet to go with!

My kitty, Missy Foo, loves it too.

Chocolate Vivaldi

2008-06-03T20:30:00.001-07:00

I recently completed 100 envelopes for an O.C. bride and groom who are getting married in July. They chose the Vivaldi font and chocolate ink to match the print on the invitation and return address. I just love this font! It has a nice modern feel, but still maintains a formal look.
Tres elegant!

Cooper Carras Photography

2008-06-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across the amazing photographer, Cooper Carras, and had to share!
Finding the right photographer for your wedding or event is a huge deal & something that I personally put a lot of time & effort into for my own wedding.
I am a huge fan of photography & know how important it is to have wonderful images that you will look at again and again through the years & smile.
Cooper Carras' photos stand-out because they are so beautiful and artistic (not your standard wedding photographer).
Here are just a few of my favorite shots...

Cooper Carras Photography
www.coopercarras.com

Eco-Fabulous Elroy Apparel

2008-05-29T22:10:00.001-07:00

Looking for a fabulous eco-friendly frock for your chic soirée?

Elroy Apparel offers "socially responsible, health conscious women with fashion forward, eco-friendly clothing". I am in love with all of the beautiful pieces made from organic cotton and bamboo. Tres fabu!

It's Here!

2008-05-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

The Phoenix Picks feature arrived in my inbox this morning!!
Check it out here.

The write-up......

The Wedding Quill

You know your BFF has lost it when she becomes obsessed about the minor details of her wedding invites as in, "Do you think silver-leaf wedding bells are too much?"

Safeguard your friendship by suggesting to your gal pal that she go straight to Lulu and the Bee. Master calligrapher Dianna Andrade takes care of the dirty work by hand-creating customized monograms and addressing invites with gorgeous calligraphy; she will even design the invitations for a personalized touch.

Thank you Phoenix Picks!!

Phoenix Picks Feature!

2008-05-15T09:49:00.000-07:00

Lulu and the Bee will be featured in tomorrow's issue of Phoenix Picks, a fabulous newsletter for all things hip & cool in the Arizona desert!!

A big merci beaucoup to Somlynn Rorie, Managing Editor, for the nod!

If you do (or don't) reside in Phoenix, Phoenix Picks is a MUST read! Treat yourself to a free subscription, satisfaction guaranteed.

Written extremely well by smart and stylish women who pick out the best shops, restaurants, and entertainment for your enjoyment.

Also, checkout their sister publications:

Portland Picks, Chicago Picks, Seattle Picks, and Minneapolis Picks.

Tres fabu!

Uncommon Wedding

2008-05-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

Uncommon Goods is an excellent source for unique finds that would make interesting and fun additions to any event!

I love their Illusion Champagne Flutes ($75/set of 4)! How cool would these be as bride and groom toasting glasses for a chic & modern affair?!

Why not give these adorable Holy Matrimony Soaps ($9) as favors at your wedding or shower? Or, place them next to the wash basins at your event. Fun soaps with modern style!

Eye/Do Cufflinks ($65), a funny take on traditional groom's cufflinks. Any guy would love these & they are so unique!

The Sterling Silver Candy Heart Necklace ($95) is a sophisticated and sweet take on the cute candy hearts we gave to our crush in 2nd grade. So adorable & the perfect accessory to wear to a shower or rehearsal dinner.

This beautiful Earth Tones Sea Glass Bracelet ($90) would be a lovely adornment to wear for a beach or woodsy wedding. The gorgeous colors would make for a stunning contrast against a white or ivory gown.

Summer Showers

2008-05-04T17:25:00.000-07:00

In June 2006 my mom & I hosted a friend's wedding shower in my mom's backyard. This was the first wedding shower I had ever planned & it turned out to be a great success. My mom is a huge gardener, so her lush greens and flowers in the backyard offered a beautiful setting and the weather was beautiful (not too hot). Summer is upon us & I thought these photos might offer some inspiration for upcoming outdoor events.

This was the invitation that I designed for the shower. The bride's colors for her wedding were black, white, and red. I stuck with that theme for the invitation, but then added some canary yellow into the scheme at the event.

This was our set-up. We rented the black wooden chairs, white market umbrellas, and linens from Baker Party Rentals in Costa Mesa. The small tables we had. They weren't all the same, but it didn't matter since we covered them with the polka dot linens. We placed small votives in clear glass cups on the tables.

This was the beverage table. We served a delicious sangria (unfortunately I don't have a photo) made by my mom in a large glass bowl with lots of fresh fruit mixed in. The sangria was the hit of the whole party. The guests stayed far past the end of the shower and kept having more & more. It was a lot of fun! The table, linens, and glasses were also from Baker Rentals. The bright yellow roses on the table were my favorite touch, which really brightened things up & added to the drama. We purchased all of our flowers at Costco the night before the party.

This was the cake table, which we placed in a nice shady spot. One of the other bridesmaids brought the cake from a bakery in Anaheim. We used the square black and white plates (also from Baker Rentals) for the cake and the wide selection of appetizers that we set-up inside the house (no photo of this either). We found the black & white "V" napkins at a local party store.

Yummy!

The bride on her wedding day.

Flea Market Finds

2008-05-04T14:10:00.000-07:00

The flea market is one of my favorite places to find beautiful items for myself, my home, gifts, and also a fantastic place to find pretty and affordable treasures to add to any event. Here are a few finds from my Sunday morning stroll through the Irvine Valley College Antique Market, which takes place on the first Sunday of every month.

I fell in love with this set of fine fish china. The aquatic design is so unique and would look great on any table. The tray is a nice size to use for serving and the plates could be used to for appetizers, bread, cake, or to hold small pillar candles in the center of a table. Great for a shower or small wedding.

So much silver!
Flea markets are full of sterling silver serving pieces and flatware. A great place to find a beautiful antique cake server and other keepsake pieces.

You may even run across your grandmother's silver pattern while browsing.

Cocktails anyone?
This pretty glass canister looked so cute full of tiny umbrellas. This would add color and fun to any event. Wouldn't it be a great addition to a bar?

Chic and rustic centerpiece!
Just add pillar candles or pretty flowers to these sugar molds and you have a fabulous centerpiece. They come in various sizes to fit any guest or serving table and you can usually find them for a great price. These ranged from $10 to $35 each.

Antique crystal!
Beautiful crystal of any kind can be found at most flea markets and it's usually very reasonably priced. A nice way to add a feminine and classic touch to any event.

These wooden planter boxes were so cool (and cheap)! Great for holding flowers or plants at an event. The various colors and sizes add so much interest.

Pretty wrapped soaps!
Handmade with a different wrapping for each one. They would make for great shower favors and they were only $6 each.

Colorful wooden buckets!
Another perfect container for flowers and plants. I can imagine these lining a walkway leading up to a colorful shower or farmhouse wedding.

Hoot & Heart

2008-05-03T11:58:00.001-07:00

Lulu and the Bee has teamed up with the fabulous Hoot & Heart flower shop!
With locations in Northern California and the Los Angeles area, H&H offers a wide variety of beautiful flowers and found objects. Their arrangements are modern and full of style with expert advice on design to customize arrangements for your event. H&H is the perfect source for your wedding and event needs. They also offer a wide range of organic flowers and sustainable ideas for eco-friendly events. We love this!
For more information, visit their website here or stop by any one of their locations in Santa Monica or Santa Rosa.
You will find Lulu and the Bee cards gracing the counters of the Santa Monica location!

Perfection from Paper Source

2008-05-02T10:48:00.000-07:00

Paper Source carries the most beautiful custom letterpress invitations!

Including exquisite collections from
Crane & Co.
Vera Wang &
William Arthur.
So beautiful & chic.
Letterpress gives a flawless first impression and is ideal for any occasion.
The offerings from Paper Source are limitless!