Contest anyone?

Recently, a friend of mine used Daisy Moffatt Photography to capture all the exquisite details on her wedding day. Intrigued by Daisy's style, I have been frequenting her blog and come across a contest that might be of interest to you! Here is just a snippet, I have the link at the bottom of this post so you can read all about it on her blog.

Daisy Moffatt Photography is giving away one free love shoot for a couple. This contest ends July 12th and all you have to do is send in your love story. You don't have to be engaged or married to enter this contest, just express how you met and fell in love - simple, right?? You can email her your story at daisy@daisymphotography.com Be sure to include you name, phone number, email and your love story!


Don't forget to check out her website and blog. You can view her post about the contest here.

Update!

I hope you guys have been enjoying Inviting thus far. I am still tweaking the look of the site, so over the next couple of weeks I will be making a few more small changes (like the new logo! So excited that Melissa Peirano was nice enough to help bring my vision to life). Next week I will be out of town, but don't worry, there will actually be two posts while I am away. Monday will be a question from a reader, and the extra posting is about a contest!

Thanks for stopping by!

Inviting meets Hanover Gallery

Recently I sat down and chatted with Hanover Gallery co-owner and artist Melissa Peirano to ask her a few questions about the gallery and an amazing unique service they offer.

LaVerte: Tell us a little about Hanover Gallery and where it is located.
Melissa Peirano: My mother and I opened Hanover Gallery (part of the Shops at Riverview, behind the old Green Life) last summer (2007) to fill a niche in our community. We currently rep 15 artist, half local, half regional. The artwork ranges in style from folk to contemperary with prices from about $40-$4,000. We tried to create a happy, fun environment where anyone, whether a new or seasoned art collector, would feel welcome.



L: I have been hearing about possible being able to register? What a great idea, tell me more!
MP: We decided to offer a bridal, and well any time, gift registry. I already owned a home when I got married and would have loved to get a big piece of artwork, rather than more sheets and towels. If you love it all and cant decide, suggest gift certificates. The art in the Gallery changes all the time. You'll know when the perfect piece comes in! Also, you dont have to be a bride to start a "wish list", we'll keep suggestions for friends or spouses for all those gift giving occasions.

L: How would you suggest picking a piece to buy?
MP: Buy what you love...You might grow tired of a piece you buy for an investment, or even to match an existing piece, but if you love it now, chances are you'll love it forever!

Thanks Melissa for sharing with us this wonderful art gallery with an amazing service! I recommend Hanover Gallery to anyone any everyone!

What does Publix have to do with it?

images from Publix.com

Chattanooga is introducing some wonderful new grocery stores in the area. What, you wonder, does this have to do with my upcoming event or wedding in the near future?

If you haven't stopped by the Publix in East Brainerd yet, you are missing out on some great things. The food is good, but the desserts are better. They have a wide array of fresh baked goods, and the cakes are amazing. The Publix staff is very knowledgeable and can help you create a delicious wedding cake or grooms. The website explains "Our cakes can be customized to accommodate the number of guests you need to serve. We can add or remove tiers, or adjust sizes. Our decorators will be happy to merge our designs to create the wedding cake of your dreams. Please place your order with the Publix Bakery at least four (4) weeks in advance to allow time to procure your favorite ornament along with any other special requirements for the cake of your dreams."

Publix is a great vendor that is often overlooked. Many "knotties" from Georgia rave about the Pubix SuperMarkets in the Atlanta area, and have used the stores for their wedding cake, grooms cake or cupcakes instead of a single cake. These knotties cite the budget-friendly price and great taste as the reason for choosing a grocery store over a cake shop. Take a look at some of the creations they have displayed on the website!

images from Publix.com

Even if these few cakes are not the "look" that you are after, I believe it shows that Publix can do just about anything when it comes to traditional or updated traditional cakes.

J.Crew Coupon Codes

Happy Thursday everyone!

In case you haven't checked out J.crew Aficionada yet, you should before Sunday. She has published a new J.Crew Free Shipping code and this time it is for a minimum of $100 purchase. Since they have taken away the Free Ship with no minimum, this is the lowest they have afforded yet! I'll be talking later on about J.Crew and its wedding apparel, but wanted to give you the heads up on the great savings through the weekend.

Real Simple - Weddings

Last night I was reading some of my daily inspirations and came across a fabulous new-to-me blog: a $10,000 wedding. Typical me just had to read all of her previous posts, and what do you know, she had posted back in January about the first ever Real Simple Wedding Edition magazine. I love Real Simple, but am trying REALLY hard to only buy magazines when necessary-and as I am not married or engaged, it doesn't quite fit into the budget-since its $12.95. Her quick post led me to Darci over at With This Ring, where she has been ever so nice to do a review of the special edition. She also has links to all the amazing Wedding Planning Lists that you will ever need, all published in the Real Simple Weddings magazine.

-Such a great resource, and for those planning a wedding, $12.95 is a good price for a planning book. Here are a few of my favorite lists:

Links to all the worksheets
Wedding Photo Checklist
What to ask your Planner
Download able Wedding Budget Worksheet
Wedding Party Contact Sheet

Lists are a good way to stay on track and stay organized without forgetting anything. Has anyone purchased this magazine, or found any of these lists helpful???