Earth Friendly Weddings

Real Wedding: Jeralyn and Theodore

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

I'm so excited to share a few photos from the wedding of Jeralyn and Theodore. The cute couple, now newlyweds, purchased Earthly Affair invitations for their June wedding, which was held at Zorvino Vineyards in New Hampshire.

In addition to purchasing recycled invitations, Jeralyn and Theodore chose handmade seed paper for their place cards, which guests could then plant later.

Photography was taken by the talented Thea Dodds of Authentic Eye Photography. Dodds practices eco-friendly policies and even founded the non-profit organization Greener Photography, dedicated to reducing the impact photographers have on the environment.

Thank you Jeralyn and Theodore for sharing your beautiful wedding day!

To submit your own real wedding pictures, please e-mail jns721@gmail.com

Eclectic and Eco-Friendly Accessories

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

I've featured Marolsha before and I'm delighted to do it again. Each piece is so unique and with a focus on repurposing vintage materials, it has a somewhat eco-friendly twist as well.

I really adore this little tree necklace from Marolsha. I thought I'd post it here first, but if it's not gone in the next few days, I'm seriously considering it buying it for myself. Imagine this layered with a soft blue winter sweater.

Loving the vintage key too. This would be a great gift for a man to give his gal on their wedding day. A kind of "key to my heart" note could accompany it. Cheesy? yes. But sweet? Very. So if any men read this blog...

And the vintage compass ring, which actually works, is adorable!

On another note, I wanted to give a shout out to friend and recent customer Kathleen, who purchased invitations from Earthly Affair for her October wedding. Thank you for mentioning us on your blog, Kathleen, and hope you are enjoying newlywed life!

Healthy Monday: 5 Natural Aphrodisiacs Found in your Pantry

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

This may be an odd topic for a Healthy Monday post, but it's right on target for all you soon-to-be honeymooners. There's nothing wrong with introducing a little "love potion" into the bedroom. Planet Green has a rather interesting list of 5 natural aphrodisiacs, all of which are most likely found in your own pantry.

1. Cornstarch (personally, I think this is weird. Planet Green suggests the texture of this powdery "elixir" is delightful for a full body massage. I suppose to each his own...)

2. Tomato - Eating a squishy tomato is sexy. And it apparently it aids in sexual performance. Ahem...okaaaaay.

3. Avocado - High quality vitamin E supposedly can boost the state of arousal.

4. Chocolate - Well, duh!

5. Buttermilk - A buttermilk shower to be exact.

Man, these people at Planet Green are kinky! So what do you think?

Photo: Shutterbug Gal

Environmentally Happy Luxury Handbags

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

New(er) stuff from Passchal, a manufacturer of designer bags made from recycled tractor tire inner tubes. Love the colors!
And the styles!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you!

Start A Tradition: Plant a Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Sorry for being MIA yesterday. I'm still trying to kick this cold!

Did you know that in Norway, when two people get married, friends of the newlyweds plant trees on either side of the doorway to their home? It's supposed to be a sign of fertility, but it could also be symbolic of the commitment between you and your husband. For every year you're married, they get a little bigger, stronger, and healthier. If you join the National Arbor Day Foundation, they'll send you 10 free baby trees!

The photo above is a wall decal, found at UncommonAccents.

Rewind: Memorable Wedding Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Feeling a bit under the weather today, so I thought I'd pull a favorite from the archives. Enjoy!

I still have a photo from about the time I was 10 - it was when those underwater disposable cameras had first come out and my dad took a picture of me under the water in the pool. My eyes are clenched shut, my nose is wrinkled upwards, and what I thought was smiling turned out to be more of a very forced grimmace. It's all very wrong...

But anyway, my point is that we all have that one photo (or maybe two or three) where we look absolutely ridiculous. Unfortunately, these people just had theirs published...

Found via DivineCaroline - click here to see all the pictures!

Healthy Monday: Genetically Modified Foods

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Over the weekend, my husband and I went to a restaurant where one of the dishes included the vegetable broccoflower. It looked like a tasty pasta dish, but "Broccoflower," I questioned? Personally, I'm not a fan of either broccoli or cauliflower, so I couldn't imagine why someone would want to merge these two relatively unpopular veggies. But as it turns out, genetically altering foods is not an uncommon practice.

Before I start berating the practice, let me get some things out of the way. Genetic modification is complicated, widespread and controversial, but I'll be the first to admit it sometimes yields tasty results. (Pluots, for example, are a cross between plums and apricots and they are yummy!) But it also allows farmers to produce a more substantial crop which is naturally resistant to pests. Although potentially hazardous, if the FDA says it's safe (and for the most part, they do), you can understand why this would be an appealing option to certain farmers.

But there are a few reasons we should be wary of genetically modified foods. One is due to inadequate and scarce safety testing. According to GlobalHealingCenter.com, genetically modified foods potentially contain a variety of toxins, which our bodies can't process. And the other is due to environmental concerns. These genetically modified organisms can spread through the environment, and once they do, there's no turning back. Greenpeace.org writes that they learn to interbreed with other natural organisms and can permanently alter "future generations in an unforeseeable and uncontrollable way."

Unfortunately, genetically modified foods are everywhere. The only way to protect yourself is to buy organic, assuming your paycheck can handle it. Otherwise, you're already ahead of the game just by maintaining an awareness of the foods you ingest and the impact they have on your surroundings.

Note: Thank you to my readers who have so graciously pointed out that broccoflower and pluots are a result of cross pollination, a less questionable process than genetic modification.

Other sources: Action Bioscience

photo credit: Suzedge

Buying A Used Gown?

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

For those of you looking for a pre-owned wedding dress, check out The Bride's Cafe very informative article on what to look for when buying a once-worn gown.

Happy Friday everyone! And Happy Halloween! Check out this nifty guide to earth friendly candy: http://ow.ly/xiMu

Photo above: Justina McCaffrey dress at PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com

Persimmon and Pine: Sustainable Gift Wrap and Carry All

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Totally digging the saavy wrap! An eco-conscious alternative to gift wrap and available in a variety of sustainable crop and organic fabric choices. Available at Persimmon and Pine.

Vintage Cashmere Refreshed

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Some style experts would say every gal should own a cashmere cardigan. It's simple, sexy, and versatile. Quite frankly though, I'm not a cardigan kind of girl. And if you aren't either, then you'll be pleased to read about Jen Sertl, a cashmere "refresher" if you will, and her company Angelina Accoutrements. Sertl handcrafts vintage cashmere into wraps, sweaters, halters, shrugs, and scarves and adds charming details, such as ruffles, lace trims, vintage pearls, and beadword. The result? A one of a kind piece, reconstructed from existing cashmere.

A Prescription For Love

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

I had this idea the other night. If you and your fiance were both pharmacists, or even doctors, your wedding theme could be, "A Prescription for Love". I know it's extremely corny (it probably even surpasses "extremely" and into the realm of "supremely" or something), but you could use these really cute vintage prescription store medicine bottles for your centerpieces! Eh, am I right? Available at Three Potato Four.

Remember to Stop and Smell the...Lemons!?

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Saw this interesting tip on Natural Health Magazine and thought it worth sharing. Plus, I found a this really cute picture of lemons that I just had to share!

Next time you ask for lemon in your tea, remember to get a good whiff first! Did you know scientists have found a link between our sense of smell and depression? Lemons in particular seem to boost seratonin levels, which is a "feel good hormone." Pretty nifty, right? (original article)

picture by graygoosie

Organic Skincare and Makeup

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Woohoo! After yesterday's mixup, I'm happy to say today is FRIDAY! If you're reading this at one in the afternoon, then you've probably already zoned out and your mind is currently floating in an abyss of potential weekend plans. But I ask you to check back into reality, just briefly, to take a look at the candy colored cosmetics of Josie Maran. Her organic skincare and makeup carries the tagline, "luxury with a conscience," but fortunately the price tag isn't really all that different from what you might find at a department store makeup counter. For instance, the lipstick, housed in a recycleable tube, costs $20.00. And the Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick, $22.00, might be a nice gift for your bridesmaids.

And I'm out until Monday folks! Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead of you!

Pictured above: Earth Day Essentials Kit, $48.00

Around The Web!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

It's Friday! (Oops! I mean Thursday! Yesterday was long enough to make me believe today would be Friday!) Enjoy this mish mash of neato stuff found around the web.

For the photographers out there! Submit your photographs to the newest e-zine, Eco-Beautiful Weddings, created by Katie Martin of the DC based, Elegance and Simplicity Weddings. Scheduled to launch in December of 2009.

Have fun with 100% recycled tissue paper. Perfect for your out of town gift bags!

Get your arms, chest, back, legs, and abdominals in shape with the 20 minute workout from RealSimple.com.

Check out this beautiful, 200-guest wedding, planned for under $15,000. Found on the always charming Snippet and Ink.

Real Wedding: Pumpkins, Daisies, and a Farm!

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Kay English recently sent me this very sweet wedding she photographed, held at the bride's grandfather's farm. I love all the little details and it's so fall appropriate - I couldn't help but smile when I saw it. The 5 ft. tall centerpieces were made by the groom (go groom!) and the pumpkins were picked straight off the farm for use in the decor. They even used some of the vegetables from the farm for the catering!

Be sure to check out Kay's blog!

Mother Earth Brewing Company

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Do you plan to serve beer at your wedding? There are the tried and true bottles that most bars stock - Budweiser, Heineken, MillerCoors, etc... And there is nothing wrong with those (not that I'm a heavy drinker of domestic or imported beer, but for liability reasons, it's best not to step on toes), but why not add a little uniqueness to your event by providing either beverages from a local brewery or from an environmentally friendly one? Or both! If you live in North Carolina, you might want to check out Mother Earth Brewing, a brewery which aims to be low impact and environmentally friendly. For instance, they remodeled an old building to operate out of, which now utilizes recycled blue jean insulation, eco carpet partially made out of renewable resources, and a one kilowatt solar array that now stands atop the building. They also employ green brewing procedures, such as sending spent grain to local farmers to use as "top quality feed," rather than send it to the landfills.

I've never tried this beer, but I do like how they offer beer style and food pairing suggestions on their website! Very handy in my opinion!

Er, No Title Cometh

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

You know, sometimes I got nothin'. Unfortunately, today is one of those days. It's Friday night and I'm trying to write my "healthy monday" post ahead of time (yes, this is what I do on Friday night, my life is just that boring), but the willingness to research a topic escapes me this evening. Perhaps by Sunday afternoon I will have deleted all of this and will have a beautifully written article on how to be healthy in some way, shape, or form.

If not, I leave you with this funny, funny website, sure to loosen up your smile muscles and create a few giggles here and there. I promise I'll be back on Tuesday with lots of love, pictures, and inspiration.

What Does Your Cake Say About You?

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

On this Friday, I leave you with a link to an interesting post from The Clueless Crafter (one of my new fave blogs!), where Lydia discusses how a cake is essentially a "monument to marriage." She writes,

"Do the aesthetics of your cake convey a sturdy, lasting message about you as a couple to your guests? Will they look at it and think, 'of course that cake would be powder blue, she works at Tiffany's' or 'They balanced the blue with crisp white piping, an homage to the groom's love for tidy, rectilinear shape.' The cake is a chance for the guests to get a taste of the couple, to figure out what matters to them and to decipher their love code through sight and taste. It's a peek inside the sacred."

Upon reading this, I realized how right she is. Very rarely is a cake, "just a cake." Couples who are active in their community and wish to support their local economy might enlist a small in-town bakery to create a delightfully simple cheesecake, while another couple who had their first kiss over a cone of Ben and Jerry's might opt for an unusual Chunky Monkey ice cream cake.

So what about you? Does your wedding cake suggest who you are?

photo credit: Top photos - CluelessCrafter.com, bottom photos - Brides.com

Love Them Apples

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Fall is here and it's apple pickin' season! I am so excited b/c I love apples. I try to eat at least one a day and since I love sugar (and apples have a lot of natural sugar in them) it's usually not that hard to do. Of course, I also try to eat at least 16 baby carrots a day... uh, that's a whole different story.

There are a few great things about apples: one, they are a fairly inexpensive fruit, two, they have a long shelf life, and three, they are easily enjoyed on the go. If you're having a Fall wedding, consider using apples in your decor, as favors, or in your cuisine. Guests will have the pleasure of taking them home or back to their hotel, which will help create minimal waste. Feeling creative? Dip them in caramel for a treat reminiscent of fairs and carnivals. Mmm...caramel apples are a delight sure to please!

Here in Georgia, we've got our own Apple festival! Want to find an apple orchard near you?

photo credits:
Top Country Living
Bottom Eddie Ross, The Future France Family

Eco Cupcake Wrappers

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Dessert bars are fun. So are cupcakes. And even if you aren't serving cupcakes, these eco-friendly wrappers would work well as little candy holders too. Printed with soy inks on recycled paper, they come in a variety of colors and are available at Dream Green Weddings.

As Seen Around The Interwebs

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Have you seen the new Vintage Glam Blog? Now known as Ruffled, it's super cute and full of eye candy and eco-friendly finds. And they're kicking off the launch with a great giveaway from the talented photographer, Caroline Ghetes. Ghetes is offering the chance to win a wedding photography package worth $3600.

Healthy Monday: Michelle Obama's Secrets to a Happy Life.

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Whether you're a fan or not, you've got to hand it to the leading lady. She's in great shape, makes headlines with her fashion sense, and maintains a classy composure no matter where she is. Prevention Magazine shares their exclusive interview, where Mrs. Michelle Obama divulges her secrets to a happy life. Although not all her tips may apply to the stage you're at in life, it's still an enjoyable read and it's short enough for those five extra minutes in your lunch break.

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On a completely separate note: When I was in college, I was always encouraged to take part in university studies to further the school's research capabilities, so I guess that mantra stuck in my head. I've been asked to pass along some information about a study the University of Virginia is currently holding, which will focus on relationship dynamics and plans for parenthood. I've copied and pasted their message below:

I am looking for volunteers for a study of attitudes towards marriage and parenthood among engaged couples. The study consists of a 25-30 minute online survey. To qualify for the study, you must be 20-35 years old, live in the U.S., and plan to marry or have a commitment ceremony within the next 365 days. You and your romantic partner must not have children, and this must be the first marriage for both of you.

You can:

-Help a doctoral candidate;

-Increase the pool of scientific knowledge;

-Support research on marriage and families; and

-Spend some time thinking about your relationship!

I am working with Dr. Charlotte J. Patterson, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Virginia. This study has been approved by the University of Virginia Institutional Review Board #2009025800.

If you and/or your romantic partner are interested in participating or want further information, please email me at survey.couples@gmail.com. I will send you a link that you can use to access the study.

Capecod Capelet

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Burrr...it's getting a (little) cooler! Fall is here! This precious capelet could work for an Autumn wedding, no? And guess what? It's made out of a vintage lace table cloth! Who knew a table cloth could look so cute? Found at Kate Towers.

Happy Friday to you!

Real Wedding: Wonderfully Comfortable

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Check out this wedding, found on Once Wed. This looks like the kind of affair that's relaxed enough to take off your shoes, but formal enough to be a wedding. I love the one tiered cakes, the sweet, country feel of the location, and the bride and groom look wonderfully comfortable and beautiful at the same time.

After The Wedding: Recycled Furniture At Home

noreply@blogger.com (Jennifer) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Running a little behind today, so I apologize in advance for the short post. Enjoy the lovely work of Dean Stubbings, the man behind Madera. Handmade, artisan furniture crafted from local, recycled wood.