Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Glass Slipper Designs will be taking a brief hiatus over the holidays to spend time with family and friends. See you in the New Year!

Hand made Christmas gift sneak peek...

For those of you who don't know, I have a regular job outside of my work here at Glass Slipper Designs (I do invitations and stationery for fun on my spare time but have a normal, 8-4 job as well). I work with some pretty awesome people in my department, and I wanted to make them a little something to say, "Merry Christmas." This is just a sneak peek from my cell phone of the little something I made for them, but I promise to post better photos once they've all received their gift. I am very happy with how the gifts turned out!

Perfect surprise proposal at 30,000 feet

I just love this video! A guy surprised his girlfriend with a proposal on her way home for Christmas on an Air Canada flight. Check it out:

Classic Christmas recipe: Land of Nod cinnamon buns

Every year for as long as I can remember, my Mom has made these cinnamon buns for Christmas morning. They are one of my favourite Christmas traditions! You prepare them on Christmas Eve (literally three easy steps) and they are ready to go in the oven on Christmas morning. Easy and delicious!

Land of Nod cinnamon buns


20 frozen dough rolls (find them in the frozen aisle at Safeway)
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding powder mix
1-2 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 cup melted butter


Directions:
Before you go to bed on Christmas Eve, grease a 10 inch bundt pan or round angel food pan and add frozen rolls. Sprinkle with brown sugar, pudding powder and cinnamon. Pour melted butter all over. Cover with a clean, damp tea towel and leave out on counter overnight.


In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 25 minutes. Let sit for five minutes and then turn out onto a serving plate. Enjoy!

Things that make you go "Wow!"

Some stunning wedding inspiration I came across on Pinterest this week....enjoy!

Via Etsy

Via beautifulcliche.tumblr.com

via galmeetsglam.blogspot.com

Via thebrideblog.com

Via Pinterest


Via ineedyouinmylifeforever.tumblr.com

Fun Photo Friday: BFFs

A must-get photo with your maid of honour!

Personal photo added via a Pinterest user

Book a boudoir mini session with Urban Couture Photography

Looking for a perfect gift for your fiance/husband? Urban Couture Photography is having a boudoir mini session special for December! The package includes: A one hour boudoir session, three outfit changes and 20 edited and airbrushed images on a DVD - all for $160. Spots are limited! Book now by emailing Jennifer at jollinger@urbancouturephotography.ca. To see more of Urban Couture Photography's amazing work, check out the website.

Fun Photo Friday: Amour in Paris

Image via intimateweddings.com

Trends we love: Bridal belts and sashes

They made an appearance in 2011, but one of the biggest wedding accessory trends for 2012 will continue to be bridal belts and sashes. They're a great way to add an extra touch of bling or to incorporate a pop of colour to your wedding dress while maintaining the traditional white/ivory dress. They can range anywhere from classy and sophisticated to fun and funky. Here are some of our favourites from around the internet:

Image via Etsy

Black floral sash via Brides.ca

Satin floral aubergine sash via Etsy

Crystal belt via brides.ca

Funky peacock fabric sash via Etsy

Fun Photo Friday: Walking on air

Photo via Project Wedding

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Calgary's received its first snowfall, Christmas commercials are all over the TV and radio, and the Swiss Chalet Festive Special is back, which can only mean one thing - Christmas is just around the corner! Glass Slipper Designs has created three handmade Christmas card designs this year for you to send to your friends and loved ones. If you are interested in purchasing any Christmas cards, contact Glass Slipper Designs by November 20 to place your order. We accept payment by cash, cheque or email money transfer. GST is included in the price. The following designs are available for purchase: (Note to view full size images of the outside and inside of each card, visit the Christmas Card photo album on the Glass Slipper Designs Facebook page or on our website.)

Very Merry stocking card - 10 cards and envelopes for $20 (GST incl.) To order, contact glassslipperdesignscalgary@gmail.com

Peaceful Snowflakes card - 10 cards and envelopes for $20 (GST incl.) To order, contact glassslipperdesignscalgary@gmail.com



Christmas Lodge card - 10 cards and envelopes for $25 (GST incl.) To order, contact glassslipperdesignscalgary@gmail.com

Fun Photo Friday: Taking it all in

A photo every bride should take on their wedding day....

Photo via imgfave.com

The Kardashian wedding: Putting it into perspective

Monique Lhullier Fall 2012 collection

Sorry for neglecting the blog last week! Things have been extremely hectic but I promise to get back on it soon! Fall 2012 Bridal Fashion Week took place in New York last week, and the designers showed off the trends for 2012. Below is a snapshot from the Monique Lhullier show and showcases two of the big trends in wedding gowns for 2012 - high slits and tulle. I think her designs look extremely romantic with a touch of sex appeal. Enjoy!

Image via Project Wedding

Fun Photo Friday: I Do

Photo via Pinterest (original source unknown)

Another Fall feature drink: Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

This recipe for Sparkling Pomegranate Punch sounds soooo tasty! Another perfect touch for a fall wedding:

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons sugar

1 cup pomegranate juice 

Two 750ml bottles sparkling wine, chilled 

3/4 cup late-harvest white wine, such as late-harvest Riesling, chilled 

2 oranges, thinly sliced crosswise
1 cup diced fresh pineapple (1/2 inch)
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
Ice cubes, for serving

Directions:
In a punch bowl, dissolve the sugar in the pomegranate juice, stirring vigorously. Add the sparkling wine and late-harvest white wine, then add the orange slices, diced pineapple and pomegranate seeds. Serve the sparkling pomegranate punch over ice cubes.

Fun Photo Friday: Three Generations

A great idea for a must-get wedding photo: shot of grandmother's, mother's and daughter's wedding rings:

Photo via meganwblog.com

What I've been up to...

Well, the busy part of the 2011 wedding season is now over, but I'm already gearing up for 2012 weddings. This month, I've been working on save-the-dates for a sweet couple I met last February at a wedding show. Amanda and Cory are high school sweethearts, and after nine years of dating, they've decided it's time to tie the knot. They both have one vision for their invitations: simple, classy and elegant. Their colour palette is eggplant, black, silver and white - a truly sophisticated combo. I had a lot of fun coming up with different concepts for their save-the-dates, and here's what they've chosen to go with:

Thanks, Amanda and Cory, for letting me be part of your special day. I am looking forward to working on the concepts for the wedding invitations and table numbers soon!

Bridesmaid dress trends for 2012

The Knot released three of the top trends for bridesmaids dresses in 2012 today. Here are the styles that are hot for 2012:


Trend #1: Bows

Image via The Knot

Trend #2: Bateau Necklines

Image via The Knot

Trend #3: Two-Tone

Image via The Knot

Fall wedding feature drink

Feature drinks are still a great way to add a unique touch to your wedding. I came across this recipe for a hot apple pie shot and thought it would be perfect for a fall wedding! 

Ingredients and directions:

3/4 c. apple cider
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 c. rum
cinnamon

Measure 3/4 c. of apple cider in a microwavable container. Heat in the microwave until very hot. Stir in 1/4 tsp.of vanilla extract, 1/4 c. of rum and a pinch of cinnamon. Pour into a shot glasses three-quarters of the way full. Top with whipped cream and dust with cinnamon. Serve immediately. Makes 5-6 shots.

Trends we love: Lace wedding dresses Part 2

Today's post is a follow-up to our post last week about lace wedding dresses. Here are some more beautiful lace gowns from around the web:

Watters dress - just gorgeous!

Maggie Sottero "Ella" dress

Dress found on Oregon Weddings - sorry, designer not listed 

Pronovias "Anfora" dress

Fun Photo Friday: Gone With the Wind

I hope you all have a lovely weekend! For you brides to be out there in Calgary, if you're looking for some wedding inspiration this weekend, come out to the Bliss Wedding Fair on Sunday, September 25. Registration is FREE if you register ahead of time. We hope to see you there! Here's today's Fun Photo Friday pic:

Photo via Picture Perfect I Do's

Trends we love: Lace wedding dresses Part 1

I can't get enough of the lace wedding dresses that are popping up everywhere! To me, nothing says romantic like a gorgeous lace wedding gown. Here are a few of our favourites from around the web:

Allure Bridals

Allure Bridals

Lovely lace dress via Google.co.uk (sorry, could not find out the designer for this one)

Henry Roth dress via One Stylish Bride

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week where I'll show you some more of my faves!

Fun Photo Friday: I got your back

Photo from Picture Perfect I Do's via Pinterest

Win one of two sets of thank you cards

As the bride to be, you're going to be needing a lot of thank you cards - for your bridal shower, maybe for your stagette, for your wedding guests, and of course, to thank your lovely wedding attendants for everything they've done for you.



To help you out, Glass Slipper Designs is giving away two sets of thank you cards. All you need to do is stop by our booth at the Bliss Wedding Fair on Sunday, September 25 and fill out a ballot. Admission to the show is FREE if you register online prior to the event.

Thank you  card set #1

Thank you card set #2 

 

The first look

First look at the bride via Snippet and Ink

Rustic wheat wedding

I hope everyone had a great Labour Day long weekend! As the summer winds down and we begin to think about fall, I came across this fall inspiration board that I just LOVED featuring lots of wheat decor:

Wheat wedding inspiration board from decoration-ideas via Pinterest

One more fling stagette

I came across this adorable stagette cake on Pinterest and got inspired to create a "One more fling before the ring" stagette invitation. I think the cake is really fitting to the theme :) And I was happy with the way the invitation turned out, especially with the added "bling."

The cake that inspired me:

Photo from the Pink Cake Box blog (via Pinterest)

Stagette invitation I created:

Invitation by Glass Slipper Designs

I'm baaack....

Sorry for the lack of blog posting over the past week. My husband and I were in Florida to celebrate our one year anniversary! I can't believe that a year has gone by since our wedding day - time flies when you're having fun!

I will resume regular blog postings later this week. If you contacted me this week regarding a consultation, thank you for your patience while I play catch up with emails and phone messages. I promise I will get back to you within the next 24 hours!

Hope you all had a great Monday!

Fun Photo Friday: All lined up and ready to go

Photo via HWTM.com

DIY picture frame centrepiece

Here's a great and inexpensive DIY centrepiece idea. Take four wooden IKEA picture frames from IKEA, put glue along the sides so the frames form a square, add pictures into the frames and voila! Or, if you want to put a candle in the middle to make it look like a luminary, print the photos out on velum paper so they're translucent. So easy AND inexpensive!

Photo via DIY Bride

Last chance for 2011 pricing

Calling all 2012 brides to be! As of January 1, 2012, Glass Slipper Designs will be increasing our prices slightly. As we're all aware, retail prices keep going up slightly year over year, meaning the cost of our supplies is increasing and we have to adjust our prices accordingly.

However, if you schedule a consultation with us prior to December 31, 2011, we will happily honour our 2011 prices for you. If you are interested in booking a consultation with us, please email glassslipperdesignscalgary@gmail.com.