I was chatting with an acquaintance the other day and mentioned I was working on addressing invitations for a large wedding we have in January.  He was shocked that was a service we provide, but commented it was such a valuable service as most people have never and will never have to follow the protocol involved in addressing snail mail.  So here's a behind the scenes look at what we do:

1. We help most of our clients with the actual invite order, get the wording right for their situation and make sure the design is a good introduction to the guests of the look to come on wedding day.
2. Once the invites arrive we open and inspect the paper and envelopes in case anything went awry during printing, packaging or shipping.
3. The first thing we address are the RSVP envelopes. Those are hand-addressed, usually with the brides address but no name.
4. Then the RSVP envelopes are stamped with a first class stamp.
5. Next we hand address the Return address on the back flap of the main invite envelope.  
6. Finally we get to addressing the guest names and addresses on the front of the envelope.  We are usually working off spreadsheets provided by the bride and groom.  All cities, states and street names are fully written, no abbreviations.  Proper names and titles are used.
7. Envelopes are stuffed with the invite, RSVP card tucked under the flap of the RSVP envelope and any enclosure cards.
8. Each envelope flap is sealed with a wet sponge.
9. Every envelope is re-inspected to make sure i's are dotted, t's crossed and none of the writing was smudged.  
10. Then we stamp the main envelope and hand deliver to a post-office for mailing.

All in all it takes between 4-5 minutes per invite, so for this recent shipment of 170 invites we spent close to 12 hours getting them just right!

Nothing beats a refreshing beverage on a fiery summer afternoon!

Right now I am sincerely loving the simplicity of making fruit flavored and/or infused ice cubes to add a little Zing! to those average summer cocktails....

How about Pomegranate Ice cubes thrown into a fresh Vodka- Lemonade?  
 
 At the moment I am sipping on some crisp cold club soda, and I'm thinking to myself what could be nicer than gorgeous plump summer Blackberries frozen into ice cubes and mixing it up with some fresh mint leaves?  Yum!!! 

Everyone knows about adding  a dash of Chambord to a sparkling Prosecco or a bubbly Spanish Cava, but I'm thinking to add a more exciting Pop to your punch, scoot over to your local fruit stand and grab some fresh Raspberries or delicious Black Cherries and freeze those babies up to add color and excitement to your next bubbly adventure.

Or how about throwing some ripe summer Peach and Mango ice cubes into your standard Sweet Tea or Arnold Palmer??  Turn on some Zac Brown Band and hit the front porch!

I'm also in love with the idea of using up this morning's leftover coffee and adding coffee ice cubes to a Kahlúa or Baileys for an after dinner night cap! 
Maybe stick with the decaf though...

All this talk is making me thirsty.
It's 5 o'clock somewhere! :)

Cheers!
Michaila

What an unforgettable weekend in Belmont, North Carolina at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden.  This wedding was filled with unique treats and cheerful surprises: from the Jones sodas in the garden, to the whimsical centerpieces, or the hot sauce table names, and the merriment coming from the guests as they filled out their Madlibs of marriage advice for the newlyweds.  Though the weather certainly tried, there was nothing that could spoil this party!  Our topless tent, outdoor dance floor moved inside and guests came in to indulge on the 6 different flavors of cupcakes and the multi-tiered candy bar before making it back out onto the dance floor.  Overall it was playful, joyous, and merry!

Cheers,
Michaila

June 11, 2011: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Radiant: adj. bright with joy, hope, and excitement.

Perhaps it began with the dazzling rays shining from the hot June sun over the magnolia trees in the terrace?  Or the brilliant smile beaming from the Bride as she made her way towards her Groom?  Next, the radiance traveled inside to cocktail hour where it seemed to flicker like delicate fireflies floating amongst the trees.  It continued on into dinner where candle light sparkled against the champagne silk linens.  And made a romantic appearance as the stars twinkled above the clear top tents during the toasts.  Finally, the radiance bid the couple farewell as they strolled under the glimmering cheers of their sparkler send-off.

Cheers,
Michaila

June 4, 2011 : The Mint Museum of Art on Randolph