Bon Voyage

Hello lovelies! I am in an extra happy mood today after two weeks of putting on a very brave face.

You see, John, my better half, has been traveling the past few weeks for work. First to Shanghai, then Vietnam, then Johannesburg, then Lesotho and currently in Swaziland. The boy has been very busy traveling the globe!

click for source

It's been an amazing opportunity for him and quite an education for me. Before he left for the trip, I couldn't tell you where on Earth Lesotho was geographically. At this stage in the game, I can easily figure the local time, temperature and approximate distance from New York City. (Go me!)

From afar, we've kept in touch with various modes of communication. Apparently you can receive text messages from South Africa. (Let's pretend they will cost the same amount that local ones state side would.) We had some odd-hour skype calls (11:45PM on Saturday for me, 6:45AM on Sunday for him.) and we both have learned how hard it can be to return to an empty hotel room (him) /apartment (me) and long for a simple gesture like holding each others hands or a kiss goodnight.

After two plus years of marriage, it still amazes me that our relationship can still stay so fresh. The excitement at times gets overtaken by life and the grind of everyday, but through it all, we are tested and have generally come of of each situation knowing that we really just love to be together.

So it's been a bit hard for me - having too much time to myself. I must admit that I've been quite busy; the visit to Asbury Park, a night talking away with my dearest friend, making major progress on assembling the frames for our Paris wall map plus getting the latest wedding invitations designed and presented to a very satisfied bride.

Anyhow, I'm going off on a tangent and need to get back to my point...

Which is that tonight I am boarding an airplane bound for London, John's final destination. His flight home was arranged to leave for Heathrow to New York and he came up with the idea that I should meet him for a long weekend there. Were staying for 3 nights/4 days and I couldn't be more thrilled!!!

Not only do I get to spent all weekend in a city I've always dreamed of visiting, but that I can do it with John. After two weeks apart, we sure have some time coming to us.

Artsharkdesigns via Etsy

I've got my camera all ready and found a wonderful inspiring set of shops and restaurants to visit (many courtesy of Wee Birdy). If you plan to visit London, you mush check out this blog - she has incredibly detailed descriptions, site visits, photos and google maps of her favorite London places.

With that said, I'm packed, ready and signing off until Monday. I hope each of you has a lovely weekend as you gear up for Thanksgiving. 

And to John, I hope your ready because this girl is on her way.

Someone please alert the Queen and Sir Paul (McCartney & Smith). The Canale's are coming!!

Much love and adieu...

~ Kim

DIY Family Tree Guestbook

Ever since we posted Shira and Loren's DIY envelope liners and etched mirror, I've been seeing family trees pop up everywhere!

A cool twist to the traditional route, this project provides your guests with a fun activity during the cocktail hour and becomes a lasting keepsafe for you.

Start with an oversized print of your tree without guest names on it. Setup a few different stamp-pads. You can either do a range of colors that matches your wedding color or shades of green, mimicing natural leaves. Also place a grouping of matching pens inside a pretty vase or vintage drinking glass.

Leave a small sign asking guests to imprint their thumb onto a branch and use the pens to add their name to identify their thumbprint. Be sure to encourage randomness to make the final design organic and fun!

To keep the project tidy, provide a basket of small moist toilettes in easy to use individual packets.

If you're not the DIY type, check out Etsy Lovliday - she offers signs and blank trees at a really great price! Lovely idea, don't you think?

Photos by: Jonas Peterson found via .C is for Charmed / Loviday found via Ruffled

A Campfire Wedding

This is a really fun way to add a little cozy element to any outdoor wedding. As the sun begins to set, start a bonfire and distribute these cute s'mores favors and let the fun begin. Fill up a large bin with sticks collected weeks prior to the big day and to keep your guests warm as the sun goes down, provide an assortment of cozy camp blankets.

Favors by Twig and Thistle, found via Oh Happy Day / Bonfire image by Jessica Johnston Photography / Twigs / Wool Blankets / Fireside Wedding by One Love Photo

Weekend in Asbury Park

The weekend the weather was gorgeous and I had a totally fantastic time visiting our friend, Dave in his little hamlet of a town, Asbury Park, New Jersey. For the past few months, Dave and his partner, Matthew have been trying to convince me to make a visit out to Asbury. The summer went by without us getting a moment to fit it in - so with John far away on a trip for work, I took the chance and drove down on Saturday.

About an hour's drive from Brooklyn, Asbury Park is the midst of a great renaissance. Dave and I spent a few hours on the boardwalk there. We had lunch at Langosta Lounge (Lobster Enchiladas and Bloody Marys). And took a stroll down the length of the boardwalk, which is dotted with lots of small boutiques - but unlike most of the boardwalks that I've frequented at the Jersey Shore, these stores you actually want to visit.

I got lost in a wonderful place called Bodega Shoppe, owned by designer Michael Buess. It one one of the most darling shops I've literally ever seen. I'd explain it as a cross between Paper-Source and Tinsel Trading Co., but even better! In addition to some amazing paper goods, gifts and housewares, he also carries a large assortment of baubles and great jewelry - and the walls are faux painted with picture moulding. Darling, right?!?

While there, we sampled a nibble of delicious lemon squares by local pastry chef, Annie Feinstein. If I was hosting a cocktail party in town, I'd have Annie do all the desserts - they looked divine.

Dave invited a fun group of friends over for dinner and we enjoyed a lovely home cooked meal - full of great late-night conversation and lots of good wine!

Today, Dave and Matthew took me for a tour of Cookman Avenue. Considered the main shopping street of Asbury Park, we ventured inside Shelter Home - for you design addicts out there, its a wonderful destination for housewarming, holiday or birthday gifts.

I loved FS-20, an amazing resource for lots and lots of well-priced vintage Industrial lighting, furniture and 'stuff'. Was totally smitten with a swivel-armed cage lamp (similar to the one above), but it was sold to another customer. Darn!!

We took in some really cool fun art at Parlor Gallery. Loved these two top pieces by artist David “Netherland” van Alphen and the bottom collage by Jill Ricci.

The last of the shops we visited, The House of Modern Living was full of some of the best 1960s antiques I've seen in quite some time. Lots of chairs, wall units and accessories, including a good selection of teak pieces and Russel Wright Pottery. I found the prices to be very fair - it's a fun treasure trove of past design. The owner, Bill, shown above was so sweet - in fact, every shop keeper in town stopped to say hello and chat with us. I'm totally in love with that!

Ending the day, we drove across the water to Ocean Grove, a small town full of interesting Victorian architecture with a very strong Midwest/all-American feel to it. The photo above shows these tiny cabanas that are tented with canvas in the summer when residents come for visits.

We ended the day at Nagle's Apothecary Cafe. We sat outside since the weather was so gorgeous, but I took a quick peek inside - the original cabinets and soda fountain are intact and it's a great glimpse into the hey day of this area.

I totally loved my visit to Asbury Park and meeting all of Dave's wonderfully kind and fun friends in town. I'm already working on planning my second visit out there - and will be sure to bring John along, I know he will adore it just as much as I did.

Have you been to Asbury Park? If not, you should definitely put it on your list of great excursions close to the city. It's a must!

Photos: Convention Hall, Annie Feinstein cookies, Wonderbar mural, Nagel's Cafe sign, Nagel's interior and vintage street map

Calendar Time

I'm gearing up my studio for 2010 already with these two cool calendars that I just bought. The first, by Driscoll Design I love because it it the perfect small size to add some color and sweet artwork to the walls. Each date has a neat little line to write in a birthday/anniversary or special memory. Not too much commitment!

Secondly, I found this Susy Jack desktop version a few weeks ago - I know I don't really need any more cute paper goods or a second calendar, but I'm seriously in love with all the colors and patterns. If you haven't had a chance to see their paper goods in person, I urge you to buy some online. The quality is superb and the colors are divine. The patterns are so fresh and happy and I love that their products are a fun way to make a statement with your paper goods!

each of the months shown at-a-glance...

...and in their desktop display

For more great options, be sure to visit Oh So Beautiful Paper for her great 2010 Calendar choices. See them all here and here.

And while you're browsing around, check out Susy Jack's blog, Hey Susy. It's a great find!