Brunch n Beach Invitation DIY

Hey there party organizers!

Scotty's birthday is coming up, giving me the perfect opportunity to throw a get together. I am not sure how his friend's feel about all my soirees but I've had no complaints yet.

When it comes to planning I believe in starting with a big idea and narrowing it down. The first decision I make is picking the theme. I find it easiest to begin with a theme/color schemes/vision so I know what to look for in details or where to let my mind run when brainstorming.

Scotty is a simple man. Last year for his birthday all he wanted to do was "chill and go to the beach". So we are doing the same thing this year but..."extra". My husband has been working weekends for the past year but will start having a weekend day off every so often. Sunday brunch anyone?

I love the idea of brunches because of

1.  Coffee
2.  Mixing breakfast foods with lunch
3.  Day drinking (and extra hours to get over a hangover)

I've never been a big alcohol consumer but even so, after passing 25 years of living (or 21, who am I kidding), my ability to tolerate hangovers is at a zero.

We live on the coast of California where the beach is only a short distance away. I wanted to take advantage of this (who doesn't love a beach day..) and decided to include the option for our guests to stay after brunch and explore our little beach town or possibly go for a bike ride along the Pacific Coast Highway.

Our guest list includes six people plus Scotty and I, all friends since high school and college. With eight people counted for, we are able to have an intimate gathering while still branch off and catch up with individuals.

This also allowed me to take the time and put some love (a.k.a. DIY) into each detail of the party.

The First Detail
The invitations: I knew I wanted to incorporate color into the envelope and coordination with the actual invitation. What I did not realize was how easy it would be!

I used some invitation envelopes left over from our wedding. I prefer to use envelopes with a pointed flap, however having a straight flap made cutting the backdrop super easy.

The Materials Used

Use what you already have: The thing about living life on a budget is that you have to be creative with what you already have. To Scotty's dismay, I have a tendency to, ahem, safe keep, things to reuse later. I save a lot in crafts because you never know when you could use scrap paper for something. 

The materials I used for these invitations are:

• Leaf cardstock paper (6 in x 3 1/2 in)
• Green "moss" cardstock paper (4 in x 6 in)
• White cardstock paper (3 1/2 in x 5 1/2 in)
• Gold square 3-D stickers
• Copper-leaf 
• Glue stick
• Double-sided tape
• A6 envelopes

To get the dimensions of each paper, I based them off the size of my envelope. Had I used a larger envelope, my dimensions would be larger. Use what you already have: if you've got larger/smaller envelopes at home, play around with the green cardstock size- as the outline, that will be the largest of your three papers.

Word of caution: When you cut your green cardstock, make sure the back side of your paper does not have any logos/words. I used Martha Stewart cardstock (moss color). The only reason I know this is because it's printed in the back of one of my invites.

Step 1: Design Your Invitation
There are two things that I don't particularly look forward to when party planning. One is designing an invitation. To make my life easier, I use Canva templates and just plug in the party details. I don't just look at their invitation templates- I browse through posters or save the dates and mess around with them by adding text, photos, or elements.

I chose a green color because I will play incorporate palm leaves into the decor and envelope lining. I also knew I wanted my design to have a white background and be as simple as possible because

1.  I would be printing from my home computer and
2.  Ink ain't cheap

So this is what I created. With the help of Scotty, we came up with the text, played around with a couple of fonts and we were done. 

For those interested, here are the fonts that I used.

• Beach/Brunch- Josefin Slab
• N- Euphoria Script
• Join Us- Montserrat
• Test- Josefin Slab
• Date/Address- Montserrat 

Step Two: Print

Remember when I said there are two things I dislike about invitation making? This step is the biggest nuisance to me and 9 times out of 10, will get me frustrated. I cut out printer paper and perform a series of tests to make sure the invitation or envelope turns out how I want it to. I will go through a few pages because I can never get it right. Somehow I get it done by messing around with printer page setting, and computer printing settings. If I have any tips, its: make your image file a PDF and print from there. 

Step Three: Put Your Invitation Together

After failing with the printing step, I always look forward to putting the invitation together. 

Using a double sided tape, I cut four small squares and placed them at the top, sides, and bottoms. Don't worry if the corners stick up- we will use the 3-D stickers to keep them down.

Step Four: The Envelope
After you admire how beautiful your invitation turned out, it is time to move on to the envelope.

To make the front of the enveloped, I did a google search for beach/tropical/palm leaf frames. I found this one on Shutterstock and typed our guests' names and address using Winter Calligraphy font for the names and I'm Fell English SC for the address.

To make the envelope lining, I cut my cardstock paper to 6 inches by 3 1/2 inches.  As I mentioned earlier, I had plans to use a pointed flap and cut out the paper in a triangle shape but this was so much easier!

Using a paper trimmer I cut a 12 inch cardstock in half (to 6 inches) then turned it on its side and cut ever 3 1/2 inches.

I then used my handy double sided tape and cut three square and places them on the corners and top middle of the envelope, right before the sticky/glue used to close the envelope. Before closing the envelope shut (watch out, you're invite isn't inside yet!) I ran my fingernail on the crease to make it nice and sharp. I did not put any tape on the bottom, hidden part, of the liner.

The Extra Step: Gold-Leaf-It
Want to "up" your envelope game with very minimal effort? Gold Leaf It. Let me disclose that I am not a professional and therefore probably don't apply gold leaf the correct way. I am okay with this and I have no complaints about my gold leafing.

A little goes a long way. The palm leaf image I used had a yellow star at the top. I didn't like this so I used a little glue (almost nothing) and covered it with gold leaf. I then ran my finger over it to give it a "rustic" look.

One of the reasons I love organizing and creating parties is for it's creative outlet. I experimented with different gold leaf designs on different envelopes and at the end found my favorite one: using gold leaf on the stems of the plants.

30 THINGS YOU CAN DO INSTEAD OF PLANNING YOUR WEDDING

If you have ever planned or are planning a wedding, you know it can be stressful. There are so many moving parts that it's hard to keep everything in order, especially when there are many emotions involved. In the midst of all the planning though, it can be easy to forget why you are going through all the stress. It is so you can spend forever with your significant other!

So whenever you feel like your head is going to explode because your planner isn't communicating or your family wants to add more guests to the list, take a step back and shut your brain off with wedding details. Here are some ideas that you can do, but really, as long as you're not thinking "wedding", you're doing it right!


30 THINGS YOU CAN DO INSTEAD OF PLANNING YOUR WEDDING

1. Yoga
2. Go for a walk
3. Watch Netflix/Hulu/Amazon
4. Have a glass of wine
5. Have a sunset picnic with your S.O.
6. Read a book
7. Make your bed (it will make you feel better, trust me)
8. Watch funny Youtube videos
9. Count your blessings
10. Crochet

11. Volunteer in the community
12. Listen to music
13. Reorganize your drawers/closet
14. Write letters for your loved ones
15. Drink a glass of water (you know you need to drink more water)
16. Vacuum your room
17. Go for a run
18. Meditate (even for 2 minutes)
19. Donate the clothes you don't use anymore
20. Practice mindful breathing

21. Make a smoothie
22. Create a music playlist for stressful moments
23. Order take out of your favorite food (you deserve it)
24. Nap
25. Take pictures of your favorite people and things
26. Take a candlelit bubble bath (Extra: Put Netflix on)
27. Call a friend to say hi
28. Make a homemade face mask and indulge
29. Put your computer away for the day
30. Make cookies and give some to your neighbors


My favorite anti-stress routine is number 24! What's yours? Did you find this list helpful? Leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading today's blog post!

TURNING 25: EXPLAINED BY GIFS

Birthdays! They come once a year and we should treat them for what they are... a celebration of life! While I can describe the joys (and trials) of turning 25 I thought I might let the gif's speak for themselves.


TURNING 25: EXPLAINED BY GIFS

1. Waking up like...

2. Entering an existential crisis when you realize you are a quarter of a century old

3. And you're pretty much an adult

4. How you expect to be greeted at work 

5. How you actually get greeted at work

6. Realizing you have a year until you're kicked off your parent's insurance

7. But on the plus side, you can now rent a car without added fees

8. You have to reply to endless Facebook posts

9. You know you'll be spoiled by the people that love you 

10. How you imagine your night to go

11. But you're a responsible adult now, so you go to bed early

12. Happy birthday, you wonderful you!








If it's your birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Isn't 25 great? What do you think? What's the best/worst thing of being 25 years old? Don't forget to comment and share with others who might enjoy this!

AMAZON FINDS: Black Friday Edition (2017)

Ahhh, Black Friday. What can be better than a day who's sole purpose is to sell things we actually want at reduced prices? That electronic you've been eyeing will probably be on sale. I actually got my Taylor guitar on a Black Friday sale. You'll find something.

Every month, I'll scout Amazon and find either useful or random items to spotlight. Here are November's finds.

AMAZON FINDS: Black Friday Edition (2017)

1. Amazon Echo

In case you missed it, I recommended the Amazon Echo on this past post. It's got a good discount through Black Friday and I think that if you have been wanting to try it out, now is the time to do it (you'll save some $$). SNEAK PEEK: If you enjoy reading Sand Soul and Spirits then there is an exciting opportunity that has to do with Amazon Echo coming up for the new year. Heads up! You'll want to have one of these bad boys.

2. Anne Klein Watch

This watch is so stylish and minimalist. It instantly caught my eye and it had to go on the list! Who said Black Friday was only for electronics?

3. Power Strip

Don't tell me you couldn't use one of these in your house right now. And this one is on sale from $48.99 to $8.99! I love a good deal.

4. Multiple USB Charger

Charge your whole family's phones, tablets, camera batteries, and smart watches at the same time. Or be a good person and become the phone charging hub at the airport. A lot of practical uses for this one.

5. Fuzzy Blanket

Even in southern California you could use this. Imagine waking up to watch a beautiful sunrise in the crispness of the morning, with a cup of warm coffee between your hands and a cozy blanket around you. It's the little things.

6. Kombucha Starter Kit

Uh... why did nobody tell me this was a thing?? I probably could have paid this off with all the Kombuchas I buy.

7. Kombucha On Tap

This just keeps getting better and better!

8. Veggie Spiralizer

I didn't touch my veggie spiralizer until I found a filling and amazing spaghetti squash recipe (here). I have now used it more times this month than this past year. This is a good addition to your kitchen after an intense Thanksgiving dinner!





What did you think of this month's list? Did you find something you liked? Comment below and stay tuned for exiting opportunities with Amazon Echo. Thank you for supporting Sand Soul and Spirits!

10 UNIQUE MEN'S BANDS YOU WON'T FIND AT THE MALL

The engagement ring is the first step of anything wedding related but to be honest, the feeling of marriage didn't quite sink in until I saw my man wearing a wedding band! We put so much emphasis on the engagement ring; between the design, color, and diamond, a woman can find so many unique styles that fit her personality.

Who says men can't have a similar experience with their ring?! I am especially in support of promoting the community and small business owners so below I have highlighted some rings that are worth the price and you won't be finding on other people. Each band has a direct link to the provider with pricing, click on the name besides each number.

10 UNIQUE MEN'S BANDS

1. Wood

This ring is made from authentic whiskey barrel stave and I can't help but to think this band is meant for a man who wants to have a good time. I like how the wood has a polish and you can customize the outer rim with different metals.

2.  Tungsten

Tungsten is a popular choice worn on people these days. It's definitely an affordable choice and it looks sleek and modern. This particular ring is called "The Baller" so give your man a compliment by giving him this ring.

3. Thin

If I were a man looking for a wedding band, I imagine I would pick something like this. I love the dainty design that would feel practically invisible on my hand. If your man isn't big on jewelry, I would recommend this design. This is also a popular choice on women.

4. Color

I actually wasn't planning on including this ring until I saw it's name, "The Blue Steel". The name in itself is unique enough but the Zoolander reference puts this ring on the top of the list for uniqueness. AND how cute would it be if you have a blue stone on your engagement ring? The perfect pair.

5. Rose Gold

This is actually the ring Scotty has shown interest in for himself. We love that it has a rough exterior yet there is still a visible hint of rose gold that matches my engagement ring. It's all in the details people! I can post a review if this is the route he wants to go, stay tuned.

6. Diamond

Who says diamonds are only a girl's best friend? Men can wear all the bling they want and what better place than your every day jewelry? This ring has a great sized white diamond that invokes minimalism with class.

7. Texture

What I love about this ring is the significance of the detail and the secret element of only you knowing what's in it. There is nothing more personal than a fingerprint (ask the FBI).

8. Turquoise

I actually have not seen many colorful wedding bands out there (unless you count the silicon bands people use for the outdoors/etc.) This one has a pop of beautiful color as well as some wood to tone it down.

9. Square

Want to have a sharper look? Go for a square! (Sorry, puns will be thrown out in this blog like nobody's business). I really appreciate how this ring is made to order and can be customized. And props to anyone confident enough to veer from traditional round bands!

10. Imperfect

This ring features both an imperfect outer design AND shape. This, to me, embodies handcrafted and home-y qualities that is rare to find in jewelry. I expect this band to be a great conversation starter at any social gathering!


And that is it for this blog post, happy shopping! Please feel free to leave a comment or contact me with any questions or concerns. And THANK YOU for taking the time to read my humble words.

10 MUST HAVE REGISTRY ITEMS: For Couples Living Together

Registries, the most taboo subject of weddings. On one hand, it is polite and etiquette to gift your host or hostess when attending a party, it is also a big help for a couple just starting out their lives together. On the other hand, not many guests can afford to buy a gift, particularly if they are traveling from out of state or country. Whatever the case, registries are now part of wedding planning that couples must think about.

But what if you and your significant other are living together and have been for a while? You already have all the kitchen appliances you need and enough linens to stock your closet. Don't just throw the towel on registries and opt for cash/honeymoon funds! Below are 10 HIGHLY useful items you can put on your registry for those guests that may not feel comfortable gifting money at your wedding.



10 MUST HAVE REGISTRY ITEMS

1. Projector

We live in a day and age where T.V. is becoming obsolete. Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon are releasing series that don't require a T.V. to watch. A projector is a unique way to display these images and versatile enough that you can take it outside and have a backyard movie night or use it while traveling! Through research on many projectors, Scotty and I added this projector to our registry.

2. Knife Set

In my opinion, this is the most exciting item of the registry. If you spend any time at all in the kitchen you need knives. And believe it or not you may actually enjoy cooking if you use decent knives. YES they are expensive but this is why they are put on your registry. For some reason it is culturally accepted to ask for expensive gifts for your wedding but not your birthday so take advantage of this! Now, if a knife set isn't something financially available (or you just don't want one) add a nice chef's knife and paring knives by themselves.

3. Upgrade Kitchen Appliances

Do you still have the pots and pans from you and your fiance's college days? We do. For us, upgrading meant having a lid on our pots. For you it may mean having sturdier cookware! Whatever it is, this may be the best time to upgrade. And along with the knife set, you can always put one or two specific pieces you need.

4. Experiences

If you want to do things instead of getting them then adding experiences to your registry may drop a subtly hint without asking for money. Many registry out there (such as MyRegistry) offer services that let you pick out a fun date idea such as romantic dinners or even thrilling adventures like skydiving! 

5. Amazon Gift Card

I add this to the list because I don't know a single person who hasn't shopped at Amazon. With wedding planning and festivities going on, a few weeks after the wedding you may realize you really need something you forgot to add on your registry! For the wedding guest, this is an easy way to gift money without giving cash at the party and for you, there will most likely be something you can buy from the endless Internet shopping Gods.


6. Google Home/ Amazon Echo

 

This is one of those things that you don't know you need until you have one. I say Google Home/ Amazon Echo because I'm not affiliated to either. I have the Google Home and let me just say it has made my life easier. I use it to set timers while I am cooking or checking the time/weather when I am in a rush. There is something so nice about setting your alarm for the next day without having to grab your phone.

7. Cooking Utensil Set

While you most likely already have at least a couple cooking spoons lying around why not start fresh with a matching set or a sturdier set? This is one of those items that you will use on the daily and may have to replace throughout your life, so why not start fresh?

8. Food Processor 

Or any item you have been putting off getting and being fine without. This is the time to treat yourself! So put that food processor, juicer, pasta maker, veggie spiralizer, on your list!

9. Camera

 

If you don't already have one of these DSLR cameras and you love to take pictures, put it on your registry! While these cameras can get bulky and are heavier than your phone, there's no doubt the image quality is significantly better. You are going to want to capture all the firsts as you officially start of your life as Mr. and Mrs. and you will be happy you got beautiful pictures of your honeymoon or your children growing up!

10. Vitamix Blender or Outdoor Furniture

Okay, okay. I have to be completely honest, I didn't come up with this one! I asked Scotty what he thought was important (since both of you should benefit) and this was his answer. Scotty is really into nutrition and smoothies so he has always wanted a nice blender, how can you say no to that? And when I asked if there was anything else, he said outdoor furniture because we really needed it when we moved into our apartment. So to summarize, I would say get anything you really need at the moment!



What do you think of this list? Would you add anything else? I use MyRegistry to help me keep track of everything I want. Comment below and thanks for stopping by!

7 MISTAKES TO AVOID FOR DIY WEDDINGS

Are you engaged? Has your significant other FINALLY popped the question?? First of all, congratulations!! There's no doubt a lot of feelings are involved and will be involved in the coming months. Enjoy the butterflies and selfies and soak up every moment of this exciting stage because you know what comes next...

Wedding planning.

Yes, it will seem exciting and you pretty much know how you want your wedding to be (thank you Pinterest?) But there will be times when it will seem too much or something will go wrong.

For DIY weddings, there are more possibilities for things to go wrong because 1) you are working with many outside vendors and 2) you are making things yourself.

7 MISTAKES TO AVOID FOR DIY WEDDINGS

Not Setting a Budget

The first thing you need to do whether you are doing your own wedding or going to an established event place is setting your budget. This will make the difference between knowing if you will have a sit down 3-4 course meal or buffet style. Chiavari chairs or white padded ones? Live band or DJ? This does not mean you won't be able to have the tablescape of your dreams, it just means you will have to plan and allocate your money in a smart way.

Not Reading Vendor Reviews

This is a personal mistake I made and wish upon no one. If you come across a vendor that is too good to be true, don't turn a blind eye and hope for the best. Research the person and company and read reviews. What if they don't have any? Ask for references! You don't want to be let down by a no-show caterer ;)

Not Having a Planner 
Or somebody in charge of the timeline in general.  Your wedding day will fly by and you should be focusing on soaking up every sight, smell, and emotion. Hire a day-of-coordinator or make a timeline with vendor information to someone responsible in your wedding party or family.

Putting Too Much on Your Plate
How many DIY wedding decorations are you planning on having at your wedding? Are you buying a veil or making it yourself? Pinterest makes it seem so easy to create flawless creations such as centerpieces and florals. Truth is, it will be time consuming especially if you are making something for the first time. So pick your battles and decide what you really want to make while finding inexpensive alternatives to other things. You don't want to be stressing in the weeks leading up to the big day.

Not Asking For Help
Asking for help can be tough but trust me that by handing tasks off to friends and family your life will become easier and wedding planning can be a positive experience. Your loved ones are there to help and they will like being in the planning process as it gets them involved.

Worrying About Planning Tasks During The Wedding
This one goes along with hiring a planner or having help from your maid of honor, etc. You don't want to be running around your reception like a chicken with it's head cut off trying to get dinner on time or gathering everyone up for the send-off. If you don't have a day-of-coordinator or someone helping your with the timeline, ask your friends for help or have signs around your venue with a schedule. I would recommend hiring a day-of-coordinator to alleviate your friends and family of wedding duties during the party.

Expecting Perfection
This could go for DIY weddings as well as not DIY weddings. While it looks easy when professionals make and explain things on video, your finished product may not look the way you intended it to be (have you heard of "Pinterest Fails"?) and THAT'S OKAY! If you plan with enough time, you can have a couple of trail runs and work on perfecting whatever it is you are creating. Just remember, even if it does not look the way you wanted it to, keep up your positive spirit and remember at the end of the day you will be married to that special person. And that is really what it's all about.



Though it's good to prepare for the worst and avoid setting yourself up for failure, know that something will go wrong. There are so many moving parts that it would be weirdly inhuman for everything to turn out perfectly.So try not to stress, remember the reason for the celebration, and try to make planning fun!

Did you have a DIY wedding? Are you in the planning stages now? What did you do? Have anything to add to the list? SHARE your experiences below for all to read and learn from!