We replaced our wedding rings.

Technically, we replaced our wedding rings.  My wedding/engagement ring was a 14K white gold eternity band (and I love love loved it!). Tommy's was a titanium band.  Unfortunately, we had nothing but skin reaction after annoying skin reaction with those rings.  Like, red, chapped, bleeding, itchy, gross reactions.  I would have to get mine re-dipped in the white gold "complex" every 6 months and it was a pain.  So we decided to upgrade.

It was a big day.  I WAS GIDDY.  Got myself a super skinny platinum band with half band of teeny diamonds.  Tom got a slim band of platinum.  We were jazzed.  It was our Christmas, anniversary, and birthday gifts to each other for the next year.  Platinum is expensive!  Wowza.

Then.  Two days later, I let Clara hold my ring.  She had never asked to look at my rings before.  I didn't even thing anything of it.  But somehow 5 minutes later my ring was gone.  Long gone.  I kid you not we tore our entire house apart.   No luck.  Gone.

My husband, not 3 days later lost his.  He was putting sun screen on and put his ring on the top of his car and then drove away.

What are the chances?

Now I'm wearing an old silver band.  We ended up finding Tommy's ring after scouring the gravel lot for a few hours.  Goodness.  Fortunately, Beth Cyr is having a heck of a deal for a pair of platinum rings.  Go check out her smokin' deal here...then say a prayer for me and Tom that we win it.

Alla's Vera Wang dress

One of my closest friends from residency got married this past fall...at The Plaza Hotel in NYC. I can't even begin to describe the elegance and opulence of her wedding - it was on the level of a royal wedding. Seriously. After the event i even had to ask her if she was Russian royalty - to which she laughed and said no ... but I'm not so sure! I, unfortunately, wasn't able to attend - which just about killed me. *sigh*

When Alla showed me pictures of her in her Vera Wang dress I almost lost it! She looked just like a princess. I had to have Megan Hamilton sketch the dress as a gift. I love giving Megan Hamilton dress sketches to my bride friends...such a special heirloom. Her Etsy shop now features all sorts of fun products like notecards, tote bags and wedding toppers!

Alla framed her dress sketch and hung it in her bedroom the same day I gave it to her. Love that!

art sale!

I was browsing the hand-cut paper artwork in Tina Tarnoff's Etsy shop...and I have my eyes on a new piece for the nursery (see it below) - isn't it fab!  I looove the Wizard of Oz!

Than I noticed that her HOLIDAY SALE of 20% off is still in effect!  But better act fast - the sale ends on 12/31/12!  (You may remember that I have collected a few of her pieces over time and we love them in our home - they are stunning!  We have the Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland pieces hanging in Clara's room...so magical!)

new nursery art

 One of my fave pieces of art in Clara's room is a delightful Peter Pan papercut design by etsy artist,  Tina Tarnoff.  We JUST got our newest addition...an Alice in Wonderland design!! So smart they will look side by side!

In browsing some of her new designs, I got all excited after seeing the Wizard of Oz piece!  She also has a few new elegant vintage dress designs and a few new animal designs that are rather superb.

Tommy and I have a couple of her pieces throughout our little home.  I love them. 

lacey bolero

via here

I'm going to a couple weddings this summer.  Very excited!  I pulled out my dressier dresses this weekend to have a lil looksy...and...well...now I am in the market for a bolero or fancy cardigan or something.  (It's been a couple years since I've been a member of a gym, or did any hardcore lifting routines...so my bod is a little "softer" than it once was.)

I hit up Etsy....there were lots of fancy lace and tulle and satins and such...just beautiful boleros everywhere.  And then I saw that one...and I HAD to have it - because I can wear it with EVERY DRESS I own!  Even little sundresses.  It is just gorgeous. 

And then I saw the price.  $329. 

So I'm still in the market for pretty little bolero. 

megan hamilton's cake toppers

You alllll know that I'm a HUGE Megan Hamilton fan.  HUGE.  I've given her customized dress sketches to my mom and to friends (and to myself!).  I was browsing her Etsy site this weekend, peeking into her new sketches and noticed she has a new product - cake topper/statuettes! I think these statuettes would be so sweet as decor on the gift table, or near the guest book.   (And really - if small enough...would be charming to have on a bookshelf at home!)  Love that cleaver Megan Hamilton. 

obsession = strawberry hedgehog

via Strawberry Hedgehog

 A couple of years ago I was a proud member of the luxurious soap club of Strawberry Hedgehog.  Every month a deliciously creamy hand crafted bar of soap would arrive in my mail box...and it would literally delight my senses DAILY.  Occasionally, I would see her soap for sale at HipGreenDeals (which is no longer in business...*tear*) and would purchase obscene quantities of soap to get my fix. My personal favorite handmade soap flavors are Eucalyptus-Lime and Grapefruit-Coriander...oh...and Rose.  Oh...or Desert Rain.  Mmmmmmm.

Strawberry Hedgehog is a small, vegan, eco-friendly bath and body shop based in Phoenix, Arizona.  Their products are made from pure ingredients, (many organic according to the label on my soaps).  Their products are sold on their website, as well as in a handful of spas, boutiques, and Whole Foods Markets in Arizona.  Tracy, the Artisan behind the glorious line, hand crafts all of the products in small batches...can you even imagine how her house must smell? I know Tracy...we went to high school together...and she is simply lovely...follow her blog.  (I'm looking forward to taking her out to tea when we move back to Arizona!)

via Strawberry Hedgehog

Well friends...the point of the post...I got a package last week.  A package full of the most amazing crafted bath and body products on the planet. THE SMELL IS DIVINE.  I got two beautiful bars of handmade soap = Lavender-Vanilla soap and Blueberry-Lavender...and...a jar of chamomile comfort whipped body creme (which is inCREdible in this cold dry skin cracked winter weather.)   I have to mention that the body creme has a very very mild scent.  I wash my hands with HARSH stuff all day long between surgeries, and after seeing each patient...my poor skin is dry and cracked and red and chapped.  But not anymore.  I use her creme for one week.  Supple hands have been restored. 

I am in body product heaven right now.  And will be smelling myself constantly for the next couple months. 

I'm thinking this would be an incredible gift to give someone...a mother for mothers day, a friend for her birthday, a new mama in need of a little pampering.  

pretty fall things

leaves...autumn leaves.  BCyr Wedding

Oh boy did it feel as though autumn is upon us here in upstate over the weekend - heavenly cool mornings...almost crisp...almost.  Makes me fantasize about hot cocoa, warm scarves and colorful leaves.  I love fall.  It the best part about living in the northeast.

These are a few fab fall finds (oh yes alliteration....oh yes.)  All are items I found by browsing our sponsors  :-)

check out the gorgeous scarves at Whispering Pines

a tiny orange orchid for your hair - Midori Designs

  nothing says fall more than golden leaves in one's hair - QuirkyBeauty

is anything more autumn that yellow mums?  $8 - Nomsa

 have you ever seen a colored petticoat?  a funky orange splash of color would be fun!
(they do any color) Fascinating Creations

super pretty save the date magnets - Magnet Street

or a stack of handcrafted gold rings?  BeyondTheRockz

thank yous are always a "do" - Wedding Paper Divas

etsy insight: nomsa

Handmade Lace Champagne Sash - $69

gorgeous gorgeous...and $69 is a gorgeous price tag!!

Meet our newest favorite Etsy shop...Nomsa...a shop busting at the seems with pretty little hair accessories, jewelry, and bridal items.  Here are some of my fave's...with amazing prices might I add!!!

Love their selection of stud earrings...and I'm so into stars these days...these are only $8!

They have over 100 different handmade floral hair pins to choose from!!! - this one is $30

I'm really into bobby pins (though I have no cute ones)...I wear 'em almost everyday with my blue scrubs...

and with this set costing $12 for 3 I can afford buy these too...and this one!

love love love it all!

winter wedding finds!

Retro Tulle Headband - Fascinating Creations

Love these new styles of veils!!  So pretty.

Winter weddings are inherently so romantic.  It's that magical time of year when the freshly fallen snow makes everything calm and serene - and glittery white.  I scoped out the pretty pieces that our sponsors have in their collections and wanted to share them with you if you happen to be planning a winter wedding!!  Enjoy!

Raspberry Pink Vintage Glass Earrings - Beyond the Rockz

Festive winter wedding magnets - Magnet Street Weddings

Subtlety Simple Palladium Sterling rings (set for $240!) - Beth Cyr's Weddings
 I'm in love with the creamy calm texture of these rings - if I were to start over, I would have
insisted that we go with wedding bands like these, and skip entirely the engagement ring bit.

Gardenia Hair Flower - Midori Designs

Winter Pine Invitations - Wedding Paper Divas

Birch candle collection - Whispering Pines Catalog

Ivory Vintage Beaded Clutch - Megan Hamilton

Plantable Snowflake confetti - Nature Favors

Custom Gown/Tux Sketch - Megan Hamilton
I got my dress sketched and I LOVE it...you will absolutely love yours too... such a treasure.

Sarah Jeweled Wedding Headpiece - quirkybeauty
It reminds me of a pretty sparkly lacy snowflake.

holiday deals!!

You know I've got some sweet sponsors and talented friends out there - as they send me promo codes and holiday deals to their shops I will ABSOLUTELY pass along the info so you can benefit too.

The holidays are, after all, about caring and sharing!

SALE tiny metal drops - BCyr Jewelry
*check out her SALE PAGE!! (limited time only!)

 Strawberry Hedgehog
Check out their ever-evolving Clearance Section for amazing deals on
hand crafted, eco-friendly soaps and body products!

30% to Doie Lounge
use promo code:  HOLIDAY30

photo via here

FREE 8x10 canvas - Canvas People
you just pay ($15) shipping!!  Awesome!!

15% off - Magnet Street Weddings
save on select Photo Booth Designs!

quirky beauty COUPON!

Just in time to start prepping for the holidays, I have a COUPON for you readers!  It's only good for the next couple days - so jump on it!!

It's for Quirky Beauty - one of my fave Etsy shops...where the designs are handcrafted, super sparkly, and nature inspired.  GO SHOP!! 

pretty autumn things

Beachery Designs - Autumn Dried Seed Pod and Cone Wreath - $55

Isn't this one of the most unique fall wreaths you've ever seen?  I think it's amazing...it's so authentic...and raw...and delicate at the same time.  The artist created it from found objects...love that even more.  

I think it's just plain dreamy.

Nature Favors - plantable confetti leaves for fall - $19.95

Ahhh!!  I love confetti - and isn't this SO PRETTY!! 

I think about all the fun things I could do with this stuff and I get all excited...

confetti is the best invention ever (and this stuff is eco-friendly and handmade!!)

I've been oncall for the past 72 hours straight...and it sucked.  All the nurses in the hospital look so cute in their halloween and autumn accessories...made me long for a day of shopping...even just to SEE what's out there in the world.   Do you know how long it's been since I've been shopping?  Not grocery shopping, or picking up stuff we need for the house..no no no...like shopping for treasures and delightful lil treats.  Too long.  I took a lil browse through the lovely shops that sponsor A Mountain Bride, as well as some delightful Etsy shops, and picked out a few of my fave autumn finds.  Enjoy!

 Whispering Pines - Houndstooth Embroidered Scarf - $74

This whole site seems fitting for fall - cozy vintage homewares, pretty season accessories, loads of incredible wedding decorations and ideas.  This is just a rad site.  And they have cool scarves...I'm really into scarves.

 Quirky Beauty - 4 leaves in gold Karen headband -$38

Of course the headbands of QuirkyBeauty would be perfect for a wedding...but I think they are pretty for everyday.  I have one of her pieces, and I wear it all the time...I get outrageous amounts of compliments on it.

The gold kinda blends in with my hair - so it's a really subtle, (yet sparkly!) hair piece...which I love. 

 Beth Cyr Weddings - Vine and Leaf Ring in sterling silver - $50

Nothing has captivated me more this autumn than the glorious leaves of upstate New York.  

This ring reminds me of fall...it celebrates those leaves.

 paper planet - Charmed Real Autumn Leaves Bracelet - $36

I actually bought my mom this bracelet.  She is a LOVER of fall too, and she misses the pretty colors of the leaves now that she lives in Arizona.  This way she can carry the lovely fallen leaves with her around her wrist. (she's big into chunky funky bracelets!)

Beyond the Rockz - Fire Opal Orange vintage glass earrings - $26

I tend to gravitate towards wearing the oranges and browns and deep hues synonymous with autumn when it is autumn. Even when I lived in AZ, and the seasons wouldn't really change...

I'd still want to wear the pretty colors of fall.

How glorious are these lil beauties!?  Love that name = fire opal orange. 

Strawberry Hedgehog - Pumpkin Spice Soap - $8

Yes, please.  I want two...hopefully I won't try to eat them.  But for as pretty as they are, my guess is that they are rather joyful to use - with "real pumpkin and organic spices in each batch along with a hefty dose of spicy essential oils, perfectly blended cinnamon bark, clove, nutmeg, ginger, and rare vanilla essential oils" I'm salivating. 

Fascinating Creations - check me out!!!  You can buy a veil just like mine!!  

Only $59.95...quite a bargain since similar veils I tried on in the boutiques were upwards of $200!!  

And mine was perfect!  And lovingly handmade.

Midori Designs - Golden Sunflower corsage/boutonniere - $45

Sunflower's are such a staple in fall bouquets...our grocery stores and pumpkin patches are full of these bright blooms!  What a pretty corsage - and since it is made of clay it becomes quite the keepsake!

Wedding Paper Divas - Earthy Leaves - $1.64 each

This is Tommy and my favorite time of year - and if our schedules would have aligned themselves differently, this is the season that we would have chosen to get married.  I love invitations with leaves on them...they get me every time.

Forest Floor Prints - Monument 8x10 archival print - (2 for 1 sale right now!)

Dainty...and haunting at the same time.  

( I promised not to buy another print for a loooooooong time...yet this is rather tempting!)

kareknits - Autumn Orange Wrist Warmers - $30

These are cute!  Though I've never gone with fingerless mittens myself, I wonder if they are warm - 

anybody know?