Eco Friendly Plastic Bottle Blossoms

Make a point to check out Recycled Bride's blog today to see our friend's wonderful guest post about these totally unique decorative "blossoms."
Photo: Recycled Bride

Wooden Cake Toppers

Look for unexpected ways to slip some natural elements into your wedding celebration. We adore this simple, 70s-inspired wooden heart-shaped cake topper.

Photo: Eat Drink Chic

The Eco Luxe Life

Planning your Easter brunch? Be sure to pay a visit to our friends at The Eco Luxe Life to check out SG's guest post about planning a green Easter brunch! Enjoy!
Photo: The Eco Luxe Life via Martha Stewart

Amazing Resource: Foodzie

Food tends to be a pretty big deal in my house. My love of entertaining frequently guides me towards interesting new culinary products that will inspire some sort of new themed party I'd love to plan. Additionally, my boyfriend is an executive chef, and thus, food tends to be the only thing that is ever on his mind. While many couples enjoy dates to the movies and the like, most of our couple adventures land us at local farmers' markets or browsing for (literally) hours at the nearby Whole Foods where we can explore and discuss all the new yummy products we can't wait to try.
It was my resident chef who introduced me to this fantastic resource last week. Foodzie.com is a vast online marketplace where you can discover and purchase food directly from small food producers and growers. They feature everything from small batch coffees and teas to baked goods to produce and beyond. Not only would their website be the perfect "go-to" for your next dinner party shopping list, but many of their smaller goods, such as their honeys, jams and candies, would serve as beautiful (and inexpensive) favors for nearly any special event.
Photo: Foodzie

Recycled Décor

When planning a green event, it is important to purchase as many sustainably made products as possible. However, it is equally important to reuse as many items as possible in order to limit the amount of new products you actually need to buy.  Here are three examples of simple ways to reuse items you may already have (and if you don’t, they are easy to find at flea markets, garage sales, etc.) by transforming them into chic design elements.

Antique Keys

Photos: Great Wedding Finds & Classic Bride

As strange as it sounds, I actually have a small box of antique keys, compliments of my grandfather. Here, the keys provide a (recycled) gothic, romantic vibe to an otherwise basic name card.

 Vintage Postcards

I often find stacks of vintage postcards hidden at the back of my family’s photo albums. Using clothespins, clip together a collection of postcards for charming vintage-inspired garland.

Ladders

If, while walking through my basement or garage, I happened to notice an old wooden ladder or stepstool in a dusty corner, I’m not so sure I would pay it much mind. However, when coated with some fresh white paint, wooden ladders become a focal point for floating votives at an outdoor event.

LBRANDTerraria

Since childhood, I’ve adored terrariums and the way they capture and enclose a perfect little world for my viewing pleasure. Lately, terrariums are having a bit of a moment in the design world. LBRANDTerraria is one of my new favorite companies for chic terrariums and other gifts that embrace the natural world in their design. The next time you’re in search of a beautiful (and affordable) hostess gift, consider one of their minimalist glass bird feeders. Hosting a small party? Take a break from the flower “norm” and opt for a small cluster of conversation-worthy terrariums (I’m a huge fan of the coral reef inspired terrarium, pictured below).

Photo: LBRANDTerraria

Cork Candles

Look for small ways to slip some eco design into your wedding or party with unexpected green touches, such as these cork candleholders. Cork, which is a 100% renewable resource, will add a bit of texture to nearly any table setting and, because of its neutral color, will blend with nearly any color palette.

Photo: Snippet and Ink

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday everyone! Here are some inspiring photos to get your week going on the right green path!

Photos: Green Wedding Shoes & Beyond the Bride

Reused Fruit and Vegetable Can Centerpieces

Back in February, we created a post about tea tin centerpieces. We received a lot of positive feedback from readers about the tea tin centerpieces, and thus could not resist posting this similar party planning suggestion. Instead of tea tins, reuse aluminum cans as simple, yet decorative vases. I especially like the cans featured in this photograph, which still bear their colorful labels. Browse the aisles of your local ethnic grocer to find cans with unique labels that advertise unexpected contents, such as exotic fruits. Then, find creative ways to incorporate these treats into your party menu. 

Photo: Rachel Ray

Confetti Eggs

Here is a fun idea for spring celebrations: confetti eggs. A Mexican tradition, the delicate, hollow eggshells are usually broken over a friend’s head. When the eggshell breaks, the friend is meant to make a wish. Fill your own confetti eggs with biodegradable confetti. You can find the directions to making and filling your eggs here.

Photo: Martha Stewart