Vacuum Cleaner Heaven: Bissell CleanView II

If you read on a regular basis you know that I don't ever talk about cleaning products, gadgets, etc. Unless they borderline unnecessary and belong on a gift registry, I usually don't think about them all that often. But I had to write about the Bissell CleanView II (for no other reason then I fell in love with it this morning).

Back story: My lovely husband-to-be decided a year and a half ago that he just had to have these two little kittens he saw on craigslist. Someone had found them living in an alley in a flower vase (both of them squished in there together). I won't go into details but since we've delt with waaaaayyy too many vet bills, unfortunately one little kitty not making it, and pounds and pounds and pounds of kitty litter - all over my carpeted apartment. Needless to say I've been fighting with a vacuum for over a year. On my hands and knees trying to get those stupid little pieces of clay up whenever someone was coming to stay in our apartment - hell. The vacuum finally died three weeks ago and I admit, I've been lazy. I didn't want to spend the money (even contemplated taking the vacuum to a repairman because I thought that would be more "recession-friendly"), but finally Wednesday I said: no more. We went to Target and got the vacuum above. It sat in the packaging until this morning. When I turned it on, I swear the heavens parted. Not only did it pick up all of the dust and grime on my floors (I had to empty it twice before I was fininsed), it picked up all the litter without even using one of the many attachments.

Thank you Bissell for helping to keep our home happy, and making sure that I don't try to kick my little kitten out on his behind before our wedding....

Wedding Bouquet Charms - Personalize Your Flowers

I love these personalized bouquet charms from Cherry Creek Charms. Every item is made to order by Heather Gill. The range from only $20 - $40 and are made of fine silver. They come on the blue ribbon (as pictured) so they can serve as your something blue (such a cute touch). My favorite part is that you can wear them as a necklace, put them in a shadow box, make them into ornaments or more after the wedding. (I'm thinking about getting the one above with the cherry blossom imprint!)

Eco Chic - Give Back on Your Big Day

Even the least Bridezilla of us all wants her wedding day to be all about her (admit it, it it totally allowed!). However, there is an incredibly easy way to give back on your big day. It involved a small financial investment, very little effort from you and your groom, and a major difference in your wedding location! Special E has a wide variety of programs all over the country. They've been around for several years but were just named one of Modern Brides Trendsetters of the Year (good for Modern Bride recognizing the necessity for all of us to be a little more "eco chic").

Go to their website and fill out a Rescue Form and they will give you an estimated cost for your wedding. (I spoke to them yesterday about ours in San Diego and the estimate to gather all left over food, flowers and recycling for 200 people was only about $500!) Want some added value? They also have an Affaircare program which will purchase enough canned food to feed your entire guest list and restock a local food pantry. OR they will help reseed national forests by planting 1 tree for every one of your 25 guests. Amazing ways to help out and Special E does all of the work!

I encourage you to try to give back on your big day. Can't afford the added cost? Ask a family friend or bridesmaid to gather centerpieces and deliver them to a local retirement home or hospital. Just ask your vendors (caterer, florists, etc.) if they have a program in place or resources in the community to make sure that your wedding reaches a bit further - sometimes it is as simple as asking!

Design Inspiration: Spring Flower Curtain

I'm really excited I saw this product on Outblush today! As the various gift and design shows I've seen the expensive version of these crafty little flowers, but this inexpensive retail version is fantastic. DIYers get to it with creativity, for about $30 you get 100 of these 3" x 3" flowers that can be assembled in SO many ways: curtain, vase, lampshade, let your creativity take flight. Work with your lighting desiger on this as well, since these flowers are white you can light them to be any color in the rainbow! Oh the possibilities. Thanks Outblush!

Bridesmaid Gift Alert - Cocktail of the Month Club

Reward you girls and continue the party with the Cocktail of the Month Club from Stirrings. For three months your girls will receive a 32 oz mixer, a garnish and a recipe card for the perfect drink. Present her with a coupon and a bottle of rum, tequila, vodka (your choice!). See the whole article and other bridesmaid gift ideas at Real Simple.

New York Fantasy Shower

I am so mad that I didn't go to the New York Fantasy Shower at the Morgans' Hotel this weekend! Always a Bridesmaid organized it with a bunch of fabulous partners, including one of my favorites Melangerie! I had just gotten back from a week of 18-24 hour days at an incentive event in Orlando and I just could not pull myself out of bed on Sunday to go. Now I am really disappointed. See more pictures here.

Love these favors! (Hint hint to my MOHs for my bridal shower....)

Buttons Galore - add bling to your bouquet and more!

Give you bouquet a little bling and add in some personality with these rhinestone buttons from M&J Trimming. A favorite in the Garment District of New York, a lot of their buttons, laces, appliques, ribbons and more are available via website. They even have a fantastic new Bridal Salon in their NYC store with a consultant that can help pull all of the trimmings together for your big day.

I love these buttons - attach them to your bouquet, sew them onto a length of satin ribbon and tie around your wrist (or your 'maids' or flower girls') as a bracelet, make it into a brooch to attach to your dress or jacket. There are tons of styles to choose from and so much you can do with them! The best part: these styles range from $8 - $13!

What DIY accents are you including in your wedding? Share your ideas below!