Wedding Wednesday: Destination Beach

{ Via: Elegant Wedding Invites }

Inspiration for today's post is personal. The newly engaged couple, "Miss Shop This" and her fiancé, Steve, just announced that now they are interested in having a destination wedding, somewhere "tropical." Say what? My big city daughter now wants to hit the beach.  Before I travel out of my Chicago comfort zone, let's see what a beach bash might look like.

HERE: 17 Details For Your Sandy 
Ceremony  

Johanna Ortiz
A stunning silk off the shoulder dress with tiered mermaid skirt and ruffled waist. Sold exclusively at
Moda Operandi 

Custom Hand-Painted Beach Wedding Invitation 
Make your wedding your own from the beginning. Breanna and Joanna work with you to take your ideas and create something artistic, beautiful and unique for your wedding that will truly wow your guests! Invitation suites include custom hand-painted, hand-lettered designs created with your special day in mind.
Brush And Nib Studio at Etsy

Palm Tree Welcome Bags
A stylish source for Welcome Gift packaging. Depending on size, prices start at less than $2.00. Fill them with sunscreen, lip balm, a water bottle or flip flops.
Be Collective at Etsy 

The Joplin 

Yes, you can embrace lace at the beach, but the dress needs to have a relaxed silhouette. The wispy hem of this style lends a romantic finish.

BHLDN

Beach Wedding Footwear

One thing is for sure, if you are getting married in the sand, heels will not do. Rose Gold is the perfect color to wear on the beach. Lovely for you or your bridesmaids.
Kimsically at Etsy

Off The Shoulder Styles
These floral finds are just what a casual beach wedding calls for. What fun to mix and match all of the pretty prints.
Plum Pretty Sugar

Pink and Cream Beach Ceremony 

And this is what your ceremony could look like if Colin Cowie plans it. Better yet, click below and gather  inspiration and the details for yourself.

Colin Cowie Events

The Petrra

The asymmetrical bodice flatters every figure. And the chiffon fabrication moves with the sea breeze.
Ted Baker

Wed With Ted
Ted Baker has all of the right stuff to keep your guy dapper on your beach wedding day.
Ted Baker  

Costarellos
Normally I am not a fan of bare midriffs in bridal dresses, though the beach is where one can show some skin. This style is just gorgeous for land or sea.
Zsa Zsa Bellagio 

Beach Tides Welcome Bags
Welcome your guests with the colors of the ocean. An affordable bag that can be filled with goodies for guests.
My Wedding Favors

Wave Inspired Wedding Cake
If you live near Pasadena or Santa Monica you are in luck! Or simply show your cake baker this beautiful watercolor image.
Vanilla Bake Shop

Gloss White Sunnies
The perfect accessory for the beach bride.
Show Me Your Mumu

Digitally Printed Blue Watercolor Place Cards
Tented or flat, these perfectly imperfect place cards are in every shade of the ocean.
Seniman Calligraphy

The Alexandra
A chiffon confection with a lightly beaded bodice.The layers will float above the waves in the prettiest dove grey.
Truvelle

Message In A Bottle Invitation
How many of these have you received? As featured in Bride's Magazine, and I can see why. The invitation has been hand painted and can be assembled and boxed for you.
Mospens Studio at Etsy

Aqua Blue Malibu Wedding
The kids may have sold me on a tropical or sandy ceremony, after this article. Find your own inspiration at
Inspired By This

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Destination Wedding Welcome Gifts

Trend Tuesday: Fanny Packs!

{ Via: Refinery 29 }

The Belt Bag is back! Somehow this once tacky trend for tourists has been reinvented, and is cooler than ever. Spring 2018's "it" accessory is more versatile and much more of a fashion statement than its' nineties prototype. You'll see it worn around the waist, slung a little lower on the hip, and casually worn over the shoulder. Many of the bags convert to another style, and that's the cool factor.  I still have a vintage Chanel belt bag that I carry as a clutch. You bet it will soon make an appearance as it was meant to be worn. Scroll down to pick your own pack.

HERE: 13 Ways To Wear The Trend

Rockstud Spike Quilted Belt Bag

Pretty in pink with a splash of rock 'n roll. Made of luxe leather, this is one pretty pick!

Neiman Marcus 

Deco Belt Bag
One of my favorites of the edit, from Vere Verto in collaboration with Sissy Sainte-Marie. There is also a fabulous multi color version. Love it!
Need Supply 

Topshop Belt Bag
Shiny in silver with a gold little lions head. It's faux but fabulous and less than $55.
Nordstrom  

Gucci Sylvie Belt Bag
A stylish example of the versatility of these bags. This style is quite dressed up!
Gucci 

Wandler Anna Mini Belt Bag

Looking on the bright side this Spring, and I love it! This mini bag makes a big color statement.
Farfetch 

Lutz Morris Evan Metallic Belt Bag
These bags can go very dressy if you want. This just may be what your LBD needs this season!
Moda Operandi 

That's The Spirit Belt Bag
This makes so much sense. It's hard to find a bag that looks appropriate with workout clothing. This stylish and spirited bag does the trick.
Kate Spade New York 

712 Belt Bag
A Bendel Bag is on trend in the best of ways.
Henri Bendel 

Wandler Ana Belt Bag
With two compartments for stowing a lip gloss and your phone. It adds a luxe look to any outfit.
Net-a-Porter 

Chloe Pixie Mini Belt Bag
In the label's signature saddle style, this petite pixie in midnight blue is off the chain in leather and suede.
Net-A-Porter  

Attica Fanny Pack
Chose this one for extreme style. The perfect look to wear with chic cargo pants. (Yes, they are a thing for Spring!)
Alexander Wang

Dwell Collection Belt Bag
From a brand that does eco-friendly so stylishly. Made from sustainable and vegan leather. The sand color is the nicest neutral. This look is fitting for work or play.
Matt And Nat  

Embroidered Raffia Bag
Island style. Such a pretty piece to wear all Spring and Summer.
Zimmerman 



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Americana Spirit: Olympics & Spring 2018

Saturdays At Shop This:

{ Via: Zsa Zsa Bellagio }

Hopefully you had a wonderful week. If it was difficult, the weekend is here, try to relax, it's almost over. Last weekend and half of this week was spent wedding planning. The above photo reminded me of how tired my feet were from running around Chicago in the rain. Like a bride at the end of her wedding day, it was a happy tired with many precious moments spent bonding with Ms. Shop This. Here's some links that promise to bring a little more happiness to all of us.

During our wedding planning sessions my daughter and I discussed sit down meal service verses stations or passed presentations. This MOB wants a sit down situation so that we can use a place card, wax seal and ribbons as pretty as these at La Pomme.
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Your Happy Home: Shop the Neiman Marcus Home Gift Card Event. Earn up to $1250 with qualifying home purchases and Code: HOME. The savings end on 2/26
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By now you know that saving money on cosmetics makes me very happy. This weekend you can save up to 50% off select products from Urban Decay, Becca, Glamglow, and more at Sephora.
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Little baubles also make me happy. Baublebar is having a weekend sale with up to 80% off fun finds. I picked up the Despina Drop Earrings. Love the glam factor for only $20.
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Can you believe that Easter is just around the corner? Make some bunny happy with this little Lop Eared Rabbit. It's just what all little Super Heroes need in their baskets this year. So cute!

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Tricks For Staying Deliriously Happy All Winter
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Happy Hair Days: I may have said it before, but Living Proof's Volume Blast is my hair's BFF. Finally a product that does what it says it will. The entire Living Proof line is excellent. Now is a great time to try the brand. They are offering Free Shipping & a six piece free gift. 
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Spread some happiness: A Small, Surprising Way to Brighten Someone's Day
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Will you be celebrating happiness at a Spring or Summer Wedding? I know that you can find something to wear from head to toe at Moda Operandi's Wedding Guest Edit.

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And finally.....are your Winter rubber boots looking sad by now? With all of this Midwest rain, who knows how much longer we will be wearing them. Hunter's Rubber Care Kit works like magic to restore the sheen and clean away the white residue. Get it shipped for free from Zappos. My pretty boots are now happy again.

Remember that there is always something to celebrate, even life's smallest moments. Cheers to you and a happy 
weekend!

XOXOX
Deb
Shop This

Foodie Friday: Kitchen Wonders For $50 And Less

{ Via: Williams Sonoma } 

Today's inspiration comes from one of my very favorite food and cooking websites Food52. They have the best items in the shop, great DIYS, and fabulous recipes. To tell you the truth, I don't feel like cooking this weekend. But I am always interested in a little kitchen counter chic or a time saving tool.  Don't worry, there is a flavor packed recipe at the end of the post. Before you get there, check out these interesting, good looking, and 
affordable products.



HERE: 14 Fab Finds & One 
Delicious Recipe 

Standing Steeper

You won't ever want to put this tea tool away. Sleek stainless steel with a handsome wood holder creates a modern look for your counter. A great gift for the teatotaler in your life.

Nambe  

Grey Marble Cheese Board

Loving the natural pattern of this beautiful board! Use it for everything from meat and cheese to appetizers and snacks.

West Elm 

Gold Cocktail Shaker
We have a bar room in our home, but for some reason we end up making a lot of cocktails in the kitchen. This pretty piece would create a chic cocktail anywhere.

Williams Sonoma

Ballarini ServinTavola Minis
Mimic in miniature. Cookware never looked so chic. These petite pieces give new meaning to small fry!
Food52 

Set of Six Long-Handled Tasting Spoons 
Beautiful wood and natural style add a wonderful warmth to your kitchen. Arranged in a vessel, they make a lovely bouquet for your favorite gourmet.
The Line 

Mixing Bowl Set
Doesn't your black and white (or grey)  kitchen need this set? The marble is faux but fabulous, and they are made of stoneware. Exclusive at
CB2  

Fancy Panz
To-Go Casserole Carrier (Set of 2)
Pot luck much? If you do, you need these two. "This ingenious casserole carrier is the perfect size to pop in a standard half pan, ensuring spill-free transportation." So very clever and handy!
Food52 

Courtly Check Kitchen Tools
Slotted spoon - check - stylish spatula - check kitchen timer - check. These courtly checks are counter chic!
MacKenzie-Childs 

Crushed Ice Tray 
What do you do when your crafted cocktail recipe calls for crushed ice? My built in refrigerator does not create crushed ice. Enter these fab frozen finds. They will be perfect for frozen margaritas, mint juleps, ice packs and more. Just fill, freeze, and squeeze!
Uncommon Goods 

Zipstrip Herb Stripper
An awesome tool for those who use a lot of rosemary, thyme and tarragon in their cooking. Very Cool!
Amazon  

Le Creuset Signature Petite Cocotte
You just can't beat this versatile and modern French stoneware. These pretty pieces will cook and serve individual mac and cheese, apple cobbler, onion soup, chili and more. Now nicely marked down.
Sur La Table 

Himalayan Salt with Grater

Have you tried this before? We all hear about the dangers of sodium from our doctors.  But have they told you about the benefits of Himalayan Sea Salt? Ours either. But we use it. It's delicious (because it is not processed) and hasn't raised our blood pressure at all. Read about the benefits and judge for yourself. Hands up if you think it is beautiful to look at!

Uncommon Goods

Melamine Nested Storage Bowls
This Food52 X Rosti Mepal collaboration is clever and colorful. You'll find a shade to match every counter like Black, Grey, and the pretty pastels.
Food52 

Herb Keeper
If you cook with fresh herbs (and you should), you realize that once you bring them in from the garden or market, they really don't like the refrigerator. Mine tend to wilt and dry up quickly. This terrific idea will keep your herbs fresher much longer.
Uncommon Goods  

Caribbean Shrimp Tacos with Roasted Jalapeño Pineapple Salsa
Think tropical thoughts with this fresh and flavorful recipe. Best yet, it only takes 20 minutes to prepare. This is a must make for me. 
Half Baked Harvest 



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Foodie Friday: Chinese Cooking At Home