Now through March 3rd, J.Crew is offering 25% off gowns, bridesmaids dresses, and bridal accessories online and in select stores. Simply use the code LOVE. Click here to check it out!
images via j. crew
happy valentine’s day
I often see couples incorporating this poem into their wedding ceremony, and thought it was the perfect day to share i carry your heart with me by E. E. Cummings. Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day!
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
couple’s choice 2014
We’re excited to announce that Two Little Birds Planning has been selected to receive WeddingWire’s Couple’s Choice Award 2014. The Couple’s Choice Awards recognize the top five percent of wedding professionals nationwide and are selected based on client reviews. Thank you to our wonderful couples for their reviews and congrats to all the other winners!
diy decorative votive
There is no denying that candles create the perfect ambience. We’re loving this easy DIY upgrade to traditional votives from Martha Stewart Weddings. These votives create both a pretty table glow and design. All you need is a quick trip to Michaels for kraft or metallic paper, glass votive candleholders, a decorative paper punch, colored tissue paper, and double sided tape.
Step 1: Cut kraft or metallic paper and tissue paper to wrap around votive holder with 1/2-inch overlap.
Step 2: Feed paper (kraft or metallic) strips through punch until entire surface has been cut out.
Step 3: Place punched paper over tissue paper and wrap around votive holder. Tape in place.
image via martha stewart weddings
the upper body of your dreams
Hi everyone! Maya here. I am so excited to share my upper body workout that is geared specifically towards getting your bod ready for the big day! I love creating workout plans, especially when there is an end goal in mind, and what better to plan for than a wedding? The majority of wedding dresses are designed to really showcase the shoulders, chest, arms, and upper back. Getting the upper body of your dreams will allow you to rock your wedding dress with confidence, and some added muscle will not only help define your body, but will look great in pics too! Try to do these specific exercises at least twice a week. You can do them all in one day, but might be better at least in the beginning to split them into two days. Don’t be afraid of lifting! It is the secret to a better bod, I promise! Click on the video links for instructions on how to do each workout if you are not familiar with them, and as always PLEASE ask questions! I love helping you out. For more full body workouts, exercise plans, tips on how to eat clean, and more, visit me over at My Life As Maya. Thanks for reading!
Lat Pull Down 3×8 (video here)
Tricep Bench Dip 4×8 (video here)
Chest Supported Row 3×12 (video here)
Keep arms close to your body, start with lighter weight so that you can complete the movement.
One Arm Dumbbell Chest Press 3×8 (video here)
Go heavy! Make sure that you are keep your arms at right angles, do not let your elbows drop.
Standing Overhead Shoulder Press 3×12 (video here)
Tricep Kick Back 3×10 (video here)
Pushups 3×10 with the last set going to failure (video here)
This means instead of doing ten pushups, you will keep going until you literally can not go anymore, i.e. muscle failure. Depending on your level of fitness, there are variations on the pushup. This video covers each of them.
Tricep Pushup 3×8 (video here)
Very similar to a standard pushup but you keep your arms alongside your body instead of bending outwards-focuses on the tricep more than the chest.
Plank (video here)
Go for as long as you can-time yourself! It’s always fun to have a marker to watch yourself progress. There are also variations, try lifting one leg off the floor for added difficulty once you feel like you have mastered your plank.
Bicep Curl 3×8 (video here)
I prefer to do two dumbbells rather than a straight bar so that I can also do 1-arm bicep curls.
images via my life as maya
lovesick 2014 recap
We had so much fun at Lovesick on Sunday! Where else can you meet cool wedding professionals while catching a burlesque show on a Sunday morning?
We chatted with some great new couples and vendors. Check out the beautiful pink and red floral backdrop designed by Sullivan Owen in the Posey Booth shot below. I loved being able to text myself the photo. We also took photos in The Little Picture Photo Booth. Unlike other booths, you get to choose color or black & white prints right after taking the pics.
It was also so nice catching up with some of our 2014 couples and industry friends, some of whom we first met at Lovesick in 2011! How pretty is the pink and red ombre envelope backdrop by Anticipate Invitations? The spoonful of Earl Grey Sriacha from Little Baby’s Ice Cream was the perfect refreshment after talking for 4 hours straight. We really appreciate the gals of Love Me Do Photography taking shots of the event and our set up.
We had a blast and can’t wait until next year!
images via love me do photography
bhldn sample sale
Mark your calendars ladies! The first ever BHLDN sample sale will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2014 from 10am-1pm at 5000 South Broad Street, Building 3, Philadelphia, PA 19112. It’s in the Naval Yard, and you can click here to see a map of the campus. Parking is free. There are no appointments or fitting rooms. All items are sold as is, all sales are final, and they will only be accepting credit cards. Happy shopping!
image via bhldn
denise fike designs
I had the pleasure of meeting Philadelphia artist Denise Fike in 2006 when she was my PR client. She’s sweet, fun, extremely talented, and is always wearing a gorgeous hat. Denise is a painter, illustrator, metal etcher, and collage artist who beautifully captures fashion, bridal, floral, and nude subjects. She’s even created fashion portraits for style icon Sarah Jessica Parker and Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley.
There are quite a few ways to incorporate Denise’s talents into your wedding. You can commission a boudoir-style painting as a sexy gift for your hubby to be. She can create a painting of you in your wedding dress, taking an artistic angle on the traditional wedding portrait. Denise can also come to your wedding and sketch your guests, providing a really unique experience and personal wedding favor. Contact Denise here for more information.
images via denise fike
no ugly crying
If you’re not sure what an ugly crier looks like, watch this scene from the classic wedding film Bridesmaids. If you and your attendants have a sense of humor, check out this “no ugly crying” handkerchief from Etsy. This adorable shop has more silly embroidery options, such as “#waterworks” and “classy bitch.”
image via wrenbirdarts
kate spade wedding shop
We love when designers feature wedding lines, and the Kate Spade wedding shop does it just right! There are gorgeous wedding day accessories for the bride herself like white satin peep toe pumps, sparkly statement earrings, or ivory silk satin clutch, and cute bridesmaids gifts like the gold bridesmaid idiom bangle or small square studs in your wedding color. We also love the adorable sayings like “Partners in Crime” and images like Prince Charming Frogs incorporated into the jewelry.
images via kate spade
two little birds planning 