new butterfly stamp

You know those rigid, square or otherwise oddly shaped envelopes that cost a whopping 20 cents more to mail than a regular old envelope? They're about to get a lot less tricky (sadly, not cheaper!).

USPS and the Greeting Card Association are teaming up to help us all out. If you see a butterfly silhouette on greeting card envelope after May you'll know that you need the new 64-cent Butterfly stamp, which is set to debut at the National Stationary Show in May (seeeee...another reason I must go!).

Easy, right? Riiiiight. We've all heard (and experienced) the horror stories. Wish there was a silhouette to help us with that!

Heather

baby shower inspiration

In two weeks, my sister-in-law Joanne (of Inspired Taste) and I are putting on the ultimate baby shower to welcome our very first niece to the family!

We've got all sorts of fun and food in store and we can't wait to show off all of the great details on our blogs. In the meantime, here's a little sneak peak at the color scheme...


...and some of our inspiration!



Left to right from top:
1. Plates and Napkins
2. Mint
3. Martha Stewart Baby
4. Martha Stewart Baby
5. Bakerella
6. Once Wed
7. Cupcake Social
8. Amazon
9. Style Me Pretty

Wheeeeeee! I can't wait.

Heather

alauna did good

{from things alauna makes}


Cute huh?

You can make these on the cheap in 9 easy steps with a few supplies:

pack of clips (i found 12 for $2 at walmart)
tulle (1/4 yd for about $1 at joann's)
needle and embroidery thread
hot glue or super glue
flower shapes (free hand or use my templates - after directions)

Visit things alauna makes for directions and template.

Heather

Think outside the bouquet

Check out the table designs that The Wedding Library crafted, with the help of the most awesome Taylor Creative props you’ve ever seen.

You don't have to be tied to one big centerpiece. A more modern take would be lots of little vases with a few flowers ... or pin-wheels ... or anything!

Ananda

2010 Trend Watch: Tie Dye

If this is what tie dye will look like in the future, I am all for it!

From ReadyMade: "Tie dye trends don’t seem to be going anyway. I love Shabd’s softer interpretation of the trend for Spring. Wouldn’t these dresses look amazing at a beach wedding?"

{via Readymade, via Frolic}

Ananda

delicious weekend

This weekend we headed down to Alexandria to hang out with Adam and Joanne of Inspired Taste. In true food blogger fashion they took us to a true DC gem: the Maine Avenue Fish Market. It was amazing!


We ended up at Jimmys's Seafood Grill. The food was delicious and Jimmy was a real hoot. The most amazing part was that we basically got to taste test his entire menu while we stood in line! He hands out plates and plates of seafoody (and desserty) goodness! We'll definitely be going back again (and again).


{Photos from Yelp}

Heather

headpiece love

I'm a huge fan of this headpiece featured over on Once Wed. I'm not sure where you can get one (it was made by a local Australian (!!!) milliner to go with the dress) but you should try. My gosh, it's lovely in every way.

{from Once Wed; photos by Glen Allsop}

Heather

candles on the go

These matchbook candles at Poketo are too cool for school!

{via @whimsyandspice}

Heather

Calligraphy tattoo

This is not your grandmother's calligraphy. Love, love, love.

"Betsy Dunlap does gorgeous calligraphy for weddings and invitations. But her cutest project recently was a man's tattoo with his daughters' names. How tough and sweet at the same time."
{via A CUP OF JO}

Ananda

plaid party

What do you think of this dress over on True & Wesson? It's very plaid.

{from True & Wesson; photos by Elan Artists, Mel Barlow, Allan Zepeda, Carlos Andres Varela}

Heather

More flow charts

{via eye spy Archive}

{ from Acetone }

Ananda

do you eat it?

Chances are I'd eat it.

{from minor details}

Heather

best proposal story

I totally missed this...did you see this ADORABLE proposal on Bakerella?

You just have to check it out!!!

{Photo from Bakerella (love her!)}

Heather

Inspiration for a Thursday

{via SOUL PRETTY }

Ananda

Skiff!

Who needs the Kindle or nook? I want the Skiff!

Heather

air umbrella

Fantastic!

{Via Yanko Design}

Heather

A Collection a Day

I love this photo and Lisa Congdon's A Collection a Day project. I wish I had the discipline to do something like this.

{Photo by Lisa Congdon at A Collection a Day}

Heather

Confetti cake

Simple, whimsical and would look great with any color scheme. This is a must-steal idea! I can see this for a laid-back wedding or a cute birthday soiree.

{by martha stewart via coco+kelley via ariel gordon}

Ananda

How to make a goddess headband

Myra Callan of Twigs and Honey put together this DIY project for the Bride's Guide and I just had to share it with you.

What they said about her: "Myra started her line of gorgeous accessories as a side project and outlet for her creativity. This year is her second anniversary as a full-time creator of lovely pieces that blend vintage and modern styles geared toward accenting one's natural beauty. The pieces are all handmade using materials that can range from recycled wedding dresses, decadent laces, feathers, and silks. Whimsical and fun, Twigs and Honey pieces help add that extra something to any look. Check out all her gorgeous accessories on her shop and follow her on her blog. She made this goddess headband just for us and was kind enough to send along a little how-to (read on)!"

Supplies/Materials
1. Wrapped floral stem
2. Velvet Millinery leaves
3. Millinery flowers
4. Wire cutters
5. Needle and thread (optional)
6. two wire combs (optional)

Step 1
Bend wrapped floral stem to form a headband. Cut any excess length if necessary.

Step 2 (optional)
If you'd like to wear the headband like a crown at the back of the head, or a tiara, sew wire combs to the ends of the floral stem.

Step 3
Begin wrapping millinery leaves onto the floral stem.

Step 4
Continue wrapping leaves and flowers onto stem, removing any excess wire with wire cutters.

Step 5
Wear and enjoy!

{via Martha Stewart Weddings}

Ananda

streetlight smooch

How cute is this lino-cut print by katie muth? My friend Carla picked it up for me at Red Tree in Baltimore. It's perfectly winter. Snow, shopping and a smooch. I love it!

Thanks Carla!

Heather

lunching

One of my goals this year is to post more original content here on the QLI blog. Here goes...


I bring my lunch to work every day (yay!) and currently use this ugly red red thing (boo!) I got free from a timeshare place. I don't know how I've let this happen! Truly, it's so unlike me. I'm trying to remedy the situation by getting cute transportation for my lunch! Here are a few I like:


1. Gourmet Getaway Lunch Tote by BUILT NY
2. Heads Up, Seven Up Lunch Box at ModCloth
3. Bagette Stripes by Mimi the Sardine
4. Stoh from milkdot
5. Baby Baggu from Baggu
6. Reusable Flower Power Lunch Bag from When In Doubt Draw Flowers

Which should I get? Or I could DIY it. Check out this totally cute idea featured on Style Me Pretty.

And for a little something to go in your lunch, try these Lunch Box Notes from Life Events!

Heather

attic journals

What an awesome idea. Attic Journals repurposes books that have been long forgotten into journals.




{Found on Dooce; Lion, Book of Knitted Sweaters and Dangerous Animals}

Heather

cute proposal

Did anybody see this wedding proposal on the Weather Channel on New Year's Eve? Talk about a surprise!



Nice work, fella!

{Found on A Cup of Jo}

Heather

book hook

Can't do this with a Kindle.


Books are seriously cool.

{Found on just stuff i find, get yours at book hook®}

Heather

new year, new resolutions

This super adorable apple a day calendar by Vik could be the perfect way to start 2010 off on the right foot. It looks so easy and awesome...a resolution that would be effortless to keep.



{photos from Vik}

Heather

We have big news!

It's official! My husband Ben and I are going to be parents! It has been hard keeping it secret for so long, but now I'm delighted to say that we are expecting our first child at the end of June 2010. I can't wait to start learning about all things baby and parenting and I'm sure that it will sneak into my blog posts along the way.

Heather and I have wanted to start a baby invitation line in addition to our wedding invites, so now I am so excited to get that going.

Ben's birthday is coming up and I want to get him something father-y. What do you think about this print called "The Emperor's Son" by Mike Clay?It is a 12.5x 19″ screenprint and has an edition of 100, and is $40 shipped. Visit PowerslideDesign.com.

Yay yay yay!

Ananda

Momento Mori

Via 2modern.com, check out this great new wallpaper from Graham & Brown. I'd love to do a fun accent wall in our house, but I can't decide what room, much less what pattern. Any suggestions?

Ananda