...Never Before Posted...

... I was just going through some images from my photo album and I came across this gift box I made around Valentine's Day. I made this specifically for a fellow vendor, but it can be easily adaptable as a gift box for a wedding, bridal shower, or just a yummy thank you!

... This gift box is filled with sweets wrapped up in interesting small packages. I incorporated a number of coordinating patterned papers, ribbons and tags. The tag on the top of the box is a simple card stock cut in the shape of a large tag, and then layered with papers to give it depth and texture. The tag is secured around the entire box with a light pink grosgrain ribbon that I just love. The box came from Paper Source, and comes in a variety of sizes to fit your needs.

... Take a look at some of these details...

...What a Weekend For Weddings...

... It seems as though this past weekend was a very popular weekend for weddings. I had 3 different clients who were getting married over this past weekend! I have been very busy lately!

... Congratulations to Kevin and Marissa who had a beautiful vineyard wedding on Long Island!

... Congratulations to Ami and Paul, who's amazing Hindu wedding was celebrated at a winery in Geyserville, CA!

... Congratulations to Bobby and Steffany, celebrated their wedding at a laid back, homegrown farm wedding in Petaluma, CA

... Congratulations to you all, and I wish you many, many years of happiness and laughter!

Hopefully a Happy Camper...

... So one of the best jobs I have ever had was to be a camp counselor at the summer camp where I went as a girl. Every summer I would look forward to 2 months on the lake in New Hampshire with some of the greatest friends I have ever made.

... While being a camp counselor is a challenging job (my friend and I did the math one year, and essentially we worked 144 hours a week!), it is also a lot of fun and the girls I was a counselor for were really great kids.

... The last summer I was a counselor, I had the oldest campers and they were absolutely awesome. Many of them stayed more than 1 session and so I was really able to get to know them and make some great memories.

... While those days are sadly long gone, through the magic of Facebook, I have been able to reconnect with so many of my camp friends, including some former campers who are no longer girls, but fabulous women out in the world! It's great to catch up with them, but also a little trippy to realize that they are all grown up!

... And, kind of crazy when I find out these gals are doing things like getting married! One of my campers from that last summer I was a counselor is saying her vows tomorrow on Long Island. I couldn't be happier for her! So, when she asked me if I would help her out with some details for her wedding, I was so excited to do it!

... I made her tags for her out of town guest bags and then brought the theme of those tags into some of the details for her wedding. We did table names, place cards, menus, and favors. I used the Pharmacy font and paired it with the Honey Script font to create a really fun yet still sophisticated look. Using a fun and preppy color theme of pink and moss green, I mixed that with two types of decorative paper in the pink and green scheme. All the items we created using a series of the paper layered together to give interest and depth.

... Here's a sneak preview, I strung the samples up from a ribbon on the wall in my office. I cannot wait to see the creations all set up at the wedding.

... So, to Marissa, I say CONGRATULATIONS! I hope your day is as special as you are!

... p.s. don't eat cheeseballs in your wedding dress, you might turn it orange!

... Love, your Cabin 1 Counselor!

...Toss It All In There!

... So today I was walking down Chestnut Street, enjoying the quiet holiday Monday morning. I had just gotten a really great pedicure (Jeff and I are headed to a wedding later this week and the toesies were in need of some serious attention), and had to run an errand at Paper Source (of course!) before heading home.

... Along my way from the nail salon to Paper Source, I approached a store called "Toss"  (http://www.tossdesigns.com/ ) that I had noticed from afar but hadn't yet explored. Mostly because every time I think about it Jeff is with me, and it is really not his kind of store. However, today, I was alone, and it was such a relaxed day, I thought I'd pop in to see what was what with this store.

... OH MY GOODNESS I FOUND A NEW FAVORITE STORE! The preppy New Englander in me just about jumped out of her skin and could barely contain her excitement. Toss is a great store if you are looking for a treat for yourself or a stylish little something for a friend. Tote bags, cosmetics bags, travel accessories, cute bar supplies, even sweet little sandals, shoes,and jewlrey, Toss is a great place to find gifts for your particular event. I was shopping for a little something for myself, but I couldn't help get inspired for a Bridesmaid Thank You Gift.

... I have a friend who is planning to use navy blue and green as her wedding colors and I thought I would play on that for inspiration. I discovered that Toss carries a line of trendy, sturdy, and very reasonably priced eco-friendly bags by Bella (http://www.youarebella.com/). At $8.00 a bag, they are the perfect starting point for a beautiful gift for your bridesmaids. It is the kind of bag your gal can use later on to tote her lunch to work, or slip into her purse for use on the run. This bag folds up with a cute snap! Refuse that plastic bag from the store and slip your purchase into your fab Bella bag!

... Hmmm, but how to dress this fabulous bag up a little more and make it unique for your 'maids? Grab one of Toss' fantastic stick on monograms! These monograms are stitched fabric with a sticky back, so they can be applied to a multitude of items to make it your own! I chose the navy blue and white "T", and I love it with the green! The monogram is also "re-stickable" so your 'maid can take it off of this tote and throw it on another one if she likes! And, they are a steal!

... So, I just went from there. I could build a whole gift out of these two items that I picked up, and I WILL. However, I was just so excited to show these finds to you, I have only so far done the "exterior". I whipped up a little "bag tag" for this gift using navy blue card stock, green polka-dotted paper, and a little label printed in navy ink. I adhered it to the bag with some white ribbon and was ready to photograph!

... So, this creation is definitely "to be continued". I already have ideas for not only what items would be fabulous IN this bag, but how those items can be personalized.

... so check out Toss Designs and Bella totes and get inspired for your own event! Be sure to check back in with me to see where this design is gonig to go!

...Happy summer, everyone!

... 3 *blissful* years...

...Three years ago today, I said "I Do" to my amazing husband Jeff...

... I planned and planned and planned and loved my wedding, and in the end, it was the reason why Woods&Company was started!

...The day was a gorgeous San Francisco day, sunny but not hot and not an ounce of fog to be seen! Clear blue skies, we could see the ocean from the steps of St. Cecelia's where we said our vows... the day was perfect for wedding photos taken with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background, photos taken at the very spot where Jeff proposed a year before...

... The beautiful day continued at the Marines Memorial Club near Union Square (an AMAZING venue if any of you are looking for an elegant place to have your reception. The place is gorgeous, and the service and food there is out of this world. I did not have to worry about a THING.). We ate, drank, laughed, and danced well into the night.

... It was my favorite day of my life so far ;)

...I love you Jeff, here's to many more years and many more favorite days (October 19, 2010 maybe??)

... I Do...Again!

...'Tis the season for weddings, but 'tis also the season for remembering why you got married in the first place!

... Thus, I thought it was sweet when I was contacted to make some welcome boxes for a woman who is renewing her wedding vows this week. Now, if you think planning a wedding is hectic, imaging essentially planning a wedding while shuttling the kids around to and from school, sports practices, music lessons, etc. Add to THAT your eldest child's high school graduation a week before your big event! That's pretty much what my client was dealing with... the life resulting from the wonderful marriage she is celebrating, while trying to plan her vow renewals. Whew! I was more than happy to help. Especially since Jeff and I are celebrating our third anniversary next week... it got me thinking and appreciating what a wonderful marriage, life and husband I myself have!

... My client and her husband are really turning their vow renewal into a celebration of (and with!) family and friends. They had a whole week of fun activities planned for their guests (the itinerary for the week was included in the gifts) culminating in the wonderful "main event" on Friday night at Terra in San Francisco. I also helped coordinate the favors for her guests... French macarons in small white boxes tied with a ribbon...yum!

... As for the gift boxes, many of the guests were travelling from afar, so we put in some water, tissues, chocolate, and some "on the road necessities" such as Tylenol to make the guests as comfortable as possible. We included in each one a beautiful postcard of a San Francisco scene, so the guests could take away a little something of SF when they left.

... It was a project on a fast timeline, but I think that made it even better. It was simple, clean, and elegant, and I was really happy with the way everything turned out!

Congratulations (again!) Shiela and Curt!

...hello, Cow Hollow!

... well, it has been 3 weeks and Jeff and I are getting settled into our new place. So far, so good! We really like it!!

... we recently moved from the South of Market area of San Francisco (SOMA) to the Cow Hollow area of San Francisco. Our new neighborhood is pretty residential, our place is a block away from the Presidio, and we are close to a bunch of great restaurants and shops. I am most especially excited that there is a Paper Source within walking distance!! Yippee!

... Our new place is a two bedroom old-school San Francisco apartment. I LOVE it! It is bright and airy and has tons of built in storage. I finally have a special place to display my china, and our everyday dishes look great in our glass front cabinets. We have beautiful hardwood floors and a great walk in closet. Our baby will have it's own room, and I can't wait to decorate it! We are still getting everything set up, but I have some pictures from our first weeks in the new place. Enjoy!

First of all, this is a Shreve Gurgling Fish Pitcher. It is a very traditional gift in New England. I happened to receive 2 for our wedding, and I have them proudly displayed on our built in hutch. Gotta have little touches of home here in SF!

A view of our bedroom... we are still settling in, so excuse the sparseness!

I have managed to get some of our framed pictures displayed. These are some of my favorites that are in our bedroom.

A view into our bedroom from our living/dining room. I LOVE the colors, the lightness, and the french doors.

Our built in hutch in the breakfast nook. I love it! It has a SURPRISING amount of storage, and I was able to get ALL my china, crystal, small appliances, serving plates, and various and sundry other kitchen items in this space. Plus I just love how clean and bright it is. (Note the gurgling fish pitchers on the right!)

Our everyday dishes, bowls and mugs found a home in the glass front cabinets. I love the way the green looks against the white. The picture does not do it justice.

And then there are the great details. You probably noticed the moulding on the walls and maybe even the dark wood border on the light wood floors. This moulding detail is one of two that is found on the archway into our kitchen. Beautiful!

And finally, I have to day welcome to our 12 new large everyday plates. They have found a home on our hutch. They replace our old 12 large everyday plates that were dropped by the movers (it was clearly an issue of poor packing. They were packed last and hastily. A box of china was dropped at the same time, and all items were in perfect condition when unpacked!). All 12 were broken. That was the only casualty of the move, and thank goodness! Aside from this mishap, the movers were fantastic. We would highly recommend them.

We are still settling in the other areas of the house, so I'll update when everything is picture ready!

Enjoy your weekend, I hope it is nice wherever you are. Here in SF it actually feels like a New England summer, sunny and warm, and even a little sweaty! :)