Eco-Friendly Wines for your Wedding

Some will say a wedding without alcohol isn't a wedding. And I agree to some extent. I did go to a Baptist wedding once that had no alcohol, but there was also no dancing. And I kinda feel if you are going to ask your guests to shake their tail feathers, you should at least help them loosen up. Besides, how else are you supposed to capture your husband-to-be's best man doing his famous robot impression on your wedding film? So unless you're really afraid of Aunt Martha jumping from table to table and doing her coyote ugly impression, don't forgo the booze.

An open bar can really run up a tab, so it's perfectly acceptable to offer a few select wines. Emiliana offers a line of organic wines, called Natura, and biodynamic wines, both of which are vegan friendly. I'm intrigued by the biodynamic wine, "G," which supposedly has a bouquet of blackberries, raspberries, currants, toasted oak, and cigar box. (A bouquet is the term used for an older wine's aroma.)

Visit Natura on Twitter.

Healthy Monday: A Letter and The Benefits of Pet Ownership

A Letter

Attention furry little friends:

There are about six to eight million of you sitting in animal shelters right now. And about three to four million of you will be euthanized before the end of the year. "What was my crime?" you ask. Oh, nothing much. Perhaps you were too active and simply needed to be walked twice a day. It's possible you were abused and in fear of a heavy swat on the head, you bear your teeth and bark madly in self defense when any human comes near. Maybe you were born in a puppy mill, which the government fortunately closed down, but now you await in a small cage for the love of your life, such as a wide eyed child or a sweet, young couple to come take you away and give you a rub on the belly every afternoon.

Life has dealt you a sad hand my friend. However, the game may not be over yet for you. You have so much to offer and you ask for so little in return. For instance, many humans do not know that the very act of petting an animal can lower blood pressure and induce relaxation. (1) Your unconditional love aids in helping us deal with life's challenges and unexpected changes. And for all you dogs out there, your excited eyes convince us to enjoy a bit of physical activity and take you for a walk or go to the park.

I promise to spread the word about your plight and encourage others to visit their local humane society or rescue organization. If they have the internet, they can easily visit http://www.hsus.org or http://www.petfinder.com/ to get their very own one of you. Until then my furry little friends, try to make the best of it and be strong. Remember, there is someone out there who will love you just as much as you love them.

photo credit: Amy Carroll found via Pearls Events


1. Furry Friends can Aid Your Health

Eco-Friendly Accessories

You don't often hear a bride say, "I want my wedding to be like everyone else's wedding."

Whether it's through floral ornamentation or wearing pink converse, you should insert your own personality into your wedding. For those of you who fancy all things modern and feminine, you'll like Twisted Crystals. Designer Kacey Higley blends old and new fabrics to create beautiful flower shaped accessories for your gown, hair, or ring pillow. In addition to using as little packaging as possible, Higley encourages her brides to request scraps leftover from their alterations, as they can be used to "create many different accessories from the trim of your ring pillow, to the flower in your hair, to the boutonniere for your groom."

Rock on Kacey! And to all my readers: enjoy your weekend! And remember to eat your vegetables!

An Eco-Friendly Wedding Gift

This is a really cute idea as a gift to a friend or to your self. Although it would make for a very modern piece of home decor, it would also work well as an anniversary reminder for your forgetful husband (or husband-to-be.)
Frame The Date creates and sells, you guessed it, framed dates! But it's not as cheesy as it sounds. They offer an eco-friendly line which utilizes reclaimed wood frames, bamboo frame styles, and green matting as well. The two founders, sisters Julie and Ashley, scoured the globe for some of the most unique numbers, snapped a picture, and voila! You get to create and order your very own Frame The Date keepsake right on their website.

One Unique Wedding Invitation

My younger brother flinked this the other day (flink = a link posted on facebook. Okay, I made that up, but it makes sense to me.) I thought it was very original and worth sharing. (Click on the picture to the left to see it up close and personal.)

Found via Share Some Candy.

Eco-friendly and Recycled Jewelry

Margarette is a line of handmade jewelry made from recycled metals in the designer's New York studio. Good stuff! The anchor, seen below, is a super cute necklace and would make for a great bridesmaids gift for a beach or lakeside wedding.

Healthy Monday: Quick And Simple Ways to Stay Healthy at the Office

It can be easy to neglect a daily workout due to time constraints, illness, or maybe your just sick of watching that 70 year old guy kick your ass in aerobics. Whatever the case, if you don't always have time for a complete workout, try a few of these simple, at-your-office ways to burn calories and stay healthy.

1.) Rather than e-mail your boss or coworker, walk to their office and tell them in person.

2.) Bring a healthy lunch to work and use the time you would have spent waiting at a restaurant to shop or run errands.

3.) Take a break and exercise for 15 minutes by doing a brisk walk outside. If you can do this for just four days, you've already added an hour of exercise to your week.

4.) Try stretching at your desk. To stretch your hamstrings, stand, bend your right knee and shift your weight as if to sit back, straightening your left leg, heel on the ground, and lifting your toes. Hold for 20 seconds; switch legs.

(source and photo credit: Shape Magazine)

The First Dance

When I was in college, I had the opportunity to study abroad in London. I arrived not knowing a soul, was super jetlagged, and a little afraid of fish and chips. But coming from a college in a small southern town, I was elated! And my first night there, a group of us students were anxious to experience some real nightlife. We arrived at a club, but I'm not much of a dancer, so I shuffled around in a corner when a rowdy English boy jumped at me and shouted, "DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?" I look around, wondering what he is talking about. "uuuuhhh...," is all I managed to say. He asked me again, "DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS?" After about 7 seconds of brow furrowing, he replied to his own question, "It's a dance floor! Do you know what you do on a dance floor? YOU DANCE!"

So his statement of the obvious didn't inspire me to break out into the running man (yes, I am that cheesy), but I thought it was good advice. If you've got a dance floor at your wedding, then you've got to dance! And whether you like it or not, guests look forward to that first dance! Don't be afraid to kick it up a notch or use a less traditional song! My husband and I started with a slow song and then transitioned into a faster one, so guests were totally taken by surprise. (He won't let me post the video on here because we do look a little like monkeys with our arms flailing about, but maybe one day I can convince him.)


The Thriller. Taken straight from the classic Michael Jackson video, this one is a true favorite, but hard to achieve due to complex choreography. The thought of weekly rehearsals may scare off some grooms.


The Fake-Out. This usually involves a song that suddenly skips a beat or fades out, while the couple stands around for a second looking utterly confused before breaking out into a faster dance. This particular one involves dancers and strobe lights.


Separate Entrances. This bride and groom took a unique approach and entered separately to their own theme music.

All Natural Jewelry Cleaner

When you first pop that engagement ring on your finger, it's hard not to stare at how amazingly shiny it is. You try to go about your daily business, but you suddenly find your e-mail is riddled with typos because you were busy looking at your ring, not the screen. Or perhaps you're at the local market, purchasing some zucchini. As your hand reaches your wallet, the light catches your ring and you find yourself incapacitated and you stand there dumbstruck. The cashier mistakes your expression for a mild seizure, but really you're just in awe. All of this is normal, but if you ever find yourself drooling, you might want to seek help.

Unfortunately, the shininess will start to dull and as with anything you wear every day, it will inevitably get dirty. Most jewelers will clean your wedding rings for free, but considering that can be an inconvenience, it's good to have some at-home jewelry cleaning solution on hand too. I've never tried the above product, but if it delivers what it promises (no hazardous ingredients and great for those with sensitive skin and allergies), it gets an A+ in my book. Enviro-Rite Allergen Free Natural Jewelry Cleaner.

P.S. I have no idea why they have killdirt.com on the photo. Kill Dirt doesn't seem to offer this product, but I suppose if you want to kill some dirt, you now know what site to visit.

Tablescapes and Recipes

Sunday Suppers, a collaboration between photographer Karen Mordechai and personal chef Casey Solomon, is a site which isn't exactly wedding related, but presents some really beautiful table and flower inspiration. The site is a sort of show-and-tell from their class-cooking-dining experience in which a group of people get together to learn how to create a 3 course meal. Fortunately, they share some really yummy recipes in addition to all the eye candy!

Eco-Friendly Dresses and Clothing

Some believe the green movement is just a fad, but to those people I just say, "Phooey." Or I try and make a sound to that effect. Running this blog often involves researching companies that practice environmental responsibility and it's amazing how many crop up everyday. Granted, you sometimes have to weed out the dirty greenwashers, but I think it's safe to say we are on the (cue Star Wars-ish music) dawn of a green revolution. Er, maybe that's a bit of an overstatement...

In any case, one great company I recently come across is By Meadow. And as you can imagine, it's a smart little company, dedicated to creating sustainable clothing in an ethical and environmentally friendly way, founded by a gal named Meadow. I'm not really sure who Meadow is - her website lists no last name, but that's okay. She could be like Madonna - really cool, but with no last name. She's apparently a lifelong vegetarian and she believes in fabrics like bamboo, hemp, and organic cotton. And we like that. Keep it up Meadow! (Check out the By Meadow Etsy Shop)

Healthy Monday: The Benefits of Sleep

When I was in college, I had the opportunity to listen to a semi-motivational speaker (and I say "semi" because he seemed more apt at rambling than motivating). He spoke rapidly, moved around the stage often, and gestured wildly with his hands when he said words like "life" and "goal." At first, this was amusing and my stressed out brain enjoyed the somewhat incoherent chatter coming from this guy's mouth, but when referring to his skewed sense of time management, he said this: "Don't worry so much about sleep. You'll sleep when you die." To which I thought, "Geeze, how many lattes has this guy had!"

To this day, I wholeheartedly disagree with this type of sentiment. To some, life is all about "Go!Go!Go!" and if you are that person, then more power to you, but sleep is a necessity that give us the ability to function properly. (Have you ever gone into work after a restless night and felt as if your eyes and your brain weren't attached? I have. It wasn't fun.) Although it can be hard, especially while planning a wedding, working a full time job, finding time for yourself, and if you have kids, you might as well forget sleep, but an important fact always remains: sleep is a vital part of a healthy life.

If you had any doubts or need a better reason to crawl into bed a little earlier, check out the benefits your body reaps from sleeping: (source FitSugar.com)

1. Sleep helps keep your immune system strong.

2. While you're asleep, your brain sorts and processes the information it received while you're awake.

3. Recent research suggests that sufficient sleep aids in weight loss, while sleep deprivation can result in an inability to lose or maintain weight.

4. A good night of sleep keeps coordination in tip top shape.

5. The body repairs itself while you're alseep. Get 8 hours to avoid puffy eyes and circles under the eyes.

6. There may be a link between a good night's rest and fertility. Some experts suggest that sleep deprivation can make getting pregnant more difficult. (ConceiveOnline.com)

So next time someone says, "Don't worry so much about sleep," you can just smile and nod, because while they're grabbing another latte, rambling incoherently, and doing whatever is so important at two in the morning, you'll be snuggled into your cozy bed, dreaming about wedding cakes and honeymoons.

Photo Credit: Tumultuous Woman

Timewaster Alert: Waste Not Words

It's Friday. I know you don't feel like working. If you do, you're weird. Kidding... okay, not really. :)

When you're looking for something to do in between projects, meetings, wedding planning, or even while you're on that weekly conference call (you know, the one that makes you feel like a zombie halfway through), check out I Can Read on Tumblr. Browse pictures with words - words on windows, words on paper, words on walls, lots of words! You may even derive a little romantic, nuptial inspiration from some of the more love infused words, but if nothing else, at least it's a great timewaster.



Have a fantastic weekend everyone! We'll be back on Monday with regularly scheduled programming.

Photo Credit:
Top Photo
Second Photo
Third Photo

Eco-Friendly Bridesmaid Dresses

Sustainable fabrics. Low impact dyes. Made in the USA. We almost don't even need to hear more - we like 'em already! Mountains of the Moon offers up really cute, and very versatile, dresses and skirts that could easily be dressed up or dressed down. Not to mention a few of their dresses are available in different colors, making it a perfect option for your bridesmaids who want a dress that they can actually wear after the wedding.

Wedding Invitation Wording Etiquette

There is a lot of power in words. Romantic poems, resignation letters, acceptance speeches - they all contain words which have the capability of bringing out feelings of love, melancholy, and jubilation, as well as sadness, fear, and remorse. But when you're getting married, you'd be surprised at the emotions the simple words on your wedding invitation can evoke. Whether you believe in following the "rules" or prefer to break them, there are a few basics of invitation etiquette that every bride should at least be aware of.

Below you'll find just some of our most frequently asked questions at Earthly Affair, but feel free to leave a comment asking your own wording questions.

1. What times are considered afternoon and what times are considered evening?
This is a rule that is broken quite often and in some cases I can understand why. A bride who is having a six o'clock summer wedding, when it doesn't usually get dark until about nine at night, may not feel comfortable calling six o'clock "evening." However, etiquette dictates that afternoon starts at 12 p.m. and evening begins at 6 p.m. To get around this, it's perfectly acceptable to leave off "in the evening" or "in the afternoon," as long as it's obvious what time of day your wedding occurs. For instance, a wedding at eight or nine, could potentially be considered a morning or evening wedding, so it's best to be specify when those weddings take place.

2. How do I let guests know the reception is adult only.
If you've read the story about the pepper spray kid, it may be tempting to put "adult reception" on the invitation or reception card, but this is considered poor taste. The best way to let guests know this is to address the envelope with only those who are invited. Unfortunately, you may find that certain guests will bring their children regardless of what the invitation or envelope says. Short of having your wedding at a 21 and up club, this is one of those instances where you may just have to grin and bear it or risk committing a major invitation etiquette faux pas.

3. How are the parent's names handled?
Typically, whoever is hosting the wedding (i.e. paying for it) is mentioned on the request line. For instance, if the bride's parents are hosting, the invitation might say:

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith
request the honor of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter

If you wish to also mention the groom's family, especially if they are contributing financially, you may follow the groom's name with his parent's names. It might look like this:

son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Roberts

If both parents and the bride and groom are hosting, you may say:

Together with their parents
or
Together with their families

Remember, these are just some of the invitation wording questions we receive. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to leave a comment or contact us at Earthly Affair and we'll be happy to help!

A Summer Wedding Table Idea

As July 4th creeps closer, we start thinking red, white, and blue here in the U.S. of A. It's hard not to look at this table and think about summer being just around the corner.

The great folks at Project Wedding put together this rustic and colorful table, ideal for a summer wedding or party. Old milk bottles and clipped geraniums (a flower that won't wilt in direct heat) are used for the centerpieces, recycled jam jars are used for glasses, while an Ikea duvet was transformed into napkins. Alternatively, you could also provide bowls of blueberries and strawberries (preferably locally grown) in the center to provide as edible centerpieces.

Healthy Monday: Should you Take Vitamins?

If there was a race between someone who consistently took vitamins and someone who didn't, who do you think would win? That's a hard question to answer, but it's tempting to believe the person who took the vitamins would have the superior athletic abilities, right? Not quite...

According to Dr.Brent on Care2, there is no proof that taking a vitamin in pill form has any added benefit. Isn't that weird to hear? All our lives, vitamins are heralded as champions of the strong and the healthy. It's a billion dollar industry, half of all American adults take some type of dietary supplement, and yet, there's really no conclusive proof that taking vitamins in pill form prevent disease or prolong life.

This isn't an excuse to start eating potato chips and fried chicken, because after all, if vitamins don't do any good, why bother, right? Quite the opposite actually. Vitamins are important, but it's receiving those nutrients straight from the source that gives the body what it needs. This means eating our leafy greens, organic vegetables, colorful fruits, lean meats and other nutrient rich foods.

To learn about the most beneficial foods and what they can do for you, check out the World's Healthiest Foods, an educational website featuring an online database of nutrient rich foods, as well as recipes, and info on why these nutrients are essential for our bodies.

Source: Are Your Vitamins Working

photo credit: Yoshiko314

Advice on Outdoor Weddings

It's time to bring Unofficial Outdoor Wedding week to a close. I know, it's rather sad, but don't worry, I've found a few sage words of advice from the good 'ole Martha Stewart Weddings website.

Whether to have some sort of shelter from the elements is an important consideration. A roof or canopy doesn't just guard against rain; it can also provide shade from the strong afternoon sun. Check what time the sun will set on your wedding day so you can make sure you will have enough light if the party continues after dark.

Take care to enhance, not overwhelm, the natural beauty around you; an aisle for the processional can be created with stones or flower petals. Since it can be hard to hear outdoors (especially if the wind is blowing or the waves are crashing), think about using microphones so that guests will be able to listen to the words spoken during the ceremony.

If you need help finding locations, consult travel guides, the Internet, local chambers of commerce, or a wedding planner. As you consider each place, keep in mind that natural scenery changes dramatically from season to season. "A vineyard is perfect from August through October," says wedding planner Francesca Abbracciamento of Francesca Events in New York City. "But in spring, the vines will be bare."

Have a great weekend everyone! See you on Monday! :)

Photos by Jose Villa, found via Style Me Pretty

Outdoor Weddings: Decor and Inspiration

When your wedding is outdoors, you have the capability of letting your surroundings take over your decor. Work with what is already there and you'll reduce unnecessary waste, save yourself time, and maybe even come in under budget.

For instance, take advantage of what makes your venue magnificent. In this case, the couple utilized a beautiful, sprawling tree which encompassed the bride and groom, providing shade and a natural grandeur. In addition, delicate paper birds were strung up gracefully throughout the branches. photography by Kirsten Ellis of Beaux Arts Photographie, found via Once Wed


Who needs flowers when you're married in a garden? This intimate venue provided plenty of lush greenery and floral decor. photography by Mel Barlow


Did you ever think you could get away without providing seats? Well, the traditional kind anyway. Benches of hay covered in floral fabric give this wedding a down home, country feel. photography by Tec Petaja, found via Green Wedding Shoes


A tree trunk can make for a unique place to display photos. By providing an opportunity to share photos of other family member's weddings, it's a great way to include mom and dad.
photography by Tec Petaja, found via Green Wedding Shoes

Keeping Guests Comfortable at an Outdoor Wedding

Choosing an outdoor venue can provide a wonderful backdrop for the day you and your husband-to-be exchange vows. However, whether it's a grand mountain view or a quaint English garden, it's important to remember this: your guests love you, but they probably won't be too keen on licking sweat beads off their upper lip for an entire three to four hours. Even if it's a beautiful 65 degrees Fahrenheit in June, when you're in the afternoon sun, you can start to feel like a baked potato rather quickly. Here are a few ways to keep your event eco-friendly, while keeping your guests cool and happy.

One, provide guests with recyclable fans that also work as programs. Popsicle sticks are a great way to turn any program into a makeshift fan, while ribbon and multiple sheets work well for long programs. Use 100% recycled paper if possible and make sure it's either white or ivory, as it is easily recycled and most sought after at recycling facilities. After the wedding, make sure guests leave their fans so you can recycle them later.

Two, keep people hydrated. Stay away from plastic water bottles and instead offer ice cold glasses of water and/or lemonade, tea, or juice. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised at how easy it is to forget the little things. If you plan on having a cocktail hour, just make sure water is available in addition to alcohol or plan on setting up a table where it's offered.

Three, if it's not apparent that you're having an outdoor wedding on your invitation, give guests a heads up by passing the word around beforehand. Some guests might appreciate this and will dress accordingly. It can be considered tacky to put dress code information on the invitation itself, so you could also direct guests to your wedding website, which would explain more about your outdoor venue in detail.

Photo by Jesse Leake, found via Snippet and Ink

Unofficial Outdoor Wedding Theme: Inspirational Images

Most of the posts for the next few days are focused on being outdoors, resulting in a somewhat unofficial "outdoor wedding theme" for the rest of the week. I thought I'd start off with this beautiful affair I came across on Pearls Events. It's not exclusively earth friendly and I think it was only partially outdoors, but the imagery is particularly unique and inspiring. Besides, how could you not love a wedding with farm animals?

Photos by Aruna B.

Healthy Monday: Aromatherapy

Can you smell that? It's the smell of sweet vanilla and sensual lavender lazily entering your senses. Or maybe it's the smell of a sunny lemon giving your brain a quick jolt. Although it may sound silly, aromatherapy has been known as a powerful medicinal tool, on a mental and physical level, for decades. It was first discovered in the late 1920's by a French chemist who burnt his hand while working in a laboratory. The chemist quickly placed his hand in a vat of lavender oil and was later stunned at how quickly his hand healed. But you don't have to immerse yourself in an essential oil to enjoy it. One of the easiest ways to tantalize your sense of smell is to use a simple diffuser - a pot of boiling water on the stove with a few drops of essential oil in it.

Studies have shown that certain odors do influence mood and behavior. According to Dr. Alan Hirsch of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, lavender and vanilla have been shown to make people feel relaxed. According to Aromaweb.com, basil and peppermint aid in fatigue and exhaustion, while rose and sandalwood aid in anxiety.

Some believe it works on more than just the mood. Michelle Erwin, who runs an online aromatherapy shop from her home, gives aromatherapy credit for curing her acne, which crept up on her at 25 years of age. She learned to make facial masks infused with essential oils and her acne hasn't come back since.

If you want to further explore aromatherapy, check out some of these websites: Aromaweb, National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, and Aromatherapy Point.

Sources: Discovery Health

Photo Credit: AtYourFeet,LLC