So my blog stats say that I get visitors/readers but alas, few/no comments. Comments not only make me feel good – but they help my site stay on top of Google searches. This is incredibly important as I prepare to move to a new state and begin over… SOOOOOO, as the Temptations sang – I Ain’t too proud to beg! In fact, I’m going to sweeten the deal! Each (relevant!) comment will put your name into a drawing for a 5×7 fine art print from my Etsy store! Drawings will be held once per month, on the last day of that month…

Since January is almost over – your odds are pretty good if you start posting now!

Created completely by hand, this delicate flower only looks heavy. It’s actually very lightweight yet very durable. This beauty looks just like a fresh gardenia yet will last long after the wedding is over. I’ll be the first to admit that I am NOT a fan of artificial flowers, but I think this is the perfect flower for ones hair. Handmade with aloha by Makani Creations.

Now about that sparkle and shiny… imagine this amazing one of a kind necklace created from vintage snowflake brooches with your winter wedding gown.

I actually said “WOW!” out loud when I first saw this. Check out this and the other lovely upcycled vintage jewelry in Vintage Bella Bride‘s shop.

If you are more of a demure, string of pearl kinda girl… have no fear! Tissage has a lovely selection of beautiful pearl necklaces.
So elegant and timeless (I’m a pearl girl myself!) Oh and Tissage also has some amazing cloche hats – I WILL own one, one day…

I’ve shown just two of a multitude of options for a beautiful and unique necklace to wear on your wedding day… but if these are not to your taste – I know that someone on Etsy.com will have the perfect jewelry for you!

And I know I promised a ring for the men. When I was getting married, there were about two choices for a men’s wedding band. Gold or gold. So we went with gold. Seven years later I found an amazing titanium ring for him and we replaced my husband’s plain gold band with a two toned titanium one. It’s VERY cool. But if we hadn’t already purchased a ring he loved, you can bet your bottom dollar I would be picking up one of these!
Heck, I might buy one for me to wear on my right hand I love it that much! Check out Minter & Richter Designs for this and other VERY cool, masculine titanium rings. And if when making a purchase, you mention my blog – Minter and Richter have extended a 10% discount to my readers! Many MAHALOS for their generosity!

So this should start you on your jewelry buying safari and the next installment I plan to feature additional hair pieces. Beautiful fascinators, to birdcage veils. Leave comments below with your thoughts on any of the beautiful items I’ve featured. Both their creator and myself would love to hear what you think!

I’m sure by now you’ve realized that I’m what my husband calls “crunchy”. I try to implement “green” policies in all areas of my life, and my business is no different. In fact, it’s even more important considering the amount of cardboard packaging etc the prints/frames/canvases etc require. But rest assured, that all the packaging materials are indeed recycled. But back to holiday wrapping… when I was looking for something attractive, that blended well with the willowdawn photography aesthetic, I started in the “eco friendly” section of my vendors catalog. Bags and boxes where quickly decided upon as soon as I saw them. They were perfect and with boxes containing 100% recycled fiber – on average 80% is post consumer. The paper wrap material is manufactured carbon neutral, FSC certified, green-e certified with wind certificates, process chlorine free (PCF) and are made in the USA with 100% post consumer waste and are green seal certified. It’s hard to get “crunchier that that!

The bags are a little less “green” at only 50% recycled content, but I was sold, not only because of their charming design, but because they are also, made in the USA. As many parts of our country faces tough economic issues – I’ll all for buying American – and keeping our citizens employed. And did I mention they’re CUTE?!?!

And then there is the paper and ribbon… I’m so excited by the paper that I’ll save it for last, but the ribbon is soooo cool too! This awesome ribbon is crafted of polyester and is made in the USA from 100% post consumer recycled plastic bottles. Of course, it’s not as posh as say a beautiful velvet or double faced satin – which I’m not knocking – they’re beautiful. But this is beautiful and guilt free! And the paper… let me tell you about the paper.

I’ve chosen to wrap your gifts in Mulberry Blend Gift Wrap which is made from natural fibers. This paper is made by artisans in remote villages around the world – creating jobs and fair wages for hard working communities. Distant Village packaging is providing more that just great eco-friendly and sustainable products. It is a sustainable model that supports real people in many ways. To learn more, click here. Now this a gift that feels great to give!

ALL gift items AND now, all canvases – will be 20% off on Friday, November 27th – and ONLY on Friday, November 27th. It was going to be only on gift items but I just received word that my canvas vendor is having Thanksgiving sale and I’m passing this savings on to YOU! Gift items include handbags, wallets, key fobs and jewelry! Check the GIFT GUIDE and then head over to my shopping area to start shopping.

Click here to enter shopping cart.

COUPON CODE: black

All items will come beautifully gift wrapped and ready to be put under the tree, shipped or presented to the one you love. Which reminds me… I need to go take a photo of the wrapping paper! It’s soooo cute! And is my way, all of the wrapping materials are made from recycled products! I’ll be back!

Bracelet has two images!

So the photos are ALL the wrong sizes so I’ll have to come back and clean up this mess I’ve just created, but it will have to wait! I’ve a party to go to… and I’m wearing the necklace with Miss C sitting in the chair!

But WAIT – there’s more!!!! For the men in your lives…

Let’s recap… buy a handbag/tote listed – get the French Wallet HALF OFF! Buy a bifold or trifold wallet – get a second wallet (same style) HALF OFF! Each item can have a different image so even if you just want to buy two wallets for yourself and swap them according to which child you love best at the moment!

FREE shipping on all other purses/totes/accessories – but the free shipping cannot be applied to the special offers above.

Any questions? Then get shopping – orders must be received and paid by November 20 for holiday delivery!!! Specials will last through the end of November, but orders received after November 20 will NOT be available for Christmas gift giving.