Cute Kitch

I found this adorable sign on Poppytalk Handmade. It is a very cool site, similar to Etsy, where sellers can post their own handmade items. There is a goldmine of lovelies like this sign from the Etsy artist Farouche.

Merry Christmas from American Tart!!

Rustic and Adorable

Ok. After about a week of a really sore throat followed by awful headaches congestion etc.. I am feeling good enough to get back to some daily routines I let go while recuperating. I found some super cute new reception decor ideas. Check them out- which one is your favorite? Find them here.

Sick as a Dog

Sorry for the lack of posts. I have been very under the weather with a terrible sore throat, headache and I keep needing sleep! I will resume my posting regularly in the coming week. I just need to get better! Thank you and I hope all of you are keeping healthy!

Paris Inspiration

This summer my fiancé and I went to France and Scotland. My sister got married in the beautiful Scottish Highlands and we decided we had to make a trip of it of course! Our visit to Paris was so inspiring. The food, the music, the coffee, the fashion! I was in love. So, thought I would start a little regular posting about my travels and how they have inspired me. This first post is a picture of me, taken by hubby-to-be, staring in wonder at the gorgeous Tour Eiffel. Such a beautiful mass of steel. This was a magical moment- just living in the moment.

Cyber Monday Deal!!

Visit my Etsy shop www.AmericanTart.Etsy.com for free shipping on all items- today only!! I will be back Wednesday with another great retro wedding idea!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are all relaxing and enjoying your day with loved ones. Don't forget to check my Etsy shop tomorrow for a Black Friday deal on one of my vintage dresses!

Black Friday Exclusive!

In honor of the biggest shopping day of the year, I have decided to (finally) post one of my beloved vintage clothing pieces on my Etsy shop. It will be difficult to let these items go, but it is time for them to find yet another home and another life! As my faithful blog readers, you are getting a sneak peek at the first item. Please check for this gorgeous vintage dress in my Etsy shop on Friday!!

Cake Buffet!!

I knew the word "cake buffet" would get your attention! I love the idea of having multiple styles and flavors of cake made and displaying them on beautiful vintage cake stands. Your guests have more option and you don't have to do the traditional multi-tier wedding cake (unless you want to!). Have a special cake made for you and your groom to cut into and display your topper or flowers on! How fun!!

Technical Difficulties...

Please check back tomorrow...I am having technical difficulties and cannot upload my pictures! grrr....I will have something figured out by tomorrow!!

xoxo,

American Tart

Birdcage Veils and Fascinators

Are you a unique retro bride? There is no better day to showcase your personal style than your wedding day! I would love to make a one-of-a-kind birdcage veil or hairpiece for your special day. Check out my Etsy handmade shop for more options or contact me to make you a unique item of your own!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Thank you to the brave men & women who have and continue to serve our country. There are no words for the gratitude we feel. Happy Veteran's Day!

DIY Gorgeous Ring Pillow

Don't sweat the small stuff ladies! I know brides can get swept up in all the details that go into a wedding. Really, the details practically make a wedding! But, before going Bridezilla because you can't get all the little details exactly right, try doing them yourself or enlisting the help of crafty family and friends. The truth is wedding accessories and decor are usually TERRIBLY marked up and you could make the item for half the cost. Plus, they are extra special that way!! Find the how-to on this beautiful ring pillow at Martha Stwewart.

DIY Retro Photo booth Save-the-Dates

My fiancé and I loved the idea of an old fashioned photo-booth Save-the-Date. But, we wanted to make it more original & more old-school...more us. We also wanted to do them on a budget. So, I started looking at different paper, cardstock, and envelope options to make them myself. I found cardstock in a vintage-y cream and black envelopes (this is our color combo). I bought a stamp and one pack of photo paper. Then- we got to work. Instead of going to a photo booth and getting one shot to get the right pictures, once again we broke out our trusty digital camera and tri-pod. We positioned ourselves on a bench in front of hanging curtains and put the camera on auto. We took sooo many fun pictures and chose our favorites to put on the Save the Date!

Blog Post Schedule!

Life has been busy and I have been posting & tweeting more sporadically than I would like. So, I have put myself on a schedule! I LOVE bringing you all goodies to read about and interesting blog posts and I realized- there is never enough time to do what you love...so you must make the time! I will be blogging and tweeting Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays for sure and as much as I can in between. Tune in tomorrow for a post about DIY retro/vintage wedding Save-the-Dates!!

Feliz Día de Los Muertos

If you celebrate this holiday, as my family did growing up, happy Día de Los Muertos. A very beautiful celebration of life.

Daylight Savings!

Don't forget to "fall back" an hour on your clocks! You don't want to show up an hour early to work. Cheers to an extra hour!

Low Profile Wine Rack

I am in no way knowledgeable about wine. I have, however, grown fond of the occasional glass or two! If I were to get a wine rack I may get one something like this. It is nicely tucked away but kind of a focal point at the same time. Very nice. Find it here.

A Penny for Your (Witty) Thoughts

I have fallen for these chic, witty journals by Archie Grand. They come in an array of gorgeous colors and are an organizational dream! I have an "Inspiration Notebook" where I write down ideas, sketch, paste pics etc. But it is a jumbled mess of ideas which makes it hard to find an old entry. These journals are categorized ex- "Poets I met and Liked". How fun- and at about $12 this would make a great birthday, Christmas, or just because present! Find them at archiegrand.com. Featured on Daily Candy.

Happy Monday!

I know, it's Monday. As a personal challenge I am re-thinking Mondays. Music has always been a source of comfort and inspiration for me and some good old tunes do the trick when I'm feeling a little sluggish. Instead of dread, I am beginning my week with a smile, a positive disposition and some awesome oldies. Have any tricks to a happy Monday? Please share them! :) Image found at http://www.lite1068.com/images/jukebox.jpg via google.

Lovely & Unique Wedding Invites

I saw this idea a while ago in one of the many, many wedding blogs I read. I fell in love with the idea and wanted to try it for my wedding, but it became too costly. I am on a serious budget folks! But if you can take the time to scout for beautiful pieces and find someone to screen print or embroider them for a reasonable amount I would go for it! It adds a personal touch- just think this would be an invitation that would act as a keepsake for all your guests. Maybe it could pull double duty as your favors! Find it here.

Happy Monday!

So, after my last post about life I thought to myself "what would be a great design choice to come home to that would immediately brighten my day if I needed a little pick-me-up?"- I have it! A bright pink room like this would absolutely do the trick. Find here it on Apartment Therapy.

Life...

I don't usually post about how I am feeling, but it occurred to me that many people may be feeling the same way in these times. As a woman in my mid-twenties, planning my wedding and preparing to start my life with my man, I find myself in difficult times. Our current economic situation in the U.S. is less than ideal, but I wanted to encourage anyone out there feeling the pinch as I am, to hang in there. In these times I am reminded that all I really need in my life, I already have. Love, family, friendship and a dream I am passionate about...American Tart. :)

DIY Retro Photo-shoot

Who says you have to hire a fancy photographer to get some beautiful one-of-a-kind engagement photos? Not us! Don't get me wrong, if you have the cash to spend on a dream photog, go for it! But if you don't...or don't want to I hope you consider this option. My fiancé and I had an incredible time being the photographers and subjects at our own photo shoot. We headed out to a beautiful local park with our props, outfits, camera and tripod. We took turns setting up shots and setting the timer. Let me tell you- not only do we have beautiful engagement pictures that are totally original, they are our own work and we have the memory of this wonderful day. Just a giddy newly engaged couple...having the time of our life.

Like the birdcage veil? Check out all my American Tart creations on my Esty shop!

Vintage DIY

After!

Before.

This DIY was very simple and very enjoyable. I got this vintage bench from my mom. It was scuffed and dusty. The seat was covered with a terrible vinyl too! I sanded down the wood, primed it, and painted it black. Then I reupholstered it in this beautiful vintage-inspired fabric. Overall it took a few hours out of my day and this vintage bench has a new life to live!

Venetian Glass

Beautiful! Okay, this is wayyy too expensive for me, but very lovely. If you can afford this gorgeous side cabinet- by all means. If not (I'm a not) use it as inspiration to find a similar piece! No one will ever know yours is not venetian glass!

Go Green, Go Vintage!

Today...just a little food for thought. If you want to be green, go vintage. Re-use, reclaim, repurpose items. Give clothing, memorabilia and housewares a new life. That way you don't have to be wasteful and buy new stuff! Stay tuned for blogs on how to repurpose common items...

WWII Inspired Cake Topper

Love, Love, Love this V-Day inspired cake-topper! That's all I have to say.

http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/photogallery/casey-and-louis?&lpgStart=1&currentslide=8&currentChapter=1#ms-global-breadcrumbs

Sleep in Luxury

This is a beautiful, simple headboard with just enough glamour. It's a little bit Hollywood Regency...which I love! I would have different bedding, etc, but LOVE the headboard. Best of all, you can find it at any Pottery Barn!

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11365/index.cfm?pkey=cupholstered%2Dbeds%2Dheadboards

Chandeliers!!

If I could, I would have a chandelier in every room. I intend to one day. When hubby-to-be and I get our own place, watch out for chandeliers! 

Lollipop, Lollipop...

This is super cute. I am in the process of planning my own wedding and will post lots of cool retro/vintage wedding ideas. This is one of them! My fiancé and I are having a great 50's candy shop inspired candy bar at our wedding and I would love to display lollipops with this stand. You can find the DIY version at 

www.marthastewartweddings.com/article/lollipop-stand-how-to 

or buy one from  http://chereeberry.com/ if anyone has done the DIY version I would love to know how it turned out! 

For the stylish man in your life

I happen to be quite a sucker for a pair of black and white spectator wing-tips. I believe these are Allen Edmonds, although I was unable to find them again on the website. If you have a man in your life with a retro flair to his style, these are a must! My fiancé will certainly be wearing his to dance at our wedding! 

Mad about Mad Men

It is my personal goal to be a lady and make myself up a little everyday. You know, like women use to do? The beautiful women of Mad Men are a great inspiration. These days it is nice to know that "putting our face on" every day is our prerogative! We can choose to do ourselves up...or not. And that choice is a beautiful thing! 

Yes honey, I do need a pink typewriter...

If only I had $390 for this amazingly adorable 1950's pink typewriter! I feel, however, this may be a case of unrequited love. This beautiful retro machine would be the perfect start to that novel I have every intention of writing...one day.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29169929