The Final Touch

Tea Cups

When my parents renovated their kitchen a year ago, they got rid of their large cabinet which housed all their glassware and china.  With nowhere to put everything they had gathered over the years, I volunteered to store ( keep?! ) some things at my house.  I quickly grabbed my favorites: the tea cups.

I remember being a little girl, staring at these beautiful objects and fanstasizing about the day when I will throw fancy tea parties.  I had my favorites of course, but there was something so unique about each and everyone of them.  Each tea cup told a story and inspired me in a different way.  

A quarter century later ( or maybe a little bit more :P ) , my dream came true, and I have them at my house. I still haven't used them.  I have kept them in a box wrapped in newspaper and I'm not quite sure why.  So today I decided to take them out, and display them, suddenly all those beautiful memories came back to me. I looked at my daughter, and she was staring at them with her big eyes open, and I smiled. I just knew what she was thinking.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, first to show you those beautiful tea cups that made me realise who I was, and what I wanted to do in life. And secondly, to incite you to pay a visit to your family, open their drawers and cabinets, take out all their beautiful objects, borrow them ( or simply take them ! ), and throw a "vintage tea party". You can also take a walk down the antique shop streets, and look for beautiful cups. If they are not in a set, they are usually very cheap. They don't have to be similar, and they don't have to match! The beauty of it is that each one of them tells its owns story. 

Have a nice tea party :)

"Zina is Getting Married" - The Humour in Getting Married.

I am so excited about this little project. After having seen Zina's work here and there, I fell in love with it. It seems that destiny brought us together, and we became friends.

Zina is single. But she told me : " It would be fun to become a bride, in my own fantasy world, creating the husband of my dreams, just like I imagined him" .  This is how this whole project started.

Zina's amazing talent in drawing and her sensibility to human's nature and psychology along with her fine and witty humour makes her the number one choice to portray in drawing "The bride to be".

The comic strip series that she will be creating for Lorena Rossi, will feature Zina herself, getting married :)

Every Tuesday, Zina will be facing different wedding related situations, and I am sure many brides to be or former brides will relate to them. Of course suggestions are more than welcome. If you've been through a moment while preparing your wedding that you think is worth beeing featured, then please contact me, or post a comment.

Here is a quick word about Zina:

She is adorable :-)

She is born in 1981. She couldn't stop drawing, in her school books, on the shower walls with the vapor as canvas, while sleeping?!?! She grew up reading comic books. Her favorites: Hergé, Akira Toriyama, Sempé, Roahl Dahl, and Joann Sfarr. She still reads comic books. She has a BA in graphic design, worked in lollipops design ( I told you she's fun ) and in advertising at Leo Burnett.

She is now in Montreal, after having worked for Aldo Group as an art director, she decides to befriend her pencil again, and draws day and night that little lovable character " Zina" that has to face life's little problems like each and everyone of us. It is all simple, it is all beautiful, and it is all true.

Zina is planning on publishing her first comic book very soon. But for Lorena Rossi's blog readers you're getting a sneak preview!

I hope you will enjoy the ride.

Wedding Colour Palettes

Basing myself on the 2009 Spring Pantone Colour Report, and just by walking down Montreal's streets, looking at my favorite boutique's windows, trendy people, and gourmet stores I've put together this colour palette that I think will be hot for 2009.

I will try to get you amazing finds to fit within these palette. Keep tuned :)

If you are a bride, and came up with an original colour scheme, please don't hesitate to email me. I will blog about it.

Cookie Bouquet - Delicious!

  

Over the holidays I met Marlyn. Marlyn is a cookie designer, that's how I like to call her. She creates those little pieces of art, which are a pleasure to the eyes and palate.  I have seen and tasted lots of cookies in my life ( oh yes I did! ), but none as perfect. 

My favorite are these daisy cookies on a stick.  

These can create original centerpieces, which can double as favors instead of having the usual flower centerpiece. They are perfect for a baby shower, a bridal shower, or a birthday party.  I also think they would look stunning at a wedding's sweet table.

Marlyn Birmingham, you're great!  

If you're interested in getting those cookies for a special event, just email me

They can be personalized with ribbons, tags and embellishments to match your event's theme and colours.

Check out more of Marlyn's cookies here or here.

Portable Wine

How many times did you want to pour yourself a bottle of wine, but didn't want to open a bottle, so you just forget about it?

It happens to me all the time, and I was excited when I found out about Volute.

Top experts in wine, marketing, and graphic design launched this amazing 21st century wine brand. It comes in three varieties, red, white and rosé. Only the finest grapes are used, and it is hand harvested.

The aluminum bottle is eco-friendly, since aluminum is infinitely recyclable, and protects the wine from the light. The bottle is sturdy, Every bottle is an individual serving ( one glass ) So, in three words: single serving, shatterproof, and eco-friendly. It is worth giving it a try, especially that the makers pretend their wine to be competitive in taste to top wines.

I love the shape of the bottle, and the concept. I think it is courageous and I am buying myself a case soon.

I can see these bottle all lined up in a casual outdoor party. It will make a statement, and for sure will make your guests talk.

Lollipops Favors. For the Kids at Heart.

     

While browsing the web for some inspiration, I stumbled upon the cutest little favor idea.

Why not Lollipops? Unexpensive, Sweet, and when so beautifully wrapped, they become a talking piece. 

The stickers can be customised with a monogram, date, logo, or a simple message.

I love them.

These genious Lollipop wrappers are created by Meg from Olio Designs. She does not have a website yet but if you are ever interested in getting some for your bridal or baby showers or any other event, send me a message and I will put you in touch with her.

Personalized Wedding Gift

I think every newlywed couple should have a set of quality Egyptian cotton sheets. Don't you think?

When close friends of mine got married, I just knew that's what I wanted to give them.  Even though the sheets were beautiful, I wanted the gift to be even more special.  I decided to embroider their initials on the pillow cases. They just loved it!

I sort of got jealous, and loved the idea so much, that I had my own linens embroidered. 

Finding someone to do a good job with the embroidery was not an easy task, after lots of shopping I discovered  a great place called Embroid Me right here in Montreal.  They embroider almost anything! Jackets, t-shirts, tote bags, and lots of other stuff for personal or corporate occasions.  

You can choose from a variety of fonts and they have tons of different color threads.                                                     

How To Choose The Right Wedding Invitation

The time has come and you are now looking for your wedding invitations.  It's important to be well informed because it can be quite overwhelming.

Here are some decisions you'll need to make when choosing your wedding invitations:

1. The Price: I suggest to have a price range in mind and not a fixed price.  This allows for some flexibility. Do some research online and compare.  If you chose to buy online, keep in mind that you cannot feel the quality of the cardstock or see the exact color.  Also look for what the price includes.  Some will price the invitation only and the response card and envelopes are sold separately.  Whenever possible, find a local invitation designer where you can see and feel the products.
2. The Style: A flat card, a folded card, or a pocket.  A flat card is usually the least expensive, but not necessarily the least interesting.  It can be elaborate or simple depending on the graphics or fonts you choose.  A folded card allows you to place a seal or print a monogram on the cover.  A pocket is wonderful if you want to insert the response card and if you have extra cards you need to include. 
3. The Size: A traditional size (5X7), a square, or a long and narrow (4X9).  The 5X7 is traditional and it can be printed on the vertical or on the horizontal.  The square is modern and unexpected.  The 4X9 is sleek and trendy.  It can also be used on the vertical or on the horizontal.  It is important when choosing the size to consider postage.  The square invitations are more expensive to mail than a standard 5X7.  Bring the invitation to the post office and have it measured and weighed.  You don't want your invitations to return because of insufficient postage.
4. The Cardstock: Once you have determined the style and size you like, it's time to choose the texture and finish.  Choose between metallic or matte and between textured or flat.  Metallic papers are more expensive than matte and the thicker the cardstock the heavier they will be.  Consider mixing textures and finishes, it gives it interest and contrast. 
5. The Color: If I were to advise you on your wedding dress or your hairdo, I would not tell you to take a risk and to go bold, but I am telling to take a risk and go bold when choosing your invitations.  Your stationery is a great place to inject color and personality.  Choose a color that you have always loved or a color that reflects both of you.  Don't overlook the envelopes.  Instead of white or ivory, go with colored envelopes.  The colored envelopes can be your accent color.  When making decisions on color, be creative and be yourself.  
6. The Embellishments:  Ribbons or crystals.  Consider adding a simple crystal or a colored ribbon.  Adding a crystal in the right place can really make an ordinary invitation quite elegant or a ribbon wrapped around can feel and look wonderful.
   
7. The Text: How to address the guests.  The bride and groom are inviting, the parents are inviting or both.  Normally the individuals who are paying for the wedding will address their guests.  However, speak to the parents involved and discuss weather or not they expect their names to be on the invitation.  It is better to have the conversation before the invitations are printed.

It is important to have a sample made even if you need to pay a small fee.  You want to be certain before they are printed.  Start looking for your invitations six months before your wedding date.  You need to mail them two months before to allow your guests one month to respond and to allow yourself one month to finalize the details. 

Good luck!

Lasagna for 2

Out of ideas for a Valentine's dinner? No need to break your head. Make your favorite lasagna recipe in individual sizes.  Look for beautiful cookware which you can cook and serve in. 

A romantic, cozy dinner for two.

Buon Appetito!

  

Fun Handmade Invitations

You made them in school when you were a kid so have fun again creating them as unique invitations.  They are adorable for birthday parties and not to mention affordable.  Use a full size standard scrapbooking sheet measuring 12" X 12".  Look for sheets that have an interesting pattern on one side and a solid color on the other.  Mail them in a 6" square envelope and your guests are going to have fun reading and playing with the invitation.