And the Winner Is. . .

Thank you all so much for entering our shirley | edith Launch Giveaway!! I love giving away wonderful things to wonderful people :o)

Since there were several entries via Facebook and Twitter, I put all of the comments, reposts and retweets in order of date/time posted for a total number of 14 entries. The winner (once again using Random.org) is #10 (strange that was the number that won during our last contest, but hey, it's random. . .), statekate (who also happens to be one of my most bestest friends - YAY!) with her comment on our giveaway extension post:

I love Etsy and I wish you all the best as you sell your masterpieces on the website! All the cards are great and they cover so many special events in one's life.

Congratulations, Kate and a very special thank you for your oh-so-kind words! I'll be sure to send along your new cards shortly :o)

If any other designers or companies would like to team up on a future giveaway, just contact me {amanda@bacidesigner.com} and we'll chat! Once again a huge thanks to all of you!!

Wedding Wednesday | Wedzu - indie & handmade weddings

I can not truly describe with words how excited I was when my brother-in-law sent me the link to the newly created Wedzu.

Wedzu, a newly launched marketplace for all things handmade - very similar to our love, Etsy, but Wedzu concentrates on the one thing all of us ladies are obsessed with: WEDDINGS! Wedzu has just made it so much easier to search for unique items for your big day by removing everything non-wedding - it's beautiful!! Wedzu Designers, like some of our Etsy favorites Paloma's Nest and Letterpress Light, offers products in the following categories: Accessories, Apparel, Bath + Beauty, Ceremony + Reception, Jewelry, Design + Calligraphy and Honeymoon.

Here are a few items that peaked my interest :o)

Custom Silhouette Cufflinks by Le Papier Studio - The perfect gift for your groom to wear on your big day!

Lilium Necktie by Ulterior Motive - A fun, colorful way to spice up your groom's attire.

Flourish Double Feather Flower, Style 014 by twigs & honey

Layer Cake Wedding Statement Necklace by Flora Bond - I just can't get enough of the beautiful materials in this necklace!

The Emma Custom Flower Girl Party Dress Set by PetalPetal

Garden Delight Set by Fritts Rosenow Bespoke Boutonnieres - I ADORE these!!! You must check out the rest of their amazing creations in their shop.

Bridesmaids' Clutches by CuteandUnique - These are gorgeous enough to send your ladies down the aisle with in place of bouquets -- bonus, they can be part of your bridal party gift to them!

Dirty Laundry Guest Book by Mélangerie Inc. - The kit even comes with a coordinating prompt label that encourages guests to write notes that is shaped to fit on a 50 fluid oz. Tide detergent bottle! Love it!!

State by Celebrity Tote Bag also by Mélangerie Inc. - I may have to order one of these for myself!

New York Pencil Set by Paper Pastries - These would perfect to stuff into the State by CelebrityTote Bag for a fun and unique Welcome Bag!

Bag Tote That No Newlywed Can Do Without by C'est Superbe!

Hopefully you'll soon see baci on Wedzu, too!!! Stay tuned :o)

I am "The Luckiest"

Today Ilario and I are celebrating our Three Year Wedding Anniversary - I am truly so blessed to call this wonderful man my husband!

Though it may not always be about fun (we are both working today and have classes this evening) or glamour (Morris woke us up this morning at 5:45 am to the sounds of him throwing up, oh the joys); it will always be about honesty, friendship and true, unremitting love. Like our wedding song said, I truly am "The Luckiest".

baci's baking - Ravioli with Tomato-Alfredo Sauce

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, baci's baking is featuring a recipe from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - each recipe helps rebuild cells and energy levels, which is especially beneficial for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

Ravioli with Tomato-Alfredo Sauce

2 packages (9 oz each) refrigerated cheese or vegetable filled ravioli
1 package (8 oz) sliced mushrooms
1 cup chopped onions
1 jar (24 to 28 oz) tomato pasta sauce
1/2 cup half-and-half or non-dairy creamer
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped parsley

1) Cook and drain ravioli as directed on package. Keep warm.
2) Spray saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat.
3) Cook mushrooms and onion in saucepan about 5 minutes stirring frequently, until onion in crisp-tender.
4) Stir in pasta sauce and half-and-half. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Stir in ravioli, cheese, and parsley. Yield - 6 servings

shirley | edith Giveaway Extended!!!

Haven't entered to win all six of the newly launched shirley | edith cards by baci? Well, you're in luck, we're extending the contest until next Wednesday, October 27th (which happens to be Ilario and I's three-year anniversary - Hooray!). We're also tweaking the rules a little, just to make it more simple and to be sure as many people as possible can have the chance to win. Before, to earn bonus entries you had to come back to here to let us know that you'd tweeted or wrote on baci's Facebook Wall, but I'd really like to have all those people count even if they forget to come back here. So, the rules are the same except for that little bit. Here's a little refresher:

1} Head on over to the bacidesigner Etsy Shop.
2} Choose your favorite shirley | edith design and post it here in the comments section of the original post (no anonymous posts will be accepted) - this will act as your entry.

* Earn Bonus Entries by Tweeting the following, "Win yourself a package of recycled brown bag shirley |edith cards from @bacidesigner here: www.bacidesigner.blogspot.com. #contest" or by writing on baci's Facebook Wall about which shirley |edith couture kraft occasions card is your favorite.

Remember, this contest will now end Wednesday, October 27th and the winner will be chosen at random and announced Thursday the 28th here on Designing Woman.

baci's baking - Salmon Spread

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, baci's baking is featuring a recipe from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - each recipe helps rebuild cells and energy levels, which is especially beneficial for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

Salmon Spread

1 package (8 oz) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1 can (14.75 oz) pink salmon with bones, drained and flaked
3 T. finely chopped red onions
2 T. chopped, fresh dill weed (or 1/4 tsp. dried dill weed)
1 T. Dijon mustard
2 T. Capers
Crisp crackers or bagel chips

1) Beat cream cheese in a medium bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Stir in salmon, 2 T. of the onion, 1 T. of the dill weed, and the mustard.
2) Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
3) Before serving, garnish spread with remaining 1 T. onion, 1 T. dill weed, and the capers.
4) Serve with crackers, bagels or bagel chips, or fresh vegetables.

Back to Your Regular Blogging Schedule!

Hello again - I know the blog had been incredibly sporadic this month, but things are settling down and we'll get back to the regular blogging schedule soon :o)

Here's a few things we've been doing this month:

1} We finalized some great stationery pieces for the David Bezbatchenko Memorial Golf Classic - our second year working with the wonderful organization!

2} Bridal & Beyond asked us to design some fun postcards for their most recent Bridal Fair - be sure to register for the Winter Fair!!

3} We've been putting planning details into place for the Ulrich/Johnson Wedding and the Grinnell/Dennis Wedding - both happening in 2011!!

4} The official launch of shirley | edith, baci's couture kraft occasions line, happened at the beginning of the month - be sure to check out the shirley | edith etsy shop and enter to win a package of all six cards (contest ends Wednesday, so hurry!).

5} Last, but certainly not least, this past weekend we put our first official wedding coordination job into completion with the Perkins/Moore Wedding in Detroit!! Ilario and I feel so blessed to call Jesse and Laurinda, and all the other fabulous folks we spent the weekend with, friends. A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the happy couple :o)

baci's baking - Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, baci's baking is featuring a recipe from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - each recipe helps rebuild cells and energy levels, which is especially beneficial for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

2 kiwis, peeled and diced
2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced
8 oz. raspberries
8 oz. strawberries
8 oz. blueberries
1 T. white sugar
1 T. brown sugar
2 T. strawberry preserves, or preserves of any flavor
10 (10-inch) flour tortillas
butter flavored cooking spray
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cinnamon

1) In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, white sugar, brown sugar and strawberry preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.
2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3) Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray.
4) Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges.

5) Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit salsa.

shirley | edith is here. . . and there's a Giveaway!!

shirley | edith, named after Amanda's grandmothers, is a couture line of occasions cards created by baci designer stationery + events. The couture kraft occasions line is finally here and available for purchase online at baci's new Etsy Shop!

All cards in the shirley | edith couture kraft occasions line are printed in-house by baci on 100% Recycled Brown Paper Bag Kraft (isn't it AWESOME?!?!) and come with matching envelopes. Each card can be ordered individually or as a group.

Below are some the amazing shots of the new line, taken by the rockin' Gino Locascio.

recycled brown bag you're welcome card

recycled brown bag thank you card

recycled brown bag embrace card

recycled brown bag happy birthday card

recycled brown bag baby bump card

recycled brown bag awesome card

Of course, we just have to give away a package of these puppies, so here's how to win these lovely cards!

1} Read this post. Check!
2} Head on over to the bacidesigner Etsy Shop.
3} Choose your favorite shirley | edith design and post it here in the comments section (no anonymous posts will be accepted) - this will act as your entry.

* Earn Bonus Entries by Tweeting the following, "Win yourself a package of recycled brown bag shirley |edith cards from @bacidesigner here: www.bacidesigner.blogspot.com. #contest" or by writing on baci's Facebook Wall about which shirley |edith couture kraft occasions card is your favorite. Be sure to come back to this post and let us know that you're spreading the word or else your entries won't count. . . and that would just be depressing!

This contest will end Wednesday, October 20th and the winner will be chosen at random and announced that Thursday here on Designing Woman.

More fun stuff you should know - a couture letterpress bridal line is also coming soon to shirley |edith!!

Wedding Wednesday | Wedding Day Emergency Kit

I recently started a Wedding and Event Planning Certification Course (YAY, right?!?!) and one of our first assignments was to put together a list of things that should be included in a Wedding Day Emergency Kit. So I thought I would share my list with you all! So if your big day is coming up or you're a member of a wedding you'll know exactly what you need to have to be prepared!

Wedding Day Emergency Kit

1 Antacid
2 Baby Powder
3 Back-up Garter
4 Back-up Pen for Guest Book
5 Bandages
6 Black Marker
7 Blister Protection
8 Blotting Papers
9 Bobby Pins
10 Body Spray/Perfume
11 Bottled Water
12 Breath Mints/Gum
13 Bug Spray
14 Cologne
15 Comb/Hair Brush
16 Corsage Pins
17 Cotton Swabs
18 Crazy Glue
19 Double Stick Tape
20 Face Powder
21 Feminine Products
22 Floral Wire and Floral Tape
23 Hand Towel
24 Heavy Duty Tape
25 Lighter/Matches
26 Lint Roller
27 Lip Balm/Lipstick
28 Lotion
29 Lozenges
30 Makeup Applicators
31 Makeup Remover
32 Men's Deodorant
33 Mirror
34 Mouth Wash
35 Nail File
36 Nail Polish in the Shade You're Wearing and Clear
37 Pain Reliever
38 Scissors
39 Sewing Kit with Needles, Thread Matching the Bridesmaid Dresses, Buttons and Safety Pins
40 Shout Wipes/Tide Pen
41 Small Snacks
42 Static Spray
43 Sugar Free Candy
44 Sunscreen
45 Tent Stakes (for Outdoor Weddings)
46 Tissues
47 Toothpaste
48 Trash Bag
49 Tweezers
50 White Out/White chalk (for masking stains)

baci's baking - Crunchy Fruit Snack Mix

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (which is celebrating 25 years by the way - how awesome is that!!), I thought I would do something special with baci's baking throughout October. Each Tuesday in October, baci's baking will feature a recipe from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - each recipe helps rebuild cells and energy levels, which is especially beneficial for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments. The first is a recipe we made for our dear friend, Janet McGovern, while she was undergoing cancer treatments. Sadly, Janet lost her battle in 2008 and she will always be dearly missed.

Crunchy Fruit Snack Mix

4 cups Total Raisin Bran
1/3 cup sliced almonds
1 1/2 cups mixed, dried fruit
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 T. butter or margarine
2 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground ginger

1) Heat oven to 300 degrees.
2) Place cereal, almonds and fruit in large bowl.
3) Heat brown sugar and butter in 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted. Stir in cinnamon and ginger.
4) Pour sugar mixture over cereal mixture; toss until evenly coated. Spread in ungreased jellyroll pan.
5) Bake 15 minutes, stirring twice.
6) Cool 30 minutes. Store in airtight container at room temperature.