12.31.2012

Handpicked | New Year's Eve Wedding Inspiration

Perfect ideas for any New Year's Eve Wedding!!

1) Clock Theme decorations from sweetiepiepumpkinnoodle.com - I never would have thought about using vintage clocks to decorate, but I love it!!
2) New Years Eve Hats from eccampbellphotography.blogspot.com - You just have to give guests hats, it's natural for New Year's Eve :) 
3) Disco Ball Flowers from eccampbellphotography.blogspot.com - Again, never would have thought of putting small disco balls into flower bouquets for centerpieces, but I like it!!
4) Sequin Tablecloth from stylemepretty.com - How gorgeous would this be for ANY wedding!
5) Vera Wang Bridesmaid Dress from davidsbridal.com - I love this dress!!
6) Vera Wang Bridal Gown from davidsbridal.com - Gorgeous for a winter wedding!!
7)  Mini Champagne Bottles from weddingallabout.com - Perfect, mini champagne bottles as favors so guests can ring in the New Year. 
8) Glitter Centerpieces from weddingbee.com - This is a do it yourself. Use old tin jars (such as beans, spaghetti sauce) and glitter them up!!!
9) Sparkling Desserts from everythingfab.com - You could do this on top of the wedding cake or the desserts.

12.29.2012

Baci Designs | Ilario's 30th Birthday {Akron, Ohio}


One year ago today we celebrated my amazing hubby's 30th birthday - wow, time sure flies and it's better late than never to share these with you all!!  We started off by designing graphic grey and white invitations printed in-house on white linen, completed with a dark grey envelope hand-addressed in white.

We held the party for family and close friends at The Tangier Wine Cellar - a gorgeous venue with an awesome staff - and decorated the king's table in black linens with clear and mercury glass candle accents.  My mom brought along the fun Transformers cake to surprise the birthday boy!!

Here's wishing a very happy 31 to my loving husband and soon-to-be Daddy, Ilario!!!  Cheers :o)

12.28.2012

Top Five Posts of 2012 | Caitlin's Picks

With much deliberation, I have finally settled on the following as my picks for the Top Five posts of 2012! They were all good, but I'm all about the posts with lots of pictures! Especially pictures of pretty things :)

{Image by Pea Pod Photography}
1}  Trash the Bridesmaid Dress Shoot - I absolutely love this post! Mainly because I totally wish I could have been there! It looks like they're having so much fun just being goofy and, on top of it, they got some amazing pictures in the end. I mean, what else are you gonna do with that old bridesmaid dress that's been sitting in your closet for years?

{Image by JaNicki Photography}
2}  Behind the Scenes of Our Chevron Inspired Shoot - This post is a lot of fun to read because it really gives you a behind the scenes look at how much work goes into the photo shoots. Plus, it's cool to see the whole thing come together from start to finish :)


3}  Caitlin's Current Wish List | Fall Fashions - This was my first wish list post! So many cute fall fashions!

{Image by JaNicki Phography}
4}  Baci Designs | Styled Tea Party Shoot with JaNicki Photography - This is one of my favorite styled shoots by Baci :) It combines a fabulous summer setting with the cutest little girls ever!

{Image by Arielle Doneson Photography}
5}  Wedding Wednesday | Bright Star Styled Shoot with Arielle Doneson Photography & Kirkbrides - Ok, so this styled shoot really shows off what Baci, Kirkbrides, and Arielle Doneson can do! Such a beautiful display of creativity and design.

12.27.2012

Top Five Posts of 2012 | Jami's Picks

Baci has had another incredible year and I feel blessed to be part of my sister's company. I couldn't be more proud of her for doing what she loves every day!! She has let me be a big part in helping with events and an even bigger part in blogging.

I have MANY favorite posts, but I will try my best to pick my TOP FIVE Posts from 2012!!
{Image by Montography}
1}  Baci Designs | Jami + Eric's Wedding {Defiance, Ohio} - A little biased on this post because I wrote it and I finally got to share my wedding pictures with all of Baci's followers!! It felt amazing getting to show all of you what I had been ranting and raving about when planning my wedding, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed showing you!!

2}  Handpicked | Caitlin's Dream Office - There are a few reasons for why I love this post!!! 1 - Because Baci had the opportunity to have an intern who could help us with blog posts (like this one)!! 2 - Because she has killer taste in items 3 - Who doesn't want a dream office AND 4 - I'm jealous that I didn't think of any of those ideas!! 

{Image by JaNicki Photography} 
3}  Handpicked | Photographers - I believe this was my most enjoyable yet challenging post I did!! I have a love for photography, so when Amanda gave me the go on doing this post, I needed to prepare myself to narrow it down to only NINE photographers who I admire!! It was very hard, but well worth it!!!

{Image by Arielle Doneson Photography}
4}  Amanda + Ilario | Photo Shoot by Arielle Doneson Photography {Wooster, Ohio} - Again, I might be a little biased because it's my sister and Ilario, however, I love getting to see them so happy together!! Whenever I get to see someone capture my brother-in-law with a true smile and my sister with her gorgeous looks, I LOVE it!!!

5}  Oh Lovely Day | Guest Wish List - I love reading posts from guest bloggers!!

12.26.2012

Baci Designs | Lexy's 30th Birthday Party Floral {Hudson, Ohio}


Working on floral projects for friends and family is always such a joy!  When our dear friend, Sam, came to me about floral and place cards for his wife Lexy's upcoming 30th Birthday Party I was thrilled.  I took the need for both and combined them creating these beautiful floral place cards.  I was in absolute love with the final result!


Images by Arielle Doneson Photography

12.23.2012

Sunday Funday, #52

Absolute gorgeous Christmas Wedding Inspiration!!  For the rest of this amazing shoot by Brittany Dow Photography and Stacey Bishop Photography check out the whole post on Green Wedding Shoes!

Handpicked | Dress, Drink, Dine + Decorate

A little Holiday Handpicked Special Edition for you today :)

Dress:
I am in love with this Lizabeth Dress from Windsor, it is nothing but absolutely gorgeous!! Then pair them with a cute Michael Antonio heel and you have a wonderful New Years Eve outfit. However, you still need a stunning piece of jewelry :) This simple, yet elegant bracelet from Michael Kors is the perfect piece!!
Drink:
Raspberry-Champagne Fizz, the name already has me interested :) I also have to pick a non-alcoholic drink for my sister and all her pregnant friends, so I chose a Non-alcoholic Cherry Bomb.
Image from The Daily Meal
Image from Martha Stewart
Dine:
Having Avocado Pesto-Stuffed Tomatoes on the menu is a tradition at the Cursaro New Year's Eve party. We make a lot of finger food, so these BLT bites would be perfect too. We might also like tomatoes a little too much :)
Image from BHG
Image from Lana's Cooking
Decorate: 
Very simple idea using a mason jar with gold garland at the bottom (or you could even use glitter paint to put on the outside of the mason jar) to put straws, silverware, or even wrapped candy in.  These New Year's Streamers are easy to make and would look amazing behind the food table, give it a little glimmer.
Image from The Sweetest Occasion
Image from Martha Stewart

12.18.2012

baci's baking | Shrimp with Garlic and Parsley

I have a little obsession with shrimp and I try to find different ways to make it and this sounds fabulous!!!


Shrimp with Garlic and Parsley

4 to 5 Tbs. olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. sweet paprika
1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 to 2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 to 2 Tbs. dry white wine
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley
lemon pepper pasta for serving, optional

1) In a sauté pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil.
2) Add the garlic, red pepper flakes and paprika and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
3) Increase the heat to high, add the shrimp, lemon juice and dry white wine, stir well, and sauté until the shrimp turn pink and are opaque throughout, about 3-5 minutes
4) Season with salt and black pepper, sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

12.17.2012

Handpicked | Holiday Wedding

Planning or dreaming of a Winter Wedding?  Here are nine amazing ideas to incorporate for the holiday season :)

1) Christmas Candy Vases - There are plenty of red and white candies you could put inside the vases!!
2) Pine Cone Place Cards - You could even spray paint the pine cones to match your wedding colors.
3) Winter Bouquet - I love this bouquet!!
4) Cranberry Decorations - You can do about anything with cranberries and it make it look classy, vintage, or modern.
5) Sparkling Diamond Themed Candle Centerpieces - The sparkle in this centerpiece looks like snow!!
6) Theia Strapless Lace and Tulle Ballgown - How gorgeous is this dress for a winter wedding!!!
7) Nina 'Maybell' Pump - I love the flower on the shoe!!!
8) Taylor Dresses Illusion Yoke Lace & Fit Flare Dress - I know short dresses aren't ideal for winter weddings, but the lace, color, keyhole in the back....GORGEOUS!!!
9) Hot Cocoa Buffet - Buffets are becoming more and more popular at weddings. A hot cocoa buffet would be perfect at a winter wedding!!

One Day in December {Beyond Blessed}

Design by Cris of Kiss My Tulle
It's that time of year again - when the lovely ladies of TWIPS look back at their year in review and relish in the joys, successes and maybe even some heartaches and make bigger and better plans for the upcoming year!!  I still feel just as lucky to be a part of this group as I did on day one - there are so many amazing women to look up to and go to for advice, it truly is wonderful!  A very big thank you to Layla for organizing this time around :o)

Since my post last year so many things have changed - like completely made a 180 changed :o)  Last year I talked mostly about my first miscarriage in February and this year I sit here with a belly full of baby!!  In October of this year, I wrote about our pregnancy journey - the trials we faced while trying to get (actually stay) pregnant and the road we took to this baby.  So I won't go into too much detail again, but all I can say is that we are beyond blessed to be in this position - less than 6 weeks away from meeting our little one.  We never gave up on our dreams of having a child and they are finally coming true!!  With each little kick or elbow jab I feel like the luckiest woman on earth :o)

We have been just as blessed with our "other baby" - Baci!  Here are some of the amazing things that have happened in 2012:

1}  We re-branded and are now officially simply Baci Designer!!  This is something we have wanted to do for a while and it is finally finished - our new brand truly showcases the work we do and the clients we want to attract.  I couldn't be more happy with the final look and I can't wait for all the other pieces to fall in line (new collateral, site, etc.) in 2013!

Image by Arielle Doneson Photography
Image by JaNicki Photography
Image by Arielle Doneson Photography
2}  We got to work with some amazing people!!  First we participated in our very first Styled Shoot with Arielle Doneson Photography and Kirkbrides.  Bonus for 2013 - some of the images from this shoot will be published in print!!  Already checking things off our "Goals List" before the year even begins!!  In the Spring we styled a family photo shoot with JaNicki Photography - something not wedding-related but seriously SO much fun!!  Already looking forward to doing more again next Spring!  We also coordinated our very first Styled Shoot (and did our first public floral work!) - a 1970's Chevron-inspired Bridal Shower - working again with Arielle Doneson Photography.  The images from these three shoots were published in Style Me Pretty, Baby Lifestyles Digital Magazine and 100 Layer Cake - truly a dream come true to be featured in some of my favorite blogs :o)

Just recently we completed yet another shoot with Arielle (our brains work so well together it's just common sense to keep collaborating with one another, lol!) with an Anna Karenina theme!  The results were insanely amazing and we can't wait to share them with the world :o)

Image by Caroline Hardoby
3}  Our shirley | edith line has officially gone wholesale!!!  Our couture kraft occasions cards are currently available locally in both NOTO locations and in Brooklyn at Norman & Jules.  Our goal for 2013 is to keep that going strong!

4}  We worked with so many amazing clients this year - including our very first international stationery jobs, both of which ended up on the other side of the world in Australia!!  We worked on several amazing weddings (designing custom stationery and coordinating) as we always do and took on some other fun projects like business cards, personal stationery, lots of showers (both baby and bridal!), birthday parties, charity events and even a housewarming party (that we planned in less than a week!).  The diversity of projects is so enjoyable and I feel like I've learned so much this year!!

5}  Like last year, we also continued to teach at The University of Akron for their Continuing Education and Workforce Development Program.  However, this year I authored and taught my own class not one set out for me.  While that was hands down the scariest thing I've taken on in business, it was an amazing success and I've met so many wonderful women while teaching.  The aspirations and goals of the ladies enrolled in my classes remind me of how we are always learning and that it's never too late to take on something new.  In 2013, I'll continue to teach, once again with a new class written by me - I am so looking forward to it!

Be sure to check out Lissahn's inspirational post from yesterday and Wendy's (another soon to be momma!!) post tomorrow!!

12.13.2012

Baci Designs | Lindsay's Personal Stationery {Gastonia, North Carolina}

Designing for people I know and love is always so satisfying!  This personal stationery set - a modern flat card and a more traditional folded card - was for a very special young lady who was heading off to college.  Lindsay was a former student of Ilario's from his time at Gaston Day and her family became like our own family while we were living in the South!

Each design was digitally printed on cream felt stock - one of my favorites to use because of its thick, warm texture.  I drew inspiration for the modern, flat card from Lindsay's Senior prom dress - the varied shades of purple in different lengths added a unique, youthful touch.  The more formal stationery simply included Lindsay's initials.  The finished set was the perfect stationery for a young lady to write her thank you notes on before heading off to school!
Lindsay with her parents before prom.

Baci Designs | Mandy + Nic's Photostrip Save the Date {Akron, Ohio}

One of my ultimate favorite designs ever was Mandy and Nic's Photostrip Save the Date - not only was it adorable, but it truly showcased Mandy and Nic's fun personalities and the fabulous wedding they were planning!!

Printed on photo paper to resemble a photo booth strip (with their amazing engagement photos by Carman & Pugh Photography), the save the date was finished off with twine holding a small circle printed with a heart design Nic has been drawing for (and all over, lol!) Mandy since day one.  The black linen envelope handwritten in white ink was the perfect touch!
Images by Caroline Hardoby