One Day in December

{Design by Cris of Kiss My Tulle}

From Orly Lyndon:  We just can’t help ourselves, one good idea, 50 emails and plenty of thoughts later, we came up with our very own version of an advent calendar. Who is we? Well we are 23 Wedding Businesses from around the world who are run by inspirational people always willing to help, support and educate. We all met on the TWIPS site and it grew from there, regularly visiting each other's blogs to offer encouragement, support and friendship.


The best part about being part of something like this is that in a world thats full of doom and gloom and cynicism, where everyone is out for themselves (especially in the wedding business where competitiveness has over taken common decency and quality), its a refreshing change to find such a positive collective of people from all over the world looking to do their level best to create a supportive network of friendship and education. Starting from the 9th December you will be able to read a post from each of us right through to the 31st December, not in a wahoo look at us but in a if we can then you can too kind of way. If you visit one of the blogs and you are touched by what you have read, then please comment, tweet or share in any way that you can and if you’d like to be part of the TWIPS then just click here . Acquaintances come and go but a true friendship can last a lifetime.

 I feel so blessed to be a part of such a great group of women!  The incredible Shannon Kelley of Shannon Kelley Photography started us off with an amazing post full of love :o)  Be sure to follow along through the end of December and a big thank you to Orly for putting all of this together!

One Day In December Honor Roll

{12.09} Shannon of Shannon Kelley Photography

{12.10} Cris  of Kiss My Tulle

{12.11} Layla of Simply Savannah Events

{12.12} Amanda  of Baci Designer

{12.13} Allie of Honey Bee Invites

{12.14} Jen of Blush Printables

{12.15} Colleen  of Soundtrack to I Do

{12.16} Shaffone of Making your Event Special

{12.17} Wendy of Wendy Ramos Photography

{12.18} Louise of Bijoux Bride

{12.19} Chandra of Oh Lovely Day

{12.20} Emma of Aphrodite's Wedding

{12.21} Lisshan of Wrapper Couture

{12.22} Ilse of Secret Jewel

{12.23} Jessica of Two Wedding Belles

{12.24} Krissy of Make Believen

{12.25} Alicia of The Charity Wedding

{12.26} Orly of Intimate Wedding Photography

{12.27} Adrienne of Ruffles and Tweed

{12.28} Sandra of The White Library

{12.29} Tara of Cut the Cake Designs

{12.30} Laura of Laura Lavender

{12.31} Kewain of NolaBelles Soirees

Food for Fashion Event

Next weekend, baci will be participating in Food for Fashion - a Food Drive Fashion Show!!  To join in on the fun, bring at least three canned goods with you on Saturday starting at noon to Blessed Trinity Parish in Akron.  All proceeds will go directly to The Blessed Trinity Food Pantry.

We'll be displaying all of our shirley | edith cards, including our new holiday designs, as well as the Abbey Rose Gift Set!!  Please join us for a wonderful afternoon, we'd love to see you all there :o)  Swag Bags will be given to the First 100 guests through the door!

Details
What:  A fun-filled fashion show with beautiful products from Matilda Jane, Rubber City Clothing Company and NOTO; displays from great local vendors; Raffles and a visit from Santa Claus!!
When:  Saturday, December 3rd at 12:00 PM - Fashion Show begins at 12:30 PM
Where:  Blessed Trinity Parish - 300 East Tallmadge Avenue, Akron
Cost:  FREE - just bring along at least three canned goods!

Other great vendor displays from Scentsy, Premier Designs Jewelry, Tastefully Simple, Creative Memories, Mary Kay, Thirty-One Gifts, Miche Bags, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Dusk Till Dawn DJs, Usborne Books and more!!

Raffles with prizes from Scentsy, Premier Designs, Tastefully Simple, Creative Memories, Mary Kay, Thirty-One Gifts, Miche Bags, Dove Chocolate Discoveries, Dusk Till Dawn DJs, Usborne Books, Avon, Party Lite, Tupperware,  Studio Wish Salon, Salon de Pooch, Cindy's Tutus for Tots, ER Photography, Fiesta Pizza, Rocco's Pizza, Pandora's Cupcakes and Lil' Frog Fashions!

Tweet-à-Tête {Interview Featured on the TWIPS Blog}

I've been very blessed on so many levels this year and a reason behind a lot of those blessings started with being a part of TWIPS {Twitter Wedding Inspiration Pals} - an incredible group of women in the wedding blogging/vendor world.  It was through TWIPS that I "met" (we haven't actually been together in person, but I feel like I know her - lol!) Shannon Kelley - you've recently seen incredible photography featured on baci's blog.

Shannon and I initially worked on a styled shoot together (I can't wait to it - so many amazing details!!) which then turned into a decision to do a Tweet-à-Tête together - where two TWIPS members interview one another.  The post went live on Sunday - we put such a fun twist on the normal questions, you really must read it :o)  And if you haven't checked out the rest of the TWIPS Blog, it's a great source for inspiration!  It's been such an honor getting to know Shannon who right now is putting the pieces in place to move her family to Haiti to do mission work. . . follow her journey here on her blog.  So thank you for everything, Shannon, and best of luck!!  You have such an amazing journey ahead of you!!

Benefit for the Abbey Rose Fund

My cousin's dear friends, Sam and Suzi Kudrin of North Royalton, suddenly lost their four month old baby girl, Abbey Rose, earlier this year.  While the pain will not subside, Sam and Suzi have decided to start the Abbey Rose Fund to honor their beautiful baby girl with the hope of helping other families experiencing the same tragedy.  You can learn more about The Kudrins story here on the Abbey Rose Kudrin site.

On November 12th from 4:00 - 10:00 PM at Northeast Ohio College Preparatory Academy {2280 Professor Ave, Cleveland} in Tremont, the first Benefit for the Abbey Rose Fund will be held.  Money is being raised to help the Kudrin Family with their large medical expenses, as well as to help other families who are going through the same situation. Sam and Suzi were given a book to help them through this difficult time, and are returning the favor to anyone they hear about that has lost a young child. The Kudrins also plan to donate to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital, as well as SIDS awareness.  So mark your calendars and come support the Abbey Rose Fund - attendance is free!

Benefit activities include:
- Great prizes, like an IPAD 2, gift cards, Lake Erie Crushers tickets, jewelry, a flat screen TV and many many more!
- Come for dinner and enjoy the atmosphere of family and friends helping others!
- There will be games, raffles, auctions, music, food, baked goods and much more!

If you can’t make it to the event, here are other ways you help:
- Make donations for a bake sale
- Make a donation (baci will be donating a shirley|edith package!) to be auctioned off (there will be a silent auction and a Chinese raffle). The Kudrins have letters prepared to send to businesses, so contact them if you would like a copy or if you think they should send it to someone!
- Sell and/or Buy 50/50 tickets or IPAD 2 tickets
- Advertise the Benefit for the Abbey Rose Fund at your jobs, churches, etc. The Kudrins also have fliers prepared.

If you have any questions about the Abbey Rose Fund or have a donation item that you would like to have picked up, please contact Suzi Kudrin at 419-366-4208 or suzikudrin@gmail.com or Sam Kudrin at 419-366-4318.  Thank you in advance for your support of a wonderful cause!!

Susan G. Komen - My Current Wish List

In Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I picked out four things you can buy to help the fight against breast cancer!

Go to Susan G. Komen Website for more great products :)

1) Impact Make One Tee - $22

2) Full Zip Panda Fleece Jacket - $55

3) 24oz. Stealth Water Bottle - $12

4) Tote Bag - $16

Go to the webpage and make a difference!!

25% of your purchase price will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in the fight against breast cancer.

Help baci Support Wish Upon a Wedding

Bid Your Wish for Wedding Bliss, a charity auction to support Wish Upon a Wedding, a wish granting organization that provides wedding and vow renewal ceremonies for those with terminal illnesses regardless of sexual orientation, is live and ready for your bids!! This nationwide online charity auction offers hundreds of luxury products and services ranging from honeymoon travel to celebrity planning sessions. All proceeds from these items - including baci's donated Custom Designed Thermography Printed Invitation Suites - will help make wedding wishes come true throughout the United States.

Show your support and make your bid now - there's no better way to plan your wedding than doing it while helping out those couples who really need it!

Reminder :: baci's searching for an intern

I just wanted to take a minute this happy Friday to remind you all that baci is looking for an intern - yay!!  The deadline for application is Friday, September 16th.

Here's some basic information:
1} This is an unpaid internship.  However, any design work that is done for a paying client by the intern will be compensated.
2} This position will require presence in baci's studio (in Cuyahoga Falls, OH) 2 - 3 days a week.
3} We are interested in stationery design or event planning interns - someone interested and talented in both departments would be AWESOME!!
4} The position will begin in late September and run until mid December.
5} We are looking for someone who's fun and easy to work with who has the following traits:
* Organization Nerd
* Social Networking Guru -- Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Pinterest are just a few we use each day
* Blogger Experience
* Etsy/Wedzu Knowledge
* Must LOVE Weddings!!
* And don't forget you'll get to spend a lot of time with Morris

If you're interested in applying for baci's Fall 2011 Internship - please send your resume and cover letter to info@bacidesigner.com before Friday, September 16th.  We'll begin the interview process the week of September 19th.

And if you know someone who would be perfect for the job, please forward on the information to them - we'd love to have someone recommended by our friends, family or fans.

Thank you so much - have a fabulous weekend!!

weekend update AND baci's searching for an intern!

Happy Friday!!  I hope you all have fabulous plans for the long weekend - we are lucky enough to have a family wedding to attend tomorrow.  I can't wait to see all of the baci designed stationery put in place - yay!!!  Here's a little sneak peek of the invitation suite - those adorable polka dots and monogram are continued onto all of the day-of stationery.  You're going to love it!!

These past few months have been such a whirlwind of awesomeness that it has finally made us realize we could use some help around here :o)  Therefore, baci is officially putting out the word that we are looking for an intern!!!

Here are a few of the generalities:

1}  This is an unpaid internship.  Sorry ;o)

2}  This position will require presence in baci's studio (in Cuyahoga Falls, OH) 2 - 3 days a week.

3}  We are interested in stationery design or event planning interns - someone interested and talented in both departments will take the cake though!

4}  The position will begin in late September and run until mid December.  The deadline for application is Friday, September 16th.

5}  We are looking for someone who's fun and easy to work with who has the following traits:
* Organization Nerd
* Social Networking Guru -- Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, Pinterest - you name it, we use it ;o)
* Blogger Experience
* Etsy/Wedzu Knowledge
* Must LOVE Weddings!!
* Must love Morris, too -- how could you not with that face?!?!?

If you're interested in applying for baci's Fall 2011 Internship - please send your resume and cover letter to info@bacidesigner.com before Friday, September 16th.  In return, we'll send along a bit more detailed information on what you can expect from the internship.  We'll begin the interview process the week of September 19th.

Oh and please, for God's sake, spell stationery right, otherwise, it'll all go right in the trash - it's in our name!

If you know someone who would be perfect for the job, please forward on the information to them - post it to your FB wall, retweet it, email it - anything to help us get the word out so we can work with the best of the best is much appreciated!

This is such an exciting step for baci and we couldn't be more proud of how quickly baci has grown.  Thank you all so much for your love and support!

Now get out there and have a rockin' holiday weekend!!  Cheers!

Entered :: The Chronicle Books-Minted Design Challenge

We just entered a few new designs into The Chronicle Books-Minted Design Challenge - we'd love to hear what you think :o)

personal stationery - That'sa One Sketchy Cupcake

personal stationery - Tres Cupcakes

personal stationery - I Love Ruffles

personal stationery - Color Blocked Skyline

Do Your Part on NF Awareness Day!

Our lives were touched by David Bezbatchenko, our dear friend's brother who passed away on February 14, 2009 after a three and a half year battle with a brain tumor caused by Neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow along nerves anywhere in the body and can affect the development of bones and skin. Each year the Bezbatchenko Family holds the David Bezbatchenko Memorial Golf Classic in his honor and baci has not only donated to the cause, but designs most of the correspondence for the tournament. Proceeds from the tournament benefit The Children's Tumor Foundation, a non-profit medical foundation, dedicated to improving the health and well being of individuals and families affected by NF.

So you can imagine that next Tuesday, NF Awareness Day, is special to us. Well, it's also special to Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert - his 14-year-old son, Nick, was born with NF and has suffered the loss of vision in one eye, had brain surgery and endured four rounds of chemotherapy. Nick is the 2011 National Children's Tumor Foundation Ambassador and will represent the Cavs at the NBA Draft lottery.

Here's where you can help - supporters can donate $10 to help The Children's Tumor Foundation fight NF by texting CTF to 20222. The Cavs and Dan Gilbert will be matching each dollar donated to CTF through the lottery! Help support a wonderful cause that touches so many lives!!

(Source: Ohio.com)

Vote For Us!!

baci has been nominated AGAIN for BEST Invitations on Fox 8's Akron-Canton HOT LIST!!!

Help make us #1 by placing your vote now:

We feel incredibly blessed to have such great fans, friends and family that offer so much wonderful support - thank you all in advance!!

Introducing New Designing Woman Personalities

I am oh-so-happy to announce that two new authors will be contributing posts on Designing Woman - my husband, Ilario, will be taking on a few posts here and there concerning technology and my sister, Jami Lee, will be posting on a regular basis about her journey through "engagement-hood"!

Ilario is always an immense help to have around when technology issues or questions arise at baci so we'll be putting his expertise to work to explain the different technology options baci has to offer and maybe we'll even convince him to test something out every so often. If you have any baci-specific technology questions, feel free to contact him: ilario {at} bacidesigner {dot} com.

As you know, Jami got engaged a few weeks ago, so I asked her if she'd like to start blogging as a voice of the bride-to-be and she quickly said yes. . . she's getting good at that - lol! I have always dreamed of having my sister work with me and blogging for Designing Woman is the perfect first step! You've seen her mentioned here, over and over again, whether it be about something I'm designing for her or gorgeous photographs she's taken. Now you can hear directly from her about the trials and tribulations (and the super fun stuff, too) she's experiencing as an engaged woman. If you have any bride-to-be specific questions, feel free to contact her: jami {at} bacidesigner {dot} com.

I am thrilled to welcome both Ilario and Jami to Designing Woman and I can't wait to hear what they have to say!

shirley | edith holiday cards - available now!

Yet another weekend post from me. . . you can tell things have been busy here at baci :o)

I just wanted to announce that baci's shirley | edith 2010 holiday cards are available now in the Etsy Shop! Sold in packages of 10, the new holiday card reads "happy holly days" with a simple message of ". . . to you and yours" inside.

So hurry and order yours so you'll have plenty of time to mail them out for the holidays!!

Small Business Saturday - shirley | edith SPECIAL

I don't generally post on the weekends, but today is a very special day - the first ever Small Business Saturday! Small Business Saturday is "a day to support the local businesses that create jobs, boost the economy and preserve neighborhoods around the country. Small Business Saturday is a national movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S." (quote taken from the Small Business Saturday Facebook Page - while you're clicking the link, why not "Like" it!) Not only are you rewarding your community by shopping local, American Express has teamed up with several small businesses to literally pay you back - simply register your American Express Card, shop at the participating small businesses and you'll receive a $25 statement credit when you spend $25 or more. Hurry because enrollment is limited!

Still not quite sure what all the hype is, go here for four great reasons to support small businesses.

Sooo. . . there is one more little bonus for you all from baci - today only you can buy a package of six recycled brown bag cards from baci's shirley | edith couture kraft occasions line, regularly $20, at the whole sale price of only $12!!! That's a 40% savings on what could be a wonderful Christmas gift. So, run, don't walk, to baci's Etsy shop because the offer ends tonight at midnight. What are you still reading this for, go, go, go!!

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.

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!!

Wish Upon a Wedding - My Current Wish List

This special Saturday post comes to you because yesterday got away from me :o) I had this whole fabulous plan to write about Wish Upon a Wedding - an INCREDIBLE charity that I'll tell you about in just a minute - on Friday since that is the "Wish List" Post day. Sadly, the day flew by while I was 1) going on a run (weird, I know!) 2) finalizing an order with a client 3) meeting with a soon-to-be baci bride (Yay, Natalie!!!) and 4) packing for a wedding this weekend. So. . . let's just pretend it's Friday and my wish mentions coincide :o) Thanks!

Happy Friday everyone (because it's Friday, remember)!

I wanted to do something special with "My Current Wish List" today because on Wednesday I headed to Columbus for Wish Upon a Wedding's Ohio Launch Party. To quote the charity's site, "Wish Upon a Wedding is the world’s first nonprofit wish granting organization providing weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness and serious life-altering circumstances regardless of sexual orientation. Our organization offers couples a chance to enjoy a very special day, without any thoughts of existing health or other serious issues, while surrounded by their closest family and friends." (I couldn't have said it better, so why try - lol!) Wish Upon a Wedding was recently founded in January of this year, but they've already helped several couples, like their first completed Wish for Florence and Michael, create lasting memories with wonderful weddings and are in the process of helping so many more!!

I chose to become involved with the organization because it truly is wonderful - everyone deserves to have their wedding dreams come true and Wish Upon a Wedding makes those dreams a reality. So my wish for today is this: make Wish Upon a Wedding even more successful by helping out! As a vendor, you can become a Wish Granter yourself or donate new products. As a community member, you can purchase and wear the gorgeous Wishing Star to show your support or simply make a contribution. There are also several other ways to help listed here. I, along with Wish Upon a Wedding, thank you in advance!!

For a little bit of fun, check out the fabulous photos by Sarah Gaylor Photography from Wednesday's Event here! And be sure to "Like" Wish Upon a Wedding on Facebook, too!

Wedding Wednesday | Bridal & Beyond Summer Bridal Bash

Baci is excited to announce that we will be participating in Bridal & Beyond's Summer Bridal Bash at Anatomy Nightclub + Ultralounge on Thursday, July 15th!! It's a new kind of Bridal Fair and we can't wait to be a part of it. . . click on the poster (designed by baci!) to view all the details of the evening.

Stop by our table for some of the infamous baci's baking sweets and Perugina Baci Chocolates! We hope to see you there :)

VOTE BACI!!

Don't forget that voting ends tonight at midnight for the Fox 8 Akron-Canton HOT LIST - vote for baci - designer stationery & events here!

Thank you all for your help!!

It's Voting Season!

I know, it's not November, but it's Wedding Voting Season for baci! We've been nominated for BEST Invitations on the 2010 Akron-Canton HOT List and we're SO excited! Please help us reach the top by casting your vote here. Voting continues until May 7th.

baci is also competing in Minted's Breakout Wedding Challenge - please take a minute to rate our designs:

Bridal Dots

Concentric Bride

Bridal Poppies

Thank you all so much for your votes - they're greatly appreciated!!