Love Is Sweet.. A Toast to Ten Years of Marriage!

The appropriate gift on your tenth wedding anniversary is supposed to be tin. At least, that's what they say. Before my husband and I became parents, we had all kinds of different ideas for our first big milestone anniversary. In the old days (pre-kids) we would make a habit of going away to celebrate. We purposefully got married in April not only for the incredible weather pretty much everywhere, it's a great time of the year for travel (I also saved on flowers for the wedding, everything was in bloom!) Since the kids are so young, and we're not ready to be away from them for an extended period of time, we decided on an anniversary gathering.  "Shabby Chic" was the theme, it's all about the burlap and lace! We decided to keep it really small and simple, mostly bridal party and family were invited.

I've always loved crafting, I can't help but throw myself into whatever event I land upon, the devil is in the details people! When I started gearing up for my wedding ten years ago a planner was born! I literally bought a book titled, "Fire Your Wedding Planner." I dove head first and didn't come up for air until the day of the wedding (barely). The fun part for me is creating all the tiny details.  For my our wedding I just about made everything from scratch, I've spent many a night hot gluing myself to stuff, all in the name of love of course!

Centerpieces

Who doesn't love a take-out box favor?

Customized Programs

Place Card Table

Customized Place Cards & Holders

Bridal Bouquet of Roses and Stefanotis

Ceremony

Cake Table

Ten years ago you had to work with your florist to create bouquets from scratch as well as discuss cake designs and concepts with your baker. Before Pinterest started improving parties across the world, crafty folks were forced to get uber creative and use their imagination. It was all about web surfing, magazine clippings and inspiration boards. On any given day I could be found hoarding swatches of fabric, hot glue and perhaps some bows here and there. I loved every minute of it and it was all worthwhile, our wedding was fantastic and there wasn't a cloud in the sky! And yes, I did consult the Farmer's Almanac to check and see what time the sun would be setting on my wedding day so that I could be sure and get the sunset in all of our wedding photos (quit judging me).

Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for Pinterest and pulling ideas from where I can. There's just a rush I get when I've created something I've never seen anywhere before. That's one of the reasons I love Crafster, an awesome crafters site with plenty of incredibly original ideas from some insanely talented people.

For the tenth anniversary party I decided to take a back seat and get some decorations from some of my favorite Etsy shops and share them all with you! Etsy is a wonderful site where you can support local shops with local goods for sale (a great tool for all you budding party planners trying to step up your game!)

Let's talk invitations.. We had scheduling issues so the invitations were actually sent very late but nevertheless they were adorable! Proteus Marketing & Design provided these mason jar invitations that were too cute to pass up! They were double sided with a really cool linen effect that blended perfectly with the party decor.

Speaking of decor...

The awesome Amanda of Chalkity Chalk made us this lovely chalk sign we kept on display. I love how it ties into the invitations! We decided to go with lots of candlelight to keep the mood intimate and romantic. The rustic appearance of the candle holders from The Birch House Market went perfectly with our "Shabby Chic" vibe. I purchased garden stakes from the Dollar Store (score!) to hang mason jars and candles along the walkway with the gorgeous lace rosettes hand crafted by the talented Sunshower Flowers. The picture unfortunately does not do these justice, they are so delicate and ornate, perfect for any occasion!

Guests were encouraged to sign our "Guestbook," our vintage type writer picked up at a thrift shop last year. We chose organic popcorn as favors and thanked everyone for "popping by."
This beautiful vintage burlap/lace garland from The Pickled Peanut was just right to help decorate our vintage Baldwin piano. I'm thinking we should have called this the "Vintage Shabby Chic" theme (there seems to be a pattern here).

Just next to the favor display was the bar. In keeping with the flow, we offered our guests their pick of a mason jar with tags to fill out so they could keep their glass. We served the red wine in moonshine jugs and the hard liquor in these awesome vintage (there it is again) "genie in a bottle" type colored decanters. The adorable 'DRINKS' sign with jute was provided by the Lace, Twine & Burlap shop and the cool straws were from Party Paper Straws. It's always fun to serve a signature cocktail for your party, this time around we went with a Raspberry Moscato Sangria, it was dee-lish! 

Whenever I am entertaining, I call on my good pals over at Naked Wines for a case of the good stuff. They have an awesome program and you get $100 off of your first case! #MBMWineClub

Now that we've got the drinks covered, let's move on over to the sweets!

 The incredibly talented Brandy's Bites provided the delicious red velvet cake and the insanely moist carrot cupcakes! How cute is that mason jar design???

The "Sweets" table was adorned with tiny wooden cylinders in keeping with the rustic theme. We kept our thermal signature plate from our wedding all these years and our guests had fun finding their personal messages from ten years ago. The burlap cake banner came from Rustic Daisy Designs and the burlap "Love is Sweet" banner was provided by Bridget from At Company B. This particular fabric garland from Liquid Stars Fabric Creations & More was perfect for the dessert table, it was just long enough and the beautiful color and patterns don't photograph nearly as good as it looked in person.

Who can resist balloons wrapped in tulle?

The key to any party is knowing who to invite. Keeping it close and personal for this occasion was just the right move. We wanted to relive some memories with close friends and family that have watched us grow as a family over the years. This way we could spend more one on one time with everyone and perhaps even enjoy a little jam sesh at the end of the night!

This cool sign was provided by SoCal Wedding Gal.

The gorgeous pink and mint colored backdrop was created last minute by the lovely Chrissie at Party Paper Scissors, she is a busy mom and she still found the time to create this custom banner for our party! The lovely "10" banner from Raw Edge Sewing Co. on the right was filled with such detail and we loved having this over our food table. We kept the food light, just appetizers and desserts is all you need! Mmmmm...

Adorable Heart Garland by 10 Paper Lane.

It doesn't matter which way you go when celebrating your special anniversary. Whether it be a lavish two-week trip to Hawaii (how I miss you Maui), or a small gathering of friends and loved ones that may or may not end in spontaneous performances and lighting heart lanterns on fire at 3am  outside your house desperately trying to catch the wind (don't ask). All that matters is what brought it all together in the first place, love... And love should always be celebrated!

Essentially yours,

Erika

Spotlight On: Aura Strands Aromatherapy Jewelry

I've just about seen all there is to see when it comes to Aromatherapy jewelry, but when I came across the Love Note Locket from Aura Strands I absolutely had to try it! Lockets bring aromatherapy jewelry to a whole new level!

Gold & Garnet
 Dreamcatcher

This unique Etsy shop is filled with beautifully hand crafted aromatherapy lockets that provide you with soothing aromas throughout your busy day. They even have men's cuffs! I haven't seen that before!

The locket feature allows for the tiniest piece of leather to sit inside with whichever essential oil blend you choose. My favorite calming blend is Balance with Wild Orange. It really helps take the edge off the tough days and provides me with the clarity I need.

You can keep up with Aura Strands on Facebook and Instagram to see any new items and sales.
Here's what sets Aura Strands apart from the rest, they do custom orders! You heard me, not only do they do them, but they LOVE making custom orders. Any pieces you see in the shop can be tailored to fit your needs.

Bethany, the creative genius behind this adorable shop has been kind enough to offer a coupon code for $5 off of any $25 purchase until March 14th. Just enter the code ESSENTIAL5 at checkout (custom orders excluded) to redeem. In the meantime check out her awesome shop and get started on your custom order!


Essentially Yours,

Erika


Disclosure: Essentially Erika was provided with a complimentary necklace featured in this article in exchange for a product review. All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own and not influenced in any way by the sponsor.

Spotlight on Malu Organic

This week's spotlight  is on a new favorite Etsy shop, MALU ORGANIC. I've long been obsessed with sustainable clothing and I've finally found my go-to for stylish toddler duds that I'm in love with!

A friend of mine recently brought back some awesome patchwork harem pants straight from Bali (yes, she met Ketut!), and I absolutely adore them. I wear them EVERY chance I get. When I found these adorable toddler harem pants, I just about died!

Mali & Kalen Allmandinger, stole my heart as  former NYC residents turned California transplants. MALU Organic was born shortly after the birth of their daughter Marnie.
She wanted to create baby/toddler apparel that would convey their laid back Malibu beach lifestyle with a free-spirit undertone. They hit it right on the money, my son not only felt incredibly comfortable (I've seriously never felt a softer, more breathable fabric), but it had plenty of give allowing him to "fly free."

If you follow my blog you know that I try my best to be a conscious buyer and sustainable wear has long been on my radar for my boys. It can be tough with how much wear and tear they put on clothes and how active they are.  Malu Organic's 100% organic fair trade cotton isn't only the softest cotton I've ever felt but it will surely stand the test of time. It's #ToddlerApproved! I couldn't feel better knowing that this sustainable wear isn't wreaking havoc on our planet and it was made by workers who are treated well and paid fair wages. #IntentionIsEverything

In their own words:

We’ve created an ethical brand that is fully eco-friendly, using the softest, most comfortable fair-trade organic cotton and hemp fabrics, and environmentally friendly, solvent-free inks and natural dyes. We strive to be sustainable and to have a small footprint, sourcing our materials from as close to home as possible. The creative part is done in Malibu. We design and print everything in our home and then we manufacture in downtown LA, using fabrics made in the USA.

As if it couldn't get any better,  5% of every purchase is donated to the "Every Mother Counts" organization. An incredible program providing transportation, education and supplies to pregnant mothers in need all over the world.

You can follow MALU Organic on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. When ordering don't forget to use coupon code ESSENTIALLYORGANIC for 10% off!

Be Well, Be Green, Be Malu!


Essentially Yours,

Erika



Disclosure: Essentially Erika was provided with complimentary apparel featured in this article in exchange for a product review. All opinions expressed in this blog post are my own and not influenced in any way by the sponsor.

Spotlight On: Stumpy Brothers

This week's spotlight is on Stumpy Brothers! An Etsy shop I stumbled upon recently and fell in love. Stumpy Brothers offers fine hand crafted wood products perfect as corporate or personalized gifts.

So Cute!

Of course you know I was was interested in their wooden essential oil key chain diffuser! This is perfect on-the-go Aromatherapy for you avid oil users like myself.

It provides just the right amount of Aromatherapy to get me through the day. I especially enjoy diffusing in the car while driving. I use a mixture of Balance and Bergamot oil (both grounding oils) to help me work through whatever road rage I may be experiencing. It's easy to use and effective!

So Easy!

It's simple yet classic look is timeless and it fits easily on my key chain. They offer a wide range of premium quality gifts that can suit all your needs. You can check out their Etsy shop here.

Guess what?

Stumpy Brothers was kind enough to offer a FREE key chain diffuser to one of my oil junkies! If you aren't an oil addict (like myself), then you will be with this awesome diffuser! I will personally include a free bottle of essential oil in case the winner doesn't have one to start with.

All you have to do is enter the raffle below, a winner will be announced Thursday, February 19th. Enter Now!

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Essentially Yours,

Erika

Spotlight On Noni's Eclectic Shop

Today's Etsy small business spotlight is on Noni's Eclectic Shop. I first fell in love with this shop for their beautiful aromatherapy diffuser earrings. These beautiful handmade coppertone bead and clay earrings are great at carrying just enough of my favorite scent on the go all day long while staying fashionable.

I loved them so much I wore them in my family photo shoot!

There is so much more to this shop though, it is truly an artist's dream! No shortage of creativity here, there is plenty to keep my hippie soul mesmerized, from paintings to jewelry. She has an awesome collection of aromatherapy diffuser necklaces and bracelets for children as well! This is perfect for the cold / flu season, I plan on adding OnGuard for my little guys to help keep their immune system nice and strong this year.

How cute are these??

Cheryl Ward, the Visual Artist behind this creative space has been gracious enough to extend a coupon to all of my readers. Enter code ERIKA10 at checkout for 10% off any order. That's not all! Cheryl has also provided a beautiful pair of purple HEARTS & ANGEL Aromatherapy diffuser earrings as a giveaway to one lucky winner. The raffle will begin today and end on Friday, December 19th. This makes a wonderful Christmas gift for the aromatherapy lover in your life!

Good Luck!

You can also find Noni's Eclectic Shop on Facebook  and on Pinterest, you should definitely go check it out!

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Essentially Yours,

Erika

Spotlight On Lebanon Woodworking

With my essential oil obsession at an all time high, I'm starting to venture deeper into the "oil community" and learn more about this lifestyle. I came across this great woodworking shop by the name of Lebanon Woodworking on Etsy recently and fell in love the essential oil display shelves.

I love my oils and all that they add to the quality of our family life, I've felt for some time now that I would like to display them differently at home and during essential oil classes and booths. I teach a monthly Essential Oils Education 101 class at The Salt Suite Delray, and it can get a little "busy" with oils spread across the product table. Our next class is January 29th and I can't wait to show off this quality display case!

I'm absolutely in love with the workmanship! It's incredibly sturdy, there are no rough edges and its so lightweight and easy to manage. Gong vertical on my product table allows for more space and less clutter. Daniel Pawlak, the talent behind this premium woodwork is a formally trained architect and in his own words: "Enjoys translating ideas into constructed objects." Daniel, a family man who first made each product offered in his shop for his family first, is no stranger to custom fitting a shelf to suit your personal needs. His shop is unique, he offers products that "grow with his family."

Rumor has it, he's begun offering some Waldorf inspired wooden toys in his shop, I can't wait to check them out! Daniel's experience is extensive and has created beds, tables, baby toys and much more. Daniel has been kind enough to offer all of my readers a $5 off code for any $40 purchase in his Etsy shop with coupon code OILSHELF5.

I am definitely a fan! I look forward to following his shop and watching it evolve!

Essentially Yours,

Erika

Spotlight on Seed Essentials!

Photo credit: Seed Essentials

With my busy schedule I need all the calming and soothing effects that come with essential oils this season. I carry my oils with me in custom oil carriers, but I've recently discovered essential oil infused jewelry. The clouds parted and the Aromatherapy Gods gifted us with this lovely invention!

Enter Seed Essentials! 

This online Etsy shop has an array of beautifully crafted bracelets that include a personal "on the go" handmade white porcelain bead diffuser. She had me at hello.

These handmade bracelets are created with the finest crystals and made to order. They even come with a complimentary sample of essential oil. Rebeccah, a stay at home mom and the creative wonder behind these beauties has been gracious enough to offer a discount code to all of my readers! Enter coupon code ESSENTIALLY15 for 15% off any item in her shop through December 15th. She is seriously talented, there are some beautiful pieces on there. I plan on ordering a few for some of the oil lovers in my life this holiday season.

If you'd like to learn more about Seed Essentials you can visit their Facebook Page or check them out on Instagram to follow all of their awesome deals!

I am loving their "Color Outside the Lines" bracelet, it goes with everything! It also just happens to compliment the rest of my jewelry. I just love the soothing aromatherapy it provides me on the go!

Essentially Yours,

Erika

Essential Oils: Threads On My Legs!

I carry my essential oils with me all the time. You never know when there may be a scraped knee, an upset tummy or even just a tantrum that I can help soothe with any one of my oils. For this reason I create on-the-go blends that I can just roll on when needed. This is much easier than breaking out three to four different oils that I may need to mix for a blend (such as the "Owie Blend" you can find here).

I usually use 5ml or 10ml roller bottles that can be purchased from AromaTools, and premix all of my go-to blends beforehand. This makes for much easier application in a hurry (mom code for a screaming toddler). They are very affordable and make life much easier, especially during nighttime routines with wiggly boys.

When I first saw roller bottle carriers from Threads On My Legs shop on Etsy I knew I had to have one( Etsy is great for any custom items or party ideas for all you crafty people)! I'd never seen a carrier devoted only to roller bottles, how clever! This roller blend carrier can hold up to 8-10 roller bottles. Plus the designs are adorable and extremely well made. I decided to take mine for a spin last week and I absolutely loved it. I like keeping my roller blends separate from my other traveling oils, it kept me much more organized (hey, it's the little things people).

There are plenty of adorable handmade custom bags you can check out in her shop. You can keep up with  Threads On My Legs on their Facebook page or on Instagram. Word on the street is the shop owner Angela, may be designing a new blend bag that can hold up to 18 roller top bottles! I can't wait to check that out!

In the meantime, Angela has been kind enough to provide 25% off for any of my readers who are interested in purchasing a bag from her online shop. Just enter coupon code ESSENTIAL25 at checkout for your discount!

I hope you enjoy them as much as I'm enjoying mine!


Essentially Yours,


Erika

Essential Oils: Free Bag Giveaway!!

Hello my name is Erika, and I love essential oils.

My love of essential oils and how they've improved my life are no secret on this blog.

What do I love about essential oils?

• I love being able to provide safe and natural healing for my family, instead of relying on over the counter pharmaceuticals with ingredients I couldn't begin to pronounce let alone understand any long-term effects they may have.

• I love that they work with my family's body in healing whatever everyday (sometimes not-so-everyday) ailments they have, instead of introducing chemicals that are foreign to the body therefore creating other issues that need to be addressed.

• I love that essential oils has somewhat put a bit more control of this area of my life back into my hands, instead of the hands of people who profit more from my family's sickness than their  wellness.

There's nothing worse than having to rush your child to the doctor only to hear that it's some sort of virus and you will just have to sit idly by and wait it out while they suffer. Not anymore!

Don't get me wrong, I respect modern medicine and the contributions its made to society. However, not all issues are cause for prescription medication. I can't tell you how many times I have seen experiences with doctors who prescribe medication for a symptom (treating the symptom instead of the patient), which then causes a side effect that now requires another medication. Pretty soon you are taking three medications for that one initial ailment and it all snowballs out of control. No wonder we are a "script happy" nation with an insane addiction rate. Like everything in life I believe there is a balance, take care of what you can at home (like people have done for centuries) and save the medicine for the really serious stuff and respect the opinions of trained professionals.

Which brings me to my point! Yes I have one...

There are an arsenal of different oils I carry with me daily. Not just in my handy-dandy key chain that you can purchase here. I also carry oils for everyday battles like scraped knees, headaches, tummy aches, etc.. Up until now I've just been carrying it in an old cosmetic case or pencil case. I dropped the chic and went straight for shabby!

Enter Honeybees Boutiques! This awesome Etsy shop makes the cutest specialty essential oil bags that can hold up to eleven 15ml essential oil bottles! Color me happy (Fun fact: Etsy is my go-to for any custom items I need, or party planning ideas)! Both functional and stylish, I no longer have to worry about whipping out my worn ol' cosmetic case (may she R.I.P.) every time I need an oil. Who says "Crunchy" can't be cute?

Oil bags aren't the only items in the shop, there are a bunch of cute custom items for purchase.  Renee, the creative wonder behind this adorable shop was kind enough to host a giveaway! All you need to do to be eligible for the raffle is click on the link below, and Like our Essentially Erika Facebook Fan Page starting now! Click here to submit on your mobile app. You have until Sunday, September 28th. I will announce the winner on Monday, September 29th. Good Luck oil lovers!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don't win no worries, I take care of all of my readers! Just visit Honeybees Boutique on Etsy and enter coupon code ESSENTIALOILS10 at checkout for 10% off!

For any info on Essential Oil Education Classes, please e-mail EssentiallyErika@gmail.com.

If you'd like to check out any of the essential oils pictured above, click here.