Ode to a VitaMuffin

One of the lovelier, simpler things in life has to be chocolate. But chocolate can also be a sweet saboteur of diets and a healthy lifestyle. And let's face it, it's impossible to eat chocolate in moderation, considering moderation usually amounts to "a Hershey kiss". Well, I've got a wonderful and healthy alternative for those of us who want to have our chocolate cake-like-treats and eat it too!

VitaMuffins. Specifically, Deep Chocolate VitaTops.

The products are very low in fat, 100 calories, high in fiber with a decent amount of protein, and 50% of many of your daily vitamin requirements. And, they don't have the dreaded chocolate substitute after taste. Don't get me wrong-it's not the same as eating a slice of Mom's homemade (or out of a box) chocolate cake, but it's pretty darn close, and for what they are, they are really delicious!

The Vitalicious brand boasts a number of VitaMuffins, VitaTops, and VitaBrownies. Some of the Muffin and Top flavors include Blueberry, Corn Muffin, Cranberry, Chocolate w/Peanut Butter Chips, Cranberry and Bran, not to mention a slew of chocolate variants!

Claus Porto

These designers soaps from Claus Porto have fast become a favorite of all of us around here-Not only are they luxurious-milled 7 times-but are also gorgeous on the outside, wrapped in extraordinary paper featuring really cool graphics. These would be great gifts, especially for bridesmaids, mommy's to be, and anyone who can appreciate luxury skincare as well as a really great design. Claus Porto is perfection on so many levels!

A Fine Frenzy

I've been listening to A Fine Frenzy's debut album, One Cell in the Sea since it came out about a year ago, and it's fast become one of my absolute favorite albums. Alison Sudol, the musician behind A Fine Frenzy, has an inviting, wiser-than-her-22years talent for lyrics, and the music behind it is really beautifully haunting. Being one of the many who only listens to the radio for traffic reports, this album is in constant rotation in my changer and on my ipod (phone and shuffle) and for those of you who haven't heard of A Fine Frenzy yet, get the album, you won't be disappointed, and you can thank me later!

Top 10 Favorite Wedding Dresses

Some are old, some are new, but they are all our favorite wedding dresses of the past few seasons, and we think they are timeless, unique and just all out gorgeous. Let us know which one is your favorite!

Featuring 1st Row: Oscar de la Renta, Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera, Angel Sanchez, Jenny Packham
Featuring 2nd Row: Badgley Mischka, Claire Pettibone, Amy Michelson, Melissa Sweet, and of course, Vera Wang

Wedding Style Guide

If you haven't heard already, you should definitely check out the Wedding Style Guide (http://www.styleguide.com.au/) it's just the most wonderfully clean and simply designed wedding resource site we've ever seen! It reminds us a little of the design we did for hubby Nic Nichols (nicnichols.com). The site is easy to navigate, with great, simple inspiration. The pub kinda reminded us of New Beauty, that cutting edge beauty book that is redefining the way we leaf through a magazine! Although the Wedding Style Guide is Australian based, we know you'll agree that it's sure to be added to the Divine Library of Wedding pubs, up there with Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Inside Wedding and Grace Ormonde!

Snippet and Ink

I just can't get enough of the gorgeous inspiration boards from the amazing Kathryn at Snippet and Ink! Here are some of our favorites for summer! We'll post more inspiration boards as the month continues so check back!
Bright Lemony Yellow and Crisp Summer White
Turquoise and Tropical Pinks
Chartreuse, Lilac and Aubergine
Baby Blue, Fiesta Red and Warm Marigold

Which is YOUR favorite?

check more of Kathryn's masterpieces here or at her blog,

http://www.snippetandink.blogspot.com/

ModernCat.net

It's no big secret that I'm a cat lover, but in my quest to find things for Gracie, I'm having a really hard time finding cat-specific goods that aren't generic or overly cutesy. We find a ton of stuff for our pit-bull Harley, but sadly, not so much for sweet little Gracie. I was really happy to find ModernCat.net, a site devoted to trendy, modern cat goods. They've got great links to all sorts of really fab feline finds. The Meow-me sleeper pod and carrier is sweet, and the toys from George are so unique!

Genes Urban Baby

My brother and sister-in-law are expecting twins this fall, and since we just found out they are having twin boys, we're now starting to look for some baby gear. Some of the coolest, most modern & innovative babywares can be found at Genes Urban Baby Boutique. For parents who like a little more modern and edgy style, this place has baby bags for Moms & Dads that follow fashion and function, ridiculous toys, minimalist furniture and so much more-we especially loved the plywood high-chair-very cool, and the wooden sports car-it's only $36!

Stephanie Johnson Makeup Cases

I've been searching everywhere for the Kate Spade Peacock Cosmetic Case, and sadly, I must've waited too long, because I can't even find the thing of ebay! As luck would have it, while scouring for the peacock bag, I stumbled upon Stephanie Johnson's site and immediately took to her amazing variety of bags! I'm thinking the Waikiki would be a great substitute for the bag I originally wanted. It's fun, colorful and will get the job done. The only problem is picking which bag or bags I actually need, since I'm sure I could find a use for them all!

Frontier Garden

Frontier Garden is really the start of Milkmaid Press, since it's the suite I designed for my very own wedding! We knew we wanted a small, intimate wedding in the spring, outside in a quiet, green meadow, and a fun, relaxed reception to follow. Our colors were chocolate, spring green, pale pink and ivory, and we wanted a rustic, vintage feel that wasn't too serious, since, I am after all, a country girl at heart! My gown was a strapless, ivory lace A-line, and i wore delicate Siman Tu Jewels, in addition to my size 4 wedding rings! The ceremony and reception site were the same (I highly recommend doing this-it makes life easier on everyone!), and it was the Cameron Estate Inn, a historic Bed and Breakfast in bucolic Mount Joy, PA. Our ceremony was outside, near the ruins of an old stone barn, next to a stream. We had originally wanted to have an outdoor reception, but the weather reports of thunderstorms forced us inside their cozy, beautifully decorated dining room-which happened to share our colors and vintage chic theme! Fragrant pink garden roses were potted in moss covered pots and decorated the tables, along with lots and lots of candles. We had giant apothecary jars filled with chocolate covered pretzels and other treats as favors, and the vintage ribbon from my bouquet was used throughout the reception to tie everything together. We had one of our vintage polaroid cameras outside on the porch for portraits, which we chose in lieu of a guestbook since we are both photographers. EMD dj'd, and everyone went outside after the short spring showers to have their portrait taken, dance, drink and enjoy in the general merriment of the day!

Caribbean Palm

Probably our most popular design, Caribbean Palm, was designed originally for a good friend, who when asked what she wanted, replied "Well, we're getting married in the Bahamas, and I like the idea of a Pirates of the Caribbean feel-that kind of colonial elegance with a touch of fun", and Caribbean Palm was born!

Dogeared

Those who know me, know I'm a simple-jewelry-kind-of-gal. I don't like anything too big or flashy, and tend to believe that less is more when it comes to the matter, so I was delighted to find a company that's making chic and delicate jewelry that is perfect for ladies like myself. I was introduced to Dogeared by my good friend and client, Madeleine Homes of La Papillion Spa in Timonium MD ( just outside of Baltimore). She carries the line, and I absolutely fell in love with the delicate necklaces, precious charms and sweet messages. My favorite is the Karma necklace dipped in gold, but I wouldn't mine one of each they are so adorable! They make great gifts-and the house blessings are especially cool!

Carnival

At Milkmaid Press, we recently designed a carnival picnic inspired suite for a wedding on the lovely Eastern Shores of Maryland. Here is the Inspiration Board for that wedding suite, featuring imagery from Martha Stewart, Brides Magazine, The Knot, and documentary photographer (and my husband and the only man among the maids)Nic Nichols. We were also lucky enough to be featured on our good friends blog, iloveletterpress.com! thanks to them for the feature!
Here's an inspiration board we found that features Carnival, and i LOVE the pictures for this one! Carnival's admirers are growing every day, so thank you so much for spreading the word!

A Breath of Fresh Air

Since we just started this new blog, and we don't have any photos up yet, I thought I'd post the images I took of Gracie, our 6 month old kitten. She has the loveliest disposition, is extremely affectionate and busy, and always has time to give us nose kisses, head butts, and allow us to rub her belly, despite her busy schedule of playing with string and napping in the dogs bed.

The Premiere of All Things Lovely

As the first official post of the all-things-lovely blog, I would like to start out with our blog mission statement. Our purpose is quite simple really, we want to share with our readers those things that inspire us, from weddings and events, to the little things that brighten up our average days. We hope to showcase everything ranging from paper goods to home decor, photography and art, pets and lifestyle, movies and music, shopping and fashion, and everything that we feel makes our lives a little more interesting. We would also like to correspond with those of you who have something to share; a product, a designer or artist, a great story or advice or just your comments. We want this blog to be fun and upbeat, interesting and creative. Looking forward to sharing with you all things lovely!