We’re always happy to help out a reader in need, but we know some of our best ideas come from you guys. That’s why when reader Marisa T. sent over an email asking for help planning her self-catered wedding menu, we decided to open the discussion up to all of you. We’ve tested some reader picnic recipes before during our Picnic Recipe Contest and ended up with a delicious 2nd place winner, an outstanding 1st place entry, and a knock-your-socks-off grand prize winner. We bet you have even more to offer.

We’re getting married in May and will be self-catering our home/ garden reception, and I’m looking for picnic-type side dishes. Can you point me in the direction of recipes that can be served at room temperature, can be prepped ahead of time (at least a day, preferably more) and that can sit out for a couple of hours without getting yucky or unsafe? –Marisa T.

Leave your suggestions for Marisa in the comments!

Paper valentines are romantic, but if your commitment is serious put it on a mug! These from Bailey Doesn’t Bark, created by artist and designer Re Jin Lee, are called Postcups. On one side, it says “Hi,” “Miss You,” “Love You,” or “Thinking of You,” and on the other you can add a personal message — up to 100 characters — Re Jin will hand write it onto the cup with heat set porcelain paint (black or blue) before it is fired. Each retails for $50 at baileydoesntbark.com. Shipping is free. Can you feel the love?
 

This is one happy incident where I was actually the inspiration for someone else. One of my wedding photos has gotten a bit of notice on Flickr (the photographer was Steven Herppich). When Flickr member TattooedChiquita101 saw it, she was inspired to model her custom cake topper after the photo! The fantastic result was sculpted by Christina of La Banane Rouge. We’re big fans of customized cake toppers around here, so we give this wedding topper our full blessing! –Mary T.

P.S. Check out the “wedding cake” too — it’s made of Krispy Kreme donuts!

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been a year since our lovely little barn wedding. So much as happened since (Hello, Isadora!) but most of the time it feels like just yesterday. When looking around for an appropriate gift for my guy, I game across this genius Doodlebook frame from Umbra at MoMA’s store. Stick a favorite photo in the frame, scribble some sweet-nothings around its border, and presto — you have not only a unique gift, but also one that allows the receiver to express himself, too. And, since it’s made of paper, it’s perfect for a first anniversary gift, don’t you think? — Angela M.

Well, summer has officially arrived and with it I think it’s safe to say we are in the full swing of wedding season. I went to an absolutely gorgeous wedding this past weekend and was delighted to find an Envirosax reusable shopping bag filled with goodies hanging from the door knob of our hotel room. Small eco-friendly ideas like this are such a breath of fresh air at weddings! Another sweet idea? Today I stumbled upon the Wonderful Graffiti Wedding site (by way of CasaSugar) and fell in love with the site’s customizable (and easily removable) wall transfers. How lovely and earth-friendly it would be to put one beautifully designed menu on a wall in your venue rather than printing out individual menu cards! Available here for $72. — Meg D.

Read more of Meg’s tips for stylish, green living at her blog, Style Saves the World.

Portovert, the “gateway to green weddings,” is holding a contest for crafty green brides. The Portovert DIY Wedding Challenge is open to those whose DIY wedding took place between February 28, 2007 and March 1, 2008 and included green elements. Prizes include organic pampering products and eco-friendly table settings. Enter the contest here. Deadline to enter is March 31.

Photo copyright Kate Black.

Flickr is great for inspiration, and we were taken with babysingsing’s red-themed wedding, particularly the custom Papel Picado banners she ordered from Casa Bonampak. Simply gorgeous. And if you don’t want to spring for the customization, there are a lot of beautiful, ready-made love/amor-themed decorations as well.

I always hate it when the day after Christmas, stores start rolling out all the Valentine’s Day merch. Can’t we get a breather between Santa and Cupid? That said, as soon as I saw these adorable mugs from Rust Designs I thought they would be the perfect gift for your sweetheart, or a new pair of lovebirds you may know. Inspired by Minnesota birch trees, you can customize which initials go in the heart in the middle. $45 for four. Be sure to click around and check out their other personalized offerings, like these Fairy baby plates or these hip silhouettes (just send in a photo of your kid in profile!). — Angela M.

(Thanks to my extremely talented and productive sister-in-law, Cassie.)

You may recall that I had a bit of a hard time deciding on a fabric for our wedding tablecloths. After much debate (and help from you!) I settled on orange, red, brown and cream Denyse Schmidt’s Geranium plaid. It was a quilting fabric, an artform I truly admire and don’t understand at all!

When our wedding was over, Chad’s sister Cassie quietly snatched up all the table squares and said only she wanted to make something with them. I’ve seen her quilting handiwork before and secretly hoped that was what she was up to and — oh joy! — it was! Visiting for Thanksgiving last week, we were delighted and surprised to find a big square box under the tree for us. Though she intended it as Christmas gift, she furiously worked to speed up the project so we could take it home with us after T-Day. And, after the first-snow fall at our river cottage this weekend — I can say it wasn’t a moment too soon! The pattern and the colors are just perfect — she found some matching fabrics and actually worked to repeat the plaid on larger scale. On the other side is a warm and fuzzy orange layer — so snuggly. I can’t tell you how much we love and appreciate it. If you’re inspired to try such a project yourself — here are a few sites that Cassie recommends (and may the quilting force be with you!) — Angela M.

Sites that offer instructions for this block style quilt:
About.com’s easy baby quilt
Straw.com’s blue jeans quilt
scrapquilts.com quilt block pattern
easyt-shirtquilt.com’s memory quilt

One of the sweetest details from our wedding came when Chad surprised me with a handmade wood carving of the two of us, our own unique wedding topper. The inspiration was an homage to my grandfather, who was an avid woodcarver; our homes are sprinkled with little figurines of his. This adorable carving from Brian Sims in Kentucky, who does commission based work. Chad had sent him a photo of us, simple instructions (”make it look like grandpa carved it on the porch”) and the two of them communicated via email during the carving process. I’m convinced he can carve anything. Wouldn’t a hand carved ornament be the star of a tree? Click through to the next page, and get in touch with Brain via his site
Hip Shot Wood– it’s not too late to get one started for the holidays! — Angela M. (more…)