Blush + Bashful

My friend, Kristie, recently started a company called “A Stork Told Me.” It is a sign rental company that places personalized birth announcements in the yards of families with new babies. I talked to Kristie about how she got started and why she loves this business so much. Here is what she had to say,

“I’ve always wanted to own my own business, but I was never sure what type of business it would be. When I worked at the Yellow Pages a few years ago, I talked with a lady who owned a stork sign rental business. She had so many good things to say about it, so I kept the idea in the back of my head. When I moved to the suburbs, my neighbor had a baby and got a stork sign to announce the birth. I felt like it was a sign that I should bring this idea to the surface again! I invested in the materials and minor advertising and the business took off from there. I love that I get to help new parents give recognition to their little miracle. It’s very rewarding to make a baby’s arrival extra-special. Plus, it’s a great stay-at-home Mom job!”

Check out Kristie’s website www.astorktoldme.com to see the designs and read more about her business. I happen to think that “A Star is Born” is the cutest! This would be a great gift to surprise a friend with her own little miracle.

Cheers!
Meg

Urbane Weddings is an adorable wedding accessories and custom invitation store at 1920 N. Damen Avenue. Debra Baum, the owner, had a second baby and now she’s closing up shop. Lucky brides can score gorgeous pieces including brooches, earrings, necklaces, tiaras, combs, shoes, and more for 30-75% off. This is huge because their goods are expensive!

Get all the details online at www.urbaneweddings.com or by calling the store directly at (773) 289-3000. Happy bargain hunting!

Cheers!
Meg

This weekend I spent some time shopping for centerpiece prototypes for a few of my clients. I like to keep a stash of inexpensive ideas (expensive ones are easy) around for my bargain-hunting brides to look at and to be inspired by. I love gorgeous, rich, over-the-top floral centerpieces as much as anyone else, but I find that a lot of my brides don’t want to spend their money on them. They’d rather have top-shelf liquor!

So, I was trying to find some inexpensive vases and cool candle-holders for these mock-up arrangements. I drove all the way out to Schaumburg in the snow for my project! I found some great ideas at IKEA, but nowhere else. I’m so disappointed! If I had been looking for something else, I would have found a ton of fantastic stuff. I guess I’ll just have to shop again soon. Darn!

Cheers!
Meg