Suggestion Saturday: Bleeding Heart Bakery

We're sorry for the late post today: but it's definitely worth the wait! - check out the

Where: 1955 West Belmont Avenue (Damen and Belmont) 773.327.6934

What: Local, organic and sustainable Punk Rock Bakery.

Why: Number one, because their treats are delicious. Number two, they're a green business: they use local, organic and sustainable ingredients to provide amazing and thought provoking pastry. Number three, they consider everyone: vegan versions are available for many of their popular treats (and they're just as good, too)

When: Anytime desert is needed. They do wedding cakes, cupcakes, cake balls, brownies, muffins, you name it. If you're thinking of a desert table, this would be a great spread. Do you have to consider gluten free guests? No problem, they do that too.  We're actually going there tomorrow to pick up some vegan brownies for a Thank You gift for a friend!  

Who: For Everyone, vegan or otherwise.

#FF - Contest Update

Our first ever blog give-away is going great; we just love reading through all of the stories you've submitted about your favorite events. They are so sweet, and some, SO funny! A few even brought tears to our eyes :)

So are you ready for Round #2!? 

Here’s how it works: Post a #followfriday tweet anytime today (Friday, February 26th) that includes both #followfriday and @wevegotitchi (yup, that's it!).  The tweet will count as an additional entry into our Foosie Designs Give-Away - you may tweet as many times as you would like, but only ONE will count as an entry into the contest.

maximum amount of entries possible Round #1 = 5

maximum amount of entries possible Round #2 = 1

_____________________________________________

MAX POSSIBLE AMOUNT OF ENTRIES/PERSON = 6

Who’s eligible: Anyone with a Twitter account.

The prizes: See Here! or Check out Foosie Designs


Don’t know what #followfriday is: That’s ok, just paste “#followfriday @wevegotitchi” in a tweet. Boom. You’re entered.

GOOD LUCK!

For a full rundown of contest rules and for other ways to enter, see here.

Jewelry with a Conscience

Turtle Love Co. is not just another jewelry store.  Born out of a desire for unique pieces, the shop has become the place to find one-of-a-kind jewelry that's produced in an eco-friendly way.  In their own words, here's a bit more about their sustainability efforts:

"We search high and low to bring you artisan jewelry that's made in small workshops using recycled metals and/or environmentally-conscious practices. We're working hard to get responsibly-sourced stones. We're making our packaging smaller and smaller, and we use the United States Postal Service to take advantage of existing delivery routes. Even the address labels on our shipping boxes are made with recycled paper."

To read more on their practices, check out their full eco-friendly philosophy. And be sure to look for their eco-turtle logo for the most earth-friendly products:

Turtle Love Co. offers a wide variety of special occasion and everyday pieces, as well as unique engagement and wedding rings for the bride (and groom) who want something more than the cookie-cutter diamond. A lot of these pieces also make a great gift for a friend, a girlfriend or your bridesmaids!  Here's a few of our favorite picks, but be sure to check out their whole collection on their website.

So what about you? What's your favorite piece of jewelry? Leave us a comment and tell us all about it.

Just a friendly reminder, don't forget to enter our Foosie Design Give-Away. Only a few days left!

'Outdoor Garden Party'

We were recently contacted to help plan a 1st birthday party. And we couldn't wait to get started putting our ideas down on paper!  We provided two idea boards with two pretty different themes and ended up meshing them together (final result is picture #3):

Theme #1: Elegance

1. centerpieces would be minimal, square vases with sand and white Japanese Mitsumata Branches

2. birthday girl's name attached to centerpiece for that extra touch

3. All white lanterns hung from ceiling mixed in with butterflies tied to fishing line. To give the impression the butterflies are flying through the clouds

4. ADORABLE favor tags found on etsy.com - these are such a fun way to add that special touch

5. Loose example of what the ceiling would look like

6. Lanterns sit on food and desert table, and possibly scattered throughout the room

7. centerpieces for children's tables would have bugs sitting in moss

Theme #2: The Hungry Caterpillar

1. centerpieces would house green and red apples with plastic bugs scattered inside

2. Seat cushions would add that extra pop of color where guests would least expect it

3. Yellow Gerber daisies would sit in 6'' square vases throughout the room on beds of moss

4. White chairs with seat cushions colors from pictures 2

5. Adorable favor tags let guests go home with a reminder of the theme

6. Cupcakes are so easy for children's parties. Less fuss, no cutting, each the same size!

With those two themes as our starting point, and given the feedback from our client, this is what we decided on:

Final Theme: Spring Color!

1. Centerpieces with more color. Instead of sand at bottom of square vase, yellow stones will be added. Colorful butterflies and bugs with sit in the Mitsumata branches

2. Desert table will be lined with moss for the opaque yellow vases/cake stands/plates to sit. Varying sized glass vases will also be filled with orange/yellow/pink candy. 6'' square vases will house brightly colored yellow Gerber daisies (see picture 5)

3. Lanterns will be yellow/pink/orange and will still hang from the ceiling along with white butterflies

4. Centerpieces of children’s tables will have foam board attached underneath for children to stick colored pencils and crayons for easy access (with little bugs glued to the tops for added detail, of course!)

5. Gerber daisies and other seasonal flowers in yellow and light orange will be spread throughout the room

So what do you think? What theme worked for your child's birthday party?

***And don't forget to enter our first Give-Away!***

Contest ends Monday, March 1st

CLICK HERE

Windy City Gator Club - Golf Tournement

 

The date for the All-SEC Golf Tournament has been chosen, Saturday, June 26th!

If you're not familiar with the Windy City Gator Club visit our previous post here and get caught up!

We've picked the date, the room, and even the menu; now all we need is SUMMER to get here. All are welcome (not only those of the SEC!) to join us for 18 holes. 

*To inquire about Sponsorship or for more information click here

Our First Giveaway

As you may already know WGIC has teamed up with owner/designer, Erin Frano, to bring our clients the creative and earth-friendly creations of Foosie Designs! And as a way to say thank you to our loyal readers, and to say welcome to you new folks, we're giving away an assortment of Foosie Design paper products, specially chosen for our readers by Erin herself!

Details:

Contest starts today, Monday, February 22 and ends Monday, March 1st. One winner will be chosen and will be announced within one week of the contest end date. 

To enter, do one of the following listed below for ONE entry to the contest. If you choose to do all five, your name will be entered into the drawing FIVE times. The maximum number of entries per person for this round is FIVE.

To enter you must do at least one of the following:

1. Leave a comment to this post about your favorite event experience.  Was it your fifth birthday party because there was a pony, was it your wedding day, was it a small, intimate Christmas dinner with your closest friends? Tell us about it

2.Sign up for the WGIC newsletter! Look for this symbol in the left-hand column of our blog

3. Start following the WGIC blog -How to Follow this Blog-  

4. Start following the WGIC Facebook Page -Facebook Fan Page-

5. Tweet this:

          Join the @wevegotitchi giveaway and win a custom package from Foosie Design Paper Products! http://tiny.cc/Ubtu3 #contest #giveaway #free

***You can Tweet as many times as you want as long as it is the above phrase.

There will also be a special post this Friday, February 26th, with instructions on how to gain TWO additional entries in the contest...so be sure to check back!

GOOD LUCK!!

More than one comment on any one post will not count towards multiple entries, but is welcomed.  I am not responsible for unrecorded entries due to computer or internet problems. More entries does not guarantee you will win, it only ups your chances. Winner will be chosen at random. Prize will be mailed to the preferred Postal Address of the winner. I am not responsible for prizes not received due to postal problems. If you wish, you can add your email address in your comment to make it easier for me to contact you in the event you win. Thank you for playing and Good Luck! 

Suggestion Saturday: 1154 Lill

Customize with 1154 Lill

Where: 904 W. Armitage (west Bucktown/Lincoln Park)

What: A Custom Handbag shop! You choose your style bag, color and types of fabrics, and viola! Throw a party in your own home, order online, or visit the store - the choice is yours! And all bags are sewn and assembled right here in Chicago! How great!

Why: Because what woman doesn't need another purse? Choose from pre-made designs, or get crafty and create one all your own. Mix and match colors and fabrics. Make a make-up bag or a duffle!

When: When isn't a good time to go to 1154 Lill is probably a better question! We love this idea for brides who are looking to spend some quality time with and give something special to their bridesmaids. They're in your wedding for a reason, right? So show them with a beautifully personal and down right adorable event and gift. We also recommend 1154 Lill for just about any other occasion: young woman's birthday party (ages 12-16), woman's birthday party, low-key bachelorette party, or just because you and your girlfriends need a new, fabulous bag!

Who: For the ladies, young and old!

Be a Follower!

We know your parents told you to be a leader, not a follower, and we couldn't agree more.  But in this case, it's ok to follow . . . our blog, that is!  As a follower of our blog, you'll never miss an important post. And coming up very soon, we'll have some posts that you definitely don't want to miss.  We're about to offer our first give-away from Foosie Design!

"So how do I become a follower?" you may be wondering. Well, take a look down the left-hand column, and you'll see this:

Then click on the "follow" button and follow the prompts. And voila: you're our follower now! Thank you!  If you don't want to follow our blog, there's two other ways to keep up with us.  Check us out on Twitter and Facebook using the links to the left, as well.

Thanks for being such wonderful, loyal readers.  We love your support and couldn't do it without you, which is why you'll be rewarded very soon with our Foosie giveaway. Be on the look-out for more information next week!

Foosie Design - We've Got It!

WGIC is very excited to announce that we now offer Foosie Design paper products! Over the last few weeks we've been working with owner/designer Erin Frano and were so inspired by her creativity and dedication to being environmentally responsible that we couldn't pass up the opportunity to offer her great products to our brides and party throwers.

Check our all of her great designs on her website foosiedesign.com or on Etsy.com.

A little bit about Foosie:
Foosie Design (pronounced foo•see) is a boutique design studio offering custom stationery with a casual elegance in a cost conscious, earth friendly way. They're dedicated to providing stylish and affordable wedding invitations, birth announcements, and holiday cards for every style and personality. The word "foosie" stems from an old Irish word meaning "sweet treat". What better way to sum up your pretty paper needs! Another treat that will appeal to your senses, is knowing that their earth friendly stationery is made from 30-100% recycled paper and printed with an energy efficient printer. And to help minimize the amount of fuel waste produced during the shipping process, rather than having a scheduled FedEx pick-up, Foosie Design makes daily runs via bike to the local FedEx hub.


Foosie Design was born from a determined bliss of Owner/Designer Erin Frano to bring a quality line of affordable stationery to the market. After working in the stationery world on both the retail and wholesale end, she still can't get over the amazing excitement it brings to be part of such special events in peoples lives. It gives her a tremendous amount of pleasure, to work one on one with a bride or new mom, to create such special treats for such a special day!

Keep an eye out for our first-ever blog give-away, coming soon. One lucky winner will receive an assortment of Foosie Design products chosen by owner/designer Erin Frano specially for our readers! How fun!

Green Weddings Part 4: Flowers

Whether it's flowers for your hair or flowers for your bouquet or flowers for the table, a beautiful arrangement can be one of the details that makes a big impact on your guests.  It's also a detail that can make a big impact on the environment.  If you want to go with real flowers, be sure to find what's in season when you're getting married.  Sites like this one can help.  Flowers in season will have to travel less distance and will take less of a toll on the environment. Additionally, seasonal blooms are much cheaper. 

However, we suggest going green by opting for fake flowers.  I know, I know...fake flowers conjur up images of waxy, plasticy, dust-collecting crap in the back corner of a craft store.  Rest assured, we do not want to go that route! We've found a beautiful collection of unique and inspired blooms that are all reusable. 

Peppermint Cloud (on etsy.com) has a beautiful collection of custom-made floral accessories for the bride-to-be and her maids.

Yande Bride (also on etsy.com) offers an array of ring pillows, garters, and flower girl baskets with gorgeous home-made details.

Feeling creative?  Want to make your own table decor? Check out this simple tutorial to make stunning colorful bouquets.

Looking for a real eco-chic look?  Get crafty with a mix of paper flowers and the real deal.  Tutorial found here.

So why go with fake flowers?

• They are more affordable.
• They can be donated or sold to another bride to be reused.
• They can be repurposed into a fashion accessory or home decor.
• They never wilt, die or need water and sunlight. 
• They can be made months in advance.
• They don't take a toll on the environment by harvesting plants or requiring out-of-season cross-country delivery.
• You can DIY and save even more money.
• You can get exactly the colors/style you want without blowing your budget.
• Fabric is never out of season.
• They are beautiful and will wow your guests!

So what do you think? Which is your favorite eco-friendly flower?  Did you use Earth-friendly flowers at your wedding? Send us a photo at info@wevegotitchicago.com, and you could be featured on our blog!

Make It Yours Monday: Graffiti Cards

Had enough of blah thank you cards?  Then head on over to Merriment Design to see what Kathy has come up with!  She's created these adorable thank you note-cards from a photograph of the Chicago Avenue Bridge.  She's even created a template that you can use to make your very own cards.  Now we love all things Chicago, and we think this is a great way to show your appreciation, but we've also come up with some other great ways to use this idea for your next event.

Note: we are not encouraging you to go graffiti up your beautiful city.  However, many cities do have areas that are designated for urban art expression. (My home-town has a great wall for this . . . I'll definitely be creating some works of art for this project next time I visit!) So if you can't find the perfect words already on a bridge (like Kathy did), go grab a can of spray paint and create your own.

• Scribble out "You're Invited" for an art-themed kid's party
• If your town is famous for an area of graffiti, use different images for escort cards at your wedding
• Write the names of your guests on the wall and snap photos to use as place-settings for your next dinner party
• Put all the details of your next event on the wall and use the image as a post-card invitation. (Warning: be sure to paint over this when you're done or you may have party-crashers on your hands.)

What about you? Have you ever found the perfect graffiti? Will you use this project for your next event?  Tell us about it in an email or a comment!

Free Tote Bag for Brides

Christina Wu is offering a FREE bridal tote bag right now through her website.  Click here to enter, using CW as the promo code.  What bride wouldn't want a FREE bag to carry all her wedding-planning supplies!?

And while you're on the site, check out all the amazing dresses Christina has to offer. I think this is my favorite:

Suggestion Saturday: Vosges

V is for Vosges - Haut Chocolat

Where: 951 W. Armitage (at Sheffield) in Lincoln Park

What: Chocolate heaven!

Why: Because who doesn't love chocolate? Gift boxes are available in all different sizes, from 2 or 4 pieces to 32; perfect for any size or type of event. Hand pick your flavors or let the experts do the work. Because they are committed to helping preserve our planet (see below). And because edible favors always provide less waste!

When: We feel any time is a good time for chocolate, but the great thing about Vosges is that they have a great event space inside the Lincoln Park boutique location. With an amazingly ornate 12 seat table in the middle of the space and a full kitchen in the back (did I mention they do shakes and coffee drinks too! YUM!), this is a perfect place for a low-key bachelorette party, classy birthday get together, or just a fun night with the girls! If you're just interested in favors for your events, don't worry they do that too.

Who: We suggest going with your girl friends to nibble quality chocolate and sip champagne, but we don't completely rule out the boys. With many fun (and delicious) aphrodisiac-infused options, having a couples event could be fun!!

Another reason to love them (in their own words)!!

MANUFACTURING GREEN
— We are powered by wind! Vosges Haut-Chocolat is proud to announce that our chocolate is produced using 100% renewable energy. Our boutiques in Chicago, New York and Las Vegas also run on 100% renewable energy. Learn more at www.renewablechoice.com.

PACKAGING GREEN
— At Vosges we are continuously sourcing sustainable and biodegradable options for our packaging.

— All of our candy bar boxes and folding cartons are made from 100% recycled paperboard and are recyclable.
— We use PLA (a plastic made from cornstarch that is compostable) for any plastic boxes and lids.
— We use paper that is at least 10% post consumer/recycled for all printed materials, including press folders, insert cards and wraps. Whenever possible, we use vegetable and soy based inks for printing.
— Our purple boxes are made from 100% recycled material.

And because of all that, they get our

Social(ly Responsible) Butterfly stamp of approval!

TGI . . . Free!

Let's face it, being a fabulous party planner / gracious hostess takes a lot out of you (and you're wallet).  Every now and then we all deserve a much-needed break. Why not head on over to ChicaGO and find something cheap, even free, to do this weekend. Brought to you by the Office of Tourism for Chicago, ChicaGO gives you the low-down on all the great deals around town on food, entertainment, attractions and more. 

Or click on their freebies link to find places (like museums, etc) that are always free or have free admission days.  This is a great opportunity to see a side of your city you may not have seen in a long time. So call in sick, let the kids play hooky, and head out on the town to see Chicago as the tourists see it.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

As you can see, we've changed things up on the blog.  We wanted something fresh and new and a little more stream-lined. And we added a third column, so hopefully it will be easier for you to find all the good stuff you're looking for without having to scroll and scroll and scroll.

So let us know what you think of the new lay-out? Do you like it? Should we go back to the old way?  Any other things you'd like to see here?

Wedding Websites

Wedding websites may seem like a common occurence these days, but just a few years ago, they were quite cutting edge.  Even still, traditional brides may steer clear of taking their wedding online, but we're here to help you make the most of modern technology.

Wedding websites are offered for free by many companies. Some of our favorites are ewedding.com, weddingchannel.com, theknot.com, and mywedding.com.  Creating a wedding website doesn't take much time or creativity.  Most sites offer customizable templates that allow you to make a few quick selections and then fill in your personal info. You can share as much or as little as you want.  And to make sure your personal information is secure, many sites offer password protection so only your authorized guests can read the details of your special day. Of course there are tech-savvy couples who are using their skills to create one-of-a-kind sites.

Wedding websites enable you to go green with your wedding.  By offering more information online, you can cut out the excess paper used in many traditional invitations. Put maps, information about accomodations, even RSVP capabilities on your website to save paper and money!

Need help designing a one-of-a-kind website for your wedding or next event? Email us at info@wevegotitchicago.com and we can help!

Make It Yours Monday: A Year's Worth of Gifts

Who wouldn't love a year's worth of gifts?  LaurenMakes has inspired us once again with a great DIY project.  While this was originally meant as a gift for her husband, we see a world of possibilities for your next occasion.

• Give as a gift for a friend or loved one for a birthday, Christmas, or Valentine's day. Really, any holiday would work!
• Treat your employees to a year's worth of perks at your next office party
• Present your clients with 12 months of discounts or extras at a customer appreciation event
• Create a year's worth of easy go-to date nights for your sweetheart
• Give your bridesmaids a year's worth of fun surprises as a thank you for being your best gals
• Know someone who's new in town? Help them explore their new neighborhood with 12 months of local activities.

There's two ways to put these together.  Lauren did hers with customized cards describing the date.  But My Mix of Six went a different route. She included the needed items, like tickets and gift cards. This can get costly, but remember, you don't have to give a major gift each month.  There are tons of free and affordable activities available throughout the year in Chicago. Search a site like ChicaGO for some fun ideas. Get creative and find fun and inexpensive ways to treat someone to a special day each month.

Need help pulling this together?  We've Got It! Chicago offers design services to help you create custom DIY projects for your next special occasion. Contact us today at info@wevegotitchicago.com for more information.

Green Weddings Part 3: The Honeymoon

Oh, the honeymoon. For me, planning the honeymoon was the best part of planning my wedding. Don't get me wrong, I loved (almost) every second of planning my wedding, but there's just something about preparing for a week of laying on a beach that just warms my heart.  Plus, this is one part of the wedding-planning process that the groom will definitely be into! So grab your betrothed and check out our tips for planning a green honeymoon.

*Off-set emissions of your travel by purchasing carbon off-sets
*stay at a green hotel; check out this directory of domestic and worldwide green properties
*dine at locally-owned restaurants that serve locally-produced foods
*buy locally-manufactured souvenirs
*take a responsible tourist trip; find a responsible tour group here
*give back to your destination by volunteering

If you're looking for honeymoon ideas, but aren't sure where to start, check out responsibletravel.com.  They have lists of destinations by catergory. So whether you're looking for an adventure or a luxury spot or a romantic getaway, they have the perfect spot.

For more on Green Travel, check out this resource for green travel providers.

Remember, a green honeymoon doesn't have to be a dull week of sacrificing luxury. You can still have an amazing, relaxing honeymoon in posh digs . . . it just takes a little careful planning.

Need help planning your green honeymoon or vacation?  We've Got It! Chicago can help. Email us at info@we'vegotitchicago.com for more info on how we can help make your next vacation less stressful and more green!

Orange, Blue . . . and Green?

As you may have heard us mention a time or two before, our two lead planners, Katie and Alison, are alumni of the University of Florida.  We have a LOT of school pride and we love to brag on our school for doing awesome things . . . like winning National Championships!  However, this time we have something to brag about and it's not sports-related. 

We've Got It! Chicago is all about going green, and we're proud that our alma mater is too.  Over the past few years, our old stompong ground has taken big strides to implement eco-friendly initiatives.  Across campus, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to recycle materials, print less, and make green choices in transportation. But that's just the begining. 

Because of our involvement with the Windy City Gator Club, we know many of our readers are members of the Gator Nation too. If you want to get involved with UF's green initiatives, check out their webpage. And even if you're not a Gator, we still think you should give it a look; you might find some good ideas for turning your home and office into a greener place. 

So what about you? Is your alma mater going green? What about at home or at your place of business?  Tell us about the green efforts you've made in your day-to-day life.