I think that wedding favors are usually a big old waste of money. They’re expensive, no one ever likes them all that much, and they either end up getting abandoned at the reception or tucked into the drawer next to the broom closet. Huge stressball for bride and groom + no appreciably positive impact on guests = fail, in my opinion.

But!

Here’s a way to solve the favor problem in a way that maximizes guest happiness while minimizing the cost for you: Incorporate your favors into your wedding decor!

My husband and I knew that we wanted a candlelit, Midsummer’s Night Dream-esque affair, so we decided to surround the bouquet centerpieces with tall rice paper votive holders and lower, gold-trimmed votive holders. We filled half with regular tealights and half with LED versions (to minimize smoke).

On the menu, guests were encouraged to take home the votives as favors, and the DJ reminded them as the night came to a close. So our guests ended up with nicer favors than we could have otherwise afforded, and we ended up saving money and minimizing wastefulness.

Win!

-Jordan Reid

Lavender is one of my favorite scents for the home, and I’ve made it a habit to spritz our sheets with lavender linen water every night before we get into bed.

Linen water can get a little pricey, but it’s incredibly easy to make yourself. Here’s what you do:

1. Sterilize a 24oz. bottle (with a cap) with boiling water; let dry.

2. In the bottle, mix together about a teaspoon of essential oil (I like lavender best, but other nice options are rose, patchouli and lemongrass) and 2oz perfumers’ alcohol or high-proof vodka.

3. Fill the bottle with distilled water, put on the cap, and shake to emulsify. The linen water will separate over time, so shake between each use.

Tip: You can mist the linen water on your pillows and sheets, like I do, or add a little bit to your dryer or iron (if you iron your sheets, which…um…I definitely do not).

- Jordan Reid

One of the many ways I made our wedding more affordable: I ordered blank place cards from Wedding Paper Divas (style: Natural Wildflower) and hand-wrote guests’ names on them. A little time consuming? Sure…but also a really pretty, personal touch.

I also hand-wrote the menus, placing one in the center of each table in a small picture-frame holder.

Tip: If you don’t have particularly good handwriting, ask a friend who does to help you out as her wedding gift to you.

A few more DIY money-saving ideas for your wedding:

- DIY save-the-dates

- Semi-DIY invitations

- DIY favors (lavender sachets)

-Jordan Reid

It’s cold outside and thank goodness I have my Violet to cuddle up and sit on my lap to keep me warm. She’s better than a blanket, in fact right now while working on the computer writing this blog she is fast asleep on my lap this close to me at all times, offering me some extra heat and well-deserved schnauzer love.

That said, the sprinkle of snow today reminds me of winters past, and that’s there’s work to be done. Yes, with February just around the corner I’ve already had my trees trimmed and all holiday representations removed. Just a rule I keep, that everything needs to be gone come Jan 15th. Now that that is done, I can begin to review my collection of gardening design books and get inspired during these cold days in Connecticut. I also find myself in the garden studio, playing in the dirt as it were, creating fabulous spring-inspired arrangements to display as a mind trick that spring has arrived in my home. Truth be told, with spring still 50 days away my abundance of vessels are filled with daffodils, hyacinths and crocuses. Lush green textures and fragrances helps hold me over until then.

Read more

A busy time of year for me: filming, designing and working on new holiday and Spring articles. Truth be told, I love this time of year, and on Tuesday I did a demo/lecture on how to make your own holiday/winter door wreath. I demonstrated to the Saqua Garden Club, along with two of the members who helped me, how to do the same at home. We had a blast, as I can talk, walk and do a demo all at the same time. My book was a hit and many holiday gifts this year will be a personally-signed copy of my book. What a wonderfully active garden club with so many attractive members. Being the only male in the room I felt honored to have been invited and speak to them. I thank Robert, my personal assistant, for booking this and staying at the office so I could have all the ladies to myself.
Read more

Yes, its true, the holiday season has officially begun here at Rosebrook Gardens, and now that I’m ready I somehow feel as if I’m forgetting something. Perhaps it’s because Halloween was not even over when the boxes were removed from the attic and Violet got her first glimpse what I’d be adding designing and creating a lot to wonder at! That said, the garlands have been hung, the Elves have been released and the holiday glitz has been displayed throughout the house.

Read more

What an exciting week as I hosted houseguests, balanced work and supervised my house painters. Rosebrook Gardens is getting a paint job after 14 years and everyone is amazed that it’s lasted that long. Here’s my secret…it’s stain, not paint.

But don’t think you can just put stain on paint and get the same results. Stain goes on stain and paint only goes on paint. Years ago when I was first painting my home from the original god-forsaken “pink” color I hired a painter who said “well, your new color is not my first choice, but the stain idea was a good one.” That said I quickly learned how stain can outlast paint and truth be told, stain as a finish is easier to maintain on a shingled house than paint. Mostly due to the fact that stain is absorbed deep into the wood, and gently wears off the shingles over the years. When it is time to restain it again the stain is absorbed into the shingles. Read more

This title of course will make you think of the 1954 classic movie with Judy Garland and James Mason, or perhaps the somewhat less-stellar 1976 version with Barbara Streisand. Maybe some of you see the word “star” and think of those Hollywood Boulevard “Walk of Fame” stars that pay tribute to over 2000 artists who have made significant contributions to film, radio, television, theatre and the recording industries? (Did you know that the first Walk of Fame star was actually placed on February 9th, 1960, to honor the lovely Joanne Woodward, also from Westport, Connecticut?) Read more

I have started to realize that many of the DIY projects I have shared with you all, have required sewing and supplies that many of you may not have. If you don’t have a sewing machine or don’t know how to hand sew, I want to introduce to you a no sew way to still do these projects. The magic is in fusible web tape. The fusible web tape is a lot easier than fabric glue, another sewing alternative. To bond two pieces of fabric, all you do is put the tape between the two pieces of fabric and iron to create the bond. (Follow instructions on packaging) The tape is especially great for hemming up clothes, curtains, etc. An easy project to practice you fusible web tape skills it to add a band of fabric to the bottom of store bought curtains. It will instantly add a touch of personalization and fun to any “blah” curtains. Read more

I’m frequently asked how to remove stains from carpets and area rugs. I’m much better at selecting the proper area rug or carpet for your home than knowing how to clean them! Thank goodness for all of those who specialize in removing stains from carpets!

I recently came across stain removal advice on Twitter, of all places. It was so good that I want to share it with all of our followers. Selfishly, I also wanted to have it an easy place for me to quickly reference in a pinch! Read below for the great advice from someone that I follow on Twitter @HomeImproveNow.

Read more