Y’all know K and C are go-o-o-o-o-ing to the chapel this August, which means it’s about time for a bridal shower! After some consideration, we decided to throw an alphabet shower, loosely inspired by Rebecca Thuss’ celebration. The idea is that the details are inspired by the bride’s name, and as Kate is the word-loving sort, we thought this would be appropriate. We have lots of fun deets up our sleeve (which I won’t be showing you until afterwards — sorry!), but I did want to share the invitations we just dropped in the mail.

I designed the labels in Microsoft Publisher, printed them, and then ran them through the Xyron, which turns them into stickers. The plan was to then punch the edges (as you can see above), but that step turned out to be excruciatingly painful…

…so most of them have plain edges, but I like to think they look “clean” this way.

The front, sans stamp.

The invite itself.

And the card explaining the alphabet gift system. I struggled over the wording, because I didn’t want it to seem like we were assuming people would bring gifts, but we also thought it would be fun to include the gift-giving portion of the shower in the theme. What do you think — did I do okay? Would this card make sense to you if you were invited?

Custom cupcake flags

and bunting cards. Enjoy!

Gather in close, y’all, because I’ve got a secret to share today. Well, it won’t be a secret much longer, but that’s okay. You know those ridiculously cute and eco-friendly striped paper straws that are making the rounds of blog land?

{via flickr}

Yep, those ones. Like many of you, I’m sure, I’m a little bit in love with them. However, I was discouraged by the online ordering process, though there are a few options. The first is to order from Kikkerland, the company that manufactures them. You can go here to do that. One box of 50 straws is $3, but that balloons to $12.99 with shipping, or $4.33 per box! AND you don’t get to pick the color! You’ll get either blue + white, green + white, or red + white, whichever combo Kikkerland feels like sending you.

{via Oh Happy Day}

Green Party Goods sells the straws in packs of 3 for $8.50, but again, you can’t choose the colors (you’ll get either green + white, blue + white, or pink + white). They also require you to have a minimum order of $17 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which will bring your total to $26.29 with shipping at a minimum, or $4.38 per box. Right.

{via 100 Layer Cake}

There are also several vendors on Etsy that sell the straws, but the deals are even worse, if you can believe it. Here you can buy 1 red + white pack for $9 with shipping, here you can buy the same for $11.25 (!!), and here you can buy a pack of just 25 green + white, pink + white, or blue + white for $8.25 (that would be $16.50 for 50 straws!!!). The only benefit with Etsy is that you can be assured of the color combination.

{via Style Me Pretty}

HOWEVER (and here’s where it gets good), I have a solution that blows the rest of these out of the water. It’s a little store that goes by the name of Rock Paper Scissors, located in Wiscasset, Maine. I drive through Wiscasset every summer on the way to my family’s summer house, and lately I’ve always tried to stop at RPS. It’s a delightful store, but perhaps the best part is that they sell these straws… for $2 a box! If you happen to be in the area, I’d suggest stopping by to pick up a few. If you aren’t, simply call the store (207-882-9930) and request the colors you’d like (selection varies). The owner will charge you the cost of shipping after she’s weighed it at the post office.

The upshot? On Thursday I ordered 3 boxes of gray + white and 4 boxes of blue + white, and my total (with shipping) was $21.50, or $3.07 a box. Score! And you have the added bonus of supporting a small business.

I’d love to hear if you try my method!

Gather in close, y’all, because I’ve got a secret to share today. Well, it won’t be a secret much longer, but that’s okay. You know those ridiculously cute and eco-friendly striped paper straws that are making the rounds of blog land?

{via flickr}

Yep, those ones. Like many of you, I’m sure, I’m a little bit in love with them. However, I was discouraged by the online ordering process, though there are a few options. The first is to order from Kikkerland, the company that manufactures them. You can go here to do that. One box of 50 straws is $3, but that balloons to $12.99 with shipping, or $4.33 per box! AND you don’t get to pick the color! You’ll get either blue + white, green + white, or red + white, whichever combo Kikkerland feels like sending you.

{via Oh Happy Day}

Green Party Goods sells the straws in packs of 3 for $8.50, but again, you can’t choose the colors (you’ll get either green + white, blue + white, or pink + white). They also require you to have a minimum order of $17 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which will bring your total to $26.29 with shipping at a minimum, or $4.38 per box. Right.

{via 100 Layer Cake}

There are also several vendors on Etsy that sell the straws, but the deals are even worse, if you can believe it. Here you can buy 1 red + white pack for $9 with shipping, here you can buy the same for $11.25 (!!), and here you can buy a pack of just 25 green + white, pink + white, or blue + white for $8.25 (that would be $16.50 for 50 straws!!!). The only benefit with Etsy is that you can be assured of the color combination.

{via Style Me Pretty}

HOWEVER (and here’s where it gets good), I have a solution that blows the rest of these out of the water. It’s a little store that goes by the name of Rock Paper Scissors, located in Wiscasset, Maine. I drive through Wiscasset every summer on the way to my family’s summer house, and lately I’ve always tried to stop at RPS. It’s a delightful store, but perhaps the best part is that they sell these straws… for $2 a box! If you happen to be in the area, I’d suggest stopping by to pick up a few. If you aren’t, simply call the store (207-882-9930) and request the colors you’d like (selection varies). The owner will charge you the cost of shipping after she’s weighed it at the post office.

The upshot? On Thursday I ordered 3 boxes of gray + white and 4 boxes of blue + white, and my total (with shipping) was $21.50, or $3.07 a box. Score! And you have the added bonus of supporting a small business.

I’d love to hear if you try my method!

UPDATE: Reader Chelsea let us know that Rock Paper Scissors is no longer shipping paper straws, but is still selling them in-store. RPS recommends getting the straws online from Kikkerland.