We’re big fans of etsy here at Bridal Survival and especially of the gorgeous things you can buy to decorate your home and in our case- office!

We recently purchased this print from Hijirik Studio which sits in the office and reminds us every day to reach for the stars.

The Live What You Love print by Hijirik Studio has become popular in the blogging world and especially on design blogs. It’s not hard to see why! It comes in vibrant colours like hot pink and apple green, but also in neutrals like chocolate brown and our choice- soft grey.

The prints are letter pressed by hand using vintage, wooden typewriter blocks. Each print uses 100% cotton paper and soy based inks, making it eco friendly! The prints come in 8×10 or poster size.

Hijirik Studio is named after it’s founder and designer Hijiri who hails from NYC. Hijiri also creates a range of letterpress greeting cards and stationery.

You can also find more of her work on her blog Heart Fish or visit her etsy store Hirijik Studio.

It’s a grey cloudy day and what could be nicer than getting out a beautiful cup and pouring yourself a nice hot cup of tea? Perch yourself in a comfy chair in that spot of autumn sunshine coming in the window and take the chance to read, to savour and relax.

In our busy lives, it is often hard to justify to ourselves some ‘me time’ – but that is exactly the thing that re-charges the soul and enables us to give more. The pleasures we give ourselves need only be simple – enjoying a walk in the rain, cosying up by a fire, reading a book, or enjoying your cup of tea instead of rushing it.

There are many varieties of tea and many different ways of buying it. From loose leaf to tea bags, tea balls, flavoured teas, green or white teas, teas from northern NSW to the Daintree incorporating Australian bush spices, teas from India or South Africa. Buy them from your local specialty tea store, the internet, or on your travels when you stop for a cuppa.

Decant the teas into labelled tins or jars, put your prettiest tea set nearby, and you might just be encouraged to give yourself the gift of ‘tea time/me time’ more often!

Bodum Tea Press from Peter’s Of Kensington, Tea images via Husk, Husk tea blends are available in the Bridal Survival Mother’s Survival Kit and the Bridal Survival Engagement Survival Kit

We have long been a fan of the beautiful captures by US Photographer Elizabeth Messina (who also writes one of our favourite blogs Kiss The Groom). They have soft and dreamy feel to them and turn a simple scene into a work of art.

Recently, Elizabeth hosted a workshop for photographers called A Lovely Workshop and the images produced were just breathtaking. There are beautiful cakes, dresses, food and other wedding beauties all from great wedding professionals.

There are many more photos of the beautiful event at Elizabeth’s blog Kiss The Groom

Photos by Elizabeth Messina from Kiss The Groom

One of the missions of the Bridal Survival blog, is to have you enjoy the wedding planning process. Taking time out to be present in the wonderful moments of the journey and have perspective.

This beautiful piece, written by Erma Bombeck when she found out she was dying of cancer reminded us to take a breath and take life by two hands and live it. The same goes for wedding planning- make the most of the precious moments!

If I Had My Life To Live Over – by Erma Bombeck

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the ‘good’ living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, ‘Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.’ There would have been more ‘I love you’s’, more ‘I’m sorry’s.’
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it , live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don’t worry about who doesn’t like you, who has more, or who’s doing what.
Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.