I was so excited when Rock + Shop sent this to the press today because craft fairs need to pop up in cities other than all the major ones. Seeing something in Raleigh is just great, especially since I’m sure there’s a lot of crafty chicas down south that are sooo looking forward to attending something like this. Go South!

The Rock + Shop Market made its debut in 2005 by product designer Michelle Smith from Smashing Mirrors. Michelle felt a strong need to bring together local indie artists after seeing other alternative fairs sprouting up in other parts of the country. Through her fair, Michelle wants to showcase North Carolina?s DIY spirit and provides a the opportunity to meet local designers and celebrate the area?s diverse musical talent.

The Rock & Shop Market will take place on July 15th from 1-5pm at the Tir Na Nog (across from Moore Square) in downtown Raleigh. The first 50 attendees receive a gift bag filled with freebies including magazines, samples and coupons.

The market features designer goods including silk screened apparel and reconstructed t-shirts, custom iPod cases, handbags, jewelry, and handmade soap by Alena Hennessy (one of my favorites), April Fool Handmade (check out their pencil blocks), Art School Dropout (delightful jewelry),Circle Circle Dot Dot (super cute wares),Mood Swing Studio (love the baubles and vintage homewares), Stephaine Statham (great art)Sprout Studio (yummy ceramics), Bookish (quilty cuteness), Pear Threads (beautiful bags, they were just in Boston), Michelle Smith (what a talent), and more!

Enjoy a cold beer at the bar (now *this* is a craft fair) while browsing the aisles of over 35 vendors plus enjoy music by the bands Ryan Pound, Bull City and DJ Marco. Admission is $3. Sponsored by Bust Magazine, Carolina Woman, and The Raleigh Hatchet.

For more information and a full vendor list visit Rock + Shop online. Will YOU be there?

(images from rock + shop)

If you’re looking for creative inspiration today, browse the hundreds of images on Brides. Vibrant bouquets, images of happy times, festive table settings, gorgeous invitations… You’ll walk away feeling a touch of happy and armfuls of inspiration, not to mention the skinny on what’s hot in party planning.

Isn’t there something about weddings and festive events in general that really gets your sparks a flyin’? Could be the combination of joining together so many of our favorite things in life – a well planned decor, flowers, food, music, the gathering together of special people, stationery and oh yes, let there be cake. Lots of it with yummy sinful buttercream frosting.

Event planning is not only a major rush and a real chance to demonstrate your talents, but you get to share so many facets of your personality and interests with those you cherish, right down to the letterpress invitations.

With the many upcoming weddings and summer events, Brides gives you the scoop on everything from setting the table to floral arrangement and party decor. Even if your party has nothing to do with wedded bliss, you can refer to Brides for ideas that apply to just about any event you may have in mind.

One thing I’d love to do in mid September is host an outdoor dinner party to bring together all of the girls that were in my wedding 5 years ago (July 14 is my 5th Anniversary). A big wooden table, flowers, wine, artisian bread with bowls filled with oil + spices for dipping, music (of course), and lots of attention to the details. Wouldn’t that be fantastic? Nothing that overwhelms, but definitely something that makes them feel special.

Do you plan to host any parties this year? A shower or wedding perhaps? A gathering for the girls?

(images from brides)

Are you planning to get away this summer? We’re thinking of heading either to Chicago, Savannah, San Francisco, or Martha’s Vineyard, but I have to admit, with my poor lack of planning this year, we may simply end up at some Irish pub in Boston flicking coasters at eachother and sharing a few rounds with friends.

After our nearly 3 week adventure last summer to Baja Mexico and southern California, I doubt we’ll top that this year. Visited beautiful sunny Baja, relaxed in San Diego and La Jolla (fish tacos are delicious), stayed on the beach in Santa Monica (drinking mojitos on the 3rd St. promenade was nice), shopped Montana Avenue, toured the Getty museum for the first time (loved that), met designer Rachel Ashwell, and then the ultimate highlight for those of us tucked away here in New England without much exposure to celebs – we attended the Batman Begins premiere in Hollywood.

So, we’re still trying to figure out what to do this summer. What about you, any plans?

(images copyright 2006 decor8)

Lazy Sundays. Sleeping in. Country drives. Going out for breakfast. Stumbling upon a barn sale (with great lanterns all a-glow) and scoring vintage glass bottles, records with great covers, and books with lovely spines from HG Wells dated from the late 1890s. Listening to big band music in the town center where everyone gathers for the annual strawberry festival and live music. Dogs barking. Happy children with sticky fingers and huge red rings around their mouths. The smell of freshly cut grass. Enjoying sweet strawberries from the nearby farm, served up shortcake style with a warm biscuit, vanilla ice cream, and a huge dollup of homemade whipped cream. Not a care in the world. Sunday should always be this nice.

What are you up to?

(images copyright 2006 decor8)