Impact Tip/Vendor Spotlight - Flowers with Feeling

Flowers are a significant part of any wedding celebration as they add life to the event and feeling and mood depending on what is chosen. They also make a big impact on how eco-friendly your wedding is because they often require shipping from very far away places, even as far as the tropics, and can require dozens of herbicides and pesticides to keep fresh or grow in their non-native environments. Finding a florist that works with you to help make your wedding more eco-friendly can be tough in Chicago but I recently found another great option, Flowers with Feeling!

Last week I met with Tammy and Jeff of Flowers with Feeling and we had such a good talk. I learned all about their eco-friendly practices, all the ones you won't find on their website. They are always looking for ways to reuse, reduce and recycle. They use recycled glass vases, soy candles, and they rent these items so they can be used again and again. They have biodegradable containers that you can literally plant in the ground after your event. Using potted plants is a great way to keep your wedding eco-friendly.

They buy their flowers as much as possible from local growers and use buyers to find other sustainable growers. 70-80% of their events use local and sustainably certified flowers. One thing I was surprised to learn was that sustainable grown flowers are not necessarily more expensive. The price difference is negligible depending on the type of flower you chose, not if it is sustainable and local or not. This is good news since a lot of eco-friendly products and services tend to be higher priced.

Tammy and Jeff value the client experience and Tammy will always be at your event and work with you from day 1 so there are no hoops to jump through and no dozens of people handling your order which cuts down on mistakes!

They also work with hotels and other corporate clients and offer an vase exchange program. Their clients buy the vases once, then get new vases every time their arrangement gets traded out for a new one. Keeping things fresh and reused!

Now for some photos!
Here is one of their recycled glass vases and soy candles.
This is the potted plant biodegradable container Here is an example of flower girl baskets they make from old runners or chuppahs, a great way to reuse! This lamp has an led-light which is more efficient then a normal bulb This is their showroom which they will use to show you how your tables will look Here is Marcy! She is their designer and really nice like everyone there! A view of the shop Everyone hard at work Another view of the recycled glass vases Lots of colors to go with any occasion Some branches to liven up your look Tammy and Jeff, here to help you!

My Maternity Photos!

Last week Aaron and I went out and finally made some photos of this belly before I pop! :) It was a fun day and I think he really captured some beautiful photos. It can be hard to see yourself when you don't feel like yourself, and that is the beauty of the photos, that I can see myself in them, the way I remember myself. Only now, I have my baby with me too. I can't exactly expect others to desire these types of photos, if I don't do it myself, so I did, and it was great! I am glad that I will have memories of this time in my life. Thank you Aaron!

Aaron shoots Wii Tournament

Last week I Want to Walk the Talk sponsored a Wii tournament that I mentioned on this blog and it turned out to be a really fun time with bowling shirts, free drinks, shakes and food, and prizes! Keep checking the site if you missed this for more fun things to do with this great group!

I love this shot that really shows the scene in a creative way. A reflection off the piano to show the ornateness of this room used for a bowling tournament! Not your typical bowling scene, but that is how they do it here, bowling in style!

Climbing Portfolio Done!

I can't believe how nice it is going to be today and tomorrow and I so wish I could be out climbing but this will do instead....

One of my projects this winter was to get my personal site, http://kristinacarter.com updated and all my climbing photos in one place. Now I have a climbing portfolio to show if people want to see the other side of me! The home page photo is the only one that I didn't take myself but I thought it was a good way to set the mood, it's my site and that is me, hanging out in CO about to go climb, with my good friend Mayor Awesome!

Enjoy!

Impact Tip - Green Parent Chicago

There is perhaps no bigger impact you make then the one as a parent. I am beginning to feel that more and more as I prepare for my little one to come. I just met Jen Khatchatrian this week who is the founder of Chicago Green Families and part of the Green Parent Chicago network. I am excited to join this group of eco-minded moms and wanted to encourage others to check it out, IF it is something you are interested in!

I know several of my previous couples have just had children or are expecting so I hope you find this helpful!

Today I am doing my maternity pics, finally! So stay tuned for those as well.

Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day Chicago!!

I should have posted this earlier but just in case you are in the mood and enjoying the weather, here are some activities you can still go out and do today or this weekend. This whole month in fact, there are activities you can do to show your enthusiasm for the environment. You can pick up a monthly calendar of events at whole foods to find more events near you.

Jewel and Adam

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with Jewel and Adam. It turned out to be a great day despite the gloomy weather. We had a lot of fun exploring Architectural Artifacts. There were so many great things to play on, sneak in, and explore! We even spent some time in the rain. April is indeed famous for its rainy days! Thanks to Jewel and Adam for being such fun and interested in trying some new things. And big thanks to Adam for carrying my bag around :)

Featured on "Down the Green Aisle"

Down the Green Aisle is a wedding blog focused on providing eco-chic design tips for planning the perfect green wedding. They found us from our ProtoVert feature and decided to feature us on their blog too. Check it out! Thank you Yadira and Down the Green Aisle crew, we are excited to have another eco-friendly blog to share with our readers!

Peter turns 2!

Well Sunday didn't turn out to be the nicest day outside but I was still able to spend some time with my nephew Peter and have some fun with bubbles and kites! We went over to Peck Farm to play in the fields.

Aaron got this shot which I really loved!
Another classic by Aaron

Impact Tip - Carbon offset your wedding with a custom wedding website

WeddingWire and Carbonfund.org have joined teams to give you a free wedding website and offset the carbon for your wedding. This is a fun way to inform your friends and family of your wedding plans and your concern for the environment. Customize your wedding website today and share it with your guests!

I Want to Walk the Talk's Zumba Class

We want to keep showing everyone how much there is to do when you sign up to be an "I Want to Walk the Talk" member. Last week I peeked in on the zumba class and I found myself bopping around the room wishing I could move like that right now! :) It was a high energy and fun class. Just one of many offered. This week is the Wii tournament and there is still time to sign up! What are you waiting for!

Ethan

Last week I got a call from a couple I worked with in 2006, letting me know they had their first child and wanted some photos of him. I was so excited! I love it when I get to hear back from people and see how they have grown together. They were just as fun as I remember them and their little Ethan was a total ham for the camera :)