Review: The Fantasy Box - Spa Date

Note: This review contains adult subject matter and (non-graphic) discussion of sexuality and is not generally appropriate for viewing at work or in the company of children.  Please use your own discretion before proceeding.

Valentine's Day Gift Roundup

My husband and I have been together for 9 years. That’s nine birthdays, anniversaries, Christmases, and Valentines days. Some years it’s a mostly ignored hallmark holiday, other years it’s a big deal- like the 5th one, where he proposed (for a second time).

This year we are keeping things mostly simple and just ordered a decadent flight of gourmet chocolate bars to share.

With just under two weeks to go, you still have enough time to score an awesome last minute gift for the important someone in your life. I decided to scour the depths of Reviews, Chews, and How-to’s to bring you a list of what I think would make the best gifts.  In honor of our nine years together, I've come up with nine great gift ideas.

Keep in mind, if any of our other writers put a list together, each one would be vastly different. But these are what I would want to receive, or what I would buy for my husband.

FOR HER

If you're looking to get her something a little different than the usual flowers or a box of chocolates, consider these ideas!

Handmade Charms by Sasha Smith - Review
Jessica reviewed this company, also known as Squished Berries on Etsy, not long ago. Sasha makes incredible charms, earrings, and the like with polymer clay. There is little I wouldn't do to be the owner of one of her book charm bracelets. The detail she goes into to recreate a book cover (or movie cover, or video game case, or slice of pizza for that matter) is absolutely breathtaking!

The best part is, they are beyond affordable. Each individual charm ranges from about $4 to $10.

Box of Happies - Review
It has been more than a year since I had the pleasure of receiving a Box of Happies, and boy, have I missed it! Box of Happies is a subscription box filled with unique handmade artisan goods. You never know what you are going to get - soaps, jewelry, beauty products, decor, and more! I think any woman would enjoy this subscription box. It even comes in a reusable case. A one-time box costs $24 with the option of buying a subscription that comes every month, or at intervals of every 2,3,6 or 12 months.

Alchemy & Ashes - Review
This company creates beautiful cold-pressed soap bars, each with a unique story and scent. Additionally, lip balms, perfumes, and other body products. I've tried numerous artisan soaps, but this one takes the cake and has earned its place in this list! Alchemy & Ashes products vary in price, but the amazingly gorgeous soaps are only $6.50!

FOR HIM

Don't forget! Valentine's Day is not just a woman's holiday. 

If you enjoy receiving tokens of love, see how fun it is to give them, too!

Wet Shave Club 
Michael introduced us all to this very dapper, sophisticated subscription box. Wet Shave Club brings an array of facial grooming needs for the man that likes an old-fashioned shave. Do to his job, my husband has to keep a cleanly shaven look on the daily, and something like this would be a nice treat to make the mundane task at hand a pleasurable experience. Currently, they have many sets specifically for Valentine's Day in addition to their regular subscription boxes - you'll want to order by the 10th to get there on time. Orders over $100 always ship for free.

Loot Crate
This is for a fairly specific kind of man, the kind in which I married! (For that matter, many women would love this, too!) Loot Crate is filled with nerdtastic themed gamer gear and novelties.  February's theme is "PLAY" - boardgames, video games, card games, etc. My husband is a huge fan of this box, and I know he would feel the love on Valentine's if he got one! I can't tell for how long, but they currently have a code (SAVE3) to save $3 off their subscriptions, which are regularly $19.37/month total.

Soundwave Art 
Here again, this is on the men's list because it's one many men would enjoy, but both men and women of a specific sort would really like this science-meets-art gift. Soundwave Art let's you record a sound clip, then digitizes the resulting soundwave and creates a number of keepsake products with it. You can get a print, a nice canvas, and more recently added, a stunning ring with your soundwave etched on the band. Act now and use code: LOVE to get 15% off your canvas or print.

FOR 'US'

This category encompasses some of my favorite gift ideas - I love the togetherness that these products/services provide.Each of these are perfect for creating memories together.

Blue Apron
There are a few other similar subscription boxes like this out there, but I have yet to come across one as comprehensive. Blue Apron delivers a cooler box filled with EVERYTHING you need (down to that TBS of butter!), including recipes, to make gourmet meals in the comfort of your own kitchen. Plans are available in varying family sizes and meal amounts. My and my husband loved cooking together with Blue Apron, and it will be in our future! Whether you're both experienced in the kitchen or still learning, this provides the opportunity for a more intimate special Valentine's Day dinner than reservations at an overcrowded restaurant.  Meals cost $9.99 per person, so this won't break the bank, either.

Love Is Art
This is by far one of the most unique products on the market for couples. Love is Art is a kit that comes with paint, a canvas, a tarp, and a body scrubber. To put it plainly, the idea is to lather yourselves, or the canvas, in paint, do the deed on top, and have a forever keepsake, in the form of art, of all your rolling around. This is hilarious, and amazing all at the same time. I have not had a chance to try, but Jessica speaks very highly of it! In addition to their regular offerings, they've currently got a special Limited Edition Valentine's Day Kit, that not only contains the kit in a deluxe bag, but includes several other items to make the night special, from champagne glasses and chocolate to incense and massage oils. From now until Feb. 15, 2015, use code LIAFB20215 to receive a full 20% off your purchase!

Fantasy Box


Note: This product is for adults - the images on their website are tasteful and suggestive, but are not safe for work or for viewing by children. Please practice good judgement and timing before following the links below!

I saved what is, in my opinion, the best, for last! Fantasy Box has being nearly therapeutic for my marriage. It is, exactly what is sound like! A box to help you achieve your romantic and sexual fantasies in an loving, intimate way. Even in a nine year relationship, it can be hard and embarrassing for my husband and I to discuss intimate things with one another. Unlike other 'adult' subscription boxes we have tried, Fantasy Box isn't just a box of toys that leaves you awkwardly floundering, it assists you in figuring out how to navigate the bedroom in ways you have always wished, or never knew you wanted.

The Fantasy Box has a number of great things happening right now, I think our readers should be made aware of:

$5000 Fantasy PhotoShoot Giveaway

The Fantasy Box is running the mother of all giveaways - a trip for two to San Francisco or Los Angeles, a boudoir photoshoot with Alloria Winter Photography, hair/makeup, your choice of lingerie sets and more! The winner will be announced on, you guessed it, Feb 14th!

Special Edition Valentine's Boxes

The Fantasy Box has your Valentine's night covered! For couples interested in a sensual pampering experience, they are offering, for just $99, a version of their best-selling Platinum Spa Fantasy that was created exclusively and featured on The View.

They also have a spicy new Valentine's Fantasy Box that includes the sexiest lingerie they have ever sent for $119. Last day to order is February 7th so don't wait!

For any order, use code VDAY10 to get 10% off!

I hope these ideas jog your mind and assist in helping you achieve the most memorable Valentine's Day ever!  Again, these are just my picks - you can graze all of our past reviews to find just the right gift for your special someone!

 

REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Fantasy Box- Classic

Note: This review contains adult content and frank (but not graphic) discussion of sexuality and is not generally safe for viewing at work. 

When I came across The Fantasy Box, I got lost looking at their website for hours. There was so much information; I really felt as though I knew exactly what I was getting into by the time I was done. Their site was so incredibly thorough, and beyond beautiful. I really don’t think I have ever seen a more aesthetically pleasing place on the web. 

Review & Giveaway: Starlight Wraps

I was very excited to be given the opportunity to review one of Starlight Wraps beautiful wrap bracelets - I love handcrafted jewelry, and this Colorado-based crafter really puts a lot of attention into designs that evoke various celestial themes. Her daughters and nieces help her select just the right name to match the look of the wrap to a particular Astronomical or Meteorological theme. I also see a good bit of attention being paid to the mythological sources of some of these names. I am fascinated to know that the piece is designed before it is given a name, because each of the names fit so perfectly with the wrap it goes with!

Rexanne, the designer and owner of Starlight Wraps is actually rather new to beading, which just further suggests to me that there is some inspiration at work here. Beading began as hobby she picked up to keep busy during off-season time periods at her Estes Park, CO boutique Windsong Fashion.  In an odd turn of meteorological fate, she found herself with plenty of time and motivation to develop her beading skills, when a severe flood in September 2013 blocked access to her boutique for a period of several months!  It turned out that her wrap designs were enormously popular and led to this second business operating in tandem with Windsong Fashion.

In asking about desires for the future of Starlight Wraps, Rexanne mentioned how much she'd like to be able to offer collections of wraps as bridal party gifts - an idea I find just tremendously appealing, especially if they could be done as custom designs in the wedding's colors and theme.  Should anyone be interested, I suggest getting in contact with her about that - my communications with her have been very helpful and thorough, and I believe she'd be happy to work with someone seeking a custom order of several wraps for special occasions.

It was very hard to choose which wrap I wanted, but Athena just kept drawing my eye - it is long enough to wrap five times, and is a series of silver textured beads and turquoise beads, all contained within a pair of silken cords.

I put it on the moment it arrived and quickly realized two very wonderful things about this bracelet - first, it actually lets me wear a snug cuff on my small wrists.  As much as I love bracelets, they often are too large to wear comfortably.  Secondly, the large sparkly button that connects it makes it easy for me to put this on and take it off by myself, and yet it keeps it securely on.

A couple days later, my daughter, who has metal sensitivity issues, helped me realize a third wonderful thing - while this particular wrap has metal beads, many of Starlight Wraps' designs do not. These are very fashionable jewelry items that can be worn by people who may have given up on jewelry due to allergies!

As you can see, it is quite a statement piece and I cannot wait until warmer weather let's me dress to show it off properly.  Meanwhile, I have worn it for several days, quickly removing it for showers and washing dishes, but otherwise leaving it on while sleeping or working, and I find it quite comfortable.  It doesn't get in the way or start to feel binding at all, which is quite a feat - I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and sometimes I can't stand to have things constricting me, but this stayed comfortable even through a very creaky weekend.


Athena is going to become a signature piece of jewelry for me - or one of them, because I can already see a couple more designs I may just have to have.

Luckily for my wallet, on Facebook, Starlight Wraps offers frequent giveaways and discounts, the better to fill my jewelry box with. Additionally, luckily for yours, she's also agreed to let us offer a giveaway and a very generous discount to our readers.

Before I show off what you can win, I wanted to offer one last reason why you really want to own a Starlight Wrap - Rexanne donates 10% of Starlight Wrap's net profit to a variety of children's charities that aid children around the world.  It's such a pleasure for me to support small businesses that give back.

For our Reviews, Chews & How-Tos readers, Starlight Wraps is offering a 40% discount code off the entire order - when you make your purchase use the code:

 STARLIGHT40 

Meanwhile, Starlight Wraps has agreed to let us sponsor a giveaway of the stunning Aurora wrap, a $49.00 value, composed of pink iridescent square beads and certain to help its wearer 'Always Sparkle', day or night.  I had a very hard time when I was making my initial selection choosing between this and Athena!

This Giveaway is open World Wide and will end at11:55 PM EDT on Monday, April 14th.  I wish you all the very best of luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shared with:
~ Katherine's Corner Giveaway List, Sweeps4Bloggers Giveaway Linky. 
~ BBW Weekly Giveaway Linky,  Contesting Monday, Giveaway Listing, Got Giveaways?, Link Your Giveaways, Monday Giveaway Link Up, Monday Giveaway Madness, Monday Morning Giveaway Linky, Plenty of Sweeps, Tales of Mommyhood Giveaway Linky, Winning ROCKS!.
~ Apron Full of Giveaways, Bless Their Little Giveaways, Frugal & Fabulous, Giveaway Linky By Country, Got Giveaways?, Handmade Tuesdays, List and Enter Giveaways, Terrific Tuesday, Treasure Hunt Tuesday, Tuesday Giveaway Link Up, Tuesday Giveaway Linky, WIN at the Weekly, Why Buy It?.
~ Blog Giveaway Wednesday, Cast Party Wednesday, Giveaways in Blogland, Happy WINSday, Pretty Wednesday, Moms Win on Wednesday, Wake Up Wednesdays, Wednesday Whatsits, What's It Wednesday, Whimsy Wednesday, Win It Wednesday, Winning Wednesday.
~ Give-It-Away Thursday, Giveaway Directory, Giveaways Galore, Great Canadian Giveaway Link-Up, Great Thursday Giveaway Linky, It's a Party, Lilac's Linky, Linky Love, Thrifty Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Thursday Giveaway Link Up, Thursday Tell All, Thursday's Giveaways, Thursday Treasures.
~ Anything Goes, Blog Giveaway Round Up, Fantastic Friday, Freebie Friday, Freedom Fridays, Friday Giveaway Linky, Hen's Friday, Round 'Em Up Friday, Sarah's Friday Giveaway Link Up, Sonya's Giveaway Linky, TGIF Fun Friday, Windy Pinwheel Giveaway Linky. 
~ Blog Giveaways, I Want to WIN, Super Saturday Link Up, Sweeping Saturday, Sweepstakes Saturday. 
~ Around the Blogosphere, Family Friendly Giveaway Linky, RMRV Giveaway Link Up, Sunday Stroll, This Week's Giveaways Galore.
~ Bacon Time Giveaway Link Up, Blog Giveaways Directory, ChicMonkey Giveaway Linky, FabFit40 Ongoing Giveaway Linky, Giveaway Monkey, Low Entry Giveaway Linky, Ongoing Blog Giveaways, Parent's Perspective Giveaway Linky, Rafflecopter Giveaway Linky List, Rafflecopter Only Giveaway List, Raindrops & Sunshine Ongoing Giveaway Linky, Steady Hand Giveaway Linky, Sweeps Factory Giveaway Linky, WAHM Resource Giveaways.                                                      





 

What Does Valentine's Day Look Like to You?

The authors of Reviews, Chews & How-Tos talked a little about Valentine's Day this week.  Have you noticed that on the Internet, there seems to be an expectation these days to make it a huge deal?

If we look at Pinterest, our homes should be nothing but pink and red, we should be creating a perfectly themed meal, receiving amaaaazingly intricate and romantic gifts, and our children should be happily dressing up as Cupid while engaging in complicated learning experiences involving hearts and flowers.

For most of us, our reality doesn't really match up with that ideal - and we're mostly ok with that.

We don't all celebrate the same, and certainly not with anything like that idealized fervor, but we thought we'd share a bit about what Valentine's Day looks like to us.

Jackie Snider

As much as I used to wish otherwise, Valentines Day has never been a huge deal in my marriage. We are always either working or broke. I am a typical girl and do tend to carry false expectations of a ‘Hallmark Holiday’ but I’m generally happy with a small acknowledgment and a dinner I don’t have to cook.

My husband made the mistake very early in our dating relationship of a huge gesture he probably can’t top. Our second year together, I woke up to the first clue of a 5-part scavenger hunt throughout my house. Each stop included a small gift, like a teddy or chocolates, and another clue. It ended in a diamond tennis bracelet.

It wasn’t the gift that made this special; it was the creativity and time that went into the delivery. Then on our fifth Valentines together he proposed to me- for the second time!)

This Valentines day we don’t have much planned. As usual, he has to work. So my day will be spent doing Valentines crafts with my four year old!

Michael Hardy

A nice dinner out is a fine way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Choose a place you both like (it’s not a time to experiment), one that is reasonably quiet and intimate, and splurge a little … this is a special occasion. 

I believe the purpose of celebrating Valentine’s Day at all is to express love for one another rather than wow with spectacle. The shared meal has a long history of bringing people together, and a quiet restaurant evokes a romantic atmosphere. 

With someone else handling the cooking and cleanup, the dinner allows you and your loved one time to sit, talk and share a pleasant sensory experience, away from the day-to-day routines.

Lauren Murray

Happy Valentines Day everyone! My hubby and I have been together for a little over 13 years now and Valentines Day is not our strong point. Honestly, we’ve probably done something different every year. From flowers and chocolates to dinner and a movie, we’ve done the normal couple date type things.

Unfortunately, neither of us is very inventive or inspired when it comes to V-Day. Hubby has even gone so far as to call it “Hallmark Day” and boycott it all together.

Now that we have a child, all of the holidays are more fun. Valentines day is no exception. My Bugaboo really loves anything pink so seeing all the Valentines decorations at stores just sends her into a reel! She is almost 5 now so she has a greater appreciation for holidays and also big expectations.

This year I am planning on decorating her room while she sleeps so she’ll have something fun to wake up to. I’ve seen lots of great ideas on Pinterest and I’m planning on bundling a bunch of them together. Holidays are made more magical when viewed through your child’s eyes! I hope you have a magical day as well! Cheers!

Daniel Snider

 

Valentine’s Day has just never really been big for my wife and I. I have a very hectic schedule at work and we have never really had much money. Usually V-day is celebrated by either going out to a nice dinner or making a home cooked meal for my wife.

One thing I can say for sure is that there is always some form of chocolate! One of my absolute favorite ways to treat my wife on Valentine’s Day is with some exotic chocolates from Vosgas Chocolate. They have a very unique assortment of wonderfully tasty treats. Along with the candy bars and truffles they also sell the perfect wines to accompany them.  She and I both love the stuff they have and have been repeat customers for years now.

Lynda Hardy

I used to love Valentine's Day as a kid - I enjoyed the whole process of decorating a shoebox to act as a 'mailbox', and picking out just the right set of Valentine's Day cards for my classmates.   As much as it came with pressures to give the right card to the right person (not too serious, not too flippant, puns only to the punny people.... trying to explain to your mom why you just could not use that one weird card with a pig on it because no one would appreciate getting it .... and then the nailbiting wait to see if anyone gave you the pig...), it was so much more fun for me than adult Valentine's Day, which often has felt like a no-win situation - if you expect much, you'll be doomed to disappointment, but if you expect little, that often translates into people thinking you don't care about romance at all.

It's taken me fifty years to realize and openly be fine with saying it - but I love romantic gestures.  I like getting candy. I love getting flowers.  I like to be taken out to eat and to be pampered.  I like to make special desserts and have it noticed and appreciated.   And what I also realize is that the reason I can openly say I like and appreciate these things is because I am married to someone who won't make me feel as if it's silly of me to enjoy them.  Because it feels a little vulnerable to say "I like getting flowers", doesn't it?  Because there's still that risk that someone might think it'd be hilarious to just give you that weird pig instead.  You have to trust someone a lot to tell them what warms your heart.

I like getting flowers, even if they're silly and ethereal.  I don't particularly care if it happens on Valentine's Day - in fact 'any random Tuesday' would be a great time for romantic gestures!  As long as Valentine's Day is a reminder to make these gestures and not simply a 'designed mandatory romance' day, that's a good thing.

Hailey Snider (age 4)

Saving the best for last, here's the word on Valentine's Day from Hailey Snider.  She's Jackie and Danny's 4 year old daughter (and Lynda and Michael's granddaughter):

Valentines Day is where you draw Valentine pictures and you close them up and give them to your friends. 

You can also give them to grown ups that love you. 

Valentines Day is about telling people that you love them a lot. 

When you are a grown up you can make Valentines cards for your kids. 

Valentines day is also about eating candy. You can put candy in a bag and tie it with a rubber band, and give it to your friends. 

That makes them know that you really like them.



How about you?  Share with us in comments what Valentine's Day means (or doesn't mean) to you?

***

Have you checked out our review of Tiffin Trove? Go check it out, and enter the giveaway for a months' free 3-meal box of homecooked Indian recipes and beautiful gifts from India.

Shared with:
~ Anything Goes Linky, Be Inspired, BFF Open House, Flaunt It Friday, Freedom Friday, Frugal Friday, The Party Bunch, Weekend Re-Treat.       

Review: 3 Purple Monkeys

 Reviewer: Lynda Hardy

Anyone who has ever used disposable wipes knows that once the wipes are finished, you wind up with a sturdy, re-closeable box that just cries out to be kept and repurposed.  During the early years of a child's life, you might just collect a small mountains of these boxes.

Flip-top accessible opening!

So what to do with them?  They're great for stowing small items - you can use them to organize everything from the contents of your junk drawer, to small toys and game parts, to craft supplies, to photos and keepsakes, to tea bags, to... you name it!  But they're not exactly pretty in their off-the-shelf state, are they?

That's where Jackie, of 3 Purple Monkeys comes in!  She creates and sells one of a kind handcrafted storage boxes that start with repurposed wipes containers.  No two are exactly alike, because she works with the customer to select theme, fabric pattern and color, embellishments, and she is committed to making the container as unique as the person using it.  If desired, the boxes can be personalized for a small  additional cost per letter.

I was fortunate enough to be gifted for one while we were planning our wedding, so I chose a peacock theme for the box, thinking to use it for wedding keepsakes.  I didn't have a solid plan for what might go in them, so I asked her to surprise me, and was excited and pleased when I got one of each size, in different peacock - themed patterns!

Each box is nicely padded and easily able to be opened and closed repeatedly.  The large box has a fabric peacock embellishment on the front that really makes the whole thing 'pop'. I absolutely love the vibrancy of the bright blue fabric - it is far too pretty to ever put out of sight, so it sits on a table with a few other peacock themed decorations. Inside, I am able to keep our stash of wax fragrance tarts where they are easily accessible.  But that use was only settled on with great difficulty, because I keep thinking of new ways I need a little bit of extra storage!

The smaller, flat box was quickly put to use for an intended wedding purpose - it is our alternative to a wedding guest book.  Ours was a small wedding, and there is something a little sad to me about keeping a commercial wedding guest book that is mostly empty.  So instead, we decided to use a standing metal tree we keep up at home (usually decorated for whatever holiday is upcoming), and let my youngest daughter and her fiance decorate it with extra flowers I'd used to create wreaths, as well as, you guessed it, peacock feathers.

Next to the tree, there was a small basket of pretty tags, purchased in a pad in the stamping section of a craft store, and some pens, along with an invitation to guests to write their well wishes and hang them on the tree.

This is where 3 Purple Monkeys came in - I needed something extra special and storable to hold all these small little tags, and the smaller container was just perfect for the job!  I know if I hadn't had a good container for them, someday we'd absentmindedly lose these tags - instead, they're in a delightful one-of-a-kind container next to our photo album, so that we can look through them over the years and remember our special day.

Jackie went the extra mile with this case - she found half-sphere peacock blue-green glass jewels in various sizes that she carefully attached to the eye of selected peacock feathers on the fabric.  The result is a bit of sparkle that is very eye catching!

I have no doubt I'll be adding to my collection of boxes, especially since 3 Purple Monkeys is so willing to work with me to create something specifically for my tastes.

I've recently come to realize that I very badly need another of these smaller cases - something that looks classicly neutral and has no embellishments that might pull off if used a bit roughly.  This is because after testing my idea with this one, I now realize it's absolutely perfect as a protective case in my purse that will contain a few important items that invariably land on the bottom of my messenger-style purse.  Keys, my phone, my iPod, along with a small rechargeable cord.  These are things I am rooting through my bag for every single day - but with a case like this, I could quickly pull it out, open and grab the item I want, no muss no fuss.  So, we'll be working on a design for that shortly.

Before I forget - one of the best parts of all is that 3 Purple Monkey's prices are a steal!  While the core container is repurposed, the fabric, padding, embellishments and time spent on the planning and execution make these a total bargain.

The small cases are just $11.50.  She also makes some where the small flip top area is still accessible (so that these could continue to be used as a portable container for wipes!), and those are only $13.00! The larger boxes are a mere $15.00.

She has a couple specialty items that add a slight bit to the price:  as a military spouse, Jackie often finds herself putting together containers with a military theme, some of which use the actual fabric that makes up Army field uniforms - boxes using this material cost $1.00 extra.  Lettering for personalization costs $0.25 per letter.

If you would like to check out her work or order one for your own, either head over to 3 Purple Monkeys on Etsy, or on Facebook.  She prefers to discuss details for creating your case via Message on Facebook.

As an even bigger bargain, 3 Purple Monkeys is offering a discount to our readers!  When you buy one of these cases, tell Jackie "RCH3PM" and she'll give you a 10% discount, plus up to 6 free letters for a first name personalization!

Wouldn't these make a lovely baby shower gift, or a special keepsake box for a boy or girl with a deployed parent?  I'm positive that the ways to use these cases are limited solely be the reaches of our imagination - what would you use yours for?



3 Purple Monkeys on Etsy.
3 Purple Monkeys on Facebook.

*** 

I received no monetary compensation for this review, however I was gifted materials that are being reviewed, and am a family member of the owner of this company.  All opinions are my own. Click here see our full disclosure policy.

Shared with:
~ Pin It Monday Hop 
~ Cast Party Wednesday, Down Home Blog Hop, Homemaking Link Up, Inspiration Board, Make - Bake - Create, Penny Pinching Party, Pretty Wednesday, Wake Up Wednesday, Wednesday Whatsits, What's It Wednesday, Whimsy Wednesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Works For Me Wednesday, Your Whims Wednesday.
~ Fabulously Frugal Thursday, Home and Garden Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things.
~ Anything Goes Friday, Fabulously Creative Friday, Feathered Nest, Freedom Friday,Friday Favorites, Party Bunch, Thrifty Things Friday.
~ Get Schooled Saturday, Link Party Palooza, Serenity Saturday, Show & Tell Saturday, Weekend Re-Treat.                    

How to Braid a Handfasting Cord

When Michael and I got married this summer, we decided we wanted our wedding to be small but meaningful, and incorporating a number of meaningful elements that weren't entirely standard to the 'traditional' modern American wedding.

One of the things we did in the ceremony was to have a handfasting ritual as a part of the service - a European custom that has been adopted by many Neopagans and others seeking alternatives to the traditional liturgical wedding ceremony.  Historically, handfastings were common law marriages, necessary in areas where there was no local clergy, so that couples could be legally wed before they were able to have it sanctified by their religious institution.  Today, the custom can be an element of a clergy-led legal wedding ceremony, as it was in ours.  I think it would also be a lovely element for a marriage reaffirmation.

What happens is that the hands of the couple are literally bound together by a length of cord, symbolizing the bond formed by marriage and the understanding that the future is knitted together, each one's actions connected to the other's wellbeing.  There is no longer two separate paths, but one path braided together.

I wanted a handfasting cord that we could keep, and so I made this for us.  Ours was long enough to wrap our hands, but I have since seen examples of cords long enough to wrap around the couple's waists, to completely bind them together.

If you decide to do this, keep in mind that it will be much shorter after it's been braided, and increase length accordingly.

The three cord elements we chose were specific to us - brown leather to represent Michael, ivory silk ribbon with pearl edging to symbolize me, and a length of sheer forest green ribbon to symbolize our union (the predominant color of our ceremony was green).

The findings are easily found at any of the major craft stores, and are a good idea to provide the rope with a bit of weight so it hangs well during the ceremony.  Almost anything could be used in place of these, including old jewelry, watch fobs, something 'borrowed' or 'blue', etc. By all means, choose something meaningful to the two of you!

The ones I used were selected for their symbolism - the peacock is a bird sacred to Juno (or Hera), the Roman/Greek Goddess of Marriage.  The keys are symbolic of the household we are creating together.  In Norse custom, these were a symbol of Frigga (the Norse Goddess of Marriage and the Home), and it was Norse custom for the man to present the woman with the keys to his hearthstead when they got married - to put her in charge of his home. (In return she would offer him a sword, to defend the home with. I confess, we left that part out - although we did give the groomsmen pocket knives!)

To make a handfasting cord the way I did, you'll need the following:

6 feet (or more) leather cord
6 feet (or more) thick ivory ribbon with 'pearl' edges
6 feet (or more) sheer 1/2" green ribbon
3 feet additional sheer 1/2" green ribbon, cut in 2
Thread or thin florist's wire in a color that matches one of the cord elements
2 or more weighted findings large enough to dangle from the ends of the cord

The three ribbons need to be braided together - as you can see from the picture, the various widths and textures provide an interesting pattern, even though this is just a simple three strand braid. 

In order to manage such a long length, I tied the three strands together on the back of a dining room chair, and then stood up to do the braiding, moving back little by little until I got to the end.  Make sure you won't be interrupted through this! It doesn't take a terribly long time, but you won't be able to stop in the middle.

When you get to the end, about 2 inches remaining, wrap it closed with a length of thread or florist wire, then flip up the loose edges and wrap them as well, so  they can be cut close and not be seen.

Untie it from the chair, and do the same on that end.

Now, use an 18" length of ribbon, and wrap that to cover the thread or florist tape.  At some point, before you finish, thread your finding onto the ribbon (the ones I used had holes for this), and then tie the ribbon off into a bow.

That's it!  There is plenty of room here for personal creativity, so that you can create a handfasting cord as unique and wonderful as your relationship is.

Shared with:
~ Anything Goes Linky, BFF Open House, Fabulously Creative Friday, Feathered Nest Friday, Flaunt It Friday, Freedom Fridays, Frugal Friday, Party Bunch Friday, Pinworthy Projects Link Party, Shabbilicious Friday, Show and Tell Friday.   
~ Get Schooled Saturday, Tater Tots & Jello Link Party Palooza, Serenity Saturday, Show & Tell Saturday, Weekend Re-Treat.  
~ DIY Sunday Showcase, Happiness is Homemade Link Party, Nifty Thrifty Sunday, Silver Pennies Sunday, Suburbs Mama Sunday Linky, Think Pink Sunday.
~ A Round Tuit, Block Party, Busy Monday, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Craft-O-Maniac Monday, Craftastic Monday, Frugal Crafty Home, Give Me the Goods Monday, Homemade Mondays, Homestead Barn Hop, Mad Skills Party, Marvelous Mondays, Masterpiece Monday, Mega Inspiration Monday, Mix It Up Monday, Monday Funday, More the Merrier Monday, Motivation Monday, Much Ado About Monday, Sweet Sharing Monday, Thank Goodness It's Monday,