If you’re a Canadian, chances are you’ve had a butter tart. In fact, as Canadian writer and icon Peter Gzowski said: “They’re part of who we are.” As the croissant is to France, the butter tart is to us, says one food writer.

Butter tarts were a staple of pioneer cooking and the first known recipe dates back to 1915. It was during the twenties and thirties that the butter tart really had it’s heyday.

To dive into a good, homemade butter tart is to know bliss. (And trust me: you will know bliss when you try this recipe.)

Congrats to Emily L. who is the lucky winner of the Ban.do no.60 bridal headband contest.

Emily L. wrote:

This is so beautiful!! I am looking for something gorgeous to wear on my hair, to complement my much simpler gown.

Emily was the 43rd person to comment. The number chosen by The Random Number Generator was 43.

Thanks to everyone who participated in this fabulous giveaway!

Yes, the thought of DIY wedding flowers can be daunting. Downright scary. But once the threshold of fear has been crossed, there’s a good chance that pride will replace that fear with a big ol’ satisfied grin. At least that’s how it worked for me. I had zero experience arranging flowers, and I DIYed the bouquets and centerpieces for my wedding (with the help of my family and friends.) Not only did I save a bundle – I was pretty darn impressed with how they turned out.

I admit – finding flowers for a good price took a lot of legwork and was a bit of pain. I ended up ordering my flowers from a local wholesaler, but life would have been so much easier if could have ordered them online from BloomsByTheBox. Given the fact that  I got married nine years ago, that wasn’t an option.

The selection at BloomsByTheBox is large and lovely. And these are not your average supermarket flowers. The online wholesale flowers, greens and floral supplies offered by BloomsByTheBox – including wholesale and bulk roses, carnations, calla lilies, hydrangea, lilies, sunflowers, peonies, chrysanthemums, daisies, tulips, gerbera daisies, greens and more – are premium ‘retail-quality’ flowers found in the finest florists and used by professional floral designers, as well as high-end wedding, hotel and restaurant arrangements. The roses, for example, are the “cream of the crop” from the most exclusive growers in the world.

You can view the selection of flowers here. And if you’re looking for some tips on how to create your DIY centerpieces and bouquets the site is jam-packed with how-to videos on DIY flowers.

Here’s to DIY flower power!

Photo One: DIY wedding bouquet and boutonnieres DIYed with flowers from BloomsByThe Box. Photography by Shelby Leigh from BloomsByTheBox; Photo Two: DIY bridal bouquet made with flowers from BloomsByTheBox.

Wouldn’t this snowflake garland be a great way to decorate for a wedding? Lupin over at Bugs and Fishes made these out of wallpaper and silver paper. The tutorial was featured in UK Handmade – a lovely online crafting magazine.

Are you a country gal at heart? Why not have a cowboy wedding – complete with cowboy boots!

The first time I saw cowboy boots on a bride was when I caught sight of Angelia and Kevin’s real wedding. Pretty soon I was seein’ em on other brides.

Here are some shots of cowboy boot-clad brides and bridesmaids. And don’t forget to check out these farm venues to host your cowboy wedding!

Photo One: Angelina & Kevin’s Real Wedding; Photo Two: Make Moments; Photo Three: Steven Myers; Photo Four: Life Candids; Photo Five: Once Wed; Photo Six: Photography by Monique; Photo Seven: Real Photography; Photo Eight: Tying the Knot