upcycle mania

So sorry we’ve been MIA. Goodness, it seems we took a 3 week spring break. Between birthdays, vacation, kiddos and work, we haven’t had a chance to sit at the computer at all.

In honor of Earth Day today, we are sharing a few upcycle DIY projects that make re-using old things in a new way just, well…fabulous. And the best part…the only energy it takes is from you. If you’ve done any cool upcycling yourself lately, please send us photos…

Upcycled Ladder with Shelves, Less Than Perfect Life with Bliss


Plastic Spoon Mirror, Little Things Bring Smiles

Frame Corner Ceiling, Michael Stravato for the New York Times

Suitcase Side Table, Cupcake and Cashmere

Ski Lift Swing, Colorado Weddings Magazine
I don’t like to ski, but I could so do this

Hanging Rainboots Planters, Rosy Posy

 Upcycled Can Vase, Apartment Therapy

Leather and Wood Shelf, Design Sponge

Record Side Table, The Flourishing Abode

{images via Less Than Perfect Life with Bliss, Little Things Bring Smiles, The New York Times, Cupcakes and Cashmere, Colorado Weddings Magazine, Rosy Posy, Apartment Therapy, Design Sponge, The Flourishing Abode}

15 tips for a egg-tacular easter

Here’s some tips and ideas to make your Easter celebration memorable, beautiful and fun.

1. How Does She has some great non-candy Easter egg fillers the kids are sure to love, without missing the candy too much.

2. Kick up your hard-boiled egg up a cute notch with these adorable chick eggs on HGTV.

3. Give the most adorable favors we’ve ever seen with these ‘grown up’ easter baskets featured at Elizabeth Anne Designs.

4. At the end of the Easter egg hunt, have an egg popsicle treat ready for the kids to devour after all their hard hunting. Full tutorial found at Kailo Chic.

5. These would make adorable and healthy place cards for the kids, or a cute snack to bring to the kid’s school this week. Pottery Barn Kids has a full recipe and tutorial here.

6. Wants and Wishes created a fresh carrot centerpiece, and we couldn’t think of a better holiday for this look 

7. Don’t forget to decorate the outside of your house when your PEEPS arrive for the Easter celebration. Fill an up cycled window box with your favorite flowers. For a tutorial on how to create a beautiful window box, visit Hostess with the Mostess here.

8. Go one step further with your outdoor decor with a GORGEOUS wreath like this made at Laughing with Angels.

9. Find spring floral and brightly colored fabric and cut into triangles to make a spring bunting banner to add inside the house, or outside in the yard.

10. Everyone is talking about the color mint for this spring. So light, airy and refreshing. Add Essie’s Mint Candy Apple {available at Nordstrom} to the tips of your fingers for this Sunday’s celebration. If you really want to be trendy, make it a diagonal stripe with the other half of your nail being a nude color.

11. Make a refreshing spring cocktail your guests will love like this Ginger Goddess, made with SKYY Infusions Ginger Vodka, Kiwi Juice, Pear and Champagne

12. Set your table pretty in pink with a large vase of pink tulips in the center on top of a white table linen and crisp white, modern plates.

13. Think outside the egg when decorating this year’s batch and create Subway Art eggs like Lil Luna did. So creative! Full tutorial here.

14. Add a vintage touch to your table setting – we love all things vintage, so whether is an old birdcage, burlap bags, old wood boxes, antique vases, etc. –  make it happen. Our Vintage Home set a beautiful, simple table with a vintage vibe. Burlap bags found here.

15. I’m a DIY addict, so at least one thing on Sunday has to be DIY. I made Easter eggs with flower petals – and it was SO easy and I think they turned out pretty cute.

You Need:
Hydrangea {or flower with many petals}
Styrofoam easter egg {I found some at Hobby Lobby}
Push pins with a color ball at the end {in my case, I like yellow}

How To:
Pull petals off the flower and the hard small piece of plastic binding it together
Grab a pin, find a spot on the egg and push the pin in.
Continue until the egg is fully covered.


{images via HGTV, Elizabeth Anne Designs, Kailo Chic, Pottery Barn Kids, Wants and WishesBar None DrinksEpicurious, NordstromHostess with the Mostess, Laughing with Angels, spring banner: One Wed, Lil Luna, Our Vintage Home, Tutto Bella}

Valentine’s Day Gifts for Women

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching, and if you’re looking for that perfect gift for your lovely lady, we have some fantastic ideas. {Tommy, I’m eyeing the White Poppy Vase and of course the Tory Burch shoes. A ‘kid-free’ dinner out would work too} 🙂

1. Love Letter Napkins, Uncommon Goods {$48}

2. Classic Coffee and Tea Inside Out Heart Cups & Saucers, Set of 6, Amazon {$50}

3. Ceramic Bowl with Black and White Hearts, Ross Lab on Etsy {$26}

4. White Poppy Vase, Anthropologie {$20}

5. Tory Burch Eddie Bow Flat, Nordstrom {$250}

6. Bird Cage Lovers, Salt and Pepper Shakers, Pottery Barn {$34.50}

7. You are Loved, a whispered hand stamped soul mantra locket, Liz Lamoreux via Etsy {$40}

8. 3-D Song Hearts, Suzy Shoppe via Etsy {$75}

9. Mine Design Home Chalkboard Candles, sold and available at Fleur de Lis, a paperie, 303.996.6885 {$14-$24}

{images via AmazonRoss Lab, Uncommon Goods, Anthropologie, Pottery Barn, Liz Lamoreux, Mine Design, Suzy ShoppeNordstrom}

Ampersand Home Decor and Gifts

With Valentine’s Day coming up, there’s a lot of YOU & ME and ME & YOU talk. And, I can’t help but notice and LOVE the & in between it all. I’ve always loved the & symbol. I love the way it looks ~ against a wall, on an invite and on a piece of jewelry. So, today we’re all about the ampersand, &.

1. rustic gold leaf wood ampersand, Edie’s Lab via Etsy {$7}
2. ampersand wedding art print, between everything {$24}
3. ampersand bowl, pure home {$28}
4. ampersand brass letterpress necklace, Gwen Delicious Jewelry via Etsy {$37}
5. small ampersand cutting board, house industries {$90}
6. french style ampersand cushion, the wooden crate {$30}
7. ampersand coin purse, alphabet bags {$22.25}
8. galvanized ampersand single hook, the country porch {$7.95}
9. vintage ampersand marquee sign, saddle shoe signs {$35 to rent and $150 to purchase}
10. ceramic ampersand dish, iron accents {$7.95}
11. DIY mossy ampersand tutorial, two twenty one

{images via House Industries, Gwen Delicious Jewelry, alphabet bags, edie’s lab, the country porch, iron accents, the wooden crate, pure home, between everything, saddle shoe signs, and two twenty one}

meet…saddle shoe signs

You were first introduced to Saddle Shoe Signs with our latest Peppermint Wonderland photo shoot, and today we are going to introduce the company to you, and the fabulously talented Meredith Moran – the woman behind Saddle Shoe Signs. Yes, this is the same Meredith of Meredith Moran Photography. Not only is she a fantastic photographer, but she also makes the signs with her own two hands. We’ve  seen her work up close and personal…and they are beautifully handmade. In fact, we want some of our own!
Saddle Shoe Signs are vintage-inspired marquee lights.  Our signs are rented by the letter so customers can spell whatever they’d like, creating a custom sign perfect for their event,” Meredith said. “There are so many people out there buying “Eat, Drink & Be Married”, or ” I Do”  signs for their weddings, only to be stuck with the sign after the wedding (& we all hope there isn’t going to be another wedding!), or stuck with the hassle of giving it away, selling it, or just throwing it away.  How about the grand opening for your store or restaurant?  No need to be stuck with a “Grand Opening” sign after the “grand opening”.”
Rental prices are $35/letter for the first 2 letters, $25/letter after that. Outside of Denver, there is a minimum 3 letter rental, in addition to a mileage fee for traveling outside Denver. They deliver and install signs. All rental letters are red, but Meredith can make a letter in a different color for an additional fee.
For all you blissful brides out there, Meredith sweetened the deal. If you book her for your wedding, you can get a sign for free. Click here to see her portfolio.
Letters are also available for sale on Etsy {how cute would these letters be in a home…I can just see JOY on my mantle next Christmas}, and are made with heavier/high quality material. You have the option to choose from 20+ colors. Visit Saddle Shoe Designs on Etsy here.