sweet succulent love

My latest obsession is succulents. Oh my goodness, I love them. And, they are everywhere – from the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens and real weddings featured in bridal magazines, to their latest debut – my dining room! I am so into them right now. Experts tell me they are easy to maintain – let’s hope so for the sake of my newly planted succulent garden.

Succulents have been popular in floral decor at weddings for a couple of seasons now, and they continue to thrive. I love the variety of succulents and the texture they bring into floral centerpieces.

Look at these gorgeous bouquets. From the bride to her maids, succulents ‘complete’ the look of these bouquets. Who knew a ‘cactus plant’ would look so good next to a pink peony?

I’m trying to find a reason to throw a party just to give away a succulent favor. These make wonderful gifts for friends and family, they are an easy and affordable DIY and make a lovely table display before guests take them home.

A cake that combines Succulents and Chevron… I’m in love.

Last but not least, a DIY Succulent Table by Far Out Flora. I love that Succulents remain a permanent centerpiece.

centerpiece images via: Elizabeth Anne Designs {Large Orange, Peace, White and Succulent Centerpiece}, Wedding Chicks {Neutral and Anthropologie-looking Centerpiece} Ruffled Blog {Succulents and Vintage Silver}, The Sweetest Occasion {Single Succulent next to Birch Vases}, Elizabeth Anne Designs {Succulents with White Rocks and Hydrangea with Single Succulent Centerpieces}, Erin Hearts Court {Billy Ball and Succulent Centerpiece} and Martha Stewart Weddings {Succulent Centerpiece with Blue and White Plates}

 bouquet images via: Wedding Chicks {Bridesmaids Bouquets} It’s a Bride’s Life {Succulents and bright Peonies}, Bride Finds {Succulent Bouquet on the top right}, Erin Hearts Court {Yellow Billy Balls and Succulents Bouquet}, Greer Loves {large Succulent in middle of bouquet}, Bleu Style {Peach, Light Pink and Succulent Bouquet} and Style Me Pretty {Succulent Bouquet in Vase}

favor images via: Love and Lavender {Terra-Cotta painted pots}, Green Wedding Shoes {Salsa Can Succulent Favors}, Elizabeth Anne Designs {Single Succulent on Napkin and Single Succulent in Rust-Colored Bucket}, Emmaline Bride {Succulents in Tea Cups}, Frolic! Blog {Succulent Favors in Buckets with Names}

{Other images via Caroline Tran PhotographySweet and Saucy Shop and Far Out Flora}

some bunny loves you

I love these sweet Tutto Bella gift finds to show someone special you love and appreciate them, to bring as a hostess gift or to give as a party favor this Easter.

Custom Ceramic Egg, $28 from Paloma’s Nest

Personalized Easter Favor Bags, $24 for a set of 8 bags from The English Pea
Robin’s Egg Soaps in Nest Soap Dish, $25 from Gianna Rose Atelier
Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase , $28 from Anthropologie
{I REALLY want this…}

 Wire Bag Basket, Pottery Barn
{this would be great to fill with goodies for the day or dyed easter eggs in a bed of hay}

{images via The English Pea, Anthropologie, Gianna Rose AtelierPaloma’s Nest and Pottery Barn}

brown paper flowers for easter

What did I do with a couple free hours {nap time}, brown paper bags, easter eggs and inspiration from The Nate Berkus Show?

Brown paper flowers for easter, of course.

This might be the cheapest project I’ve ever done – the eggs were .50 cents, and I already had brown paper bags and hot glue. My husband would say the word ‘cheap’ is not in my vocabulary, but after this project I beg to differ.

The creator of this simple and adorable project {that can be used for holidays, or even decor for birthday parties} is Destiny from A Place For Us. She created them for her mantle, and has a wonderful tutorial on how to make the flowers.

I followed her tutorial, then made the flowers Easter-friendly by gluing one side of a plastic easter egg to the center of the flower.

Step 1:
Draw and cut out a leaf template or find one online. I used three different sized leaf templates, small, medium and large.

Step 2:
Trace your leaf template onto brown paper bags. I used about 20 bags for this project.

Step 3:
Fold each leaf length-wise so it will help create a multi-dimensional effect when displayed.

Step 4:
Start with the largest size leaf, and begin to glue {I used a hot glue gun} each leaf on top of one another in the same central point. Continue to glue leaves on your flower, layering the large leaves, then the medium-sized leaves, finishing with the small leaves.


Step 5:
Cut one side of a plastic egg and glue to the middle of the flower.

Step 6:
Add tape to the back and find the perfect spot to display in your home.

{images via Tutto Bella}

revived with vintage revivals

I knew I was impressed with Mandi at Vintage Revivals when I saw her Anthropologie-inspired teapot lamp and DIY rug, but after I saw her again on The Nate Berkus Show last week, now I know Mandi is extremely talented and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. I want to hire her to come into my house. Her blog and Nate will have to do for now.

Hope you find some inspiration for your own home with these DIY beauties. Click on the links below to read Mandi’s how-to tutorials.

Yarn Ombre Lamp

PVC Pipe Dresser

Mirrored Dresser

{images via Vintage Revivals}

if this shoe were a room…

I fully admit, I’m obsessed with Houzz. As my girlfriend says, “It’s like my Architectural Digest fix.” Not only can I find beautiful inspiration for my home, but I found products I want to buy and where to buy them. Gotta love that! If you have an ipad, you MUST get the Houzz App. It’s fabulous.

Combine my obsession with Houzz, and Jenna’s obsession with shoes and…If This Shoe Were a Room was born. It just shows that sometimes all you have to do is look down and find your next piece of inspiration on your very own feet.

If this Sperry Top Sider  Montauk Leather Boat Shoe were a room…

…it would be crisp, clean and oh so coastal nautical.

If this DV by Dolce Vita Archer Sandal were a room…

…it would be a cottage-chic pink and light teal bedroom with touches of gold.

If this Tom’s Corbel Classic Slip On were a room…

…it would be a bright and cheerful dining room full of pattern, color and bright light.

If this VC Signature Lene Sandal were a room…

…it would be bold, unique, glamorous and organic.

If this Kate Spade New York Cindy Wedge were a room…

…it would be a posh and fabulous fashion office in New York City {with black and white stripes, of course}.

If this elaborate Christian Louboutin shoe were a room…

…it would be a chic, detailed and shimmery room {in this case, a bathroom…I know, I know a Christian Louboutin should never be compared to a  bathroom, but just bear with me}

{images via Garrison Hullinger Interior Design, Design House, Honey & Silk, Nordstrom, NL Designs, Tara Seawright, The Designers Palette and Casa Sugar}