happy birthday

COLORADO

Today, our home state that we love, Colorado, turns 137! Colorado became the 38th state to join the union on Aug. 1, 1876. In honor of this special day, we’re shopping all things Colorado. If you’ve ever lived here, call the Rocky Mountain state home, or just love good ‘ole Colorado, splurge to represent!

CHEERS

Colorado Native Beer
Colorado Flag Bike Crate: Colorado Joes via Etsy 

WEAR IT WITH PRIDE

Colorado Flag Crocheted Hat: Jessie Hull via Etsy
Colorado Shirt: The Home T
The Colorado Hat: Delicate Limited
Colorado Flag Custom Hoodies: FrozenKiss via Etsy

IN THE HOME

Colorado State Pillow: Seasons Gifts and Home
Colorado Home State Print: Homeland Tees via Etsy
Colorado State License Plate Bookends by Joonia via Etsy

CLOSE TO YOUR HEART

 I heart Colorado Necklace: Tru.che on Etsy

ACCESSORIZE

 Colorado Flag Gold Head Cover: Old Man Granola
Colorado Flag iPhone Case: Zazzle

{images via Seasons Gifts and Home, Joonia, The Home T, Tru.che, Old Man Granola, Delicate Brand, Frozen Kiss, Zazzle, Homeland Tees, Colorado Joes, Jessie Hull}

peg…you’re it!

I was shopping the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale yesterday {yes, it’s Anniversary Sale time…so you must go…although try to do it without 3 kiddos running around – that’s what I did and it was not productive, in fact it was a disaster}. I had never spent time in the Infant/Toddler section. Ladies, I am going to hang out there more often! I love it, and so did my kids. I found inspiration for my home, they had a playhouse, an art table, exotic fish tank and toys, books and puzzles for the kids to play with. Smart of Nordy’s because we spent so much time there, I had no option but to shop while the kids played.

While I was there, I saw large peg boards they decorated with baskets, flowers and kids art. I fell in love, and am determined to create a framed, organized peg wall in my home for my kids.

As I discover more about peg boards, I am certain everyone needs one for a little more organization, and for event decor! I’m adding it to the ‘Honey-Do’ List today.

Honeybear Lane impresses with this large, framed peg board for her craft room.

The sisters at Shanty2Chic are SO talented and I fell in love with this DIY peg board they made for a friends nursery. Learn how-to here.

 We love this Jewelry and Accessories Station handmade by The 36th Avenue.

Seriously, this table runner at Ruffled Blog is so creative and unique.

Ruffled Blog WOWS us again with the cityscape backdrop made of peg board. So cool!

Gotta love color coordination. Something about it just makes us happy and feel organized. Check out this Mad in Craft runway-ready, colorful peg board.

Here is my quick phone camera photo from my trip to Nordstrom. I love how they decorated with tissue paper flowers and daisy’s, plus incorporated baskets for storage.

{images via Honeybear Lane, Shanty2Chic, The 36th Avenue, Ruffled Blog, one photo by Rebecca Hansen, Mad in Craft, Tutto Bella}

buzzworthy {continued}

Yesterday we showed you some amazing eye candy from the grand opening celebration of Eclectic Hive’s new warehouse. Today, we’re sharing the rest of the beautiful party…and some of their inventory.

Epicurean Catering catered the event, and did a fantastic job creating a ‘hive’ look. The tubes in the wire netting below had delicious soup in them. And I was told the honey bacon brittle was yummy.

For those of you LOVING the aspen tree bar like me, it is a white bar frame that they can slide different panels in such as the aspen trees you see here, corrugated metal and hedge wood grass to name a few.

And now, here’s just a glimpse of some treasures in their warehouse that may just be perfect for your next event.

VENDOR LOVE

Eclectic Hive (warehouse/decor)
The Workshop
 (event planning/coordination)
Jensen Sutta Photography (photography)
Peak Beverage (drinks)
LMD Productions (lighting)
Jacob Sanchez of DanceTrax Productions (music)

{images via Jensen Sutta}

buzzworthy

When I met Jillian at this year’s ICON Awards, I knew I wanted to learn more about her business. She was wearing a fashionable peplum top and she was so friendly. Both of us ran out of business cards when we met at the end of the evening, but with a unique company name, I didn’t forget it, and once I looked it up, I was ‘stung’ by ‘the hive.’ Let me introduce you to a fabulous, talented, fun and amazing group of women who are going to {already do} rock the event world with their decor company.

Eclectic Hive.

It’s a Colorado decor house and furniture rental company with unique decor for corporate functions, weddings, non-profit and social events.

Honestly, I took one look at their inventory and wanted to move in…or take some pieces home with me. I could live in a different ‘room’ in their warehouse each day of the week. From vintage couches, modern chairs and antique tables to eclectic accessories and unique lighting – their inventory will blow your mind.

The ladies at The Hive are constantly searching the streets of New York City, the markets in LA, vintage shops and small businesses across the country to find unique pieces. And, with years of experience in event design and event planning, Heidi, Jillian and Danielle have the expertise and ‘good eye’ for making events one-of-a-kind.

Jillian lived in LA and managed some of the hotspots in hollywood which led her to work in the special events industry.  She worked her way up to event manager, which she did for about 2 years in LA before moving to Denver, where she planned events for about 6 years. “I wanted to be more on the creative side and was ready to leave the planning part of the business, which is when I found my business partners (ironically, they were my competitors),” Jillian commented. “We found each other at the right time. They had always wanted to be a part of a décor company and I needed the support of strong women with a successful background in running a business and alas, here we are!!!!”

I {it’s me talking again} really believe that decor sets the stage for an event, and it tells the story of what the party if about, or if it’s a wedding, what the couple enjoys/appreciates/their style. I know the setting around me, and the unique details are what I remember most about events. And, whether the budget is large or small, unique pieces on any scale make a lasting impact.

The ladies at The Hive feel the same way. Jillian said, “Creating intimate and inviting places for the guests to nestle with a good friend and a cocktail or two is what we hope to provide.  We love pieces that are conversation starters and know that offering quaint, clever, seating and accents is the difference between a room without love and attention, and a room with the intention of creating memories.  Close.  Intimate.  Comfortable.  Clever.”

With all the versatile, gorgeous inventory {that’s constantly growing}, what’s Jillian’s favorite? “Right now, we have this insane crystal sphere floor lamp that blows my mind every time I see it.  This may be a favorite for a while.”

I have to say, I L.O.V.E that piece too.

We’re thrilled they are located in Denver, but for those of you outside of Colorado, they venture outside the state on occasion too…lucky you!

Today and tomorrow we have photos from their Open House. Insanely beautiful!


VENDOR LOVE

Eclectic Hive (decor)
The Workshop
(event planning/coordination)
Jensen Sutta Photography (photography)
Peak Beverage (drinks)
LMD Productions (lighting)
Jacob Sanchez of DanceTrax Productions (music)

{images via Jensen Sutta}

{recipe} mini patriotic pound cakes

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July holiday. We had a terrific weekend with family and friends at the pool, on the golf course and at fabulous parties {you will see party details soon}.

We had some glitches last week on our blog {convenient with a holiday, huh?}, so forgive us for not getting some of our patriotic posts to you. Good news is this recipe is easy and versatile. You don’t need to decorate with red, white and blue. Use fresh strawberries and blueberries if you want – but design it with someone’s name, a flower or even shapes.  Keep this in your recipe books because it is the best pound cake recipe ever! It’s the perfect summer time dessert. It’s slightly revised from my grandma’s recipe, and I think my grandma is one of the best cooks I’ve known. I will always cherish the special times I spent in the kitchen with her.

Mini Pound Cake
makes 14 or 1 loaf

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter {softened}
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1.5 cups whole milk
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt

How To
Add butter, eggs and sugar and mix with a blender until well blended.
Add salt and baking powder to the flour, then add the flour and milk, alternating each {while blending}.
Add vanilla and blend.
Pour into baking cups {you do not need to grease baking cups, however if you are using a standard loaf baking tin, you need to grease the pan}
Fill the baking cup 1/2-3/4 full.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-23 minutes. If you are making a standard loaf, cook for 50 minutes.
Stick a toothpick in the loaf or mini loaf, and if its comes out clean, it’s done.
Top with whipped cream and decorate with fruit.

Whipping Cream
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2-3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla.

Whip on a medium to medium-high speed until cream gets thicker and forms peaks.

Savor each bite! I know I do.

{images via Tutto Bella Blog}