fit for a queen

In honor of the Queen of England’s Jubilee celebration {June 2-5, 2012}, marking 60 years of the Queen’s reign in England, we’ve put together a list of British finds and party necessities fit for royalty…and you’re worthy!

For a beautiful tea party inspiration in honor of the Jubilee, visit Naomi Kenton’s site here.

Women’s Original British Boot, Hunter {$194}

Union Scarf, French Connection {$88}

Religion Union Jack Knitted Tunic, Asos {$97.41}

Union Jack Sunglasses, Asos {$20.87}

Keep Calm and Carry On Necklace, Bip & Bop {$19.99}

Union Jack Flag Lettering, Rosenberry Store

Tea Cup Bracelets, Stay Gold Mary Rose on Etsy

Vintage China Diamond Statement Ring, Stay Gold Mary Rose on Etsy {$39}

Jam Party Kit, Lakeland {£5.99}
{it’s too late to order these for the Diamond Jubilee, but this would be a fun party favor for an Olympics celebration…and can be made at home with small Mason jars, homemade jam and British-themed toppers and twine}

Union Jack Baker’s Twine, Not on the High Street {$7.42}

British Cupcake Kit, Meri Meri {$12.95}

The Loo Bathroom Sign, Shabby Sign Shop

Hand-decorated Kids Reclaimed Vintage Chairs, Mama Lilly {£85-200}

Union Jack Dresser, Miss Mustard Seed

Classic Union Jack Telephone, Present Finder {£49.99}

Strawberry Trifle Dessert, The Girl Who Ate Everything

{images via Cambridge News, Naomi Kenton, French Connection, Rosenberry Store, Bip & Bop, Stay Gold Mary Rose, Shabby Sign Shop, Not on the High Street, Hunter, Lakeland, Meri Meri, Mama Lally, Present Finder, Asos, Miss Mustard Seed, The Girl Who Ate Everything}

udder-ly in love

I LOVE the idea of doing a milk and cookie themed party for kids, but after seeing this beautiful, vintage Milk and Cookies shoot at Love and Lavender, I know a milk and cookies shoot for adults is not only fun, but gorgeous too. In fact, for cookie lovers, I think this party theme is a necessity. It’s official…I’m UDDER-ly in love…as Love and Lavender so eloquently say in the shoot!

 I love all the details in this shoot – the chocolate chips weighed on an antique scale, the menu on wood shingles and a recipe for love guest table…oh, it’s too cute for words! Thank you to the creative and talented sisters-in-law pair, Ellen and Aileen, at Love and Lavender for sharing their photos with us. And, definitely check out the rest of the shoot here {there’s a lot more fantastic inspiration waiting for you}.

If you thought Part I was amazing {you’re right because it was}, but you’re in for a tasty treat with Part II of their cookie shoot. See the full shoot here.

{images courtesy of  Jonda Spurbeck Photographers via Love and Lavender}

they are adding to their nest baby shower

A beautiful, vintage iron birdcage from the Pasadena Rose Bowl was the inspiration behind this They Are Adding to Their Nest baby shower. Experts are telling me birdcages are the “it” thing right now in decor, so this birdcage, and all the details to go along with, really NESTled in with the trend beautifully. We adore the soft color palette, vintage china patterns, the beautiful invite, the bird bath centerpiece and as always…the chandelier.

Brooke of Brooke Merrill Photography captured the sweet details, and fills us in on the inspiration behind the photos.

Using square tables and chiavari chairs, Ellen and Brook {the mom-to-be’s inseparable best friends since elementary school} were able to maximize the space within the backyard and allow friends and family to sit with the guests of honor, Jodi and Travis.

According to Brook, “We also pulled in vintage china patterns, silver-plated flatware and a burlap table runner to complete the vintage, chic feel we were going for. The wow factor came from the regency-style, gold and crystal chandelier that we hung over center of the table so that it was the first thing guests saw when they walked outside.”

And, only as truly genuine friends would say, Brook commented, “When it was all over, Ellen and I both agreed that the best part of the evening was being there to witness our best friend with her best friend celebrating a new first adventure together…getting ready to welcome their baby.”

Well done ladies! Everyone deserves life-long friends like you.

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Brooke Merrill Photography

{images via Brooke Merrill Photography}

rx: sweet happiness

My sister-in-law recently graduated from nursing school {you go girl!}, so in addition to the new Bayan Hippo purse and Curly Girl travel mug we bought for her, I wanted to fill the purse with something medical-related and sweet.

What did I come up with?

Happy Pills.

Sometimes we need a reason to smile…and sometimes laughter, happiness and joy is the best medicine. Instead of filling prescription bottles with real drugs, we filled empty, clean prescription bottles {you can re-use old bottles or buy from amazon.com} with candy, gum, chocolate and mints.

If you’re hosting a medical school or nursing grad party, another fun idea is to stack them for a display on a dessert table, or give them as take-home favors. It’s affordable and so cute!

Or, for the girlfriend who just had her heart broken by a man – these would certainly cheer her up.

Or {the possibilities are endless}, how cute would it be to give to the bride in her day-of essentials/emergency kit or for a newly-engaged bride to get her through a year of planning? An I Do prescription bottle filled with breath-freshening mints. Or, one for each of the bridesmaids.

Good news for you…we are selling these in our Fleur de Lis, a paperie etsy shop. Check them out here and order today. {$5 for file as is and $10 for a custom file}

{images via Tutto Bella}

all aboard

Sawyer is an adorable little boy who loves Thomas the Train. So, for his 2nd birthday, Sawyer’s talented and creative mom {Sara} threw a fantastic train-themed party.  It was darling. With the backdrop of an old train, the bright blue and red printables from Anders Ruff, and all the DIY-train details including ‘diesel fuel beverage,’ train boxes from Ikea, spray-painted frames from the Dollar Tree and a candy bar that treated guests to swedish fish, airheads, aqua swirl suckers and york peppermint Hershey drops, it was a 2nd birthday to remember. ZoomWorks captured all the choo choo fun.

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: ZoomWorks
Venue: Camp Toccoa in Georgia
Printables: Anders Ruff

{images via ZoomWorks}