diy – Page 63

06/04

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}

posted by jessica Leave a Comment
Filed Under: adult, decor, diy, lifestyle, party, recipe Tagged: british, dessert, diy, etsy, fashion, holiday, home decor, jewelry, party, summer, vintage

05/30

antonia + reggie

When Jessica Strong, owner of A Vintage Affair Rentals, and Emily of Emily Elizabeth Photo sent these ‘backyard wedding celebration’ photos to us, we were smitten. We love the simplicity of the celebration and its uniqueness filled with DIY details by the bride and groom. They really made it ‘their day’ in every way. Oh, and the fabulous food truck…we absolutely love!

Here’s all the wonderful details from the blissful bride:

September 23, 2011 was the day of my wedding celebration. I was married to my Love, Reggie Lafaye on May 5, 2011 at the Starhouse near Boulder, Colorado with under 10 guests in attendance. This was exactly what we wished for – a small, sacred ceremony and then a super fun, happy party with all of our friends and family with us to celebrate our love.

My vision was one of celebration basked in the aesthetic of myself and my husband which is very earth connected, but still elegant and creative. Originally I wanted a bohemian carnival feel, like gypsies running through the night celebrating being alive! Had we a farm with tons of land, I think with my amazing wedding coordinator, Paige Domiano of Peekay Soiree, we could have achieved that. But since we chose to have our celebration at our home in the city, we had to tone it down a bit.

We still kept an undertone of carnival to the party. Paige made beautiful, mini hot air balloons that sat atop of the pillars as you entered our home. Our guest book, which people left finger prints instead of signatures, was a hot air balloon illustration done by Bluedetoi, a custom artist on Etsy. Several other ‘carnival’ touches were achieved through custom pieces. We have a local godsend in Denver, a company called A Vintage Affair Rentals, I choose to rent an old gumball machine that we filled with chocolate-covered peanuts. Also our bar was an old lemonade stand, which reminded me of an early 20th century carnival or fair. I also made a numbered checkered board for people to put their drinks on while dancing. That was a HUGE project! It took twice as long as I thought to stencil in all the numbers and paint them opposite colors.

104 Antonia and Reggie checkerboard cup holder

We had home-made caramel corn served in old school pop corn bags, and of

course the FOOD TRUCK! Nothing says carnival more to me than a food truck. And Steuben’s Food Truck did an outstanding job serving over 100 people amazing food.

That aesthetic was balanced by the more refined elegant Bohemian touches, which is my essence. I love the creativity of what a bohemian lifestyle is with a touch of old Hollywood glamour thrown in for good measure. My dress was made by Two birds. Since I wore a white dress to our ceremony I wanted something in color for the celebration. And I wanted that color to be a dark teal. The fabric was so soft and did not wrinkle! Also, it photographed beautifully and I was comfortable all night long. My husband wore a vintage suit of my grandfathers as an homage to him. He recently passed and was a very big influence in my life.

My best friend Mia and I made my bouquet out of peacock feathers. I wanted something that I could have forever, and have a rich and luscious feel (old Hollywood). It turned out so beautiful, especially since we made it the day of the celebration while we were getting our hair done! Thank God we are both good under pressure. We also made my husband’s boutonniere out of feathers as well.

The flowers were made by another one of my best girlfriends who is a genius when it comes to arranging. We used wild flowers with twigs and feathers. I wanted it to look like someone took a walk in the forest and collected these, and that is exactly how they came across. I found all different shapes of vases and spray painted them. Mostly in black, brown but a few white to give it contrast. They sat upon wood slices, some of which has tiny birdhouses next to them.

The lighting was mostly twinkle and gas lights with a lot of lanterns. I love the feel of lanterns especially when they have that gypsy quality to them. We hung the vintage lanterns from our oak tree and them randomly places the others around the yard. My husband and his father hung a ton of the twinkle lights above the dance floor. It looked amazing! That is where everyone gathered after we ate dinner, underneath the “stars” of the dance floor.

We did a lot of things ourselves but two of my favorite pieces I made were the photo booth backdrop and the party favors. The backdrop was totally tongue in cheek. It was a two wolves howling at the night sky that had a full moon and some extraterrestrial activity happening. Everyone, even my grandmother, was howling’ at the moon! And for the party favors, I wanted something that would be a keepsake, and that would not be thrown away. So I made stainless steel and leather key chains. They were all slightly different but very beautiful. I made a handful of them with fur and leather fringe for some of my girlfriends who like that look. They were made from recycled leather and fur I bought from Ebay and the stainless steel rings I bought at home depot.

Right after dinner and all of the toasts, we went to the front of the house for a group photo. Paige handed out sparklers to everyone and this is where the night turned up a notch. We took photos with all of the sparklers, and then headed to the back for a full-on dance party! I was on the dance floor all night long. It was once of the most incredible nights of my life. I was literally high off of all the happiness and love that everyone felt. It is a night I will never forget. I love and thank everyone who made this such a success.

VENDOR LOVE

Photography: Emily Elizabeth Photo
Catering: Steuben’s Food Truck
Desserts: Watercourse Bakery {mini ho ho’s, Happy Cakes – mini pies, homemade S’mores sticks}

Libations: Mondo Vino
Event coordinators: Peekay Soiree, Paige Domiano

Vintage Decor Rentals: A Vintage Affair rentals
Dress: Two Birds
Makeup by Angela Alonzo: angela.marie.alonzo@gmail.com
Hair: Love, a Hair Studio by artist Orleana Lynch
DJ: Eric Halborg of The Swayback

posted by jessica 1 Comment
Filed Under: diy, vintage, wedding Tagged: cupcake, dessert, diy, etsy, food truck, lemonade, photobooth, vintage, wedding

05/29

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}

posted by jessica Leave a Comment
Filed Under: adult, diy, kid, party, vintage, wedding Tagged: birthday, dessert, diy, milk and cookies, table, vintage, wedding

05/24

How to Create DIY Tissue Paper Flowers

Spring showers bring May flowers … so it also brings tissue paper and tape 🙂

These DIY paper flowers are such a unique {and cheap!} diy project that brightens up your window display. We used for our window display at Fleur de Lis, a paperie, but these would be adorable decorations for a spring garden party, backdrop to a dessert table or for your home.

Visit Design Sponge for detailed ‘how to’ instructions.

{images via Tutto Bella}

posted by jodi Leave a Comment
Filed Under: diy, lifestyle Tagged: diy, flowers, home decor, summer, window display

05/23

heather + dennis

I saw this photo…

and was completely in love with this wedding…and I want to borrow the bride’s red shoes!

Heather and Dennis McMahon were married back in June 12, 2010 in Syracuse, New York. Living in Colorado and planning the wedding in New York was no small feat according to Heather, “but damn was it a good time, and a day that I would do over and over again, and never change a single detail.”

Two years later, the classic ballroom/vintage style of this wedding is still timeless and an inspiration for today’s brides. Per Heather and Dennis’ request, their photographer Kelly Stremmel captured their day the way it unfolded, without too many shots being posed, but rather artistic shots that represent things the way they took place. The artistic, natural shots Kelly captured was one of our favorite things about this wedding…and we’re happy to share it with you today.

After meeting at SUNY Oswego in New York their last semester of college, and joining mutual friends at a Dave Matthews Concert several weeks later, Heather and Dennis had an undeniable love connection. Having dated only 6 short months, the love birds moved Vail, Colorado and on their 4th anniversary Dennis popped the question at The Vail Plaza Hotel before a romantic dinner at LaTour. They married two years later, almost 6 years to the day of our “first date” at the Dave Matthews show.

In Heather’s words: It was very important to me that my bridesmaids be comfortable and have the ability to showcase their own style. I gave each girl black coque feathers to put in their hair however they desired once it was styled, and a vintage brooch to incorporate into their dress wherever they liked.

We wanted to have a bit of Colorado inspiration in our wedding, but still pull off the ballroom vintage vibe. We placed hummingbird fly fishing flies in our calla lily boutonnieres for the guys as Dennis is a big fly fisherman and our guest book was a coffee table picture book filled with stunning images of Colorado.

To see each other or not to see each other before the ceremony was a question Heather struggled with, but as she said, “I knew that if I didn’t see him and get all of those emotions out-of-the-way, the anticipation was going to leave me an emotional, blubbering wife-to-be. Dennis is my rock and I needed him with me for the emotional roller coaster that was our wedding day… and I simply could not wait to be with him! So, about an hour prior to the ceremony Dennis and I met on a street corner.

wedding party_kelly_stremmel_photography

wedding couple_kelly_stremmel_photography

The 590-room non functioning hotel was built in 1924 and has character and charm like no other. The floor to ceiling windows offer a picturesque view of the city, the stunning vintage gold chandeliers everywhere create an incredibly romantic ambiance, and on the 10th floor is the Grand Ballroom…perfect for our reception.

syracuse hotel ballroom_kelly_Stremmel_photography

bride and groom reception chairs_kelly_Stremmel_photography

couple walking into reception_kelly_stremmel_photography

In Heather’s words: The Dave Matthews Band was what sparked our fiery romance, and therefore their music served as inspiration on our wedding day. Our first dance was to none other than the DMB song, “You and Me.” Dennis picked me up when Dave sings “…teach them to fly…” And we leaned back and forth on each other singing “…we could do better than anything that we did, you know that you and me, we could do anything,” with a stratigic high five and then I did my happy dance.