italian terra cotta love

I have always loved terra-cotta {or baked earth translated in Italian} pots because they remind me of being in Italy, and they remind me of summer and beautiful flowers.

I’m heading to Home Depot this week to make this for my son’s teachers, and might have to buy a couple more terra-cotta pots to make the projects below. It’s the time of year for planting, so it’s the perfect time to start these easy, affordable DIY’s.

Chalkboard Pots, Martha Stewart
{These would make for great gifts, escort cards, favors, place cards and home garden}
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Terra Cotta Gift
, Martha Stewart
{fill the terra-cotta pot with seed packets, top the pot with the saucer and tie a bow on top with twine for a lovely, affordable gift}
terra cotta diy gift

ImageDIY Potted Banana Bread, Style Me Pretty
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Thank You for Helping Me Grow Teacher Gift
, Giggles Galore
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DIY Cupcake Stand, Once Wed
{This idea can be used for a wedding, a birthday party or a shower. It’s an affordable way to make a cupcake stand the color and design of your choice.}

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Graphic Pots for any Celebration, Chicago Home and Garden

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Favors and Wedding Decor, Snippet and Ink
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DIY Terra Cotta Pot Coasters, Joy is at Home

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Pretty Pots, Christine Chitnis
{click here for her tutorial}
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{images via Once Wed, Martha Stewart, Giggles Galore, Style Me Pretty, Chicago Home and Garden, Joy is at Home, Snippet and Ink and Christine Chitnis}

POST-IT party for the grad

I am so excited about this idea because we all use Post-it® notes {my sister Jenna is about as obsessed as Oprah} and what a relevant product to decorate a party with for a new grad. The colors are bright. The ideas are endless. The cost is affordable. The cuteness is unbearable. Here are some of my ideas ~ now I just need a party to put them into action. Anyone want me to plan their Post-it® Grad Party? 🙂

David Stark is a genius planner {his recent book David Stark Design looks fabulous} and I am so impressed with his Post-it® decor on a recent episode of The Nate Berkus Show episode and a party seen below.
{yes, those are vases covered with colored pencils, rolling hills with pencils and post it notes and pencils for guests to doodle at each place setting ~ all of which are totally doable for a grad party}

This David Stark DIY Fridge Project featured on Design Sponge provides excellent how-to details for a Post-it® backdrop for your upcoming grad party, or simple fridge decor.

I absolutely LOVE Chris from Celebrations at HomeA Bright Future‘ graduation party. Because Post-it® Notes are bright, some of her ideas would work wonderfully with our party theme. You must check out her entire party post here, but for now make sure your guests can enjoy bright-colored candy {to match your Post-Its} placed inside light bulbs in honor of your ‘bright’ child. Chris, you are so creative.

This Post-It Mini Clipboard for $4 by Acarrdian Cards on Etsy would be an adorable favor for friends to take home.

For all your single minglers or forgetful minded guests {like me}, your guests can exchange numbers at your party with these Post-It-shaped Watches available at Paris Boutique PA Design for $13.60

Create a Post-it® Note tree or wall where people can grab notes individually and write notes of advice to the new grad. Once they write a note, have a table close by with a 8.5×11 book for 6 spots per page for Post-it® Notes. It will serve as a ‘guest book’ for the grad to keep forever.

Other ideas:

Work with Jenna at Fleur de Lis, a paperie, to create a Post-It Note Invite. She can work with you to design it. I promise it will be cute.

Design a background that says ‘congrats’ with Post-Its, along with Post-It message, like Martha Stewart did in the top photo on kraft paper.

{images via David Stark Sketchbook, Design Sponge, Celebrations at HomeAcarrdian Cards, PA Design, Modern Kiddo}

mr. and mrs.

his and hers.

Let’s face it, when we get married we become a Mr. or Mrs and things become his and hers. Why not celebrate it with fabulous gifts to give the newly engaged couple, or the newly married couple?

Jonathan Adler ‘Mr. and Mrs.’ Reversible Mug, Nordstrom {$24}

Mr. and Mrs. Cocktail Glass Set, Furbish {$18}

Mr. & Mrs. Burlap Pillows, Simply French Market on Etsy {$58}

His and Hers Pillowcases, Faceplant Dreams
{available for purchase at Fleur de Lis, a paperie}

DIY His and Hers Lampshades, Vintage Revivals
{visit here for how-to instructions}

{images via Furbish, Nordstrom, Vintage Revivals, Simply French Market and Faceplant Dreams}

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}

easter diy

These DIY projects are just too precious not to share. I’m giddy to try them…phew, it’s going to be a busy week!

Flower Easter Eggs, Pizzazzerie

Peep S’mores, Confetti {love this for the kids}

Easter Bunny ‘Carrots’, Loralee Lewis

DIY Succulent Eggs, Roy Joy

DIY Doily Candle {or in this case egg holder}, Budget Dream Weddings

DIY Word Egg, Poppytalk {this would be a sweet way to send a note to friends and family out-of-town}

Daffodil Candy Cups, Martha Stewart

{images via Pizzazzerie, Confetti, Poppytalk, Roy Joy, Martha Stewart, Budget Dream Weddings and Lorelee Lewis}