baby brewing

With all the wonderful baby news going on around my life these days, I thought I’d make a fun and creative way for people to tell their friends and loved ones they are expecting. Super easy and if a preggo mama can’t drink coffee, someone else might as well enjoy it, right?


I worked with Jenna {of course} at Fleur de Lis, a paperie to create custom tags with the baby news, cut them out and used double-sided duct tape to adhere to coffee sleeves. If you are sharing the news in person, the sleeve would be adorable on an actual cup with coffee or a Starbucks VIA Ready Brew inside. If you are sending via mail and want to save some $ on shipping, you can just use the double-sided tape to attach the Starbucks VIA Ready Brew inside the sleeve.

Order a custom baby brewing tag from our Etsy store, Fleur de Lis, a paperie today. $7 for a custom file. Click here to order and start sharing your happy baby news.

{images via Tutto Bella Blog}

taste the rainbow

Well, we’ve taken the melting candy project to another level since our peppermint DIY serving tray back in December.
This time around, we used Jolly Ranchers … and we are loving the results!
How cute is this rainbow tray for St. Patty’s Day?!

All you need is:
Jolly Ranchers {I used about half of the large bag}
A cookie sheet
Wax {or parchment} paper
Pennies
{or other decorative items – I think marshmallows would be adorable to use as clouds in place of pennies!}

How to:
Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees
Line the cookie sheet with wax paper
Decorate Jolly Ranchers in a rainbow shape
Bake for approximately 12 minutes
{time may vary depending on altitude, thickness of cookie sheet, ect – keep an eye on it!}

Take Note:
The wax paper may get a little smoky while baking in the oven… just keep an eye on it!
{check every two minutes or so}
The center candies may not melt as quickly as the outside. I took it out when the outside candies were properly melted and left the candy on the cookie sheet – the inside candies slowly melted from the heat of the cookie sheet.
If you have imperfections, don’t sweat it. Carefully glaze the outside of your shape with a sharp knife.
Wait until your tray cools to peel wax paper off of the bottom. I kept mine on at the bottom to avoid stickiness while carrying.
Feel free to experiment with a sealant to solve the sticky issues. (I have not tried a sealant before}

May you have all the happiness
and luck that life can hold—
And at the end of all your rainbows
may you find a pot of gold!

{images via Tutto Bella}

just hitched

First I saw a Just Hitched sign on a newlywed couple’s reception chairs in Colorado Expression’s Confetti Magazine, then I found the one above {found at Bash, Please} and just knew I had to share it. It was love at first sight. Such a sweet, rustic touch to a wedding, and a charming decor item in a married couple’s home to remind them of their special day.

Green Wedding Shoes shares a wonderful tutorial on how to make a DIY rope sign here. You could make a just hitched sign, mr. and mrs. or whatever your heart or DIY-self desires.

{images via Green Wedding Shoes and Bash, Please}

and the oscar goes to…

YOU for throwing a fabulous party!

I have to say, although “Oscar season” is totally overplayed in the media {with all that we have going on in the world} and the show can be a bit boring, I enjoy the show just to see what people are wearing! I love the fashion that the night brings, and as a party girl, I love the excuse to invite some girlfriends over and watch the Oscars! With these tips. your Oscar party {Sunday, February 26} will be red-carpet worthy.

Kathleen at Twig and Thistle created an ENTIRE SET of Oscar party printables. From the invites, to the voting ballots and place cards – she’s got your covered and they are all for FREE here. Thanks, Kathleen. I based my party inspiration on her classic black, white, gold and kraft paper.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS:

For the table, find a sparkly gold table cloth, or if you don’t have one, find a white table cloth and add a black and white chevron runner down the middle of the table.

Add and light lots of votive candles. Love me some candle lighting.

Place a ballot from Twig and Thistle at each place setting and a gold pencil for guests to fill out at the beginning of the night.

Cut out white stars from cardstock paper, write best actress nominations {Glenn Close, Viola Davis, Rooney Mara, Meryl Streep and Michelle Williams…if you have more friends than nominees, add best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominees} and attach via black and white twine to champagne flutes. Your girlfriends can be a nominee for the night…and keep track of their cocktail.

For the centerpieces, spray paint wine bottles with chalkboard paint and use chalk to write down all Best Picture nominees {Hugo, The Descendents, The Artist, Moneyball, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, War Horse, The Tree of Life, The Help, The Artist and Midnight in Paris}. Complete with look with a white flower inside the wine bottle centerpiece.

Hang black, white and gold poms above the table.

WHAT’S ON THE MENU:

I think it would be a blast to pay homage to all the year’s best nominated films by serving foods inspired by the movies. Epicurious had some fantastic ideas…so I picked what I thought would be delicious to try.
Deviled Eggs and Chocolate Cream Pie {The Help}
Hot Dogs and Beer {Moneyball}
Cranberry Apple Crisp with Oatmeal Streusel Topping {War Horse}
Cherry Tomato Pizza Margherita {Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close}
Twice Baked Potato with Goat Cheese and Chives and Creamed Spinach {The Artist}
Crab Cakes with Creamy Chili Sauce or Coconut Shrimp {The Descendants},
French Champagne {Midnight in Paris}
Skillet Corn Bread {The Tree of Life}
Oven Baked Chicken and Slow Roasted Tomatoes on a Baguette {Hugo}

If all that is too fancy for you, I think Moneyball inspired food – peanuts, hotdogs, beer, Coca-Cola and CrackerJack boxes would be lovely…and of course some French Champagne for a little fabulousness!

{images via Twig and Thistle, Snippet and Ink, MaryJane and Galoshes, The Glitter Guide, Reasons to Breathe, Pinterest, Lindsey B Photography and Rue}

megan + taylor

This wedding is so sweet and genuine. Just reading about Megan’s recollection of her day makes you feel the love and the pure joy that was that day for she and hubby Taylor. The bright bouquets pop of color with the neutral bridesmaid dresses and winter white backdrop was beautiful. And, the DIY touches are charming. Laura Murray from Laura Murray Photography captured the beauty of every moment on a stunning Colorado December day.

In the brides words… I loved every part of our day. Getting ready with my dearest friends and family members was such a blast and they were so supportive and encouraging. My heart deeply cherishes the time I had with my dad moments before he walked me down the aisle. He is a wise, loving man and the perfect one to speak to me before such an important moment in my life. I am so very glad Taylor and I decided not to see each other before the aisle. It really built such a delightful anticipation for us to see each other at our wedding ceremony! The ceremony was so special with Taylor’s dad, Reverend Dan Jessup, as our officiant. Taylor and I washed each others feet as our first act to one another. It was such a moving moment, a beautifully almost inconvenient part of the ceremony.

The reception was so rich and fun! It meant so much to me to be celebrating in a room that so many people poured their love, personality, and creativity into to make it look so fabulous. To look around and see a little piece of so many people who have poured so much into my life in the decorations of our wedding was an honor.

The greatest surprise of the day came during the reception from my new husband! He sat alone on a chair on the dance floor, played his guitar, and sang to me. Earlier that day, I walked down to an electric violin instrumental of “Marry Me” by train. I also surprised Taylor by having the lyrics of that song wrapped around our wedding cake. It came full circle when he opened his mouth and sang to me, our song. What a lucky woman I am! It was such a gift that I will forever cherish. The dance was an absolute blast! From interpretive group performances to talent to non-stop wiggly kiddos, it was the perfect way to rejoice together.

The Lord, my husband, and all the people who came to be a part of our day made it so perfectly unforgettable and I am so thankful for what our wedding day was!

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Laura Murray Photography
Flowers: Mountain Meadows Flowers & Gifts
DJ: Sunset Productions Entertainment Company
Venue: Trail West Lodge
Bride’s Dress: The French Door
Ties: The Dotted Duck by Kim Doughan
Bridesmaids hair pieces: Etsy shop Jessica Rayes
MakeUp: Erica McCarthy
Dance floor: All Pro Rents

{images via Laura Murray Photography}