some bunny loves you

I love these sweet Tutto Bella gift finds to show someone special you love and appreciate them, to bring as a hostess gift or to give as a party favor this Easter.

Custom Ceramic Egg, $28 from Paloma’s Nest

Personalized Easter Favor Bags, $24 for a set of 8 bags from The English Pea
Robin’s Egg Soaps in Nest Soap Dish, $25 from Gianna Rose Atelier
Curvy Chrysanthemum Vase , $28 from Anthropologie
{I REALLY want this…}

 Wire Bag Basket, Pottery Barn
{this would be great to fill with goodies for the day or dyed easter eggs in a bed of hay}

{images via The English Pea, Anthropologie, Gianna Rose AtelierPaloma’s Nest and Pottery Barn}

will you be my bridesmaid?

I am so the type of woman that makes something bigger than it needs to be. Instead of asking a simple question/favor of someone or buying a lovely gift, I obsess about the perfect gift or the most unique and elaborate way to ask a question. For me, it’s about taking that extra step to make something cute and memorable. It doesn’t have to be super elaborate or expensive – just personal and creative!

A perfect example is asking a friend to be a bridesmaid. It’s an honor to stand next to a dear friend on her wedding day and it’s a big commitment, so it’s an important question to ask. There’s nothing wrong with asking a girlfriend to be in your wedding face to face or with a simple card. But, I love the idea of taking it a step further…

Here are some adorable ways you can impress your maids {the first one is my new fave}…

Will You Be My Bridesmaid Postcard, Fleur de Lis, a paperie on Etsy
{We are so excited to announce that this piece is sold at our Etsy store…yes, we have an Etsy store, Fleur de Lis, a paperie on Etsy. It’s still a project we’re streamlining, but we are so happy to offer our paper products to all of you via Etsy. You can customize and buy this bridesmaid postcard and many others in the future.
{NOTE: We have so many beautiful and fun pieces to post and promise to do so in time, so thank you in advance for your patience}
{front}

{back}

Will You Be My Bridesmaid Personalized Token of Affection Gifts, Choosing You on Etsy

{Or, for all you DIY gals}
DIY Wooden Spool Will You Be My Bridesmaid, featured at Hey Gorgeous

Personalized Wine Bottles

Will You Be My Bridesmaid Cigar Box, The Wedding Chicks
{love the idea of laying out the day to your maids with details, their role, what you want your wedding to look like, bridesmaid dress inspiration, color samples and personal notes, photos and momentos of you and your maid throughout the years}

{images via Choosing You, Hey Gorgeous, Jacey at Damsel in Dior, Wedding Chicks and Tutto Bella}

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}

sour soiree, the anti-valentine party

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhRMeiyret0]

All the single ladies need something to celebrate on Valentine’s Day too, right?
How about a little party we’d like to call: Sour Soiree, the Anti-Valentine Party

Here are some fun ideas to help you celebrate your fabulous, single self:

{1} Hang this ‘Love Stinks’ banner to decorate the bachelor{ette} pad.
{from Etsy}

{2} Serve Maple Sour cocktails … and keep them coming!
{find the complete recipe here}

{3} Customized water bottle labels, available at Fleur de Lis, for only $5.
Personalize them your own colors, fonts and wording to match your unique party. Be creative!

{4} Sour Patch cupcakes are a delicious {and appropriate} dessert for a single, sour night. YUM!
{find the complete recipe here}

{5} ‘Love Stinks’ lip balm is the perfect goodie bag gift!
{from Etsy}

{6} Black Heart Necklace. Super stylish and very Anti-Valentine.
{from Etsy}

{7} Girls’ Night Out Table Topics. Such a good time!
{sold at Fleur de Lis}

{8} Keep Calm and Plan Your Revenge t-shirt. Love this!
It’s the official dress code for a Sour Soiree!
{from Etsy}

{9} Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart-Ass, or Why You Should Never Carry a Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office by Jen Lancaster will be the cherry on top of your sour night, trust me 🙂
… it’s absolutely hilarious.

{PS}
Alice 105.9 is hosting a Bitter Ball with Slacker & Steve on Valentine’s Day in downtown Denver at Suite 200. It’s going to be a party for singles who could care less about Valentine’s Day and want to have some fun – another Sour Soiree to add to your list of parties!
Check out their Facebook page for details.

Remember, it’s okay to be a bit sour for Valentine’s Day … because it makes for a cute party!

{images via: Etsy, drinks: Pinterest, water bottles: Tutto Bella, cupcakes: Pinterest, Table Topics and Barnes & Noble}

you are my sunshine

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away

My mom and I sing this to my kids all the time. My daughter particularly loves it ~ her eyes light up when she hears it, and when the song is over she always asks for more.

It’s a meaningful song to me, so I brought it to life with my inspiration board today. Hope it brings a little sunshine to your winter day…and I think it’s a sweet spin on Valentine’s Day for your loved one {make your Valentine feel like he/she is the sunshine of your life}.

I’ll leave you with a cupcake recipe that looks like it tastes as refreshing, yummy and sweet as sunshine. It makes me wish summer was here.

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes by Half Baked, The Cake Blog

images via:
Zappos Hunter Original High Gloss Rain Boot | Sugarboo Designs You Are My Sunshine Art Print |  Country Living Yellow Painted Bedroom | Yellow Centerpiece with Chevron Runner from Oh So Beautiful Paper | You Are My Sunshine Sign by Etsy seller Go Jump in the Lake | Flower Necklace by etsy seller RachelleD | Yellow and White Sailor Tote Bag found at Damsel in Dior and sold by Etsy seller Bayan HippoJonathan Adler Grapefruit Pop Candle |  You are my Sunshine Cake found at P is for Party | Pinterest Hello Sunshine pillow | Mulberry Fashion Ad from Damsel in Dior | Half Baked, The Cake Blog | Sunflower Soiree Party by The Party Dress | Invitation by Fleur de Lis, a paperie