coffee date

My routine has been to pour a cup of coffee every morning, cream and sugar of course, and with the morning mayhem and three kiddos running around, I maybe finish half of it, microwave it a couple times…and when my hubby comes home at 6 pm it’s still in the microwave, half-full. But I’ve switched from coffee to espresso…and I’m addicted. So addicted that I actually finish my cup of joe! I absolutely love it. It reminds me of Italy and it’s just so good. So, this morning, join me for a coffee date…and add these must-haves to your list for your next coffee date.

Custom Wooden Drink Stirrer, Tulle & Twig

The perfect, better-for-you-than-sugar, sweetener, Agave Nectar

Custom Coffee Spoons, Milk and Honey Luxuries

Make The Best Blueberry Coffee Cake You’ll Ever Have by A Cup of Joe to accompany your coffee.

State Heart Mugs, Grey Skies Blue
{such a cute going-away gift, wedding gift and moving away gift}

Create a little ambiance with coffee filter flowers like A Pumpkin and A Princess did. So cute!

{images via Tulle & Twig, Milk and Honey Luxuries, A Pumpkin and A Princess, MadHava, A Cup of Joe, Grey Skies Blue}

sweet peony

We’re obsessed with peonies, so when we saw these pretty images by Becky Young Photography from her sister’s bridal shower, and peonies were in the details, we were in love.

The soft colors, ribbon backdrop, sweet peony arrangements by the one and only Cori Cook and desserts made for one lovely bridal shower. And according to Cori, the bride, Jenny, is as sweet as pie. We want to meet her…and see her August wedding!


VENDOR LOVE
photography: Becky Young Photography
florist: Cori Cook 

{images via Becky Young Photography}

susan + michael

We love this wedding for it’s pretty simplicity, but also its DIY touches, lovely lace, vintage accessories and the most stunning floral bouquets and arrangements! Tables were set with burlap runners lined with lace borders. Such a pretty combo.  Centerpieces by one of our faves, Cori Cook, were a mix of old wooden planter boxes with beautiful arrangements of juliet garden roses, succulents, roses, veronica, cafe au lait dahlias, scabiosa pods, astible, sweet pea, lavender and seeded eucalyptus. The details and the setting made for a beautiful garden wedding.

Thanks for Harper Point for sharing the amazing photos with us. Ya’ll are good!

VENDOR LOVE
Photography: Harper Point Photography
Flowers: Cori Cook Floral Design
Paperware: Paper + Ink
Rentals/Vintage Props: A Vintage Affair Rentals
Venue: The Tapestry House

{images via Harper Point Photography}

coffee for 2

I wanted to spruce up a wedding gift for an upcoming shower with a cute prop to go along with the gift. I bought the bride a complete set of “Coffee” Mugs from Crate and Barrel, but instead of just giving her a wrapped package, I made a DIY Chalkboard tray for the couple so they could have coffee for two together…hopefully forever! Here’s how you can do it too…for a gift, or for yourself!

First I made coffee filter flowers.

You’ll Need
30-35 coffee filters
A stapler
Scotch tape or painters tape

How To
Stack 5-6 coffee filters on top of one another.
Fold the coffee filters in quarters, and then open again {you will just have ‘seams’ from the fold}.
Use your fingers to pinch the bottom of all the coffee filters so you have four seams, and then staple it on the bottom.


Then pull each filter up one at a time, and bunch it together.


Continue to do that, until you have gathered each coffee filter around the center, and you have a flower. From the gathering process, you will have a ‘stem’ on the bottom, so wrap a piece of tape around the ‘stem.’

Then, I made the tray.

You’ll Need:
A cookie sheet
Chalkboard Paint
Rope
A Drill
Chalk

First I primed the cookie sheet with a Primer, spray painted it with Chalkboard paint, glued handles on the sides and Voila, right? Nope, not the case for me.  An hour and a half before the party, the gold handles fell off {and I used Gorilla Glue}, along with some paint. So, when I saw rope on the garage floor, I got to work on Plan B {my dad came through like a super hero…despite his dislike for DIY projects}, and then I had to re-paint it. Honestly, it’s cuter than Plan A – it just stressed me out more than I intended…and made me late for the shower.

How To
Use an electric drill to drill 2 holes on each side of the cookie sheet. Thanks Dad!
If you have pieces of metal sticking out or the edges are rough, use a sand block or a hammer to smooth it out.
Cut pieces of rope for the handles.
Prime the cookie sheet with paint primer.
Spray paint the cookie sheet 2 times {allowing appropriate time in between each layer for it to dry}.

Wrap a piece of duct tape around one end of the rope so you can easily fit it into a hole. On the other end, tie a knot.
Insert the rope, duct tape end, from the bottom-up of one hole, insert it down in the other hole, tie a knot, and then remove the duct tape and cut the leftover rope.


Write “Coffee for 2” on the cookie sheet, or even a game of tic tac toe.

Fill each mug with coffee filter flowers {I used Scotch tape to keep the flowers in place in the mugs}.

Add the mugs, a package of coffee, an ‘I love you more than coffee’ tag {from Fleur de Lis} and you have yourself an adorable prop for your gift.

{images via Tutto Bella}

buzzworthy

When I met Jillian at this year’s ICON Awards, I knew I wanted to learn more about her business. She was wearing a fashionable peplum top and she was so friendly. Both of us ran out of business cards when we met at the end of the evening, but with a unique company name, I didn’t forget it, and once I looked it up, I was ‘stung’ by ‘the hive.’ Let me introduce you to a fabulous, talented, fun and amazing group of women who are going to {already do} rock the event world with their decor company.

Eclectic Hive.

It’s a Colorado decor house and furniture rental company with unique decor for corporate functions, weddings, non-profit and social events.

Honestly, I took one look at their inventory and wanted to move in…or take some pieces home with me. I could live in a different ‘room’ in their warehouse each day of the week. From vintage couches, modern chairs and antique tables to eclectic accessories and unique lighting – their inventory will blow your mind.

The ladies at The Hive are constantly searching the streets of New York City, the markets in LA, vintage shops and small businesses across the country to find unique pieces. And, with years of experience in event design and event planning, Heidi, Jillian and Danielle have the expertise and ‘good eye’ for making events one-of-a-kind.

Jillian lived in LA and managed some of the hotspots in hollywood which led her to work in the special events industry.  She worked her way up to event manager, which she did for about 2 years in LA before moving to Denver, where she planned events for about 6 years. “I wanted to be more on the creative side and was ready to leave the planning part of the business, which is when I found my business partners (ironically, they were my competitors),” Jillian commented. “We found each other at the right time. They had always wanted to be a part of a décor company and I needed the support of strong women with a successful background in running a business and alas, here we are!!!!”

I {it’s me talking again} really believe that decor sets the stage for an event, and it tells the story of what the party if about, or if it’s a wedding, what the couple enjoys/appreciates/their style. I know the setting around me, and the unique details are what I remember most about events. And, whether the budget is large or small, unique pieces on any scale make a lasting impact.

The ladies at The Hive feel the same way. Jillian said, “Creating intimate and inviting places for the guests to nestle with a good friend and a cocktail or two is what we hope to provide.  We love pieces that are conversation starters and know that offering quaint, clever, seating and accents is the difference between a room without love and attention, and a room with the intention of creating memories.  Close.  Intimate.  Comfortable.  Clever.”

With all the versatile, gorgeous inventory {that’s constantly growing}, what’s Jillian’s favorite? “Right now, we have this insane crystal sphere floor lamp that blows my mind every time I see it.  This may be a favorite for a while.”

I have to say, I L.O.V.E that piece too.

We’re thrilled they are located in Denver, but for those of you outside of Colorado, they venture outside the state on occasion too…lucky you!

Today and tomorrow we have photos from their Open House. Insanely beautiful!


VENDOR LOVE

Eclectic Hive (decor)
The Workshop
(event planning/coordination)
Jensen Sutta Photography (photography)
Peak Beverage (drinks)
LMD Productions (lighting)
Jacob Sanchez of DanceTrax Productions (music)

{images via Jensen Sutta}