Design Your Parties: Sweet Shoppe 1st Birthday

 Once upon a time, there was a wonderful couple who fell in love and had a baby.....

Well that baby just turned one! Mom decided to honor her birthday with a party as sweet as her.

 Happy birthday Isobel!!

 Isobel's mom, Stephanie, is the Hostes with the Mostess. She created this Sweet Shoppe theme with draped fabric as a tablecloth, a cupcake tower, and sweets galore!

 Homemade cupcakes looked like they were straight out of a professional kitchen. They were vanilla with marichino cherries adorning the top.

 Pink and white polka dot balloons were everywhere, decorating the room from top to bottom!

 Guests sipped on strawberry lemonade and strawberry milk in jars with paper straws.

 A sundae bar and candy jars galore was a dream come true for the birthday girl and all the guests!

I think Isobel had a pretty good time, but pictures are worth a thousand words! Great job Stephanie!

Bargain find: Ethan Allen Josephine Side Chair

Love this side chair from Ethan Allen ? How can you not?! But there is no way I'm spending $669 for a side chair! Oh wait, it just starts at $669, depending on the fabric you choose, and goes up from there! Oh, Josephine... I wanted the look, but not the price! I headed on over to my local TJ Maxx, and there it was... *gasp* Beautiful! Check the price...*GASP* $129!!!! SOLD!!!!! Same look, 1/5th of the price :) I love a good bargain! Guest room #2 coming soon with this little addition.....

Ribbons, Bows and.....Flowers? Oh My!!

Everyone who knows me, knows I LOVE creative gift wrapping!! I love it almost more than whatever is inside! The thoughtfulness, the creativity, the anticipation... I love it all!

It all started with a simple silk flower atop a bridal shower gift....and quickly turned into my new favorite thing in gift wrapping - flowers replacing bows!! It's such an unexpected twist! For this pink checkered gift for my niece's 1 year birthday party, I actually used REAL roses straight from my garden!

The roses matched perfectly, and everyone was so surprised to find out that they were real!

 I think Grandma Marilyn had the most fun with the idea..... :)

Trend Alert: Beverage Dispensers

Beverage dispensers are all the rage this year! They are mixing modern glass and hardware with rustic touches like chalkboard beverage labels and seagrass and wicker accents. Adorn your drinks with bright fruits and mint for an instant party that looks like it was thrown by a professional! I just purchased this hanging oval chalkboard sign from Sur la Table to adorn my summer bar.

Try a variety of fruit, and use it frozen instead of ice cubes. Frozen Grapes, whole and halved lemons and limes, blackberries, cranberries.....The possibilities are absolutely endless!

Velocity

Pottery Barn