DIY Friday: Tea Envelopes

I spotted this simple and sweet DIY project over at A Print A Day. It would make a really darling favor for a shower, no? (Or perhaps a special “get well” to send off to a loved one?)

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DIY: Drink Me!

Custom stationery and design studio, Truly Smitten recently created some totally adorable bottle tags that read: “Drink Me!”. I love those types of commands. Yes, I don’t mind if I do. Sara, the designer behind the fab blog and studio, even went so far as to offer a free download of the tags, so be sure to head over to her blog and save the pdf! These would be so great for any sort of wedding, shower, or Thursday evening for that matter.

Spring Fling

The sunshine is finally out, but it still feels cold. I’m ready for a spring dress and perhaps a picnic. I put together a spring inspiration board, which has really given me the idea to throw a spring picnic…

*All photo sources listed below

I think the scene below is totally doable, but I realize sometimes it can be difficult to turn inspiration into reality. Sure, professional stylists, florists and designers can turn inspiration into reality. We’ve seen inspiration to reality features all over the blogosphere. But can little ol’ you? Without the help of a stylist? And HOW?

Source

Today, I’m giving you a little guide on really pulling it together on your own. Here’s a little shopping list if you’d like to throw your own spring picnic:

Aqua and floral vintage tin plates from Jen’s Closet:

Wire basket tote with ball jars from Old Ohio Farm Finds for carrying a carafe of a seasonal cocktail, and perhaps a spring couscous salad or some fresh berries:

This vintage woven picnic basket from heartfelt primitives:

Picnic Cutlery by Kate’s Paperie:

And perhaps it all ought to be spread out on this vintage chenille bedspread?

Just a little extra effort goes a long way, wouldn’t you say? Hope these finds are enough to get you started on your own search for the perfect picnic accompaniments!

Oh…and you might want to make…

…these Savory Greens, Tomatoes, and Goat Cheese Tarts from Tartlette!

Inspiration board photo sources left to right, top to bottom: 1. 100 Layer Cake 2. via Design Lovely 3. Jean Tsai 4. Anthropologie 5. Lisa Lefkowitz via Style Me Pretty

A little weekend treat…

The weather is supposed to warm up a bit this weekend and I think this little dessert photo shoot might offer the perfect recipe for a sunny Sunday brunch! Head on over to Grey Likes Nesting to check out more images and to see the full recipe!

Speechless!

I had the absolute pleasure of getting to help out with Utterly Engaged‘s November photo shoot yesterday. Words cannot explain how big my designer crush is on Paige, from Bash Eco Events and Kelly from Succulet Love Designs and Yes, Please. Their styling, inspired by their board below, blew my mind. And I swear, I’m totally not exaggerating. I almost shed a tear…partly because I was so jealous of their amazingness and partly because their work was just that great. Can’t wait for you to see the November issue of Utterly Engaged, but until then, you’ll have to check out the hot-off-the-press October issue.

Gift Idea: The Coffee Drinker

Looking for a simple gift for your coffee/tea fiend of a friend? Check out these Coffee Cozies from Wayside Violet. These were on the front page of Etsy today and I couldn’t resist sharing them with you. They are affordable enough to give to all your bridesmaids, or (if the other way around) to give to a bride along with something coffee related from her registry, such as her coffee maker, mugs, etc….

Sunday Suppers & Amy Atlas

Sunday Suppers teamed with Amy Atlas for their recent event and henceforth completely blew my mind. The photos of the Morroccan inspired table were shot by Karen Mordechai are just unbelievable. Additionally, Aran Goyoaga of Cannelle et Vanille contributed some of the desert creations, as did Ali Kantor. The cake is by Love Street Cakes, goodie bags by Thoughtful Day and the flowers by Rountree Flowers. I SWOON! Can these folks get together to do my wedding?

photo by Aran Goyoaga

photo by Aran Goyoaga

SugarBloom: Tall Cupcakes

I absolutely LOVE finding fresh takes on standard fare, which is why I had to share this fun twist on a classic favorite. SugarBloom Cupcakes is taking the cupcake to new heights with these tall cupcakes (pardon the pun), elevating the status of this humble dessert.

The delicate treats are absolutely divine, but unless you’re located in Melbourne, Australia, you won’t have a chance to try them out first hand. However, I’ve got the next best option: SugarBloom’s free online tutorial for making tall cupcakes. How impressive would these be at a wedding shower? I’m not gonna lie to you though…this recipe is not for the faint of heart! I have a feeling it is totally worth it though.

DIY: Cupcake Flags

If you’re looking for a way to add some shaBANG to your cupcakes, the always lovely flag technique can add a touch of detail that is so over-the-top, it’ll have your guests declaring your panache for years to come. Martha Stewart has a cupcake flag template download and how-to here, which is a fabulous option if you want to do it yourself, but don’t have quite the artistic chops. Here are some other flags (most of which are available for purchase) to help juice your creative inklings…or to make it that much easier to accomplish such decorative perfection; just click, add to cart and purchase. Done deal.

Martha Stewart

Buttercream’s Custom Cupcake Flags

Calligraphy Cupcake Flags via Elizabeth Anne Designs

Cupcake Girls mix it up with grosgrain ribbon and felt:

And while you’re at it, why not filigree cupcake liners?

Introducing Ari

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve finally wrangled up some help for our first guest post on MUSIC. Ari Rosenfield of Beat Train Productions has put together a super rad cocktail mix for our readers. In honor of his mix, I thought I’d share some food and spirits to enjoy during your cocktail hour. So while you groove to Ari’s tunes, enjoy the delicious shots below. Click on photos for links to sources.

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Hello World,

My name is Ari Rosenfield. I’m a professional DJ based in Boston Massachusetts, and the owner of Beat Train Productions.

One of our main focuses is working with our clients to help create distinctive musical landscapes for their events. Today I’m including with this post, a playlist and music mix from the first half hour of a cocktail hour at a recent wedding in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The couple wanted me to provide music that was retro, hip, and lively. The songs in this mix are a combination of american funk records and songs from European movie and tv soundtracks, from the late 1960’s to early 1970’s.

Every event I DJ at is unique. This is a mix from a specific event. It’s not necessarily a “recommended” playlist (but seriously, do you really not want to incorporate “Superfly” into your wedding).

Herbie Hancock-Bring Down the Birds
Meters-Cissy Strut
Nino Nardini-Trampoline
Michael Legrand-Come Ray Come Charles
I Marc 4-Sweat Beat
Keith Mansfield-Powerhouse Pop
Studio G’s Beat Group-Hi Bird
Curtis Mayfield-Superfly
Jean Jacques Perrey-E.V.A.
Pucho and his Latin Soul Bros.-Got Myself a Good Man
the J.B.’s-Damn Right, I am Somebody
Rudy Robinson and the Hungry Five-Got it Together
Shirley Bassey-Light My Fire

you can listen to the mix here

Hope you enjoy it.

Yours Truly,
Ari

p.s. if you’re curious, you can hear more of my mixes at my Blog. and at my Website.

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