You can find more party pics here. Be sure to check out The Willows website for all of her beautiful treasures & her blog for more amazing project ideas & inspiration.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tru2 Beverly
I am in LOVE with Tru2U party Beverly hosted for her daughters retreat dinner. Beverly is the creative genius behind The Willows, one my favorite local home & garden boutiques in the valley. She has an impeccable style & grace as shown in all the details of this dinner.
You can find more party pics here. Be sure to check out The Willows website for all of her beautiful treasures & her blog for more amazing project ideas & inspiration.
You can find more party pics here. Be sure to check out The Willows website for all of her beautiful treasures & her blog for more amazing project ideas & inspiration.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Defining Your Niche
For those of you who don't know, I work as an interior designer. I wanted to share a recent project I am currently working on. The condo has a large niche in the dining nook off the kitchen. Here is the niche before....
And after...
We upholstered the back wall in a gorgeous, embossed chenille & velvet fabric, built a custom dining bench (which lifts for hidden storage), made a custom seat cushion & bolsters, and added a little mood lighting for those special, late night dinners. As soon as the table & chairs arrive, the niche will be complete.
(photos by Susan Crabtree, Puerta Bella Interior Design)
And after...
We upholstered the back wall in a gorgeous, embossed chenille & velvet fabric, built a custom dining bench (which lifts for hidden storage), made a custom seat cushion & bolsters, and added a little mood lighting for those special, late night dinners. As soon as the table & chairs arrive, the niche will be complete.
(photos by Susan Crabtree, Puerta Bella Interior Design)
How to Make Mexican Tissue Flowers
A few of you emailed me & asked how to make tissue flowers for Cinco de Mayo. Here are some simple instructions on how to create your own!
Materials (for one flower)
4 sheets pink tissue paper, 6" x 12" each
4 sheets lime green tissue paper, 6" x 12" each
Scissors
Ruler
Green pipe cleaner
Instructions
Step 1: Cut the pink tissue paper into 6" x 12" rectangles and stack in a pile of four sheets.
Step 2: Keeping the pile together, fold the sheets along the 6" side, making 1" folds back and forth, like a fan. When you are finished, the folded tissue paper should be a rectangle measuring 1" x 6".
Step 3: Round the four corners off by cutting with a scissors.
Step 4: Fold the long edge of the pile in half so that it measures 1" x 3". Using the scissors, carefully make 2 diagonal cuts at the fold, each 1/4" from the edge, approximately 1/2" in length. (Note: be careful that you do not cut the folded tissue paper in half.) Open the fold back to its 1" x 6" shape. The shape should now resemble a bow tie.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1 and 2 with the lime green tissue paper. Instead of step 3 (rounding off the corners), cut three sets of diagonal notches on both ends so that each side appears like a fork.
Step 6: Repeat step 4 with the lime green tissue paper.
Step 7: Fold a green pipe cleaner in half. Then place the folded pink tissue paper on top of lime green tissue paper and fasten together with the folded pipe cleaner. Squeeze the tissue paper in the middle and twist the pipe cleaner around to tightly secure the flower. This step also creates the stem of the flower.
Step 8: With extreme care, fan out the pink paper on both sides of the pipe cleaner. (Be extra gentle: you do not want to rip the delicate tissue paper!) Slowly separate each of the four pink sheets, gathering each one toward the center. Behold your flower!
Step 9: To create the leaves, fan out both sides of the lime green paper, but don't separate the sheets as you did with the pink paper. You want to leave the leaves thicker.
Step 10: Gently shape with your hands until you achieve your desired form.
(photos via Right at Home)
Materials (for one flower)
4 sheets pink tissue paper, 6" x 12" each
4 sheets lime green tissue paper, 6" x 12" each
Scissors
Ruler
Green pipe cleaner
Instructions
Step 1: Cut the pink tissue paper into 6" x 12" rectangles and stack in a pile of four sheets.
Step 2: Keeping the pile together, fold the sheets along the 6" side, making 1" folds back and forth, like a fan. When you are finished, the folded tissue paper should be a rectangle measuring 1" x 6".
Step 3: Round the four corners off by cutting with a scissors.
Step 4: Fold the long edge of the pile in half so that it measures 1" x 3". Using the scissors, carefully make 2 diagonal cuts at the fold, each 1/4" from the edge, approximately 1/2" in length. (Note: be careful that you do not cut the folded tissue paper in half.) Open the fold back to its 1" x 6" shape. The shape should now resemble a bow tie.
Step 5: Repeat steps 1 and 2 with the lime green tissue paper. Instead of step 3 (rounding off the corners), cut three sets of diagonal notches on both ends so that each side appears like a fork.
Step 6: Repeat step 4 with the lime green tissue paper.
Step 7: Fold a green pipe cleaner in half. Then place the folded pink tissue paper on top of lime green tissue paper and fasten together with the folded pipe cleaner. Squeeze the tissue paper in the middle and twist the pipe cleaner around to tightly secure the flower. This step also creates the stem of the flower.
Step 8: With extreme care, fan out the pink paper on both sides of the pipe cleaner. (Be extra gentle: you do not want to rip the delicate tissue paper!) Slowly separate each of the four pink sheets, gathering each one toward the center. Behold your flower!
Step 9: To create the leaves, fan out both sides of the lime green paper, but don't separate the sheets as you did with the pink paper. You want to leave the leaves thicker.
Step 10: Gently shape with your hands until you achieve your desired form.
(photos via Right at Home)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Mexican Fiesta Favorites
With Cinco de Mayo around the corner, I wanted to share some of my favorite fiesta ideas for a fun celebration.
Mexican paper flowers: The more, the better (super easy & inexpensive to make) they make great garlands, hang them in your chandeliers, bunch them together in vases.
Luminarias: Line your driveway, steps of your front porch, backyard wall (again more is more, they are simple, inexpensive, & create a huge impact in large numbers).
Papel Picado: Inside or out, these festive banners make a colorful addition to any fiesta.
Paletas: Make your own Mexican Ice Cream Bars or try a brand like Helados from your local store.
Mexican Soda: You can find these at local specialty stores or Amazon.com
Pinatas: Traditional Favorite
Mini Pinatas: Fun place cards for guests & food dishes.
Tin Stars: Fun mood lighting.
Tin Luminarias: Place a few on your dining table & buffet.
Casacarones: Hollowed eggs filled with confetti and when cracked over your head, is said to bring good luck.
Seven Day Candles: Send your friends home with this favor, known for bringing luck and love.
Mexican paper flowers: The more, the better (super easy & inexpensive to make) they make great garlands, hang them in your chandeliers, bunch them together in vases.
Luminarias: Line your driveway, steps of your front porch, backyard wall (again more is more, they are simple, inexpensive, & create a huge impact in large numbers).
Papel Picado: Inside or out, these festive banners make a colorful addition to any fiesta.
Paletas: Make your own Mexican Ice Cream Bars or try a brand like Helados from your local store.
Mexican Soda: You can find these at local specialty stores or Amazon.com
Pinatas: Traditional Favorite
Mini Pinatas: Fun place cards for guests & food dishes.
Tin Stars: Fun mood lighting.
Tin Luminarias: Place a few on your dining table & buffet.
Casacarones: Hollowed eggs filled with confetti and when cracked over your head, is said to bring good luck.
Seven Day Candles: Send your friends home with this favor, known for bringing luck and love.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Cinco Cocktails
Are you looking for some fun cocktail recipes to celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Here are five of my faves from Southern Living:
Tequila Mojitos
Blue Margaritas
Pomegrante Margaritas
Sangria Blanco
Sangria
Salud!
Tequila Mojitos
Blue Margaritas
Pomegrante Margaritas
Sangria Blanco
Sangria
Salud!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Baking with Martha
Two of my Martha faves this week are stained glass critter cookies
and Rainbow cake from Whisk Kid
Guess who's baking this weekend??
and Rainbow cake from Whisk Kid
Guess who's baking this weekend??
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Tour de Rome
I LOVE this bike party I saw this morning on Jaimee Rose's blog for her nephew Rome created by her sister Kapri.
The bike chocolates are perfection & the cutest favor! You can find all the details here.
The bike chocolates are perfection & the cutest favor! You can find all the details here.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Light 'Em Up
Tired of the same old birthday candles? Why not try these on for size....
(photos from Fred & Friends)
(photos from Fred & Friends)
Monday, April 19, 2010
Party on the Prairie
I love the rustic simplicity of this Prairie party from Country Living.
with cute calico aprons wrapped in brown paper as favors
lunch is served in vintage bowls lined with burlap
homemade bottled flavored ice tea for guests
For more photos & details go here.
with cute calico aprons wrapped in brown paper as favors
lunch is served in vintage bowls lined with burlap
homemade bottled flavored ice tea for guests
For more photos & details go here.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wine Sock Monkey Wrap
When you bring a bottle of wine to your next dinner party, why not wrap it in a little sock monkey love?
You can find it here.
You can find it here.
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