~ in love with: this dress ~

I  can't help but think how fun this dress would be to wear on your wedding day...

I just love the print...kind of looks like bunting flags to me, no?  And it's so flowy...it would look lovely when you walked.  So cute and perfect for a more casual affair!!!


~ Ciao


...image via iamagreedy girl

~ the cocktail hour: tequila shots ~

Just in case you missed it yesterday (the Knot twittered about it), and because I just L-O-V-E the idea...I had to do a post about it today!  Have a look-see...

I mean seriously, mini tequila shots and bite sized fish tacos...how fabulous is that?  What I am so over the moon about is the way in which it is presented...with the corks still in the bottles and the straws going through, and the tacos atop limes...perfect examples of how little details can make all the difference!  And I think I just might have to try making those tequila shots!! 

Hey it's Friday...shots are allowed!!!

~ Cheers

...image via the knot

~ inspired by: homemade tea tags part II ~

I promise this is the last one today!  But since I was so inspired by the tea tag place cards in my earlier post today...I had to do a mini tabletop to give you some additional ideas and inspiration!  Can you tell I L-O-V-E my new camera...creating excuses to use it!!!  Anyhoo, back to the bridesmaid brunch tabletop decor...

Simple, easy and something you can create!  Below I placed lemon wedges in tea bags, in case people like lemon with their tea...they could either squeeze the juice into their tea without seeds falling in or just place in their tea to steep. 

Above...I included 2 vintage ink pots to use as decoration, and placed some roses from my front yard in...so pretty.  Also, I included vintage butter plates for the used tea or lemon bags.  And below is a closeup of the place card I made with a honey stick...

I also used the homemade tea tags for signs...

And I just placed some tea in brown paper bags, along with some tea bags and honey sticks so bridesmaids could help themselves.   

My pretty roses from the front yard...

Finally, a cute little favor (note:  not their gift) for the bridesmaids to take home...

A lovely, homemade bridesmaid brunch, don't you think? Oh, what fun!  Tea anyone? 

~ Ciao


...photography by me

~ inspired by: homemade tea tags part I ~

So in my previous post below, I showed you how to make homemade tea tags...now I will show you some fun and creative ways to use them as place cards! 

I was thinking a bridesmaids brunch would be the perfect spot to use them...and with that in mind I'm showing you not one but six different ways you could use them!  You know me...I like lots of options, and I thought you would too. So lets start shall we?  The first option is a tag, a piece of fabric and a mini clothespin...

Second is a piece of fabric, and the tag curled inside the cup...

Third is a tag inside a tea bag and some cooking string...

Fourth option includes a favor, and has a tag inside a piece of tea bag attached to a mesh ball tea infuser inside the cup...

Fifth option includes a favor also...with a tag attached to a tea straining spoon using cooking string...

The sixth and final option is with a favor as well...and is a handled mesh ball tea infuser with a tag in a tea bag and some cooking string...

And I thought it would be a nice visual to see all 6 of them together...so here you are...

So my dears, what do you think?  Which option is your fave?  Can't wait to hear from you!

Stay tuned for part II - tabletop decor coming up next...

~ Ciao

...photography by me

~ homemade: tea tags ~

Happy Thursday my dears!  I thought I would create my own homemade post today...especially for you!  Hopefully, they will all be my own homemade posts from here on out.  But don't worry...I figured my first homemade post should start out at the easy level!

I know everyone has heard of tea dyed before...usually when talking about fabric, but today I want to show you how to tea dye paper...tags to be exact!  So are you with me? Good, lets get started.  Most of the items needed for this project you probably already have, but here is a list just in case...

Tea (I used black)
Boiling water
Pot/bowl for steeping the tea
Pan with edges
White tags
Paper towels

Step-by-step instructions...

Grab your tea and place 10-14 tea bags in a pot/bowl.     

Add boiling water, and let tea steep for 5 or so minutes. Once steeped, you can pour the tea into the edged pan to cool more quickly. 

Once the tea is cool, add your tags.  Depending on how dark you'd like your tags, leave them in for 5 to 30 minutes.  (I wanted dark tags so I left mine in for 30 minutes...flipping them halfway through just to make sure they all were covered.)

When the time is up, take out the tags and lay on paper towels.  You can pat the tops of the tags with a paper towel to remove any excess wetness, and then leave to dry.  I left mine in the sun, and they dried very quickly.  (However, you can always put them in the oven on LOW, and keep your eye on them as to not start a fire or burn them.)   Once dried they are ready to use!  And as you can see in the bottom right picture the color change from an original tag compared to the tea dyed ones.

Stay tuned...coming up in the next post is some creative ways to use these tea tags...including a mini photo shoot!!!

~ Ciao

...photography by me

~ confetti garlands ~

So by now most of you know that I L-O-V-E things that hang...which is why I am loving these confetti paper garlands by Kristina Marie on Etsy!  Have a look-see...

The colors are wonderful!!  I swear the above colors are my blog redesign colors...must mean I need to buy the set!!!  Here's another set in a great color combination...

So perfect for Spring or Summer, no?  And if these aren't working for you, you can always choose your own...

...from the amazing color choices.  Grab your own right here...and get hanging!! 

~ Ciao


...image via kristina marie's on etsy

~ who says ~

...you can't see stars from inside a tent?

I think these are spectacular, don't you?  Add to that the two chandeliers, and I am in love! 

~ Ciao

...photography bonnie tsang

~ gifts: plum pretty sugar ~

If you haven't heard of Plum Pretty Sugar before, let me introduce you...

To their amazing robes!  Which come in a variety of prints...

The perfect gift to give the bride...or for the bride to give to her bridesmaids or to any female who helped out along the way for that matter!  Wouldn't you just love to wrap yourself up in one of these while getting ready? 

You must have a look-see at Plum Pretty Sugar's Etsy page...as they offer tunics, camis, lounge pants, shorts, headbands and more in fabulous prints and colors.  Love them!

~ Ciao

...images via plum pretty sugar

~ tuesday thought: better together ~

I can't tell you how much I have fallen for these sweet cards...

Really what's bread without butter?  Or milk without cookies?  Or me without Mr. Big?  Sorry, got carried away there!  Back on target - Earmark on etsy has done such a cute job at reminding us that things are definitely better together...

...which of course leads me to my Tuesday Thought:  I would love to use this idea as escort and table cards!  I would put the guests name and one picture on the escort card (bread for example) and the other picture as the table card (butter) and ask guests to find their match! 

And if you start thinking about it you could come up with more than enough...think peanut butter and jelly, gin and tonic, cheese and crackers, fish and chips, corona and lime...

You could do a whole theme starting with save the dates, and end with playing one of my favorite songs by Jack Johnson...Better Together...just have a listen here.  Oh it would be so fabulous!!! 

~ Ciao

...image via earmark

~ cake bunting ~

Oh I L-O-V-E this cake bunting...

Aren't the little bunting flags just adorable?

I think this is the perfect cake topper.  Well...you know how I love things that hang!!!!  This style and a handful of others can be found at Kiki La Ru's fabulous store on etsy!

~ Ciao

...images via kiki la ru via oh hello friend

~ guest post on postcards & pretties ~

Please have a look-see at my guest post on Postcards and Pretties today...a photo shoot and a free downloadable template!

~ Ciao

~ flowers of the week: 7.26.10 ~

Oh I am just loving this mix...

Hello fabulous blueberries, don't you look cute!  And I think you would look amazing in a bouquet too.

Do I dare say that Fall will be here before we know it...but wouldn't this arrangment be perfect for Fall?  One thing I love about this arrangement is that I can see a variety of containers that it would look good in...like mason jars, white hobnob vases, metal tins, vintage urns, etc... which would make it perfect for a variety of venues and styles.

Happy Monday my dears!  Hope you all had a lovely weekend.

~ Ciao

...image via domino

~ the cocktail hour: pineapple cooler ~

How yummy and refreshing does this look right now...

I think it would quench my thirst...how bout you?  And for those in need of a more grown up verion...a shot of rum would be a nice addition!  You can get the recipe here. 

P.S. - Don't forget the lemon slices, lemon verbena or lavender...it's a great little detail!

~ Cheers

...image via country living

~ the rear view ~

Should be just as pretty as the front...

Simply stunning!

~ Ciao

...image via beautiful things to share

~ homemade: in a nut shell ~

Coconut - nut or fruit?  Think about it...is it really a nut?  No it's a fruit.  But it does have nut in the word...so I just thought I would go with it!  Anyhoo, wouldn't you love to serve this up as part of your dessert...

Takes the ice cream to another level doesn't it?  These are the types of details I swoon over.  Simple...yes, but statement making ones.  And so simple to do once you get the coconut split (that's the only challenge here...here is a how-to)!  Just pour out the milk, add a couple scoops of ice cream, a wedge of pineapple and some fresh mint and viola! 

~ Ciao

...image via stylist monica eisenman

~ details: vintage trophy cups ~

I love them whether they are filled with silverware...

Or flowers...

Or anything else.  It doesn't really matter...I am just over the moon about them!

~ Ciao


...photography shaun sullivan and gia canali

~ who says... ~

...you can't have a blingy chandelier at your wedding?

Proof that it would be oh so glamourous!


~ Ciao


...image via style me pretty

~ 3 out of 3 ~

Definitely a perfect score on this "homework" assignment...

And I L-O-V-E it!  I know this was used as a wedding card, but don't you think it would make the cutest save the date?   And yes, that is felt that has been sewn to look like notebook paper!

~ Ciao

...image via lucykate crafts

~ feathers + nest ~

On a cake are making me swoon...

I just love it!  However, I think I would want the big feather on the top layer removed...it's distracting to me somehow...my eye just keeps landing there and what I really like are the fluffy feathers on the bottom and the nest on top!

~ Ciao

...image via style me pretty

~ on the table: yellow stripes ~

Now here is a simple, bright and cheerful table...

Granted I am sure this table was created for an Easter celebration - but the egg is perfect for a breakfast/brunch reception, bridal shower or day after celebration! And since the yellow stripes are so bright and make such a strong statement, I love how only one color was used in the linens and flowers...

But if you remove the egg, you could use this decor at any time!  And think of all the color options... 

P.S. - Change out the tulips for roses and billy buttons...and this would be the perfect bouquet!

~ Ciao


...photography annika vannerus

~ tuesday thought: table arrangement ~

How awesome is this one, long continuous table...

I love how this table follows the edge of the lawn! And of course, it got me thinking...

So here is your Tuesday Thought:  Arrange your tables differently!  Not the most original idea today...but one to think about.  Also, I know some spaces don't allow for this, but others do.  So instead of just lining them up one next to each other, it would be great to have them follow the lawn's edge, sitting on a diagonal, made into a shape or made into the first initial of your last name!  How cute would that be? 

If I was to marry Mr. Big, his last name begins with an A and I would be tempted to arrange the tables so that they made an A and have the head table (or as I like it...a family table) right in the middle, and the area for dancing right at the end.  Plus I think it would make for some cute pictures!

So if you have the space, this is the perfect opportunity to be creative!  Happy Tuesday my dears.

~ Ciao


...image via tiny white daises

~ details: rustic ranch ~

Loving these two cute rustic ranch details from Paper Trail.  First up is this horsehead bottle opener...

How fabulous would it be to have your bartenders use these guys to open up bottles?  Or for a self serve bar/drink area I would tie some twine around the bottom and attach to the side of a metal bucket filled with drinks.  Plus you could always give them to the guys (and girls too) as favors.  And beacuse it is made out of cast iron, it would make for a cute paper weight too!  And second is this wood block perpetual calender...

I'm seeing this calendar at the sign in area with a mason jar filled with wildflowers a burlap or linen tablecloth and a creative sign in book.  How about and old pair of boots that everyone signs?  Yes, I am stretching on this one...but it could be cute!  I would then use the calendar on my desk, always keeping the wedding date as a reminder of the special day!  Or again, you can give this calendar as gifts too.

~ Ciao

...image via paper trail

~ flowers of the week: 7.19.10 ~

Happy Monday morning my dears.  Did everyone have a lovely weekend?  Mine, you ask?  Amazing, thank you!  You see, it was my birthday on Saturday, and it was perfect.  A homemade breakfast brunch, shopping, a Nikon D90 (hello fabulous, amazing camera that I've been pining for), a casual dinner and cards with family...just what I wanted!  Since I am not feeling any older, I am in a bright and sunny mood this morning.  And I thought it would be nice to share this with you...with this bouquet...

Just makes you smile doesn't it? 

~ Ciao

...image via 100 layer cake

~ something blue: flower brooch ~

How about this stunner for your something blue...

I am over the moon about Elva Fields necklaces! I can't believe I haven't shared her with you before now...as I have done a couple posts about here on my other blog, luna and chloe.  So sorry for holding out on you!

What I love about her necklaces are that they are made from vintage jewelry - usually necklaces and brooches that she puts together to create a one of a kind piece.  And what bride wouldn't want to wear a one of a kind piece on her wedding day!?!  And because I love her bling sooo much, here are a couple of other options that would be amazing to wear for the big day...

Perfect for the laid back but still need some bling bride.

I think this would be fabulous to wear at a rustic, country or garden wedding.

This last one is ideal for the beach!  And if you really want to take it up a notch you must have a look-see at her more colorful necklaces...swoon. 

P.S. - I will warn you now...when you check out her site you just might want to buy them all!

~ Ciao

 ...image via elva fields