Bridal Shower String Art

Straight out of the “that was easy” DIY vault comes another piece of string art. This one was made for my sister in law Julie’s bridal shower that we held last Sunday.

This project was altogether cost effective; in fact it was free. I had all of the supplies around the house: the wood and ceiling paint were left over from our kitchen renovation, the string from our wedding, and the nails courtesy of Ben’s tool box. The total assembly was about an hour aside from the time it took for the paint to dry (I left it over night).

This project would work well with any graphic shape, monogram, or number for a birthday or shower. As a large-scale piece it adds a fun pop of colour and could also be used to hold escort or gift cards.

I used the heart on the welcome table to greet guests in the front entrance. 

More details from Julie’s shower to come!

the bar cart.

Like many of you, I have been infatuated with the gorgeous, vintage-inspired bar carts that have been flooding the pages of Apartment Therapy, Design Sponge, and other design blogs. The recent revival of the bar cart has inspired a series of bar cart styling posts that I’ve devoured for the past year. After reading through a number of posts, I noticed an over-arching theme: the bar carts were almost all thrifted or snatched up at an estate sale or flea market. Realizing that it may take years to acquire such a piece (and that I had no immediate plans to attend the Rose Bowl Flea Market – an antique gold mine), I chalked it up to a pipe dream and went on my merry way.

You know the notion that you’ll find it when you stop looking for it?  I literally stumbled upon this bar cart. For real. I walked right into it, covered in dust and altogether tarnished, at a local thrift shop. After a double take, I pushed its squeaky wheels across the store to the cash register and down the street to my car screaming “start the CAR!!” in my head.

Once I got it home I remembered I was in the process of planning two weddings so this project was put on hold for a couple months. This fall, Ben dissembled the cart and we took the shelves to a local glass shop, hoping to have two pieces of glass cut for the shelves. Due to the shape of the shelves neither glass nor mirror worked. Enter backup plan # 3: high gloss black spray paint. After a good polishing and a few coats of spray paint, I’m really happy with how it turned out.  

Now reassembled, I’m tasked with the ever-daunting but exciting task of styling the cart.  Although there are still a few items on my wish list, I’ve hoarded cultivated several key elements over the past few months which gives me a base to work with. 

- Vintage Cocktails book - Anthropologie
- champagne glasses + drink tray - vintage
- martini shakers and wine chiller - Homesense
- paper straws - gifted from a Wedding Belle
- pink flamingo olive picks - a local party store

I'm thrilled that our bar is fully stocked just in time for the holiday season.

Do you have a bar cart/ shelf/ or hutch? What are your essentials? 

bar cart inspiration + tips on how to build a bar:

Society Social

Cupcakes and Cashmere

The Life Styled

The Glitter Guide

Matchbook Magazine

Showered with Love - the details

I haven't experienced the overwhelming sense of love that I felt at my shower in a very long time. It is difficult to express how special this group of women is to me. I was absolutely touched by the efforts that were made to make my day special. I am grateful and blessed to call each and every one in attendance family. thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Now, onto a few of the many details from this Sunday afternoon fete. Many thanks to my sister/ MOH Jenn and beautiful friend Angie for snapping these photos; what a treat to have the day documented.

{Lyla, Sarah, and the Congratulations bunting made by my bridesmaid Angie}

{helium balloons dangled photographs documenting my fashion highs & lows}

{a vintage sterling silver tea set & an eclectic collection of vintage tea cups - pinky's up!}

{tissue flowers made by Angela & cupcake liner garland made by my sister/ MOH Jenn} 

{everyone played bridal shower bingo, even Lyla!}

{the desserts, the drinks, and the food... yes, I requested jalapeno poppers at my high tea. I'm bad ass like that.}

{the happy, happy, bride.}

Mad Men NYE 2012: the first glimpse

Last weekend Ben and I hosted a Mad Men-inspired New Years Eve party for 16 of our beautiful friends. Our guests' gorgeous attire were complemented by a smattering of vintage decorations, a 60's-themed cocktail bar, and sparklers + champagne at midnight.

As a group, we celebrated 2011 as a year of awesome events. It gave us a baby, three weddings, an engagement, several graduations, and many, many, laughs. It was a pretty fantastic (& busy) 365 days in my books.

More photos and details to come; however, I wanted to post a glimpse of our night as captured through my phone (via Instagram).


How was your New Years Eve? Did you stay in or go out on the town?

Shorter Days + Game Nights.

One of my favourite things about autumn is that everything. slows. down.

Don’t get me wrong: I love the constant hum of the summer months and the comings + goings of celebrations and road trips. I’m simply a homebody at heart who is over the moon for a cozy night in with great company, a board game (or a well-stocked PVR), and a glass of wine or two.

I’m hoping this board inspires many evenings in. Add a few delicious appetizers and the right soundtrack and you have yourself the perfect girls’ night in or date night.


Appetizers: Pears and Camembert, Spicy Pecans, and Pesto-Bocconcini Crostini.

Soundtrack: The Civil Wars, Ellie Goulding, and Dan Mangen.


What is your favourite thing to do on autumn nights in?



(Images courtesy of Amazon, Bloomingdales, Anthropologie, and Indigo).

tabletopics

Have you ever been at a party where you played tabletopics? I love this concept; with the right group of people you can have a fantastic time with these fun little cubes (not to mention the most random + awesome conversations).

I have played the Original tabletopics before and I’d love to purchase the Dinner Party edition for our games night arsenal (the girls night out edition may be fun, too). Wouldn’t one of these fun cubes be a great hostess gift?

Have you ever played tabletopics or a game similar to it?


(Photo courtesy of tabletopics).

An Up themed baby shower

A few months ago Stephanie and I threw a shower for Angie & baby T. Keeping the little one's impending arrival in mind, I figured now was as good a time as any to (finally) get around to posting this fun little party.

Since Angie is a fan of everything Disney and baby T's nursery was styled with Disney Pixar's Up in mind, it was a natural choice to use this film as inspiration for her shower. It also allowed us to have fun with decorations and food.

food:

We kept things quite simple and offered a mid-day spread of chicken salad sandwiches, veggies & dip, salads, pinwheels, crackers & cheese, and other munchies. Our sweets consisted of cookies, candies, a doughnut 'cake', and cupcake 'balloons' (these just happen to be the cutest thing ever. the template for the 'Up' house can be found here).

drinks:

We offered cucumber water, coffee, tea, and punch.

decor:

I picked up various swatches of quilting fabric and sewed together a few strings of triangle bunting. This was surprisingly easy and once I got going it took no time at all: I hand-cut the triangles in various fabrics, ironed a small fold at the end, and then sewed them to rik rak. We also - of course - incorporated helium balloons which are always fun, easy, and cheap. Throw in a few fun candles and some streamers and you have yourself an Up-themed party.


parting notes:

Angie, it is clear your daughter is going to be the best-dressed (not to mention most socially-aware and well-dispositioned) child on the playground. It may or may not have something to do with the fabulous females she will be surrounded with...

Ms. Stephanie, it was a pleasure throwing this party with you; you are fantastic. I can't wait until baby T is one to do this all over.

Big Love.

let's get our celebration on.

Although I have a monthly membership with cocodot, I love sending (+ receiving!) cards through the mail. It's always such a fun treat, especially if it is sent just because.

Birthdays are the perfect time to brighten a friend's mailbox and these are some of the prettiest cards I've seen in a while. Eat cake and be merry? Pretty much my 'party' mantra.

These beauties were created by Sam Dubeau and stumbled upon via Beyond Beyond + Pintrest.

Psst... If you haven't experienced Pintrest you are missing out on something special. We should also be friends (find me here).

Do you send cards by mail? by email?



(Photos for Sam Dubeau by Scarlet O'Neill).

Summer Appetizers

I use the long days of summer as an excuse to make + eat food. all day. During the summer months B and I typically share one meal a day: a late dinner. The rest of the time we're enjoying snacks that we've thrown together, picked up, stopped in for, or - my favourite - guests have stopped in with. This year I am attempting to broaden my arsenal of go to's. These four delicious treats are at the top of my list as they incorporate the herbs that are surprisingly still growing I am currently growing in my garden.

bon appetit.


a redesigned caprese salad.



crispy sweet potato fries (& dip).



watermelon balsamic appetizer.



grilled shrimp with cilantro, lime, and peanuts.



Are you cooking this long weekend? What are your go to's?



(Photos & Recipes via The Party Dress, the Art of Doing Stuff, Show Food Chef, and Martha Stewart).