A Good Hair Day

From timeless vintage chic - whether intertwined in tumbling curls, a romantic chignon or elegant up do - to elegant headpieces filled with Swarovski crystals and fresh water pearls, you just gotta love a good hair day.

Image from Serendipty Tiaras

Image from Beadnz.com

 Source

Image from etsy seller Lottie Da

Image from Jennifer Behr Bridal Collection

Images from Artikal

DIY: BBQ, It's What's for Dinner!

With Memorial Day almost here and many of us looking forward to the Fourth of July, as well, I am thinking its time to dust off the grill and perhaps pass the plate amongst family and friends. You might even consider a little Weber throwndown, being neighboorly of course! So here's a good ol' fashion DIY BBQ invite to get you and the grill fired up. 

First you'll need 12 x 12 Western or BBQ scrapbook paper. I had this great bandana design left in my secret stash so I went with it. Score your paper at 4" and then again at 8".

Use some adhesive tape and seal the outer sides of the bottom half, creating a pocket.

Now it's time to create your invite. I made my invitation using bright red and black BBQ themed graphics printed on white cardstock. I thought they worked great with the scrap book paper. Your design is up to you and your options are only limited by your imagination. Just make sure whatever you do it's works with your pockets. And, just in case you love invitation featured here. Click here to download a PDF.

Tuck your invite inside.
 

Close it up. I had some red and white checked ribbon so I used that to seal my pocket closed but you can do all sorts of things. Add a personalized tag, labels or sticker. Use your creativity. Once you're done, pop them in the neighboors mailboxes. If you plan to mail them make sure you cut them down first to fit in a business size envelope BEFORE making your pockets and your invites.

Good eatin y'all!

 
 

 

DIY: A Stylishly Crafty Potluck Dinner

Just in time for memorial day! Invite friends and neighboors over for a stylishly crafty potluck dinner. You can make your own cards, place mats and napkins using simple stamps, some paint or your computer. Use poster or fabric paint for printing on paper (for cards, gift wrap, etc.), or use acrylic paint if you decide to decorate an item that needs a waterproof finish (glassware, clay pots, etc.).

Create these cute Potluck Invitations by typing up and printing from your printer the who, what, where and when. Just make sure you leave room for the stamp and then stamp with a classic silverware image.

To create napkins, brush a small amount of paint onto the underside of the stamp. Carefully place the stamp where you want the design printed and stamp away. Cotton absorbs more pigment than paper, so make sure to fully coat your stamp before pressing it onto cloth. 

Keep the theme going by taking ordinary paper cups and adding a monogramed cuff.  You may monogram each guest’s first initial over drinking glasses to turn them into place cards. Simply stamp or print a guests initial on cardstock. Then either cut or use a paper punch, sized to fit, to cut the card stock into circles, glue circle to a paper strip and seal ends together with adhesive, slip around cup. Try using a the hosts initial for all the cups if you are expecting a larger crowd.

NEAT IDEA:  Ask each guest to send you the recipe for the item they are bringing to the potluck. Type up each recipe on a separate piece of cardstock. Stamp or print the cards with the silverware image or other kitchen motif. Cut the cards down to 3.5 x 5 so they are sure to fit in everyones recipe box. Place the collection of recipes in a cute gift box available from your local craft store or online at containerstore.com  Send guests home full and excited to recreate the delicious fare at home with recipe cards as a parting gift!

All images via CountryLiving.com

Inspiration Board: Pretty as a Peacock

I have a thing for birds...I have a thing for ALOT of things actually :D but let's not get into that. I WILL tell you why I love birds though. What else is as delicate and yet so surprising fierce. I love that. I dont mind some pretty plummage either. Who else rocks it quite like a peacock. Look on for some more peacock inspiration.

Images via The Knot

Embroidered clutch is from Etsy seller Clutch That . Jeweled peacock picture frames (think table numbers and place cards) is from Pier 1.  The peacock inspired ring is here.

House of Harlow's Gold Peacock Feather Locket is gorgeous! Peacock Feather Headband rocks at FeatherBrain. Get a irridescent or royal blue bridesmaid dresses from moniquelhuillier and Art Deco Painted Peacock shoes from Norakaren. 

Invites found via Project Wedding. Placecards found at Sleddweddings. Menu is mine :D

 

A Bottle of Wine

For all of us who are married, are no longer married, wish you were getting married, or just wish you weren't married, this is something to smile about the next time you see a bottle of wine...

Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road.As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride.

With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car. Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally.

'What in bag?' asked the old woman. Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, 'It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband.' The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said:

'Good trade.'

Happy Mothers Day

 

This was sent to me by a dear friend and a fellow mother...

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;

they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils

 are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,

 filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough

doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know

what the vacuum just sucked up...

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'

and get their answer when a little voice says,

'Because I love you best.'

 The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,

the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,

Because that is the doorway to her heart,

The place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,

But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

Happy Mothers Day!

Bookclub Bookplates

A girlfriend just invited me to join her Bookclub. Now these girls have been at this book club business since college so I am feeling a little book shame here. They actually read "real books" although I did catch that Twlight has been in the rotation - thank goodness for small favors. We haven't started our first book yet but while I obsessively check my mailbox - curse you Amazon- my girlfriend loaned me last months read. As I cracked open the cover I noticed she had placed a tiny address label inside - you know, just one she uses for her regular mail - as a sorta ad hoc bookplate. It's really a great book and she's a great friend so I thought they both served a Bookclub Bookplate. She loved them so I thought maybe you might like them too!

These bookplates can be printed on adhesive-backed or regular paper (try using colored paper) that you adhere with a glue-stick or double-stick tape. You can download the tree graphics I used here .

Download book plate pdf.

DIY: Moss Monogram

Found via The Crafty DIY Bride

It all began okay and then somewhere it all went horribly wrong. My craft card has been declined. It happens. Hope your attempts at making this fabulous moss covered letter way more successful then mine. Oh and that glue gets a little warm... it has a bad habit of oozing up thru that darn moss. Watch the fingers ladies.

DIY: Mini Farmers Market Flowers

My local Farmers Market finally opened and I am so excited! The hubby and I sneak away on Sat mornings and fall in love all over again over fresh lettuce and hand churned butter. I love the fresh breads, cheeses and  the flowers too. Try bringing some that love and earthy goodness to your wedding with these mini farmers market bundles. A simple tutorial can be found at Postcards and pretties

Love this personalized veggie crate! What a great way to hold gifts. Get yours here.

Need more veggies. Make these artichoke tea lights. Spotted the tutorial at here.