Category Archives: Holiday

09.25.12

Come, Create and Celebrate.

We had the absolute best time for E’s 7th birthday.  This year, we loaded up a van full of seven girls and headed out to Confetti Studio in Warrenton.  My friend Annabel and her friend Alessandra started Confetti Studio just over a year ago and just moved into their new beautiful space.  These might be two of the most creative women I’ve ever met– and that’s saying something.  The girls had the absolute best time creating and celebrating!
They painted beads to make adorable necklaces.
Then cut out shapes and used the sewing machine to make their own garland.
Lou was quite proud of her finished product.
Annabel and Alessandra- thank you for giving us a van full of happy girls.
The best part about it all was how appreciative E was… Something changed within her this year.   She has always been happy about her birthdays, but this year she went out of her way to thank us for all of our hard work.  Melted my heart.
Happy, Happy Birthday to my girl.  We love you so very much.
Invitation- Q.A. Design
Photography- Ryann Colleen

09.20.12

Some Birthday Treats.

Here’s the “How To” on the tags that we made for E’s school party.  You could use them for all kinds of Halloween goodies.  E’s school is “treat-free,” which makes it difficult when it comes to birthdays…. but we were up for the challenge.I found some great Halloween paintable sun catchers in the dollar aisle at Michael’s.

We made these Candy Corn tags in MS Word (you can fit 4 on one page.)

and cut them into candy corn shapes.

 The birthday girl went to work with my trusty tape gun.

And Bam!  $25 for 25 “treats.”

 

06.19.12

My Top 10 Floral Design Tips.

Many people have asked me about my floral designs.  YES, I created them, YES, they are store bought flowers and YES you can do it too!  Flowers are one of my favorite ways to treat myself.  I am so happy when they are in my home.   You can fill your home with beautiful flowers as well (and not pay top dollar at a florist.) Here are my top 10 tips for creating beautiful arrangements:

1.) Be Random.  Turn on some music and let the flowers go where they will.  If you focus too much on patterns, it will end up looking like something from FTD.
2.) Clean Your Stems.  #1 Rule for a compact arrangement.  Make sure to pull of all leaves, thorns and excess limbs.  Not only will this detract from your arrangement, it will take up extra space not to mention make the water uber-slimy.
 3.) Cut Your Stems As You Go.  You will need to vary the length of your stems with the tallest stems being in the center and gradually shorter stems towards the base of the vase. Cut flowers longer than you think you will need, you can always cut them shorter.  As I mentioned above, you will have the tallest stems in the center of the arrangement.
4.) Forget The Packets.  Just change the water after two days.  Most flower arrangements will last you up to a full week. Put them somewhere you can enjoy them.
5.) Arrange in Odd Numbers.  While you want your design to tailored, believe it or not, an odd number of large blooms will create more of a balance.
6.) Get Creative With Your Fillers.  Steer clear of most of the fillers you get at the store.  Think outside the box; fruit, berries, cabbage heads, bear grass and hydrangea leaves are some of my favorites.
7.) Don’t Be Afraid of Carnations Anymore. (Just be cautious, there are some really tacky carnations out there.) There are many more varieties of carnations these days.  They can look quite stunning and can be a cost-effective alternative to roses.  I would not use them for a party in the evening, but they are perfect for a casual, daytime soiree.
8.) Open Up Your Flowers.  Roses are the most specific example that I can use here.  When you buy them, generally, they are closed up tight.  Carefully glide your finger along the perimeter (starting on the outside petals) of the rose and gently open it.  Move from one petal to the next like a maze.
9.) Always Be On The Lookout For Great Containers.  Michaels and HomeGoods are great places to find unusual containers.  I also love looking around my house and rediscovering something that I thought I had.

10.) Practice, Practice, Practice.  You will get better with each arrangement you create!

05.25.12

Cover it Up.

Ahhh…. Memorial Day weekend.  Time to hit the water.
 I can not fathom how another year has past and another summer is about to begin.  I fully understand and appreciate that Memorial Day is about remembering those who have lost their lives for our country and am so grateful to all of the people who risk their lives daily to defend our freedom.  However, Memorial Day for me marks another year where I promised myself that I am not going to be the fat Mom sitting at the pool in her MuuMuu. Yet once again, I have failed to deliver on that promise.   I don’t want anyone to think that I am a self-loathing 35 year old with no self confidence… that is certainly not the case.  I am just stating the facts;  wishing I had run a few hundred miles or stopped eating Chipotle before this weekend so that  I looked a little more like this:
But perhaps I should just resign to my fate and just start shopping here.