I love the sweet way that this couple announced their pregnancy to their parents.
She used fabric markers to write out the new "names" for her parents when they came over for dinner. 
Even sweeter? Her dad was confused, while her mom got it right away. Congrats!
Until Next Week! xoxo EventLucky
Huzzah! Halloween is here! I am making costumes, pumpkin bread, and these Halloween serving platters that would look awesome at any holiday party!
I found some chargers at a thrift store for $1 and I thought I could use them somehow. After mulling it over I realized I only had white serving platters for my halloween party and needed something more festive. So I forged ahead thinking of how I could come up with the perfect DIY. This was the culmination of all that thinking!
Are you psyched? Great! Here we go...
Materials:
Old plate or charger
Plaid Blank Stencils that will fit your plate (mine were 8x10)
Glossy Black Spray Paint
A well ventilated area for spray painting
Spray Adhesive
Exacto Knife
Safe cutting surface (I used a pizza box, but a magazine will work well too)
Step One:
Find an image that is really simple in design and goes with the theme of your party. I love this Punisher-inspired skull for its simplicity and style.
Step Two:
Print off this image in a size that will fit on your plate. Then tape your stencil over your image and place it on your cutting surface.
Step Three:
With your Exacto knife, cut around the image. I usually score the image onto the stencil, then go back and cut all the way through; that way, if I make a mistake I can fix it! (And I make a lot of mistakes. I like to call it the "Handmade Love")
Step Four:
Head to your designated spray painting area, and spray adhesive onto the back of your image. Wait about 30 sec before putting it onto the spot on your plate you want to see your image. Make sure to get the edges nice and stuck onto your plate (as I did not and you will see how it turned out).
Step Five:
Now this is where you can decide how you want to do your plate. If you want to paint the whole thing but your image, then put the cut out piece onto your plate and spray the whole thing (don't forget the sides too!) Here is what my first attempt turned out to be...
(See the blurry edges? that's what I get for not actually making sure the edges were secured)
Or you could....
Do the actual image onto the plate, which turned out much better the second time. Live and Learn! This one you have to cover any exposed area with duct tape so no spray paint gets on the plate. (let me know if you're confused and I will help you)
Step Six:
Finish it off with some Krylon spray sealant and you've got yourself an awesome platter!
I love DIY's because they can be customized to just about any need! So now that you have the basic knowledge, the sky is the limit. You can do a whole set of serving ware (once you've got the stencil made it's a breeze) or specialize it for a Hostess Gift! I am sure you have a hideous platter you got 10 years ago that is collecting dust somewhere so grab it and turn it into something useful. Waste not, want not!
Hope you have fun, be creative and get inspired.
Christine
Wow, I cannot believe Halloween is less than 2 weeks away; the month has flown by super fast! I have been amazingly lucky to coordinate a wedding for Jon & Sara, launch a Holiday Line and crochet tons of scarves for the kids of the Plaza District through Rethread. The time is ripe for a little me-time! I get to teach myself how to make a chiffon flower, then share it with you!
I had some trouble actually deciding what I was going to do with the flower, so I came up with a few uses, and these were my 2 favorite:
Table Adornment
OR Super Cute Headband!
So I will leave it up to you what you would like to do with this fun little project, but here are the super easy instructions.
Materials:
Chiffon in black and orange
Cardstock
Pencil
Pins
Scissors
Needle
Black Thread
*Floral Wire
*Headband
*Glue Gun
*Depending on what you want to do with the flower, you might not need this
Step One:
Using your pencil, draw a flower about 4-5 inches in diameter. I drew spokes so as to get my petals evenly spaced; I am terrible at free handing and this helped a lot!
Step Two:
Fold your chiffon so you have at least 8 layers. It's a pretty thick amount without it being difficult to cut through. Then pin the card stock through all the layers of the chiffon on each petal. Chiffon is very slippery so this is necessary for your sanity.
Step Three:
Cut out the flower. It is easier if you cut a circle around the flower first, then the finer details. There is less fabric to be managed and again, it will save you some sanity.
Step Four:
Unpin the card stock and repeat as many times as you need. I recommend using 8 layers per flower so consider one cut to be one flower. Do both black and orange all at the same time; it will be easier to get this step over and done with.
Step Five:
Layer 3 black pieces then 5 orange pieces, with the orange on top. Make sure the petals don't line up, then fold in half.
Step Six:
Thread your needle with black thread. Then start sewing about 4 stitches in the middle bottom of the flowers. (Sorry I forgot to use contrasting thread... I will remember next time!)
Step Seven:
Fold in half again and sew a few more stitches until you start to get a little knob at the bottom of the flower. Once you've got a nice little knob, tie a knot and cut the thread off.
Step Eight:
EITHER YOU CAN grab your headband and arrange the flowers on the headband in a fashionable and pleasing way, then hot glue them to your band. Instant awesomeness.
OR YOU CAN take your floral wire and wrap it around the knob at the end of your flower, make sure to start wrapping above the knob and as tight as you can. (It took my a few tries to get it really secure, but if you start above the knot, that will be your best bet) Then you can attach it anywhere you'd like!
There are a million things to do with these flowers, so let me know if you have any other ideas!
Hope you have fun, be creative and get inspired!
I can’t believe this is the first day of October already! This day has always meant something to me, for a number of reasons. As a kid it was because it meant my birthday was in 31 days; I was a Halloween baby! As an adult I love October first because it is the signal of cooler weather (I am in Oklahoma so I’ve been hot since May) and the start of the Holiday season. Halloween invokes a kind of dark whimsy and imagination that no other season inspires.
So let’s get one of my favorite non-holiday days off the year off to a crafty start! All month we are going to be making chic Halloween décor specifically for a party, but they could also be used through out your house in various ways. I was inspired by some stamps I bought by Martha Stewart to make my Halloween Party Package. I was so excited how it turned out I wanted to continue the theme!
We are going to start off making a whole set of candleholders to adorn a table, mantle or outside steps. This one is going to be easy to make, but with a little more prep work…unless you have tons of candleholders you want to paint just laying around, then you’re set!
Supplies:
3 or 4 various candle holders, though really the more the merrier!
Black spray paint
Orange or black candle sticks
Step One:
Make sure your candleholders are clean by wiping them down with a damp cloth then rubbing them dry. If they are not absolutely clean it will come out kind of lumpy and weird. Mine had wax on it and I thought it might be interesting to see what it came out as, but it wasn't that cool. Go a head and scrape wax off it if you can!
Step Two:
Set up a painting area that is well ventilated; I chose my back yard. Then set the candleholders straight up so you can paint 360 degrees around it.
Step Three:
Spray your candleholder with light even coats. It is SO much better to do this than one thick coat. Repeat until evenly covered in black paint, then let dry.
(this really is black, but I couldn't get it to turn out that way in the pic:-)
Step Four:
Put the candle holders on your table, mantle or porch for a spooky effect!
Don’t you just love simple and stunning DIY? It’s pretty much my favorite kind! Hope you have fun, get creative and be inspired!
Until next week,
Christine
P.S. the rat in the pictures is Bargar... we have him handy around the house all year round to scare visitors and such. But I think he is in his element here.
Denim Placemats: Walmart
at $12.00 for a set of 4. Joann
Fabrics at $7.99/yard. Dinnerware: Bed
Bath and Beyond at $19.99 for 16 piece set.
American Flags: Party America at $3.99 for pack of 12. 4th of July Ribbon: Oriental Trading at $5.99 for 300 feet. 4th of July Candles: Candlelight Solutions at $26.97 for the set.
Total cost of this summer tablescape is around $81.89. The
best part is that everything can be used again in a different way. Find a place
in your home to organize your bargain finds. Soon enough you will have plenty
to throw a great idea together in no time.
Chargers: Target at $39.99 for set of 6. Mason Jars: Walmart at $15.68 for 12 pack. Napkins: Table Linens For Less at $1.19 each plus shipping. Napkin Rings: DIY for pennies. Scrapbook paper can be found at Michaels or at your local scrapbook store. Vases: Target at $9.99 each. Dandelions: Can be purchased at your local store or at Michaels or Joann Fabrics for reuse for $4.99-$12.99.
{ jacqueline, rissa, traci & tara }
As the temps rise and we head outside to enjoy the days of summer, outdoor dining is a must! The following are a few outdoor dining pieces that will help any hostess with a summer soiree.
Walk into any home goods/decor store, and melamine is everywhere! Whether you are looking for something for a particular party or a timeless addition to your dinnerware collection, now is the time to get it.
Here are a few of my favorites:
[1) Outdoor party melamine dinner set from Pottery Barn, 2) Talavera melamine salad plates from Pottery Barn, 3) Personalized melamine plates from More Than Paper,4) Graphic melamine dinnerware from West Elm]
Not into to melamine? How about metal enamelware? You can find tons of this great, durable stuff at antique malls and flea markets, or you can buy your own new version at places like Amazon and Pottery Barn. We have about 14 gingham enamelware plates at our house, and they are our dinnerware of choice when dining outside!
[ 1) Partyware enamel serving pieces from Pottery Barn, 2) GSI enamelware dinner plates from Amazon, 3) Enamelware dinnerware from Pottery Barn]
There are also tons of great serving pieces and glasses that are perfect for outdoor entertaining. I am a huge fan of acrylic glasses that don't look too plastic-y and brightly colored serving pieces that go with any occasion. Don't you think these items below are guaranteed to liven up any al fresco gathering?!?
[ 1) Ring melamine serving pieces at Gracious Home and 2) hammered acrylic drinkware from West Elm]
Hope these items inspire you to get outside and enjoy some fresh air!
May flowers and June bugs,
This weekend, I checked out a complimentary decorating class at Pottery Barn -Holiday Decorating and Entertaining, co-sponsored by Real Simple. If you have a PB in your area, you should check it out, but hurry, the next class is Sunday.
They showcase their new merchandise, and at our store, we received a 10% off coupon and recipe cards from events showcased in their book 
Not pictured, but definitely worth the mention are the Caterer's dinnerware set. This set is a blank canvas, versatile all year round, although they only offer it during the holidays. It comes packaged in a sturdy cardboard box with dividers, that you can easily store away.
My favorite idea was the monogrammed candlepot as a placeholder and a party favor. You can purchase them with any letter you like and how thrilled would your guests be to receive one?
I loved, loved, loved the mercury glass collection. The silver is between the glass walls, so they'll never chip. They have them displayed just like they do in the book, with the moss and ornaments.
The Reindeer Collection is just too fun. The dinnerware collection consists of 3 sets of bowls, plates and mugs, each set has 4 different reindeer, so you need all 3 sets to get all 12 of Santa's helpers. Napkin holders, linens and serveware round it out. They showcased it with a really pretty red and white polka-dotted runner, which isn't available online.
The capri lanterns are fab in person, they had the large one in nickel with silver glitter candles and pinecones, as a table centerpiece. Not Just a Mommy!
so, i am super excited about this post. i know i haven't posted in a while {thanks for reminding me!}, but i have been so busy getting ready for my newest challenge. a fabulous wedding under $5000.
a very good friend of mine got engaged to her long time boyfriend. my girlfriend recently decided to quit her job and go for her master's and PhD, and then she spent her savings on a big down payment for a beautiful old house. all her extra money is going into the new/old house, but she still wants to have a semi-traditional wedding.
so, she called me up to ask me if i could help her. she wants a 'real' wedding, but she only wants to spend about $5000. of course i eagerly accepted the challenge, and the wheels in my mind have not stopped spinning.
research, research, and more research!
so last weekend, laurel and i got inspired to play around with some pretty table-scapes.
she wants her colors to be inspired by the beach. yellow for the sun, blue for the water, and neutrals for the sand. the wedding and reception will be on the beach, so we have so much natural beauty to help us out.
here is what we came up with. i would love to know what you guys think.
this first table is more formal. we used plain white cotton tablecloths with a watery blue chiffon fabric layered over the top. white, dotted swiss napkin were placed on top of silver charger plates so the napkins could hang from the table giving the table drape and more volume. my girlfriend has asked if she can use my china, and i of course obliged that request.
the china is a limoges pattern from tiffany&co called moderne. we also used my grandmother's silver and my crystal. the silver is faneuil also by tiffany&co. the crystal is the hampton pattern, again, from tiffany. it's very pretty, but it's not terribly ornate or cut, but heavy enough to be warm and elegant.
we scattered small votive candles in white and pale green.
laurel did these centerpieces. she used floral frogs to create the centerpiece of hydrangea. i bought the flowers from costco for $9!
i think i spent about $12 on this table between the flowers and the candles.
this is the second table we created.
this table was much more casual, but super fun and quite lovely. using the same white tablecloth i found some really sweet seersucker and stripe table runners at Target! i crisscrossed the runners to create 'place mats' instead of charger plates.
laurel, aka miss crafty made napkin rings from seashells i bought while i was at the beach. i think i payed a quarter for each shell, maybe even less! she glued white ric-rac onto a wide tan grosgrain ribbon. she tied the ribbon/shell napkin ring around a plain white cotton napkin. these can be purchased anywhere for any price!
the dinnerware is from Sur la Table. the deep robin's egg blue dinner plates with the pale yellow salad plates really made this table come to life.
we scattered tea lights around the center of the table and under the centerpiece. the flowers, again, Costco!! for $16.
we just basically threw more seashells around the table. i bought these seashells for my daughter and i think i spent about $10 on all of them.
i didn't want to use my formal crystal on this table, so we used some of my everyday wine glasses i found at Pier 1. i think i payed $3-4 per glass.
the sterling champagne bucket was also my grandmother's, and the bottle of perrier jouet in the bucket probably helped give me my late night energy to get this all done! the champagne flutes are the hand painted flutes that come with the perrier jouet gift set. my mother loved perrier jouet, so i have a set of about 20 of these flutes. lucky me!
all in all, i spent maybe $30 on this table. and, i think it's my favorite. i love casual elegance, and this table just makes me feel happy and easy.
if you have pretty china, crystal, and silver or you know someone who does, you can borrow them. if you can't borrow, then you can rent plain white china, and simple flatware and stemware. or, you can opt for a more casual table and use some fun, pretty everyday stuff.
i'm really excited about these tables. i think we can easily create this wedding for $5000!
i can't wait to read your comments!
[email protected] occasions&style
i stumbled across this website this morning, and i am just loving all this fun, funky melamine stuff!
as the mother of a very energetic and rambunctious almost 4 year old, we like love unbreakables. in my house, i don't get to break out the fine china as much as i'd like to, but we always have nice family dinners at the table every night. however, i always feel like my daughter isn't completely 100% included since she uses different dishes and glasses then my husband and me. i love my every day ceramic dinnerware patterns {i have so many to chose from, i never get tired of them!}, but our daughter has a few boring plain melamine dishes.
i guess my using different dishes always makes me feel a little incomplete. i doubt she cares, but maybe she does. now that i have found french bull melamine i really don't have to worry about excluding anyone. i love this stuff!!!!!
how much do you love this set? it's perfect for you and your kids, but you could even break this stuff out when you have a late summer backyard BBQ as a great alternative to boring, environmentally UN-friendly paper plates.
i just ordered this set to use for a little sweet girl's 5th birthday party. i can't wait to incorporate the pattern {which has served as my inspiration for this "sweet" party} into all the "sweet" design elements we're using for this. how cute will candy and cupcakes look on these adorable plates?
i think this one is my favorite! i love that the bohemian paisley is coming back. my neighbor's 10 year old little girl is such a little fashionista, i just know she is the next SJP, and she has given me her seal of approval on these fabulous plates.
she is having a back to school bash and has requested demanded that absolutely no pencils or apples be included in the decor, so these will be perfect for this little trend-setter.
i also think they'd be perfect for my 'say goodbye to summer' party as well.
and that is what is so great about these sets. you can use them for your kid's parties, your parties, and everyday dishes.
i also ordered this utensil set for myself as well as gifts fr 3 of my great friends. what a great gift to give the chef who has that funky, child-like spirit.
this last one is a bit more elegant. i think these would be perfect for those more grown up outdoor parties. maybe an evening garden cocktail party. i love the weight the pattern gives each plate. i can see my favorite 'fancy cocktail party' recipe!!!
slow-roasted beef tenderloin
1 beef tenderloin, between 5-8 pounds
1 bottle soy sauce
1 bottle worcestershire sauce
use a big ziplock bag and pour both bottles of sauce over the tenderloin in the bag. seal the bag and marinate for at least 24 hours.
slow roast at about 225 degrees until the meat reaches your preferred level of 'done-ness' i am a huge fan of very rare steaks, so i usually take this out when it reaches an internal temperature of about 140.
slice very thin and serve with artisan rolls. put out horseradish, dijon mustard, and an assortment of sliced cheeses for these delicious, gourmet cocktail sandwiches.
send me pictures of what you do with this stuff!!!!
have fun and happy eating!
[email protected]
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