Rainbow Bright Tutorial

Tools Needed:

Serrated floral knife, pruners/garden clippers, 20-24 gauge floral wire, paper scissors, and 2 6" square glass vases

Flowers: Pink Gerbera Daisies, Dark Pink Roses, Red Pixie Carnations, Orange Tulips, Yellow Ranunculus, Yellow Mums, Kermit Poms, Bear Grass, Blue Hydrangeas, and Purple Liatris.

A few tips from the florist:

Keep the flowers in cold water until you are ready to use them. Strip the stems of excess foliage. Secure smaller bundles of flowers with a rubber band or floral wire. Trim the ends at an angle. You can tweak the flowers as you go until you get the right look. Have fun!

The bunches of flowers are in rainbow order in the vases.

PC: Nicole Gerulet.  Flowers by Megan Dunford of Persimmon Floral

DIY Valentine Napkin Rings

In case you don't have the time to invest in V-day decorations, go the DIY route to create a napkin holder or setting that will set the mood. The good news? You can use them year after year or else for a Spring or Summer Party. The great  news? They're cheaper than the real thing.

Buy real or faux flowers and sew or glue them onto a pony tail holder. 

To Form Leaves:

1. Fold a square green napkins in half along the diagonal.

2. Fold it in half again along the long edge

3. Fold it once more in half along.

To Form a Flower:

1) Use a square napkin of any color.  Fold the cloth in half along the diagonal.  Place it on your work surface so that the longest side of the resulting triangle is at the top.  Take the corner opposite the longest side and fold it up so that it just extends over the top.  The top and bottom edges should be parallel.

2. Fold the bottom edge up so that it falls just short of the top edge.  Begin rolling the napkin from one end.

  Guide and adjust the cloth as your roll to give it an even shape.

3. Slip the complete flower between the upper and lower halves of the leaves, and arrange in the glass. 

PC: Country Living, Martha Stewart

DIY Baking Party!

Serve your birthday girl a delicious treat with this sophisticated Baking Party!  Party guests will feel like real pastry chefs as they get the chance to make and bake a variety of gourmet desserts.  Each station brings new techniques and yummy creations as everyone rotates through seven fun-filled activities.  When the party is over, send your happy guests home with their own box of bakery fresh treats that show off their new baking skills.

Click here to purchase this $25.00 DIY Baking Party.  The party plan includes 50 pages of tutorials, party instructions, and gorgeous photos, including step-by-step directions. 

Here is an example of a Baking Party DIY Tutorial:

DIY Baking Party: One Charming Party, Kara's Party Ideas

"Udderly in Love"

An 'udderly' unique and rustic bridal shower for a couple who go together like 'Milk and Cookies.'  Set on the beautiful countryside, the centerpieces are made from items from Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, thrift stores, antique shops, and items the bride/groom already owned.  For seating, they used hay bales to go with their country theme.  I love theme parties!

Kara's party ideas by Love and Lavender

Photos taken by Jonda Spurbeck Photography

A Menu Card that sings to me

PC: Cynthia Warren,

Tutu Time

All I can say is that this is just tootoo cute. Pink + orange + tutu's = Perfection.  I would have loved this theme as a kid!

PC: Kerri King from Kara's Party Ideas

New and Notable

I'm not usually a huge fan of Michael Wainwright, but I happen to love his Manhattan Platinum dinner setting.  It's artistic, modern, and just plain cool.  It makes me want to register all over again.

Grown up Tea Party

This magnificent and classic bridal shower reminds me of my sister's wedding... a pastel color palette, vintage linens, and delicate china.  If this doesn't say romance, I don't know what does.

PC: Jennifer Dery/The Sweetest Occasion

New England Clam Bake

Lobster Crackers:

PC: Hawthorne Photography, The Ritzy Bee, Room-Decorations.blogspot.com, karen's Garden Cottage, SaraGilbaneinteriors.com, Gabherman.com

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a Bee" -Muhammad Ali

PC: Porter House Designs, confetti.uk, Housetohome.com, Martha Stewart,  Nancy J Ciralsky Designs

Winter Wonderland

PC: Jessica Claire