Gumball Necklaces!

Snow days call for art projects and here is one that will have you DIY enthusiasts chomping at the bit. 

Glamorous (and oh-so-perfect for Valentine's day) Gumball Necklaces!

Directions:

1. Using a metal skewer, pierce one side of the gumball. Hold the top of the gumball steady as you guide the skewer (see photo). This will prevent the skewer from slipping off the slick surface of the gumball.

2. Flip the gumball over and pierce another hole directly opposite to the first hole. If you try to poke a hole straight through both sides at once, the gumball will crack.

3. The hardest part is stringing the ribbon. Use a large needle to thread the ribbon through the gumballs. Thinner ribbon is easier to string. Tie a knot between each gumball as you string it.

Tip: Look for bags of single colored gumballs at your local party supply store.

PC: One Charming Party, Sarah Westbrook



West Elm Hostess Gifts

The next time you walk by West Elm, go in! They have amazing holiday sales on entertaining goods that are hard to resist.  From beautiful horn and cheese trays/knives, to cocktail stirrers, and decorations, they really have host/hostess gifts down flat.  I might stock up for future dinner invitations-it never hurts.  Happy bargain hunting.

Twig Bar Tools Set (Very Michael Aram-esque)

Bone Wine Stoppers ($9.00) (Bring with a nice bottle of wine)

Horn Cheese Knives ($23.00)

 (Bring along a good hunk of manchego, some fig jam, and crackers)

Bone Cheese Knife Set ($23.00)

(Again, bring cheese)

Mercury Birds ($12-16.00)

For a modern household

Cocktail Picks ($9.00 for a set of four)

"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

Retro Storage

Only Fish's Eddy would have such stylish and retro storage jars.

PC: Fish's Eddy

Skinny B-tch

I often turn to Mexican when I want a no-fuss weeknight meal that will taste good and do good for my body. My latest find: Old El Paso (Chicken or Steak) Fajitas. With only 4 ingredients to be purchased at the grocery including the kit itself, fajitas have never looked so good, and to be honest I've never felt so good... about a weeknight meal.

 I pair mine with refried beans (out of the can) and sliced avocado.  It's delightful, beyond simple as it takes around 15 minutes to make, and best of all, you wake up the next morning feeling skinny-mini! It's my kind of meal.

Here's what to look for at the grocery:

And here's how beautiful your meal could look:

Dinner doesn't have to stress you out! Just go the Old El Paso route.

PC: Old El Paso, Kalyn's Kitchen

Let's Pizza!

In case you're stranded in Milan's Malpensa Airport look out for 'Let's Pizza', a vending machine that makes fresh pizza in front of your eyes! And I'm not talking about microwaved pizzas either... With this machine, you can actually watch as your dough is kneaded, toppings are added, and your pizza bakes for 3 minutes until done.  My only question is this, doesn't it take less time to buy a slice from an airport restaurant? They usually carry a million different variations (in case you're picky).

Regardless, if this is the future of vending machines, I'm psyched!

PC: Travel + Leisure, Javier Leiva Aguilera

Wildfire, Where art thou?

New York boasts some of the greatest restaurants in the world but one thing it lacks is my favorite chain of all time-Wildfire.  Wildfire is one of those restaurants where everyone knows your name (or at least my name, because I'm on their wall of fame). Is anyone out there (Lettuce Entertain You)? Will you please open shop in NYC, preferably downtown on the West side? I will become your best customer.

Since I have a feeling that it's not opening anytime soon, [sigh], I often recreate their chopped salad (roasted chicken, avocado, tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon, scallions, corn, tortillas strips with a side of citrus lime vinaigrette and ranch and a baked sweet potato) at home and even though it holds me over, it's nothing like the real thing. 

Here's the salad:

Luckily they sell their citrus dressing online. Buy it here.

And here's a similar bowl/chopper that they use at the restaurant for your own use:

Tree Spirit Bowl and Chopper:

PC: Lasplash, Lettuce Entertain You, Bed Bath & Beyond

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

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

DIY Inspiration

PC:

1, 2, 3, 4, 9: Martha Stewart Weddings, 5: Wedding Style Guide, 6: Country Living, 7: Corbin Gurkin via Duet Wedding, 8: Kate Headley  

When life throws you (leftover) cookie dough...

Make Chocolate Chip Ravioli!

How to make it:

Start by rolling leftover sugar cookie dough into circular pieces.  Add about a teaspoon of your leftover cookie dough to the center.  Brush the sides with water with a pastry brush.

Top with an additional circle:

And seal with a fork:

Bake at 350 degrees until done. 

And serve with chocolate sauce!

PC: Clumbsy Cookie

Anthropologie

The more I study parties, the more I realize that I prefer things simple... simple as in gorgeous. If you have good taste and use the right colors (which is the art of it all), you don't need all the bells and whistles.  Case in point: Linda Ly's Anthropologie-themed 1st Birthday party for her darling daughter.  A beautiful party for a beautiful occasion.

(A gorgeous backdrop doesn't hurt either)

Want to create something similar at home? Purchase this affordable Apothecary Beverage Dispenser from Z Gallerie (it's only $49.95!)

PC: Kara's Party Ideas, Z Gallerie