S'mores Bags Featured on Ruffled!

The S'mores bags wedding favors Three made for our Fall Photo Shoot are featured on Ruffled today! Head on over to check out the post!!!

Vintage Tea Party Photo Shoot

Remember this? Well, it is time to reveal the product of that sketch.

I am thrilled to share this vintage tea party I designed with the help of Taylor Jackson from Barefeet Photography and Cassie Henley from Twelve Twenty Photography (who is also the mastermind behind my blog design). There are so many pictures to share because I just couldn't choose and Taylor shot a video as well so you are in for some serious eye candy! Cassie and Taylor's nieces were our models and they are simply precious so you can imagine how difficult it was to narrow it down.

These first few photos are by Cassie...

I love the girls' faces in this picture.

And these are Taylor's...

look. at. those. eyes.

Thank you to all of our sweet models and their mommas!

 Taylor, me and Cassie!

When Taylor contacted me about designing the photo shoot, she knew she wanted a vintage, traditional touch to the classic tea party with pastels as our color scheme. My goal was to use props that I either already owned or could borrow to prove that ANY party can be done on a budget. At first I had assumed I would use a table but when I couldn't find the perfect one I changed my plan to incorporate the porch swing hanging from the tree in a picnic style setting.

As for the props, here's how we did it. The chandelier and sheer curtains were already in my collection as well as the pink china plates I had purchased from Anthropologie last year and the pillows some of which came from my bed, others of which were purchased at Walmart two years ago. A special thank you to sweet two-year-old Anna Grace for letting me borrow her table. She gave a little pouty face when I walked out her front door with her tea party table but hopefully I am forgiven as I returned it promptly! :) The linens and vintage tea cups belonged to both mine and Taylor's moms as well as the bird cage, tea set, vintage trunk and furry rug. It never ceases to amaze me how much you can do with what you already own and can you believe those pillows are from Walmart!?

Taylor designed the place cards and the banner and constructed both out of extra fabric, scrap booking paper, paint, and lace that she found around her house and printed the place cards on transparency paper she already had from her home printer. Next time you have extra scraps of paper or fabric you might just keep it for a future project!

Taylor also filmed a video for the shoot. Enjoy!

Contributing Vendors:
Event Design: Shelbi Rampy, Events by Shelbi Rene
Photography/Videography/Paper Products: Taylor Jackson, Barefeet Photography
Photography: Cassie Henley, Twelve Twenty Photography

And of course a special thank you to our darling models Kendyll, Carlie, Abby Kate, Avery, Mary Alice and Milla!

Scrubs

This video is presh. I was a little confused when I first saw it because I don't watch Scrubs but you'll love it. Trust me.




I like this guy's creativity AND it's all on video. Perfect.

Lyndsay's Wedding Shower

A few years ago I designed and decorated a shower for friends of ours from college, Lyndsay and Kyle Miller. Lyndsay was the vice president when I was president of our sorority, the jelly to my peanut butter, the cheese to my macaroni (you get the point) and Kyle and my husband grew up in the same church and were college roommates. With that said, Kyle and Lyndsay didn't even meet until after college! I totally missed out on an opportunity to play matchmaker. God has a funny way of working things out though!

Kyle's parents and my in-laws have been friends for a while so when my mother-in-law asked for my help with their wedding shower I was beyond delighted. Lyndsay's love of butterflies, purple and bling were my inspiration for this shower and my mother-in-law's Austin hillside home was the setting. Unfortunately I did not own a fancy camera at the time so these pictures are courtesy of a hot pink point-and-shoot that did the best she could...

 The guests of honor!

Sketches

So I am not an artist. I have never claimed to be one. But when I need to remember how I want to design something in my head, writing it down doesn't cut it; drawing is a necessity. So my friends, I give you this masterpiece:

(What appears to be an octopus hanging from a string is actually a chandelier. Please take notice of that.)



Yes, I drew that and I assure you the real thing is better. Hopefully I will be able to prove it to you when I post the real, non-stick figure photos in a few days.

Lord help my drawing skills.

For Japan With Love

Today is supposed to be a day Bloggers Day of Silence to raise money for relief in Japan and I want to respect that but first I want to encourage you to make a donation of ANY kind to either the American Red Cross or ShelterBox. I am sure you are familiar with the American Red Cross but here is a description of how ShelterBox helps:

ShelterBox provide emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for families around the world who are affected by disasters at the time when they need it the most. Each large green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items. A whole box costs $1,000 (US), so we're hoping to raise enough to send 5 boxes.

Every little bit helps. I know we hear that all the time but it is SO true. If 1,000 people give $1 each...that's a ShelterBox! Please spend the time you would be spending reading blogs today to donate. Thank you!

Also, and even better, please be praying for the citizens of Japan and the country as a whole.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride...The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3,7

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

My card to you today:

(image and DIY via JustMommies)

And a few more last minute ideas for St. Patrick's Day fun...

1. Rainbow Cake
2. Rainbow Party
3. Green St. Patrick's Day Printables
4. Shamrock Whoopie Pies
5. Guinness Ice Cream Floats
6. Beer Tasting Party



Have a happy St. Patrick's Day and don't forget to wear green (unless, of course, you enjoy being pinched)!

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Rainbow parties are a unique twist on the traditional St. Patrick's Day party and seem to be popping up everywhere lately! I mean, green is great and all but how much more original to incorporate ALL the colors of the rainbow? I saw this party on Pizzazzerie by JoAnne of oh goodie designs and had to share it so you could see how fitting the rainbow looks with the green. Check out the cupcakes with cake balls on top too...jackpot!

Photography: Rebecca McCoy Photography
Design: oh goodie designs
Cupcakes: bon~bon
Graphics: Sweet Prints
Party Accessories: shop sweet lulu

FREE St. Patrick's Printables from TomKat Studio

Kim from TomKat Studio designed these printables for St. Patrick's Day for free! All you need is a scallop punch and you're good to go! Print the "Kiss Me I'm Irish Printable" circle on sticker paper and you've got yourself a button to wear on the 17th! Avoid getting pinched and head on over to Kim's blog to download the printables and view the full tutorial on HGTV's website!

Also, visit TomKat Studio for more St. Patrick's Day ideas she designed for HGTV!

St. Patrick's Day Marshmallows

I'm all about easy. I love cake pops to death (I mean LOVE them) but they are not exactly the EASIEST dessert in the book. That is why these little beauties from the decorated cookie are such a treasure. Easy. And just in time for St. Patrick's Day!

Check out the instructions on how to make your own St. Patty's marshmallow pops on the decorated cookie blog!