Gulp.

These are paper. 'Nuf said.
From The Green Vase. Via Oh Happy Day!

for lots of buds

These made me smile this morning. They'd be adorable as simple centerpieces at an outdoor wedding. All from Urban Outfitters. All very nicely priced. Via Oh, Happy Day!

wild wreath centerpieces

I haven't had a lot of time recently to look thru my favorite blogs, but I just came across this post over at Design*Sponge, and liked it so much I thought I'd pass it on. It's basically a full tutorial on how to make a gorgeously wild looking strawberry wreath centerpiece. The interesting thing about them is that they can be made ahead of time, great if you need to make more than one for a larger event. You know me, I can't resist a good DIY project!

a do-it-yourselfer's wonderland

My sister (the super-crafter) told me about this amazing website, Save on Crafts, and the DIY'er in me just peed myself a little from joy! They have anything you could possibly want for DIY decor projects. Bulk feathers? Yes. Branches? Sure. Solar powered lanterns? Yup. Moss? In large quantites. Beautiful vases for cheap? Ok. Cake Stands? That, and so much more. If you are trying to do your own wedding decor, or are looking to score some craft supplies I would highly recommend checking this place out.
Have a great weekend everyone!

spoonflower!

Perhaps I'm the last to know, but I just discovered Spoonflower, an online custom fabric printer that allows anyone to print yards of fabric of their own design. As a pattern obsessed person, this is huge for me. I could literally spend the next 3 days doing nothing but making fabrics, printing swatches and ordering yardage. I have a stool in my entry way that desperately needs reupholstering, and have not been able to find suitable fabric. Spoonflower! I have patterns I love that I've created for wedding invitations, and have been dying to find alternate uses for them. Spoonflower! I'm sure more than a few of you might be interested in this for wedding decor. Think table cloths, flower girl dresses, DIY projects, centerpieces... the possibilities are endless. The fabric gets pretty pricey if you needs lots of yards, but if you want only a couple yards to create accents - the price is right!

i'll take 17 rolls.

What is this, you ask? Ribbon? A candle? What? Nothing less than masking tape, my dears! Japanese masking tape to be exact. I can think of about 9 million creative and handy ways to use this pretty tape; from gift wrapping, to invitation making, to favor packaging, to book binding, to flower arranging... I could keep going, seriously - on and on. Available at Ginko Papers, via Black Eiffel, my newest blog crush.

a feast for the eyes

I'm back from a decadent 2 weeks of family celebrations. I'm an overstuffed, yet well rested version of myself, so I thought I'd start the year out with a little feasting that doesn't involve huge amount of calories.
The images above all from David Stark, master of event design. I love how he adds light to ordinary materials like paper and paint cans (!) to create something truly magical. I adore the bouquet at the top, and wonder, in a twisted-glutton-for-punishment kind of way, how long it might take me to make one for myself? Hmmmm.

who woodn't want one?

I love Jamali Garden for their affordable decor and polished style. These wooden containers would be beautiful as part of a centerpiece, or a buffet. They'd also be right at home on my coffee table, which is exactly where I think one of those bamboo bowls are headed.

paper lace

So I've decided to round out the unofficial Etsy week... make it official. I thought these rolls of filigreed paper would be amazing for wrapping around your bouquet stem, wrapping around some votives, creating a quick decorative touch to your centerpieces, personalizing your favors, or dressing up your place settings (the list could go on and on). I love that these little details are out there, and for such reasonable prices! From Brookerpie on Etsy.

a morroccan glow

These pieces from Z Gallery would be adorable on a buffet table, as centerpieces, or as decorations at the ceremony. Grouping all the different sizes together creates a nice effect. Candle holders and Lanterns, love them!

floral inspiration

Today, a break from chit-chat to focus on the eye-candy. I first saw Krislyn's work over at Hostess With the Mostess, and couldn't believe their inspired creations. Not only does Krislyn work with flowers to create gorgeous center pieces and bouquets, but they actually create their own flowers too!

tea tin centerpieces

When I saw these tea tins posted on Decor 8 (one of my favorite bloggers), I immediately thought of a post I'd seen on Oh Joy! (another favorite!) about a year and a half ago of a Martha Stewart photo spread, in which several tea tins were used to create a homegrown looking flower arrangement. Until I read Holly's post, I had not known that these tins could be purchased for so little (most under $3), I thought they had to be collected or purchased at antiques stores. Turns out, they're readily available online at Pearl River, and we can all have them for a bargain. I love it when that happens! Centerpieces? I think I smell centerpieces.

floral inspiration

I found out about Brooklyn based SAIPUA thru Oh Joy!, and thought that even if you weren't in the Brooklyn area, you could use a shot of floral inspiration. If you are in the Brooklyn area, lucky you! SAIPUA also has a fun blog you might want to add to your morning circuit.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm back home in Connecticut at my parent's house, hanging out with my sister, eating good stuff. I'm signing off for the weekend, but I'll be back in action on Monday morning. I hope everyone has a warm and cozy holiday with the ones you love.
Toasting glasses and pretty leafy trivets from Rockett St. George. Cheers!

wedding style goldmine

I came across the portfolio pages of photo stylist/crafter/designer Rebecca Thuss via Oh Joy!, and couldn't resist posting them here. Her site is truly a treasure trove of wedding related photographs and ideas, (mostly due to the fact that she's the former style director of Martha Stewart Weddings), and would be a great style resource for any bride. Check it out!

paper flower tutelage

I still get a lot of questions about those paper flower pomanders we made last summer for my sister-in-law's wedding. A lot. Because I get so many questions about how we actually made the individual flowers, I'm always on the look out for websites or tutorials that walk you through the making of different sorts of paper flowers. The truth is that when it comes to paper flower making, the sky's the limit. You're only limited by your materials and your imagination. That being said, you do kind of need something to start you off. Someone to show you just how easy it is. Then you can riff on your own, discover your inner flower artist. A few great starter kits can be found over at Martha Stewart Crafts (via Oh Joy!). One is for smaller, delicate tissue flowers, while the other is for larger hanging versions. Both methods will prove useful, and the larger flowers can easily be implemented at a smaller scale for use in bouquets or pomanders.

lanterns as centerpieces

Z Gallerie has some wonderful lanterns and sconces for centerpieces or candlelight ceremonies. When I saw what a bargain they were, I figured they'd be 6" tall or so, tea light sized. I was shocked when I saw the measurements. Anywhere from 16" to 27", and many of the lantern's are under $50 each. There are loads of styles and configurations... modern, country, minimal, you name it. If you chose to use some of these on your tables, you might be able to save a little on flowers.

french general

French General has great stuff for you (us) DIY types. I was thinking you might be able to write guests names on the mother-of-pearl charms then thread them with string. You could use them as placecards (loop around the stem of each wine glass), or as escort cards (dangle them from the branches of some cherry blossom branches at the entrance to your dining room). OR use the wired pearly leaves to wrap bags of goodies for favors. There are so many great little dealy-bobs to be found, the possibilities are endless.

diy centerpieces

Check out Matthew Mead Style for some great DIY. How beautiful would these topiaries be in different sizes, in shades of green and pink hydrangea as centerpieces down the middle of a long table? Or as focal points on a buffet table? Or create flowering branches, even out of season. All of the above could be made by you. That's right. You da boss.

candy land

For macaroons, jelly beans, chocolate truffles, Peach Rings, Milk Duds, rock candy, gumdrops, Sour Watermelons, Gummy Bears, caramels, Necco Wafers, Sugar Babies, Red Hots, Swedish Fish, non-parleils, Smarties, Smooth-n-Melties, licorice whips, MaryJanes, Pixie Sticks, Jujubees, Bull's Eyes, Sour Cherries, Tootsie Rolls, Root Beer Barrels, salt water taffy, Atomic Fireballs or Jordan Almonds. In short; The Candy Buffet. Or for notes to the couple. Or for centerpieces. I just thought the first option was the most fun. Plus I figured that, if you didn't hate me for throwing you off your diet, you'd get a kick out out of my nostalgic waltz thru Candy Land. HEY! Candy Land?! Remember that game? Awwwwwww. I do. I loved that game.
For the coolest apothecary jars ever, go here.
For the candy, go here.
What would you use these for? Ideas?