DIY Ombre Heart Napkins

February 13, 2013

When I shared my Ombre Love Valentine’s Party, I promised there would be a how-to post for the Ombre Heart Napkins. My DIY is over on Minted’s blog, Julep today. I’m really honored to have the opportunity to share on Minted’s lovely blog. I hope you head over there are check out my post.

Find

Window Shopping – Decorating with Pink

February 12, 2013

Pink has definitely had a strong appearance here on O + P the last couple weeks, with my geometric heart, Valentine’s party and decor around our home. My love of the color is really quite a new found affection. I really credit Denali, my 11 year old. While I was not a very girly girl as a child, she definitely is. Her love of pink has finally rubbed off on me.

I’ve gathered up some pretty pink pieces that would be great in many spaces. I think these are fun, grown up accessories that don’t have to just be in a little girl’s room. Yes, pink is traditionally feminine but, I think it’s can now be a playful, modern color for the home. What do you think?

Dhurrie Rug // Coat Rack // Ombre Desk via

Pillow // Arrow Peg Hook

Pink Moose // Paper Roses // Rug

You can see more of my pink finds on my Pretty Pink Pinterest board. Is there something in this collection that catches you eye or you could see having in your own home?

etc. / Food & Drink

Chocolate Chunk Shortbread

February 11, 2013

I made a Valentine’s version of my Mark’s and Spencer Chocolate Chunk Shortbread today. I LOVE making and eating shortbread. These buttery cookies are some of the simplest to make, with very few ingredients. And really, is there a better cookie then a tender, buttery chocolate filled shortbread?

I used Nestle’s Valentine’s Morsels and I cut out heart shapes just for Valentine’s Day.

Chocolate Chunk Shortbread

1 cup butter (room temp)

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

2 egg yolks

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup chocolate chips

Cream the butter and sugar together with an electric mixer. Add the salt, vanilla and egg yolks and beat until smooth. Add the flour and mix till dough comes together. Add the chocolate chips.

Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/4″ thick. Cut out the cutting. Bake at 325 F for about 12-15 mins or just until the edges of the cookie start to turn golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

These cookies store really well in the freezer, but I have a feeling they won’t last long enough to make it there. Are you making any last minute treats for Valentine’s Day? I’d like to make a special breakie for my hubby on Thursday, maybe Creme Brulee French Toast. It’s been a jam packed weekend (had my brother and sister in law‘s 2 toddlers for the last 5 days) and I’m headed to an equally busy week, so I’ll see how it goes.

DIY / Food & Drink

Valentine’s Message Cupcake Toppers

February 8, 2013

I recently discovered that Airheads Candy can be used like fondant for decorating cakes, cupcakes and cookies. Airheads come in a variety of yummy, fruity flavors and the best part is the fantastic vibrant colors.

I made these fun edible Valentine’s Message Banners for my cupcakes in no time at all. I simply cut strips of the airheads about 1/2″ thick. Then, using some alphabet cookie stamps that I have (mine are from William’s Sonoma), I stamped in messages. The pliable candy can then easily be bent and placed however you’d like on cupcakes.

My mind is already racing with lots of other great edible decorations that could be made from Airheads.

I’m entering this in Airheads Craft Your Valentine Contest. If you have a minute, and you like my use of airheads, please place a vote for me here.

DIY

No-Sew Fabric Heart Pendant

February 7, 2013

I’ve got a fun little no-sew Valentine’s fabric craft for you today. I’m sharing this craft over at Eighteen25. I’m really honored to have this opportunity, because I’ve long been a fan everything the sisters of Eighteen25’s make. I hope you visit my guest post over there today and leave a comment. I’d really appreciate your support friends.

Entertain

Ombre Love Valentine’s Party

February 6, 2013

I’m a sucker for a trend and ombre is currently one of my favorites. I love the simple palette and tonal effect that ombre offers. When I pick a party palette, I like to stick with two colors usually. One color is the feature color and the other a complimentary neutral. So ombre is my friend, it gives me that monochromatic palette that I love.

For this Valentine’s Day party, I took my inspiration from these pretty pink ombre party decorations from Minted. By repeating the ombre theme a couple times, I was able to put together this party in very little time. I made ombre cake pops, filled a bowl with Valentine’s Candy Corn, set out my ombre owl and made some ombre heart napkins.

Cake pops are really fun to serve at parties. These fun ombre ones are great because they can be made ahead of time and stored in the freezer. It’s always nice to have things that can be done in advance.

Nothing says party more then serving drinks out of milk bottles and striped paper straws. Minted’s party decor comes with customizable buntings and signs, stickers, table confetti and even cute straw flags. I added my Ombre Owl to the table decor and made these ombre heart stenciled napkins.

Over the years I’ve figured out that party food doesn’t have to be complicated in order to be delicious and fun (especially when it comes to kids). For this party I packaged up little bags of cotton candy, put out some candy in a bowl, made cake pops, and served milk in glass bottles. It’s the perfect amount of dessert.

Special thanks to Minted for providing the Party Perfect Ombre Love Party Decor.

Entertain / etc.

Let’s have a Valentine’s Day Party

February 5, 2013

Oh my, there is a lot of really cute Valentine’s Day party supplies and ideas out there. I’ve been pinning a lot, but I thought I’d share I few more of my favorite finds here.

You’ll be seeing more of the Ombre Love Party Supplies by Minted. I love Minted’s new party decor line. It’s all customizable and the quality is premium. I’m working on some ombre accessories and treats to go wit this party theme. I’m having lots of fun with it, so can’t wait to share it with you.

Arrow cupcake toppers // Mini Bunting // Ombre Party Supplies

Gold Hearts Stationary // Pink and Gold Tassel

Pink Heart Stickers // Heart Dishes // Gold Heart Muslin Bags

Are throwing a Valentine’s bash or making Valentine’s for your kiddos? Or this just more of a special grown up day for you and your significant other?

DIY / etc.

Angular Hearts

February 4, 2013

Happy February friends. Even though I’ve already been posting lots of Valentine’s ideas already, it is now officially the month of love. So, here’s a fun heart shaped idea that keeps with my geometric theme. I think these simple angular hearts would look darling over a dessert table on hanging in a large picture window. I have mine hanging at different heights and depths on a wall in my dining room.

And how about a cute, kind of silly, baby with these fun angular hearts? Olivia quite enjoyed posing in my pictures.

Supplies:

wooden popsicle sticks (10 for each heart)

hot glue gun

paint

fishing line

I found popsicle sticks in 2 different sizes at my local craft store. The larger ones are just normal popsicle size and the shorter ones are 2 1/2″ long. They are so simple to make, just dot hot glue on the ends of the sticks and overlap the sticks to connect them together. For the tops and bottom of the heart, make right angles with the sticks, then all the others will fall into place correctly.

I spray painted mine metallic gold and white. Then, simply hung them with fishing line from the ceiling. They are very light, so just a little scotch tape holds them up fine. Wouldn’t these look cute in a glossy red or in a couple shades of pink as well?

etc.

What I Learned at Alt

February 2, 2013

So, I’ve had a few days to process and think about my Alt experience. And to be honest, I’m still trying to figure it all out. Yes, there were amazing parties with fabulous attention to detail. The whole weekend was a one of a kind experience and I feel like a took advantage of every moment and opportunity I could. I definitely took away information and inspiration from the panels and sessions. So, after pouring over my notes again, here’s my Top 10 tidbits of useful information and inspiration. They are kind of sporadic and random, but I think that’s how my brain works. I’m going to read over these every week and try to remind myself of where I want to go, and some of the tools and ideas that will help take me there.

Got to sit and chat with Kathleen of Braid Creative and Jeremy and Kathleen. Not to name drop, but I’m an even bigger fan now. Photo courtesy of Justin Hackworth.

1. Content is King!
2. Know your goal and stay true to that goal.
3. Think Bold, Think Beautiful, Think Big.
4. Traffic doesn’t matter, just have an engaged audience.
5. Clean is beautiful.
6. Have a unique perspective and a strong voice.
7. Think customization not organization.
8. Find your own voice.
9. Collaborate with those that inspire you.
10. Figure out what you are good at and what you like.

See, I’m happy and having a good time!

There’s also something about being around the same people for concentrated periods of time, that teaches you about people and human nature. I love to observe people, and this was a good learning experience. A lot of it was just a reminder of the person I DON’T want to be. I want to be a relatable, approachable, and an authentic person. I want that to come across in my blog and when I meet people face to face. And though I was disappointed with, what I thought were, “blog friends”, I also met some fantastic people that were down to earth and real. Some were even BIG TIME bloggers and that was very refreshing.

Well, without boring you with all kinds of silly details, that’s my synopsis of Alt. If you have specific questions, feel free to email me. I’d be happy to share more. And I would definitely recommend this conference for anyone wanting to take their blog to the next level.

Just for fun, here’s a Top 10 of my favorite people at Alt (this was really hard to narrow down, and there are others that should be on the list, but then it wouldn’t be 10). You may want to check out their blogs. I found these folks to be the kind of people I’d like to be real life friends with.

1. Holly and Lauren (my roomates)

2. Alix

3. Erin

4. Kathleen

5. Chelsea

6. Vivian

7. Sarah

8. Rachel

9. Whitney

10. Megan

etc. / Find

Window Shopping: Life on Churchill St.

January 31, 2013

I’d like to introduce you to my friend Julia of Life on Churchill St. Julia and I are just online, bloggy friends, but if we lived closer to each other, I’m pretty sure we would be real life friends as well.

Life on Churchill is a really great blog. It’s one of my personal favorite reads. It’s a mix of crafts, diys, family, design and so much more. She has just opened her Etsy Shop. I’m really excited about the vintage and antique finds she already has there. And I know she’ll be on the hunt for more great finds. And check this out, she is offering O+P readers a special discount. Now through February 14th you can get 10% off (enter code VINTAGEVALENTINE10). I hope you head over there and check out the Life on Churchill St. shop.

Framed Paintings // Vintage Clock

Hangers // Brass Birds

I’ve asked Julia to give herself a little introduction.

Hi, I’m Julia, I share about vintage finds, inspirational ideas, and a bit about daily life on my blog. I love connecting with new friends through blogging. It is so encouraging to find like minded friends with similar interests.

I’m a mom of two preschoolers, we live in Minnesota after growing up near the coast of Georgia. My background is product design and my husband is a designer too, it impacts how we live our daily life. My faith in Christ is really important to me and I try to integrate in Life on Churchill.

Julia has some great tips and tricks for thrifting, you can read more about them here. She also did a little thrifting Q&A with me.

What’s you favorite thing to thrift shop for?

I love a good piece of mid century furniture. That is always the first thing I look for. Once I check out furniture I look for home decor, everything from knobs and handles to vases and vintage children’s toys.

What is your holy grail, or the one item you are always looking for?

I would love to find a vintage Eames lounge chair. I keep telling myself if I’m patient and continue to look I will someday find one! I’ve also been on the lookout for a vintage fisher price a-frame house to add to our fisher price collection.

What’s your best thrifting find of all time?

A few years ago a neighbor had a garage sale. I just stopped for a moment and spotted a brass birds wall hanging. I bought it for $15 and later confirmed with the Artisan House that it is a Birds in Flight by Curtis Jere valued over $1000. It fits in nicely over our fireplace.

How often do you make it to a junk, thrift or antique store?

I visit the thrift store at least once a week. I go frequently enough that I recognize a lot of the employees and I’m sure they recognize me too. I visit a few estate sales on average once a month. And antique stores maybe once a quarter. I love antique stores but can’t afford to pay premium prices.

Do you have any thrift regrets, something you wish you wouldn’t have bought?

Not one in particular. I do sometimes buy things for nostalgia sake and then realize later that the toy is broken or the book’s binder is severely worn. The good news about thrifting is the items are affordable. I like that I’m giving a product a second life, and if I re-donate it later someone will likely adopt it again.

I hope you’ll show a little love and head over to Life on Churchill St. Blog and Etsy Shop. Be a friend and leave a comment, pin one of her great crafts, or do a little shopping.