Category Archives: DIY

01.31.14

Super Bowl Sunday

I’m not hosting anything special this year for Super Bowl (did that a few years ago and had food for weeks!) but I thought I would post some of my recommended appetizers, sweets, drinks and party ideas for those of you that are entertaining this weekend!

Oh and who is this-I-don’t-care-about-professional-football-girl cheering for on Sunday? (Notice which straws I posted FIRST).

Happy Super Bowl Weekend!

01.29.14

be mine with tiny prints

I’ve teamed up once again with my friends at Tiny Prints to bring you this Valentine’s Day sponsored post! (In case you missed it, we did a fun NYE party favor last month).

Whether you plan on spending February 14th with your one-and-only or a clan of single girl friends – I have a few ideas to celebrate appropriately. I decided to post this pre-February so you would have plenty of time to enjoy cupid’s favorite holiday – and I promise they aren’t THAT cheesy for those of you that wish this day didn’t exist.

1. Make Your Own Candy Bar.

I’ve done this around Halloween for guests (and myself) to enjoy and it’s always a hit. This is a great way to decorate for the holiday around your house or make a mini one at the office for your favorite colleagues.

What You Need:

Vases or Jars
Valentine’s Day inspired candy (red and pink)
Tiny Print’s Gift Tag Stickers (customized to say SWEETS & TREATS)
Ribbon for the vases or jars
Festive lights, gift bags and scoops (optional)

You can also set out plastic gift bags or mason jars for guests to fill up and take more sweets home with them. These make adorable gifts for friends, family, coworkers and teachers. I also made these gift tags from Tiny Prints to stick on them to add a personalized touch.

2. Send Valentines.

By now, you probably know that I keep the U.S. Postal Service in business with my love of and appreciation for #snailmail. This is also why I believe you’re never too old to send a Valentine or two. I made these mini cards from Tiny Prints to pass out to friends and colleagues. Spoiler Alert.

3. Mix Festive Drinks (girl friends only).

If you’re planning a fun evening out or in with the girls, here is a simple and festive drink to sip on and repeat.

Ingredients:

Champagne or Prosecco (Bubbles required.)
Fresh Strawberries
Splash of cranberry juice (optional)
Pink Sugar (to decorate the rim)
Striped paper straws, gift tags and flutes

Mix, enjoy and cue the chick flicks.

Cheers!

01.20.14

make.my.monday: 2014 planners

I realize that January is more than half way over but if we’re being really honest here, I didn’t get my 2014 planner until a week or so ago so I won’t judge you if you haven’t either.

Without sounding like I am 20 years older than I am (still have a few years in my 20-somethings left…), I am super old fashioned when it comes to calendars/planners/agendas/schedules. Sure, I accept Google calendar invites and use Outlook at work and add appointments to my iPhone – but there is something about writing, making lists and looking physically at the week in front of me that I can’t give up.

So if you’re like me and you haven’t purchased yours yet or if it’s a new years resolution of yours to get more organized – here are my 2014 planner recommendations whether you want something super simple or every aspect of your life customized and recorded.

1. The Day Designer by Whitney English

2. Kate Spade Planner

3. Quo Vadis Club Agenda

4. MyAgenda/MomAgenda

5. Simplified Planner / Life Binders by Emily Ley

6. Erin Condren Life Planner

7. May Designs Agenda

Happy Planning!

12.30.13

pop, fizz, clink with tiny prints

Sometimes planning a New Year’s Eve party can be a little overwhelming with unnecessary pressures if you’re playing hostess. I’ve teamed up with Tiny Prints this week to bring you this post for an easy and fun way to serve your bubbly this New Year’s!

What You’ll Need:

Mini Bottles of Bubbly (Prosecco or Champagne will do)
“Pop Fizz Clink” Gift Tags by Tiny Prints
Sparklers
Paper Straws and Cocktail Napkins
Festive Serving Tray
“Pop Fizz Clink” New Year’s Greeting Cards by Tiny Prints
3 Champagne Glasses (optional for straw display)

The mini bottles are an alternative to serving bubbly out of traditional champagne glasses. Not only does this mean every guests gets his or her own bottle but you also don’t have to worry about buying extra glasses for the evening.

Tiny Print gift tags are perfect to tie on each bottle – you can add your own hand written message or customized them online. I did both! I think these also make creative New Year’s gifts for friends and family even if you’re not hosting a party on the 31st.

The best part? The sparklers, of course. Tie a sparkler to each bottle and then your guests will not only toast to 2014 at midnight but also enjoy a little fun and sparkle too.

The straws can be used once the bottles are popped and by displaying them in champagne glasses, this will tie the entire NYE theme together.

As you already know, this year I decided to forgo Christmas cards and instead mail New Year’s Cards to my list (also pictured here). The custom “Pop Fizz Clink” design matches the gift tags and if you’re hosting, you can also have a card ready for each guest to leave with or send later on via snailmail.

Hopefully this inspired you to ring in 2014 as the hostess with the mostest!

P.S. Don’t forget to check out Tiny Prints for cards and other customized products!

12.17.13

Here & There with Julie Leah: DIY Ornaments

I am thrilled to announce a new monthly series with my good friend and fellow blogger, Julie of Julie Leah, a life & style blog. Julie lives in southwest Virginia and we first met when I was blogging and brand director of Sweet Lemon Magazine. I always look forward to her visits when she makes the journey to DC toting along her adorable southern accent and perfect hair.

Our first post in this series of “Here & There” is about DIY Ornaments!

My take on the DIY ornament is below and warning: glitter is most definitely involved.