letterpress candles

These letterpress candles by Bee and Bird Candles are totally fun and swanky. I'd like a C-M-Y-K!

{via the SCOOP}

Heather

i'm an aunt!

It's official, I'm an AUNT!

Congrats, Anna and OJ! Welcome to the world little Kayla!


I think you need this 100% alpaca star hat from oeuf.

Heather

80 degrees means ice cream sandwiches

Word on the street is it's going to be 80 degrees here this (three-day) weekend! I'm so ready. Maybe I'll make these darling, easy-peasy ice cream sandwiches over on Twig & Thistle.


All you need: a carton of ice cream, butter waffle cookies from Trader Joe’s, a round cookie cutter, large knife, cookie sheet, parchment paper and wax string.

Head over to Twig & Thistle to see how it's done!

{image from Twig & Thistle}

Heather

fort weather

It's so gloomy out today...I want to crawl into this beautiful, bright fort.

{photo by Anna Inghardt}

Heather

Sweet little messages ...

... said in a BIG way:



a love letter for you mural project

{via smaller}

Ananda

shortbread buttons

I'm giddy over these shortbread button cookies from Forty-sixth at Grace. My mind is racing, and I'm trying to figure out where I can use them. I could throw a party completely based off of these!

Swooning!


You can download the equally adorable recipe too.

{photos and recipe from Forty-sixth at Grace}

Heather

spring

Golly, I'm glad it's finally spring.


...just thought you should know.

{lovely photo from Country Living}

Heather

flea bags

I am ohhhh so in love with these purses from Fleabags. They'd be perfect for summer. I've definitely had this one in my shopping cart several times. The $480 is the only thing keeping me from hitting "check out".

{images from Fleabags}

Heather

Mondian Coffee Cake

More coffee!  And a sweet Monday treat. {via poppytalk}

 

Mondrian cake from Blue Bottle Cafe by luiredailyAnanda

spill coasters

While I'm on the subject of coffee...I'll take one of these spill coasters from At Work Design. They're even dishwasher safe.

{saw on simple + pretty}

Heather

it's a coffee kind of day

It's Monday, which means coffee is essential. I could go for one of these notebooks from Bold Ideas. I saw them awhile back and now Bold Ideas has set up shop so you too can buy your very own drink-inspired notebook.

I love the strawberry milk one!

Heather

stainless steel...straws!

I got my wisdom teeth pulled last week and I'd love nothing more than to drink out of a straw right about now. These stainless steel straws from Brook Farm Generalstore have certainly perked my interest. I kind of need them.

Heather

Thought for Friday

Digital Print by DearColleen, $19. {via A CUP OF JO }


Ananda

moving paper

The Museum of Arts and Design just announced the winners of the Moving Paper cut paper animation festival. These are some seriously cool videos made of cut up pieces of paper. Check out this one by The New Zealand Book Council.



You can see more here.

Heather

looking for love

This print by Irene Suchocki is quite dreamy...


Heather

Hard candy shell

This is just too fabulous not to post.  Check out a bunch of candy-coated SHOES over at Trend Hunter.

I think Project Runway should have a candy challenge.  It would be way cuter than the hardware store challenge this season!

Ananda

afternoon snack

Wouldn't these shamrock green peppers make the perfect afternoon snack on this St. Patty's Day? I think yes.


{from Martha Stewart...who else?}

Heather

we're guest bloggers!

That's right, we're guest blogging over at Inspired Taste this week! Go on, check it out. We did our shopping and set the stage for two different parties. AND we designed this custom menu for the occasion.

Heather

{menu by Quite Like It Design for Inspired Taste}

Love of the Irish

 
to see more images, click right here! photograph by Larissa Cleveland

I found this gem over at *Style Me Pretty* and just had to share.  I'd heard of handfasting, but this is a beautiful explanation of the tradition.  Even if you don't have Irish roots, I think this would be a lovely candidate for something to add to your wedding ceremony.

"A handfasting ceremony is an ancient marriage ritual made popular in Ireland and Scotland during the Early Christian period. This symbolic lashing together of the couple’s hands is the origin of the familiar expression, “tying the knot.” Today, a handfasting ceremony is a beautiful and unique way to represent your union and honor your heritage.  The ritual takes place during the ceremony, before the rings are exchanged.
1. Pick ribbons and ropes of varying textures and materials that match the colors of your wedding. If you can, add in pieces that have special significance, like the trim from your grandmother’s wedding gown, or shoelaces from the groom’s ancient pair of chucks. Jewels or gold chains can also be included to add a little bling.
2. Once you’ve collected your materials cut them all to about the same length. 36” – 48” should do the trick.
3. During the ceremony, have the officiant introduce the concept of handfasting so your guests can appreciate its history and significance.
4. Gather the ribbons together neatly and keep them that way while binding, so you end up with a clean, tidy look.
5. Stand facing each other and cross your arms in front of your bodies. Now, hold your partner’s hands so that together your arms create a figure-eight, or the symbol for infinity.
6. While the officiant speaks have someone important to you, maybe your best man or maid of honor, take the ribbon and tie it around your wrists and through your hands to bind the two of you together. Have them finish with a visible knot. Protip: practice this at the rehearsal as it’s kind of tricky!
7. At this point the officiant can say a prayer or you can recite your vows while your hands are tied together.
8. After the ceremony, be sure to keep the ribbons! Find a creative use for them such as a tie for around your guestbook or photo album…"

Ananda

Google Docs

Hey brides-to-be! If you are not using Google Docs to plan your wedding, you obviously haven't heard about Google Docs. For those of you that haven’t heard, the 20 individual Google Doc templates are geared exclusively towards the bride, groom and their wedding planning adventures. With these templates, you can keep track of your guest list, your budget and a million other things, sharing each document with ease and simplicity.

The Google Doc templates were just coming out when I was planning my wedding, so I didn't get a chance to use them. I'd love to hear what you think about the wedding templates.

Ananda

headed to target

The sun is finally shining and I'm heading to Target for lunch. I'm super excited to check out the new Liberty of London for Target line. I have my eyes set on these...


I might as well look fab in Leather Gloves since I have to work in the garden.
Envisioning me and these Dunclare Tumblers at a dinner party on the patio.
Storage is good. This Floral Media Bin is perf.

Heather

frame the [date]

These framed dates from frame the [date] are fantastic. What a perfect wedding gift. Or the ultimate save the date!

{image from frame the [date]}

Heather

baby shower take home treat + bingo

I told you I'd post a step-by-step for the baby shower take-home treats I made and I'm finally getting around to it! Better late than never...


A Treat for the Trail

You'll need:
- Small paper sacks--I got mine at Michaels, ('Celebrate It' brand size is 3.5" x 2" x 6.75") but these would work too
- Labels (download your free printable in pink (shown), blue and yellow!)
- 8.5" x11" office paper (to print the labels on)
- Thread to match label
- Sewing machine
- Treat (we used mini granola bars)
- Small zip lock bags or wax paper (if your treat is greasy...to protect the brown paper bag)

Here's what you do:
1. Download the label pdf, which has six labels per 8.5" x 11" sheet.
2. Print the document out on a piece of 8.5" x 11" paper. The paper doesn't have to be thick. In fact, a regular old piece of office paper is best.
3. Cut out labels.
4. Place your treats in the zip lock bag or wax paper (if applicable).
5. Put each treat pouch in the brown paper sack.
6. Thread sewing machine with appropriately colored thread and practice your stitch (we used a loose zig zag) on a spare piece of paper.
7. Place the label on the bag (a half an inch to an inch from the top of the sack) and hold in place.
8. Sew the label on with your chosen stitch.
9. Viola...a perfect little take-home treat!

If the take-home treat doesn't suit you, I'm also including free downloadable Baby Shower Bingo, which was a huge hit at the shower I hosted.


Baby Shower Bingo

All you'll need for this one is 8.5" x 11" cardstock and some type of markers. I picked up a ton of baby do dads (pictured) at the Dollar Tree and they worked perfectly.

Here's what you do:
1. Download the free bingo playing card pdf in your choice of pink and green (shown), yellow and teal or blue and green. There's one card per 8.5" x 11" sheet and 30 different card scenarios for each color.
2. Print the document out on a piece of 8.5" x 11" paper. Make sure you click scale to page before you print this one.
3. Grab your bingo markers and get ready to play!

All files are © 2010 of Quite Like It Design. All we ask is that you don't copy, reproduce or use our downloadables for profit.

Heather

fun rug

This hopscotch rug from CB2 is so fun! I want it in my office.

Heather

coffee fix

I have a special place in my heart for frappuccinos. If I had my way, I'd have a Vanilla Starbucks Frappuccino EVERY day, maybe even twice a day. But that would get pretty expensive... I'm thinking maybe I should just MAKE these Mason Jar Frappaccinos. Looks super easy, and I do have the jars!

Mason Jar Frappaccino by Pioneer Woman on Tasty Kitchen
Ingredients
- ¾ cups Brewed Strong Coffee, Room Temperature
- ¾ cups Milk
- 1 package Sweetener, A Single Serve Packet, Your Choice
- 2 Tablespoons Chocolate Syrup
- 2 Tablespoons Liquid Coffee Creamer, Your Flavor Of Choice
- 3 whole Ice Cubes

Preparation Instructions
In a 16 oz. Mason jar, put all your ingredients followed with the ice cubes. Put the lid and ring on and shake, shake, shake!

Taste it. Does it need a little more sweetener?
I don’t like mine horribly sweet, so I stick with one packet of Splenda. The creamer and chocolate syrup add the rest of the sugar to sweeten.

As for the creamer, I used Coffeemate Italian Sweet Cream. It’s nondescript, sweet and creamy and lets the coffee and chocolate shine through.
But, if you like hazelnut or coconut cream, go for it!

At this point, you can drink it right out of the jar or pour it over crushed ice and top with whipped cream and drizzle more chocolate for an authentic coffee house experience.

{image and recipe from Tasty Kitchen}

Heather

It's a girl!

It's official (90%)! We are going to have a girl! Color me excited!

I'm trying so hard to not run out and buy every sassy girl thing ever made. I need to be logical, calculated, smart and thrifty ... but everything is soooooo cute.

My weakness is going to be anything with pandas on it. I LOVE LOVE LOVE pandas. I have loved them since about birth and I intend to inflict this love on my child as well.

Let the panda baby madness begin!

Panda for Baby by ajspadt featuring deLux clothing

Items in this set:
deLux The Panda Mittens in White & Black, Accessories for Women, $26
Panda Bag Black & White - XL, $58
miki house panda hat, $72
V&A Victoria Albert Museum > Main Section > Shop by product > Homeware..., 12 GBP
Perfect Pandas

Ananda

happy birthday, love

Today I get to wish a big ole Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband Josh. If I was a talented cupcake decorator, I'd make these shark cupcakes for him. They'd be perfect. Instead, I ordered a cake!

Happy Birthday my little shark lover!

{from Martha Steward Kids}

Heather

wall of books

This wall of books by Minor Details is such an adorable idea. I could see this in any room of the house, not just a kids room. How awesome would this be in a library or office? Pretty awesome.

{from Minor Details in Time Out NY Kids}

Heather

We don't normally post other wedding invitations on here other than our own, but this one is just so well done that I had to share. I've always loved making paper cuttings, so I think this style is so beautiful!

From Hello! Lucky: "Since we’re stationers, paper played a big role in designing Eunice & Daniel’s wedding. The first piece of inspiration was Rob Ryan, the whimsical London-based paper artist. Eunice illustrated this letterpress save-the-date poster featuring silhouettes of her and Daniel, and their two dogs Indie and Simon, along with a save-the-date for their London reception."

"We used the silhouettes again to create a DIY cake topper, with the silhouettes laser cut out of balsa wood by our pals at Publique Living, and embellished with crepe paper flowers."

Ananda

pantone polish

Someone needs to make this happen. Pantone makeup=too cool!

{from Lovely Package®}

Heather