30 Nov

If you haven’t already seen our Bubbly Bar shoot from earlier this week, you kind of need to check it out STAT. It was one of our favorite projects we put together this year and judging by your lovely comments and tweets, it looks like a lot of you loved it too! It just doesn’t get any better than sweets, champagne and sparkle, does it?

All those tasty tarts, cupcakes, cakes and treats you’ll be displaying at holiday parties and get togethers this season will need a little pizazz, won’t they? These sparkly cake toppers do just the trick and they’re easy breezy to make.

diy sparkle cake topper steps

diy sparkle cake topper steps

Here’s what you need to get started:

DIY Cake Topper Steps

Happy crafting and happy holiday party planning!

 
Related Posts with Thumbnails
30 Nov

beach-side Christmas engagement session

It’s been a full week of pretty holiday inspiration around here and we’re excited to cap it off with this sweet engagement shoot, captured by Jessica Loren. Gillian + David are two avid Scrabble players that love to celebrate Christmas in a big way. So much so that they brought Christmas to the beach. You’re going to love their engagement story. It might even get some of you soon-to-be-engaged brides anxious for Christmas morning!

scrabble board game engagement

breezy beach-side portraits

romantic beach engagement session

breezy beach engagement

romantic beach engagement

festive Christmas decor on the beach

Scrabble on the beach at Christmas

Scrabble message

Christmas striped glasses

romantic beach-side engagement

white lace top

romantic engagement session

Their engagement story…

Having moved from Florida to Rhode Island in early 2010, over 1000 miles from either of our immediate families, it would be only the second time in more than 5 years that David and I would spend Christmas morning together and the first time we would spend it alone together. Both coming from families that celebrate Christmas in a big way, we went a little over-the-top gifting for one another. We each wrapped our gifts for the other in secret and kept them hidden. When we rose Christmas morning it was the perfect image of Santa having come in the night, each of us having woken up separately during the night to deliver the gifts under the tree and stuff the other’s stocking as they slept. Cuddled on the couch we started in on our stockings, apparently more eager for the other to discover what goodies were hidden inside. David kept stopping to watch me open odds and ends so I kept pressing for him to keep opening his…until I got to the last little package. As usual, I carefully peeled off the wrapping paper to revel a tidily-tied little blue box when David said, “Wait, that one is for me.” He took the box, removing the ribbon and revealing its stunning contents (as he took to a knee from his perch on the couch, of course) with just the pace for me to fill with emotion and a flurry of butterflies. He said sweet, loving words about me and us and our relationship that made my heart beat into my ears so the moments surrounding the immediate “Of course!” are a blur. I do know the next gift from the tree was a bottle champagne with 2 flutes. Our perfect Christmas.

 
Related Posts with Thumbnails
29 Nov

We’ve been chatting a lot about holiday parties – how to decorate, what to wear, what to serve, but you can’t forget about the other necessities. If you’re playing host this year you’ll need to make sure you have some seating for guests and a mini bar (preferably two if it’s a big shindig). Our recommendation, Industry West. They were founded in 2009 out of a need for better designed products with realistic prices. Their catalog consists both of industrial and modern recreations and original designs. Best part, new designs arrive monthly with emphasis on quality raw materials such as steel, wood, and concrete. Take a peek!

industry west retro furniture

You’ve probably seen their goods in tons of homes, restaurants, hotels, schools and businesses, right? Some of their larger clients include Google, Facebook, Starbucks, and Whole Food Markets. The beauty of it though, is you can get in on it too. They keep their warehouse stocked at all times and have made the commitment to manufacture top quality furniture but keep the cost truly within reach by selling directly to the consumer.

One of Industry West’s main commitments from day one was to keep philanthropy at the core of our identity. They believe in generosity and the need to help make the world a better place. They have been involved in donating furniture to various educational institutions and art communities. Current projects include refurnishing the Harlem Community Kitchen for the Food Bank for New York City and Project Ruth, a charity organization that is committed to helping impoverished children in Bucharest, Romania.

Industry West is about design for the people, and mobilizing people to help the world around them. Check out the rest of their colorful collection here!

the nook photo via photobucket / Flandeds chair / the bar photo via Country Living  / Four square table / the stool image via House & Home UK / Low back stool

 
Related Posts with Thumbnails
29 Nov

diy glitter votives

As with any holiday, it’s kind of a must for us to add a bit of sparkle wherever we can. That’s why we’re sharing this easy peasy DIY with you. We made these glitter votives to decorate our holiday mantel in a matter of minutes and they’re such a fun way to brighten up your holiday (or wedding) decor, keep all year round or make as gifts! Here’s what you need:

 
Related Posts with Thumbnails
28 Nov

Because we had such a fun time working with Sara during our Holiday Bubbly Bar shoot, we thought one of you would like to take a little bit of Sara‘s kitchen genius home with you for the season. Have you seen her cookbook, The Sprouted Kitchen, yet? We’ve been lusting after it ourselves and we know that whoever wins this one is going to reeeeally love it.

To enter, fill out the form below. We’ll email the winner next week when the giveaway closes on Monday night. Good luck!

Related Posts with Thumbnails
 
Related Posts with Thumbnails