Pretty Party Time!

Pop open a bottle of bubbly lovelies, because it’s soiree time! Styling is one of the integral components in creating a successful event and event decor isn’t just about flowers, it’s about creating an atmosphere! (But don’t be fooled… it’s true that nothing says decadent party quite like loads of gorgeous florals) Here are few perfect examples that prove that a scrumptious pop of color, hints of a time gone by and pretty paper accents are sometimes all you need…

A Lesson in Color

When it comes to the perfect event or an inspired living space nothing brings a look together more seamlessly then color. Muted or bright, dark or light, the repetition of color creates a rhythm between spaces and vignettes!

Color changes everything! Enhance the mood of a room or soiree instantly with a quick swap of color. Inject warmth with reds, oranges and yellows. Cool it down with blues and greens.

Tight groupings! Tell a visual story with cozy combinations. Combine shapes, themes and sizes in similar or contrasting  hues for added interest. A neutral palette  like white, brown, gray and cream create a mood of stability and practicality. These colors are often used as a complimenting anchor for  brighter and bolder colors. The key to combining colors successfully is to balance the color throughout. A little goes a long way and an accent color can create a mood without having to overstate it.

Color inspires, energizes, soothes, and enlivens. The use of color impacts our energy level, our temperament and can even affect our appetite. So, before you paint every room in your home your favorite color, identify the mood you would like each room to have. Think about the feeling you are hoping to convey and choose colors that elicit those specific moods accordingly!

Images via Google images

An Owl Affaire!

Every delicious detail of this vintage owl themed baby shower is absolute perfection! From the cool vintage pieces and eclectic mix of party decor to the beautifully styled food and paper details, the result was a sweet & feminine celebration, adorned with some truly adorable little owls of course!

Images via HWTM blog

Perfect Peonies!

Cupid’s Day is tomorrow and love is definitely in the air. Treating our sweeties doesn’t have to mean candy and cavity-inducing treats.  Why not DIY beautiful buds that will last much longer than the real deal, instead!

Tools and Materials:
20-pound recycled paper (20 sheets)
Blender
Silpat
Cookie sheet
Sponge
Rolling pin
Paper Peonies template
Acrylic paint (magenta and green)
Paintbrush
Acrylic varnish
Pearlizing medium
Plastic bag
Thin paper
Scissors
Glue gun
Cable wire
Floral tape

Paper Peonies How-To:
1. Rip 20 sheets of 20-pound recycled paper into strips.

2. Boil ripped paper in 5 quarts water; let cool.

3. In a blender, pulse to reduce to a paper pulp.

4. Place 3 cups pulp onto Silpat-lined cookie sheet; spread out.

5. Use sponge to soak up excess water. Let dry for a couple of hours.

6. Flatten with rolling pin. Let dry for one day.

7. Download and print template.

8. Cut 50 petals for each peony: 10 small, 20 medium, and 20 large.

9. Make mixture of 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon magenta acrylic paint, 1/3 cup acrylic varnish, and 1 teaspoon pearlizing medium.

10. Dip petals into paint mixture. Dry overnight on cookie sheets lined with a plastic bag.

11. Curl and wrinkle petal edges.

12. Make a pistil by cutting a 3/4-inch-by-8 1/2-inch strip of thin paper. Fold lengthwise. On the fold, make 1/4 inch cuts, approximately every 1/4 inch. Roll to resemble a paper decoration for a “lamb chop” end. Secure with glue gun.

13. Make a 1/2-inch diameter wad of pulp with a point (shaped like an acorn); let dry.

14. Take dried wad and glue (using glue gun) to uncut end of “lamb chop,” pointy side down. Flare ends.

15. Assemble a flower. Using a glue gun, glue five small petals overlapping, surrounding the wad. Glue another layer of small petals. Repeat process for medium, then large petals, working in layers, until you have a full peony.

16. For stems, use the glue gun to glue the end of a length of thick electric cable wire to the base of the flower and wrap, then wrap in floral tape. Paint stems green with acrylic paint.

Mind Over Matter

I am the left brain
I am a scientist. A mathematician.
I love the familiar, I categorize. I am accurate. Linear.
Analytical. Strategic. I am practical.
Always in control. A master of words and language.
Realistic. I calculate educations and play with numbers.
I am order. I am logic.
I know exactly who I am.

I am the right brain.
I am creativity, a free spirit. I am passion.
Yearning . Sensuality. I am the sound of the roaring laughter .
I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feet.
I am movement. Vivid colors,
I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas,
I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel.
I am everything I wanted to be.