Seas and Greetings

I hope you all enjoyed my coastal Christmas inspiration board yesterday. It was full of everything from starfish to a boating Santa! But today it's my turn to share my coastal Christmas touches. Even though we aren't living by the coast right now, I've still got the beachy spirit infused into our decor. An old rum jug filled with twinkle lights below hand tied ribbon garland is the ideal fireplace accouterment. Antiqued metal hurricanes filled with cut greenery from the tree sit perfectly in the center of the dining table. The tree even gets in on the action with a variety of coastal inspired ornaments. To complete the theme, I add a beige embroidered tree skirt adorned with metallic beading and starfish.

It is ultimately my dream Christmas theme. I want to know though, what is your ideal Christmas decor?

Party DIY {Twine Vase}

Sometimes inspiration comes when you least expect it. Saturday morning, we had some friends over to help us bottle a couple batches of beer. In order to persuade them to help, we mixed up Bloody Mary's and Screwdrivers. Staring at the bottle, I realized the shape is perfect for a vase. After wrapping it in twine, it made a lovely bud vase to sit on my dinning room table. It's natural looking and gives off a bit of a beachy feel (my favorite!). As time goes on, I can imagine wrapping various size bottles to make a larger centerpiece for gatherings. Until then, I will just enjoy the one I have and fill it constantly with fresh buds from outside! Here's the how-to...

:: Supplies ::
Hot Glue
Twine (Leave rolled up!)
Empty Liquor Bottle

:: Directions ::
1. Hot glue the end of the twine to the bottom of the bottle. Bring the string out from the bottom, place a bead of hot glue around the base of bottle gluing down your first round of twine.
2. Wrap twine around bottle until you being to reach the curve at the neck. As you move up the neck, begin gluing each round of twine.
3. Trim twine, remove hot glue strings, and fill with flowers!

Have a crafty Wednesday!

Entertaining Home {Brunch}

Brunch has always been one of my favorite dining experiences. You can sleep in a bit late, take the morning slow and progress to a meal that combines some of my breakfast and lunch favorites. But, heading out to brunch can get a little expensive when you start to factor in appetizers, your meal, mimosas and bloody marys. That's why I'm going to show you how to create the perfect stylish brunch experience right in your own home. Imagine a simple, flavorful menu accompanied by pitchers of the best bloody marys and mimosas you've ever had in the comfort of your own home. Invite friends over to join in the fun and it will be like you're at your favorite brunch spot. Here are some tips for throwing a stylish and delicious at home brunch.

1. Simply Decorate: Put a colorful table runner down the center of your table topped by a low, beautiful blooming centerpiece. That's all you need. You wouldn't want to take away from the food now would you?

2. Take a Pitcher. It'll Last Longer: That's something the restaurants definitely can't do. Make a pitcher of the two most popular brunch beverages, Mimosa and Bloody Mary, for guests to enjoy. Pitchers will also create ease since you won't have to mix up a new drink every time your glass runs empty.

3. Plan a Perfect Menu: The menu is key to any event. Focus on flavorful seasonal items that your guests will really enjoy. Blend the sweet and savory using both breakfast and lunch items to please the masses.

Have a great Wednesday!

Real World Soiree {Fourth of July Bash}

We are continuing the holiday week into today with a look back at my Fourth of July bash. This year Rob and I took two days to celebrate with a trip the beach on Wednesday and a crab boil and oyster shuck at the house on Thursday. The way I figured it was if I couldn't be at the coast on the Fourth, I might as well bring some of my favorite things from the coast here. The intent was to do the crab boil outside, grill the oysters and enjoy a pitcher of sangria with friends. However the constant rain we have been receiving for the last week, put a kink in that plan. We moved the party inside but kept the feel the same. Rustic touches, bold blooms and patriotic elements filled the room. We wanted to keep the whole gathering simple, stress free, and big on fun. Even with the rain and cancelled fireworks, it was just that. I can't wait for next year's get together as we may just have to make the crab boil and oyster shuck a tradition!

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Party DIY {Geometric Calendar}

I've been dying for a good calendar for months now. I have my standard agenda that I use everyday for meetings and appointments, but I've been looking for a piece to display around the house that is both beautiful and functional. After many unsuccessful searches, I decided to create this beauty. I love the mix of pattern, color and functionality. It's a calendar that can be displayed around the house with pride. While I have been using it as a calendar, it has another purpose as well. I created one of each number in each color and the green board is actually painted with chalk board paint. You know what that means? This calendar can actually be made into a countdown calendar. Change the chalkboard portion to read "days till vacation" or "days till Christmas". You can countdown from 99 days adding a little pizzaz to remembering important events. Give it as a gift to a newly engaged couple painted in their wedding colors with a box of chalk. It will allow them to countdown the days till they walk down the aisle, go on their honeymoon, experience their first holidays together, etc. My favorite part about this creation is it's ability to be customized to each creators needs. I could continue with how awesome I think it is, but instead, I'll just give you the step by step and let you get to making your own.

:: Supplies ::
(3) Acrylic Paint in Complementary but Contrasting Colors
(1) Martha Stewart Colored Chalkboard Paint
(21) 4 x 2 Thin Wood Boards (I purchased mine at Michaels)
(1) 8 x 10 Thick Wood Board
Number Stencils
Sponge Brush
(3) "C" Hooks
Drill
Honeycomb Stencil

:: Directions ::
1. Lay honeycomb stencil over large piece of wood. Paint and set aside to dry.
2. Using your chalk board paint, paint 1 piece of wood. Set aside to dry for 1 hour.
3. With the remaining two colors, paint 10 4 x 2 pieces of wood in one color and 10 in the remaining color. Let dry.
4. After 1 hour passes, paint a second coat on chalk board piece of wood. Let stand for 24 hours.
5. Using your number stencils, paint each number (0-9) on the pieces of wood with the opposite color.
6. Drill a hole in each 4 x 2 board slightly bigger than the diameter of your "c" hook. Place number boards on larger board where desired. Mark spot where you drilled the whole. Screw in "c" hooks.
7. Once chalk board paint has cured for 24 hours, condition with chalk. Write name of month or what you are looking forward too, add number and start counting!

Have a crafty Tuesday!

Party DIY {Cards for Dad}

Happy Friday y'all! I'm so glad we finally made it to the weekend. It's time to take a few days, sit back, relax and find something to celebrate. Like most of you, this weekend I will be celebrating my dad. I hate to brag, but my dad is pretty awesome and I am beyond excited to head to Jacksonville for the weekend to spend some time with him. I know he's got a weekend planned full of lunch at a great local brewery/restaurant, Engine 15, and probably some fun by the pool or at the beach. I can't wait to give him his gift either. I think I may be more excited to give it to him than he is to get it! One thing is safe to say though, the one part about Father's Day I always dread is picking out a card. They always seem to hit two extremes, young children giving cards or sentimental cards. Somewhere along the line they forgot the people in the middle who like to give cute, funny, sweet cards that won't make you cry but still let dad know you care. That's why this year I've decided to make my own! This one has a nautical feel for my dad, but you can customize to whatever dad's interests may be. Say your dad loves the outdoors, find a small rock and use the saying "Dad, you rock." If dad is a major sports guy write "I got a hole in one with you for a Dad." If dad is a fisherman, "You're a reel great dad." The possibilities are really endless, just make sure you make it something your dad will get.

I hope you all have a fun weekend! What do you have planned for dad?

Don't Worry...Be Inspired

Happy Friday dolls! I post everyday about the things that I love and things that I hope will inspire you. Sometimes it's a color I'm loving at the moment. Maybe it's a fun new cocktail that I hope will spark a whole party centered around it. Every once in a while it's a fun DIY for you to incorporate into your next bash. But, I rarely find myself posting about things that really inspire creativity in me. A lot of times it's just a single image I stumble across that really speaks to me right then in that moment. I wanted to share this shot with you today because it did just that. Last night I was recovering from a long day at work, way behind on the blog and feeling completely uninspired for today. Until... I found this picture on Pinterest. It jumped off the screen in that moment and was exactly what I needed to turn my whole evening around. The bright colors are happy and fun putting a smile on my face. Not to mention that the subject of the picture is actually of sea biscuits. My house is full of sea biscuits that I found on the floor of the ocean in the Bahamas and they are a constant reminder of my favorite spot which instantly puts me in a good mood.

Moral of the story, that image was just what I needed in that moment to flip my whole day around. It's what inspired me then and will inspire me through the weekend to create (hopefully!) posts that will inspire you.

Have a great weekend everybody!

*Image courtesy of Wave Dancer

Party DIY {Picnic Blankets}

No picnic is complete without the perfect blanket. It's what keeps you comfy for the day and sets the mood for the whole day. The perfect picnic blanket should big, soft, and most importantly stylish. It should represent you and the feel you want for the afternoon. Whether it be bohemian, nautical, or preppy, the look is key to creating your perfect picnic. The best way to do this is to make your blanket yourself. I've rounded up for you today four of my favorite DIY picnic blankets from some of my favorite bloggers. You've got a fun diamond neon print from Design Love Fest, a confetti-esq geometric from Studio DIY, a floral number from 333 Park, and a lovely chevron from Twig & Thistle.  All are beautiful in their own right and I wish I had the time (and storage!) to make my own version of each. What would your ideal picnic blanket look like?

Party DIY {Bamboo Spoons}

Happy Tuesday! I've been touching a lot lately on custom serveware. It's the finishing touch to the party that most of the time gets overlooked. But, it's so easy to make your own and top off your party theme. They don't have to be large metal serving utensils though. With the availability (and ease!) of bamboo utensils, you can buy them for anything and make them your own. Disposables for a party can be a bit dull but once you paint them, they add a punch that you can't buy anywhere! Here's the how to...

:: Supplies ::
Bamboo Spoons
Acrylic Paint
Paint Brush

:: Directions ::
Paint the handle of the spoon in a base color. Once paint dries, paint dots using the tip of the paint brush with a second color. Let dry and use.

Party DIY {Perfect Welcome Bags}

The welcome bag is a little wedding extra that takes the whole experience over the edge. It's a nice way to make guests feel at home and thank them for traveling so far to join in your special day. There are so many things you can place in your bags, but there are some key items that I think make it a perfect bag. These items are fun and show guests all the things they can do in town when they aren't celebrating with you. While the contents can vary based on location and theme, there are a couple standard items that can be customized to your wedding like maps, snacks, and beverages. This bag and list is perfect for a summer beachside wedding but is easily adaptable no matter where your wedding is. Here are my must haves!

1. Maps: Whether you pick up local maps from the store or have beautiful ones hand drawn, a map is a nice way to show guests all the fun places to go and will help them not get lost! Show where the hotel is, where the ceremony and reception are taking place, and provide a list of all your favorite places to go.

2. Welcome Note: It's hard to see and say hi to each guest before the wedding, so welcome them all with a hand written note in their bag. Thank them for coming and be sure to tell them how excited you are that they are here.

3. Weekend Itinerary: Provide guests with a weekend itinerary telling them when and where they need to be. Include things like the rehearsal dinner, ceremony time, reception, after party, and brunch the next day.

4. Local Flavors: Show your guests a taste of the community from the second they arrive. Include local favorites like craft beer, homemade treats from the bakery, Florida oranges or anything else that speaks to the favor of the area.

5. Beach Essentials: Since summer is upon us, I'm focusing on beachy weddings. Order personalized plastic sunglasses and throw in a pair for everybody. Toss in a bottle of sunscreen, a bottle of water, some aloe vera, and some magazines to read while lounging.

Party DIY {Derby Ribbons}

Let the mint juleps flow and the big hats commence, it's time to throw a derby party folks! It's my second favorite May holiday that's worthy of a celebration as big as Cinco de Mayo. Throw on that floral frock and guys grab your bow ties, we're ready to plan and decorate for this year's Derby bash. I'll share my derby party inspiration next week but wanted to give you a little Derby DIY right now. If you don't live in horse country, it can be a bit hard to find vintage racing ribbons to decorate with. But these homemade ones are just as cute, fun to make, and can even be used for awarding best dress and best hat. Here's the how-to...

:: Supplies ::
Ribbon Flowers (Found in the scrapbook section of your local craft store)
Ivory Round Gift Tags
Vine Sticker (Jolee brand scrapbooking sticker)
Pencil
Fine Tip Sharpie
Hot Glue
Black Grosgrain Ribbon

:: Directions ::
1. Trim vine sticker into 3" pieces, bending in the middle. Stick onto gift tags, centering on the bottom.
2. Using your pencil, trace "1st", "2nd", etc. onto gift tags centering between the vine. Trace over with your fine tip Sharpie. Hot glue to the center of the ribbon flower.
3. Cut strips of grosgrain ribbon into 8" pieces. Trim ends into an upside down "v" shape. Hot glue two strips to the back side of the ribbon flower.

 

In Full Bloom

A lot of times, my inspiration for parties and posts doesn't come from a theme, place, or holiday but from something simple, a beautiful floral arrangement. Especially in the spring, the fresh blooms are coming up in a variety of colors and textures. Take for example peonies. Their light pink color is gorgeous and their petals have a soft ruffle feel. Translate that into a ruffle trimmed napkin or table linen in a soft shade of pink. The possibilities are endless, especially when you find a gorgeous bouquet and take notes from the variety of colors, shapes, and textures. Have a local florist recreate it for you to complete your look.

I have compiled today a few of the most inspiring bouquets I've seen lately. Hopefully they bring a smile to your face and inspire you as well. Have a great Wednesday!

Introducing...MW Coastal Goods

There are many things that make me happy. These things include Rob, great parties, cocktails and barware, customizing items, all things nautical and beach related, The Bahamas, this blog, monograms, and the list goes on and on. But, what makes makes me even happier is when you combine any of these items. And, MW Coastal Goods has done just that. Wendy and Mike Hille have created the ultimate line of custom nautical barware and decor that I plan on ordering in as many ways as possible. My favorite pieces include the mahogany corkscrew and buoy bottle opener. I can only think of how amazing it would be to customize a whole coordinating set my next soiree with different style monograms, nautical images, and island renderings. It would be the added touch that would set the gathering apart. Since Friday happy hour is just a couple hours away, get in the spirit early by checking out Wendy's amazing site and order a bottle opener...or two.

Egg-cellent Style

I couldn't tell you the last time I busted out the hard boiled eggs and egg dye kit. It's been years since I got creative on the thin shell. But this past weekend, I caved. With eggs and dye in hand, I was determined to create some fun and unique Easter Egg designs. Dye wasn't the only thing I used though. Acrylic paint was the key to creating my different designs. It gave me the flexibility to make different eggs representing styles like abstract, nautical, and preppy. Here's the how to on creating each of these egg-cellent designs.

:: Supplies ::
Egg Dye Kit
Hard Boiled Eggs
Small Paint Brush
Acrylic Paint

:: Directions ::
1. Create dye according to box directions.
2. Place eggs in dye and let sit till desired color is reached.
3. Paint away!

Beach Brunching

If you haven't checked out the latest issue of LPF Mag yet, shame on you. But if you have, then you probably saw my feature on brunching in style. I wanted to create three very different brunch experiences that you can replicate at home on as big or small of a scale as you want. In the article, I gave style tips on creating your own beach brunch by using shades of blue and gathered black shells as a centerpiece. You don't have to set up a table on the beach like I did to create a lovely beach themed brunch at home! Serve up chicken biscuits, yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit and scones.  With relaxing colors, bold patterns, and bloody mary's, this brunch is a perfect way to ring in beach season.

Party Pretty {St. Patrick's Day}

Happy Wednesday! We are half way through the week and half way to celebrating in the green. I already shared how I would be spending my day (hint: sipping whisky and preparing for Rob's homecoming!), but if I were to celebrate any other way, you know it would be in style. I can imagine decorating with each of these chic pieces and dressing in head to toe green. What do you have planned for St. Patrick's Day?

Shamrock Door Ornament from Deckers Designs | Shamrock Garland from Creative Butterfly XOX | Lucky Me Tags from Fresh Lemon Blossoms | Luck O' The Irish Burlap Sign from Ramsey Street Design | Photo Booth Props from Little Retreats

Party DIY {Modern Stripped Votives}

I shared with you yesterday the new party trend for 2013, elegant and modern with a vintage touch. But, elegant and modern doesn't mean you can't create your own party details. Always a fan of the DIY, I wanted to show you a way to create a centerpiece representing the new trend with a handmade touch. These stripped votives were easy enough to make and would fit any event perfectly. The stripes are a bit quirky with the gray adding a modern touch. The modern shape of the votives completes the whole look. Here's how to make your own!

:: Supplies ::
3 Glass Cylinder Vases of Varying Sizes
Painter's Tape
Gray Spray Paint

:: Directions ::
1. Tape each vase with painters tape, leaving 1" of space between each piece of tape.
2. Spray with gray paint. Let dry and spray a second coat.

3. Once paint is dry, remove painter's tape.
4. Fill votives and decorate!

Party Pretty {Valentine's Day}

Happy almost Valentine's Day. Tis the day to celebrate those that you love, but who says you can't do that in style. While we will be spending our Valentine's Day with the North Florida Brewer's League, I'm really dreaming of decorating the house with all of these pretty items. From "Be Mine" bunting, heart cupcake toppers, and festive signs, I've got everything you need right here to throw the perfect Valentine's gathering with the most important people in your life!

Heart Garland by Sweet Kaity | Minted Straw Flags | Arrows from Fletcher & Fox | Kiss Me from Third Shift | Be Mine Valentine from Thimble Press |

Relax...It's Just a Wedding!

I can't believe I'm about to give away my dream, best wedding ever secret! Like every girl, I've been dreaming of my wedding since I was a little girl and needless to say it has changed many times over the years. However, one thing has remained the same, I want it to be one big party. My secret to the perfect fun party wedding is to do away with certain formalities like tables and seating assignments creating a relaxed homey feel for guests to enjoy. Fill the space (preferably outdoor space) with furniture creating different seating areas. With the increasing number of furniture rental companies, you can customize the feel of your furniture to your design esthetic. Wether you like vintage or modern, you can find different pieces to create the perfect series of seating areas that will encourage guests to sit back, relax, and have fun celebrating with you!

What would make your perfect wedding?

A Blushing Dream

This past weekend Rob and I packed up the car and headed north for the wedding of one of my best friends from high school. I had a blast remembering good times and sharing in new memories. Her wedding, although cold, was one of the most beautiful. A large tent adorned with twinkle lights and a huge chandelier over the dance floor set the mood for an evening to remember. Her tables covered in floor length cream linens were accented by gray and blush table runners, votive candles, and light pink and white roses. I was so busy enjoying my time that I realized after I forgot to take pictures of all the little details. I did, however, want to share a few of my favorite pictures from the weekend with you. My favorite is the one of the new Mr. and Mrs. covered in cake!

Happy Tuesday!