Creative Dining

For the latest issue of LPF Mag, I took on the greatest challenge yet. It's something that I had been longing to do for months and taking on the task certainly proved to require a lot of creativity and a little bit of craftsmanship. Creating a dinner party entirely of items found at your local hardware store (with the exception of food) was more fun than I ever thought it could be. So much so, that Rob even joined in on the adventure. I'm going to share some images from the party today and over the next couple of weeks let you in on the supplies used and the tips and tricks to creating your own gorgeous table scape with unconventional items just in time for Thanksgiving! Hope you enjoy!

**Tips and Tricks #1: I was not able to find silverware or something to use as silverware, so the entire menu can be eaten with your hands!

*Tips and Tricks #2: For serving pieces, I used different porcelain tiles and a duct cap turned upside down for the bruschetta.

*Tips and Tricks #3: To create more table space, I placed a 4 ft piece of wood painted brown on top of quart size paint cans. This allowed room for centerpieces and food! 

Transformers

I know Issue 4 of LPF Mag isn't even out yet, but I've already began brainstorming for Issue 5. It might seem a bit far off, but my idea for the issue has me so excited that I couldn't wait to share my inspiration with you now. The concept is a gorgeous rustic chic dinner party set in a open field with giant old oak trees all around. Sounds pretty simple, I know. The part I haven't told you yet though is that I want everything (with the exception of food) to come from a hardware store wether it be Home Depot or Lowe's. The idea is to take what you might consider to be industrial and tough and turn it into something soft and beautiful. I'm still working out some details but know that I want to take rough materials and transform them into something you would never guess came from a hardware store. While places like Lowe's and Home Depot have started to include some beautiful pieces in the store, I don't want to use anything in it's original state. For example, a PVC pipe could be turned into a vase, washers into a metallic backdrop, or a paint can as an ice bucket.

The possibilities are really endless and I can't wait to get started. I hope you all enjoy the inspiration behind the project and look forward to seeing the end result as much as I do! Have a great Wednesday!

All Wrapped Up {Pink and Peonies}

I've always believed that the way a gift is wrapped shows the person how much you care. It sounds strange, but if you through a gift into a gift bag, it seems a little last minute and rushed. However, if you take the time to wrap a gift and adorn it with a bow, it shows time, effort and consideration. But, if you are anything like me, you and wrapping paper just don't quite seem to get along. So, when it came to wrapping a gift for a friend's birthday, I resorted to some basic materials that I turned into a cute little wrapping! 

Thankfully, when I asked the store for a box, it was this lovely metallic silver, which provided the perfect starting layer. To top it off I used some hot pink twine I found at Lowe's (yes, the hardware store!) and a few sheets of white tissue paper. I started by wrapping the pink twine around the box creating a "ribbon" about an inch wide, then wrapping it again perpendicular to the first "ribbon". Adorn the top with a dainty tissue paper flower and it will be chicest gift you give all year!