{party envy} christmas cookie party

One of my good friends is hosting a Christmas Cookie swap soon, and that is what is on my brain lately! Sigh...How much do I love aqua & red together?!? I wish I was brave enough to make it my Christmas decor---maybe one year! I found this printable collection through Save the Date for Cupcakes. It is made by the wonderful Paula over at Frog Prince Paperie.

Do you see that gingerbread house?!? She made it herself! Hats off to you Paula! I have been debating on doing a gingerbread house this year (not from a kit mind you!) and Paula gives a rather comical set of tips in her blog.

Too cute!

How fabulous is baker's twine right now?!? A definite must have accessory to your holiday baked goods.

Do you see the cute envelope wraps for the invites. I have envelope wrap love! :) I guess I can quit gushing on how she stylized her printable set up & mention details of the printable collection available in her shop!

The“Gingerbread Christmas Cookie” set includes:

•Invitation *
•Address wrapper*
•Cupcake Toppers/2 inch circles/Gift tags
•Cupcake Wrappers
•Water bottle wrappers
•Box labels *
•“Christmas Cookie Love” Milk carton box
•Snack box
•“Sweet” Straw flags
•Tent labels *
•“Be Merry” banner, 5×7 panels
•“Merry Christmas” banner, 5×7 panels
•Placemat, 8.5×11
•Scrapbook papers in 4 patterns
*These items are customizable!

All of those delicious bits are available in Frog Prince Paperie store!

{fab finds} advent calendar

I wanted to share this with y'all last Friday, but I didn't have my FREEday post last week. Busy Busy Busy shopping! I want to get this out there so you have time to make it prior to the first of the month!

How darling are those printables?!? Beth @ It is what it is made these great printables with a fun twist on the normal advent calendar tradition. Check out her blog for many more fabulous printables!

Missy @ How Does She also took a fun spin to the advent calendar and used these printables to do it! Take a look!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{martha monday} perfect packaging for pantry presents

Say that title 5 times fast! Ahhhh, we are once again upon the season of giving! I know a common gift to give is baked goods. Martha offers a great assortment of clip art on her website and I have rounded up some of my favorite food centered clip art---a great way to take your gift from so-so to over the top special!

Spice Displays

What a great gift for the aspiring baker or chef in the family--visual harmony for all those spices! Grab some empty jars and make labels for all of their go-to spices or give them a fresh set.

Freezer Labels


How cute are these labels?!? Never have to guess again what something is or when did it get put in the freezer! A perfect hostess gift to bring to the big get togethers this season because we all know there will be leftovers!

Cook's Helper

This is a must have handy chart! I am always wondering how many tablespoons are in x amount of ounces. I actually have a sticky note on the fridge with 1 Tablespoon = 3 Teaspoons. This would definitely look way cuter on my fridge! Laminate & add a quick magnet to the back--maybe even punch a hole in the top and tie it on to one of your baked goodies!

Cookie Gift Sleeve

Using regular paper CD envelopes and the label printable, a sweet package is born! A tip I found through the comment section is to wrap the cookie in plastic wrap prior to it being placed in the sleeve. This will help keep grease marks off the package. I really liked using them as "favors" to the hospital staff after the birth of a child. What a "sweet" thank you!

{party envy} autumn apple engagement party

I am love with all things that incorporate rustic elements & lace as of late! I found this inspiration party by Chris Nease on The Hostess with the Mostess blog a few days ago and just had to share it!

Chris' design was inspired by crisp red apples and the idea of tying in the concept of "picking" apples, and "picking" a mate. Most of the decorative details are hand made and provide a balance of masculine and feminine. Printables throughout the tablescape & favor table were a key part of conveying the concept. For example: A framed sign read, "he Picked her, she Picked him;" a small card on the table reads, "you're the Apple of my eye;" favor jars of apple butter had a label which said, "we Picked this just for you," and baskets of apples for the guests to "take your Pick" and carry home.


I just love the "LOVE" tags! The lace layered behind the tag is such a great added detail!

The favor & food table featured an "apple tree" made out of a manzanita branch attached to the burlap backdrop. The swags help repeat elements such as felt leaves that were used throughout the tablescape.

Do you see those flags in those pies! Those are so ADORABLE! Those flags are a great example of Chris' balance of masculine and feminine. The stripes and lace---love :) This inspiration party has definitely left me inspired! Great job Chris! Check out her blog for even more amazing images!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{fab finds} squirrel love

I have a soft spot for squirrels in my life; it is my sorority's mascot. So in a way---I have no choice but to love them ;) It is hard to find cute squirrels out there. Most of them are creepy--if you don't believe me google squirrel baby dolls. I am sorry Anne Geddes but they are a tad on the scary side! My friends and I joke that "if only we were Chi O's..." There is SOOO much cute owl stuff out there! Owls are very in vogue currently. Imagine to my surprise in West Elm the other day: cute, modern, not-creepy-at-all squirrel things! I am so happy about them. I am going to share them with all of you!

Squirrel bookends.

Ceramic origami squirrel ornament.

Sequin squirrel. Not only is it fabulous--proceeds of the sale go to St. Jude!

I also found these drool worthy squirrel vases the other day via Twig & Thistle. Aren't they AMAZING! These are made by Joanna Mendicino & I love them. She features seconds in her etsy shop as well!

Watch out cute animals! Squirrels are on their way in!

Amanda

{martha monday} handmade gifts

Martha's handmade gift guide:

Alas, it is the time of year to decide what to get those near & dear to you! I have some great ideas for some, and I can't get the others something generic because then they would feel less thought of! Ughh the dilemma!!! I can't post the items I have already thought of in case they stumble across my blog, but I will show you some things that the Always-Thoughtful-Martha gives a how to on!

A gift that is great for any special lady in your life. A cute clutch! The how-to is available on her site. I am debating if I want to tackle this project. I am not sure if my sewing skills are up to par. Lately all that I have sewn are crepe paper streamers! :)
Aren't these chic little cases? I wouldn't have guessed that they are homemade. These are great little gifts for the business savvy in your lives! Here's the tutorial on how to make these business cards holders.

How fun right??? This was listed in the kids section, but this could be for anyone! I am sucker for anything that is monogrammed. Every time I see a letter "A" I feel as if I am compelled to buy it! This monogram corkboard is a must to do!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{FREEday} thanksgiving continued....

I found this today and just had to share it!

How adorable are these napkin rings?!?!? You can print these on any paper, but I absolutely love them on kraft paper! I found these napkin rings on Twig & Thistle and they are made by Silver Box Creative.

Good Weekend!

Amanda

{FREEday} thanksgiving printables

Since Thanksgiving is less than a week away, I have to get out all of the amazing printables for some last minute decor for next week's get together!

Flamingo Toes has such great humor! These printables are available in different colors as well as a "Get Your Cranberry On"....Also check out the dinner table labels.

Do you see all of those goodies????? Dimpleprints definitely outdid themselves with these FREE PRINTABLES! Thanks to Maddycakes for featuring them the other day so that I could be introduced to the oh-so-talented Dimpleprints!

Jessica has done it again over at Craftily Ever After! She created this faux burlap Thanksgiving printable. So cute! So shabby chic!

Need kid's table decor?!? Wish granted! Amanda @ It's always a party at the Parker's has created a great kid's table printable collection that is FREE & FUN! Go check out the details on how to download this collection!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{party envy} sweet farm party

I came across this so sweet birthday party on Catch My Party and fell instantly in love! Such an unique color combination that works so well. I think Jennifer of Social Butterfly Ink did an amazing job designing this party. Being from the south, I can definitely say this is the cutest farm set up ever.

The Invite:

She also did envelope wraps. I am totally in love with envelope wraps ever since I did them for my halloween invites.


Party Decor:

How cute is everything? The flowers on the treat buckets are rosettes that can be worn in the hair after the party, pretty with another purpose! The old school firecrackers on the dessert table held farm themed silly bandz. Please check out her website for even more inspiring photographs!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{party envy} chic, gender neutral baby shower

This party that I found on Sara's Party Perfect is a chic, gender neutral baby shower. It is BEAUTIFUL! I am not one for tacky baby decor, and this party is stunning & so "pottery barn-esque"! I love the subtle accents of the containers. #1 & #2 are beside silhouettes of their 1st & 2nd children. Such a great, subtle detail!

Sandy did a wonderful job putting together this baby shower. She handmade the decor! The baby clothes, pillows, and bunting! Hat's off to you for all this fantastic detail. She throws A LOT of amazing parties. Check out her blog for more inspiration!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{instant love} burlap & corn husk table runner

Sometimes you stumble across things and have to blog your love for them! I looked through my blog feed and noticed this fantastic table runner on Someday Crafts.

Is this not fantastic?!? I am going to buy corn husks today, and I have yards of burlap at home waiting on a purpose! Amanda (what a great name lol) gives a great tutorial on her website. Please check it out & show her post some love! PS- I definitely looked at buying those chargers. Now, I have an excuse to do so!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{martha monday} gift wrap

Happy Monday!

After walking around stores this past week and looking at the Christmas decor being put out. I started thinking about how I wanted to wrap my presents. I want them to coordinate with my decor --that is currently sitting in boxes! I see so many fun & different kinds of wrapping paper that I want to do all kinds of themes. I especially love aqua and red. I love to use real ribbon on gifts and make them all fancy.

Growing up we were lucky to get bows on our gifts. I guess the need to be "pretty" goes away when you have 4 kids to wrap for! My parents wouldn't put names on our gifts since we would figure out what they were. Instead, they would number them 1-? What cruelty! lol.

I decided the theme for Martha Monday will be gift wrap! The queen of crafty will always have some great ideas!

Love this wrapping paper! What a great way to personalize each gift! Blueprint did a great job designing it!

How innovative! What a great way to package a gift! The yule logs are tres chic!

What a sweet touch to a gift. The doilies would be great touch especially if your Christmas decor is victorian or snowflake inspired.

Ok, definitely on a wood grain kick! I love this wrapping paper! "Wood" I be insane to attempt to do this? It would definetly go with my christmas decor! ---Which is browns, golds, naturesque decor. Sorry about the corny joke hehe!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{FREE} day: bird crafts

This weeks FREEBIES are all available from the very talented Mrs. Bird from Bird Crafts. Bird is a party goods designer from Ooh-La-La France. She has a great blog and a wonderful etsy shop where you can admire, love & of course--purchase some of her great printables! I am featuring printables that she is so kind to share for FREE :)

Of course I have to start out with the upcoming holiday's printables! Aren't these gorge? Very classic & modern at the same time! I only wish I was decorating for a thanksgiving meal this year! I am giving thanks for the CUTE printables :)

Hello teacher friends out there! Wouldn't you just love a gift from your *always perfect* students with these cute tags & toppers? I know I would.

Alas, the glamourous life of a jet setter & globe trotter need to have their luggage properly labeled! Bird to the rescue with her cute luggage tags that were featured on the Executive Homemaker site.

Enjoy & Happy Weekend!

Amanda

{party envy} terrarium inspired wedding

Warning: you will absolutely fall in LOVE with the pictures in this post! It never ceases to amaze me what beautiful design is out there!

Is this not breathtaking? Its so industrial chic, nature-esque, and all things wonderful. Merci New York & Oh, Darling Photography really out did themselves styling & photographing this event.

I have such a sweet spot for birdcages ;)

Enjoy!
Amanda

{blog love} retropolitan

I found my new blog crush while I was perusing through Tatertots & Jello's Facebook page. Erika does a fabulous job of recreating things with a vintage & shabby chic vibe! She offers some a-maz-ing tutorials on her blog: Retropolitan. There is a fantastic, anthropoligie inspired lamp tutorial that she gives that I am in the process of re-creating, but I am not going to show it on here in case the soon-to-be recipient sees it! I will however show a few of my other favorite things!

How to make new crates look old. She has images of crates stacked to be bookcases. How perfect would that be in Grant's downtown loft apartment??? I love it.

Canvas drop cloths are a cheap fabric alternate, and look at the cute pillows (above & below) that you can make with just adding some paint and a stencil!

I looked at some twine balls the other day in the store and they wanted $9.99 a piece. I don't think so! I am glad that there is a tutorial so I can make my own!!!

Enjoy!

Amanda