{fab finds} we're all a bit mad here. . .

In honor of my best friend & kindred spirit's little girl turning one this weekend, I am making this week's posts theme follow suit with her party: Madi Hatter in ONE-derland! 

{Here is the party post from Tootie's baby shower that I threw for Lil' Miss Madi Beth!}

I've always had a soft spot for tea parties & I love that Alice in Wonderland took the party scene by storm. Here is a mini-round up of ideas that would be wonderful & whimsical touches to any tea party, bright & colorful or shabby chic!



This paper rose tea cup topiary is just perfect! It is by Orchard House Creation on etsy, but is unfortunately already sold!

This could easily be recreated by using a teacup planter, Spanish moss as a filler, a dowel rod stem, and a Styrofoam ball covered in a multitude of roses made out of different, double-sided scrapbook pieces of paper. Embellish with a few glittered up butterflies!




Another etsy find, Ruffle cupcake toppers in a various shades of pink add a romantic touch of nostalgia to any spread of sweets. The variety set by Jean Knee comes with 10 dainty toppers for your soiree.




                                {MS image sources}

Martha always has ideas for every occasion!
Collect cups & saucers, stack them high (secured with museum wax), and place votive candles and flowers on each set for a graceful, inexpensive centerpiece.

Get the how-to on making these heart doilies that also resemble flowers! Make them in various shades & sizes to add interest to your table top. The "Queen" would prefer them RED not WHITE ;)



This is a truly WONDERful WONDERLAND party thrown by Kasey Buick for her daughter Lola. She used mainly items that she already had on hand for a BEAUTIFUL budget friendly soiree. Visit her site to check out even more details and breath-taking pictures. I especially love the wonderland banner in its circus font and range of colors, the kraft & polka dot pom, and of course the furniture!

I feel like these party beauties help set the tone for the rest that is yet to come this week!
 
Amanda

{fab finds} pitter-pat goes my heart for etsy

I have been looking through etsy {one of the wonders of the WEB} a good little bit the past few days, and I have found some AMAZING shops, to say the least!



Are these costumes not drop-dead-gorgeous?!?

Located beneath the pink-feathered Juniper Tree, Alisha @ Fairytale Jubilee creates couture costumes for your little girls. Made with only the finest fabrics and trims, these costumes and headpieces not only fit your child's growing imagination but also grow with them! The dresses are styled after a pinafore so the costume is adjustable to "grow" with your child for years-to-come. The only question left is, "What will you wear to the Jubilee?"

All of the items in Alisha's shop is breath taking, and I just poured over every item and detail featured. Congrats on being featured in the upcoming October issue of Parent magazine - your talent & designs are definitely meant to be shared!




Greg @ Slippin Southern sits on his front porch in the Carolinas sippin' sweet tea and creating wooden signs & art that bring out the "Gone With The Wind-esque" drawl in all of us.

His signs have a simplistic style that are filled with so much character, and I am 100% loving that font! I definitely have a mile long wish list from his shop - check it out! There are even some goods that will strike your fancy for the upcoming fall season and especially if you are a Twilight lover..... 

Everyone enjoys a little piece of the south. I was in Boston a few weeks ago and they just adored my drawl ;) It tickled them pink to see the word "y'all" texted - that's a new one for them. Maybe one day I'll move to where everyone loves to hear me talk just to hear my accent. Every girl's dream to be able to talk all she wants and everyone wants to listen, right?!? lol


These are just a few of my recent fabulous finds that I just had to share & I look forward to sharing many, many more!

Enjoy!

Amanda

{fab finds} back 2 school supplies and treats

Can you believe summer break is over?!? 

This actually happens to be one of my favorite times of the year :) Who can resist new school (now that I'm grown they're for the office) supplies? I still buy them even though my education is currently complete.

This week was the first week back for kids in my neck of the woods. I want to make all kinds of cute things for my sister's teachers, but I am not sure if they will think that's weird?!? They are in high school & middle school so I have to stay away from crayon themed projects - but there are still some uber cute ones out there!

Side Note: One of my coworkers gave me a huge compliment. She hoped that our future kids are classmates & that I'm their room mom :) I'm glad she enjoys my crafty creations.

Here are some of my favorite teacher themed freebies, goodies & projects:





I have been crushing on these oreo apple pops! Aren't they just darling?!?

I have candy melts and (mini & regular) oreos waiting to be made into these beauties. Amanda @ Shindig Parties to Go and also Brooke @ The Crafting Chicks have made & shared the tutorials on these back 2 school treats.

Here are school supplies done right:

Stunning & Creative are two words that come to mind with this tablescape!
The innovative uses of school supplies as food and treats are outstanding. One Charming Party is the mastermind behind this Back 2 School set up which was featured by The Tablescape Queen, Amy Atlas.

Details I love:
Paper clips used as a filler, composition notebook printed table top, erasers wrapped like salt water taffy, using paper clips to hold the banner together, and the extra touch to the pencil cake: pencil candles with eraser flames - ingenious!

Check out their blog for extra pictures, tutorials, and even more great school ideas!



Here's another fun take on a school supplies cake. This brightly wrapped goody is made by Leigh Ann @ The Butlers. I love all the brightly colored ribbons and flowers holding all the "treats" snug!



More apple cookies! I must have them on the brain :) 

From one of my favorite baking blogs, Sweet Sugarbelle created these cutie apple top marzipan cookies - she shares the recipe & helpful tips!

Love these! I like how she piped the leaf rather than using Air Heads like on the pops - that's exactly how I wanted to do my leaves. I might use a large chocolate sprinkle instead of a clove for these cookies.

Hopefully I have given you plenty of apple & pencil ideas for this school season! I have so many more ideas I want to share :)

Enjoy,  
 Amanda

{party envy} red, white, & wagon

Hope everyone is having a safe & happy 4th!
 
While you are enjoying your BBQ & brew, here's a little birthday party inspiration that is in perfect harmony with today's color scheme: red, white, & blue!

Vintage Red Wagon Birthday Party 



This darling vintage party caught my eye over @ Kara's Party Ideas where it was featured as the "party of the day"!

First of all, I am 100% in love with red & aqua as a color scheme! Also, Radio Flyer's are such an icon of childhood (& remind me of USA too - perfect party to feature today!). One Stone Events did a phenomenal job with all the elements of this 1st birthday: country, gingham touches, grass tablecloth, mini pies, and the ever-so-popular pinwheels.

Favorite Tablescape Details

1. What a great way to incorporate store bought goods into your theme; these apple pies are just perfect!  
2. Love the simple topper(s) on the cake: paper & ribbon fixed onto skewers.
3. Two of my all time current faves: glass bottles & striped paper straws.




Great idea to use crates to create multiple levels on your drink station. The banner & photo bunting in the background are just darling!




Totally crushing on bamboo cutlery for use at parties right now! Love how the napkins are tied in gingham & burlap, and stored in an old sifter :)



A great spin on a guest book/words-of-wisdom, very age appropriate!

Take home treats are just as cute!
Paper sacks with chalkboard labels, tied with bakers twine, and stamped with the party's main design inspiration: a red wagon. Classic Cracker Jack is an extra surprise sweet with a sock monkey keeping guard thanking the guests with the take-home-goods!


Keep on celebrating our independence! 

Enjoy!

Amanda

{party envy} airplane party

I stumbled upon this adorable party by Laura @ little frills on Hip Hip Hooray & it immediately went on my to-be-featured list. Reasons why:

1. Features a great color scheme combo: aqua & red (instant love right there!)

2. Great theme for a little boy & perfect for where they live (St. Louis)

3. ATTENTION TO DETAIL...superb!

Hello! ADORABLE boarding pass invitation. Look at the stamp as well! Perfect :)

Every guest recieved a custom passport & every time they completed an activity ( ie- eating cake) they received a stamp!

This feature possibly tops the ADORABLE invitations. The suitcase favor boxes filled with treats. What a great touch! *Suitcases available at Kate's Paperie

A first class party :)

Enjoy!

Amanda

{party envy} office birthday party

I found a to-die-for party featured on Hostess with the Mostess during my Google Reader Marathon a few weekends ago (Being out of town--definitely backs up my blog reading! Don't worry I have it down from over 1,000 to around 500 lol).

Isn't he adorable? This is just a glimpse of the fabulous party details. Jessica from Modern Moments Designs created this "Office Party” theme to celebrate her son Emerson's first birthday. I am going to post images from the party and point out some of my favorite elements. I encourage you to go her blog and get all of the eye candy and juicy details! The next pictures feature all of the invite's SUPERB bits!

Do you see that invitation? She made a "book jacket" and fabric bunting on the actual invite! I know that the party is over, but I would love to just even have an invitation!!!

First of all, I am going to comment on the red & aqua theme--I have such a *crush on this color combination! Polka dots= cute & retro. Glass milk bottles are so hot right now---All I need to do is become best friends with someone in Australia to get me the hook up! Love Jessica's tablescaping and great job on jazzing up store bought goodies!






Hello take home boxes and bags.... I really like how the thank you muslin bags are custom screenprinted for each guest and the libray card accents on the polka dot boxes :)

Since we all love tutorials, check out Jessica's blog for a tutorial on these wooden cupcake stands:

Enjoy!

Amanda