For me, arranging the perfect centerpiece is one of the most frustrating experiences ever. Because it never looks exactly like I want it to look. Well, at least it USED to be that is. But, I've unlocked the secret to flower arranging fun (otherwise known as stop-taking-myself-too-seriously) so now I can design centerpieces with joy, resting assured that sometimes imperfectly designed, lovingly fussed with and often slightly lopsided finished products are often the prettiest. And this piece...
Now that you've seen the latest and loveliest Gatsby Party that came across our desk, we thought we'd break it down so that you can whip one of your own together...maybe this weekend? Okay, so what does it really take to host a Gatsby party that feels inspired but fresh? Here are a few must-haves to get yourself a Great Gatsby celebration of your very own. Dress:...
The Great Gatsby. I wonder if F. Scott Fitzgerald would have ever thought that it would be the basis for party after party after party. Setting trends over and over again. Although if anything I've read about Fitzgerald and Zelda are true? I'm assuming they are sort of loving this born again obsession. So when we spotted this fun, spunky, not taking itself too seriously Great Gatsby party - designed by Events In The City with...
We've put together the pieces for a ladylike affair thanks to Target's amazing Registry products, but now it's time to peek behind the makings of our pretty little party. Remember StudioNow, and their amazing captures of our Prep Chic and...
Now that you've had a chance to meet Stephanie and Tyler and peruse their dream product picks from Target, it's time to put these registry pretties to good use. I'm talking about a party packed with goodies from the Target Wedding Catalog in total ladylike style. We gathered up some of the SMP gals, threw on our girliest frocks, and...
Today is one happy day, SMPers. Why? Because we've teamed up with our besties at Target to bring you more flat-on fabulous registry inspiration through the personal styles of our very own editors. We went Prep Chic with Abby C. and indulged in...
We've had so many inquiries about all of the items we used on set of our TODAY appearance that we couldn't resist the temptation to give away all of our secrets... then, GIVE AWAY all of our finds! Yep, that's right. In celebration of our first big spot on Today, we're gifting one of you lucky ducky readers a handful of our favorite items from the set which includes.
So I have this thing with Cream Cheese. I hear the word Strawberry and I instantly think "And Cream." According to my thighs it's a terrible habit, but honestly...it's just who I am and I totally own it. So when I envisioned the recipes that would come from our Strawberry Series, I immediately thought of this favorite. Because it's soooo easy and sooooooooo good. Perfect for the 4th. Oh and store bought crust + no pie dish equal totally painless perfection. And if you missed it, we’re...
We've been diving deep into all things Strawberry today, from picking to buying, from storing to sweetening. And now it's time to savor. Like really, really savor. With these soooo delicious Strawberry & Cream Muffins. I found the recipe on a blog called Patty's Food and just adapted it every so slightly based on what I had in my pantry. And after they came out, we slathered them with slightly...
For those of you that don't have the greenest of thumbs or don't feel like trucking it all the way to a strawberry field to pick your berries, here are a few tips for ensuring that you buy the best strawberries on the planet...and trust me, you can get the good ones year round if you just know what you're looking for! Start by smelling. Yes, smelling. Your berries should smell all fresh and good and strawberried. And I can attest, I gave a few boxes a good smelling at the grocery...
My daughter's only request after picking a bazillion strawberries...was ice cream. Because while she tolerates fresh strawberries, she would give up her favorite stuffed cat to pile a heaping mound of sugar and cream on top of them and eat them from a waffle cone. And if we're being honest....so would I.
What's the best thing about Summer? Probably the margaritas and chips + guac that I consume at a ridiculous pace. And cocktails at the pool. And well, everything else. But the thing that gets me the happiest and marks the official start of Summer? Strawberries. Fresh picked, delicious, oh so very...
Spray sidewalk chalk!? Yep! SPRAY Sidewalk Chalk! For that painterly, arteeest effect that every chalk party needs. Plus they are just kind of cute and look like you're a really smart hostestess with the mostess. These need to be blended and used the day of your party otherwise they settle and become a bit hard to use.
Every good party needs a sweet little parting gift so that the kids (or grown-ups) can remember just how awesome of a party planner you really are. And these homemade chalk stars definitely do the trick. They not only tie into our chalk party theme perfectly, they also are a cinch to make and super duper cute.
If you have kids, you know that anything involving chalk is generally a good thing. It's colorful, shareable and completely washable. Plus it's sort of fun for the grown-ups too (think brightly colored cocktails with chalk-inspired sugared rims) so it's a win/win for all. Thus, for today's installment of Party Themes, we're taking a little chalk inspiration and cranking it up a notch to two.
This ice cream, my friends, is your new secret weapon. It's epic. And mark my words - whether you whip it out at the end of a fancy pants dinner to surprise your guests or you serve it in pink plastic bowls to a room full of 5 year olds, this recipe alone will elevate you to superhero status. Go ahead. Try it. I double dog dare you. Funfetti Cake and Icing Ice Cream was inspired by my nine year old nephew, Owen. Who brought over a pint of Baskin Robbins Icing on the Cake ice cream for my...
Okay. So you might be wondering what in the world an ice cream base is. Well, my friends, an ice cream base is a very important Summer tool. Because it's the PERFECT foundation for every kind of homemade ice cream on the planet. Whether you're shaking it in a zip locked bag (totally works, I've tried it) or you're popping it in your electric mixer (loooove ours), this base will provide the groundwork for...
Confession. I have already started to panic about Winter. I know, it's nuts. But it's almost JULY people and Summer is my favorite favorite favorite time in the world, with long and lazy days, beautiful wispy sundresses and lunches and brunches and everything in between held outside in the perfect Summer sun. I think I must be a Californian at heart because letting go of inspiration like this adorable Summer inspired brunch designed by ...
First of all, I'm kind of FREAKING OUT right now that I just wrote the title "from Alexis Lopez." Why you wonder? Well, because Alexis Lopez is my 16 year old niece. Who is a Martha in the making but better because she can also take killer photos and craft IKEA hacks and paint artwork that would make your head spin. So Martha times three. Plus she's cool and sweet and considers herself a chocolate connoisseur so if Lex says these...
Being a blogger means that I'm online all the time. Like 18 hours a day. And my eyes are constantly filled with colors and spaces and bright pops of ideas that force my brain to move far too quickly. So before I go to bed each night, I like give my over stimulated, over idea-ified, over everything eyes a place to just be. To soak in the beauty of design and life inspirations so lovely that you just feel like you can breath a little bit easier. And I do that with Holly and her beautiful blog...
