I’ve loved the clean and classic ceramics from Pigeon Toe for a couple of years now. I love to give them as gifts, because they are beautiful handcrafted products that will certainly become an instant heirloom. When I received their Spring 2013 catalog, i was not disappointed. They have added some new product types, each as beautiful as the last. Here are some of my favorites:
[pendant]
[stacking vessels - not new but always catch my eye]
What instant heirlooms are you coveting these days??
A couple weeks ago we were invited to an event at our local Seattle West Elm to check out new arrivals for spring – especially their cool new paper flowers collection. As part of an expansion of their market, they have awesome paper flowers that you can use for seasonal decor but they’ll keep year after year. My favorites are the tulips and the hellebores. Super pretty!
image credit: curator pr
The event was co-hosted by Nick and Aleah Valley from Valley & Co, who gave some awesome tips on spring entertaining including decor using the paper flowers and other organic items. It was awesome to finally meet Aleah since we’ve been instagram buddies for quite awhile now so it was nice to have a quick chat over a delicious mocktail. (Also, how cute is her turq plaid – you KNOW I need that shirt)
In general I’m a little tired of the terrarium trend, but I loved adding in the colorful mixed media for a more modern vibrant twist. Centerpiece inspiration for sure!
image credit: curator pr
I highly recommend you try the High Tea cocktail Nick whipped up (he’s the bartender master of the duo). We couldn’t have the vodka at the event (pouty face), but the base was delicious and I’m sure it would be great for dinner parties with the windows thrown open.
Go check out full tutorials for the Paper Flower Swizzle Sticks and Rosemary Wreaths can be found on Aleah & Nick’s blog.
image credit: curator pr
image credit: curator pr
It was so nice to get a dose of color affter many months of wintry gray! After the event, Maggie and I went out to chat all things weddings! Our weddings are going to have some common elements so it was fun to compare notes!
[All images with no credit link were taken by me]
Well, sometimes time just gets away from us, doesn’t it? I had meant to get this little project up in time for all of you making festive new year party plans, but the holidays are just such a whirlwind that the photos were taken but they didn’t quite make it up here to share with all of you.
In any case, what better way to start the new year than with some simple glitter decor. Perhaps for a late winter brunch, or to make those football afternoons a little prettier.
This project really is Easy with a capital A once you get all the supplies. In fact, you probably have most of it around the house:
- Cardboard or Paper Flags. I bought these but you could just as easily cut out your own, the inside of a cereal box would be perfect!
- Double Sided Tape
- Glitter.
Just rip off strips of tape and lay on the flags in varying patterns. Vertical, Horizontal, Diagonal: Get Crazy!
Cover in glitter, shake off, and reveal your designs!
Punch holes at the corners using a small nail or a very sturdy paper punch. String up with your favorite twine, or keep solitary for a cupcake topper (just glue to a skewer), or use as gift tags. Skys the limit (and they’re pretty addictive so watch out!)
For the past couple of years we’ve used the same wreath on our front door – a deep green felt ruffle wreath I made once upon a time and have loved the simplicity of ever since. This year, though, I was ready for a change. I fell in love with this wreath and knew I had to try and recreate it. My original plan was to use hemlock or fir as they did in the inspiration but then I found these gorgeous boxwood wreaths at Trader Joes for $10 and loved how rich and full they looked. Here is what else you will need:
Gold Sparkle Star Wreath:
- Green wreath (you could use preserved if you wanted to save this for multiple years)
- Kraft stars. The key is to buy a variety of sizes and shapes (I used some 5 pointed stars, some 6 pointed stars, and some flat stars)
- Elmers Glue/Modge Podge
- Martha Stewart Glitter – I used “Smokey Quartz”
- Metal Wire – I used a dark bronze to hide with the brown branches
The first step is to glitter your stars. I didn’t include that step here because I used these for another event earlier in the week. But, the main tip I have for you is to spray paint these underneath the glitter in a similar color. That way when the glitter isn’t even or perfect, you can’t really tell. After they are spray painted, cover in glue or modge podge and then a consistent layer of glitter. Let dry: dunzo!
I first tried to just attach these to the wreath by the hanging cords they came with, but they were really floppy once upright. So instead, I attached wire to two ends through the star itself by inserting a straight pin to create a hole and then stringing the wire through. Do this on opposite ends of each star to secure them snug to the wreath. I think these are small enough holes that they are concealed within the glitter if you want to reuse.
Wrap the wire to the back of the wreath and twist to secure. This will leave you enough room to wiggle the star into place once you flip it back over.
The thing I liked the most about the inspiration wreath was the placement of the stars in a spray – almost looking like they were spinning around the greenery. The best way I found to accomplish this was to place them unevenly around the circle and to tuck them into the greenery as if they were coming out from the inside. Does that make sense? Its sort of a place one then try another and play as you go.
See how nice the variety in star/shapes is? Gives it more movement, I think. This was about a 30″ wreath and I used 7 stars. You could change the number depending on the size of your stars and the size of your greenery. And thats it, voila! Hang on your door and stand back to admire.
I think it looks PARTICULARLY festive on our Peppery door, and I actually like the boxwood a lot. Its a different texture than much of the Evergreen you see around the Pacific Northwest this time of year. I’m planning to transition this well into the New Year as long as the boxwood stays looking nice.
Time to relax and admire your festive house. And worry about cleaning up later. . .
Other wreaths I am loving this holiday: Origami, More origami, Vintage Bulbs, Simple Candelit, Flocked Pinecone,
Starting out this week with a really fun find! Textile and pattern genius Lotta Jansdotter has collaborated on a line for home goods resource Fishs Eddy. I’m actually surprised I haven’t seen these popping up on more blogger gift guides.
Believe me when I say I need any of these like a hole in the head: my turquoise dish collection exists in epic proportions. But the serving tray and cakestand especially are so super pretty, dontcha think? I also love the linens, especially the apron. Fishs Eddy does gift registries so perhaps I’ll bookmark these for days to come.
Fishs Eddy always has such great price points – these would be easy to snag as gifts for the ladies in your life or even to have on hand as a hostess gift through the New Year. What do you think? Which piece is your favorite?
