Hair New Era

I've been itching to host a party recently, but didn't have a specific occasion. I still don't, but this branch place setting seems kind of pitch-perfect for a fall fete. I need to start digging around in my inspiration folder to come up with some more fall festivities images and maybe we'll host something after all... (Uh, I guess I should have done this first: is that okay with you, B?)

Photo by Gemma Comas, as spotted on Sara's Party Perfect.

Do you ever feel like this after a long holiday weekend?

Photo via quite cheeky.

I do. We had a great holiday weekend, filled with gorgeous weather, lots of time out on the water, a festive 4th of July fireworks show (both downtown and an unsolicited show in our parking lot), tons of food, friends and some downtime for B (I had to work while everyone else was off - boohoo). And even though the weekend was great - and I loved having everyone around for the additional day off - I'm still moving kind of slowly this morning. If only there was one. more. day. off.... ;)

Nonetheless, I'm getting back into the swing of things and will be back in a bit. Check back!

We've got a watermelon sitting in our kitchen and it needs a purpose. We originally bought it for B's baseball game on Sunday, but ran out of time and didn't cut it open. But, thanks to Logan, I think I've found just the thing for it:

Photo from Food Network (follow the link for a Watermelon Sour recipe too!)

Brills, right? Cut a hole in the top of the watermelon, scoop out most of the pulp, insert keg tap and fill with a tasty bev. This is such an awesome summer drink vessel - perfect for a hot day, party or any lazy afternoon - and just in time for the 4th of July weekend. Love it!

Three, two, one - it's almost Memorial Day weekend - woohoo! And yet these numbers aren't just a countdown to the holiday weekend (aka the official start of summer - yesss!), they're actually really cool stand-up vintage aluminum numbers.

There are letters too:

These are obviously being shown with a wedding in mind, but I think they could be cool for lots of things. How about on your desk, or one letter for each guest at a dinner party, or even on the wall above a coat hook to delineate your kids' belongings?

For some reason the font choice is so appealing to me. I especially love the ampersand:

Sets of these vintage numbers or letters are available to buy on Etsy (just use the links to the left). Can you think of some other cool uses for these? Or are you too busy counting down to Memorial Day? ;)

Originally spotted on d. Sharp Journal.

Photo by Chelsea Fuss on {frolic!}


Photo from T. ruffles

Happy Friday, everyone! I am so happy it's Friday and that it's so beautiful out. I have a jam-packed weekend of work (bleh), parties (late Cinco de Mayo fiesta), and of course, celebrating Mother's Day with my family. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to call your mom on Sunday!

xo, r.

See you Monday!

Ohmygoodness, I can't believe I almost forgot - today is Cinco de Mayo! ¡Ay ay ay!

In honor of this holiday, here is some gorgeous fiesta eye candy from Design*Sponge:



Photos by Jesse Chamberlin of Our Labor of Love. Event design and styling by Ashley Meaders of The Flashdance.

Check out even more photos of this event over at Design*Sponge, and happy Cinco de Mayo! Drink a margarita and eat some chips and salsa for me! (I'll be doing the same...)

Buckle your desk seats, folks; this one almost knocked me out of my chair. I want Jordan Ferney's brain. This chick is brills. Look what she's done now:

What you see running down the middle of that gorgeous table is a handmade lemon leaf garland with oranges and lemons. Who needs crummy carnations that will probably die shortly after you buy them from the grocery when you can have this gorgeous garland? It's colorful, seasonal, and can you imagine how good it must smell? Probably so fresh and bright.

No need for cut flowers when you can use these easily attainable "ingredients":

Oh and did I mention that Jordan's instructions make a 14 foot garland for only $16? Yep, told you she was brilliant.

Here's the post about it on Jordan's site (Oh Happy Day!) and full instructions are here.

Now, GO. Get the instructions for thyself. I want to throw a party post-haste and do this, like, yesterday.

Oh, holy moley, Jordan Ferney has done it again. These DIY mobiles are amazing:

Can you believe she made them herself? They're simply sewn-together strips of vellum, hung from the ceiling on their own string and weighed down by a fishing weight. I love that you can make these mobiles in any combination of colors you want so that they match your party!

Also, she made all of these for less than 25 bucks, so that's a huge amount of impact (it basically transforms the space) for not a lot of dough. I'm a little intimidated by the sewing aspect, but it seems pretty simple overall.

Thankfully, Jordan was kind enough to provide instructions and photos for how to do this yourself, here.


Wouldn't these be perfect for a wedding shower or modern grown-up birthday party? Just tweak the color scheme accordingly and you're seriously set on decor. Love, love, love.

A little dose of fun or inspiration (depending on which banner you choose) + works for either every day or for all kinds of parties (again, your choice) + only 10 bucks = perfect.

And hey, there's even a "Cullen at heart" option in case you're lusting for some more Edward in your life, subtly.

I can't decide whether to buy these for myself or for gifts, or both. Love. Buy them here.

Spotted on Walking Around.

I talked about edible cupcake decals before, but the faux bois edible icing decal from Hello Frosting on Etsy won me over.

I am chomping at the bit once again to have an occasion to bake cupcakes and decorate them in some ridiculously pretty, over-the-top way. With these decals? It'd be easy and cheap - two things I like (hellooo, Forever 21).

Isn't this lattice option simple, springy and pretty?


The ever-trendy moustache rears its head again:


For the punk-rocker (or 11-year-old girl) in your life:


And just in time for Mother's Day (don't forget - May 9th will be here shortly!), this lovely topper would be perfect to surprise your mom:

Hello Frosting's decals are fully edible (made with food-grade inks); work on cupcakes, cookies and brownies; are made in the US; plus they're Kosher certified and Gluten-free. Oh and they're 15 bucks for 24 decals. Holla!

Hello Frosting edible decals originally spotted here.

Want another easy, affordable and cute cupcake decorating idea? Also check this out....

Are pinatas the new mustache? (As in, are they the trendy new design-world obsession turned party schtick?)

I wouldn't mind having a disco-chic, sparkly zebra pinata like this at some party:

Photo via coco+kelley

Though it'd be hard to bring myself to whack the heck out of it.

This flower pinata is equally as gorgeous, but much less Elton John and more demure rosebud:

Photo via Inchmark

And while we're on the subject of demure and pretty, how sweet are these skivvies from
Frieda Maria?


Well that was quite a mish-mash of things, wasn't it? Welcome to my world... And happy Wednesday morning!

I don't have kids yet for whom to plan birthday parties, yet I still feel oddly compelled to buy all of these amazing cupcake kits immediately.

These gorgeous mermaids are perfectly at home here on Sea*Life*Style.

I can think of a certain little boy (Finny Finn Finn) whose mom is going to snap up these pirate toppers immediately...

A cute gender-neutral option:


This one's girly all the way:


Perhaps I'll host a tweet-up and serve cupcakes adorned with these (grasping at straws here, looking for a reason to buy one of these kits!):


I can honestly see some dog-obsessed grown-ups buying these for their dog's birthday party (I still think it's hysterical [cough *weird* cough] that people do that):


Maybe I'll get these for the next friend of mine who has a baby shower:

I die with the cuteness.

p.s. Most of the cupcake themes also have coordinating party supplies, from invites to paper plates and napkins, etc. Check out the full selection here. So cute!

Spotted on Oh Happy Day!

These letterpress wine gift tags from Papermash are hilarious! Very appropriate for someone whose wine knowledge is intermediate at best (though we're really trying with our Annapolis Wino Club!). These would be perfect to attach to a bottle of wine before bringing it as a hostess gift or to a dinner party, or just for a little thank-you gift.


Psst: Joanna, of the fantastic blog A Cup of Jo, is hosting a giveaway for two sets of these wine tags and a £30 gift certificate (for any of the goodies in the Papermash shop). The drawing ends tomorrow, so hurry over to Jo's site now!

Spotted on Twig & Thistle

These coasters from Dimmalimm Home are genius: No more wine charms needed to identify your glass at a party, plus they act as a coaster to protect your furniture (so you don't have to feel like Type-A-Annie asking your guests to use coasters). I love the colors offered, and the two different patterns, Citrus or Hibiscus, are really pretty without being too frilly. Best of all, they're handmade with recycled fabrics and eco-friendly, so you can be not only clean, but green. I only wish I'd known about these before our first Wino Club party!

Looking for hors d'oeuvre plates to accompany your wine glasses? Check out these fun options.

These ABC paper cups from IaM Design are so cute and would certainly make any party just a bit cheerier. They're instant, easy decor:

I don't usually use paper cups since they're not the greenest, but sometimes for a party or occasion, you gotta do what you gotta do...

Besides, I love the idea of turning something utilitarian into an opportunity for good design:



Plus, they're the perfect inexpensive item to stuff in your "gift closet" or emergency box - whip these puppies out, spell the name of the person whose birthday you forgot, or spell out the holiday your kids are supposed to bring goodies to school for and stick some store-bought cookies in the cups, and you're all set!

Via Love Obsess Inspire.

Photo via Absolutely Beautiful Things

I am running out the door with a million things to do before this evening sneaks up on me. We have a busy, busy (rainy) weekend, starting with the second-ever Annapolis Wino Club tonight - for which I need to bring some tasty treats (and haven't even thought of what to do yet!). Tomorrow we head up to Phila for a friend's birthday party at a country western bar; yes, you read that right - and we're trying to squeeze in a pit stop to the Erin Express on the way. Yikes.

Don't forget to set your clocks forward tonight before you go to sleep - Sunday is Daylight Savings! I'm shuddering to think of losing that hour of sleep, but at least it means an extra hour of sunlight for the days. Hurray!

(Oh and don't forget the unveiling of the new Liberty of London line at Target this weekend! If I wasn't going to be running around PA, I'd be there at door's open on Sunday!)

See you back here Monday, when hopefully this rain will be gone and the days will be longer and bright?