Birds of a feather...

I may be girly, love ruffles, and live for the pretty ... but I am a  football fan;  and even more, a Baltimore Ravens fan! If you are from Baltimore, chances are you saw that incredible game the Ravens played against the Patriots leading them to the Superbowl. Charm City is nothing short of super-duper pumped for Sunday's big game.  How could we not be? 

The morning after the game I was contacted by Angela of Rusty Love Vintage Rentals & Home Décor, who asked if I was interested in doing a purple, "Baltimore Ravens," display in her showroom window. Absolutely! Count-me-in!

Angela’s store & style is chic, feminine, vintage-elegance and nothing short of fab-u-lous…so, I was trying to stay clear of the typical, cheesy, “football” theme with flags and grass fields. I told her I was going for more of a feminine-esque, black and purple Ravens window display. Ideas fluttered in my head all day (pun intended)... a cluster of birdcages hanging from the top, nests, lavender feathers, her purple chairs, her black top hat with a purple feather sticking in it., a subtle effect of birds in the backdrop, and most importantly, I wanted a dress-form wearing a magnificent, poofy, purple dress in that window to steal the show. She went shopping, I went shopping, then we went shopping together and in 2 days, it came to life. She was even able to find the perfect dress for the show-stealer, but it was white. Problem? Not for her!...  Angela spent the night hand-dying it purple.  It looked fabulous!

I arrived Wednesday at 10:30am and left around 5pm…even stopping by the next day for an hour or two for some perfecting and last minute touches like a bottle of Ravenswood on the table.  Angela and I painted birdcages outside in 18 degree weather, proving our devotion to prettiness by the pink glow of our cheeks.  I spent the day climbing on ladders, tying and re-tying birdcages to the ceiling, tilting my head to the side for what I always think is a better view, spitting away feathers that stuck to my face as they fell, and having a ball with Angela in her window as it came to life.   We ended both days the same, outside the store together, looking in the window with big smiles on our faces. Who said team spirit didn't mean feminine and fancy-schmancy? Go Baltimore Ravens!

Thank you to Angela at Rusty Love for having me! 

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Furniture & Props: Rusty Love Vintage

Design, Styling & Photos: elleDesigns

mustache

Baby Shower

Sneak Peak from a very special "It's a Girl" Baby Shower two weeks ago that elleDesigns was honored to plan..with my Mom...for my own Sister! Her and her hubby are expecting a little girl in October!!

 

Tickled Pink Baby Shower

Design & Planning & Props: elleDesigns

Venue: Rockfield Manor

Photography: IsoVISION Studios

Classical Guitarist: Elizabeth Aucott

Betsy Post: Sprinkles

   Different countries wedding traditions have always fascinated me. While I was looking up different traditions, I saw an article about how the North American tradition of throwing rice at weddings is been discouraged because of the effects is has on birds that eat the left over rice. It is said that once the birds eat the rice, the grains swell in their stomach causing the birds to “pop”. But I did a little more research and found out this is just an urban myth. Actually, birds can be some what of a pest in the rice fields and can cause a lot of damage to rice crops so some farmers wish they would “pop” (poor birdies!). But since myths don’t go away that easily, some churches and ceremony sites ban rice from being thrown, not just for the birds but because of the safety hazard its causes the guests. If the rice becomes wet, it can be very slippery. But if you are looking for alternative items to be tossed at your wedding, here are some suggestions:

Blow bubbles

Toss flower petals

Throw confetti

Pop party streamers

Wave sparklers

Spray silly string

Release balloons

               And if you want the birds to benefit from your wedding, you can throw birdseed, but I don’t know if many brides would like the idea of birdseed being tossed at them as a sign of good luck…

I would have to say my favorite alternative would be to toss sprinkles! Although this may provide a colorful clean up, it would be adorable! You can get colored sprinkles to match your theme colors or just go with the traditional rainbow sprinkles, which are my favorite! There are even recipes online where you can make your own colored sprinkles if you are a DIY Bride.

Since traditions are always forming and changing why not try something new?

Mother's Day gifts

out-of-the-box Mother's Day gifts

from etsy

DIY Teal Mason Jars

Those beautiful blue/teal mason jars are so gorgeous. You can glam them up, dress them down, do whatever you want with them...if you can find them. When you do find them, they usually a little more expensive than you think. So I decided to make my own. I experimented and found a way I loved. Enjoy!

First, start with regular mason jars. I had a bunch of them from weddings, but I know you can get them on Amazon, at Walmart for little mula.

I bought some pretty teal glass paint at my craft store and mixed alot of paint, with a little bit of acrylic paint glaze. I wanted it to be a shiny and a thinner teal so I could see-through them, not matte and bold. For ratios, I would say 1/2 cup of paint and 1 teaspoon glaze. Mix it good!

I applied 2 coats to each with a foam brunch, in an up and down streak-like way. I let it dry a little for 10 minutes or so, then added another coat. Be careful around the rims, the excess paint will bubble.

I let dry over night to be 100% safe. If it is wet at all, then it will "melt" and run down the jars when baking. I laid them upside down on a pan (covered in aluminum foil just in case) at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Be careful, they are hot!

Boy, do they look GORGEOUS! The only thing you will notice is what I said before, the excess paint bubbles around the rim, however, it seemed to go away, mostly, in a few hours and wasn't a big deal!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wishing everyone a day of fun & green beers! Be safe!

the diy from Martha Stewart here.

won't you be valentine

shops on etsy

1. RachelPfefferDesigns     2. scratchcraft     3. ChatteJolie     4. sweetoldstuff     5. SusanKJewelry    

6. collageOrama     7. BetweenEverything     8. RevivedVintage     9. zany     10. concettascloset

Stick Up.

Could I pass on sharing this? No.

it's a gun.... it's a weapon..... it's a ...blowdryer!

etsy store PixelSicle

Ah-dorable Valentine Cards from Tabibi Studio

Can you believe it is almost Valentine's Day! I am always looking for something different to do every holiday instead of the same ol'. I am already a huge fan of Tabibi Design, and very talented Tina has out done herself with these amazingly AH-dorable Valentine's Day cards! 

Order them from Tabibi Design Creative Studio for your Valentine!

I mean, just take a look! These 2 are my fav, but visit her facebook page to see the rest of her Valentine's day album!

photo copyright Tabibi Design

diy love: memory book




Photo from Something Turquoise blog; diy project Mini Card Album



If you are a sentimental sap like me (you know the kind that cry in card stores and at hallmark commercials), you probably have a box full of things you have saved throughout the years, especially cards. I save every card my husband has given me from day 1 (enough, I told you, sap!). Little did I know, he did, too. I found this out on our on our wedding day. He had a gift waiting for me the day of our wedding and when I opened it, I couldn't believe my eyes. He bought me a gorgeous purse, but inside was filled with all the cards I had ever given him. It also had things he kept from our first date...through the present and one new card that read, "I kept these things because I knew the day we met that I would be giving these to you on our wedding day." (All together now, Awwwwwwww)

Ok, I know, I am sorry, enough, but this is exactly my point! What to do with all these cards sitting in a memory box on the shelf, the huge stack of cards from our wedding, our Christmas cards throughout the years...

Thanks to my friend Jessica F, I now know. I love the fact that she always sends me links she knows I will love, and she is always right! It is too cute of an idea not to share. It is from an adorable blog called Something Turquoise and it is a step-by-step. The blogger goes into very intricate detail, but you can go much more simplified. The idea in itself, is adorable! A Card Album!

see the adorable DIY by [clicking here]

photos from Something Turquoise blog; diy project Mini Card Album

 

hey, hot cocoa, lookin' snazzy!

Dress up your Hot Cocoa

photo from Martha Stewart

… great for Holiday Parties! 

You can make your marshmallows from scratch by clicking here, but if you do not have time, go the easy way and melt your store bought marshmallows, I have 2 favorite brands. One is Sweet & Sara found here and the other is Dandies I find at Wegmans. Yes, they are cruelty-free/vegan, so I am biased, but I swear these kick regular marshmallow's tushy!

Directions:

1. Put marshmallows in a large bowl, add 2 tablespoons of water per bag and melt for 45 seconds, stir, then melt again until it becomes lump free.

2. Dust glass/metal pan with confectioner's sugar, and pour melted marshmallows into pan.

3. Sprinkles top with confectioner's sugar.

4. Let set over night to until dry.

5. Using fun cookie cutters, get creative an cut out some shapes!

Display these next to the hot cocoa ( my fav recipe is found here) for some extra holiday cuteness!

Pretty Bridemaid Gifts!

Peachtreelane

handcrafted jewelry, hair clips, and more.

visit peachtreelane here.

a too cute Thanksgiving diy

How stinkin cute is this fall d.i.y.! As a table centerpiece, on the fireplace, window sills, entrance ways...too many adorable possibilties!

...for Danielle Thompson's blog step by step tutorial Click HERE

Teaching a class on Fondant Characters!

To all my Maryland blog followers, if anyone is interested in learning how to make these little guys for your Christmas and Holiday Parties, here is your chance! I have that little hobby of sugar that you know I oh-so-much love and was asked to teach a class on fondant characters.

Limited space of 15 people, so reserve quickly!

December 5th, 2011

6:00 pm-8:30 pm

Cake & Wedding Cottage

8716 Belair Road
Baltimore, MD 21236

410-529-0200
www.cakeandweddingcottage.com

Hope to see ya there! Get ready to get your hands dirty!