Winter is....

A post from decor8....

*Sigh* So lovely and so worth sharing. 

Happy first day of winter day to you!

Wedding Wednesday

I don't know of a more lovely type of event than a wedding...which is why I am starting wedding Wednesdays. It's selfishly for me so I can store all the pretty pictures I find online of the weddings I love...but I hope that you'll enjoy it too!

This lovely wedding inspiration board was found at stylemepretty.com. I just love that website and I love these pale hints of colors for a winter wedding...they look as though they were inspired by the colors trapped inside the facets of a crystal...snow or otherwise. 

I could fancy myself wearing any little bit of these sparkels!

Anniversary never sounded so beautiful.

a year ago

we made our pact

to start together and never look back

you gave me a ring and I gave you a kiss

and we started our life

just like this.

Weekend Weather

A year ago in Chatham Ma.

photo by polly mcg.

Weather report for this weekend?

Cold and Sunny. Wind chill factor 19 degrees. I guess it doesn't matter that my mittens, hats and gloves are still locked in our storage unit.

I've got my love to keep me warm.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Would you like some sugar for your tea?

Next Sunday will be our first wedding anniversary! I can't believe a year as gone by so fast! Well actually I can. Our wedding day felt like no more than a blink so it is no wonder the past year feels like a week!

One of the things that stood out to me most about the whole bride experience is how much people really do go out of their way to show you they love you! The showers my bridesmaids planned for me were beyond anything I would have ever imagined or expected (I'll have to feature them in another post), friends sent cards and went out of their way to support me each and every day of my 5 1/2 month stressful engagement, people flew out to little Cape Cod Ma. in the PEAK of the holiday season to witness our vows and celebrate afterwards. 

It's not typical that people have a December wedding because the holiday season is so crazy---yet December 13 was the date that worked for us and our dear friends made it work for them too!

The day before the wedding, my bridesmaids flew into town from all over the place for a  tea that my mother planned in honor of my ten beautiful, wonderful, bridesmaids. 

We had some great photographers in the house! This photo by Leisel

Here is a little note about my mom, even if I am an event planner by nature, my mom was the true wedding planner for our wedding. Due to my hectic work schedule there were many things that I just would not have been able to do with her help. Just thinking about it makes me realize that I never planned a tea in her honor for all she did for me. Mama tea next perhaps??

my mom and I, see the resemblance?

The event was saturated with love and deep appreciation for the friends that poured so much of themselves into me---not just during the wedding planning but during my entire life. My mom pulled every detail together so perfectly and I do think my friends felt loved. 

my mom has a knack for all things pretty

Even the chandelier had 10 pretty maids dancing down from great heights. Where does she get this stuff? I don't know. She's my mom. 

Gifts for my girls! These are the little part I prepared. I loved the wrapping paper almost as much as the gift which was a dainty cape cod bracelet. 

Jillian holds her bridesmaid survival bag which held a cozy shawl (to match their dresses of course---you cant send maids into a winter wedding with out some sort of protection!), water bottle (stay hydrated ladies), treats and local maps and information on sites of interest (there are things to do on Cape Cod even in the winter!) Oh and of course, an itinerary!

My sister, maid of honor, and mother of our flower girl gave a beautiful toast. It was one of my favorite toasts of the weekend!

My mom not only shares Polish heritage in common with Martha Stewart but also the ability to create event appropriate treats! Offered here is beach plum cordial which took months to prepare! Made by mom...

btw, isn't meghan's jumper the cutest?

my girls

A year later and I am still so thankful for this special event. I am so blessed to have such a loving mom who would share such a gift with my dear friends and I. I feel so warm inside when I think of each of these women who contribute so much to my life each in their own unique way. Really, it's as if my heart has been wrapped in a soft blanket knit with each of their lives. From my mother to my sister to my newest and oldest friend--each of these loving faces is a part of me, and I'd guess I'm a part of them.

Oh deer!

Most people here in Chester County Pa who see a dear while driving around do one of two things:

1. Swear because the species eat their garden year after year.

Or

2. Swerve because if you see one deer, there may be many and the more there are the more likely you are to get hit. (Yes they will hit your car--even if you try your darndest to miss them).

Still, I am in a minority that find these creatures graceful, peaceful and stupidly cute! Especially in the quiet of the morning I feel they are almost an omen of something...like peace or a good day or just that raw defenseless nature still exists in the midst of suburbia.

Look at this little image from the Graphics Fairy. How about about a little stag for your christmas tag? 

Right now I don't have much room to invite them into my holiday decorating scheme...but oh if I could I would...

A deer little ornament from plow and hearth....

Another from Tracy Porter....

Serve hoers doeuvres on these little pretties from Wisteria....

Cozy up to this regal reindeer pillow from Anthroplogie...

Let a whole heard dance and sparkle on my table top...

The last photo is actually from a glitter project from Martha Stewart. How about digging up little deer from an old school project and putting these little friends on your holiday table. For instructions go here.  (Those cinnamon candles wouldn't be hard to do either!)

Nature Inspired Place Settings

I just love that when you need a little extra special something special for your table, that little something can be found right in your back yard. You don't need to buy anything to make your table unique. Really the whole point here is go to your yard. If you don't have a yard, go to a park...

Here a few naturally beautiful place settings I think are so pretty.

You can probably find holly somewhere down the road and how easy would that little curled name card be?

Another from Martha Stewart, I love the little jingle bell tag.

A feature in house beautiful by the editor of design sponge...why not combine natural wood and tarnished ornaments? Simply beautiful!

Photo Credit: House Beautiful

Drift wood and berries....so pretty with that blue....

Photo credit: Design Sponge

Who has the time? You do!

Photo Credit: Country Living

How often have you flipped through Martha Stewart Living and said, "That's beautiful, but who has the time????" I say it to myself almost every single time I pick up that magazine or any other lovely examples of do it yourself goodness. But I don't let despair get the better of me because I then force myself to follow up and say "I do". 

It's easy to get overwhelmed by a project if you take someone else's standards, ideas, whatever and try to make them your own---but if instead you are mearly inspired by their idea and then do what's easiest/funnest/most beautiful for you---then the swirl of excitement gets you through and before you know it you have a wonderful creation in front of you.

Here are a few things that help me keep a can-do attitude. 

*I stay organized. Not crazy neurotic organized but keep things where it makes sense to me so I can find them when I need them. I buy similar bins, boxes and baskets on the cheap, and keep ribbons, buttons, glitter any like items together. Vases grouped on a shelf. Craft supplies nestled together in the closet so when it comes time to create, I am not hindered by trying to find that one little thing.

* I keep an open mind. Maybe I don't have time to run out and by that silver glass glitter. But I do have regular glitter at home. Or maybe I don't have tons of square clear class vases, but I do have tons of tea cups. By using what I have when crafting or entertaining I can get things together in a pinch instead of running around trying to achieve something that takes too long to get together.

*I often shop my yard, house and closet. Jewelry can be added to centerpieces for sparkle, old vases can be decoupaged and given as gifts. I do not live at the Paper Source retail store...but maybe I can show them a thing or to with what I found in my basement. 

*I buy things from the clearance section at craft stores. That mini book of scrapbook pages for 89 cents might not look like something I need, but for 89 cents you bet I can use it later. 

*I ask myself what I think. We can be our own worst critic or biggest fan. If YOU are satisfied, who cares what anyone else thinks? The joy that blossoms from your creativity will be more beautiful than anything you make....and people will be happy to share in that even if the hand made napkin rings aren't their taste.

*I love the saying that Lindsay Cheney has over at The Pleated Poppy. "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." And I take that to heart!

*If the 10.00 bottle of german glitter motivates me to do everything else. I break down and buy it. Sometimes its the little things that help us do the big things. :)

What helps you be a dreamer and a doer???

Holiday Dressing-Drawing Inspiration from Vintage Postcards

Have you ever wanted to jump into a vintage post card, like Mary Poppins and her chalk drawings? I do...and there is something about vintage christmas postcards that make my imagination go wild! Since jumping in doesn't really work so well, I decided to indulge my imagination and take myself to this snowy scene....

by creating THIS outfit....

Vintage Post card by lacepeplum featuring Forever21 accessories

You know, just in case my beau and I decide to go to, say, Aunt May's for apple pie. Or the Theater perhaps? Or maybe a midnight Christmas eve service....
What would YOU wear? Do tell, do tell.

Who wouldn't want to eat a cheese ball in the shape of a pumpkin?

Thanksgiving is one day away which means you still have time for this really awesome appetizer that PEOPLE WILL LOVE. I only know because I made it for a little get together last Sunday night and it was a huge hit. I wish I had a photo of the one I made so you could truly see that normal people can make these things! Thanks to southern living even the least artistic hostess can sculpt this magnificent Great White (Cheese) Pumpkin. I used one block of white cheddar and one block of orange cheddar in mine to give it a little color. You, my dear, could really add whatever you wish!

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1924744

Total Time: 15 min.

Yield: Makes 12 appetizer servings

Ingredients

• 2  (10-oz.) blocks extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded*
• 1  8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 2  (4-oz.) goat cheese logs, softened
• 1/2  teaspoon  pepper
• Braided pretzel, muscadine vine and leaf
• Crackers and assorted vegetables

Preparation

1. Stir together first 4 ingredients. Shape mixture into a ball to resemble a pumpkin. Smooth pumpkin's entire surface with metal spatula or table knife. Make vertical grooves in ball, if desired, using fingertips. Press pretzel into top of cheese ball to resemble a pumpkin stem; place muscadine vine and leaf beside pretzel. Serve with crackers and assorted vegetables.

*Extra-sharp Cheddar cheese may be substituted.

Note: We tested with Cracker Barrel Extra-Sharp Cheddar Cheese. To make ahead, wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap, without stem, vine, or leaf, and store in refrigerator up to two days. Attach stem, vine, and leaf before serving.

Southern Living, OCTOBER 2009

Very Entertaining

I just love a good party. Don't you? My soul flutters at the thought of  going where friends are gathered. I get especially fluttery when I create the space where people gather. Getting friends and acquaintances---or even strangers together just tickles me silly. When I have the opportunity to get people together, my heart starts beating extra fast and I start thinking of a million ideas at once. I look for inspiration everywhere and I don't want to stop for a second. I am energized by pulling the details together right down to the soup and nuts (literally). I am even more energized when the said party is a success!!!! On to the next one!!! I am flooded with new ideas and inspiration and a sense of satisfaction that is like none other....

photo by simply hue at flickr

You may be thinking a couple of things right now. One, you may be cheering "Yes Yes Yes! That's me! Me too!" or you may just think I am mad as a hatter. Regardless of your perception of me you will probably agree, that no matter how much one would like, one can not just sit around planning parties all day unless it's your job and for me it's not. 

My name is Lindsay and I am event planner at heart who is currently looking for work in a dreadful economy. I have always wanted to start a blog---as a way to capture my ideas for myself and others so I am finally getting to it. The dean of my college at our freshman orientation (I can't believe I am quoting him) once said "View everyone you meet as a potential friend." As your potential new blogger friend, I hope you will enjoy my ideas as much as I have enjoyed so many of yours. If I use one of your shared photos or thoughts I will always give credit and I hope you will do the same for me.

Since we are now friends, I also wanted to put out there that I am not good with grammar in the slightest (least?). When I type what is on my mind, with the limited time, I am so excited to get it out I don't always have the time to break down my sentences. I hope that you will forgive me for this mortal error (I know it's terrible), and if it bothers you a lot, then get thee to a library and take out Pride and Prejudice...a novel full of LOTS of fabulous parties and you can get all the perfect grammar you want from Jane Austen's lovely writing. 

Now that I have created a rather lengthy introduction, I want to make one more thing clear. I am not perfect. I don't know it all. And, I don't claim to be full of Martha-Stewart-Perfect (MSP) entertaining ideas. I just GUSH when it comes to conjuring up parties, and dog-gone-it all that luscious gush has got to go somewhere.  Maybe my next four weekends are not prime real estate for a glorious gathering---but yours could be. So I'm going to put my ideas down for you in case you have the time to shake up a soiree. I hope you find them very entertaining. :)