Posh Tots

I thought I would post the link that was *the* inspiration for me when my husband uttered the famous last words..."find a playhouse online and I will build it".

I have always secretly adored the magnificent eye-candy at Posh Tots whose brand is

"The Most Extraordinary Children's Furnishings in the World".

They sell high-end custom children & baby furniture, luxury baby bedding, nursery furnishing, designer diaper bags, playhouses and even fantasy beds, just about everything you'd ever need to pamper your child (boy or girl) and feather their nest in custom luxury. It's always been a dream, of course, that anything on Posh Tots would ever end up in my home!

Then I happened to find it...and it just so happened to be on Posh Tots. Imagine that.

I fell so *in love* with an adorable Victorian cottage on Posh Tots, and it was only $24,000.00, but there has never been anything wrong with my taste!

So I found the plans online for $29.99 ~

and my husband built it.

Here is the playhouse vision that I shared with him, and you'll have to check out my daughter's Playhouse Warming / 4th Birthday party to see just how close he came to the original. It's remarkable, and let's just say I'm extremely impressed and grateful for my husband's talent...and willingness to make one of my dreams come true.

...and he saved us thousands...and thousands of dollars! =)

I also posted some other custom items they sell - and added the price tags just for fun. Enjoy!

Victorian Playhouse - $23,4000.00

Baby Doll and Me Rocking Horse - $140.00

Destiny Gown - $695.00

Mosaic Garden Versatile Dresser - $3,900.00

Sweet Slumber Bi Level Versatile Dresser - $5,000.00

Sweet Slumber Bi Level Versatile Dresser - $3,400.00

Sweet Slumber Armoire - $3,900.00

Madison Mosaic Desk with Optional Chair and Hutch - $2,850.00

Guinevere's Chiffarobe - $2,200.00

Guinevere's Four-Post Bed and Bedding - $4,200.00

Cherub Dreams Round Crib II - $1,350.00

Mirabelle Convertible Crib - $3,200.00

Princess Coach Iron Crib - $3,700.00

Fantasy Carriage Crib - $19,995.00

and just for kicks - the Fantasy Coach - $47,000.00!!

I'm sure my husband is hoping I *don't* find the plans to the Fantasy Coach online!

Dare to Dream.....

Vintage Spring Tablescape

I just love Dandelion and Grey ~ their blog is just so, so inspiring. You definitely have to

spend some time over there just soaking up the inspiration.

And I love that a vintage breakfast that Erin was putting together for her sweetheart

quickly became a lovely and impromptu photo shoot.

The overall look was casual and vintage-inspired; a plank of wood topped with vintage

books was used as a table runner, tea towels from Ikea as placemats, charming mismatched patterned plates from Anthropologie, yellow basket from Home Goods, and with antique napkins and silverware.

Add some fresh melon-colored tulips and you have yourself a charming tablescape.

Photography by Olive Juice Photo

Weekend Project: DIY Wallpaper Bookshelf

When I found this great DIY weekend project on Pepper Design Blog to enhance

bookshelves, cabinets and media centers with paint and/or wallpaper I was so inspired.

What a great way to decorate and update your environment in a relatively inexpensive

and creative way! I love to do fabulous for less!

Canadian House & Home stripped kitchen cabinets to reveal neatly stacked

dishes and a vintage print (via Centsational Girl).

What about fabric? There are so many options to choose from… cutting templates (out of foam core, etc.) to fit the back of your shelf and ‘upholstering’ the board is a great option that can be replaced as often as you’d like. For a more direct application, fold fabric edges in (for a makeshift hem) and use colorful pushpins to pin fabric to each corner.

For a smaller commitment (isn’t this perfect for the office or guest room?) Apartment Therapy

shares a tutorial for lining a bookshelf in this black and white paisley print.

{DIY Bookshelf Wallpapering}

a Materials: Bookcase, wallpaper (fabric, drawer lining paper, photos, magazine clippings, etc), wallpaper primer & paste, scissors, popsicle stick or wallpaper smoother, damp rag

{1.} Measure the back of each shelf (if you can remove individual shelves, pull all out and take one large measurement). Carefully cut wallpaper to match.

{2.} Install wallpaper using wallpaper primer & paste (a decoupage material would work well, too). Smooth all bubbles & wrinkles as you work (you can use a popsicle stick or wallpaper smoother) and wipe excess glue with a damp rag.

{3.} Let dry overnight!

Article, images and post adapted from Pepper Design Blog

Table Inspiration Mock-Up

This beautiful tablescape design mock-up was created by future newlyweds Jodi and

Kurt of Jodi Miller Photography, as they plan their upcoming wedding. They've been

slowly collecting old books, plates, bowls, jars and other table props at antique stores.

The future groom's sister made the napkin rings using vintage earrings and loops of jute

twine; and also created flowers out of old lace.

I always encourage any of my clients that want to incorporate DIY elements for their event to mock up a table design or inspiration table. It's a great way of visualizing all of the pieces together and then document it with photos so you can easily recreate the look later on. It also helps you visualize how the final design will look and help you decide if you need to make any changes or additions before the big celebration.

This is just so inspiring!

Photos by Jodi Miller Photography from Little White Book

Article, post and photos adapted from The Sweet Occassion

Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day.

I am fortunate in that I have been able to experience a wonderful Mother/Daughter relationship from both sides. Today I will celebrate my amazing mom, and all that she

has done for me, and has meant to me throughout my life.

But I also will celebrate my relationship with my daughter, Hannah.

I thank God from the bottom of my heart that He has blessed me with the the most

amazing little girl in the entire world, and that He chose *me* to be her mommy.

I don't know what I did to deserve her, but it's a privilege I don't take for granted.

She is my greatest joy, and I am so blessed that because of her, everyday feels like

Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all my mommy friends!

photo courtesy of Divine Party Concepts

{Real Party} Alice In Wonderland

It must be Alice in Wonderland theme party week at KEC! I fell in love with this modern-meets-whimsical Alice in Wonderland Party featured on Hostess with the Mostess and planned by Lollipop Events & Design. It's always been one of my favorite inspiration parties and I'm finally getting around to blogging it!

This colorful Alice in Wonderland design is like your own personal fairy tale...charming,

stylish and perfect for everything from a baby or bridal shower, to a birthday party or

ladies luncheon, or my favorite would be a "Very Merry Un-Birthday Party" so that anytime

would be the right time!!

I love the clever tea cup centerpiece and eclectic mix of vintage patterns & textiles! Read on for all the DIY tips for this setting, as told by the Lollipop girls…

Table:
“Start by draping the table with a bold and bright floral table linen. For multiple tables, use the same patterned linen on each table or feel free to mix in other patterned linens to create an eclectic garden feel. Next, use colorful patterned kitchen aprons and tie them around each chair to create customized chair covers!

Centerpieces:
For the main centerpiece, take vintage teacups in any size, shape or pattern and simply glue them on top each other using a glue gun. You can make the centerpiece as tall or short as you would like, just make sure it’s sturdy, so that it does not topple over! To top off the teacup centerpiece add a ball of pretty pink or white garden roses and an artificial butterfly.

On each side of the teacup centerpiece add small glass bud vases with seasonal garden flowers. To add an extra eclectic flair, find ceramic pots with a floral design and top them off with basic moss balls, which can be reused for future parties. Moss balls will save you time since you won’t to arrange flowers! The moss balls can also serve as décor in your home after the event!

Table Settings:
Any vintage patterned dinnerware will suffice! It does not need to match the table linens or the aprons perfectly. Look at our table! We used over four different patterns but opted to keep the colors of the dinnerware and centerpieces in the same pink palette. Feel free to use anything from your grandmother’s old china, patterned melamine plates or even floral paper plates. It all depends on the time and the mood of the event.

Each guest received their own hot pink galvanized watering can at their place setting, filled with ice and small bright blue bottles of champagne. This allowed guests to keep their champagne chilled on the hot summer day and also served as a party favor!

Paper Candy:
Personalized monogrammed tea bags with each guest’s initials on them were strategically placed at each setting in the teacups. This is a creative way to add a customized touch to the event while doubling as a place card.

We also added a whimsical “Alice in Wonderland” flair to the table by placing playful blue and white menus to the side of each plate. Please see the paper candy section on our website to purchase semi-custom menus and monograms similar to these.”

One of my absolute favorite parties!

Inspired by Fancy Nancy

I am in love with creating theme parties based on beloved children's books...

and was delighted when I found this inspiration board via Terra Bailey Photography

We were recently introduced to the delightful Fancy Nancy book series by my dear

friend, Andrea Rytky. It is nearly impossible not to fall in love with the wonderfully

written and creative adventures of Fancy Nancy.

So as with everything in my life, I look to every new experience as inspiration for a theme party, and after reading the first book (which was a birthday gift from Andrea to my daughter)

I find it hard to resist the urge to add a little more Extravagance to our life and celebrate in a Spectacular way by dolling up and doing a party Fancy Nancy style!!

To transform any plain party into an Exquisite (a fancy name for fancy) Soiree -

I would begin with a big Glamorous invitation..

Then splash a color palette of Fuchsia (a fancy word for pink with a tinge of purple)

to the tablescape and party decor, and add some Scrumptious (a fancy word for delicious)

tasty treats; and Noble (another word for posh) tiaras.

As all the little Fancy Nancy attendees arrive they would be read some of the Fancy

Nancy books; play pin the jewel on the tiara; attend charm school where they learn to

curtsy, to walk with proper posture with books on their heads, to drink with their pinkie fingers lifted and learn some fancy vocabulary and French words.

Next your little guests could be escorted into the Posh Pampering Salon for their

manicures and make-up consisting of coordinating finger nail polish and lip gloss.

Once the girls are all dolled up they are set to enjoy a fancy luncheon and tasty treats!!

Oh, how I love planning parties.

Click here for more your guide to hosting your own Fancy Nancy party; included are reproducible event invitations, costume ideas, story hour props and many more ideas to explore, play and party with Fancy Nancy!