DIY Vintage Apothecary Jars - Free Labels

Inspired by vintage apothecary labels, I found these decorative labels designed by

Eat Drink Chic. Simply downloaded and attached them to beautiful colored glass bottles!

Download Free Label Template

Instructions: Print out onto glossy white stock and cut around the edge of the labels. To stick them onto the bottles, use double-sided tape.

These glass bottles were purchased from Ikea, however, you can always find apothecary jars at flea markets, antique and thrift stores.

The bottles can be used for a variety of reasons including flower vases as part of centerpieces.

Ultimate Desert Summer Fiesta

This is the ultimate dessert summer fiesta originally spotted on Design Sponge and compliments the free DIY printables I posted yesterday.

A lot of tissue paper was used for the decor in this styled shoot, including banners, drink stirrers and tissue paper fringe was sewn on at the top and the bottom of the invitations. Not only did carry the theme throughout the event, but it's an inexpensive way to decorate!

To make the overhead decor out of tissue paper, simply fold the tissue paper in half a couple of times and then use scissors to fringe the bottom. Then, using fishing line and thick wooden dowels or poles that have been placed in the ground, hang the tissue paper gently onto the fishing line. Tip: if the ground is hard, you can also get buckets or posts and then fill with dirt/sand and rocks. Hanging the banners from tree to tree also works well.

The signature drink was Mint Mojitos and a simple dessert of Mexican Wedding Cookies

serve as the perfect compliments to this dessert oasis party!

The place card holders doubled as cactus planter favors for the guests to take home. To recreate the place card, simply print out the names of your guests, cut them down to the size you like, sew or stitch on some fringe, then attach to a thick stick with a nail.

Photos and blog post found on and adapted from Our Blog of Love

Head over to their blog to see a list of all the talented designers and stylists

Event Design & Styling by Ashley Meaders of The Flashdance

Free DIY Printable ~ Pre-Wedding Fiesta Invitations

If you are planning a pre-wedding fiesta, whether it's in your backyard, at the beach,

or at a sun-drenched destination resort, here is a free DIY printable invitation template

and matching address labels you can customize for your party!

The invitation design is a fun, fresh color palette of sea foam, emerald and a touch of

tangy yellow, along with design details inspired by traditional Mexican motifs!

There is also a more spicy option, a second version of the invitation in chili red.

Check back tomorrow ~ I will be posting the ultimate Mexican summer fiesta!

Download your free templates HERE

The templates are easy to use, all you need is Adobe Acrobat Reader which you can download for free if you don't already have it.

For the invitation:

Type your wording in the template, print on cards tock and trim using the crop marks as a guide.

For the address labels:

Type your return address in the template, then print on Avery labels #5164 (3 1/3" x 4") 6 labels per sheet.

Photos, DIY templates, and post adapted from The Sweetest Occasion

{Real Party} Vintage Puppy Themed Birthday Party

I love vintage themed parties and fell in love with this Puppy Themed Party I found on

The Sweetest Occasion! Photographer Jeremy Harwell's wife planned and designed the

party in celebration of their daughter's birthday and I absolutely adore all of the handmade vintage-inspired elements. Such a great assortment of buttons, ribbons and pretty patterned fabric! Of course, being the dog lover that I am, I can help but think this would be so

'dog-on' cute for your puppy's birthday too! =)

DIY Colored Vases

World's easiest DIY: Colored Vases via Your Home & Garden Magazine

Materials needed:

*glass jars and bottles

*oil bases emulsion paint

*turpentine

Directions:

1. Take a selection of empty jars and bottles in various sizes and shapes and soak off the labels in warm soapy water.

2. Mix a little leftover oil paint (choose your color) with a dash of turpentine so your paint is of a good pouring consistency.

3. Pour a small amount into your empty jar and swirl around carefully until the paint covers the entire inside surface. Pour away any excess paint.

4. Once the paint is thoroughly dry, use the jar to display cut flowers. Mix different shapes of jars and coordinating colors for the best effect.

5. Have fun!

Affordable DIY Dessert Table

I found this adorable DIY dessert buffet on Amy Atlas' blog which was originally inspired

by Bride Scout. What I love about this dessert buffet is that is was created entirely for

under $40 by using pretty square plates, vases, and a cake stand or 2 that the designer

already had around the house.

She added some colorful patterned paper around the bottom of the plates and around

jars to add color, and printed her own labels off the computer to align with her theme.

Then with a list of the following grocery store items: (1) bag of large marshmellows;

(2) bags of heart shaped chocolates; (2) boxes of sugared doughnuts; (4) boxes of oreo

cakesters; popsicle sticks; some mini yogurt pretzels; mini marshmellows; (6) dollar

store jars as favors; pink mints; mini cupcake mix with frosting and cherries; mini

meringues; heart shaped cookies; and sparkling water.

Total cost: $40.00! This proves that you can indeed create DIY dessert tables that

are affordable, fabulous and creative on a budget!

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.....