Events

A Hilton Head Island Recap

May 22, 2013 2 Comments

I’m so thrilled to share a little bit of last week’s family vacation with you all today! I think that I’m juuuuust about to the point where looking through these photos of our beach house won’t make me break down into tears (slight exaggeration). As for the details, we again made our dozenth trip to Hilton Head Island this year, staying within the same plantation, going to the same grocery store, eating at the same restaurants and spending time at the same beach club that we always have. I know that some people would find that kind of repetition boring (my husband included, which I suspect is why he stayed behind), but my family and I are creatures of habit and enjoy creating a home-away-from-home feeling – which is exactly what we got.

And speaking of that physical home-away-from-home, welcome to our personal little oasis for those blissful 7 days…

Although we’ve stayed in a handful of HHI homes, this was probably our favorite. Large open spaces, a feeling of separation without a feeling of having too MUCH space, a gorgeous pool and spa overlooking a lagoon and golf course (complete with resident alligator) – It really doesn’t get much better than that…Shout out to Destination Vacations for making this trip such an organized and comfortable success.

Since this post is already too long, I’ll hold off on sharing the spoils of our shopping while on the island. But get excited for a FULL Home Goods recap soon. We don’t have one in our home town, so it’s always a big treat to go in Hilton Head. In fact, we went twice!

Stay tuned.

Filed Under: Events, Food, Life Tagged With: Family, Holiday, Simplify

Behind the Scenes: My BHG photoshoot

April 24, 2013 Leave a Comment

Now, as much as I WANT to, I’m not going to give away all of the details today. My full run down of the day, complete with anecdotes and virtual breathless excitement will all be documented later on, a la this column. But I couldn’t wait to share just a tiny peek into how the day went and just how thankful I am that this moment happened in the first place.

BHG sneak peek

I was surprisingly calm the morning of the photo shoot. It may have helped that I had kicked John out of the house for the day (which he was all too happy to go along with). You know how it can be exceptionally nerve-wracking having your family in the audience? Well that’s how I felt, so it was just me, the dog and the cats roaming around the house that day until the crew arrived.

Speaking of “the crew,” it consisted of a stylist from L.A., Char Hatch Langos, and NY/NJ photographer, John Bessler (plus John’s nephew as assistant). Each was incredibly talented in what they did, both in making the shoot a success, and in helping me to remain cool, calm and collected.

I haven’t said much about WHAT they were actually photographing though, so here’s a rather big hint…

Even though my girlish ankles can be seen perched on that piece of furniture above, the REAL star of the show is our thrifted and refinished dresser. I’m so excited to share this piece with the readers of Better Homes and Gardens, and am so indescribably honored that they chose me and one of my DIYed projects to feature.

This is the stuff of dreams, folks…

More to come soon!!

Filed Under: Blog, Events, Features, Life Tagged With: Art, Blog, Outfits

Pinspiration Monday: My Better Homes and Gardens Photoshoot

April 15, 2013 24 Comments

Yup, you read that right! I’m so excited to announce that my smiling face will be featured in an upcoming issue of Better Homes and Gardens! Definitely a “pinch me!” moment, one that hasn’t really even hit me yet…I’m not going to give away too many details because I so love surprises, but I will tell you that my feature will be published sometime this summer and will show me alongside a project that you’ve seen on my blog in the past. Have fun guessing!

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Spring Cover

So with this incredibly exciting honor comes a full fledged photoshoot! A stylist from LA and a photographer from New York are both flying in at the end of the week and, as I’m sure you can imagine, I’ve been losing sleep at night drafting up my to-do’s before Friday rolls around: mop the floors, vacuum the bedrooms, dust, declutter, prepare an extra room for equipment. And the most important to-do of all?

What the heck am I going to wear?!

I’ve been studying my “Style” Pinterest board with a figurative magnifying glass ever since I heard from the magazine, doing my best to visualize options. Do I try to use what I have? Do I go shopping? Do I have time to pull all of this together?? In the end, I’m succumbing to the fact that I need help…

Mint and Mustard

Obviously my focus is on an outfit that will photograph well (I dread those camera-added extra 10 pounds…) – The BHG editor I’ve been back and forth with let me know from the get-go that pants and form fitted tops were the best bets. As soon as I spotted that outfit above on Pinterest, I felt like it was on the right track. I already own a similar pair of mustard pants that could be a fun pop of color, alongside a simple white button up and mint sweater. It reads “summer” to me without revealing too much skin. (P.S. No, I don’t plan on wearing shades or a bag, but I included them just in case you want to recreate the full look on your own!)

Jeans and Blazer

Another thought was to wear a blazer. Blazers tend to curve in at all the right places, giving your body some shape on camera, and this camel tweed version is a gorgeous execution of that trick. To achieve the same glitzy gold look as the “Pinspiration” image, I added a sparkly gold necklace. A few more gold accessories, skinny jeans and a pair of Madewell polka dot flats that I already own, make this look a definite contender…

Navy and Coral

Inspiration Outfit
Navy Cardigan | Leather Belt | Canvas Tote | Boyfriend Jeans
Floral Pin | Suede/Leather Flats

Here’s a simplified option – Rather than the navy blazer in the inspiration outfit, I chose a tailored navy cardigan with gold buttons that’s cinched in at the waist with a thin leather belt. I adore that pop of coral color at the lapel with a floral brooch, so I tracked down a similar option on Etsy. Nude peep toe flats and a canvas tote finish this springy look.

So. What do YOU think I should wear? I’m hoping that the photo stylist can help weed through my closet and come up with just the thing to make me look like, sayyyyyy, Gwyneth Paltrow in the magazine. Finger’s crossed! ::wink::

Filed Under: Events, Features, Inspired Tagged With: Pinspiration Monday

“Perfect Pairs”: A bridal shower gift basket

March 29, 2013 4 Comments

As you may already know, our good friends Nathan and Ashley are getting hitched! And, with the wedding coming up in May, it was time to celebrate the bride with a special shower just for her. So us women folk gathered this past weekend to do just that, with tasty finger foods, a delicious cake and lovely floral arrangements put together by the enormously talented mother of the bride.

Mady, Ashley’s sister, was the mastermind behind the entire event and she nailed it. I wish I had more photos to share with you, but imagine handmade bunting with the letters for “Miss to Mrs” handpainted on each flag, rustic burlap table runners and springtime raffia with yellow blooms wrapped around the cake. It was perfection and felt SO “Ashley.”

But of course no bridal shower is complete without the gifts and, as I’m sure you could guess, I felt the need to get creative with mine. I really wanted to put together something unique for Ashley and eventually (after a night of tossing and turning to brainstorm) I finally came up with the idea of “Perfect Pairs,” inspired by the most perfect pair of all – Ashley and Nathan!!

The idea was to pick up useful things for the home that naturally went together – Things like a fork and spoon (a salad fork and spoon set), pen and paper (nice pens and a package of note cards) and a chip and dip (I don’t think that one needs explaining!). In order to bring the point home, I put together little tags in InDesign and Photoshop using colors to match the overall theme of the gifts – blue and green. Once printed and cut out, I was able to attach each to their respective pair using Scotch tape.

As for the wrapping, I decided to skip a paper gift bag and went with a utilitarian rubber bucket instead. It actually cost about the same as a large gift bag, but will last through whatever project Ashley puts it to.

The final step was adding one last paper cut out to the front of the bucket that simply read “Perfect Pairs inspired by Ashley & Nathan.” I think Ashley got a kick out of the gift and I hope she and her hubby-to-be enjoy all of their new housewares! We had a blast watching her eyes light up as she unwrapped things like her gorgeous new dishes, Anthropology kitchen utensils, teal Keurig, serving ware and even a stunning gold Kate Spade bracelet. Bridal showers are so much fun…And Ashley deserves every bit of love!

If you want to try this gift idea for your OWN special bride, grab a free printable of the “Perfect Pair” tags by saving the image below to your desktop and printing it on thick cardstock paper. If you would like the front tag, email me at DreamGreenDIY@gmail.com so that I can customize the names for you.

Bridal Shower Gift Printable

P.S. Before I leave you for the weekend, it’s time for a quick “Friday Feature Round Up” – If you happened to miss any of the things I put together for The Glitter Guide or GalTime (my newest freelance contributor gig!) click on through – I made a DIY Gold Sequin Hair Bow (that my tom boy sister pricelessly modeled for me), chatted about incorporating florals into the home for the new season, and gathered my favorite Easter Egg Projects to try out this holiday weekend. Enjoy!

gold hair bow

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Events, Life, Money, Products & Reviews Tagged With: Gardening, Gift Ideas, Simplify, Tips and Tricks, Wedding

“It Started With Yum” Blogging Exchange: Let’s make a pie!

March 22, 2013 2 Comments

Notice a little something different around these parts? Nope, You’re not crazy…DGD has undergone a little facelift in honor of its 2nd blogiversary!!! To celebrate the milestone, I’ll be back this afternoon with stats, talk of the future and a heartfelt thanks for all that you guys have allowed this blog to accomplish in the past 24 months. But first…

It’s that time again! Time for fellow blogger, Jessalyn (of It Started With Yum), and I to get together to exchange our own personal expertise with the other – It’s our little way of expanding our creativity into new realms, AND a good excuse for two friends to meet up and talk shop. In the past, our seasonal exchanges have consisted of shelf styling basics and DIY green cleaning solutions and, later on, DIY Christmas bunting flags made from holiday cards (hers|mine).

Here’s a photo of the two of us back in December because, of course, the one thing we FORGOT to do this particular trip was snap a photo. Before I jump into our collaboration, be sure to open a new tab with Jessalyn’s post explaining the basics of screen printing fabrics – My contribution to this fun blogging exchange of ours.

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When Jessalyn and I began to coordinate this trip (she and her husband live an hour away in Charlottesville, Virginia, thus the “coordination”) I immediately knew what I wanted her help with. I’ve never been much of a baker, preferring kitchen adventures like stir fries and pasta, but it was high time that I learned. My pastry of choice? Pie…

While the thought of pie alone sounds generally fantastic, Jessalyn took things one step further by suggesting strawberry pie. This was a whole new level of excitement. Is it just me, or does strawberry pie sound a bit exotic and unusual? Those little red berries happen to be my all time favorite variety (I eat them like chips, one after the other), so to say I was an enthusiastic student is an understatement – And Jessalyn’s tutorial did not dissapoint.

Jessalyn’s Incredible Strawberry Pie

Pie Crust:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2-1 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup ice-cold water

Whisk together dry ingredients. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender/cutter, working your way around the bowl until the butter is incorporated as pea-sized dots into the dry ingredients – This is a great arm workout, as I discovered! Next, add the ice water slowly in portions, using the pastry blender to work it into the dough. Once it starts to stick together, dust the counter with flour and dump the dough out of the bowl to work. Gently knead it together into a ball, then divide in half with a knife. Wrapping each in plastic wrap, refrigerate for one hour. Keeps in fridge for 1 week; freezer, for longer.

Pie Filling:
6 cups frozen strawberries
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine pie filling ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir together to incorporate. Set the mixture aside and roll out one of the dough rolls, laying it across the bottom of a pie pan. Continue to stir the pie filling as you do this – The frozen fruit will start to thaw, which gives the sugar its chance to dissolve a bit.

Once the dough is laid out in the pan, dump the pie filling into the pan. Roll out the second dough ball and, using a floured rolling pin to transport, roll it out on top of the pan. Then use your fingers to fold the edges of the dough up and over one another, squeezing as you go to seal it. Poke a few holes into the top of the dough using a knife to allow for ventilation.

Place the pie pan on a baking sheet (used to catch overflow) and put it into the oven on a low rack. Bake the pie at 400 degrees for 25 minutes, then lower the heat to 350 degrees and bake for another 45 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool and enjoy!

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Was it tasty? Oh, MY yes. The balsamic vinegar secret ingredient is the little POW that takes this pie from amazing to gone-in-five-minutes finger-lickin-good. Jessalyn sent me home with two pie dough rolls of my own and I ended up baking them right up at 9 pm. last night – All this pie talk has me ravenous, so I think I’m gonna go sneak a slice for breakfast. Don’t judge.

Before I sign off for the morning, here’s that link again so that you can check out Jessalyn’s post, all about how I taught her how to screen print. I was pretty new myself to this inking process, but managed to create something worth sharing AND showing off! Believe me, no one was more surprised than this gal.

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And don’t forget to come back this afternoon for a bonus post in honor of DGD’s 2nd birthday!

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Events, Food, Inspired, Life Tagged With: Blog, Recipe, Tips and Tricks

Peek-a-Boo {February/March 2013}

March 14, 2013 4 Comments

It’s high time we mix things up here on the blog. While I love me some consistency, publishing the same 3 features every Monday/Tuesday/Thursday can burn out even the best of us. Don’t get me wrong, I adore each in their own special way, but I think it’s time to digress just a TINY bit from the interior design talk. It’s time for you guys to get to know ME – You know, the gal who churns out 1,200 home focused words every weekday. One thing I’ve struggled with over the past two years of writing this blog is making sure that I set aside the shop talk for a bit and get real about my life. It may be hard to imagine, but I really DON’T think about DIY projects, painting rooms and rearranging furniture 24/7 – Sure, it’s about 80% of the time, but I do have other interests and priorities. Are you curious?

So in comes a new feature. No, it’s not going to be weekly. No, I’m not getting rid of “Pinspiration Monday,” “One Word” or “All in the details…” This tiny peek-a-boo into my life will only happen about once a month, but I needed a new outlet to share all of the none-house-related stuff with you. The events, the restaurants, the movies, books, coffee dates and (the 1,453,872) pet pictures.

Without further adieu, this is a peek into what our February and March looked like in Instagrams…

Feb Mar 2013

1…Remember my “No Buying Clothes in 2013″ resolution? Well I’m still going strong, although it’s been BEYOND tough with all of the spring fashions coming out to play in my favorite stores. One loophole I interjected was that family gifted ensembles were fair game, so my mom sweetly bought me this gorgeous floral dress perfect for job interviews and a friend’s wedding coming up in May. If I could wear it everyday, I would.

2…Back when I worked at the newspaper, I met a group of wild, crazy, change-your-life-forever girls. It was that kind of instantaneous group friendship where everyone had their own dynamic and it was impossible to stay out of each others’ business. Every day at work, you’d find us huddled around one of our desks gossiping and screeching over someone’s ex boyfriend’s new girlfriend on Facebook. Someone should have turned our lives into a sitcom, it was that ridiculous. But then our department was split up and each of us went our separate ways…One to Charlotte, one to Richmond, another to Texas and one more to New York. Another of us, Heidi, moved back to her hometown in Iowa, leaving myself and Alyssa (the resident Lynchburg-ers) here to miss what was. But over the weekend, Heidi made it back for a much-anticipated visit and we enjoyed a delicious brunch complete with catch up and, of course, gossip. I miss those ladies and our tenacious, powerful friendship…

3…While visiting the Charlotte transplant, Sarah, Alyssa and I enjoyed our very first taste of a macaroon. Admittedly, it’s so NOT what I expected, but I love the unique flavor and that tell-tale artful exterior. More please!

4…Speaking of sweets…That gorgeous little bowl of ice cream is actually a Waller family tradition. John and I are both lactose intolerant, so each week as an after-dinner treat we pick up a carton of dairy free ice cream and enjoy two scoops before bed. He takes his with a touch of chocolate syrup, I take mine with sprinkles and touch MORE chocolate syrup. It’s the perfect way to end the day.

5…This little sneak peek vignette is a little taste of a basement room redo we’re working on. I can’t wait to share details soon, but we’ve essentially transformed the basement into a swanky, white and black movie-watching, video-gaming oasis (I HATE the phrase “Man Cave,” but that’s essentially what it is). I love watching movies and TV with John, but hated the mismatched furniture and lack of design in our finished basement. So we finally flipped it around by Craig’s Listing the old stuff and filling it with fun new pieces. Now we spend almost every evening down there enjoying ice cream (see bullet #4) and an episode of House. Details soon!

So what’s been going on in YOUR life?

Filed Under: Events, Food, Life Tagged With: Family, Peek-a-Boo

All in the details…

February 7, 2013 10 Comments

Source | The Glitter Guide

Almost as soon as I laid eyes on this space (featured on the Glitter Guide yesterday) I knew it had to be mentioned over here. Is it not to die for? The colors are so special and I love the styling on the bookcase. There’s hardly a surface that I’m not infatuated with. Let’s talk DIY-able details…

1…I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on myself lately to really “get” bookshelf styling. I think there’s definitely a fine art to it, and in my opinion it’s a lot harder than it looks to get right. Luckily, I think we can all take a cue from these built-ins. If you look closely, not all of the shelves are filled to the brim with books and accessories. Some cubbies only hold one or two objects, but it looks intentional rather than sparse. It’s time we kicked the old legend to the curb that says “the more the better” when it comes to shelf styling.

2…Aside from the gorgeous reclaimed wood table, I adore the mismatched chairs. The metal seating reads very industrial, but that’s softened both by the faux fur cushions in the seat and by the pop of yellow in the plastic shell end chairs. Mixing and matching dining room seating is very on trend at the moment, and is a simple concept for us to recreate in our own homes.

3…Oh how I wish I could arrange flowers. These seem effortless, but I’m sure they took some thought. The variety of glass vessels makes for one beautiful setting and wouldn’t cost us much to mimic – All it would take is a trip or two to a local thrift store. Even the burlap place mats could be recreated on a dime with a yard or two from the fabric store. This space and event has totally inspired me to host a brunch for my girlfriends one weekend soon…Who else can’t wait until Spring??

What are your favorite details?

For all of my top inspirational spaces, click here.

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Events, Features, Inspired, Interiors Tagged With: All in the details, Art, Holiday, Mid Century, Pins, Simplify, Tips and Tricks, Tour

Girl’s weekend getaway to Winston-Salem

January 9, 2013 2 Comments

I think I owe you guys an apology for all the Instagram photos that I posted over the weekend. Hate to be “that girl,” but I just couldn’t help but overshare our mini getaway to Winston-Salem, NC. The reason for our trip? My sister is a grad student at Wake Forest University and, alas, her winter break has finally come to a close…Time for her to pack up and head back to school – But mom and I weren’t ready to say goodbye yet and decided to invite ourselves along for the ride, turning it into a mini girl’s weekend.

First stop after the two and a half hour ride? Simply Yummy – A simply yummy place to grab some lunch. Mom and I split a delicious panini - We’re talking procuitto, sliced apple, cheese, YUM. Oh and pasta salad too. And coffee…

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Feeling officially revived (I’m not a big fan of long car rides), we set out on foot to tour the local shops in the area. We randomly decided to check out an inconspicuous record store, where I unearthed a clearance Christmas compelation that can only be described as “perfection.” The Carpenters, Judy Garland, Bing, Frank, Barabara - It was worth my $1 and THEN some. But beyond that, the store was jam packed with limited edition records and original movie and band posters. I felt like I was in the ultimate man cave.

After departing from there, we strolled over to a specialty olive oil and vinegar shop – Quite a departure from the records store, that’s for sure. We were able to sample all sorts of delicious oils and vinegars, from butter and tangerine to mushroom and even chocolate! I ended up buying a bottle of lemon olive oil because I absolutely adore any meal with a citrus flavor. My stomach is grumbling just imagining what it will be like to dump fresh chicken and penne pasta over a sizzling pan of my new olive oil…

When my parents moved my sister in at the beginning of the semester, they were able to squeeze in a little exploring. While on said maiden voyage, mom couldn’t help but notice the white building below. It’s no surprise that, with a name like “Nekkid Dave,” she was intrigued, but the windows are hardly inviting or even offered any inkling as to what the store contained. She did a little researching when she got home and was a little taken aback at what she found. Knowing that I would flip head over heels for what turned out to be a super unique home goods store, we made a bee line from the olive oil shop and, as predicted, I fell hard.

So hard, that I barely took any photos I was so distracted. You would have found me running from that big beautiful gallery wall shown above, to a luxurious seating area complete with vintage-inspired couch and animal fur rug. There was a giant, life size horse sculpture made from discarded wood and tables and tables of mirrored trays, dainty bird cages and round pieces of carved wood the size of bowling balls. And then there was the ceiling…

Yeah, those are architectural drawings. On the ceiling. It was incredible and I can’t wait to go back. Although I wanted EVERYTHING and the prices were surprisingly reasonable, my practical sister shooed me away from the register and I left empty-handed. I don’t really need anything at the moment, but I sure wanted something…Maybe next time.

Speaking of those architectural drawings, did I mention that the homes and historic buildings in Winston-Salem are captivating? Check out the hotel/conference center below. My mom is thinking about booking a room NOW for Kat’s graduation in a year and a half. I’m certainly not going to complain if I can come as a guest. I would feel like royalty driving up to this place for the night.

But that wasn’t our only stop to admire building perfection. We also made a point to save room in our day for a tour of the Reynalda house. This sprawling estate was the home of the town’s most influential family back in the day. You’ll have to forgive my lack of explanation as to this particular family because my mind was wrapped so closely around the incredible art collection, that I hardly had time to think about the people who owned it.

Once inside, we toured opulent room after opulent room, pausing to admire the original woodwork, furniture and decor (and, as big fans, imagine for a moment how similar the lifestyle was to an American version of Downton Abbey). They even still had Christmas decor up for us!

Please forgive my iPhone photography…But I had to make a point about this one painting. As you can clearly see, it’s the portrait of a woman, but look closely and you’ll see a second hazy portrait of a young boy beside her. Apparently the boy died and his face was painted out, but how eery that he is still visible through the pigment.

The art history buff in me was doing back flips when we discovered this painting by Martin Johnson Heade. I don’t think it will ever get old to come across paintings in the flesh that we studied back in school so many years ago. It’s like stumbling upon an old friend, as cheesy as that may sound. I know all its secrets…

My sister was more than affronted by the modern art displayed in the house, but I was like a kid in a candy store. I love this stuff. Love it SO much that I was taking photos of it with my phone when I got yelled at by the guard because there was no photography allowed. So sad…But at least I had already snapped a good bit of the home to share here today.

Despite breaking the rules, I couldn’t help but grab a secret shot of the indoor pool and the basement hallway of framed original Vogue covers, circa 1920. Probably my favorite parts of the tour.

Exhausted and hungry from the tour, we eventually made our way dinner (at the Village Tavern) and later to bed. But the next morning we were up and at em again, this time for breakfast at some place I can’t remember downtown, and then a tour of Old Salem and Wake Forest campus.

We had an absolute blast visiting my sister and I’m super jealous of all the history surrounding her. Can’t wait to visit again soon – I miss her like crazy already.

Have you guys ever been to Winston-Salem before? Live nearby? I’d love some recommendations on where to go on our next visit.

Filed Under: Events, Food, Interiors, Life Tagged With: Art, Family, Holiday

Happy New Year!

January 2, 2013 8 Comments

New Year’s Eve…A night for reflection AND anticipation, an evening to celebrate both the past and the future – Not to mention one hell of an excuse to party. This year, John and I decided to host a handful of friends and spent the evening clinking glasses, nibbling on finger foods and chuckling over the sometimes wince-worthy NYE coverage on ABC and NBC.

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(me and my lovely bestie, Alyssa!)

To make sure our guests were occupied into the wee hours of 2013’s first morning, I put out a little spread of goodies complete with cookies, mini ham biscuits and lemon and feta dip. But tasty nibbles weren’t the only things I was concerned with. A good presentation was also pretty high on my list. Luckily, I was able to throw something together using things we already had around the house.

Simple white dishware acted as a foundation, all of which we were gifted for our wedding, and the small pastry stand was a thrift store find that we picked up while collecting china for the reception. The chevron runner is another reuse from the wedding – This may be obvious, but it is SO gratifying to be able to use pieces from our special day long after the event. The memories won’t be waning anytime soon.

And of course no NYE party is complete without champagne! Although I was desperate to find an excuse to pick up a sparkly new brass ice bucket, I was eventually convinced to use the plastic blue one we already had. I’m so glad that I didn’t shell out extra money on a new one though, because the blue color was picked up by the washi wrapped candles, making it feel like it belonged all along.

Speaking of the candles, you probably recognize those from Monday – They burned all through the evening no trouble and brought just a little more pattern and color to the spread. At the last minute, I also brought in one of my DIY Cheers coasters, the ones featured last month on The Everygirl. I was maybe a little TOO giddy to use them on their inspired holiday.

We also set up the bar cart in the living room to spread the cocktail possibilities beyond the kitchen and dining room. My new set of gold-rimmed glassware was the star of the show – At least in my opinion!

Working off a budget of, well…nothing…I was excited to see that a party isn’t impossible. In fact, it’s not even that HARD. A little resourcefulness and using what you have (one of my own New Year’s resolutions), is all you need to make it happen.

Happy New Year!

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Events, Food, Life Tagged With: Holiday, Organization, Tips and Tricks, Tour

One Word: Sparkle

January 1, 2013 1 Comment

Happy New Year!!!! Even though the official festivities and our own little holiday fête last night are over (more on that tomorrow), I just can’t stand to let the sparkle of NYE dim. So today we celebrate all things glittery, shimmery and sparkly and give them just one more day to shine on.