Thursday, December 31, 2009

Auld Lang Syne




I used to throw some raucous NYE parties back in the day. I'm lucky to still be celebrating with the girls in these pictures plus more wonderful old and new friends. Happy New Year to you!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Oh. Dear.



(Michelle, will you go with me at midnight again?)

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

SS Tip #16 - Accessorizing Hot Chocolate

Why use a cinnamon stick for flare when you can perch a gingerbread house on your mug?






I love it. Might be a bit of work, but I still love it. Made by Not Martha.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Etsy Artisans at Ogilvie

Today my sister and I made a trip downtown to lunch with some relatives who are sadly not on holiday this week. Of course after lunch we shopped around a bit and on the way home stopped in the new French Market at Ogilvie (what a nice addition to the station - before it was pretty boring downstairs). I was excited to see a booth dedicated to local Etsy Artisans, showcasing some great handmade items for sale. I recommend stopping by to check them out and the handmade soap booth (Abbey Brown) next to it. So delicious!




I wish I took pictures!

SS Tip #15 - Not Your Average Bunting Flags

Can you imagine how outrageous this would be for a bachelorette party? Or surprise party? What about a a little kiddie's birthday party and each flag is a different school picture?! Oh the possibilities. An anniversary party with pictures of the couple over the years?



Bunting flags made with pictures on regular copy paper or cardstock. Hole punched and strung with riboon. Another great idea from Papier Valise.

SS Tip #14 - (Beginner) Felt Projects

My mom bought a few Christmas gifts at Anthropologie and along with the boxes they gave her for wrapping, they threw in some cute felt decorated ribbon.



I thought it was very generous of Anthro to include such a warm gifting accessory (unlike your run of the mill white tissue paper).

Lately I've seen lots of felt projects posted to blogs - many of which my sewing skills are not quite ready to handle. Luckily there are a lot out there that seem simple enough for us to try...



Also inspired by Anthro's wrapping, Urban Nest has great ideas (instructions included!).



Felt shingle tree on Papier Valise. This one is very simple (= no hot glue gunning).

 

These, from Twig and Thistle, were inspired by these magazine page bows from How About Orange. Twig and Thistle did a Five Days of Felt series with some other great ideas for you to peruse.



If you're not feeling crafty, just go to Etsy and type "felt" in the search box. You'll find plenty of wonderful items you won't have to assemble yourself. Like this headband by Pink and Pigtails.

Whatever you do, do NOT go to Martha and search "felt projects." She's got all these crazy ideas that include disappearing ink pens, perimeters and seam allowance. Ick. This is clearly jealousy at its finest.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Now This is What I Had in Mind....

for a winter wonderscape. The feathers, the sparkles....



Found via Style Me Pretty

Friday, December 25, 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

An Adventuresome Project

You're interested in making your own advent calendar (for next year), but need some inspiration....



Made out of matchboxes! So sweet. Made by Sweet Paul.



Stamped muslin bags hung from little hooks. This and other ideas found here.



You won't even believe this.



If the thought of constructing the above suggestions is stressing you out, maybe this is for you. I've seen similar ones at Target and Pier 1.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

SS Tip #13 - Winter Wonderscape

So now it's a little late to be throwing together a Christmas party. Let's wait until after the holiday and make it a winter wonderland. A snowy tablescape might be nice. All white pieces on a berry red tablecloth? Some items to consider....




White birch napkin rings...




A milkglass compote...maybe filled with silver ornaments or red candies...





Know where to sit. Acorn placecards...

Found via Project Wedding.



At every place setting a silver charger.

Target. 4 for $19.99



              Party crackers...could be fun place cards if you hand write your guests name on a little cardstock, holepunch, tie to one end...or just scattered around on the table for merry mess-making...

Pier 1. $14.95



All over the table and light every one.

32 piece candle set, Pottery Barn. $49.00 (easily found elsewhere)




OR make these doily votives and let everyone take one home after the party.

Found via Creature Comforts.



Plates that don't necessarily need to be stored away right after the holiday...

West Elm. Set of 4, $29.99


Don't forget dessert

What about adding a twist to your dessert table and include a hot chocolate and smores bar? Mugs, marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers piled on mini cakestands, peppermint and cinnamon sticks and.......a bottle of Bailey's off to the side?
If you make this happen send me a picture - I couldn't find a single one anywhere.


Friday, December 18, 2009

I'm Dreaming of a Fancy Christmas

Do you sometimes wish you were Rosemary Clooney or Vera Ellen in White Christmas, too? Well maybe we can just copy them instead.




1. Asos Statement Bracelet. $13.60
2. Patent Leather Gloves, Kate Spade. $125
3. Forever 21. $6.80



Danny and Bing almost had it down.




1. Tasha Headband, Nordstrom. $38
2. Respite Drops, Anthropologie. $198
3. Sparkle Dot Scarf, Calypso. $145
4. Kai Turquoise Sequin Headband. $10





Good luck with this one.


3. Your Aunt Ruth's closet.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Shooting for the Stars

The Times Online has named Making it Lovely the 31st best design blog in the world. I'm so glad someone passed MIL along to me in a list of their favorite blogs. Maybe one day The Social Secretary will be on a best of something in the world list? Yes, I think so.

                      

Other great ones on the list :
Oh Joy! (#5!)
Mint (32)
oh, hello friend (30)

You should bookmark this page because it's a great reference for design blogs.

Have You Heard About...








WOW.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

SS Tip #12 - Ornamental Favors

This is such a good idea I had to share it. Printable ornament wrap for a festive favor. They look so cute at place settings, but what about as place cards? Kathleen at Twig and Thistle suggests writing names in fabric pen on the ribbon. These would be great for a Christmas wedding or just a holiday party.



Printable template for $4 at her Etsy Shop here.

SS Tip #11 - Brown Paper Packages Wrapped Up With...Tinsel Tape

Lots of packages to be mailed this week. Sending gifts to a loved one far away? Brown boxes don't look so nice arriving at your doorstep. Cardboard boxes with regular old packaging tape = boring. Cardboard boxes with tinsel tape = fun and exciting!




(He could look happier)
                                                                      Buy at Amazon.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

I. Love. These.

All of them. And all the rest in the store.
Buy them for me or anyone else you know who started making their own gigantic flower pins in or around 2004 (an homage to Carrie Bradshaw. Whatever they were cute). Belts, pins, corsages....


 

             
                                                            
THIS. Especially This.

Drool over and buy here.
Found via Party Perfect.

SS Tip #10 - Think Outside of the Box

Literally.

I'm seeing a lot of alternative gift wrapping ideas this year. I'm a sucker, so I've caught on. I do appreciate the idea, though. Boxes are big time waste so why not package your gift in something that could be reused or is even part of the gift?



This is my Secret Santa gift that I will be giving away today. The tin is so cute I bought 3. There are little snowflake cutouts around the top so I was thinking if you popped a candle in there it could be neat with the light flickering out. $3.99 (reg. $9.99), Michaels.




Fabric gift wrap is a good idea, too. Found here.



In my Secret Santa picture above, you might be able to see a gift tag hanging off the side. This is my favorite seasonal purchase so far (not including the tins). A can of 60 chip board gift tags in all different sizes. The back is plain cardboard, so I have been printing out my own messages, cutting them to fit and gluing them on. $4.99, Target.

Merry & Bright

What is Christmas without the lights? I could tell you since our house has yet to be decorated outside. Luckily, people in Lincolnwood carry out the tradition of going berserk on their front lawns. If it were up to me, our house would look like this:



Probably expensive.

Here is what you might see while driving through Lincolnwood this time of year. Not as many houses as I remember really decorate, but some are still amazing.




A house with tons of crap everywhere.




A reindeer at least 20 feet high



A 3 story Christmas tree. These are always my favorite.



Speaking of Merry & Bright, here is a card I made using GLITTER. First, I printed out my message on a 4.5 x 5 inch folded card. Then I took a ball point glue pen and filled in the ampersand. Dumped on some glitter, and there you have it. I packaged them in groups of 5. See, I'm not a fan of crazy glitter everywhere, but used sparingly it turns out pretty nice.

Monday, December 14, 2009

SS Tip #9 - Paper : Not Just for Invitations

I got an email this morning from Martha Weddings about paper bouquets. If made correctly, they could be a fun unexpected (and budget friendly) touch at a wedding or any event. They also won't wilt afterward so you can keep them forever. After taking a look, I started thinking about other alternative flower ideas like...acorn and feather boutonnieres.



From Martha




Oragami bouquets and bouts....Style Me Pretty.



Random googling brought me here. Madeline's Flowerworks.






Or take the whole bird to the cake. From Style Me Pretty.