Last spring before Jenea was married her friends threw a shower with the most fun theme, wigs and wine! Each girl picked out a different wig to wear, we enjoyed wine together and then took to the town with the new bright do’s. If you are celebrating Valentine’s Day with girl friends this year it would be an awesome (and easy) last minute idea to pull off.

PS. Another fun girlfriend idea, have a fondue party at home!

I spent the weekend sick in bed with bronchitis. Although it was not what I had planned for the time, I tried to enjoy the incredibly rare chance to rest. I watched the entire first season of Downton Abbey (thanks for the twitter recommendation!) and caught up on a stack of magazines I’ve been meaning to read.

I also updated the inspiration (link) section of the sidebar to more accurately share what I read and love each week. There is now a small list of favorite links from the past week and a button that will take you to a complete page of blogs, magazines and books that I continually love. Check it out and let me know if you see something missing, or something you love that I must get to know.

Photo from my office bookshelves stacked with some of my oldest and most favorite magazine issues.

After plastering the flowers for Valentine’s Day, I became a bit obsessed with the medium and started grabbing random objects from around my home to dip. This simple fruit basket was one of my favorites! I also plastered a couple bows, a cutting board and a paper star but stopped myself before grabbing the television. It was just too easy… mix, dip and pin up to dry.

This weekend I am putting together our Valentine cards, it’s the first year the kids will have a real party! I’ll be sharing what we’ve come up with next week:) Have a happy weekend.

PS. My thoughts on why blogging is a crazy roller coaster ride and thanks so much for your awesome support of the latest issue of Styled. magazine! More exciting magazine updates coming soon.

Excited to announce we are live with Styled. magazine issue number four! It is filled with cozy projects, lots of wood, an indoor picnic (with craft paper fire!), a bright beautiful bridal shower from Italy and a fun graphic collaboration with instructions for how to throw a proper party. Plus, lots of other goodies… including Erin Lochner’s exciting celebration news, in case you hadn’t heard. Click through to see the issue!!!

Just a reminder, all featured stories are now blog posts. Click through the title to find more photos, instructions, downloads and to save/share/pin what you love. Thanks so much for your support of this project!

In the dead of winter it can be hard to find bright inspiration. Celine’s blog is not entirely devoted to celebrations, although she is a kick-ass wedding photographer. It is her everyday life photography that I find inspiring, scrolling her site left me with twenty awesome new party ideas:) Happy Monday!

What are you up to this weekend? I will be busy photographing and selling a basement full of items not useful to the family any longer. Every time I say goodbye to stuff I’ve purchased, especially baby things, it’s equal parts joy (no more clutter!) and sadness to let go. On the plus side, we are having our deep, comfy sofa recovered next week in an avocado green cord and doing lots of small updates to brighten our home for winter. Sometime soon I will give you a proper house tour. In the meantime have a happy winter weekend and I hope you are looking forward to the next issue of Styled. magazine coming out in a couple days (hooray!).

PS. How to throw yourself a pity party (love the “stay off social media” suggestion).

Sneak peak photo from next week’s magazine by a pair of pears one of my fave photo couples.

Thanks to an old Real Simple Magazine issue, I’ve discovered the easiest way to frost a cake… with a comb! I tried it out and it works. Genius idea for last minute parties and homemade goodies.

Tahir Mahmood, a talented Toronto based designer just launched a new line of products debuting at the Interior Design Show later this week. I am in love! The pieces are not only gorgeous but also functional and would make my next dinner party much more special.

The pretty candle holders double as dinner bells and the spinning tops are sold in packs of six, perfect with simple name cards attached as whimsical dinner place markers. Not often do I see such well designed pieces perfect for a party. You must check out the entire gorgeous wood/paint line over at PIMLICO design gallery.

I left the family last week and ran off to Utah for the Altitude Design Summit. For the second year in a row, it did not disappoint! The entire conference was filled with great connecting, reminders of why I love what I do and encouragement to make this space even better for us. I had one of my favorite dinners cooked by Stephanie, sat in on great panels and sponsored by Blurb Books, hosted a party on Friday night.

The party was themed, “what’s your story” to parallel the sponsor’s brand. I hosted a truffle and wine tasting and created a very vintage library feel for the evening. Books, heavy wood bars and hundreds of bulbed lights centered the room. Each of the truffles and wines had their own story to tell and the attendees were given note cards to write in their own stories for sharing.

Although a dimly lite vintage party is not normally my style, it was fun to design a space that allowed for connection and conversation. Above the bar was a light display created with large vintage replica bulbs, wire and thick roping. Neon pops showed up throughout the room in painted vases, cute tape and crafted accents.

The story wall was a favorite feature from the evening. I had a graphic brick wall created and heavy lights strung down throughout it. Each guest had a chance to share their own story with the room. It was fun, after such an inspiring conference, to hear quick bits about the dreams and personal brands of my fellow bloggers.

Photos of the night by Cassidy Tuttle and B.A.D. photography.

PS. If you were at the party, you can grab a photo of your story here.

This is brilliant… pretty dress, clear bag, big bow! A perfect Valentine for your guy.

Photo via Style bubble