Halloween has quickly become one of our favorite holidays of the year! From costumes to pumpkins everything needed for a bright & fun holiday is right here…

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Whipped Cream Fruit Jello Shots

Inside: Whipped cream fruit jello shots Everyday is better with brunching. And nothing makes a brunch better than colorful sweet drinks. Instead of serving a cocktail this summer opt for a festive Jell-O shot! These fruit jello shots may be reminiscent of sorority days, but are now perfectly grown up in their style. The whipped […] More

paper bag party lanterns

With the nights getting darker this last week I’ve been wanting to bring more shine and brightness to our evenings. These colorful paper bag party lanterns that I created in partnership with Elmer’s will bring it. Big time! They are an easy craft to do with the kids during that too early for bed, but […] More

Hard shell fruit dessert

This post is sponsored by Kohl’s. I’m always on the hunt for ways to make our party throwing bright and unique. Dessert was what I was assigned to this past weekend and I found the easiest way to finish off a summer BBQ. A hard-shell chocolate fruit spread! The kids love it, because anything on […] More

5 Tips for Staying Motivated: Crafters, Makers, & DIY’ers

Inside: Tips for Staying Motivated: Crafters, Makers, & DIY’ers Have you ever had that one project (or series of projects) that you just can’t seem to finish? Maybe, because of time, motivation, or lack of energy? I can’t even count the times that my DIY to-do list remains unfished because I cannot find the motivation […] More

Best Vacuum Sealer for Meat: Avoiding Food Spoilage

One of the most effective and modern ways to preserve meat is with the help of the best vacuum sealer for meat. Here are three options for you! More

A Piñata Costume DIY for You & Your Furry Friend

Inside: The cutest Piñata costume for you and your furry friend. It’s the season of sugary treats, spooky parties, and some super cute costumes! I love a good festive party costume like these 17 DIY couples costumes or these adorable DIY costumes for kids. I REALLY love a matching costume duo. The best duo I could […] More

10 Ideas For Edible confetti

Confetti is one of the easiest ways to turn a regular donut, cake, or sweet treat into an instant party food. A donut is just better with edible confetti sprinkled on top! This weekend, before serving up your sweets sprinkle a party on top – no jokes about it. Edible Confetti To make the edible […] More

2 Back To School Lunch Ideas

We are headed back to school this week, which means back to lunch making for us! Instead of getting stuck in the same old routine this year, we are injecting a dose of fun and ease to our school lunch prep. Here are 2 easy lunch ideas for crafting your own lunches that are filled with back-to-school fun. More

Cactus balloon darts

Inside: Cactus balloon darts game! One morning, a few weeks back, I woke up minding my own crafting business when I happened upon it… A cactus balloon! To be specific a stash of cacti inflatable toys. Cactus balloons! Striped and dotted and immediately ready for a party. And I immediately had to get my hands on them […] More

summer berry pavlova stack

Making a gorgeous Pavlova stack is a great way to end a seasonal meal with friends. A light, fluffy meringue mixed with scrumptious summer berries makes for a dessert guests will absolutely adore. August is my favorite time for making this sweet – since berries are at their peak harvest, and I don’t need to […] More

How to make holiday pies awesome!

With the holidays upon us there are so many chances for sharing sweets and treats. Cakes, cookies, and my favorite pies are great to serve guests this time of year. Make someone’s day, bring by a gorgeous pie surprise! Or set out a collection of pies to make your holiday gathering one to remember. With […] More

angel food eyeball cake

With Halloween coming up we are having a blast playing around with a few spooky treats. It is the one time of year that eyeballs, spiders, and other spooky items are found popping up at our house. These angel food eyeball cakes are a great way to get in on the fun. The cakes look like they are […] More

Our Weekend In Carmel

We spent a very long weekend in Carmel, CA last week and it was beautiful. A couple years ago we went and saw so much of the California Coastline which is breathtaking. This trip though we decided to stay a bit more local and didn’t ever get back in our car after we parked it […] More

ruffled cake

I have an extra little goodie for you today. This gorgeous pink ruffle cake created by Melody at My Sweet and Saucy catches my eye every-time I see it, whether at weddings or parties it is a serious show stopper… (Photo via My sweet and Saucy) Ruffle cake recipe: For this re-creatable project, go see […] More

have a merry weekend

Things have really been changing in our town this week. We got caught in a snow storm and the streets around my house have literally turned into a leaf fallen post card. It is such a pretty time of year. I have a huge list of activities to do this weekend to finish off our […] More

Jello mold recipes – pink clouds and raindrops

When skies are grey outside, brighten up with a colorful treat! Get creative with jello mold recipes. These pink jello clouds and little blue rain drops are a fun way to turn winter into spring (at least on your plate). Making homemade jello mold recipes is a cinch. Create any shape you can draw up […] More

Love Bug Valentine Balloons You Can Make For One Dollar!

Inside: The cutest Love Bug Valentine Balloon for your Valentine’s Day party! It’s Valentines Day! I’m running around like crazy today between class parties and all the fun. Every year we bring dollar store balloons to the kid’s school. I honestly cannot think of any way to better spend a buck than on these cute […] More

Mustache sticks

I have been taking on the arduous task of organizing our garage this week. In the process, I’ve found multiple projects that I have yet to share but completely meant to… Like these mustache party sticks. By far one of my most popular party items- I am often receiving emails asking about making them, it’s […] More

25 DIY Valentine’s Day Games for Couples and Parties

Soon enough, the holiday of love will be here again. That’s right, Valentine’s day! And though celebrating is usually reserved for dinner dates and gift-giving, there are other ways you can celebrate too, including playing Valentine’s day games. At A Subtle Revelry, we think Valentine’s is a great excuse to have fun with your significant […] More

Stamped and stitched hearts

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching I hope my latest design for Project Wedding will be your perfect fit. Save the Date magnets that guests will love even after a celebration has come and gone. The sweetest Valentines these would be, stamped with a special sentiment of love and a perfect invite to a party this […] More

Perfect Mini Apple Cakes for Back to School

Inside: Mini Apple cakes. I don’t about you but my kid’s start back to school THIS week! That means we are spending our days re-learning habits, coming up with school lunch ideas, meeting teachers and connecting with parents. But no need to worry, these mini apple cakes make going back to school a little sweeter!  […] More

Pretty Paper Party Balls

I know that my Pinterest boards might tell you differently, but setting up a party at home doesn’t have to be all consuming, or cost the same as a vacation to Hawaii! These paper balls each take about a minute to make, and by using only one piece of scrapbook paper (and 2 staples), they […] More

A Cootie Catcher Perfect for St. Patricks Day

Inside: How to make a cootie catcher You may be asking, “What is a cootie catcher?” Well, let me throw back to grammar school days, we use to love playing with these during recess. We loved feeling like we could predict our future husbands, careers and if the cute new boy would have a crush on us! So to spread that playful luck, I’m going to show you […] More

Why don’t we… trim it in pink

Happy Easter weekend friends. I am signing off to celebrate the holiday, my soon coming birthday, and a festive family vacation. I plan to wake up at the beach all next week. Joy! It is definitely needed after all the craziness that went along with launching our first book. I’ve already reserved a pink rimmed […] More

4th Anniversary Gift Ideas: Traditional, Modern, & Unique

The fourth anniversary is a significant milestone in any relationship. It’s a time to celebrate the love and commitment you’ve shared over the past four years, and to reflect on all that you’ve accomplished together. But what do you get your partner for this special occasion? If you’re stuck for ideas, don’t worry – we’ve […] More

Staircase Revamp With Wallpaper Stair Risers & Large Family Photos

We’ve partnered with Mixbook and added an array of fun details to turn our dingy staircase at home into a bright and fun transition with wallpaper stair risers & the best large print family photos. Staircase Renovation Process When we first purchased our house the staircase was one of the FIRST things we tackled. The house […] More

Tailgating At Home Taco Bar

It’s college football season which means tailgate season is in full force around here. Since we don’t live in our hometown and our friends love so many different teams – we decided to set up a tailgate party at home to watch the best games of the week together More

Social Distancing Approved -Virtual Birthday Party Ideas

Unfortunately we can’t postpone birthdays. But just because we are stuck at home doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate birthdays the best way we know how! We have put together 9 of the best social distancing approved, virtual birthday party ideas to make this year extra special! Hosting a Virtual Birthday Party 1. Host a Virtual […] More

a milestone birthday for mom

My mom is coming to visit this fall right before her 60th birthday. I have a couple ideas to make it a very special birthday trip for her. Have you celebrated a milestone birthday recently? It can be a great chance to go all out for someone you love. Here is some of my favorite […] More

What to Write in a Baby Shower Card (Quotes & Wishes)

Sometimes it can be hard to come up with a suitable baby shower quote or baby shower wish to write in a baby shower card. This article will provide you with some funny, meaningful, and cute baby shower wishes and quotes to help with writing a baby shower card. Read Related Article: Places to Have […] More

Mad lib | Fancy bacon

Starting a new guest series that will showcase a bit of party inspiration mad lib style on Monday’s. Today the inspiration for the series via That kind of woman. A formal fancy bacon party. My love for bacon combined with my love for fancy parties. Yesss. Hoping for a bit of quirk to start our […] More

A Colorful Wall of DIY Painted Plates

Inside: How to hang DIY painted plates on a wall. I love the huge impact these DIY painted plates have on the space, they turned the wall behind my desk from plain jane white to bright and festive – such a great mood booster. Normally a huge work of colorful art costs a fortune, but […] More

How to Make a Sparkly Heart Emoji Costume

Inside: We are showing you how to make a heart emoji Halloween costume. Now that it officially fall! We are kicking off our Halloween fun this year with costumes, pumpkins and all the spooky, but most colorful, ways we love to celebrate this time of year. You can see all of our favorite costumes and […] More

Firework party printables

The 4th of July is this weekend and, amidst the crazy fun of our vacation this week in Las Vegas, I am celebrating the holiday with the help of our own little firework explosion. We are taking the kids to see real fireworks for the first time! And I’m excited to introduce a new friend and […] More

challenge | so fresh and so clean…

Happy Monday! I am thrilled to announce this week we will be hosting the 2nd annual celebration design challenge!!! Hosting one last fall was such a joy- I have asked a few of my favorite celebration bloggers to contribute for another round. The next four days you can expect to see event designs that will […] More

3 Home Office Hacks

We will be sharing the full studio tour later this week! I can’t wait to show you. Working from home has always been a priority to me (even before I had a dedicated studio). The bright and large studio space was one of the specific deciding factors in our home purchase last year and it […] More

A Fox Themed Baby Shower – Perfect for Baby Boy

Inside: A Sly Fox themed baby shower.  A fox baby shower, Sly Little Fox was thrown this weekend with great joy. I just adore Debbie, the mom-to-be. It was a blessing working with her friends and to plan this special evening for her. Baby boy is due in July and his favorite animal is now […] More

Shades of Red Christmas Cookies

Baking Christmas cookies is one of the traditions that can really quickly spin out of control. I know from experience. ;) I start making a batch with the kids, and then I see a cute idea and add that cookie in. Then I remember an old family tradition I decided to make as well. Before […] More

Make April Birthdays Memorable with These Ideas!

Celebrate April birthdays in style with these creative ideas for decorations, food, games, gifts, music and more! Get inspired with our april birthday ideas. More

How to do a Whiskey Tasting Party

Inside: How to do a whiskey tasting We recently had a blind whiskey tasting party and it was one of my favorite parties we’ve ever hosted. Matt runs a local whiskey club where friends get together to taste and try out new bottles every month. So these guys and gals know a thing or two about […] More

why don’t we… stick a spooky face on it

Halloween is in one week! As we finish up our last minute costumes (who else is making an Elsa wig?), the decorations and details have to be easy. A piece of black paper, glue, and various white candles are all that’s needed to make a funky ghoulish candle display. Ten minutes and a front window, […] More

Bunny Cake in a Jar

Easter is one of the holidays that has become a whole lot more fun with little kids in the picture. Eggs, bunny cake, and their crazy joy over the simplest of things makes my heart burst this time of year. My girl and I spent an afternoon in the kitchen this weekend testing and creating […] More

The Kitchen Before & After

I’m so excited to share our final kitchen design today. When we moved into the house a couple months ago the first thing we did was demolish the kitchen. We took the room down to the studs, changed a couple important elements, and reimagined it into a space that is light, bright and perfect for […] More

The prettiest dead flower projects

Inside: What to do with dead flower & roses!  Flowers are pretty when they’re alive, but we cannot deny that there is something so lovely about them when they are dead flowers too. Even when they are dead, they breathe life. They make wonderful additions to any party or gathering, but can also be super […] More

45 Free Script Fonts To Download Now

Confession: I’ve got a major addiction to script fonts. Like, I literally can’t get enough of them! They’re all so pretty and I love that each one is different and unique. So, in celebration of my current font obsession, I’m sharing with you 45 Free Script fonts. I picked out my favorites, some modern script […] More

How to Organize Your Craft Room + Ideas

Inside: How to Organize Your Craft Room + Ideas Chances are that if you have landed here then you are most likely an avid crafter, or are looking to up your crafting game! First, Welcome we are glad you are here. Second, let’s talk about how MESSY crafting really is! I mean, is it just […] More

Why don’t we… celebrate everything

We are prepping for the twins sixth birthday party tomorrow morning (they are going to be six!?!). Having a birthday during the holiday season is always a little crazy. We often end up with Christmas lights in the background, New Years confetti on the table and birthday details everywhere. Sufficient to say this is the […] More

The Cutest Creative Pies Ever!

These pool float pies are simply the cutest and most creative pies ever! They are fun, colorful, and perfect for your next party! You can premake the pieces and have a decorating party, or set up these cuties and impress all your guest! You choose, either way they are sure to put a smile on […] More

Plastic bottle flower vases making

With inspiration sought after, and the invitations sent out- this week we are focusing on what will make your party extra lovely. Adding a little flair, something funky, a special unexpected twist to your party’s decor with these plastic bottle flower vases making. After falling head-over-heels in love with the plastic bottle wreath earlier this week, […] More

Clutch winner + sponsor goodies

I am happy to announce the winner of our clutch giveaway is Jessica, congrats! Thanks so much to everyone who entered. We have had a few other pretty amazing advertisers join us lately with great celebration stashes for you to grab up.  I would just love it if you would pop over to the sidebar […] More

Fun Paper Bag Costume Ideas

Inside: How to make a fun paper bag costume! Buying a pre-made costume for your little monster this Halloween sounds easy, but so are these fun paper bag costumes! The best part? You already have the materials in your kitchen. Grab a paper grocery bag, some scissors and ask your trick-or-treater to help out. Before […] More

miniature disco balls

A handful of miniature disco balls are glitzy accents that will quickly brighten up a wedding and are the perfect project for your New Year’s Eve celebration. Use them to top favors, scatter around the bar, or bunch together and hang for a sparkling centerpiece. Inspired by pricey ornaments I fell in love with this […] More

Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer Review

Quick Overview FEATURES EASE OF USE PRICE CONTROLS SEE ALL VACUUM SEALER REVIEWS CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON The Nesco VS-12 Deluxe Vacuum Sealer truly is a deluxe vacuum sealer, designed to eliminate the flaws and annoyances that come from using smaller, more flimsy, less reliable machines. From the stainless steel finish, to the robust automatically […] More

Cactus fiesta cupcake toppers

The sun has been shinning a little more these days, Cinco de Mayo is just a couple weeks away, and I think it’s time to start planning our outdoor parties. Let’s Fiesta – shall we? It will be easy with these adorable cactus cupcake/muffin toppers. The spunky little faces and easy to assemble printable will […] More

XProject VS-2163 Professional Vacuum Sealer Review

Those who want to cook food once in days can now do that with vacuum sealers. Here is a detailed review of the XProject VS-2163 Professional Vacuum Sealer. More

Sugar Glitter Layer Cake

I’ve always loved the look of glitter on a cake, but purchasing edible glitter always seems a bit above my crafting pay grade. As a result, I started dreaming about making my own. It’s really simple to make, and the glitter can be tinted to any color imaginable. I am so in love with this sugar […] More

at home | clover bracelets

We’ve been spending the warm summer afternoons outdoors and daily making clover bracelets to wear. My daughter and I put together a few extra to bring around to our neighbors this week. Favors for no reason! They were adorned with simple tags saying happy summer. Is clover bracelet making a memory of yours from past […] More

Why don’t we… infuse a lemon drop cocktail

Have you ever tried a lemon drop cocktail? I had one last week with an added touch of floral water. It was fabulous! My favorite new drink, for sure, and a great option to serve at a party. The lemon drop cocktail is refreshing in itself, and it tastes even better when mixed with floral […] More

the healthiest cake

This raw cashew cake made by Sarah looks amazing! It would also be a very healthy way to celebrate this summer. Do you ever worry about the health of your party food? I tend to be a believer that festive times deserve indulgent treats, but this cake looks so good it might be a perfect […] More

color dyed wheat wreath

This fall we are warming up our mantel with a bright, festive wreath made with color dyed wheat. It’s a little bit fraggle rock, a little bit country, loads of fun, and a festive way to welcome guests into our home. The process of bright color dying allows this wheat to work great for welcoming in trick-or-treaters and […] More

The Holiday Issue

I am so happy to share the Holiday issue of A Subtle Revelry magazine with you today. It is filled with subtle ideas, creative DIY projects, and the most wonderful cast of inspiring thoughts! It is my hope that the magazine will inspire you to amazingly crafted revelries this holiday season. This issue looks starkly […] More

challenge | winter craft party

* Welcome to the winter celebration challenge, so fresh and so clean, where four designers have styled handcrafted party scenes to compete for a readers choice award + one incredible grand prize. This is stylist number two, do you think she should win? Vote and tell me why (you can vote for as many parties […] More

Fabric backdrop frame- a tutorial

From the fall inspired apple celebration this morning, a tutorial for easy (and cheap!) to make fabric party backdrops. A pretty way to liven up a table and it can be created for under $20. Chris is here to share with us the tutorial for this piece… Fabric party backdrop The materials: 3 lengths of […] More

17 Genius Ways to Make Slime For Parties

Inside: Ways to make slime that will get the party started. The slime trend is so real right now! And I totally get I especially for parties. Slime is easy to make, so much fun to play with, and relatively inexpensive as far as entertainment goes. And while I’d like to pretend that it’s just […] More

Festive Halloween Banner + Free Bat Template

Inside: Festive Halloween Banner + Free Bat Template Grab your pumpkins and hand over the witches’ broom, it’s spooky season! These little pom pom bats are ready to take flight to spread all the Halloween feels. We love decorating and celebrating every season and holiday, one of our favorites being Halloween. It’s so fun to […] More

Cranberry Margarita 3 Easy Ways

‘Tis the season of festive drinks, and nothing looks more in keeping with the season than Cranberry Margaritas! The festive feel of this drink makes it look great at any holiday table, and the sweet + tart kick is a refreshing addition this time of year. More

How to Host A Clothing Swap

Starting the year off I’m always aching to fix my closet situation a little. Adding in more pieces without spending a fortune can be a challenge. However, shopping my friends closets is completely free! Every year we get together to have a clothing swap party. It is loads of fun and a perfect way to calm the […] More

Great DIY Summer Beauty Ideas

Summer is nearly here, and with it will hopefully come lots of lovely sunshine. The sun can be great for our skin, and everyone wants to get out in the sun for a while to get a nice, natural color. But you can have too much of a good thing. We have some great summertime […] More

negative print garland

Making lettered garland is one of the simplest ways to decorate for a party. I decided to turn the trend inside out and make an alphabet’s worth of negative print garland. The impact is more substantial then regular lettered garland alone and I love the bright burst it brings to a simple white space. Just […] More

Fun and Festive Monster Games for Kids

Inside: Fun and Festive Monster Games for Kids, like Monster Pinatas!  It’s all fun and games till the Monsters want to play! Sometimes the kids and I have different ideas of celebrating. I plan a fall filled with leaves, homemade costumes, and simple pumpkins – they want shiny costumes from the shelf, spider webs, and […] More

Pink Christmas Mantel & DIY Balloon Hanging

We’ve been using our pink fireplace as a jumping off place for holiday decorating this year. I think the pink Halloween mantel has been my favorite so far, until this! Christmas is coming in all it’s pink sparkly shimmer. We created a festive tied balloon ceiling hanging that is very fun and it brings a […] More

Easter Egg Crafts That Will Impress Your MIL

Inside: Fun and festive plastic Easter egg crafts and fun Easter egg filler ideas! Easter is such a fun holiday to celebrate in the spring. The Easter egg itself is a symbol of new life, and we like to think of them as tiny clean slates or blank canvases to be made into something beautiful […] More

leaves four ways

I am still smitten by fall. I know the design world is quickly moving on to winter, but my afternoons have been spent walking down the streets of my neighborhood collecting the most gorgeous leaves and I sort of wish I could stay in this season forever! I threw a DIY touch into my most […] More

Bright embroidered favor boxes

No matter the event, bright strips of confetti and sweet cookies will thrill any guest. Pile them together in small craft boxes for the perfect party favors. Hand embroider the boxtops for a final special touch. These can be personalized in hundreds of ways; a birthday number for your next childrens party, a monogram or […] More

felt watermelon cake toppers

In the middle of summer, I eat a diet filled with watermelon. The fruit is so wonderfully refreshing and an icon of the fabulous, laid back days of summer. If you don’t want to go all out and make an actual watermelon cake, or a cake that looks like a watermelon, then these toppers are […] More

Firecracker Balloons

Celebrating the 4th of July doesn’t have to be all read, white and blue. Taking cues from our favorite colors we’ve decided to recreate the look of a fun firework show… with balloons! The long bursts of color will be a welcome addition to any Independence Day party. The firecracker balloons can be hung from […] More

Pinwheels & pearls design (part 2 of 3)

Our pinwheel party was a hit! It was a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day while incorporating some springtime fun. I always love to see contrast in design, I am drawn to it. From initial concept I knew this party would need to be held outdoors. I love the varied composition of a gated pinwheel […] More

Cheese Candles

Did you know you can make candles out of cheese! Eeeeek. I was pondering a conversation with a friend who suggested savory food would be more loved than sweet food this year. Which is crazy, because of… cake! But the conversation got me thinking about how we could celebrate a birthday for a friend who […] More

post-it note ornament giveaway

I had so much fun making my stash of Post-it Note ornaments last week. See the full tutorial for these bright, whimsical additions to our tree right here. I quickly placed them on one of our trees and they’ve been bringing festive fun into the space all week long. I am so pleased to have […] More

Wild Animal Pencil Toppers

Topping back to school pencils in style is a great way to get everyone excited for all the writing and school work ahead. Inspired by the fun loving animals of the upcoming animated film, The Wild Life, we created a few wild and spunky animal pencil toppers of our own, including one of our favorites […] More

Friday dreaming, dress up

After a fabulous day of shooting a holiday play date at the beach (sneak peak soon). I am off to enjoy a cozy dress up weekend with my family. Do you dress up for Halloween? (Photo by The light Fantastic) Enjoy your weekend dressed up or not and I’ll see you Monday for the launch […] More

Cakes & Cuts: Bows

It is almost time to jump fully into the holiday season. We’ve ordered our cards, stacked up on wrapping ideas, and found the perfect bows to go with it all. It is a great time of year to settle in and focus on the details. Like bows! The right bow can make or break a […] More

typography cake

The only thing better better than a birthday cake, is a birthday cake that can talk! Why not surprise the guest of honor at your next party with this creative typography birthday cake? It clearly expresses why you are celebrating, in a fun and festive way. These cakes are perfect for the slew of graduation and birthdays coming this month. […] More

7 Party Games for Teens

Get the laughter flowing at a party by playing some simple games. Party games don’t have to be reserved just for parties only.  They can be played at family gatherings and at home with a few friends! It can be tricky convincing your teenagers that it’s ‘cool’ putting down their phones to play a game […] More

Graduation Sticker Balloon Decorations

Inside: Graduation balloon decoration We are in the final countdown to summer starting and like all the other school moms, I’m knee-deep in graduations, performances, and end of year activities. No complaining here though – I love reliving the awesomeness of field day. Whoever invented that idea should get everything! Instead of bringing flowers to all these […] More

DIY Fuzzy Sandals + Me Time

To combat this I’ve started taking little moments to create just for myself and to enjoy something sweet without feeling overwhelmed by all the things. Creating just for the fun of it can also get lost in the midst of a business like this and one of my goals this year was to bring crafting […] More

Cakes with bows

How desperately do I love a crazy easy cake that also look amazing! Slaving over something for hours just isn’t my jive. But putting gumballs, paper stars, (or today bows!) on a cake and calling it a day – now that’s a baking style I can get behind. No need for anything else on these […] More

Reindeer Party Balloons

Tis’ the season for whimsy and colorful fun! These reindeer balloons are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit as we jump into December this week. For holiday parties at work, at home, or at school the balloons (and fun reindeer party blowers below) signal to all your guests that you are ready […] More

What’s In My Soccer-Mom Bag

This post is sponsored by Allegra and SheKnows Media. With school starting back up and our sports seasons picking up again, I am sadly turning in my beach bag and my travel bag to pick up my soccer mom bag again. The change from summer season to back to school season has the starkest contrast […] More

A Festive Home For 2023!

One of my big goals this year is a huge house renovation. We’ve finally decided to put down roots here in Reno. After looking for a home for what seems like forever, we finally found one. My favorite house ever. Finding and getting this house has been such a crazy experience. We have been offering on […] More

Handcrafted Parties- Fair Day

Today’s handcrafted party feature was sent in by Anneliese who threw an incredibly adorable fair day party for two little girls who happen to share the same birthday. The party was filled with many lovely features including a very sweet candy bar! You can find the tablecloth tutorial here, which would be great to adapt […] More

RSVP to the party!

Sign up for our mailing list right here & be ready to recieve a really fun gift in your inbox early next week. Consider this your RSVP to the future of A Subtle Revelry. Your invite to my party. Subscribe to our mailing list I’m taking a crazy deep breath this week preparing for a […] More

Leather Tassel Bookmarks + My Favorite Summer Books

Summer reading is an obvious favorite. Picking up a great book while headed out for vacation means our time away will be that much sweeter. Before signing off for the long holiday weekend I thought I’d share a few favorite books perfect for a summer vacation away, or a Saturday to lounge around dreaming about […] More

summer dinner on the lawn

We hosted a dinner party on the front lawn last week and I am hooked! It was such a fun night and wonderful to greet our neighbors in this relaxed and festive way. We brought out every chair we owned and set up tables throughout the lawn with linen draped in a completely relaxed way. Everyone brought sides […] More

Summer outdoor party tips + TIKI torch giveaway

This post is sponsored by TIKI brand. I love getting outside for parties this time of year. We enjoy hosting BBQ’s out back and cocktail parties on the deck. One of my favorite ways to host lately though has been at the park! I know it sounds crazy, but here in Reno we have such […] More

money balloons

Around this time of year I sometimes start to feel a bit like an ATM. Between weddings, graduations, birthday parties, and end of the year events – it seems I am giving out a lot of… cash. To indulge my creative side, while still allowing the graduate to get whatever he really needs (gas!) I’ve […] More

Citrus Inspired Easter Fruit Eggs

Inside: Easter eggs inspired by our favorite Easter fruit ideas! Nothing beats the taste of peaches, lemons, limes, and watermelon this time of year. Watching our baskets begin to fill with the new crop of farm fresh fruit is a glorious part of spring. Why not take that bright bounty to our Easter fruit eggs as well? […] More

Creative Save The Date Ideas – Car Magnets

As a newly engaged bride years ago, I remember scouring the magazines looking for creative Save the Date ideas. I was excited to find something that would set the mood for our day and also be a little more whimsical than the more formal wedding invites. Now it’s so easy – you can find hundreds […] More

Anchors Aweigh Pinata

Anchors aweigh… It’s almost summer! I am feeling very excited and inspired for our warm season ahead. These paper anchor pinatas are a great way to kick off the festivities. Plus, if your house is anything like mine there is a lot of candy leftover from yesterday. Instead of slowly eating it all yourself – […] More

The Tastiest Twinkie Creme Cake

Inside: The tastiest twinkie creme cake recipe. Creme Cakes have a wonderful nostalgic taste to me. I remember the treats as a kid, but as a parent, they aren’t the first treat I would reach for. They just seem so wildly unhealthy, even for a treat. Until now! I’ve partnered with Otis Spunkmeyer to try […] More

Recreate | spring vases

Considering my crazy love of chalkboard paint and the leftovers I have after this project, this project and also this one. I was smitten to stumble upon these sweet spring vases. I’m thinking they will be the perfect way to say “Thank you” for attending, at my next spring party. To recreate: Save a handful […] More

The Best Gifts For Lady Bosses – The Christmas 2023 Gift Guide

Today’s fabulous finds are handpicked for all of the leading ladies of our lives. The lady bosses out there who are hustling and working hard. The gals we look up to whether they are our own bosses, dear friends who are putting it all on the line, or mentors who inspire us daily. More

Halloween Pictionary: Fun for The Whole Family This Year

It’s hard to believe it, but Halloween is just around the corner already. This year we have to look at holidays and celebrations a little differently because of the pandemic. With many people choosing to skip Trick or Treating this time, it’s a good idea to think of some different ideas for family time at […] More

Churro Donuts Made Dreamy Using Pate A Choux Recipe

Churro Donuts, enough said!!! No, but seriously, we took this favorite treat and made it into an even better treat. It’s like all your favorites in one place. Crispy cinnamon sugary outside with a soft pate a choux recipe inside and creamy vanilla whipped cream sandwiched in between. We originally wanted to fill the donuts […] More

Celebrating February Birthdays: Ideas, Gifts, and More!

Celebrate February birthdays in style with these creative february birthday ideas! Get party, food & drink, gift, and budgeting tips to make the day special. More

48 Fun DIY Projects To Make Today

Inside: 48 Fun DIY Projects Just in case you haven’t heard, I really like to make stuff. For me, there’s so much joy in creating. And it really doesn’t even matter what kind of project it is, I love the whole process of being inspired, finding something I want to make, and figuring out how […] More

Printable Journal Pages – Customize Your Own Templates in 2022!

What is a bullet journal anyway? Why does it have a fancy name? When you Google “bullet journal” online, you will be met with an assortment of beautifully decorated printable journal pages. While it’s definitely fun to make your bullet journal template easy on the eyes, it’s not the main purpose of a bullet journal. […] More

Why Having The Best Outdoor Furniture Is Better Than Getting A Rose

We all love watching the roses being given every season, but let me tell you… Finding the best outdoor furniture for your space will feel even better than getting a rose from Arie, and let’s be honest it will also last a whole lot longer. I can all but guarantee that. ;) The weather is […] More

Monthly Goals For Personal Growth

As we head into 2022, it’s time to start thinking about your aspirations for the coming year. Here at A Subtle Revelry, we think one of the best ways to start moving toward new achievements and success is by setting monthly goals. Monthly goals help you to focus on multiple areas of life at the […] More

best week ever | chicken wire

I’ve had a blast playing with chicken wire this week and I am not the only one. It’s becoming quite the trend. I love this pumpkin made from chicken wire and twine. It would look awesome painted in bright colors and stuffed with candy for Halloween. Click through the pages for more of my favorites, […] More

Handling Back-to-School: 7 Tips for Busy Parents

Back to school is a time that evokes feelings of great excitement as well as trepidation for many parents and children alike. There are numerous ways to ensure that the whole family is prepared for all eventualities that the new semester may hold. Be Prepared Having a calendar in the child’s room or family living […] More

moss trim cake and bunny heads

With all the sweet colors of Easter, sometimes a bold bunny head is just what’s needed to offset the pastel storm of the season. This moss trim Easter cake with moss bunny head cake toppers will quickly become a conversation worthy centerpiece at any spring gathering. The graphic shape of the bunnies popping up give […] More

Guess That Baby! Shower Game

It’s baby shower season and I’m always on the hunt for fun shower games that get everyone included and don’t involve smelling something gross from a diaper. This balloon guessing game is an easy way to get all the guests laughing and having fun. Guess that baby! How many of your friends could you guess […] More

merrymaking 6.8.2012

I’ve been on a vintage design kick this week. The fresh inspiration of the past just blows me away. Isn’t this photo circa 1940 so much fun!?! This retro kid party is fabulous as well, I love the simple, festive details included. It has been a great week for me getting distracted by the generations […] More

Group Love Christmas Cards

When the family is far away for the holidays, connecting with cards is such a great way to make everyone’s day a little brighter. This Christmas card idea for groups is perfect for connecting from far away. You can get the entire family involved, having everyone send a card to make the final Christmas tree. Or you […] More

Festive Fringe Crepe Paper Streamer Ideas

One of the things I love about pinatas is how pretty their fringe is. So why not bring that same gorgeousness onto the walls and other party decor. The same simple steps can be used to create soft, fluffy strands of garlands. Aren’t they delightful? The gorgeous texture of these crepe paper streamer ideas in their […] More

Fringe Birthday Cake

Making fringe seems to have become a weekly necessity in my house. Fringe can come in a lot of different forms, but this version of a colorful fondant fringe birthday cake may be my favorite form yet! It is festive, bright, and a great way to add celebratory whim – no matter the occasion. To make this […] More

Chefman Electric Vacuum Sealer Review

This review of the Chefman Electric Vacuum Sealer is here to hopefully narrow down your choices and make your selection that much easier. More

Colorful DIY Origami Fairy Lights

Inside: DIY origami fairy lights These origami fairy lights give the most festive vibe to any home or party space. We originally made them hang over the deck for our last party, but I loved the look so much I decided to bring them inside afterward. Adding simple details that make our home feel festive […] More

challenge | cakes and cute shoes

Cakes and cute shoes, a party design styled by Jen Campbell of Green Wedding Shoes. I’ve always loved Jen’s design eye, the weddings she showcases are often my absolute favorites. Imagine how thrilled I was to learn that she herself is embarking on a styling career. If this scene is a preview I believe it […] More

wooden and gold candles

I love the graphic touch these candle bring into a room. They are easy to make and will quickly help not just the warmth, but also the romance in your home. A perfect use for old candles you might have stored away! Don’t you think a package of four small ones would make the perfect […] More

silhouette photo props

Photo props are a great addition for adding simple fun to a party. These silhouette ones I designed for the kids site, Hello Bee, are just spooky enough to find a place into this fall’s festivities. The twins adored them, running around playing crocodile and fox for hours with their friends. Find the printable PDF here […] More

Garden flower stake tutorial

Earlier today I shared with you Susan’s lovely garden party. One of my favorite handcrafted features was the handmade flower stake, filled with the most lovely simple bouquet stuck in the ground. Susan has been so sweet to share the tutorial for these stakes. Make your own garden flower stakes: These would be lovely placed […] More

Pumpkin pie pops

There are 157 different activities that I am expected to bring treats to over the coming weeks. Something about this season makes every gathering from PFA meetings to play dates desperate for something sweet to be included. No complaints here! Keep the treats fun, easy and creative with these pumpkin pie pops. Miniature pumpkin pies […] More

Fiesta party ideas

This post is sponsored by ConAgra RO*TEL. This coming season is my favorite time of the year for throwing a party. I know I might say that every season, but you know how much I love to celebrate — and I truly mean it each time I say it! Between my birthday, Matt’s birthday, about […] More

Article Furniture Review – Our Bedroom Reading Nook

I shared last week the progress of the small bathroom in our master. Today I’m excited to show you what’s on the other side of that wall, along with my honest Article furniture review. Our master bedroom, which you’ve seen a piece of before right here, is undergoing a pretty significant transformation as well and I’m […] More

We Are Hiring

We are hiring! The last number of positions I’ve needed to hire locally, but these two options you can live anywhere for. Which is awesome. YAY! Our team is quickly growing and we are excited to add in a few new team members who love revelry and fun. If you fit the description  for one of […] More

32 Creative Birthday Party Ideas

Today is a big birthday. My husband and I actually share a birthday (No, literally: we were born in the same hospital on the same day. Nursery mates = love and fate, and all the gushy birthday talk). While we take the day off to celebrate, I wanted to share with you my favorite 32 creative birthday […] More

Recreate project, dollie vases

thesI am completely smitten with dollies this season. I used them to make a hand stitched runner HERE and an adorable cake topper you will see soon. (photos by Jonas Peterson via 100layercake) This may be the simplest idea to incorporate them I have seen yet- wrap a few around clear bottles & tie with […] More

The easiest DIY cake stand

Inside: How to make a DIY wedding cake stand This is one of those projects that after it is done, I think to myself – I’m opening an Etsy shop and selling these for the rest of my life… Then we thought about how much they would be to ship… Oye. Although heavy, these concrete cake stands […] More

party in | Washington, D.C.

Ah, our nation’s capitol. What better place to throw a party than the historic city that still has cobble stone streets, colorful buildings and blossoms beautifully in the spring? And don’t think you only have to do a patriotic theme. There are lots of shops that will help you create the fun bash you’re hoping […] More

how to teach dinner party manners to kids

With fall coming fast upon us, our schedules have become more and more filled with birthday parties, dinners, evening gatherings, and a myriad of other table activities all necessitating that my three year olds act like they know how to behave in public situations. Thankfully, we’ve actually worked quite a bit on honing the kids party manners […] More

Christmas Bingo Printable For Large Groups & Small

Tis the season of Christmas party games and these free printable Christmas bingo games (download below) will be your ticket to the most fun party yet. Playing bingo is obviously great for large groups making it a party game that everyone loves all season long. Playing Christmas bingo games at parties Playing Christmas bingo at […] More

DIY Luggage Tag Template + My Secret Packing Trick

Summer travel season is a upon us and Matt and I have big plans! We have a trip to Scotland in the works for late summer and a couple quick weekend jaunts in between. We created this fun DIY luggage tag template and a pretty leather backed holder for it that will make all our […] More

Mom In The Mix – Cereal Yogurt Pops

Getting in the mix of things with the kids when baking, crafting and taking photos isn’t always easy. As a blogger I tend to focus on the styling of a photo or the composition of it more than my concern to be in it. It’s easy for me to focus on the final result of a recipe […] More

birthday cake halloween costume

Halloween was never my favorite holiday… until I had kids. Now it has become one of the most fun holidays of the year! I mean – dressing up, getting candy, saying hello to 3,000 strangers. It is a 4-year-old’s greatest dream. To encourage the festivities, but not the spook, we are making one big ole’ […] More

25 FREE tattoo fonts for your next ink session

Inside: 25 tattoo fonts that are perfect for your next ink session Want to get some cute new ink but don’t know where to start? I found 25 fonts that are perfect for that next tattoo. If you want more fonts than the ones below, we recommend The Super Gorgeous Fonts Bundle. or sign up […] More

How to make a fake tattoo with sharpie

Inside: How to make a fake homemade temporary tattoo with sharpie.  St.Patrick’s Day always tends to catch me off guard. I wake up incessantly searching for something green. This year I have all I need to miss out on the pinching with the use of a sharpie and these festive Saint Patrick’s Day temporary tattoos. Here is […] More

Make In A Day: Modern Wreaths Book Release

Our third book hit the stands today and I’m thrilled to share a little more about the book today! It is the same series as our second book and was equally fun to create. Make In A Day: Modern Wreaths is filled with page after page of easy & fun wreath ideas. Here’s what I […] More

How to Play the Selfie Hot Potato Game

Last time we had a group of friends over, we played this new party game and it was such a hit! Pretty sure it will become my go-to for all showers, parties etc from here on out. The game is a version of the hot potato game, but so much more fun because it includes […] More

aged cloth message for mom

Mother’s Day can be a difficult to plan when there is distance between you and mom. Here is an easy idea that you can whip up this weekend to send her way. A sweet message that will last. Instead of a card, print your words of adoration on a pretty linen tablecloth. If words are […] More

The Cutest Mini Christmas Cakes Ever!

When it comes to cake, mini cakes are all the better! That’s why these mini Christmas cakes are the cutest and most delicious little holiday treats ever! See how we created these mini cakes using our favorite cake recipe and the fun festive candles! When we turned 30 I made a pretty large match display to […] More

a moving party

The day we loaded our moving truck in San Diego we held a little last minute party. A play date for the kids with cardboard boxes, duct tape and a 26 foot moving truck. Having a party with kids the day you move is awesome because everything they could get into is nicely packed away. […] More

my list – the best summer projects

Summer is basically here!!! It’s time to bust out the bug spray and host friends all season long. Whether I’m traveling or at home, the summer season is such a great time for crafting and trying out new projects. I always have a summer hit list filled with projects I want to tackle, and this […] More

St Patricks Day Accessories – 6 Easy Ideas

Inside: The cutest St. Patricks Day accessories! St. Patties Day is coming up and we’ve crafted up 6 St Patricks Day accessories just for the occasion. Each of these rainbow & shamrock clad pieces is easy to craft and a great way to ensure no pinching will happen to you! As much as I love […] More

escape for brunch on the beach

Sitting at the beach on vacation last week was incredibly refreshing for me. I realize how much we each need an escape every now and then. This brunch at the beach was designed to encourage us to celebrate summer escapes; whether this means a grand vacation, or just a couple quiet minutes to make homemade muffins and […] More

Glitter trim gift boxes

When it comes to giving gifts to co-workers, packaging is the most important element. Any simple and thoughtful gift will suffice to make your friendly office gift swap, but with the presents sitting on desks all day long – the wrapping is what will set your package apart. Whether you are gifting for co-workers or […] More

Emoji party cake

Does your cake speak emoji? It definitely should. This emoji party cake is an explosion of digital expressions brought to life. It has ALL THE FEELINGS and would be a hoot for a birthday or any type of party. Whether you are throwing a full on emoji party (wouldn't that be a blast!?!), or just [...]

french fries, frozen custard & champagne

Do you ever get a party idea in your head and it just won’t go away? I was sitting around with some girlfriends a few months ago and craving that sweet + salt taste. Because I’m a girl, and that happens. I blurted out… “wouldn’t it be perfect to have a french fry and ice […] More

How to make hair bows out of ribbon without sewing

Inside: How to make hair bows out of ribbon without sewing Of all the things that spring necessitates – strands of bright ribbons are at the tippy top of my list! From wrapping up picnic blankets to tying up flowers for mom. A strand of fun colorful ribbon is exactly what the latest spring party, […] More

Churro Ice Cream Recipe 3 Ways With Mix-Ins

It’s getting hot outside, spring was fleeting and summer feels like it’s already here on the West Coast! What’s the best way to stay cool? Ice cream!!! You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream. But let’s celebrate and make this ice cream a fiesta, with Churro Ice Cream! We’ve created a churro […] More

How to make a paper boat hat tutorial with free template

Inside: How to make a paper boat hat tutorial with template Instead of handing out a regular cone-shaped party hat for a recent fairytale book inspired birthday bash, I thought it would a fun DIY to make these paper boat hats for all our bookworm guest! Now, these fun party hats don’t have to be used just for […] More

Printable Pie Box

There is not much better than a simple box of pie this time of year. When wrapped in these free printable pie boxes it is too much to resist. Whip up a batch as last minute Thanksgiving favors, or save the printables for a future party, since pie is awesome no matter the time of […] More

colorful party garland and paper trees

Nothing beats a festive strand of party bunting. No matter what the holiday is… colorful bunting is always the right answer! Bunting, combined with a simple scene of white tress and peppermint striped straws, makes for a holiday centerpiece reminiscent of the north pole. This little set up will bring a festive touch to your […] More

3 ways to brighten up a side table

This post is sponsored by Target. When I think through the ways to brighten up a room – a big bowl of ice cream seems about the best idea around! I mean, who could argue with that?!?!?!? Having the right side table can make all the difference when preparing a space for a party, or […] More

My Favorite Framed Cities + Tie-dye Bunt Cakes

Having just moved and firmly decided to put down roots here in grand ol’ Reno, NV – I’ve been thinking a lot about the many places I’ve lived and the cities my family has loved along the way. To brighten up a corner of the new house, and to showcase all the cities we adore, […] More

Unique Gift Basket Ideas for Women to Show Your Appreciation

Show your appreciation with these unique gift basket ideas for women. From personalized gifts to home decor and DIY ideas, find the perfect gift for her! More

Graphic painted party balloons

I am so excited to share these fun balloons. Do you know you can make any average party balloon spectacular with just paint!?! A couple of years ago, I created a fun these fun two-tone balloons. They were a favorite of mine, but I’ve always wanted to add a bit more of a graphic punch to them. […] More

DIY PVC Pipe Photo Booth Backdrop

Inside: DIY PVC pipe photo booth backdrop perfect for a quinceanera party backdrop. This bright parasol DIY PVC backdrop is great for backyard birthdays and showers this spring. Providing a beautiful pop of color behind a focal table or a vibrant place to snap photos of your guests. The PVC pipe photo booth base can be […] More

Chinese yoyo

Chinese yoyos are a really fun idea for parties and weddings. They are basically a very long piece of paper attached to a stick, when you shake them out they make a beautiful display. Confetti minus the mess! I designed a version using receipt paper and a printer that allows for custom designs. They’re a great solution […] More

Beautiful Mini Flower Bouquets – Perfect Spring Gift

Inside: Mini flower bouquet that are perfect May Day flowers. Tis’ the season for gifting flowers. Mother’s Day is coming up, the end of the school year is almost here, and May Day is next week. May! One of my favorite traditions is to sit down with the kids every spring and make a list of who […] More

Crocheted cake hearts

Happy Monday! I am beyond thrilled to announce this week that I am now one of the contributors for Project Wedding– a site filled with wedding inspiration, real weddings and fabulous DIY projects. I will be contributing a few handcrafted wedding projects each month and my first one was recently posted, a crocheted heart cake […] More

How to Make a Unicorn Horn – Simple Hat Anyone Can Make!

One of the most popular parties I’ve posted was Carly’s adorable unicorn party. Unsurprisingly, unicorn horn was the center of attention.  All the kids adorned these simple and pretty unicorn hats that were a huge hit! I’ve gotten so many requests for a tutorial on how to make them and here it is. Your little […] More

Crazy Peep Milkshakes

I’m a big fan of sweets for Easter. In the past, we’ve done cakes, pies, ice cream and cinnamon rolls. This year I’m jumping into the fun and totally ridiculous milkshake craze. Did you see these amazing ones or this animal cracker version? I anticipate that crazy milkshakes are destined to be the newest sweet […] More

PB&J Sandwich Cake

What’s better than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? A peanut butter and jelly sandwich cake, of course! That’s right — we’ve taken the smooth, gooey, creaminess of peanut butter recreated as frosting, along with thick, gelatinous, sweet jelly, and spread them between two pieces of sweet cake to create the ultimate peanut butter and jelly […] More

Disco Ball Headband

With holiday parties and New Years Eve almost here, why wait for the disco ball to come to you? With this disco ball headband you can be one the one bringing the sparkle to the party! Wear it and watch the room light up when you walk in. Even if bling and dazzle are not […] More

Easy DIY Plates for the Holidays

These easy DIY plates are the perfect way to celebrate family during the holidays! We used fun family photos and bright pops of color for our plates. My family loved to see all our fun family memories! Add a little more personal flair to your festive table with these colorful decorations. We love hosting and […] More

Bathroom Remodel Plans + Inspiration

We have not one, but TWO bathrooms under renovation this fall! The first bathroom we did, (see it right here) was the easiest of our bathrooms to renovate. We chose to keep the bathtub, sink and toilet all in place and we just swapped out pieces making the renovation more aesthetic than anything. Replacing the […] More

a closet filled with balloons

If you ever find yourself stuck at the last minute with a birthday need. Fill up 20 balloons and stack them in the honorees closet. Attach a paper note on the outside sealing the door and stand back to watch with a smile as they open up to an explosion of balloons. We filled a […] More

Winter Wonderland Cake – Perfect for a snowy party!

Inside: The cutest winter wonderland cake for any snowy celebration like a winter wonderland cake birthday!  Today is our first real winter storm. Not a pretty dusting, but an all out I’m sliding around the road kind of storm. It seems appropriate considering the day, to share with you my new favorite holiday cake. A […] More

make an organized craft area for kids

Making an organized and fun area for your kids to craft in is really easy with a few simple projects. In this last series of Pledge videos one of the projects I worked on was making a simple corner of the living room fun and functional for the kids budding work of art. We used […] More

The coolest cooler in town

It’s official… I’m on an ice cream – cool sweets – so excited it is finally summer – kick this week. The weather is warm and our cooler is open for the season. To update our current (not so awesome) cooler, which is that basic white-on-white-everyone’s-got-one type of cooler, I decided to paint it and […] More

FoodSaver B016C4KK20 GameSaver Vacuum Sealer Review

Quick Overview FEATURES EASE OF USE PRICE CONTROLS SEE ALL VACUUM SEALER REVIEWS CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON One of the great pleasures of hunting and fishing is the satisfaction of providing food to your friends and family. However, every catch needs to be quickly processed and portioned, so that it can be enjoyed at the […] More

Embroidered Kicks

Spring always makes me skip a little more often. There’s just something in the air this time of year and our kicks should feel the spring love too. We’ve been obsessed with embroidering shoes and created this line up of white kicks that have been embroidered with faux flowers & pretty thread. The shoes just SCREAM […] More

10 Fun Things To Do In Austin Texas

I’ve had such a great time in Texas the past couple weeks. When I was thinking about the post I wanted to write for our time, I decided on one all about the fun things to do in Austin Texas, because this city is just freaken fun! Austin is by far one of the most […] More

A holiday at the beach

Happy Monday! Have you noticed the Christmas goodies being pulled out everywhere this weekend? I am officially jumping into the celebrate before Thanksgiving crowd and am thrilled to share with you this first glimpse of the holiday by the beach play date that I styled last week. It was a magical morning of snack eating […] More

custom picnic tray

* Welcome to the winter celebration challenge, so fresh and so clean! This DIY project belongs to Courtney’s key to my heart design. Courtney designed this party DIY to create a sweet spot for picnicking goodies, an easy project I would like to remember as the weather begins to warm up. To create your own […] More

Kool-Aid Hair Dye: How to Temporarily Dye Your Hair

Kool-Aid hair dyeing uses unsweetened powdered Kool-Aid to dye hair in different colors, and it’s a good alternative to using expensive hair dyes. Dyeing your hair at home with Kool-Aid is inexpensive, and in most cases, it’s highly efficient on both light and dark-colored hair. Kool-Aid hair dyeing is semi-permanent, depending on your hair’s color, […] More

Confetti & Coconut Birthday Cake

Creating a birthday party out of bright, colorful, simple ideas is the best way to do it. Hanging huge circle garland confetti and devouring a tasty coconut birthday cake make for a party scene that will thrill any birthday girl. Summer is almost here, and I am so excited! I love to slow down and […] More

Free Printable Thank You Tags

Inside: Free printable thank you tags template and cards for teachers Stickered thank you boxes are my newest obsession for saying a simple spring thanks! I love how the bright and simple text turns any small box into a wrapped gift of thankfulness. Stash a spa gift card in one for mom, or a perfect […] More

Orange marmalade cookies + ice cream sandwiches

We don’t go to see very many movies… between tickets, popcorn and potty breaks it just rarely seems worth it to our family. But, with holiday break coming up I often look for something good to see this time of year. Have you heard that they’re bringing a childhood favorite Paddington Bear to the big […] More

Tackling a Smelly Dishwasher: Causes, Cleaning Tips, and Prevention

Eliminate odors from your dishwasher with these easy tips! Learn the causes of a smelly dishwasher, how to clean it, and prevent future odors. More

Recreate recipe, mason jar lighting

Handcrafted celebrations seem to be popping up everywhere these days- it is quite refreshing. Whenever I find pieces that I adore I flag them to attempt making someday. However my folder for future projects is overflowing with months of work- oops;) Instead, I am sharing a new series entitled recreate recipes, where I share just […] More

Vegetable dyed tablecloths

I had a width of fabric and an afternoon to be creative with the kids before having friends over for dinner. We had just been to the local farmer’s market and came home overflowing with the late summer vegetable harvest. It seemed the perfect time to try our hand at natural vegetable dying. We used a mixture of beets […] More

Turkey Rosettes

We are hosting Thanksgiving this year. Matt is the chef in our family so I end up with a bit of extra time on my hands to drink wine, I mean…. set the table. ;) These little turkey rosettes are a fun way to mark places and decorate the dinning room. The crafting steps are easy enough […] More

Planning the Perfect May Birthday Party: Ideas, Food, and More!

Celebrate the special day with creative may birthday ideas! From party planning to food and drinks, entertainment, gifts, and budgeting tips – we’ve got you covered. More

ten year anniversary

In May we took a quick trip to San Francisco to attend a ten year vow renewal. We had a blast celebrating with our dear friends and they incorporated the sweetest ideas. I thought you might want to see… More

Can You Vacuum Seal Bread: Food Storage 101

Vacuum sealing your bread is not as easy as other food. This is why you may wonder "Can you vacuum seal bread?" Here is the answer in detail! More

three palette cake stand

In an effort to reduce and reuse before we moved, I made this three tiered wooden stand for our moving party to hold the cake and treats. It was an easy project and looked bright and pretty. I would love to make a whole slew of them in different sizes for an entire dessert bar […] More

How to Make DIY Confetti

Inside: How to Make DIY Confetti When it comes to throwing a party yeah cake, gifts, and decor are important. But nothing says “let’s celebrate” like tossing around some colorful confetti. From holiday get-togethers to big birthday bashes this DIY confetti is the perfect way to celebrate.   What You Need for DIY Confetti For […] More

Glitter Tassel Animal Ornaments

Everything about Christmas should make us smile, including the tree! Craft up a few ‘party animal’ ornaments to quickly get into a joyful and festive mood. They easily lift a hurried holiday mood with every passing glance and would be great toppers for presents as well. Here’s how to make your own tasseled animal ornament: […] More

Brushstroke balloons

There are a million (okay at least 25) fun ways to update balloons for parties that will easily make your day feel thoughtful and special. I believe best ideas are often the simplest – polka dots, decals, and paint, to name a few. These brushstroke balloons are just about as easy as it gets. Simple […] More

5 Tips For Navigating Holiday Parties While Sick

A sparkly hat, tinsel shawl and sparkle clad glasses will make of us feel festive no matter what they are fighting!

What are things you do to enjoy the holidays no matter what? It’s about time to start the parties so let’s cheers to good health and lots of sparkle this season. More

Discover the Benefits of Using Essential Oil Air Fresheners!

Learn how to make your own essential oil air freshener and discover the benefits of using this natural, eco-friendly way to freshen up any room! More

Fun and Festive Straw Craft

Inside: The cutest straw craft, a fun triangle paper garland.  Am I the only one who has a substantial stash of pretty paper straws in my party closet? I’m just going to assume you do too! We all do. ;) Here is a super easy way to have those straws brighten an upcoming party, even […] More

weekend revelries | stars and stripes

Happy independence weekend to all my USA friends and readers. Streamers and twinkling lights in my new backyard will be setting the stage for our red, white and blue celebration. I am hoping for a bit of BBQ, a movie outside and some bright evening lights. Do you plan to watch fireworks? PS. A few […] More

Pumpkin Cake Recipe – Mini-Pumpkin Patch

Trick or treat, is it a pumpkin or is it a cake? It’s not a trick! It’s the best of both, it’s a pumpkin cake! Once before we baked a cake inside a pumpkin, but this entire pumpkin is actually a cake. Even better. :) Make this pumpkin cake this season to create a new […] More

How To Play Safeway Monopoly

Inside: How to play Safeway Monopoly game. This post has been sponsored by Safeway. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Making the everyday moments into fun spurts of revelry is exactly what I need when grocery shopping in the middle of winter. Safeway’s MONOPOLY Collect & Win game – collect tickets for the win […] More

The Cutest Mini Bunny Pie Boxes

Inside: The cutest cotton bunny mini pie boxes As a part of my national ambassadorship with Marie Callender’s, I am excited to be sharing three fresh pie decorating ideas for spring. With Easter coming quick, brunch season beginning this weekend, and Mother’s Day not far off – there is always a reason to serve up a […] More

Best Commercial Vacuum Sealer of 2021: Complete Reviews with Comparisons

Some kitchen vacuum sealers are a bit flimsy, quickly overheating and not designed for sustained use. For people who often use a vacuum sealer, whether it’s to preserve fresh fish and game, enjoy sous-vide cooking, or meal prep for a family, a commercial vacuum sealer may be a better choice. These machines are larger, more durable, […] More

handmade gifts for the house

Gifts for the home are great to give since they always fit everyone perfectly. When gifts for the home are both handmade and well designed… well, my Christmas list is basically done. :) I am happy to be partnering with one of my favorite shops Baba Souk to share a few gift picks that are […] More

minature cakes and assembly

Gold is the new black, and mini is the new cupcake! Served on a festive coaster this is a decadent cake to call your own. Dressed to the nines and topped with a shear mini lime green pom-pom. Make the pom-poms by holding two fingers together. Wrap the tulle around five times and cut. Carefully […] More

Glitter butterfly cake toppers

Having pretty cake toppers this time of year is down right necessary. I mean, on life’s list of things you need this week… a pretty way to top our cakes with butterfly cake toppers should be ranking up there. :) With Mother’s Day coming, bridal/baby shower season in full swing and birthday brunches filling my […] More

Homemade Valentine Decorations: 50+ Ideas for 2022

When it comes to expressing love, store-bought décor can’t hold a candle to DIY Valentine’s decorations. This makes Valentine’s day the perfect opportunity to put your crafting skills to the test. Fortunately, we have some DIY Valentine’s Day decorations that are not only super simple but also easy on the pocket. Searching for new ways […] More

Leftover pie cocktail

Left over Starburst cutouts make great drink toppers! And speaking of leftovers, do you ever wonder how to make holiday pies awesome? After the party if there are a few pieces of fruit, pumpkin, berry or key lime pie left, a simple solution is to make a leftover pie cocktail. A pie martini! Place about […] More

How To Make A Balloon Window At Home

Ever since purchasing our house I have been excited to create a balloon window and the bay window in the studio is just a perfect spot to fill with balloons! The best thing is that this type of balloon window looks just as fun from the inside as it does the outside – it is […] More

Hot Chocolate Cake

We’re dipping our toes into fall and it’s almost time to start enjoying all your cozy cold weather favorites. One of mine is a super sweet cup of hot chocolate with tons of marshmallows, whipped cream and sprinkles. But, since it’s still a little too warm for hot chocolate, at least here in the Southwest, […] More

Celery Stamped Art Prints

Continuing the veggie stamping experiments this week, I’ve traded in long lengths of wrapping paper for simple poster boards to make these fun art prints for home. There’s a lot said these days about creating cheap art, and with the entire supply list for this project being a poster board, a celery stalk and paint – […] More

ghosts and snails

Ghosts, crows, snails and balloons make up this festive Halloween bridal shoot. It was shot on location the same day I styled the kids ghost town Halloween, leaving us with one location and two very different looks:) Visiting a ghost town this time of year is the perfect excuse for a little real life spook. […] More

crafted gift guide | to give the Mr.

Unique gifts presented with joy will elate your Mr. during this holiday season. Especially when you let him know how much you thought of him while crafting his perfect present:) More

Using Mantras For Work/Life Balance

The new year always prompts me to re-evaluate everything. Throw out the sofa, change the wall color, and update my schedule. This year I have been thinking more than ever about the balance between work and home. When you start a business as a passion project and it turns into a full time job, there is […] More

peppermint lemon sticks

While researching small town summer fairs (we plan to visit one this year), I came across a description for these peppermint lemon sticks. Have you ever had one? They are amazing! To make them you simply cut off the top 1/3 of a lemon and insert a peppermint stick. As you suck, the stick hallows […] More

why don’t we… count down the days

Advent starts this weekend! Counting down the days of Christmas season is one of my favorite events of the year. It’s not just the day of, but these couple weeks before that seem so filled with revelry and magic. Whether we are planning family activities (here are 50 of my favorite!), writing secret Advent notes […] More

Ice Cream Sundae Tacos

What’s better than a taco this time of year? A taco made with ice cream. Always! This ice cream sundae taco is such a fun sweet treat for spring. Layering a waffle as the taco shell, with ice cream as the filling and topping the dessert taco with whip cream as a stand in for sour cream […] More

10 blogging apps that are more tempting than a cinnamon roll

There’s not much I love more than a cinnamon roll, but great blogging apps definitely hit that list! We spent Christmas break visiting with our family and enjoying our annual tradition of eating cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. Also over break I had an awesome jam session with my brother and sister-in-law who are both wonderfully […] More

13 Monster Crafts You Can Make In An Hour

Monsters are a whimsical way to incorporate some silly and spooky fun into your Halloween celebration. And what better way to do it than to craft up some of your own creations? These 13 Monster Crafts are sure to bring smiles and shrieks! Now, before we start thinking making monster crafts is just for kids, […] More

why don’t we… light a pumpkin party lantern

Carving pumpkins doesn’t have to be all spook. Pull out the seeds and get your pumpkins party ready by turning them into lanterns! Hung from the trees, set on the stoop, or carried through the neighborhood… I love the idea of a pumpkin lantern for lighting the night in pretty fall style. Why don’t we make […] More

Big Star Kids Birthday Hat

Treat your little birthday girl like the star she is with this simple and bright felt star party hat. We are continuing the creative party hat series today with a hat that includes pint size pom-poms and a big dose of whimsy! A hat that will definitely be the shinning top to any child’s birthday. To make […] More

reason to celebrate | an SNL pancake party

A hilarious satire on our field from Saturday Night Live for your Monday. Happy long weekend! blessings. More

Star studded balloons and sangria floats

The Oscars are coming up this weekend. Do you watch? I find it’s always more fun to watch with friends. Pulling together a last minute viewing party can be easy with a couple simple details – an easy party appetizer (like soft pretzels) to nervously eat while awaiting the envelopes, sticker star balloons to liven […] More

Best Kids Birthday Party Places – 27 Off The Wall Ideas

Inside: The best kids birthday party places! Every kid wants their birthday party to be an extraordinary experience! One that’ll be more fun than they could possibly imagine and will leave their friends talking about how awesome it was for weeks. And let’s be honest, you don’t REALLY want 30 five-year-olds ransacking your house. ;) […] More

Fun Birthday Party Ideas For Teens

Inside: Birthday party ideas for teens.  Welcome to the teens. What a wild time in life, all I can think about is Britney Spears “Not a girl, not yet a women” circa 2001. Ha! These teens would probably just roll their eyes at me for that reference. And these teen boys, who even knows what’s […] More

Waffle Cookie Bite Sandwiches with Nutella® Hazelnut Spread

During the cozy winter months, having a sweet treat is the best way to instantly warm us all up. Taking cues from that, we will create gorgeous waffle cookie bite sandwiches with Nutella®. They are everything we love about our favorite breakfast in cookie sizes and layered with the goodness of Nutella®. It is a winter treat you won’t want to miss. More

The Best Gifts For Besties – The 2023 Christmas Gift Guide

Next up in the 2017 Christmas gift guide is a list of favorite presents for all our besties! I am so obsessed with all of the gifts on this list. Think I’ll go ahead and check a few of these off my own list because who says you can’t do a little Christmas shopping for yourself?! More

Bright & Funky Bunny Balloons

Our latest Balloon Time project is live and it’s all about the bunnies! I found these really fun looking bunny balloons right here that are a bright dose of revelry for an Easter party. We used paint to really bring the bunnies to life for a funky modern take on beloved spring animal. We brought in […] More

recreate | paper flag bunting

This beautiful tutorial for paper flag bunting, designed Jennie Prince, is so simple it could be made this afternoon. All it requires is a few cuts of paper, clothes pins and a line. A marvelous solution to remind us that everyday is worth a celebration. Photography by Odessa May Society, thanks for the great blog […] More

Circle Habit Tracker Printable – Making Habit Tracking Fun in 2022!

Habits graduate to becoming part of your routine through repetition. Sounds easy, right? The hard part is not doing the habit but making sure you stay on track and continue doing it every day. With so many things to keep track of (adulting sucks), your habit might be the last thing on your mind. With […] More

love shower piñata valentine

A piñata Valentine now that’s a treat! I love receiving sweet treats anyway I can, but placed inside a stitched up cloud piñata might be my favorite way ever to receive a handful of goodies. Make these Valentine shower piñatas in miniature form, give out and win the best card in class. Or make them […] More

25 Fresh Free Fonts for 2023

A new year is just around the corner. I am so looking forward to 2019! There’s something about a clean slate, a fresh start that just draws me in. I can’t wait to share with you all of the fun things we have planned for the year ahead, so in celebration, I’m showing you my […] More

giveaway | apron and tote

Update: This contest is closed congrats to Cynthia and Chelsea for winning our apron prizes! This week’s giveaway from sponsor Main Street-Store is for a cupcake apron or tote. Two lucky winners will get their choice. A great win for this cookie baking, gift toting time of year. I’d love for you to visit Main […] More

Fika, a coffee celebration

This weekend I picked up the book Handmade Living by Lotta Jansdotter, recommended through Holly. Although I do not normally do this, I bought the book. On every page I found the most gorgeous inspiration, like this daily coffee celebration… Fika is a Swedish tradition of breaking from your daily routine to have coffee with […] More

13th Birthday Party Ideas For The Cool Mom

Inside:13th birthday party ideas.  Turning 13 is a BIG deal! Going from kid to teenager is enough to make any parent giddy and a little nostalgic at the same time. Planning the party should be fun and giving your upcoming teenager a fun event that feels 100% of them is easier than you may think. […] More

Making a Guest Room Work Anywhere at Home

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of CORT. All opinions are 100% mine. With the holidays approaching, we’re getting ready for a whole lot of hosting. I don’t know about you, but we absolutely love getting together with family and friends for a meal, celebration, weekend, or extended stay throughout the […] More

face front gift wrapping

There are presents that call for ruffles and lace, and presents that call for fun and games. For the later we’ve designed these fun face package faces to lend a nod of whimsy for birthday gifts this year. They will make your gift memorable, no matter what is inside. I love how each little package […] More

A Yummy Vegan Chickpea Salad

Inside: Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Vegan Since we are diving quickly into brunch season having a go-to salad is a perfect way to always make the table look awesome. This toasted chickpea salad has quickly become a standby for every brunch and dinner party we host. The flavors meld wonderfully together and even though it’s easy to […] More

10 wreaths for fall

Wreaths are one of the simplest ways to dress up a space for any occasion. Traditionally, they are made from Evergreen branches and symbolize strength and unity. If you need a quick decoration to welcome guests at your front door, then these easy wreath tutorials are perfect. Read Article: Holly Wreath The yarn ball wreath […] More

chalkboard birthday cake & candy chalk

The end of August has always made me feel like school should be starting again (no matter how old I get). I begin to feel nostalgic about all those years of backpack carrying I had. This chalkboard cake is a perfect solution for my classroom desire. A fun way to start the “school year,” whether […] More

Make Your Own American Flag Pie

There’s not much more American, or more loved by me, than pie. Pies are simple to bake, easy to bring along to BBQ’s, and everyone (I mean EVERYONE!) seems to love them. Do you know anyone who doesn’t love a good pie? Making an American flag pie is is fun way to celebrate all that is […] More

Potato Print

Making prints from vegetables always comes out great – we created these favorite celery art prints and these carrot ones that I’m so glad you loved. For a quick house art update this summer we decided to try our hands at printing with potatoes. The softness of a potato allows it to be easily carved […] More

Abstract painted pumpkins

Colorful pumpkins > than orange ones An equation that is just a fact of life. These abstract painted pumpkins make me so happy! They are bold, beautiful and a great way to make this Halloween the brightest one yet. Whether pumpkins are stacked on the porch, set as an arrangement on the table, or given out as […] More

The Best Guessing Games to Play at Your Next Party

Guessing games are a great way to liven up any party or get-together. They can be played with large groups of people or just a few close friends. And they’re perfect for all ages – from young kids to adults. But what makes guessing games so much fun? Part of it is the suspense and […] More

the best apps for revelry

I thank technology everyday for making it easier to put on parties! Want to organize a seating chart for 300? Need to know how much wine to buy for your dinner party of 8? There is literally an app for anything a hostess might need. Here are my top 10 apps for revelry, no matter what […] More

Christmas Sheet Cakes As Colorful Gingerbread Houses

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! With sugar plum fairies, holiday parties, and joy all around this Christmas sheet cake fits right in! Be the sparkle to all your holiday parties by making this adorable and festive Gingerbread house cake made by cutting up a gingerbread sheet cake – watch as I show […] More

Custom Wrapping Paper for Dad

I saw the best idea the other day! When it comes to Father’s Day we always like to go sweet and silly with our gifts. A gift to match the guy. Well, my friends at Zazzle reminded me of this crazy awesome idea they came up with using their custom wrapping paper. The custom wrapping paper […] More

Pomegranate Fruit Cookies

This post was sponsored by Country Crock®. All opinions are my own. We have been having so much fun with all the different creations that can be made with the Country Crock® Make It Yours™ cookie recipe. Since I love to gift cookies this time of year, creating a mix-in of fruity pomegranate seeds is […] More

Why don’t we… bake with bright frosting colors

Is anyone else struggling to get back into the groove this week? We had such a busy holiday season and a wonderful break. This week it’s been a little hard to jump back into life. To cheer up, I am planning on baking a batch of cupcakes with bright frosting colors all over them this […] More

Our Dining Room Revamp

I’m excited to share our dining space with you today, which could also easily be entitled, “Why you shouldn’t pick design ideas solely from Pinterest”! Let me explain… When we moved into the house we gutted the entire space and laid my favorite wide pine plank flooring throughout the house. These were the floors of […] More

marbled paper garland

Everywhere I look I see marbling! Countertops, prints, scarves, leather pouches, bags, and pillowcases have all joined the trend. If I could marble my entire house from floor to ceiling, I might just do it! However, I don’t have the budget (or a willing husband) that would allow those changes. So, a pretty garland will […] More

A festive DIY Candelabra for you next birthday bash!

Inside: We are showing you how to make a DIY candelabra. Some birthdays just seem like they need more. More candles, more brightness, more party. This DIY candelabra is perfect for such an occasion. Fill it with 60 candles like we did for a huge milestone birthday and watch your guest of honor light up […] More

THE BEST GIFTS FOR EVERYONE – THE 2023 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

This year we are focusing on revelry and fun in our gift giving. Because everyone should bust out a HUGE smile when they open your presents this year. And let me tell you, these gifts are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face. This first list is the perfect list for white elephant, stocking stuffers and all the important people, More

DIY Emoji Ornaments

Bring your favorite emojis to life… on the tree with these  Big DIY Emoji ornaments! Using clear ball ornaments and a bit of paint creates the best little faces for adorning Christmas in every mood imaginable. I loved all the feelings this emoji feeling cake felt, and now to create all the feelings on a tree […] More

30+ DIY Time Capsule Ideas for You to Give Out to the Future!

Have you ever thought about making a time capsule? It’s basically a Time Travel Treasure Hunt. You store up several different objects and very securely hide them somewhere for people 20-50-100 years in the future to see. Here are some time capsule ideas to give the future the best gifts possible. As a warning, don’t […] More

Odosketch

Have you seen the new Odosketch? It is a free site where you can try your hand at sketching using a very pretty color palette. The sketched files can be saved to be embed and used online. When you draw, each brush stroke is saved independently, making for cute animated films. You could also save […] More

18 Genius DIY School Supplies

DIY school supplies that are functional and pretty will make going back to school so much easier this year. You could always buy those colorful back to school supplies, but it’s so much more fun to make them. Don’t you agree? Can you believe it’s back to school season already?! It feels like summer just […] More

printable summer wrapping paper

Even though there is pretty amazing summer gift wrapping ideas online, I was aching to do something original for a special gift I had to wrap this week. I was thrilled when Sibylle agreed to design a bright and festive printable for us to use. Whether you love popsicles, watermelon or fresh stripes – this […] More

Herb Infused Spring Birthday Cakes

Inside: These Rosemary olive oil cakes are the best Spring brunch birthday cakes recipe. It’s finally warm enough to pot our spring herbs. Last year I fell in love with the taste of herbs and sweets together. Rosemary ice cream… Thyme cookies… and now I am so excited about this rosemary olive oil cake. Why […] More

printable doggie bags

Feasting season is upon us and with it my desire for easy comfort meals that can serve a crowd. Whether I am dishing up dinner for a huge holiday gathering or serving up a small weeknight group of friends – finding quick ways to please the crowd is at the top of my priority list. […] More

Umbrella beach place cards

With wedding season here and showers galore to plan this year (so many showers!). I’ve been putting together a number of place card ideas. I’m always on the hunt for simple and fun ideas that won’t take forever to pull together for a large party. These sweet umbrellas are the best! A great place card idea […] More

9 DIY Teen Room Decor Ideas With Funky Energy

Being a teen is all about fun, energy, and style! Now that it is turning chilly outside we are getting ready to update our favorite tween/teen rooms with these colorful and bright DIY teen room decor ideas. Since teens spend a lot of time in their rooms doing homework, chatting on the phone, and hanging […] More

reason to celebrate amidst a tragedy

I, like many of you, have been burdened this week by the ongoing tragedy in Japan. It is difficult to see trials so great in our world. It has been encouraging over the past few days to hear survivor stories begin to trickle in. To hear of restaurant owners opening up shop to freely feed […] More

office confetti + letterpress giveaway

Update: Happenstance has been randomly chosen as our winner. Thanks for commenting everyone! I was looking for a way to spruce up our birthday labels and was just giddy when I stumbled upon these colorful brads in the office section at Target. Punch through paper in a random pattern and they look just like confetti. […] More

What Is Your Pot-of-Gold

Happy Friday & Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want in life these days and how it can be so different than what anyone else might want. My gold at the end of the rainbow looks suspiciously like a clean house, rested kids and good friends to toast with. […] More

The Cutest Heart Garland DIY for Valentines!

Inside: We have created the cutest heart valentines day garland diy!  The only thing better than bright confetti garland is a garland with an added dimension to it. Don’t you agree? With its simple heart shapes and pretty colors, this heart valentines day garland diy has it all. An easy project to bring a detail of […] More

merrymaking 8.20.2012

Happy Friday. We’ve been celebrating the marriage of my little brother this week and I am in the best mood! Something about weddings just makes every moment seem so special. Plus, the fire-flys here in New York are amazing. We are headed into the big city this weekend (YAY!). Before we take off, I wanted […] More

hosting a champagne bar

I designed a classic champagne bar to give substance to our Ralph Lauren inspired spring wedding inspiration. It was a fabulously fun play on the icon’s favorite of bar selections. If you are looking for an affordable way to include drinks this spring, consider a champagne bar. A few simple ingredients per glass will treat […] More

25 Boyfriend Quotes For Valentines Day Letter Boards

Have you ever loved someone so much, but you just can’t find the right words to tell them just what they mean to you? Girl, don’t worry we got your back! We have come up 25 of the best boyfriend quotes to show them exactly how much you care. More

Thanksgiving with Roland Bello

I haven’t been talking much about Thanksgiving, perhaps because I will be traveling to spend the week with my feet up while others do the cooking. Also because I find the usual turkey fare quite drab- with the exception of this styled dinner spread Roland Bello designed for Gourmet Magazine which is perfect. What a […] More

collaborations & the book I will not write

Over the past year I have, at times, failed at producing what I desired because of a sheer lack of time and resources. I am good at some things, great at a few, and terrible at others. Recently, I received advice about hiring help in the form of contributors to this site. It seemed to make […] More

Sweet Strawberry Jello Shots For Summer

Inside: Strawberry Jello Shots.  Summertime to me means long sunny days, fun backyard bashes, and yummy sweet treats. One of my favorite summertime treats are these candy-like strawberry jello shots. They are a summer cookout must that I guarantee all your adult guest will love! I love fixing these tasty strawberry jello shots for all-out […] More

How to Vacuum Seal a Ziplock Bag: A Beginner’s Guide

Ziplock bags can make vacuum sealing easier and effective. Here is a detailed guide on how to vacuum seal a ziplock bag! More

Best Food Vacuum Sealer of 2023: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

Vacuum sealers have evolved greatly in the years since they were first introduced onto the market. Today, you can preserve your food with a fast, quiet, and easy-to-use vacuum sealer that takes up very little space, and doesn’t break the bank. Vacuum sealing can keep food fresh for up to 4 times as long as […] More

Birthday Ideas For When You’re Short On Time

It’s birthday weekend for Matt and I! We have the same birthday so we tend to celebrate together. This year, in lieu of lip-syncs and beach dates we are renovating a house. Matt looked at me the other day and said, “Hey, it’s almost your birthday – I bought you some floors”. ;) That’s about […] More

star pinata gift wrapping

Gift cards are that special kind of gift that everyone loves to receive, but can sometimes feel a little awkward to give. I personally LOVE receiving gift cards for the holidays – they give me a chance to go out and pick something all for me, which is a rare experience as a busy mom. […] More

Soft pretzel party invitations

I have become slightly obsessed with the idea of throwing a soft pretzel party this fall. After sharing my sneaky trick to making amazing soft pretzel for a party appetizer at home last year – I’ve been seeing them popping up everywhere! Melanie found the best soft pretzel balloons and setting out large trays of them with […] More

Favorite Christmas Eve Traditions

Before we sign off for a week of cozy family fun, I wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas! This is just the best time of the year. We have a number of family traditions that I love to enjoy surrounding Christmas and New Years. One of my favorite questions to ask people at holiday […] More

Mini Mirror Glaze Cake With Major Disco Style

Mirror, mirror, on the… Wait, we all love fairytales, but this dreamy mirror glaze cake is so much better! We’ve all seen the impossibly gorgeous looks of the mirror cake trend and we’re bringing you a super simple way to make your own mirror glaze recipe for mini cakes that will wow your friends with […] More

cupcake wrapper wreath

We finally took down our Christmas wreaths last week. I couldn’t bear to see them go a moment earlier! In their place, I wanted to inject a bit of brightness to offset the wintery weather outside. A collection of bright cupcake wrappers seemed to do the trick. In just about 20 minutes, this pretty wreath […] More

Candy Filled Balloons Pumpkin Patch

It’s about that time of year when we start dreaming of all the fun Halloween parties to be had. From classrooms to our kitchen table, Halloween is a celebration we get behind to enjoy any way possible. Although we’ve made fun jack-o’-lantern balloons before, this year we decided to give our balloons a little extra purpose and fill them with candy!

A candy-filled balloon pumpkin patch! More

25 genius ideas for spring

This weekend we turned up the time… Hooray! Colors are beginning to pop up everywhere, and I’m so excited to put away my winter coat and get picnicking. It is truly the most beautiful season of the year. Cure your spring fever with these 25 genius ideas to get in the mood for the season. Chocolate […] More

host a gravy tasting

This year we are celebrating Thanksgiving with good friends. It seems strange not to be going home to our family, but I am also really excited about our trip away. Will you be with family or friends for the holiday next week? I came up with this fun idea for celebrating with friends or family […] More

Tassel Hanging Light

We think every light fixture should be as fun as this tassel hanging light! It’s bright, festive, and perfect for the play room, craft room, or any room in the house that needs an extra splash of color. How fun would it look in the entry way, greeting you with all the happy feelings when […] More

25 party garlands

The easiest way to turn a white wall into a gorgeous party backdrop is with a few strands of simple party garland. In fact, I love garland so much we are installing a wall of it as permanent decor in our new house – like a necklace for my wall. There are so many creative ideas […] More

Animal Pool Float Pumpkins

I love dreaming up creative ways to decorate our pumpkins (like abstract painted pumpkins or these birthday cake pumpkins). For this year’s bright and colorful pumpkin decorating, I decided to stick with our favorite pool float Halloween theme and turn the concept into some crazy fun pumpkins. These guys are so great because they are filled with colorful […] More

Library Birthday Party Ideas for any Bookworm

Inside: Library birthday party ideas.  Do you have a little bookworm in your family? A young one who loves to get caught up in their own literary world? For those book-loving kiddos, this Library Birthday party is the cutest idea ever! Library Birthday Party I spotted this Jr. librarian party that Celeste threw for her daughter […] More

What to Wear to a 60s Party: Outfit Ideas for a Groovy Time!

Dress to impress for your 60s party! Get inspired with our guide on what to wear, plus tips on hair and makeup, music, decorations, food and drinks. More

Make Your Bigfoot Birthday Unforgettable!

Celebrate your special day with a Bigfoot Birthday! Get creative ideas for cakes, food, favors, and outfits to make it an unforgettable event. More

6 Wellness Tips for Handling Stress During the Fall

According to a 2017 study by Gallup, 8 in 10 Americans feel stressed sometimes or frequently during their day. Most commonly, stressful emotions are caused by work or children, but lack of time and financial troubles also play a big part. During the fall, most families have to adjust their schedules for the school year. […] More

7 Tips for Overcoming Party-Hosting Anxiety

There are many standards to meet when hosting a party, including your own, which can make you feel anxious and stressed before you host your party. There are a number of barriers to overcome party-hosting anxiety, such as perfectionism, overpreparation, bad or absent role models, and of course, fear of the unknown. By identifying the […] More

10 awesome centerpieces

There are ways to center your table… and then there are centerpieces. An awesome centerpiece is a mini-installation that makes your table instantly feel like a party. Whether it’s a massive weekend hoopla, or a Tuesday night dinner party, this collection of DIY centerpiece ideas will cover your table in the most awesome of style. More

Say Thanks

November is a great time of year to stop and say thanks. In the past I’ve dropped off flowers or soup to say a sweet thank you to important people in my life. This year I am going to use pumpkins! We have a pretty large collection of pumpkins left over from Halloween that need […] More

Soft pretzel ice cream sandwiches

Ice cream sandwiches are iconic for combining the refreshingly cool taste of ice cream with the sweet baked goodness of a cookie. I’m so excited to share with you our updated ice cream sandwich recipe! YUM. The recipe includes a tasty soft pretzel to sandwich in the ice cream. The soft pretzels are made with sweet […] More

25 summer gift wrapping ideas

Our summer has been filled with a line-up of weddings and birthdays. I’ve been scrolling through all the awesome ideas around for wrapping each present in a simple and pretty way. Here are 25 easy ideas for wrapping gifts this summer, each more fun than the next. 1. cord wrapped – craft tuts | 2. stamped – la casita […] More

splatter paint balloons

I’ve got one last splatter paint project to share. While creating our splatter paint tablecloth and napkins, I realized how pretty the paint would look on a set of white balloons. The result is a festive party look with minimal effort. I like to think of splatter paint as art for the more lazy inclined. […] More

floral cup wraps

It’s that time of year when everything is romantically sweet (Valentine’s Day is 48 hours days away!) and I find myself twiddling my thumbs in anticipation of spring. You can give me smooche bouquet and conversation heart candy hearts, but nothing is more romantic than fresh flowers blooming and a warm sun above. I am ready […] More

Paper lettered wrapping

Although jewels and bling are nice for mom. What I really want on Mother’s Day is a thoughtful gift that expresses the love and creativity of my kids – a little bling on the side never hurts. :) Including something thoughtful and something nice (like a new set of bangles) is a great way to celebrate […] More

crepe paper fringe bouquet

As the days begin to grow shorter, I know the life of our beautiful summer flowers will quickly come to an end. This has inspired me to create a new type of bouquet. One that will not wilt, no matter how cold the winds of fall may blow. This bouquet is bright and will happily […] More

ice cream cone confetti

It is going to be over 100 degrees in Reno this week and we don’t have AC (eeek!). I made this origami take on an ice cream cone filled with confetti as fun diversion from the heat. It’s a simple way to celebrate on a hot summer day and would be great for parties or weddings […] More

handmade wedding

I am thrilled today to give you a small sneak peak into the book Handmade Wedding that I am a contributing author to. I just received it in the mail and LOVE seeing my designs in pretty paper print (so fun!). For the book, I prepared a handful of easy handcrafted wedding projects and am […] More

festive ideas for the first weekend of spring

I am so happy it is officially spring! I am currently knee deep in Easter shoots, bright home updates, and birthday party plans. For our shared birthday, Matt and I are hosting a lip synch birthday party contest – inspired by my new favorite Tonight Show host, Jimmy Fallon! I am practicing daily:) Spring is […] More

Fun and Fluffy Tulle Hats

Inside: Adorable tulle hats, tulle bows, and DIY tulle bow headbands Nothing says girlie party fun like large tulle bows, dotted with rhinestones. A birthday tulle hat that your best friend, mom, or daughter will not soon forget. Make them for guests of honor, or craft a couple to wear on those long summer days […] More

25 more great fonts for parties

It’s that time of year again, when the weather cools down and I start dreaming of all the holiday projects to come. It is my favorite season of the year – parties to throw, cards to write, and a million reasons to use a new font. We’ve updated our first party font collection for a […] More

Pom Pom & Garland Gift Wrapping

We’ve been kicking off the year with birthdays, anniversaries and even more celebrations. I love having fun parties to look forward to as we put away the Christmas gear. Since the holidays are over, I like a fresh update for my wrapping choices for these parties – because using the left over Christmas paper until May […] More

Sprinkles + pancakes on a Saturday

This post is sponsored by Kohl’s. With the kids in school this year, and my work schedule mirroring theirs, Saturdays have become a bit of a haven for us. I love our lingering mornings to sleep in and hang out together. We try to do something extra special for breakfast on Saturday mornings and I’ve […] More

Best Vacuum Sealer for Home Use: The Top Choices

Vacuum sealers are not common, but they are becoming popular due to the benefits they offer. Check out the best vacuum sealer for home use! More

why don’t we – carve a pineapple?

We are headed out to the pumpkin patch for round one of pumpkin picking this weekend. We do an early pumpkin carving and another one just a couple days before Halloween. This year I am incredibly intrigued by all the awesome carving I see going around on things other than pumpkins. I mean, if you think […] More

a honeycomb baby shower

I threw a baby shower this last weekend and it was such joy! We themed the celebration around welcoming Erin’s new hunny and filled the space with honeycomb inspired decor and honey infused food. I happened upon the thought of using chicken wire as honeycomb and bought a big package of it. After the shower […] More

painted matches

After posting the crazy beautiful bright matches last week, I had multiple emails asking for the source of where to buy them. I searched online but came up empty. Then of course, realized they would be super simple to make and a festive project for this chilly time of year. You can make your own painted […] More

Pineapple Coconut Cake With Yellow Cake Mix

Errbody!!! Put your palms in the air for this pineapple coconut cake and wave ‘em like you just don’t care. We are in Palm Springs this week and I can just feel the cool breeze of a palm leaf swaying by the pool. But don’t worry, we can still bring a little bit of summer […] More

Super Fancy Striped Birthday Candles

Inside: Fancy striped birthday candles! Making a birthday cake feel special doesn’t mean you have to be a fondant wiz. Paint a series of rugby lines onto store-bought party candles and instantly turn a simple cake into a festive treat. I love the look of creative fancy striped birthday candles but often cannot find them where I live. […] More

DIY Family Easter Egg Pictures

Inside: A personal touch with these Easter egg pictures! Add a personal touch to your Easter celebration this year with these fun Easter egg photo ideas! I love these Easter family picture ideas!. It is the kind of project that will make you smile to think of, and absolutely giddy to see completed. How I Used My Easter […] More

Empowering Yourself with Positive Quotes for Moms

“Boost your self-care and stress relief with these inspiring positive quotes for moms. Find the motivation to keep going and stay strong!” More

Fishbowl Slime Party Favors That Shimmer Like The Sea

Inside: How to make fishbowl slime party favors.  This fun fishbowl slime recipe is the perfect party favor idea! It’s unique texture and fun fishy accents make for such a cute and fun DIY. We stored our slime in small individual containers to keep them fresh and fun for all of our party guests. Fishbowl […] More

birthday smoothies + candle straws

I know that it’s the new year and Pinterest is filled with kale and cleanses, but I cannot resist a good birthday sweet. To not totally ignore the healthy trend around here, I figure we can add some fruit, a bit of yogurt, and call it a birthday smoothie! Cleanse approved (minus the whip cream […] More

octopus dinner party

Fall is the season for dinner parties! We love the daily revelry that comes from inviting friends in from the chill to enjoy dinner together. There is something about sharing a meal that always leaves me filled with joy. Since it is almost October, I’m planning on hosting a grown-up Halloween dinner party. While looking […] More

red velvet funnel cakes

Although, funnel cakes are a popular fixture at summertime fairs they can be brought into fall by making them at home with a twist on the original. Red velvet funnel cakes with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and sweet cream cheese icing (YUM!). Welcome fall with this sweet treat served on paper plates with bottled […] More

How To Hang Wallpaper Of All Kinds

Inside: We are teaching you how to hang wallpaper and all the tips and tricks with hanging wallpaper! Let’s chat about wall paper! Yes, I know it is normally one word, wallpaper. But I’ve decided to divide it today because we are not just talking traditional wallpaper here. I have fallen in love with covering […] More

merrymaking 6.22.2012

Ahhhh… summer! This week has been such a fun kick off to the season of sunshine bliss. We hosted our first party on the front lawn and I’ve spent the afternoons jumping from the mini-trampoline into the pool, which just never gets old:) I am feeling refreshed and insanely inspired right now. On Monday I am excited […] More

reason to celebrate | floral and bright Christmas

Bold floral, neon accents, and wrinkled linen add up to a perfectly set Christmas dinner table. Photo by Sharyn Cairus, styled by Glen Proebstel for Inside Out Magazine. PS. I am hosting Christmas dinner and searching for great recipes to include. Suggestions? blessings. More

Black & White Party Ideas: Fun Ideas To Bring Class & Elegance To Your Party

Are you thinking about hosting a party, but bored with the same run-of-the-mill party themes? Are you tired of the same recycled party ideas? You might want to consider a black and white party theme. There are so many excellent black and white party ideas to bring class, elegance, and creativity to your event.  Consider […] More

How to Cook Lobster (fancy!)

Now that we are in the thick of summer. I’ve been thinking about a few things I really want to be sure we make happen. I know don’t live in Cape Cod, but I’ve found someone to teach me how to cook lobster because that is what I’m currently craving. Sometimes you just need a […] More

How to Start a Blog You’re Passionate About

Blogging is really the best job ever. It gives me the ability to share the things I love, work a flexible schedule, and teach others how to do the same! It’s no wonder so many people are asking the question: how do I start a blog? I think sometimes it can seem like a big, […] More

etsy…. open.

Just wanted to let you know the City Cradle Design etsy store is back live & open. I have been closed for the last two months on vacation and I am so pleased with the new line of vintage party products I am selling! Many of my favorite party finds have been grabbed in dark […] More

embroidered pumpkins

Looking for a different and (VERY) pretty way to carve your pumpkins this year? Look no further than a bit of yarn, a needle, and paint. Embroidered pumpkins have everything we love about carving, and the criss-crossing strings add a nice graphic punch to the mix. Using yarn and a simple pattern, you don’t even […] More

Can You Vacuum Seal Lettuce: A Guide for Home Users

Vegetables are not easy to preserve, especially fresh vegetables like lettuce. Some people often ask, “Can you vacuum seal lettuce?” Here is the answer! More

8 Favorite Blog Reads

Every New Year I try to take a little time to invest in refreshing my blog feeds. I have a small list of oldie but goodie blogs that I still enjoy reading daily, but with hundreds of new sites popping up always – it is fun to find a few new inspirations every so often. […] More

Sherbert & Spice, part one

Sherbert & Spice and everything nice… This ice cream birthday was pure joy for me to produce. From the inspiration found here to the invitations found here– it was girlie, summer, old-fashioned fun at its best and I am just giddy to share a bit of it with you today. Let’s talk about circles! A […] More

Big Lips Party Blowers

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and what better way to celebrate than with some pretty party blowers in festive lip shapes?! These party blowers are simple to make and definitely add some fun flair to a party. You can do whatever color combinations you like, maybe adding in some reds, magentas, or purples, […] More

This Paper Star Tutorial Is Sweeter Than Christmas Morning

You have got to try out these gorgeous paper stars with your favorite color paper- big ones or tiny ones. Our paper star tutorial makes it crazy easy! They are great for any occasion, but I made them in white to look like over-sized snowflakes recently and they looked just perfect strung from our tree and […] More

Wear It & Share It: How To Wear Confetti

I have an important conversation to have with you today. We need to discuss how to wear confetti! Because we’ve all had those moments where we want to be as festive and fun as the party we are going to, but are not sure how to make it happen. Today I’m thrilled to share our […] More

why I teach

We just finished our Summer Business of Blogging Classes, and they were incredible! Due to the great responses we’ve received, we’ve opened up three fall classes in September, October and November. You can read more about the classes here. Like many of you, blogging has brought such joy to my life as I’ve developed a wonderful […] More

Cantaloupe Martinis

Tis’ the season for New Years resolutions and cantaloupe martinis. This year I can’t seem to wrap my mind around how many of my resolutions seem to contradict each other. Does that ever happen to you? For instance, I want to eat more fruits… but also enjoy more cocktail parties with friends. How do I […] More

Our Living Room Reveal

You guys here is our living room all done!!! It has quickly surpassed the studio as my favorite room in the house. I just love, love, love the space. Matt and I were sitting in here the other night and we both agreed this is the living room we’ve always dreamt of and now it’s […] More

Fried Ice Cream Balls – The Easiest Recipe For Fiesta Fun

With summer in full swing hosting a fiesta party and serving up fried ice cream seems like a great idea. These fiesta fried ice cream balls are both refreshing and crispy fried goodness at the same time. WIN! Topped with sprinkles & whip cream the easy recipe will come together in minutes and leave your […] More

Painted Feather Cake

Feathers are such a fun way to make anything seem crafty and homespun. In a season when there is way too much cooking and prepping to be done – a simple solution like surrounding a cake with pretty painted feathers makes for an awesome party statement that takes very little effort to create. A stellar […] More

a marmalade festival

The world’s original Marmalade Festival, held at the Dalemain Estate in The Lakes District, England has quickly become one of my favorite spring events. Jars of marmalade are sent in from all over the world and fancy renown foodies come to judge the contest. The beautiful estate grounds are opened to enjoy; gorgeous gardens, bag […] More

Creative Outdoor Candle Light Ideas

Summer means long evenings spent outside, hanging out in the warm air even after the sun has set. I seriously love ending every day in our backyard, or on the patio, just relaxing, enjoying time with family, and reflecting on what a beautiful place we live in. To make the view even better, I thought […] More

Paper flower tree – tutorial

Seeing this wedding featured made my heart skip a beat. It is the perfect mix of rustic and beautiful, filled with hundreds of gorgeous details. The rustic barn, the old fashioned cameras, the vintage dress hanging daintily between two rusty old cars- It was picturesque, and the flowers amazing! See more of the sweet details […] More

Dying Easter Eggs With Rice

Inside: Dying Easter eggs with rice for vibrant, mess-free egg coloring. It’s Easter egg dying time and what a better way to jump into the fun than trying your hand at an entirely new way to color your eggs. We tried dying Easter eggs with rice this year and the results are 100% my favorite. […] More

Dip-Dye Crepe Paper Streamers

Crepe paper streamers are one of my favorite ways to jazz up a party’s vibe… but, let’s be honest, the lack of colors available in stores can bring our decorating to its knees. Do they honestly think that a flamingo and a gumball are the same shade of light pink?! This is where liquid dyes […] More

Christmas Room Decoration Ideas

The last two years we have been in the middle of some kind of renovation at Christmas time, making focusing on decorations challenging. This year though we had so much fun putting everything up! I’m thrilled to share our Christmas room decoration ideas and a few easy Christmas decorating hacks you can use to make […] More

Our Moody Master Bedroom

The first thing I picked out for our new home was this gorgeous floral mural, by Anewalldecor. The moment I saw it I absolutely knew it belonged behind my head in our bedroom. The large scale florals and moody features are so wonderfully calming. It’s exactly the type of stage I longed to set for our […] More

giveaway | a printable party

Today’s giveaway is from Mirabelle Creations, a printable party shop. Win a $50 gift card to the shop which is enough to outfit any party you might be planning. To enter visit the shop and comment below what your favorite collection is. I’m loving the lotus collection above, especially the elephants. For additional entries share […] More

Paper pinwheels

I hope you are having a wonderful long weekend! I wanted to see something happy today and pulled out my old love for paper accordions to make a colorful bunch of pinwheels. They are bright and just the perfect way to lift any sort of winter blue. Placed on top of a simple cake they […] More

materially crafted – the book!

While driving through our neighborhood last week I saw something very cool on the side of the road. While I was busy ohhing and ahhing, my son spoke up and said, “Mom, let’s look in one of the craft books to see how to make that.” Without thinking I quickly blurted out… “Hey buddy, your mamma […] More

Family Pumpkin Carving Contest

Of all the family traditions we have, the annual pumpkin carving contest is easily the favorite and the most messiest of them all! Every year, we head out to the pumpkin patches and pick our favorite of the bunch, and then head home to carve them. The kids draw on original faces and scoop out […] More

A Fool Proof Home Cocktail Bar

Spring is finally here! After a long winter of chilly temperatures, gray skies, and being stuck inside, I am dreaming of warm weather, sunny days, and leisurely evenings spent sipping a fresh cocktail. I love to try out new cocktail recipes right at home, and having my very own cocktail bar gives me the perfect […] More

Christmas in July

I am super excited to share this lovely little photo-shoot I styled as a cool oasis in the middle of our very hot summer. Christmas in July- 115 degree desert style (that was the actual temperature the day we shot)! It all started with the idea to cool down and cheer up for the summer […] More

50th Birthday Party Ideas

When you turn the big five-oh it calls for a big celebration. There are plenty of 50th birthday party ideas that you could do to ring in the next decade in style. Due to pandemic restrictions that pop up without warning, sticking to a small party at home is probably the safest option. We have […] More

Cotton Candy Hair and Treats

Inside: Cotton Candy Hair I’ve been a bit obsessed with cotton candy this year. If donning an entire cotton candy Halloween costume is not what you had in mind for the office party, why not use the idea as a jumping-off point to create this wild and whimsical cotton candy hair. The way the curls […] More

17 Dr. Seuss Party Games: Zany, Crazy, Games for Seuss Fans Big & Small

A Dr. Seuss themed party is perfect for children of all ages. It is a particularly fun idea for those children who have just been introduced to the zany, crazy, world of Dr. Seuss. You are going to have to play a lot of fun games at a Dr. Seuss party. Here are the two […] More

soft pretzels for the party appetizer win

By far the best party appetizer I know of is a soft pretzel. I’m not certain I know a single person who does not like soft pretzels. Do you? They can be served a hundred different ways – although my favorite way to serve them is with sesame seeds and spicy mustard. Pretzels are a […] More

Grilled Margherita Pizza With Prosciutto

We’ve been big fans of making pizzas at home for a very long time. Ever since we realized we could use this dough and cook a feast for our family for under $10, I was sold. But this year I decided to try out a new recipe from Pints and Plates and we busted out […] More

How to Die Dye Socks: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to die dye socks with this step-by-step guide! Get tips on creating the perfect design, caring for your socks, and where to buy them. More

Berry flavored milk

This post is sponsored by fairlife ultra-filtered milk. As much as I love pies, cakes and sweets of all kinds for a party… in everyday life, I try to ensure my kids are eating somewhat healthy. To ward off the desire they seem to have developed for enjoying chocolate milk every night of the week, […] More

honey lavender soda

For the honeycomb baby shower I served a lavender honey soda. It was my first attempt at herbal soda making and it was amazing! I made a second batch this week to drink myself, it is incredibly refreshing on a hot afternoon. To make the soda; combine 1 cup of honey with 1 cup of […] More

Pom Pom Candy Baskets

Creating a custom look on an everyday wicker basket makes it so much more special. I’m always looking for sweet holders for after school treats and these little cuties are so great! We are making an entire classroom full for this year’s Halloween school party and the kids can take them home to use for […] More

Beautiful DIY Colored Easter Baskets

Inside: We turned these beautiful colored baskets into a beautiful DIY Easter basket! Now that the twins are getting older, holidays are becoming much more fun. In my attempt to create celebrations they will remember and traditions that will last, the idea of crafting an heirloom Easter basket is perfect. I love taking time to […] More

Typography Pie

After realizing earlier this year how fabulously fun it was to make our dessert talk – al’a a typography cake. We figure the holidays are a great time to relive the concept but even better, because now it’s typography in a pie! A talking pie that can be made in any flavor with any word you […] More

2 Party Ready French Braids

When we are getting ready to throw our hair up and party – there’s not a much better style than the classic french braid. It’s a great way to keep hair in line while dancing all night long… and the simple braid helps us look effortlessly put together. These 2 french braids are my go-to […] More

Printed paper lanterns

I’ve always loved paper lanterns, they are awesome for filling any party space with festive fun. White party lanterns are great for making a room instantly feel like a breezy spring soiree. They are even better when printed and prepped with fun party statements. Sweet. YAY! Hooray. How can we go wrong with that!?! We […] More

Dish stamp- tutorial

One of the amazing handcrafted pieces from DISH dinners that I instantly loved was the stamped logo used at each event. It can be seen on the napkins, floral cones and favor bags. A simple project that has unlimited possibilities for parties, weddings and even around your home. Jessica is here to share the tutorial […] More

Black and Gold Party Decorations

When planning a party, having a great theme gives your party an extra flair. Black and gold are classic colors that complement each other and will give a beautiful effect to your party’s decor. There are a number of decoration options out there and we have a look at some phenomenal black and gold selections […] More

reason to celebrate | Sol Cinema

I just adore seeing cupcake shops, ice cream stands and even Creme Brulee carts popping up for rental across the country. There is something so fresh and fun about renting a moving shop. I am now officially waiting until we get our own Sol Cinema stateside. It is the world’s smallest movie theater and you […] More

lemon cake baked in a lemon

A piece from the Styled. lemonade stand that I love but have yet to share; lavender lemonade cakes baked in lemons! They were a festive addition to the stand and would make the perfect sweet note for an afternoon brunch or shower. Download the lemon favor, “open for cake” labels by clicking here. To make […] More

Wooden Stenciled Placemats

Craft these graphic stenciled wooden placemats to bring modern warmth to your holiday table. The placemats are simple and can be designed in any color palette you choose. Make the placemats by first downloading the PDF right here. Print onto a sheet of adhesive printer paper. Using an X-acto knife and cutting mat, carefully cut […] More

Planning the Perfect Paris Birthday Party Ideas

Throw the most memorable Paris-themed birthday party with these creative ideas! From decorations to food & drinks, invitations & favors, and more – get inspired for your special day with our paris birthday party ideas. More

How to make clouds for decoration –

Inside: How to make DIY clouds for decoration These last few weeks have been filled with fun and adventure for me – I was flying home from L.A. on Tuesday and had the most wonderful thoughts while soaring through the clouds at dusk. The experience made all the little details of this job seem to disappear for […] More

typography stiffened ribbons

Last month the twins turned 5! We had a massive snow storm the morning of their party, but thankfully everyone still made it safely. Matt turned my studio into a huge balloon fort for the kids and we served popcorn in these typography paper bags. To top the cakes, I stiffened ribbons into talking letters […] More

tea party manners for kids

Teaching my kids how to act appropriately at parties is a high value around here. Having young children around can either make a party the best or the make it the absolute worst few hours of your week (all depending on how they act!). Last fall I shared how we teach our kids dinner party manners. With Mother’s Day […] More

fabric birthday crowns and superhero masks

With the twins starting school this fall, I am thinking a lot about how fast and fun our time was while they were mostly at home with me. The past 5 years have been some of the craziest and most wonderful I could imagine. And while we are a long way from putting up the […] More

winter animal cup cozies

Now that it’s quite chilly, we’ve been quickly replacing our lemonade for cider and cocoa – and these cozies are the best (read: cutest) way to have fun while enjoying fall beverages. How adorable would it be serve up drinks after a feast with these turkeys to grasp, or handing out cider at an open […] More

Discover the Best Commercial Vacuum Sealer for Your Needs

Find the best commercial vacuum sealer for your needs and learn about the benefits, features, and brands to consider. Get tips on maintenance too! More

wild and girlie bridal shower

This bridal shower inspiration is just the right amount of girlie to make me fall in love this spring.Using the heavy metallic hues of winter and the ever plentiful animal theme together brings an exceptionally sweet touch for a gathering of your closest girlfriends. Pink brings an always sweet palette for spring. It is brought […] More

wrap it up | with glitter and bows

I’m taking advantage of the holiday weekend by showing a good friend around my new city. I wrapped up a present for her daughter’s birthday with a bit of glitter ribbon! It was really easy to make by coating ribbon with spray adhesive and sprinkling glitter right on top. The sparkle brings a nice touch […] More

better together

I love the daily, personal awesomeness of blogging. I love the incredible editorial abilities of producing a digital magazine… After a year of teetering back and forth it was decided: let’s do something different together! Who says we have to be one or the other? Digital media is free range, so here we go. Blog […] More

adorable birthday ritual

This creative birthday ritual pulls heavy on my mom heart strings, it is so sweet. Have your child stand in the same place every year, on the same day (their birthday!) and snap a quick photo. What a perfect way to mark milestones and build a keepsake to treasure. Photos by Yolanda Edwards via Canadian […] More

reason to celebrate | antler photo booth

Rebecca hosted a bright and gorgeous birthday party recently. My favorite piece from it is the photo booth done with a simple backdrop and pair of antlers! I love this idea for a fall gathering. Hold them up behind your model or attach them to a thick headband for party perfect photos throughout season. Rebecca […] More

Triple Berry Popsicle

I love a good popsicle. Especially the kind that you can really taste the fruit in. Nothing is more refreshing as the weather warms up than chopped berries in sweet treat form. Adding not just one type of fruit, but 3 different berries to this popsicle takes it from ordinary to incredibly celebratory. The addition […] More

Family Book Club

With school starting back up our time to be intentionally teaching the kids has once again shrunk to small morning and evening windows. Educating & engaging with our kids outside of school is a huge priority for us, so when we heard that the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition tablet could help us do this […] More

the merry hostess | serves tea

Today I am happy to introduce you to a new weekly series, the merry hostess by Alli Michelle. Alli’s blog, Hooray is one of the handful that I never miss a single post of. She will be here weekly sharing great finds and helpful tips for hosting parties all summer long (YAY!). cupcake recipe | dress | tags […] More

Christmas Tree Party Invitation

Who’s hosting a Christmas party this year? Christmas parties are some of my favorite parties to attend. Everything is always extra festive and fun, with the lights up and special decor all around. Start the party off right with an invite that will stand out in the sea of holiday mail. Colorful Christmas trees marking […] More

Kid Friendly Perler Bead Patterns Party Favors

I’m pretty obsessed with perler beads these days. Especially as party favors! Remember the cute perler bead snowflakes from last month? They were a hit! So we are back, this time channeling that inner child, and creating SIX perler bead patterns, all free to print below. Inspired by our favorite popular kid themes More

Fried Cheesecake Birthday Bites

Don’t these cheesecake bites look amazing? They are such an easy and fun stand in for a birthday cake. A plate filled with candle topped ones makes a gorgeous display. And you can eat them without forks and plates (Hello end of summer picnic party!). To make the cheesecake bites you will need cheesecake (store-bought […] More

How to Make a Movie Night Grazing Board + FREE Printable

When it comes to planning the perfect movie night there are two main components, a great movie and yummy treats. There is nothing better than settling down under a warm and cozy blanket, with a platter full of snacks and enjoying a classic movie. We have put together an ultimate movie night grazing board, with […] More

brown butter layer cake

This Brown Butter Layer Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is rich and buttery but not overly sweet. It’s perfect for all seasons, really, with classic cake ingredients available year-round, butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. The brown butter adds subtle depth to the cake, and the chocolate buttercream is heavenly. You don’t need to decorate further […] More

Fun and Easy DIY Paper Lanterns

Inside: Easy DIY paper lanterns We’ve been working on getting our patio party ready before the summer season sets in. It is in desperate need of a bright burst of fun. Paper and ribbon to the rescue – of course! Today we are showing you how to make a lantern out of paper, they are so […] More

Easy + Inexpensive Flower Arrangement Ideas – Look like a Pro!

Inside: Easy + Inexpensive Flower Arrangement Ideas – Look like a Pro! It really is so easy to turn a boring bouquet into a gorgeous flower arrangement. With just a few simple steps you can turn any grocery store flower bunch into an eye-catching floral display! And that means you get to have pretty flowers […] More

How to Make Slime with Toothpaste – Easy Recipe

Inside: How to make slime with toothpaste, fun and easy recipe. I don’t know about you but my kids just can’t enough of all the different versions of slime to make! There are a million different versions out there, and we are fond of the more natural ones like this slime without Borax, but a […] More

Fun and Festive Tissue Paper Flowers

Inside: How to make tissue paper flowers for the cutest DIY paper flower garland While we were on vacation last week, quite a few of our garden flowers got scorched by the hot sun. It made me extra happy to come home to this tissue paper flowers garland on my mantel. The flowers are bright, […] More

noise maker seating cards

Making seating cards that guests find fun is easily done by re-purposing store bought noise makers. This project is simple and elegant for  a wedding and would be great fun done with deeper colors for a dinner party, or in brights for the kids. Any reason to be merry is really a reason to make […] More

ombre favor tote bags

Favors handed out in these bright spring totes will make anyone from your bridesmaids to your kids crack a smile. They would be the perfect leaving piece at a spring party, gift bag for a wedding, adult version of an Easter basket for your best friend or sweet gift for mom in May. With a […] More

school paper snack bags

For the twins first day of school I wanted to send them off with a little special something. I crafted these school paper lined snack bags in the morning (they only took 5 minutes!) and stuffed them with their favorite snacks. They would make easy + cute favor bags as well. See the full tutorial here. More

Lovely Mother’s Day labels

Whether you live near or far from your mother- a bouquet of flowers wrapped with this custom Mother’s Day label will leave her feeling lovely. Blessing mom does not get much easier than printing, wrapping and sending along a beautiful bunch of flowers. This label can also be wrapped around a drink bottle, folded down […] More

details in teal

Last summer I had the joy of styling a beautiful wedding held at Heritage Historic park. The day was filled with vintage charm and very bright pops of teal. A hundred year old church and sprawling lawns made for a perfect afternoon. The contrast of modern teal and vintage charm was seen throughout the day. […] More

25 tips for taking low-light evening photos

With the sun setting earlier each night our evenings are getting longer and longer. Hooray for bonfires and cider drinking! However, capturing those awesome moments of fall can be tricky without the wonderful summer sun. It’s not impossible though, with a few simple photo tricks. Here are 25 great tips for taking photos in low-light. […] More

ruffled table runner

Disney has been one for my favorite crafters for a very long time. Mostly because she comes up with the greatest ideas using simple everyday materials. Like this amazing use of two very cheap plastic table cloths! Most of us have them lying around and they look surprisingly pretty when ruffled together. To make the […] More

paper confetti cups

I love the start of a fresh new year, and I have a great desire this week to not let the celebration end. Although January is traditionally the month we focus on goals, plans, and organization – I’ve found myself needing to grab a drink and “cheers” almost every night this year. As much as […] More

Temporary Confetti Dot Glasses

The holidays are littered with special occasions fit for big doses of bling and celebration. Use this simple project to bring it, wash it off, and still be able to use your glasses come January. I love how the removable confetti dotes take ho-hum everyday glasses and make them celebration worthy- simple and quick! They […] More

Not-So-Scary Large Outdoor Halloween Decorations

Inside: Easy large outdoor Halloween decorations, yard spiders. It’s spooky season and that means it’s time for all things candy, spooky, and fun. These not so spooky yard spiders are the perfect easy large outdoor Halloween decoration to surprise all your trick-or-treaters! With just a few supplies they are SUPER EASY to make and transform […] More

planet cake toppers and a milky way cake

A couple weeks ago we received a fun package of books in the mail. The new Ricky Ricotta series by Dav Pilkey & illustrated by Dan Santat. The books were immediately whisked away and it was literally a full hour before I heard another request from the twins. As new readers, my kids love books […] More

celebrate in style | pink feathered hair

I had a fun afternoon last week spending time with an old friend and working on this tutorial to create a hair style that is easy and festive for your next warm weather celebration. We purchased a pink hair feather (buy online here) and weaved it into a braid, creating a look that is perfect […] More

cinnamon roll campfire cakes

After lighting the first fire of the season we made fun and amazingly good bonfire cakes with cinnamon rolls and frosting! I like to think of them as s’mores with an upgrade. The cakes are great to make for an after dinner summer dessert and will be perfect for our mid-summer bonfire birthday parties. They’d […] More

Fall Party Foods to Savor the Season with all Your Friends

Fall brings with it so much fun and activity, so I complied a list of my favorite 18 Savory Fall Party Foods to help us all savor the season a little more! It seems like we’re rushing off to a party or get-together every time we turn around. Between Halloween, tailgating, birthdays and Thanksgiving there […] More

Whiskey Cake Recipe With A Sour Twist

It’s a know fact that cakes with alcohol in them are sweeter! There’s something about how the ingredients mix together that makes the sweet so deliciously sweet. Which is why we decided to cut it a little in our own version of a whiskey cake recipe gone sour. A whiskey sour cake to name it […] More

recreate | painted mini blinds

I never thought I would be suggesting mini-blinds for the home, let alone a party, but I can not resist how fabulous they look painted in a trendy hue. To recreate, grab a pair of these cheap suckers, tape off, paint and make a very cool backdrop for your next event. Plus, you can pull […] More

Make A Sparkling Ice® Summer Strawberry Sparkle Cake

It’s getting warmer outside, and I am thrilled to try my hand at making a few new party cakes this season! We’ve teamed up with Sparkling Ice® and Safeway to design a fun Sparkling Ice strawberry sparkle cake that will easily take center stage at all your summer parties. More

Make Your Stitch Birthday Unforgettable!

Celebrate your special day with a stitch birthday party! From cakes to outfits, gifts to recipes, we have everything you need to make it unforgettable. More

Chicken Chips Dipping Bar

This post has been sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For kicking off the most fun sports season of the year, we’ve created a quick and easy DIY chicken dipping station with Tyson® Any’tizers® Chicken Chips. Having a dipping station is the perfect way to kick off a fall […] More

Boozy Freezer Pops

When we first heard about the option to make our own popsicles at home using zipzicles I was thrilled about creating treats for the kids during the hot summer months. I quickly learned that these handy little freezer pop holders weren’t only for kids and we started whipping up boozy adult versions to enjoy. A piece of […] More

an afternoon tailgate

Our Alma Mater was in town playing this weekend, so it made for a perfect day to tailgate. I partnered with Smirnoff to host this little afternoon of fun from the trunk of our car. I used a fold out wooden table and left one side propped on the truck while one set of legs […] More

Fig Manhattan

Happy Veteran’s Day! We try to make our holidays count for both rest and celebration. Trying a new drink with friends is a great way to do that and this fig Manhattan gives a fun twist to a more traditional fall drink. Today is a great day to freshen up your bar skills and bridge the party […] More

April Fools Balloon Explosion

I am still astonished at how quickly April 1st is coming! With little kids, celebrating April Fool’s day is always great fun, but getting the older kids and husbands by surprise takes a bit more creativity. Surprise your favorite jokester next week with this simple balloon trick set-up. They are sure to get a startle […] More

The Most Magical Glitter Nails

Inside: The best glitter nails styles and hacks that we love including super cute clear sparkle nails.  Nothing beats a gorgeous set of glitter acrylic nails. No matter what party, event, wedding, shower, fundraiser, date etc I am attending, a solid set of gorgeous glitter nails says, “I am here & ready to party!” I’ve started wearing […] More

Make Your Next Party Sweet with Pool Noodle Lollipops!

Make your next party a hit with these easy-to-make pool noodle lollipops! Learn how to make them, decorate them, and store them for the perfect sweet treat. More

adored revelries

Three pretty revelries to brighten your weekend. A handcrafted party book via Melanie. A 5 step easy photo party plan. And a perfect bunting topped porch. This weekend I will be reveling with Elmo (yes, you heard that correctly) and losing all my indie street cred! He is having a local bookstore birthday party and […] More

Festive Friday – 5 Fun Things

Happy long weekend! I am really excited about this coming weekend because we are headed as a family to camp! The camp I attended all through high school is putting on a family weekend and I am beyond thrilled to introduce my kids to the zip lines, co-carts, high dive and all the fun things […] More

Bubble Gum Slime Recipe – Largest Slime Bubbles Around

Did you know there was such thing as bubble gum slime, that actually blows bubbles? You know we are big fans of slime around here. Even if you didn’t, I’m sure by hearing that I have a 9 year old girl it would be an EASY guess. We’d been busy making all kinds of slime […] More

vintage fabric party hat

I am excited to introduce you today to the spring party hat series! Over the coming weeks I am going to share tips and ideas for creating party hats for any celebration from birthdays to Easter brunches. A pretty vintage fabric party hat being the easiest project of them all! To make this hat simply […] More

How To Print On Wrapping Paper For Personalized Presents

It’s finally here! Time to grab all your favorite gifts for all the gals you know. We have been sharing gift guides over this last week and I hope you’ve been inspired to get your gifting on. Today we are sharing one final gift and a crazy cute way to package all these gifts up with love. Did you know you can print your own wrapping paper at home?! It’s a great way to create a thoughtful gift package and costs no extra money. Plus, you can design your own wrapping paper to say whatever wishes imaginable. More

Paper Mache DIY Flower Vase

With spring here all I want is flowers… everywhere! This paper mache DIY flower vase is great for displaying all the blooms and spring finds we can grab. I love the idea of making 5-7 of them to line the Easter brunch table, or creating just a couple to brighten up a corner of the house (like […] More

Rainbow Color House Number

Greeting everyone at the door for your next party is fun with a little rainbow color added to your front house number. We took cues from our love of letter boards this season and created a rainbow color house number that will make sure every guest finds the right door. It is such a bright […] More

Unicorn Ice Cream Pops You’ll Gush Over

Inside: Unicorn Ice Cream Pops.  There is something so fun and magical about unicorns, I just can’t get enough of them. Recently my daughter insisted on us making a fun unicorn dessert, and since summer is here I thought what better magical treat than unicorn ice cream! We found this gorgeous inspiration by photographer Ruth […] More

Paper wrapped fruit

It is officially Farmer’s Market season in my part of the world, and I couldn’t be happier! The fresh fruit stands are starting to open up all around. Fruit is one of my favorite party favors/gifts to give this season. Nothing beats a big basket of freshly picked fruits and veggies. It is an especially […] More

Christmas in a bottle

Happy Monday, I believe I’ve finally recovered from the craze of last week. Today I want to share the last project from our holiday at the beach. We filled mason jars with many cute little holiday treasures, wrote a sweet note on a star, tied them up and sent them off into the ocean. We […] More

Revelry in New York

Right after our trip to Washington D.C. (which was amazing!) we took the train up to New York and spent nearly a week exploring the state from NYC to Buffalo. I’m excited to share a few great things we did with the kids, way too many photos, and my new favorite place in the entire world… […] More

DIY Bouquet Holder With Printable

With Valentines Day upon us, spring right around the corner, and then Mothers Day. Well, I see a lot of flowers in all of our futures. Usually, store-bought flowers come in that ugly, clear, cellophane wrapping. By simply discarding that not so eye pleasing plastic, and adding this super cute (FREE!) DIY bouquet holders.
You can take store-bought flowers from nay to yay! More

Master Suite Before & After Reveal

Our work in finishing the master suite is finally done and the renovation of the space means so much to me. Being the room where I spend a lot of time and also one of the last huge room renovations we had for the festive house design, the final photo session was honestly a little […] More

mini monogramed star cakes + the best baking tip

Are you traveling for Christmas or staying home? We are leaving our winter wonderland to make the trek back home to the desert (that seems so backwards!), but time with our family is always worth the effort. Whether you are traveling or staying put, these miniature Christmas star cakes are sure to help you celebrate […] More

Make Your Own Ginger Beer: A Step-by-Step Guide

Make your own ginger beer with this easy step-by-step guide! Learn the ingredients, preparation, fermentation process, flavoring and bottling tips to create a delicious homemade ginger beer. More

Meet the judges…

I hope you are as excited about next week as I am. The contributors are amazing, I just know you are going to adore their work. Before you meet them and drool over the beautiful designs, may I introduce our challenge judges… Each of these amazing ladies will be viewing the challenge designs, commenting on […] More

Printable Christmas Gift Tags

I am so pleased that Ashley agreed to hand illustrate these Christmas gift tags. Her pen is the prettiest I know! Download the PDF set of three right here and enjoy an easy wrapping season. Hand illustration by Ashley Rodriguez for A Subtle Revelry, The Holiday Issue. More

Pegboard birthday candle display

Last summer we created this fun 10 foot long birthday candelabra. I loved how it completely lit up and transformed a table into a birthday celebration. However the need to drill holes etc didn’t make it something I would turn to for just any party. When I needed an even quicker solution I turned to […] More

typography garden

I wanted to create a personal bouquet for mom that was easy for my very black thumb. The hard thing about bouquets is they are very temporary and quite hard to personalize. Instead, I purchased a grouping of potted flowers and created this simple tribute to mom. To make the typography garden, start with a large planter and a grouping of purchased potted plants. […] More