Eggcellent Ideas!!

Hi All,
I think Megan mentioned to you that I love eggs? Well, if you hadn't heard - I LOVE EGGS.  So, in the spirit of Easter, I thought I'd put together a little mosaic of cool egg crafts.  Each of these is obviously at home as an Easter centerpiece/favor/part of an egg hunt - but you can also use them for any springtime party or just as a nice way to pass some time.  If you blow the eggs out first, you can also keep a lot of these crafts for years to come!

Okay, so each of these pics comes with a really great DIY from various blogs that I've scouted:

• First up, super cool and modern watercolor speckled eggs from For the love of... - these are really kid-friendly and a cool twist on your traditional dyed eggs
• Silk-dyed eggs from My Baking Addiction - these tutorials have been popping up a lot to varying results but MBA's eggs seem come out really nicely so I would definitely go with her instructions!
• Studio DIY's Honeycome Easter Egg decorations are AWESOME - talk about simple and sweet, throw a few of these puppies up around your house and you are good to go and get your Easter party on!
• Classic decoupage eggs from Honestly Yum definitely make a statement - I like the more traditional look that HY's gone for but I can also imagine some super funky decoupage eggs if you let yourself go crazy with the paper you use!
• I have to hand it to Paper & Stitch for really stepping up a basic egg-dye project into something totally cool, I mean, these eggs look fabulous and you'd never guess how easy it is!
• No eggs? No problem.  My Poppet's fabric egg uses a foam core and the instructions are super clear - I can't wait to make a whole bucket of these
• I love Robin's eggs and now I can make a bunch to set around my house! This DIY from Just A Little Creativity will show you how to get it done, robin-style
• Marbleized eggs are pretty  "in" right now but you'll never guess what Camille Styles used to do her marbling...okay, I'll tell you, NAIL POLISH? What? I definitely have to try this
• These are just so crazy - individual egg cozies from Repeat Crafter Me...I mean, come on, I couldn't not tell you about these

I hope I've given you some Easter inspiration!

Malerie OUT!

Color Me Tuesday - Thinking Pink!

Do any of you watch Project Runway? Well, in the last episode, one of the designers, Daniel, made this pink dress:

Pic from Threads Magazine

It's pretty pink, and it actually stirred up a fair amount of controversy among the designers some of whom were all for the neon pink and some who thought it was just too much (pinK - emphasis on the k).  Anyway, I decided to put together some less controversial uses of pink in honor of/contrast to this dress.  Thanks for the inspiration Project Runway!

Let's go through what we have, shall we?

1. First up, tissue paper-decoupage eggs (get the DIY from My Poppet) - these are super cute for a kid's craft (also a grown-up's craft) and would be great for an Easter egg hung or just lovely decorations around the house 
2. A beautiful paper peony from Imeon Design - there aren't instructions on the site, but it's still nice to look at and I'm sure a few enterprising people could figure it out - lovely for favors, place settings, or even a stunning wall decoration!
3. Pink Owl Amigurumi - ummm, I just love owls and this would be so cute at a kid's party, or an owl party...
4. An Ombre Paint Swatch Chandelier from heygorg - ombre and paint swatches? This couldn't be more on-trend right now, get the full DIY from hey gorg - I can totally see these hanging from all over the ceiling, wow statement, right?
5. Pink Striped Straws from Etsy seller My Little Otter - no comments needed, just adorable
6. Bobby Pin Butterflies from Purl Bee!!! Purl Bee uses them as decorations and they would be so cute as favors at a spring party or a May Day party (let's make those happen again)
7. J. Crew can make anything cuter - those flowers kill me! Perfect for a beach-themed party favor or party shoes just for you!
8. I haven't tried this recipe but Pink Lemonade Cake just sounds delicious, plus, Better Homes and Gardens is pretty legit. 
9. I've seen a few tutorials for teacup candles floating around but I love Miss Renaissance and her step-by-step instructions and great photography really break the process down. I would use these during a ladies' tea party, give them out as favors/hostess gifts/thank you gifts, just use them in my house all the time, the possibilities are endless!

Pretty In Pink - never a truer word was said!

Friday Favorites: Eggs!

In honor of Easter (and Malerie) my Friday Favorites post is all about Eggs!  Not egg recipes but great egg cups, decorations, stuff for Easter, anything egg-scellent (yes I went there).

P.S. This is more of a Malerie inspired post than it is Easter inspired; Mal loves eggs, like loves to eat them, loves egg cups, loves chickens which lay eggs, etc.

First up, Egg cups!

 The blue coil one is from Crate and Barrel; I just like that's wire and colorful.
The Hen Egg Cup is from Sur La Table (who btw, had lots of egg stuff on their website)

Next up: Deviled Egg Platters.

Now I don't actually like deviled eggs, but my mom loves them and has like five different platters for them and I thought these ones were at least pretty.

 The green one is perfect for Easter/spring time and is found on Etsy.
The Watermelon platter would be great for a summer party/picnic/get together. (Google)


Finally, Egg Decorations!

These would also be great for Easter; or maybe a funny theme for a baby shower (egg turned into a baby, ok maybe not)

The egg candles are also from Sur La Table and are just a nice touch; if you don't want to use them as candles you could put them in the various egg cups and just have as regular tabletop decorations.

The egg lights are from Target and I just thought they were cute.  You all know I like string lights so I had to include egg ones in this post!

So I know "eggs" aren't really a theme for a party but they are fun and great for Easter.  And since deviled eggs are a very popular appetizer at parties, it's nice to have some different options for presenting and serving them!

~Megan

Friday Favorites: Fancy Plates

I was talking with one of my friends about how much I wish I had a huge walk in pantry (like Barefoot Contessa has) where I could store platters and fancy plates, so that inspired my Friday Favorites post!  I just wanted to find some fun plates, chargers, etc., that could jazz up any dinner table.

First up: Plates!

[From left to right]:

I like that these go together but gives you two very different looks.  The orange is just bright and bold and the flower plates would be especially great for a spring/summer bridal shower. [Target]

Yes this is simple, but I love that about it. You don't always have to use color to make a statement.  [Anthropologie]

These might be my favorite, for real this time.  They remind me of tiled mosaics like you would see in Spanish architecture.  These won't be for every event, but perfect for something outside during the summer. [Pier 1]

Next up: Chargers!

[From left to right]

I LOVE this copper charger.  Metallics are wonderful and this feels just a little edgier (and less holiday-esque) than regular gold. [Pier 1]

This is definitely a more casual feel, but that's why it's wonderful.  Chargers don't have to be strictly for formal occassions and this light, woven type of charger is perfect for a more casual event. Also don't be afraid to use chargers under serving platters if you aren't having a seated meal. [World Market]

This square charger is great if you wanted something more modern or sculptural. [World Market]

I realize that all my charger picks are in the same copper/neutral territory but trust me, there are tons of colors, patterns, textures to choose from!

~Megan

Friday Favorites: Sequins

My boyfriend can be kind of clueless, so on New Year's Eve, when he turned to me and asked, "why are so many people wearing sequins?" I wasn't surprised.  Well, I was surprised he knew what sequins were, but I'm not surprised that he didn't get the whole sequin/New Year's/fashion thing.  Anyway, ever since then, I've been looking for ways to use sequins in parties (and not just for New Year's)--enjoy!

1. Add instant glam to any party with these sequined napkin holders (you can make them in basically every color and size) - you can see the original picture and basic instructions over at valley & co. lifestyle
2. Sequins don't have to be overwhelming, Martha uses them judiciously on this little pouch so that they punch up a graphic design without making it look ridiculous
3. This pillow is amazing. I need it now. Race you to it? Actually, Etsy seller Amore Beaute has a ton of cute pillowcases so there's more than enough for everyone!
4. These sequin-ribbons might be my favorite.  Make your own with a holepunch and some screen in every colorway possible. Get the directions and even more inspiration at Tip Junkie
5. Umm, oversized sequins to hang up as decorations? YES. Check out zakka life for the directions and more pictures. They bring disco to the next level
6. Get that designer look for less by making your own striped sequined t-shirts, oh, bonus points for Copy Craft for giving us a no-sew project!

 So there you go, now go get your sequin on!
Malerie

Color Me Tuesday - Tiffany Blue? I Do

I know, it's been done to death, but people still get it wrong...so in my infinite wisdom, here are just a few ideas on how to work in some Tiffany Blue into your life in a way that Audrey would be proud of.

1. Sooo, technically not Tiffany Blue, but come on, Octopus Plate??? Who could say no.  There's a whole collection over at Anthropologie and with a whole range of table settings in different blues? That's definitely classy (which = Tiffany's)
2. A very sweet flower bracelet from Lillyput Lane Design Co. (on etsy) - pretty budget friendly and very pretty without being childish - a cute party favor for a girl's birthday party or even a bridesmaid gift!
3. Add some Tiffany's flavor instantly with these gorgeous empire-ish cupcake papers - The Bakers Confection has a whole shop full of amazing baking accessories so definitely check them out!
4. Obviously had to throw something in from the original - these charms are SO CUTE.  Definitely a little on the expensive side, but hey, sometimes you just gotta spring for the good stuff.  There are a whole line of charms with the Tiffany's blue enamel, but I thought the cupcake was particularly endearing.

So, there you are, 4 ways to keep it real...Tiffany's real.