09
Dec 11

Bridget’s Sunshine Party Invites

I had loads of fun working with a fantastically talented Etsy designer on Bridget’s sunshine party invites.  I told her they had to be whimsical, fun, and include the lyrics to our musical inspiration “You Are My Sunshine.”  And of course they had to include a photo of Little Miss Sunshine herself and the phrase “Bright as the sun ~ Our little Bridget is turning 1!”

The Paper Perfectionist did not disappoint and I highly recommend her work to anyone with a clear idea of what you want looking for an affordable custom party invitation.  I love the colors and how she incorporated lace, which was a central design element, to the borders of the invite.

The invites came with white envelopes, so I looked elsewhere for buttery, sunshine yellow envelopes.  I also purchased vivid pink damask envelope liners to add a pop of color to the muted hues of the invite.  I worked with White Tulip Designs on Etsy for these items.

I told my stamp-addict hubby what I wanted in terms of stamps:” vintage feminine with multiple stamps to give it a more “weathered” look.  Most of the invites had a classic doll 32 cent stamp paired with the Tiffany Lamp and Clock stamps.  The one pictured in the photograph had an Indian stamp  - one my husband needed for his collection.  Yes, I make fun of him mercilessly for this little hobby.  However, it does come in handy when I want vintage stamps for a project like this.  As I’ve said many times on this blog, I believe stamps can add a personalized element to invitations that can enhance the overall look.

 

 


06
Dec 11

Tuesday Shoesday, Vendor Spotlight: Brandon Vick Photography

There’s so much to love about these minty blue, romantic, Calvin Klein peep-toes.   The smoothness of the suede, the floral heel embellishment, the wrapped heel…  This bride made the shoe hers by wrapping her husband-to-be’s ring around the toe of the shoe with a candy pink satin ribbon.  Shoe love indeed.  Many thanks to Brandon Vick Photography for the shoe art.

 


02
Dec 11

Friday Etsy Finds

Just a few things I am loving on Etsy right now…

8x10 Wall Print, $18, Penguin Papyrus Store

Star Wars Wedding Bands, $100, Spiffing Jewelry

Family Monkeys 8x10 Print, $18, Penguin Papyrus

Family Monkeys 8x10 Print, $18, Penguin Papyrus

 

Scrabble Coasters, Made by Marcy

 

Harry Potter Inspired Bracelet, $18, Tesoro Jewelry


29
Nov 11

Tuesday Shoesday, Vendor Spotlight: Hilary Argentieri Photography

Thanks to Hilary Argentieri Photography for today’s shoesday.  I love the architectural quality of the ankle strap.  To snag these shoes, click here.


23
Nov 11

Happy Thanksgiving!

A happy happy holiday from Better Together Events!


22
Nov 11

Tuesday Shoesday, Vendor Spotlight: Brandon Vick Photography

Check out J.Crew next year for a similar pair.  Thanks to Brandon Vick Photography for this dramatic image.


16
Nov 11

Chris and Amanda: August 20, 2011

Amanda and Chris were married on a gorgeous summer day at Heron Hill Winery on Keuka Lake.  Thank you so much to Brandon Vick Photography for sharing all these beautiful images.

Chris and Amanda’s wedding style was eclectic, fun, whimsical, and vintage so they incorporated bright shades of purple, mango, and watermelon into their wedding design.   One of my favorite details was the bridesmaids’ attire: they all wore graduated shades of the three colors; it really allowed all of the ladies’ personalities to shine through while still looking unified.

Can’t wait to spotlight these Badgley Mischka shoes on Shoesday!  Here’s a sneak peak:

Showcasing her gorgeous gown hanging on the hangers we love so much at Better Together…

Amanda was truly a radiant and beautiful bride.  Thank you so much for choosing me to coordinate your most special of days!

In Bloom created all the vibrant floral design.

 

 

Many, many thanks to the venue coordinator at Heron Hill, Kara Smith.

The always great, Nik Lite Band, kept the guests dancing all night long.

Premier Pastry made and designed the impeccable and delicious cake.

I’ll leave you with some of mt favorite shots from the day.  Thanks again, Brandon!


15
Nov 11

Tuesday Shoesday, Vendor Spotlight: Brandon Vick Photography

I am so very excited about today’s Shoesday!  Thank you to Brandon Vick Photography for the images.

I’ve been begging Brandon for some shoe shots since we worked together this August and he delivered in a huge way.  If you love these Jimmy Choos, stay tuned!  Brandon has a knack for getting the brides with some serious shoe style.

I love shoes that combine details you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see together: you’ve got the vintage detail in the peep-toe Mary Jane combined with a modern metallic.  Sadly, this exact shoe is no longer being made, but Jimmy Choo has a similar style you can find here.


11
Nov 11

DIY Pinwheels

Here’s a how-to the pinwheels I made for Bridget’s party.  I got my instructions from oncewed.com

What You’ll Need (for the pinwheels)

Several sheets of 12? x 12? double sided scrapbook or decorative paper (a lighter weight paper, not stiff, heavy card stock)
Round-headed pins
12? wooden dowels
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
A push pin
Flower shaped craft punch
A pair of scissors
A ruler

Pinwheel Instructions

1.  Begin by measuring and cutting several 6? inch squares out of your paper.

2.  Find the center of your one of the squares and mark it by poking a hole through it with your pushpin.  (see figure 1)

3. Lay your paper pattern side down, and use your ruler to draw diagonal lines from each corner to make an “X”.    (see figure 1)

4.  Cut along the diagonal lines, from all four corners,  stopping one inch before you meet the hole in the center of your paper.  (see figure 2)

5.  Use your pushpin to make a hole in the right hand corner of each side of the square, just to the left of the line you just cut.  (see figure 3)

6.  Use your punch to cut out a paper flower.    Stick your round-headed pin through the center of the flower.  (see figure 3) Note: I did not have a punch so I cut out tiny hearts.

7.  One by one, bring each of the four pin-holed corners to the center and stick the flower and pin through each of the four holes.  (see figure 4 and 5)

8.  Next, put the pin through the hole in the center of the square and set aside.

9.  Make a pilot hole, using your pushpin,  1/2 inch down from the end of the dowel.

10.   Put a drop of hot glue on the hole, and quickly insert the pin that runs through the pinwheel center into the glue and dowel.   (see figure 6 and 7)  Be careful not to let the pinwheel paper touch the glue on the dowel while it’s drying.  If it sticks, it can’t spin.

11.   Arrange your completed pinwheels in a vase or container like flower stems.

What it Costs
(to make 12 pinwheels)
4 sheets of paper @ $.50 each = $2.00
Package of 12 dowels = $2.00
Box of pins = $2
Total = $6

08
Nov 11

DIY Party Hats How To

So I was inspired by all of the neat party hats on Etsy when I thought – I could do that – and save some $$$.  Here’s a how-to to make the hats I made for Bridget’s party.

Note: this could also make a really fun craft project with kids.  Just construct the plain hats ahead of time, spread out a bunch of doo-dads and glue and glitter and what-not, and let the kids go to town.  Maybe give out a prize for the craziest hat!  I found the instructions for this project on www.ohhappyday.com.

Downloadable Hat Template Click here to download.
Heavy Paper (like poster board or cardstock) or Scrapbooking Paper (which I found worked better)
Crepe Paper (or you can also use tissue paper for the big flowers)
Ribbon
Pencil
String (or wire)
Scissors
X-acto Knife

1. First you’ll want to pick some paper. I started with cardstock, but found through trial and error that scrapbooking paper was easier to mold together.  Trace the following template onto your paper for however many hats you want, then cut them out.  Use the x-acto knife to cut along the straight line (this is where the tab will fit through when you roll into a cone).
2.  Put the tab into the slot.  I struggled a little bit with this and found I needed to reinforce the inside of the cone with tape/glue.
3. Punch a hole in either side of the hat to put your ribbon through.
4. Push the ribbon through each hole and knot to secure.
Once you have your hat then it’s time for the fun part: Embellishment
Embellishment Instructions
Step 1. Cut a 1″ piece of Crepe or Tissue paper.
Step 2. Cut evenly spaced fringe on each side of the 1″ piece.
Step 3. Ruffle and scrunch with your fingers then unroll the fringe.
Step 4. Take the fringe doubling or tripling it up and then staple or glue it to the edge of your hat. (You can bend the fringe to cover the staple.)
Step 5. To make the fringey ball on top, take a section of fringe and roll it up. Then secure it tightly with string in the middle, leaving long tails of string.
Step 6. Separate each side of the fringe and poof it up until it is a little ball.
Step 7. Put the string through the hole at the top of the hat and secure the tails with a piece of tape on the inside.
Step 8. Et voila! You have a party hat!
Here are some more images of the finished product!