Birthday Bunting

October is full of birthdays in my family : little bro is turning 16, Nana is turning 75 and my precious little sister Sami is turning 8 (going on 14!).  

Does this call for a new Pinterest board called "party ideas"? I think so! 

I tend to spoil my younger sister, but that's what big sisters are for, right? Recently a new "paint your own" ceramics shop opened on our street, so I thought...what a great way to celebrate Sami turning 8! 

After chatting with Mom, we've decided to have cake/presents at my house after. Yes, this means I get to start planning the best, most girly party ever!

Insert: birthday bunting - one of my favorite party decor items that I've been seeing all over Pinterest.  There are so many inspiring websites giving direction on how to create your own, and I've also seen many great shops on Etsy that sell bunting.  I am definitely going to attempt to create my own (pictures to come closer to the birthday party).  I will need to consult with the birthday girl on what colors we should use.  

Here are some other super cute ways I have seen birthday bunting used:  

Break my heart, how cute is the birthday bunting on top of the birthday cake? I love the back drop with the pink bows, the mini mirrors, sweets and treats. 

cute pictorial representation of bunting on an invite

Bunting & party favors tied into one ... genius idea!

And for some table inspiration - because I know I'll want to include a table at the party that serves as the beverage, food, treat station ...

These "lace cut" paper plates are adorable. 

Old fashioned striped paper straws are such a cute accent to the pink lemonade in mason jars.

 Pom - poms are a must!

(all images via Pinterest)

I cannot wait to start making the pom pom decorations, bunting and planning out the party table.   There will definitely be plenty of pictures to share! ....and many more things pinned to my "party ideas" board on Pinterest.  Follow me here.  

xxoo,

Fab Fall (preview)

Pumpkins, butternut squash soup, boots & dresses, apple cider, the leaves turning colors...

love love love the Fall season!

I know that it is only August 13, but I majorly have fall on the brain! Maybe because it is my favorite season of the year? or because it has been such a long hot summer. We go away on vacation this next week, have a wedding as soon as we return, then next thing you know - I feel like it will be September. 

All the more reason to start getting inspired by fall decor, right? 

 I have been "pinning" fall inspirational decor like crazy this past weekend.  

 After we get back from vaca & wedding festivities,  I will have my glue gun, paint brush, and tools ready to go -

D and I have an amazing front porch that screams - decorate me! Plus, I love any excuse (season change, holiday, event) to decorate.  

 This is our house last holiday season -

 Here are some of my fall front porch ideas that I am in love with.  I will most likely take different elements out of each inspiration to create my own -

I cannot wait!

 Hello, super cute entry space - I love the fall inspired mums hanging from the baskets, and how everything is symmetrical yet does not seem too "matchy" at the same time.

 Okay, so I may be slightly obsessed with chevron print - I added this picture in because the chevron printed table in neutral and black would look great with any fall color combination of oranges, yellows, browns -

 

Currently D and I do not have an outdoor rug where we have our front porch sitting area.  I would love to add something with pattern.  I am in love with these color combinations and the navajo print.

 This picture is so inspiring, it makes me want to paint our door with black detailing!  That would not match the shutters, so I know it's a no - go.  But I just love the black accents with the cream and monochromatic shades of orange. 

 My soon to be sister- in - law has a few  lanterns similar to the lanterns pictured here.  I love the idea of taking an over sized lantern, and filling it with fall goodies - pumpkins, candles, acorns, etc. 

This welcome message painted on the pumpkins is too cute! 

 How cool are these old fashioned keys glued to the pumpkins?

(all images via Pinterest and Better Homes & Gardens)

I hope this inspires you to start getting ideas for your own fab fall space!

Shutter Style

Living with my boyfriend, "D" means a few things when it comes to house decor: 

-no "Live Laugh Love" anything

-no floral

-has to be "manly"

.....you get the point - 

I'm constantly shoving the laptop in his face saying ...can we do this? I think you will like this! I've pretty much got his taste down pat now, so it's getting easier.  I will still sneak a few feminine things in here and there.  It can't be all masculine can it? 

I've mentioned in my about me that I love the Rustic Chic look.  I love that it is a bit romantic, a bit masculine, and a bit shabby all at the same time. I love that you get the country vibe but in a modern way, not like ducks and gingham.

   here is a perfect example: 

D and I stumbled upon an old barn auction a few months back - and it was amazing! He thought I was dragging him out to a yard sale early on a Saturday morning, but instead what we found was quite the treat!

Here are some pictures of what we came across -

I won these 2 beauties - the white one is hanging in our kitchen -

These were some of the old feed bags and linens that were in the basket - I won these also!

D was drooling over the old bottles - they were quite the collection -

This was seriously one of the best Saturday's ever - D and I only had so much cash on us, and of course neither of us had our check book... so it was like a fun game of "how much cash do we have, how much can we bid, etc.." We each had our own bidding style (who knew?) It was so much fun!

Look at these shutters.... Shutter Heaven!

I walked away with a set of 4 of these - I would have loved to take more.  The ideas in my head were spinning as the auctioneer was accepting bids - 

So far we have used one in our house as a mail slot next to the front door - and I still have 3 others to play around with - 

Here are some other great inspirational ideas of how to use old shutters:

(Photo via Style Me Pretty - one of the CUTEST Bridal Inspiration blogs ever!)

(All images via Pinterest)

Now all I want to do is a shutter project today, and search for more!

I hope this post inspires you too!