Baby Shower Tea Party

I mentioned last Friday that I was throwing a baby shower for my sister last weekend. The theme was "An Afternoon Tea," and the color scheme was hot pink, black and white.

I scored the most amazing roses at Costco, the day before the shower!

We served tea in my grandmother's antique bone china - she'd be so happy to know we used her beautiful china; my mother-in-law made the adorable chocolate teacup & teapot favors...I painted the flower pots and wrapped them with ribbon to display the treats.

(From top left): we served several different teas, each pot labeled with a description of the tea flavor; yummy cream puffs covered in chocolate and powdered sugar; one of my floral centerpieces along side a bowl of M&M's and peanuts (as requested by my very pregnant sister); an adorable sign created by my 8-year old niece and big-sister-to-be, which reads "Welcome funny Baby!"

Petit fours that my mom and I made together - we were so proud of ourselves :) We actually sliced up butter pound cake, covered the cubes with homemade frosting and then I decorated them with regular cake frosting in pastry bags. So easy and really tasty!

Chocolate covered strawberries created by my mom :)

The shower was a total success! Everyone, including my lovely sister, had a great time and enjoyed all of the tea and treats. I wish you all a wonderful weekend! Any fun plans? I'm planning on doing NOTHING and will enjoy every moment of it! Ciao :)

Words of Encouragement

Make, Do, Mend Poster via Bold & Noble

We can all use positive words of encouragement from time to time, right? Why not frame your favorite words of inspiration and hang them as art? I found several prints and posters that I'd love to hang in my home office to push me forward when I'm feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or uninspired...

Translated: "All things are possible with God." Discovered in the love shop via Etsy.

Both of these fantastic prints are available through the love shop via Etsy

Discovered on Etsy from Jess Gonacha's Shop

Framed poster available via Art.com

Dream Big print from here; Keep Calm...print from Jenny's Bake Shop on Etsy

Found on deviant ART

Image on the left found here; La La Love poster available through Sparkle Power on Etsy

Lealand Eve Boutique

I was delighted when I received an email from the owners of Lealand Eve Boutique, husband and wife team Nathan King and Lealand Eve Richard. Their quaint little shop is located in Sayville, NY and they carry some fantastic accessories for the home (at wonderful prices, by the way!). Have a look at a few things that caught my eye while browsing their online shop...

This lamp is so fresh and I love the soft blue color; I want this eclectic collage venetian style mirror for my apartment - the colors are perfect!

They have a lovely line of jewelry in all sorts of fun organic shapes and materials.

How cute are these 4 x 4 Iinitial Glass Trays? They'd make a great little gift!

A little more about the company (directly from their website)..."Lealand Eve is a specialty boutique that brings a young, fresh aesthetic to our location on suburban Long Island and online to the rest of the world. Showcasing the lines of smaller manufacturers and individual artisans, the shop carries home accessories, wearable accessories for women and men, gift and novelty items and jewelry. Our look is organic and clean, taking cues from the natural environment and adding a whimsical, fairy tale touch. We update a classic “vintage” look with modern materials and design." Click here to visit their boutique!

Quote of the Week

"Some possessions are like old friends, and you never want to abandon an old friend."

- Nina Campbell

What possession(s) do you have that you just can't seem to abandon?

PHOTO CREDITS: TRIA GIOVAN, JOSEPH DE LEO PHOTOGRAPHY, HOUSE BEAUTIFUL , DOMINO

Tea Time

I honor of my sister's baby girl, due April 5th (her 4th child, btw), my mom and I are throwing her a "Tea Party" themed baby shower tomorrow afternoon. Here are some inspiration photos I found while browsing the Internet for tea party decor and food ideas. I'll post photos of the shower next week. Have a lovely weekend!

PHOTO CREDITS: FLICKR & FFFOUND!

Color Me Happy

This photo inspired today's post. I'm loving the floral patterned fabric mixed with solid bright colors... not to mention the beautiful acrylic chairs, green carpet and funky wall decor. Oh, how it makes me smile :) What a brilliant room for dining and entertaining!

I'm craving color today so here are some pretty things that are bright and bursting with lots of color! I'd like to start off with one of these cupcakes for breakfast!

I'd place this blooming vase of roses on my desk so I could stare at them all day long while working. Do you think it would be alright to do some house work wearing one of these silk kimono robes with the bright fuchsia heels?

Notice the fluffy pink dress hanging to the right? I'd like to slip that on for the day, even if it's just to run errands.

If I had a pink piano, I'd be more inclined to learn how to play! And I'd love to sit in this chair each morning at my vanity (if I had one) and put on my make-up, while wearing my pink dress of course :) Enjoy your day!

In order from top to bottom:

1) Cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery

2) Vase of roses from here

3) Floral Medley Kimono Robe from here

4) Paulette Lamp from Arteriors Home

5) Cole Haan Huarache Air Sandal by Cole Haan via Zappos

6) Orla Kiely for Target mug in orange floral

7) Formosa Tray Table via CB2

8) Photo via Flickr of pink & green room

9) Hot Pink Piano found here

10) Black & white polka dot Louis XVI style chair via Gardenhouse

11) Crystal Breezes giclee print via art.com

900-Square-Feet of Charm

I discovered this wonderful little house tour via Country Living that I thought you'd all enjoy. Located in the Catskills, Gotham magazine lifestyle editor, Jason Oliver Nixon, and decorator John Loecke snagged this this Federal-style former schoolhouse, circa 1840, for $30,000. The 900-square-foot structure was a neglected rental sans closets and a ceiling that was so low they couldn't stand up straight! After gutting and completely re-doing the place, this old schoolhouse was transformed to to a chic and cozy weekend retreat - one they've nicknamed "Monkey Cottage, full of color, bold prints, and a playful spirit."

PHOTO CREDITS: COUNTRY LIVING / LUCAS ALLEN

Quote of the Week

"Design isn't going to solve social problems, but it should be informed and influenced by them. Designers can effect a lot of change by producing things that are elegant, beautiful, and efficient, whether they're interiors or buildings or products."
- Cindy Coleman

PHOTO CREDITS: DOMINO / QUOTE FROM HERE