Such Pretty Things

Pretty Marbleized Balloons

I was doing a little shopping for Mini-mini-me's upcoming birthday party when I spotted these at Party City...

They are marbleized balloons! I actually haven't seen anything like them in years. While the colors didn't precisely fit my typical palette, I had a vague memory that these balloons become much paler when they are filled with air.  So, I decided to throw caution to the wind and bought a pack. I was super excited to see what they would look like once they were blown up! Here they are before...

And here they are after...

Hard to believe, right?  They turn out much lighter in color and the patterns become much more subtle - almost like watercolor.

I think they are just so pretty and the marbleized effect is really cool.

Sadly, we won't be using them for Mini-mini-me's cake-decorating party (only the purest pastels need apply), but I just love these for a retro 1970's party, a tie dye party, or an art party!

:-)

Jessica

Another Year, Another Cake Decorating Party

Some of you may remember that "Mini-mini-me" had a cake-decorating party for her birthday two years ago. We held it at a wonderful local bakery and the girls all had a blast. Just last week, I was discussing possible themes for this year's party with Mini-mini when she mentioned that she would really, really like to have another cake-decorating party this year. At first, I was a bit hesitant.  We've certainly done a lot of party themes over the years, but surely we could come up with something new and exciting? But, after some thought, I decided Mini-mini really should have what she wants. After all, It is HER birthday! And it really is such a fun party.

So, yes, we will be doing another cake-decorating party this year. But we will be doing things a bit differently.  For one, we will be having it at home this time around. The bakery was lovely, but I think it will be even more fun to do it ourselves. This way, we can have all the pastel prettiness we want!

I will, of course, be delighted to share all the details with you here. For starters, this is the invitation that we picked out (not our wording, but you get the idea). Isn't it just adorable!

It was designed by the very talented Sarah at Delight Paperie and we found them on Etsy. Her shop also has lots of coordinating items like stickers and pretty envelopes! I have a ton of decorating and favor ideas, so there will definitely be more to come in the upcoming weeks...

XOXO

Jessica

Target Tuesday: More Valentine's Day Supplies

I discovered a new collection of super cute Valentine's Day supplies at Target this week! These adorable striped straws are slightly wider and shorter than the typical paper straws that we have come to love.

They come as a set of 20 straws in a mix of fun colors for only $3.00!

And these plates and napkins are a real steal at only a $1.00 a pack!

Such a fun heart-shaped pattern...

These supplies are all so pretty for Valentine's Day, but I am thinking they would work equally well for a "circus" themed party.  These cups ($2.00) especially...

Happy Tuesday!

:-)

Jessica

Candy Colored Necklaces

I nearly fainted when I saw these candy colored necklaces at Urban Outfitters!

The "sweet" colors are pure pastel perfection.

They look so pretty when worn together...or separately.

You can find them here and here.

:-)

Jessica

French Cake Decorating Roses

When I discovered these in Paris last spring, I didn't really know what they were...

I am still not completely sure (I guess I should have stuck with that French class in seventh grade).  From what I can discern from the label, I am pretty confident that they are edible.  And they seem to be made out of some wafer-like material or thick rice paper. "Mini-mini-me" volunteered to be the Guinea Pig and try one. Her opinion - they tasted "very blah -  like Chinese pancakes". O.K.  Well, whatever they are, I think you will agree that they are stunningly beautiful...

I found them in a gourmet food shop among other cake decorating supplies, so they are obviously intended as confectionery decor. They come in a variety of pretty pastel colors - with edges that look as if they were air-brushed.  Pretty cool, huh? I am currently loving them on some simple vanilla cupcakes with white icing.

I have never seen them for sale here in the States. Have any of you? Or do you know anything about them? I'd love to learn more...

:-)

Jessica

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I am undoubtedly a shopaholic. I know it. My family and friends know it. And by now, so do all of you. So, it's really no secret that I love to shop. But, believe it or not, I am really trying to be better. To shop less just for "shopping's sake". The older I get, the more I seem to genuinely only want to acquire things that I really need or that are truly, truly special. I have found that one way to do this is to avoid frequently going to shops where I know I will be tempted to buy things I really don't need (yes, HomeGoods, I am talking to you). :-) Luckily, daily life is filled with plenty of shopping opportunities that offer up little temptation - the supermarket, drug store, etc... However, the other day, I needed to go to Staples to get "Mini Me" some graph paper. No big deal, right? So, I go in and quickly find the graph paper and I am making a beeline for the checkout lines when I spot the straws...

Big, beautiful, pastel-colored, milkshake straws! And in the dollar section, no less! Did I need them? Nope. Did I want them? Absolutely! Was there any way I was leaving without at least five packages of them? Not a chance. Am I a work in progress? You bet!

:-)

Jessica

Pretty Collecting: Colored Glasses

I have people write to me all the time and ask me how I find my pretty collections of things. The truth is, I am always on the lookout for things that appeal to me. When I find something I absolutely love...that I am drawn to...I try to buy it. I don't always have a purpose for it in mind and, often, it does not yet belong to a particular "collection". For me, the best part about collecting is that it takes time. While I am not a super patient person by nature, I do love watching my collections grow and evolve over the years.  Take these colored glasses as an example....

I have loved colored glass ever since I was a little girl and admired my grandmother's beautiful glasses.  She kept them displayed on her window sills, so that the sunlight would pass through them and create a kaleidoscope of color throughout the room. It was mesmerizing. Later, I started collecting my own colored glass in college...both vintage and modern (like these). Whenever I found a style or color that I loved, I bought it. Now days, I may have a lot less cabinet space, but I also have a large collection of glasses that I just adore.

The tall pink goblets are from Laura Ashley (back when she had shops here in the U.S.). These aqua ones are my favorites (as is evidenced by my blog cover shot!).

They are from Anthropologie. I actually bought them many years ago, but they still carry the same ones today. These lavender ones are so, so pretty and such a hard-to-find color...

I purchased them from Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic store in Santa Monica (and sadly, they are no longer available). And I recently found these bright turquoise ones at Pottery Barn...

So, you see, a collection doesn't really happen overnight, so don't expect it to.  Enjoy the hunt...the search...and before you know it, you, too, will have a pretty collection of your own!

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Organized: Pastel Polish

Between the two girls and Moi, there's a lot of nail polish around our house. I love all those little bottles of pretty pastel color.

So much so, that I like to keep them out on display on my bathroom vanity.

And a vintage floral china plate does such a nice job of organizing them...

XOXO

Jessica

Real Life Sprinkles

Gourmet sprinkles are truly a glorious thing, but sometimes even I just want some regular, old-fashioned sprinkles (jimmies?) to put on my ice cream. Mr. Sprinkles fits the bill!

He's a new discovery for me, but a friend tells me he's been around for a  long, long time. Mr. Sprinkles' sprinkles are happy, tasty and colorful (they come in chocolate, too)!

I absolutely love them for everyday, real life treats! And to those of you who are afraid of clowns...I deeply apologize for this post. :-)

Happy Friday!

Jessica

 

 

Pretty Shopping: Le Grande Epicerie, Paris

It is rainy with dark gray skies here today, so not ideal for photo-taking. So, I thought I would share one of my all-time favorite Parisian shops, La Grande Epicerie at Bon Marche.

Le Bon Marche ("the good market") is one of the best known department stores in Paris. And, while I love to look at all the latest designer fashions and accessories, my favorite department in Bon Marche is this massive gourmet food emporium. If you love cooking or baking (or just eating!), you need to put this place on your bucket list.

This is where I purchased those incredible French sprinkles that I wrote about the other day.

They have an extensive and incredible selection of beautiful candy, unusual baking supplies, and the prettiest sugars you will ever see.

They also carry lots of items I have never seen here in the States. Like this fabulous Violette beverage...

Yes, you know I brought one of those back! And these pretty syrups...

And colorful cookies!

I found so many pretty things at La Grande Epicerie (as is evidenced by that first shot of my quickly filling shopping basket). It is definitely a shop worth visiting!

XOXO

Jessica