Such Pretty Things

A Romantic Rose Bouquet

Yes, it seems I am all about flowers this week. :-)  Here's a simple and romantic rose bouquet that you can easily make yourself. You'll need creamy-white roses, pale pink spray roses, rubber bands, scissors, a tall water glass or small cylindrical vase, and a spool of pale pink tulle.

Begin by removing all the leaves and any bruised outer petals.  Then gather the white roses into a bouquet in your hands, interspersing them with the pink spray roses as you go.  Continue doing this until you have formed an even, rounded shape.

Take a rubber band and secure it tightly around the stems. Next, trim the stems so that they are just slightly shorter than the height of the glass or vase. Now for the tulle. Tie one end of the tulle around the bottom of the vase (you can also use hot glue if you are not worried about damaging the vase) and continue wrapping and overlapping the tulle until you have completely covered the entire vase.  You will need several layers to get good, frothy pink coverage.  Finish at the top of the vase by tying off the end. Carefully add water and insert your bouquet.

Voila!  A pretty bouquet for any occasion.  I made this one for a sweet friend's birthday, but it would also make a beautiful centerpiece for a wedding, shower, or Mother's Day brunch. And, of course, you can always vary the type of flowers used and the color of the tulle.

XOXO

Jessica

 

Cherry Blossom Picnic 2011

Yes, it's cherry blossom time again! I just adore our annual family picnic down at the Tidal Basin in D.C. and eagerly anticipate it all winter long. We usually try to wait for the warmest, sunniest day to go, but the weather just hasn't been cooperating with us.  So, this year, we bundled up, headed downtown, and braved the crisp, chilly air.

Luckily, the blossoms were clearly oblivious to the cold spell and looked as gorgeous as ever...

We brought a simple and portable picnic of warm, fresh croissants, thick Belgian waffles, juicy strawberries, orange juice, and coffee (hot chocolate for the girls).

I'm not a fan of paper plates.

:-)

Since you can't pick the blossoms, we brought a few of our own (a little shabby, but pretty).

And, as is true every year, the view is breathtakingly beautiful...

Happy Spring!

Jessica

Pretty Parties: Custom Crayons

I have been a fan of crayons ever since I was old enough to hold one.  As a child, there was nothing more exciting than a fresh, new box - all those pretty waxy sticks neatly lined up in their colorful rows.

I still love crayons to this day and they are one of my favorite favors to give out at children's parties.  Sure, everyone probably already has crayons, but I don't think you can ever really have enough. :-) But sometimes, the bright colors of crayons just don't "go" with an event's decor.  So, I often dress mine up a bit to make my own "custom" crayons...

This is the simplest project and lots of fun to do with the kiddies.  All you need is crayons, a scissors (or paper trimmer), some pretty scrapbook paper and some invisible (Magic) tape.  Just cut your paper into rectangles that are slightly longer than the crayon wrappers.  You don't even need to remove the wrappers. Just tape one edge of the paper rectangle directly onto the paper wrapper, wrap the scrapbook paper tightly around the crayon (overlapping it slightly), and neatly secure it with tape.

What's so great about this project is that you can completely customize your colors and patterns.

Bundle up a small bunch of crayons and tie them with some pretty ribbon.

These make a lovely addition to a goody bag, would look adorable in an Easter basket, and are a great favor to place on children's tables at weddings and holidays.

XOXO
Jessica

Pretty Collecting: Candy Colored Millinery

These vintage millinery flowers look good enough to eat, don't you think?

I just love the candy-colored blossoms and minty-green velvet leaves.

I have a rather large collection of millinery and I've never come across flowers like these before. They are very unusual with their gauzy-linen petals and sugared stamen centers...

Such pretty, yummy colors - I just had to share...

:-)

Jessica

Pretty Collecting: Chenille Chicks

I just adore these little vintage chenille chicks (and bunnies, too).

These little guys are quite old and delicate. I believe they date back to the 1950's or 60's.

They are the prettiest pastel colors and so soft and fluffy.

Just look at their sweet faces - aren't they just the cutest things ever!

You can often find them for sale around Easter time on eBay and Etsy, but you can probably get a better deal at your local flea market. :-)  Some even come embellished with tiny hats, feathers, and millinery flowers...

I enjoy collecting them, but they also make a lovely addition to an Easter basket...that is, if you can bear to part with them.

XOXO

Jessica

Aqua Sno-balls!

I may not be Irish, but I sure can appreciate a pretty aqua-green Sno-Ball!

Typically a bright pink color, Hostess makes these for a limited time in honor of St. Patrick's Day.  I added the pink royal icing roses just for fun.

If you've never had a Sno-ball, you've really been missing out! Yummy chocolate cake, creme filling, marshmallow and coconut!

Get 'em while you can...

Happy Tuesday!

:-)

Jessica

Japanese Cupcake Decorating Supplies

My husband came back from a recent business trip to Japan with these...

Evidently, cake and cupcake decorating is HUGE in Japan, with shops devoting aisle after aisle to just sprinkles and dragees!  Who knew?

I especially love all the cool packaging.  These are sold in tiny packages, for one-time use...

And everything is so delicate and dainty - no two ton containers of jimmies to be found! Just look at these teeny, tiny dragees.

I forgot to ask my husband to try to translate the packaging this morning, but I am assuming that this the the Japanese version of our Wilton candy melts...

And how sweet are these little floral cupcake cases...

They also make really wonderful boxed cake and cookie mixes, like this one for French Macarons!

Most of these items are from The Loft, a beautiful department store in Shibuya, Tokyo. I've been to Japan several times, but I don't remember seeing anything like these. Now I want to go back and see it all for myself.  Too bad I don't love flying (seriously terrifed!) and it's a 14 hour flight!

:-)

Jessica

Target Tuesday: Pretty Pastel Dishes

I am loving these sweet little ramekin dishes from Target...

I found them in the Dollar Spot - only $2.50 for a set of three!

The pastel colors are so pretty and Springy and I just adore the delicate fluted edges.

Perfect for organizing your office or craft supplies or holding some Easter candies!

What would you use them for???

Happy Tuesday!

:-)

Jessica