Such Pretty Things

Target Tuesday: No-Sew Ruffled Tulle Aprons

OK, so I am a day later than promised with these, but I think you will forgive me when you see how cute and easy these no-sew aprons are to make!  I was actually going to skip aprons for the cake decorating party this year.  I just couldn't find any as nice as the ones I found for the last party and and I really didn't have the time to sew any myself.  But.....I was walking though the girls' department at Target over the weekend and I found these adorable ruffled tulle skirts on CLEARANCE!

I instantly had an idea - why not turn them into aprons? The great thing about elastic and tulle is that they do not unravel easily - making them perfect for a no-sew project.  So I grabbed a bunch and got to work. I began by carefully cutting each skirt down the side seems.  The result: two apron panels per skirt! Then I used my iron and some Heat n Bond (available at craft and sewing shops) to attach a 4-foot length of pink ruffled ribbon to the elastic waistband of each apron.

As a finishing touch, I added some clip-on fabric flowers (H&M) that the girls can later wear in their hair.

So, for less than $5 a piece (and without any sewing!!!), I have a pile of pretty aprons! And they were so easy and quick to make - I was actually able to finish 12 aprons in just a few hours!

:-)

Jessica

Pretty London: Cocomaya

Well, I was planning to show you those party aprons today, but the weather just didn't cooperate - very dark and rainy and not the least bit conducive to taking photos.  So, instead I wanted to share with you one of my most favorite places in London.  It's a lovely little cafe and bakery called Cocomaya.

There are actually four locations around London, but I just adore the one on Brompton Road (not far from the Museum of Natural History). The storefront is colorful and whimsical!

Cocomaya is the perfect place to enjoy a yummy scone and a relaxing cup of tea.

Although the girls prefer the hot chocolate...

...and chocolate brownies!

The food is delish, but my favorite thing about Cocomaya is that everything is served on pretty mismatched vintage china. Just look at those stacks and stacks of floral and transferware plates!

Cocomaya is so charming and cozy...

With wonderful little touches everywhere - like rustic wood tables and mason jars filled with utensils...

They also sell their own specialty chocolate bars, exotically flavored marshmallows, and many other baked goods. Truly a not-to-miss place if you find yourself in London.

:-)

Jessica

Cake Decorating Kit Favors

Now that I am back from London, I am shifting into high gear for Mini-mini-me's cake-decorating birthday party! This past weekend we worked on the party favors - little cake-decorating kits for the girls to take home...

Each kit contains disposable icing bags, a coupler set, two wilton piping tips, and a variety of colorful sprinkles. I packaged up the sprinkles in cute little bags...

And the tips, too...

I then packed everything up into little boxes with clear tops and added a label.

Each girl will also take home a can of Wilton's Decorator Icing (the type specifically designed for piping roses, leaves, etc...).  To pretty up the can, I covered the existing wrappers with scrapbook paper and added a label.

Tomorrow I will be back with the party aprons I made (hint, hint - lots of ruffles and tulle involved!).

XOXO

Jessica

 

Pretty London: VV Rouleaux

Sooooo, I apologize for the little blogging break, but I just got back from a week in London. The girls had a few extra days off surrounding the holiday weekend, so we figured we would get out of town for a bit. I am still fighting some serious jet-lag, but I wanted to show you some highlights from our trip. I've previously written about VV Rouleaux, but I never miss an opportunity to visit this gloriously beautiful haberdashery. The brainchild of Annabel Lewis, a former florist, VV Rouleaux is a ribbon and millinery lovers dream come true. The storefront window entices the eye like a candy shop.

Once inside, roll upon roll of pretty ribbon greets you...

There are antique crates filled with delicate millinery blossoms...

And even more crates...

Stunning hat-making supplies and feathers...

The shop comprises two levels...

The lower level is filled with tons of fancy trims, birds, butterflies, even more millinery flowers, etc...

Definitely a can't miss shop if you find yourself in London!

Back soon...

XOXO

Jessica

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing all of you and those you love a very "sweet" Valentine's Day!!!

XOXO

Jessica

Valentine's Day Heart Cookies

As a special treat, I made some heart-shaped cookies to put in the girls' lunches for Valentine's Day.

Just simple sugar cookies. To dress them up, I went for a pale aqua icing and lots of pastel colored sugar.

Hopefully, they will be a sweet surprise for two of my most favorite valentines.

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Valentine's Day Gift Idea

If you are looking for a cute little last minute Valentine's Day gift for someone special, consider these adorable cosmetic bags that I found at Forever 21...

I just love the metallic heart print and the pretty colors...and at only $5.80 each, they are a real bargain!

Stuff one with some little trinkets and candy...and when it's empty, the bag is perfect for traveling or storing make-up!

I bought one for each of the girls and I am filling them with little gifts like hand lotion, sparkly jewelry, and i-tunes cards...

...and lots of sweet candies.

I hope they like them!

XOXO

Jessica

Valentine Marshmallow Pops

These heart-shaped marshmallow pops are a great little treat for Valentine's Day.

They are soooo easy to make and are a wonderful activity to do with the kiddies!  You will need heart-shaped marshmallows (I found mine at Target)...

They came in a mixed bag of pretty pink and white...

You will also need white chocolate (or candy melts), lollipops sticks (my cute striped ones are from World Market)...

...and SPRINKLES (of course)!

To make them, simply insert the sticks into the base of the marshmallows - pushing them in as far as you can without them coming out the top.  Melt your chocolate as instructed and carefully dip your marshmallows in the chocolate. I dipped some completely in chocolate and others I chose to just coat the fronts. Quickly add your sprinkles before the chocolate hardens and lay them on wax or parchment paper to set.

Once set, you can serve them as is...or put them in little cello bags tied with a ribbon.  They make great little favors to hand out at Valentine's Day parties. Personally, I like presenting them as a colorful bouquet!

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Books: "Tinkered Treasures"

I have been a huge admirer of Elyse Major's work for many years now. I just adore her pretty, pastel-infused blog, Tinkered Treasures, and I always enjoy reading the articles that she contributes to my favorite decorating magazines. Recently, I was delighted to find out that Elyse was having her very first book published...and even more thrilled when her publisher, CICO Books, sent me a copy to review!

"Tinkered Treasures" is such a beautiful and fun book!  It is absolutely brimming with simple and clever projects that make use of everyday objects (bottles, tin cans, etc...) that one likely already has in their home. With just a few basic supplies (paint, paper, glue), Elyse shows you how to easily re-purpose these mundane items into pretty and practical eye candy. From garlands and bookmarks to picture frames and clothespin dolls!

"Tinkered Treasures" is a truly wonderful book for even the novice crafter. With clear step-by-step instructions and illustrations, even the most beginner crafter can turn out charming results in no time. It is clear that Elyse's goal is for her reader to really have fun with these projects - to "play" and "tinker" with them...and put their own unique spin on each one.

And if, like me, you like your books to be pretty as well as practical, you will love the gorgeous photographs and styling...

A pastel wonderland filled with the sweetest vintage details...

"Tinkered Treasures" is a truly must-have addition to any design and craft library.  You can order it directly through CICO Books here.  And you can also pre-order it on Amazon here (it's due out next week - on Valentine's Day!).

Well done, Elyse!  Well done!

XOXO

Jessica

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