Such Pretty Things

Pretty Organized: Candy Box Storage

It's no secret that I've been known to buy something just for it's pretty packaging. These candy boxes are an excellent example...

While the truffles inside were truly delicious, it was the pastel boxes that really persuaded me to purchase them. I've collected many of them over the years - in lots of beautiful, soft colors.

But they don't just sit around collecting dust. Oh no, the candies may be long gone, but these lovely boxes now hold all sorts of little trinkets and craft supplies.

Providing pretty (and practical) storage for lots of pretty little things.

Happy Monday!

:-)

Jessica

Pretty Collecting: Paper Flowers

One of my best finds while shopping the Paris flea markets were these pretty vintage paper roses.

They are very, very old and it's amazing to me that something so delicate could have survived all these years.

I love the faded, crinkled petals on the roses.

And the pale pink buds. Someone clearly took their time to carefully hand-wrap each wired stem.

How beautiful would it be for a bride to carry a bouquet of these down the aisle?

Happy Tuesday!

:-)

Jessica

Sweets for your Sweet

I guess we just can't get enough sugar around here! These are some very simple and quick party favors that you can make inexpensively for almost any occasion. We made ours "pretty in pink" for Valentine's day...

To make some, you'll need some rock candy crystallized sugar sticks (I found mine at Party City, but most candy stores carry them in a rainbow of colors).

You'll also need "pretzel stick" bags (mine are from Wilton), coordinating ribbon (I used seam binding), and pretty millinery or favor flowers (shockingly, I used Forget-me-nots!).

Remove the unattractive printed-plastic bags that the sugar sticks are originally packaged in and slip them into the pretzel bags. Wind a small bunch of posies around the stick and secure with a ribbon bow. You will probably need to trim the bag to size. And there you go...

Super easy and so pretty!

XOXO

Jessica

 

Valentine Pop-up Shop!

Hello All!  Just wanted to let you know that I added a bunch of items to my Valentine's Day Pop-up Shop. You'll find lots of pretty things for Valentine's Day crafts, such as vintage millinery flowers,

velvet and satin leaves,

and new forget-me-nots...

I have some beautiful, high-quality heart-shaped boxes in both metallic gold and velvet that are just waiting for you to embellish with pretty trims...

There are also lots of paper doilies, vintage sequins, rhinestones, beads and ribbons!

You'll find those fun heart-shaped sprinkles and pretty paper scrap, too.

For you collectors out there, you'll find some beautiful vintage candy boxes (so hard to part with!)...

...and vintage millinery covered hats!

And if your looking for a gift, I have some lovely new cameo necklaces...

and pretty pink glass vases for all your romantic arrangements!

So head on over and take a looky...

XOXO

Jessica

Millinery Flower Ornaments

These millinery flower ornaments are really fun and easy to make. All you need are some mercury glass ball ornaments (such as Shiny Brite), some millinery flower heads, and some rhinestones.  I used all vintage supplies for mine, but you can easily replicate these using new materials from the craft store.

Simply affix your millinery flower heads to the balls with a little bit of hot glue and hold in place until dry.  Then, add a small flat-back rhinestone (or pearl, bead, sequin, etc...) to the center of each flower. I also added some extra rhinestones in between the flowers for a little extra bling.

These are obviously perfect for adorning your tree, but they also make a lovely gift for someone special!

Happy Holidays! :-)

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Parties: Candy Favors

These sweet little candy favors are so easy to put together and are perfect for any party, wedding, or shower.

All you need are some clear favor boxes, candy of your choice, ribbon, and some pretty millinery flowers.

I love the clear boxes because they allow you to showcase the candy inside - which is a perfect opportunity to tie in your party colors.  These boxes are inexpensive (100 for under $27.00) and just the right size ( 2" x 2").  I filled them with small candies that matched the party decor.

Once filled, I just wrapped the boxes once around with a piece of beautiful satin ribbon and secured it on the bottom with some hot glue. Then I topped each box with a vintage pink millinery rose.  For this party, I was very fortunate to have a large quantity of new "old-stock" vintage flowers (we needed about 130), but you can also use new silk ones from the craft store (just remove the blooms from their stems).

I just love these favors - the clear boxes give them a modern feel and the ribbon and flowers add just the right vintage touch!

:-)

Jessica

Tinsel Trading Eye Candy

I rarely make it to NYC without making a trip to one of my all time favorite shops, Tinsel Trading. If you are looking for beautiful trims and ribbons, millinery flowers, or just some creative inspiration, it really can't be missed...

The millinery flowers (both vintage and reproduction) simply take my breath away.  Is it wrong of me to want this entire wall in my own studio?

Such a pretty way to display them and keep them organized...

Who knew that stamens could be just as pretty as the flowers themselves?

These vintage rosettes are to die for!

Tinsel trading specializes in vintage metallic threads.  Aren't they lovely...

There are rows and rows of ribbon.

And beautiful old trims.

I collect vintage sequins and I had to add some of these very unusual oblong ones to my collection.

These wonderful old spools are perfect for winding your bits of ribbon around...

What an incredible shop! I'll show you what I bought in a future post.  :-)

Have a lovely weekend!

Jessica

 

 

Pretty Organized: Hair Accessories

I may have mentioned in the past that the girls and I are a pretty hairy bunch.  Yes, we all have rather long locks and keeping them in place requires a lot of hair accessories!

I used to just keep everything in a basket, but we could never easily find what we wanted - especially when we had about two seconds to locate it before we had to rush out the door to get to school. So, to avoid hair accessory chaos on busy mornings, I devised a simple way to store and display them.  All you need is some ribbon (I used satin, but I've found that grosgrain works even better), a bit of glue, and a few thumbtacks. This is so easy, you won't believe it...just cut a length of ribbon to suite the size of your accessory collection, fold over the ends and glue (this is more for appearance than function), and thumbtack your ribbon to an easily accessible place (we have ours tacked on the side of a built-in bookcase in our kitchen).

Then just clip away!

I made one for our flower-type clips...

And one for our rhinestone bobby pins...

The hair accessories look so pretty gathered together as a collection and now the girls can quickly find what they need!

I have seen expensive hair accessory/bow organizers for sale in children's boutiques, but why waste the money?  This costs just pennies to make and works just as well!

:-)

Jessica

Target Tuesday: Pretty Plastic Glasses

I am loving Target's latest version of my favorite plastic glasses...

They are perfect for summer gatherings and outdoor entertaining.  I bought the goblets, but they also come in a tumbler size ($2.99 to $3.99). They are very elegant given that they are made out of plastic and really look like real glass!

I rimmed mine with some pale green sugar.

Now they match my new napkins from Shabby Chic Couture.  And you know how important that is! ;-)

Happy Tuesday!

XOXO
Jessica

Target Tuesday: Summery Tote Bag

Oh, I just love it when I make it to Target right when they have just finished putting out all the new "Dollar Spot" items! Because look what I found...

It's the perfect straw tote bag for summer - and only $2.50! It's a nice, roomy size and lined with fabric, too. I decided to dress mine up a little with these gorgeous pink silk flowers...

I found mine at Nordstrom Rack, but you can find similar ones at H & M or accessory shops in your local mall - like The Icing or Claires. Or use some vintage millinery. Just pin or glue on a few flowers and your tote will go from "just fine" to "completely fabulous"!

Throw in your favorite magazines, flip flops, and some suncreen and you're ready to hit the beach this summer!

So simple, so easy, and so pretty!  Ya gotta try it!

Happy Tuesday!

:-)

Jessica