just the little things

happy birthday

How GREAT would it be for a friend, husband, wife or pretty much anyone in your life? Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day linked together with Yahoo Mail to come up with this AMAZING way to wish a guest of honor a happy birthday!

The skies the limit on this one. You could honor someone's birthday, a graduation, a shower, a housewarming, a welcome home for someone in the military or maybe someone who's had an extended stay at the hospital, an anniversary, or just because! We all need a pick me up, right? Heck, you could probably send all 25 to your significant other and list out the different reasons why you love him/her. And in this day where snail mail is near going extinct, this might be a wonderful way to bring it back to life. Let's hope all the recipients participate and that the post office doesn't lose any!

Here are the details!

I can't wait for this weekend. It'll finally be nice and sunny here AND I'm FINALLY watching Bridesmaids. Who knew that husbands and guy friends would want to watch? They made us promise we wouldn't watch it without them. I guess they felt a little silly watching it with each other? So we had to wait until our dear friend was back from his cousin's graduation. We may even do a double header and watch the Hangover 2 just to even things out. haha. Can't wait!

packing for a trip

When I was younger, the thought of taking a trip somewhere excited me so much that I'd often pack my bag weeks in advance! Only to have to go back into my bag to find something I needed/wanted prior to the trip.

These days, I'm lucky if I pack it all before 3am the day of my trip. For some odd reason, I often find myself traveling early in the morning. As the travel date approaches, I'll pull out my suitcase and throw items in there as I remember them. The usual suspects include my dirty laundry bag (it's an old bag that's large enough to hold my unmentionables + dirty socks), my toiletry kit (boy is it ever extensive), a cheap pashmina which doubles as a scarf and a thin blanket for the chilly evenings + cold plane ride and my 3 oz clear quart size bag.

But I stumbled upon this list from Daily Candy and thought I should really pin this up or print a copy and toss it into my suitcase for my next trip!

I especially like the idea of the white button-up, it really goes with everything when you're in a pinch. But now really, could all this fit in a TSA approved carry on bag? Lucky for me, I force it in. The only problem is bringing home any kind of souvenir or shopping on the trip!

image source: http://www.a.80spurple.com

oh mod podge

Mod Podge, you always amaze me! You're better than glue and much easier than tape! You adhere and seal at the same time. Thank you!

Here are some great Mod Podge ideas... if you have the time and want to spif something simple up around the house. (

I actually thought this was paper covered pots, but it turns out it's fabric. Even better!|

and what a pretty way to cover plain household jars from jam or jelly, pickles, mustard, etc.

1 - christinechitnis.com 2 - designsponge.com

Oh and if you happen to have the IPAD and need some additional free monthly reading, download the Martha Stewart Living App

no place cards needed!

Well, unless you want to let your guests know which end of the table they should sit at! How amazing is this table? I think it's every bride's dream to not have to spend hours agonizing over the seating arrangement.

[found via pinterest]

school's out!

My sister is counting down the days until school ends like most teachers are around this time. Unfortunately for her, she has to make up the few snow days their school used up throughout the crazy snow storm we experienced in Chicago.

Over the weekend, I decided to make her a simple paper chain to help commemorate her count down. When I surprised her with it, she was ecstatic and said she couldn't wait to put it up at her desk.

Tools used:
1. scraps of kraft paper
2. a pen or marker (I used my most favorite pen in the world - the hi tec c)
3. a mini stapler you can always use glue or double sided tape)

I thought about designing each link with the numbers written all over it and with the final one that says - I SURVIVED. But kept it really simple and just wrote in the day she was on.

I loved making these chain links to count down the last days before winter break when I was younger. I bet it would be fun to countdown the days for a special trip (say Disney), a wedding or a birthday bash! And I know she'll be belting 'SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER' come June 13 on her ride home!

On a side note, thank you DIYlife for using my trick about using aluminum foil to sharpen paper punches! I didn't even know that Huffington Post had a site. Here's another every day read!

adorable photos

ADORABLE way to spell out F-A-M-I-L-Y. Or if you have enough people (& animals), you could spell out your last name, depending on how long it is, maybe everyone can take 2 letters or the older ones can take 2. Either way, it's cute if you can work this into your photoshoot!

  

ok, one more

how adorable are these sari tutus?

little styles

Flower Girls and Ring Bearers are every bit as important as the bridal party. After all, they will walk down right before the bride and even appear in several of the larger bridal party photos. And just like the older bridal party memebers, it's always nice to have the option of wearing these outfits again. Granted, if the kids don't grow any larger, they can wear them to another wedding, a formal birthday party, graduation or even Easter (if they make it that far). I know for me, my mom always bought a few sizes too big, would hem/sew everything in and slowly expand it each year. Needless to say, by the time some items were handed down to my sister (there's a 5 year age gap), they were really bent out of shape and had to be tossed. Okay, I'm sure my mom kept a few that she loved and forced my sister to wear it! In any case, there are so many adorable options for the little ones but came across a few that recently stuck out to me.

Adorable with a sash!

Love the ruffles!


Or a simple ballerina outfit with a longer tutu! Again, with an accented sash!

And for the boys!

Little knickers and suspenders always melt my heart!

It's always adorable when they wear a little tuxe!

1 & 2 J.Crew, 3 100layercake, 4 & 5 Pinterest

bridesmaids!

I really want to see this movie, the Bridesmaids. I think it'll be such a comic relief. Not to mention the funny cast! After all, I hear it's the girls' version of the Hangover. And I'll admit it. I laughed in that movie. A. LOT. Can't wait for Hangover 2. In the meantime, I'll be catching this with my sister next weekend. We thought it would be a fun girls' night out.

 

will you be my bridesmaid?

A bride recently asked me to help her think of creative or fun ways to ask her bridal party to be a part of her day. Here are some options I shared with her.

*The old-fashioned snail mail option. I think it'd be a bit more fun if an image of the bride was in the middle!

2. Invite them to a lovely brunch or dinner and ask them all at the same time!
3. Hit the sweet tooth in your girls and ask them with the some cookies!

4. Or finally, you can pop the question just like you were asked! With a ring pop!

1. Rifle Design   2. Sunday Suppers   3. Flickr   4.Candy Snack Today

One of my friends, invited her girlfriends over for an early dinner and presented each of them with a personalized present and note. Tears were shared all around!