Friday, January 30, 2009

Embarrassing confession

I was going to make a post today about non-floral centerpieces to continue with my theme, but I have started doing something that I'm almost ashamed to talk about. I have started reading Midnight Sun, which if you don't know (and I pray that you don't!) is Twilight told through a different perspective.

So I have been unable to focus once I started reading that, but it's only a partial draft, so I should be back posting in the morning.

And so this post isn't a complete waste, one of my inspiration boards.

Have I mentioned yet my obsession with all things yellow?
Another embarrassing confession- I made this ages ago, before I know how to properly take note of where I got sources from, so I will dig (tomorrow) and try to find credit, but if anyone knows where any of these are from, please let me know!

Happy Friday!

Thursday, January 29, 2009

I wanna feel the heat with somebody...

Anybody else watching American Idol? I know it's a terrible show, but I can't help it!

To continue yesterday's theme, I want to feature some centerpieces with unusual vases.

I love the colors of this first, but I also like the low, dark container. It doesn't look heavy or overdone.
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Love. Love. LOVE this one! I love the contrast of the red pail with the white dahlias. And the lanterns add a sense of playfulness.
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This is from Our Labor of Love, but I really love the contrasting textures between the flowers, fillers, and galvanized pail.
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This is a simple way to dress up galvanized pails, get decorative paper and just wrap it around the pail. You could make each table a different theme, with different beautiful paper.
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Another example of dressing up a galvanized pail. I love the contrast here too between the poppies and the white lace.
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Mrs. Cookie from Weddingbee's centerpieces. I love the colors with the wood boxes!!
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F actually really loved this one, he loved the idea of growing our own centerpieces. I also think you could jazz up those galvanized pails to fit any theme.
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I beg of you to go check out Hoot and Hearts galleries, they are SO mind-blowingly beautiful. Everytime I go I get new inspiration and am blown away with their creativity
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Lots of different vases along the table, many of which look like dressed up tin cans. Easy peesy lemon squeezy
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All around simple. A few of one type of flower, in a plain wooden box.
Unfortunately I have searched and can't find the source for this...

I absolutely love this! Collect vintage tin cans, it brings extra color to the table.
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Another example of vintage tin cans. Love it.
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Watering cans add a sense of vintage garden party.
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Pretty paper makes me smile.
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Use a planted centerpieces. Pots could be painted to match colors, and centerpieces could be given away as gifts and they would actually last!
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Happy almost friday!!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Everyday we'll be happy I know

I was at Winco (local cheap supermarket) grocery shopping when I saw their selection of canning goods. My mom has canned produce for as long as I can remember, so the idea of having mason jars in the house, and using them for vases is common for me. It wasn't until I was at Winco and saw them there (12 for $10) that I realized why should I spend tons of money on vases when there is such an understated, simple, cheap alternative?

And so cute!
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These also served as table names, being named after different things their grandmothers canned.
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So, with all those different uses of mason jars, I went to Ebay to see what I could find. And what did I find? The jackpot. 3 boxes of mason jars with 12 jars each, sitting at 0.99 each, plus shipping of course. But, 0.99??

A-ma-zing.

Really a winner?

I just received an email from one of the vendors that I stopped by and entered a drawing with at the Portland Bridal Expo. The email said "Thanks for stopping by and entering our drawing, you have won $500 off if you book your wedding with us". Now, maybe I'm a negative Nelly, or maybe I'm just cautious, but I'm wondering if I really won something, or if they just send that out to everyone to see if they bite. Because I went with FSIL I asked F to see if she got the same email.

Nonetheless, that's pretty sweet! Every little bit counts and it was for a venue that I had actually really loved before we went to the show.

Here it is: The Abernathy Center

They have indoor and outdoor facilities. Big tent, lots of gardens... beautiful! There are two different outdoor sites, and then the ballroom.






I think I'm going to have to check this place in person and get logistics on price and what comes with and everything. But $500 off? I'm stoked!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Red and blue inspiration boards

This is one pair of colors that I've really been liking, although it is a little bizarre. Teal or turquoise and a dark reddish pink (teal and raspberry if you want to be technical). So I put this board together.

Photo credits: dahlia hairclips etsy; red bird print etsy; turquoise pendant etsy; red and blue heels zappos; blue dress Jessica McClintock (for only $81!); blue vases from once wed. Unfortunately the other photos are old and I have no idea where they are from...

This board is what inspired me:

I love these colors together. I know I got this from Weddingbee, although I'm not sure from who. I'm trying to get better about crediting... Muahah! Found it!

Wanna be on top?

Hey now, no dirty thoughts... if you are as ridiculous as me, you know that I'm singing the theme for America's Next Top Model. One plus to being unemployed and without a car is that I am able to watch ANTM marathons from beginning to end.

Another is that I can sit around and droll over pictures of things. I'm assembling some inspiration boards of color palettes that I've been dying over recently.

But I'll leave with another project that I have done a couple of times and love! It's a knitting needle and crochet hook holder. If you have a sewing machine, it's super simple to make and the second one I made for my grandma only took me a couple of hours.

If anyone is interested in making one I can give you the pattern and my tips, or if you want one and don't have a sewing machine if you pay for the supplies, I can definitely whip one up. :D

All rolled up, unroll for the needles

The flap on top keeps them from falling out. And there are different sizes and heights for different needles and hooks.

Laid flat out

I love this :)


Saturday, January 24, 2009

Random

These are pictures of the leg warmers that F bought me. I love them. I wear them as often as I can. I wear skirt and dresses just so I can wear them. They are much more popular in the UK than they are in the US (and in particular my suburban excuse for a city), and I do encounter some looks. But I don't care.

Please excuse my dirty mirror. And they look much better with tights, I don't wear them with jeans in public.


This was a project that I picked up after not having knitted for a really really (really) long time. It didn't end up being perfect and the yarn was probably to bulky, but I love them. I love being able to wear them and go about my day without having to pull off my gloves whenever I need fingers not covered by fabric. The yarn was $1.00 on sale, at Michaels I think. It's bright and really soft, two things I love.


Note the picture of the cherry trees in bloom in Vancouver BC

Friday, January 23, 2009

Holy crow

Today marks the day 5 years ago that F and I went on our first date. I can't even believe it.

I made his card last night with an IOU for his present (I'll show you why in a second).

Front of the card included a picture of us from the first major family event we attended together. It was his cousin's wedding in September of 2004. It was also one of the only early pictures I have in digital. He still thinks he looks goofy, but he was 18 and I was 17.

My large kitten is helping me out. Check out his extreme paws.

Considering what needs to be done next.

The inside had a note, a quote, and a picture of us. The picture is one we took of ourselves right after he proposed in July 2008. I've blurred it because our love notes don't need to be on the internet.

Double checking for spelling mistakes.

His IOU! I wanted to get him a new coat, one that isn't a snow jacket or his hunting camouflage jacket, but because he is so tall and so skinny it's hard to find things that fit properly, so we are going to go shopping together for it on Sunday.


Beautiful boy.

My anniversary flowers. F brought me a dozen red roses that smell wonderful. He loves to give roses (I think) because he feels they are the ultimate romantic flower. I ran out to the backyard and grabbed some greenery. Tip for this is, grab greenery that has lots of texture.


F also offered me an IOU, but for jewelery. When we go shopping we are going to look around, but one of the choices he had was to get the diamond in my e-ring upgraded to a larger stone. Hmmm, we'll see.