Wednesday, April 24, 2013

to every season....TURN! Turn already!!

Well I'm back at the Tiny Tudor after a nice reprieve in the desert and lots of things are happening here.  Another blogger I follow recently wrote that she can have only 2 of 3 of the following at any one time; happy kids, a clean house and an updated blog.  I know this blog, which is my second, is always first to be neglected but I do think I have my priorities straight.  Some of the happenings make me think this blog will be changing or maybe going away all together but I'm going to attempt to keep at it for now.  (and no, there are no additions to our family on the way ;))
How many times have I threatened to share Ben's finished room? I think we're up to 4 but I'm too wiped out today to edit and choose the final pics. 
I'm also very excited to share our new patio furniture but the chairs await assembly and the table is covered BY SNOW!
Spring has been slow to start in our neck of the woods but with mid-seventies on tap for this weekend I really really think we might now have seen the last snow.
Not unlike giving a mouse a cookie, if you give a girl a new patio table, she will want new outdoor serve wear.  I do think any additions in this department will come at the end of the season when they are on clearance, but it doesn't hurt to look, does it?
Here are some pieces and collections I love from around the interwebs.
I hope Spring has sprung where you are and I hope I get myself together enough to post some room reveals soon!! 


I really love Target's ikat collection and love the prices even more.
Threshold™ Ikat Dinnerware Collection - Warm

Pier 1's trellis collection has a great neutrality to me despite the single color.

http://demandware.edgesuite.net/sits_pod13/dw/image/v2/AAID_PRD/on/demandware.static/Sites-pier1_us-Site/Sites-pier1_master/default/v1366801920468/images/PS42170/PS42170_1.jpg?sw=1500&sh=1500


This is Pottery Barn's Cabo collection and I love the versatility with the many colors.



This is Williams Sonoma's La Med melamine collection.  I think it's too cool with our likely cushions and all our red brick, but I love it.
La Med Melamine Platter

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

party banners

Nothing makes a party complete, or a small soiree as fun and festive as a thoughtful party banner.  They can be made inexpensively and quickly but really provide a center-point for lots of events. I even have a re-usable fabric banner that works for lots of different themes.  I also enjoy taking the party theme one step further with creative backgrounds for the letters.  

I paid A LOT for my son's first birthday banner and have since decided I could certainly do them myself.  
I'm still very glad I spent the money on this but also glad to know that with a little time and effort I could recreate something similar.

There are lots of pre-made letter options available at craft and office supply stores in different fonts and sizes for $10 and under.  This can be the most challenging part of a banner and pre-made letters make this part quick and easy.


I recently made this for my husband's grandmother.  For about $30, I purchased all the paper, gross-grain ribbon and pre-cut letters and flowers, and completed it in less than 2 hours.
I had planned for the "We Love You" to hang underneath but it looked great on an adjacent wall.


This leaf banner was a great backdrop above the deck welcoming everyone to the backyard for my son's 2nd birthday bug party.

Onesie cut-outs are great for baby showers and gender reveal parties.  Letters, clothespins and rope make this one so cute and so easy.



We're planning a big backyard cook-out for Memorial Day.  Any ideas for that one?? Welcome Summer, perhaps? 





Monday, April 1, 2013

Celebrate

Last Christmas my sister surprised me with Pippa Middleton's book, Celebrate.  It was a wonderful surprise and continues to be a treasure.  It is filled with TONS of creative and down-to-earth entertaining and celebrating ideas.  There are a few typically British holidays featured that I can hardly wait to have gatherings for next year.  The book also includes a wonderful collection of recipes-many of which are uncommon in the states.
We hosted Easter brunch yesterday and I got to put one of her Easter ideas to work................

I used her idea of seed packets tied to the napkins as a favor for guests and a welcome to Spring!


My oft used nests were without their usual eggs this year but recently received gifts of the Williams-Sonoma herringbone stripe runner and Mark and Graham linen napkins made setting this table an absolute joy for me. 

There is a quick link to Celebrate on Amazon here.