Easy DIY Packaging Kits

We have a busy summer ahead of us… a handful of showers, weddings, and a baby on the way! With all of these exciting events on the horizon, I’ve been spending a lot of time looking for those perfect details on Etsy; some twine for this project, envelopes for that, and the list goes on.

 

While knee deep in the craftiness, I found this shop: belladrummer. Debee runs the adorable little shop, which is based out of San Diego, and chocked full of little embellishments and supplies to make all your crafting projects shine.

 I love these packaging kits, which include everything you need to bundle up a little gift in style. They’d be so perfect for bridesmaid or flower girl gifts, and don’t involve a lot of extra effort!

View blog reactions

Cupcake Cuteness!

I just laid eyes on these cute cupcake kits by Meri Meri over at the Happy Lady Eats blog. Oh my goodness! I’m thinking these would be geared more towards a shower or a fun children’s party, but still, love them! There are a ton of styles to choose from, here, even one for the bride and groom!

These would definitely make a batch of plain ol' homemade cupcakes shine!

View blog reactions

DIY scratch off tickets

I’m slightly hooked on scratch off tickets — not sure why, but they’re a hoot anyway. I saw recently a little project via iDIY where you can make your own scratch off tickets! The original tutorial is from Artmind and seems very self explanatory, with lots of great pictures to help along the way.

While the options are endless for this project, I like to think it would work well for save the dates (scratch off the date, or name), bridal shower games, or favors.

The tutorial is geniuos in every way, but I can’t help but want to alter it a bit, so I’ll share… Instead of just painting the silver mixture freehand on the card, I think I would probably use a stencil, or create a custom template so that the lines are a little cleaner (OCD is coming out full force today, hah).

View blog reactions

Lingerie Shower Invitations

For those of you brides-to-be who are having a lingerie shower, check out the fun selection of shower invitations geared towards you! I love the playful nature of all these designs, and the fact that they have little bras and undies all over them. I mean seriously, when else can you plaster your unmentionables onto a card and mail it out to your friends and family?

My favorite are the carefully illustrated designs by Everyday Grace on Etsy.

Photo sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 

View blog reactions

Location, location, location

Image courtesy of CMU Chem Prof on Flickr.

When it comes time to plan a shower, be it baby, bridal, whatever, think outside of the box when it comes to the venue. I attended a beautiful bridal shower this weekend for a good friend of mine, and was delightfully surprised at the location.

One of our hip local bars has a classy non-smoking section that you can rent out for small parties and gatherings. It’s historical interior and huge windows make it the perfect place to get the girls together in celebration of the bride and groom. They served awesome appetizers and had a variety of drinks available. It was really enjoyable, and not so stiff and stuffy, so mingling was an easy task. I felt more like I was getting together with old friends for a drink. Loved it!

So think about an innovative location for your next affair… an art gallery, coffee shop, or local pub?

Above, a local coffee shop could be a great spot for a relaxed shower or informal rehearsal dinner.

View blog reactions

Celebrate Spring with Anthropologie

It’s that time again… time to shed the sweaters and pull out that cute spring dress, perfect for a shower or rehearsal dinner!

I like these funky and unique designs from Anthropologie, they’re flouncy, flowy and mot important… comfortable! Plus with their abundant supply of trendy bags and accessories, you can complete your look in one checkout!

View blog reactions

Recipes for the Bride

Being a new bride, you’re probably going to need some helpful recipes to get you started, which is why I love the idea of “gifting” recipes at a bridal shower. You can include recipe cards with the invitation, ahead of time, or provide them and a self addressed envelope at the end. Either way, this set of letterpress recipe cards, complete with recipe box would be perfect!

I was given some very special recipes at my shower and am so thankful for the yummy ideas, they really helped get me started in the kitchen!

View blog reactions

Feeling under the weather today

I think I may have caught the flu bug that's been going around. So today I'll be catching up on some reading and sipping chamomile tea until I recouperate. I leave you with this lovely image from favorstudio.com. I think these are just the most delightful favors for a bridal shower, and the colors are so inspiring. You could easily create an upbeat decor style just by using the colors on the tins!

View blog reactions

Bridal shower invitations

I don’t know what it is about these last few days, but I cannot get my mind off paper! One thing we don’t yet offer at RSVP Invitation Studios are bridal shower invitations, so I’m always on the lookout for inspirational styles. I found this one at my favorite store… Paper-source! These letterpress shower invitations are printed in a bright pool and moss color scheme and are actually circular! This set wouldn’t be complete without a matching envelope. The set of 8 invitations will run about $18.50.

View blog reactions

With love from Martha

This week I was included in a recipe exchange, via email, and was delighted at the idea that I could be the lucky recipient of 36 new recipes! (Thanks Steph!)

In honor of those new recipes, I'm most likely going to need some storage... enter Martha! This sleek recipe box is a perfect gift (for me or for a bride)! It also comes in red, which will match my wine inspired kitchen... yes! I found this at Macy's, along with the colander and book.

This could also serve as a lovely accessory to any bridal shower. Provide recipe cards with your bridal shower invitation, and a little note to remind guests to fill in the card before they arrive. Then file the recipes as guests file in, kind of like the card box at a wedding! It's a great way to get the newlyweds started on the right foot... with some good eats!

My mom and bridesmaids had a similar idea at my bridal shower, where they provided self-addressed envelopes and a recipe card at the actual shower, so that guests could take it with them and send me a delicious recipe later. This worked out well, but I think a few people forgot to send them back (no biggie, I still love you).

View blog reactions

Something blue bridal shower

Even if you’re color scheme doesn’t involve blue, you can always carry on the “something blue” tradition in your bridal shower! A fun play on the old saying, this shower theme includes bright blue hues with exaggerated accessories; like a giant diamond ring paperweight! The crisp blue and white color scheme will transform your bridal shower into a luxe celebration!

Swirls and pearls invitation, diamond ring paperweight, white farm vase, french paper, blue mini-cube favor boxes, glass coasters, cupcake tree, blue alba slim vase.

View blog reactions

Damask bridal shower from Elizabeth Anne Designs

You have to click yourself right over to the blog of Elizabeth Anne Designs right now and check out Leeann’s gorgeous black and white damask bridal shower! All of the girls, including Leeann put a lot of really nice touches into this event, and looked like they had a blast! My favorite element is the bold black and white pattern with the green details… like the ribbon and writing on each of the yummy cookie favors. Such a dramatic statement!

Thanks for sharing Leeann!

View blog reactions

Light up my life

My mom and I always look for something unique to create each year for Christmas gifts for the ladies in our family. Last year we took on the teacup candle project, which was one of my favorites! I love collecting eclectic antiques, like teacups, but am not the type of person who likes nick-nacks all over, so these teacup lites are a perfect balance of a useful collection! We pulled the idea out of a Martha Stewart Living magazine, and started collecting antique teacups (some that had lost their saucers) to fill with yummy smelling candles.

We did not use recycled candles (indicated in these directions I found online), but that would be a great and green way to use up old wax without costing you a penny! Pictured on the left are the candles from Martha, and on the right is the one I made.

I think these would make beautiful bridal shower gifts or look eye-catching as a part of a centerpiece. Can you say tea party themed shower? How fun!

View blog reactions