Shabby Chic Birthday Party

When Ivona of Sugarsticks Parties sent over these pics from a recent photo shoot she styled, I was immediately smitten!  The scene is elegant yet relaxed and includes many lovely details.  The shabby chic/vintage style was inspired by the product being highlighted, Swanky Baby Vintage children's clothing boutique.  Could those outfits be any cuter?!

Here's what Ivona had to say about the design:

"The theme of the party was vintage with a sprinkle of Southern charm. The main colors of the line and tablescape were olive green and turquoise - to mellow out the tablescape I added ivory and pops of pink in the details.  Pops of pink came from the Swanky Baby Vintage fabrics adding for a shabby chic flair as well. As the title of the line was "Swanky Swirls & Vintage Pearls" Holli and I agreed there should be plenty of sparkle, as shown on cupcakes, cookies and marshmallows.

The site of the party/ photoshoot was an old pecan orchard adding to the vintage feel of this relaxed party set up.

The perfect party favors for the little models were the line logo cookies from Allyson Jane Designer Desserts."

Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful photo shoot and inspiration with us Ivona!

Styling & Paper Goods - Sugarsticks Parties
Clothes & Hair Accessories - Swanky Baby Vintage
Cookies - Allyson Jane
Photography - The Picture Ladies

Dia Noche

One of my best friends from high school has recently started a company with her husband called dia Noche, and a blog to go with it.  Her name is Veronica and the brand, diaNoche, is all about her versatile peices that you can wear both day & night. She's American {half-Italian (from her dad's side, like me!) and half Columbian from her mom's side} and since I can remember has dreamed of creating her own line of clothing that straddled all of her roots.  An artist, she graduated from FIT in New York and has gone after her dream. 

{Veronica El-Showk}

Here's a quick excerpt from a press release:

"DiaNoche is a lifestyle brand that embodies the love of travel and art.  While living in New York, owners Veronica and Hedeer El-Showk traveled often for both business and pleasure to Morocco, Europe and Colombia. Inspired, Veronica started designing a collection of shirts with the vision of importing goods from overseas in the future. DiaNoche's designs have a strong arabesque influence and are also inspired by the designer's Colombian heritage. The company's themes include everything from the ancient mosaics in Cyprus, to the salt mines in Bogotá and the intricate patterns of tribal North Africa."

{Veronica in a photo taken by her sweet husband, Hedeer}

Her passion for life & all things beautiful literally jumps off of the page at you from her new blog and I am so freaking excited for her & Hedeer!!!! DiaNoche's Fall & Winter line of designer t-shirts is debuting in a couple of weeks. 

{The beautiful logo she created}

Yesterday she came over to our place & I helped her out with a photo shoot.  Here's a picture I took of a little jewely tray we created for the background of one of the shots: 

{Those garden weeds come in handy!}

We shot all day to get her day/ night looks.  (Around 700 images...  and- you know how it goes- only a minute number of usables- especially with me as her model- but she got what she came for.)   She's an amazing photographer & we wanted some soft fresh day looks and some dark, edgy ones for night.  

{me, taking off the shoes...  oh how I love them, oh how I have no idea how she walks in them...}

 

We tried out some crazy stuff- including laying on my outdoor harvest table, (definitely not a use I'd ever envisioned for it) the concrete patio (brrrrr) and nighttime shots in my bedroom which definitely gave it a whole new look.  She 's now working on getting the images loaded & the website finished up and as soon as she does, she's promised me a giveaway for Pure Style Home.  I literally wanted EVERYTHING I wore yesterday.  The designs she's created are super-flattering and just honestly make you look good.  I was really skeptical when she asked me to be her model but truly, the clothes did all the work.    

{image by Veronica...  her friends' boots in Italy- how beautiful??}

At one point yesterday (well, at lots of points) we just started cracking up...  I think I was hanging out on a hide rug pouring tea from a beautiful tea pot with a pile of vintage quilts next to me...  really???  You definitely have to play a lot and take risks and feel stupid to get to where you're trying to go. 

But it was so much fun. 

At one point Christian came up to us, "What game are you playing?"

Veronica: "Photo shoot."

Christian:  "Can I play?

...So, although theres not yet a diaNoche kids' line, Veronica made sure to get a few good shots of Christian.  ...Who made sure to let me know that he loved my hair the way she'd done it (curls) but didn't like the "gray stuff" on my eyes and helped me wash off the eyeshadow when we were finished. {What a picky little man!}

So, as soon as she lets me and her site is set up for online purchases, I'll post some photos of Veonica's new line & we'll be doing a giveaway.  If you have some time, stop over to visit Veonica at diaNoche and say hi.  She's a brand new blogger & I know she'd love to hear from you. 

I'm so excited & happy for her and I know we're all going to be hearing a lot about her soon.

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Halloween Harvest Treats Table

I'm so excited that Nina of Nina Designs sent over this party, for a couple of reasons.  First of all it brings in more of a 'Fall Harvest' style to the Halloween table, which hasn't been seen much this season.  Secondly, she incorporated many festive details that you could certainly do yourself between now and this Halloween weekend.  The table is modern and sleek and would certainly work for Thanksgiving if you serve mini pumpkin pie and caramel apples instead of witch cupcakes and ghost cookies. 

Some of my favorite details:

• The Fabulous backdrop wall combining wall transfers, banner, and hanging lanterns.
• Incorporating a 'Woodland' element to the decor with owls and mushrooms.
• Wrapped 'mummy' bottles (love!).
• 'Pumpkin' and 'broom' treat bags.
• Waffle cone bowl. 

You can see even more great pics of this sweet table on Nina's blog.

Handmade Halloween Contest

Have you made something cool for Halloween?  Would you like to share it and enter for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to one of 3 fabulous online shops?  Head over to Entertain Exchange to link up your project.  The categories are: Parties, Decor, Costumes 0-10, 11-18, and adult.  Of course the projects must be Halloween themed and have Handmade elements.  The contest is open now through November 2, so check out all the details and link up!  Good Luck!

Crooked and Scattered

You might think with that title that I'm talking about my mind (which on certain days could apply) but I'm talking about the ease of decorating

a Halloween mantle.

All it takes to make a fun mantle is
a few crooked old frames and signs.A scattering of books And crowsAnd pumpkinsBrown bottles and whatever else tickles your fancy.And you have an awesome mantle
ready for spooking.

My Vintage Peanut

{Our dining room server }

About a year ago, I came across a silverplated vintage peanut and snapped it up because it's one of those pieces that just makes me happy.  It's definitely not something to be taken seriously and adds a little fun anywhere it goes.  I've seen another 1 or 2 of them out and aboupt since then and just love them.

It's marked "F.B. ROGERS Silverplate."  The company was founded in 1883 in Massachusetts and is still in business today.  When I picked it up I thought it was such a cool piece and pictured reproducing it.  Well, you've heard the saying "there are no new ideas..."  Last weekend at High Point I walked into Go Home's showroom and there was my silver peanut!  Doppelganged!!  They're set to be retailed around $50 each.  Here's their version:

It's pretty  much identical except for the inside of the new peanuts are silver, whereas mine is gold:

{Yum yum...  see my reflecion in the peanut?}  I didn't have any peanuts to put inside so I went with almonds instead.

The peanut is set out on a little bar tray ready to be enjoyed with some Fall cocktails:

{Bar tray dressed with weeds from my garden in a vintage silver creamer}

Speaking of Fall & eating & drinking...   If you're in the northern Virginia area, My grandmother's church is having their annual Oktoberfest Craft Fair and Bazaar this Saturday from  10am-3pm.  It's at the Charles Wesley United Methodist Church located on 6817 Dean Drive, McLean, VA 22101.  A luncheon will be served between 11and 2.  There will be crafts including jewelry, pressed flowers, needlework, handmade soaps, pottery, origami, paper crafts w/photography, wreaths; painted furniture, dolls and baby clothing, crafts and bake sale.  Stop by if you're free!

What are your thoughts on reproductions?  I sway between loving the idea of having things more accessible and available to the idea of keeping things rare & unique.  I personally love finding my own treasures but it's not always a possibility for everyone...  Very torn.
Have a beautiful weekend!! 




If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Children's "Spooky" Treats Table

Katie Cassidy is a fabulous photographer who recently hosted her son's birthday party with a Halloween treats table.  When she shared the link with me I knew this would be a great party to share and inspire.  With some DIY spooky treats and sleek, modern decor, you could easily replicate this on a budget and in a time crunch.  See more details on Katies gorgeous blog.

Easy DIY tips:

• Dip Nutter Butter cookies in white chocolate and add eyes & mouth with black icing gel - instant "ghosts."
• Create "bones" by pushing 2 mini marshmallows onto either end of a pretzel stick, and dip in white chocolate.
• Wrap blow pops, or tootsie pops in white tissue paper and add eyes with a marker (or add googly eyes) for a "ghostly" take home treat.
• Use decorative stencils and colored sugar to decorate plain cookies.
• Wrap scrapbook paper into cones to serve popcorn.