Thursday, October 28, 2010

A Little More Spooking

Oh my, it's been a while since I posted!
If they were giving out awards for bloggers I think that I would certainly be in the running for The Slacker Award. Real life has a way of interrupting my creativity and blogging, as I'm sure it does for you too. And so, in an effort to avoid the notorious award, I am posting a few Halloween photos from around my home---because if I waited much longer I truly would be awarded The Slacker (hmmm, I'm trying to envision just how that award would look).I hope you enjoy seeing some of the feathered and long-legged friends that have invaded our house.
Happy Halloween Weekend To You!!!

"Spooky" evolution charts

I've been loving educational charts lately and have been running into a lot of German ones.  I thought this vintage evoluationary chart "Abstammungslehr II" was perfect for the season.  Christian calls skulls "spookies" and is pictured below eating his breakfast:

{I've collected more topiaries on the table this Fall...  Look how unsuspecting they are sitting there.. Waiting to slowly be killed...   Ok, I'm really going to try to keep them alive.  I tried out lemon cypress -which I've killed before- because I've heard they're not too difficult.}

This chart was definitely used in the classroom as you can see from the old red arrows the teacher must have drawn:


...And... look who's walking!!! 



Justin started a couple of weeks ago and is definitely not going back.  Time to finish babyproofing!!
Happy Halloweeeeeeeeeeeen!!!!


xoxo, Lauren

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

Modern And Sophisticated Halloween

Maybe you're not the "spooky" Halloween type.  Maybe you're not the "cutesy" Halloween type.  Maybe you just want to have a chic & modern Halloween dinner party with friends.  This sleek design on Brancorprata is so stylish, it is perfect inspiration for ANY occasion - with a change in wording of course.
Paper flowers create an interesting and artistic table runner, while minimalist details are displayed just so.







Another note about this party design - it's very budget friendly.  All the signs and tags could easily be created and printed on your own home computer, and with pretty scrapbook paper.  Who doesn't love that?!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Halloween anyone???

Okay, I LOVE Halloween.  I always have.  When I was in preschool my grandmother made me a "Glinda" costume (from the Wizard of Oz)...  It was shiny pink with star sequins glued onto it.  I felt so pretty and special and wore it waaaaaay too often after that.  (Walk in the woods anyone?  Let's put on the Glinda costume!)

I've dressed up almost every year of my life (even in high school when it wasn't cool anymore...  knock Knock...  "Trick-or-treat!"   "Um, aren't you a little old??")  Yeah, so...  I get so excited planning costumes & parties and making sure everyone's got their costume covered.  (I've been known to make housecalls for those in desperate need of costume help.)  When I had Christian (at 25) it was a little harder to get into it but we stayed strong with a warrior party at our house...


{Just the girls}

And the following year we did superheroes...



Last year I was pregnant and we did a small "kids" party.  We didn't dress up ourselves, and it just wasn't as much fun.  It was definitely great to see the kids partying and Christian loved it, but I really missed dressing up.  (And to me, a night is only a perfect "10" if it ends in dancing.)

We usually start out at our house with a small pre-party & then get a limo into the city where we meet up with all of the other ridiculous people.

SO...  this brings to me to where we're at now.  We really debated and wishy-washed about doing something fun for Halloween this year.  It's so sad but we sort of didn't want to.  My best friends live far away and can't make it...  It's a lot of effort.  I barely got pumpkins outside this year.  It just feels like time is racing by and I'm seriously flying by the seat of my pants.  I read all of these beautiful blogs with creative ways to get your house ready for Halloween & table settings & on & on and I love them and plan on trying out the ideas myself but before I can get my act together, the event's upon me.  As we were driving to High Point & throwing the idea of a party around -pretty much thinking 'no'- we put on some music and before I knew it, my hands were in the air and I was dancing in my seat.  (Taio Cruz's Dynamite is really one of the best songs EVER and I fully blame it for the evite I subsequently sent out.)

I have no costumes... only a theme...  Cheesy Teen Horror/ Comedy Movies.  Dave's going as this guy:

{Best movie ever}

... and we're still loolking for a Keiffer.   And a nice curly brown mullet wig and some fangs...

I'm going as my childhood idol:

{hahahaha what does that say about me?}

Yeah, when I was 10 I taught myself the entire dance in the beginning of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and used to do cartwheels and sommersaults on the street while holding a stake.  (Issues much??)

So... we mustered it up for another year.  We were so close to not doing it but we just felt like that would be giving up and we're not ready for that.  I know it'll be fun, it's just the process of getting there that has me a bit exhausted.  It's also harder to convince friends and a few former troopers are done dressing it up now that they have kids which makes me so sad.   

Costumes for the whole family are on the agenda for tonight and we'll be breaking out the sewing machine.  I really am torn here.  It's hard to get into Halloween when you have kids.  Maybe we're not supposed to?? hahah  Is anyone else feeling this?  I envision getting crazier & crazier each year with a haunted house and over the top decor.. maybe murder mystery party...??  Is it too much.  What do you do?

And, if you want to get excited, go here and listen.  Anyone in the DC are going out Friday night?  We usually head out somewhere and are debating where.


xoxo, Lauren

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

Family Halloween Bash

Jess of Party Box Design sent over some photos of her Halloween party done on a budget.  Her parties are always full of great ideas to emulate and this one is no different. 
I like how family-friendly this party is but also has a cocktail bar for the adults, made from a $60 thrift store find!


Jess used sticks from the yard to top candy apples, and designed lovely floral arrangements with a rustic feel.  There were activities for the kids and of course a costume contest - see the adorable winner above.  You can see lots more on Jess' blog.
Party paper designs - Party Box Design
Photographer - Ashley Hay Photography
Cookies - The Cookie Jar

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Shabby Chic For A Boy

I love how Suzanna of Mon Tresor designed this shabby chic ice cream parlor style party for her son.  The ribbon backdrop and the blue with brown color scheme make this a real eye-catcher.  See lots of details below or read more on her blog.


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