Favorite 15-- Book pages

Have you all seen this pin?? I just love it. I think the simplicity of the dark, light and greens are just beautiful. I wish I would have seen these before my wedding and shower. It's a new favorite decorating style that seems so cheap!

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My suggetion: Keep the pages in the same quality--- I would have used all yellowed pages.

To save money: Buy a new book for $1 at the Dollar Tree and tea or coffee stain the pages yourself!

The event: Bridal shower, baby shower, back to school bash, birthday party, wedding, graduation party, or a book group party

Branch out: Use all pages from Dr. Seuss books, Golden Books, science books, love stories, etc... Make it themed to match your party.

Splurge: make wreaths from pages of a book or into pommanders, have a typewriter or library index card guest book, give book mark favors, use quotes or phrases from books on your invitation and in your vows, title tables after favorite books, use a book as the ring bearer pillow, etc.

 

Happy Planning!
Krista



Favorite 14- A love for Ombre

Anyway else loving all of the ombre goodies out there. From hair to wreaths, dresses to curtains... Ombre is taking over the fashion world. When I saw this Martha Stewart centerpiece, I fell in love!

Source   Are you surprised that it's Martha Stewart?? We shouldn't be, right?!

My suggetion: Make the colors fade a little better. There seems to be some variation in the darkest shades of pink. I think I would try to make the blend better.

To save money: Buy artificial. Your flowers don't have to be real and expensive to get different shades. Look around for full flowers that don't have colored centers.

The event: Bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, wedding, book group party, family dinner, Mother's Day, church luncheon.... This would be gorgeous for any occassion!

My spin: I don't think I would change this.... L.O.V.E. IT!

Branch Out: Imagine all pink or blue ombre for a baby shower.... how sweet! Also, you don't have to worry so much about matching those shades of pink/blue (they NEVER match) since you're hitting almost every shade!!! Use all white dishes, table coverings, vases, etc..

Splurge: Make ombre table coverings.
Serve an ombre cake.
Make ombre invitations.
Wear ombre attire.
Use tissue paper poms in graduating shades of your color of choice.
Create ombre backdrops from different shades of sheets/material sewn in large ruffles. (When I think ombre for a party, I think ruffles....anyone else?!?!)

Happy Planning...

Favorite 13--- Don't judge a book by its cover



Thoughtfully Simple



My suggetion: Mix centerpieces of books, apples, vintage school supplies, flowers, and chalkboards. Stand some stacks of books up with pretty bookends, or lay them out flat and turned to a favorite page.

To save money: beg and borrow...  Have you heard me say that before?? It's my motto. Don't be afraid to ask around. Teachers, parents of young children, novelists....ask around to different types of people based on your theme. And as always-- hit up used stores and yard sales!

The event: Bridal shower, baby shower, back to school bash, birthday party, wedding, graduation party, book group party

My spin: depending on the event--- make the stacks of books themed (Golden Book, Dr. Seuss, Poetry, love stories, research). A set of encyclopedias would provide many books that are all about the same size. Many of them are trimmed in gold or silver and would make pretty centerpieces. If you can't find enough books in your theme or that have a pretty cover, wrap some in brown paper and stamp the spines with words or titles.

Branch out: Use books as the centerpiece for your Beauty and the Beast party. Pair them with tin can vases for a vintage party. Use only books of photography or art for a dramatic art show. Use all children's books and decorate with a 'bedtime story' theme at a baby shower or child's birthday party.

Splurge:
You can take the whole book idea in a few different directions.... Use the whole "school theme" or make it more like a library/den.... or use research books for a wedding of a scientists or mathematician.
--- pair the books with alphabet letters, flash cards, pencils, crayons, composition books, school lunch, lined paper, etc. Vintage or Modern--- you decide. Also throw in some stuffed animals that match the book characters.

--- make wreaths from pages of a book or into pommanders have a typewriter or library index card guest book, give book mark favors, use quotes or phrases from books on your invitation and in your vows, title tables after favorite books, use a book as the ring bearer pillow, etc.
--- Send library card invitations
--- Having a party for adults? Decorate part of your home to look like high school lockers and let guests doodle and decorate them.

--- Rent or borrow a giant chalk board like coaches use and allow guests to write messages in your new 'photo booth' area.
--- Cover the tables in chalkboard paper and use chalk to label seats for place settings, or allow guests to doodle.
--- Buy or borrow an apothecary table or library index cabinet for your guest book table, cake table or dessert display.
--- Set the mood at your party with a den/library feel. Use large bookcases, leather chairs/sofas, lamps, and coffee tables to create seating areas.


Happy Planning!
Krista

Favorite 12-- Diamond Rings

First of all---if you haven't checked out Kara's Party Ideas, you really need to. What an amazing site! While I was looking for ideas for a bachelorette party and bridal party breakfast, I stumbled upon this picture. I've also seen it floating around Pinterest! Tell me, how C-U-T-E are these?!?! Unfortunately, the Etsy seller has quite a pricetag on them. They are $36 for 24 of them... $1.50 for diamond cutout plus the price of donuts.... THAT is a bit out of my price range for a home party, but I love the idea.

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 My suggetion:  Try cutting out a diamond on your own....or... print a picture of a diamond outline in a pretty outline color to match your party, adhere it to a toothpick and voila! You might also ask around for Cricut cartridges... one might have a diamond design?

The event: Kara's theme was Jewelry. I plan to use it for a bridal party breakfast. Also try it for an engagement party, bridal shower, jewely party (Lia Sophia and Premier), Girl's birthday--- princess, dress up, etc.

My spin: I think this could also work for full sized donuts. Not as delicate, but it might still be cute.

Favorite 11- Take me out to the ball game!

Baseball season is in full swing! (no pun intended! hahaha) Baseball themed parties (and showers) are all the craze lately!

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My suggetion: ditch the figurines...Unless it's a party for a kid, keep the decor simple and classic.

To save money: beg, borrow and steal... OK-- maybe not steal, but beg and borrow. Ask local sports enthusiasts what baseball equipment you can borrow. Use the empty space trick to save on fillers--- use a jar inside of a jar or place a large object in the middle and pour the filler around it. Use green moss in bowls or vases for grass.

The event: Fourth of July, baby shower, bridal shower, wedding, birthday party

My spin: Love the peanuts... How about some centerpieces with cracker jacks (or popcorn) as well?? Or use the same idea with a long vase and filler, but add a small Louisville Slugger bat laying on top of it?

Branch out: Host a full outdoor sports themed party with golf, football, baseball, soccer.... Keep green as a common color (grass) and make centerpieces and decor out of all of the equipment and balls. Add pennants, whistles, ref jersies, etc.         Switching gears---- the peanut filler would be great for a circus themed party, as well!

Splurge: You have to set the tone of the party with a invitation that memics a ticket to a ball game. Name your house the __________ Field. Have guests sign a ball, bat or jersey. Dress up your tables with miniature bats, or even use them to spell out words or names. Serve baseball cupcakes complete with red 'lacing.' Buckets and wheat grass can be planted and grown before the party. Create a concession stand with hot dogs, pretzels, beer (if appropriate), popcorn, coke and candy. Send guests home with big league chew and cracker jacks! (If it's a shower you're hosting--- send guests home with pancake batter with a note saying "Hey batter batter!")

Happy Planning!

Krista at Sweet T Events

Recycled Centerpiece... It's Earth Day! Favorite 9

How simple and cutesy-poo is this! And-- It's recycled!



Country Living

Country Living painted coffee and soup cans for an adorable centerpiece.

My suggetion: use all different sizes--- from the Vienna sausage/Beanie Weenie size all the way up to the largest coffee or super-sized green bean cans. Make the arrangements fit the size of can.

To save money: buy the sample sized containers of paint, or try craft paint. (Be sure to read the labels about if it can be used on metals). I think I would keep the paints flat, not satin. Use wild flowers or the flowers blooming in your garden instead of buying artificial. Hosting a big party? Ask friends and family to keep their tin cans for you! Need more than that? Print it in the local newspaper or post it on social networks.

The event: A vintage shower/party, a girl's afternoon lunch, Mother's Day dinner.

My spin: keep the cans metal, but tie them up with beautiful ribbon, rafia, or twine. Pair with a colorful table linen and plates. Also try mod-podgeing (is that a word?) decorative paper to the cans.

Branch out: If you keep the cans metal, the same idea could be used for a western/cowboy party. Group the cans with bandanas, straw, cowboy boots... you get the idea.

Splurge: Hit up antique stores and flea markets for metal cans with the original labels....Add equally colorful flowers to the colorful labeled cans and pair with a simple tablescape.

Favorite 8-- Spring has Sprung!


Whether you're throwing a bridal shower, afternoon luncheon or wedding...this is a beautiful and inexpensive centerpiece!

Katie Brown Blog

 Look closely--- those aren't even vases--- they are drinking glasses! You have two options for painting glass like this. You can spray paint the outsides--- like this or paint this insides like this in video. In this particular picture they have painted the inside so that the details around the bottom still show. I love it! You could use glasses, vases, goblets, jars, etc. Cluster them together and fill with flowers.

Hit up your local thrift store, yard sales and boxes in your basement.

Bridal Shower Games

** I have created this post twice from scratch, and when I've published them, about half of my content is missing. Please bear with me. I'm trying to re-create it--- AGAIN!**

I've Never
On the shower invitation, guests are told to bring spare change for a game. The bride creates a list of things she's never done. At the shower, the bride reads her list one by one and the guests have to put a coin in the jar if they've done it. We played this game at my shower and I'm not sure if I've ever laughed so hard. I had some tame ones like "I've never been on a cruise" but I also had some like "I've never been skinny-dipping" and "I've never skipped school." We found out some things about some of the old ladies in the room, including my grandma!  When my sister planned with game, we figured we'd end up with a couple of dollars.... but people were so generous with what coins they chose and some even just dumped their container into the jar at the end that we got over $80! We used this money to splurge on a carriage ride on our honeymoon.

Memory Lane Mysteries

This game is every bride’s sentimental favorite. When you send out each guest’s shower invitations, include

a blank note card along with a request to write down his or her favorite memory of the bride, groom or the couple. When they arrive, have your guests drop their memories into a card box. At the shower, read each memory out loud and ask the bride and/or groom to guess which guest wrote it. From childhood memories to milestone moments, each card reflects the personal bond that each guest has with the couple. And, at the end of the day, the bride has a stack of personal keepsakes to cherish always.

Wedding Night Words

Here’s a nice n’ naughty game that’ll take the bride and bridal shower guests by surprise! While the bride is opening her gifts, have a bridesmaid secretly write down everything that the bride-to-be says (make sure she doesn’t notice). Once all the gifts have been opened, gather everyone together and—with your best bedroom voice—read aloud the “ooh’s” and “aah’s” and exclamations (e.g. “Wow! That’s tiny!”) that the bride said—it’s what the bride will be telling her groom on the wedding night!  

My friends did this for my shower and it was a hoot! Because of some of the older guests at the shower, the shower guests knew nothing of this. They read it at my bachelorette party, which just made it funnier! We have since kept this tradition for two more friends (without reminding them that we were doing it). I had tears running down my face at one of the showers from laughing at her comments! My sister and I knew what was going on and slowly told 3 other friends at our table. It was a riot!

What’s the Bride Wearing?

Pay attention! About 20 minutes into the bridal shower, test your guests’ observation skills with this fun little game. Without letting on that they’ll be tested later, begin the party as planned. Then, once everyone has had a chance to greet the bride and is just getting settled into the party, have the bride leave the room. Give each guest a piece of paper and pencil and have them write down everything they can possibly remember about what the bride is wearing, listing as many details as possible. Bring the bride back in and have each person read his or her neighbor’s list out loud. The guest that accurately lists the most items wins!

Guess How Many
An easy and cheap game is to fill a container with items and have guests guess how many it holds.

Guess What's in the Bag
Put samples of white powders in baggies. Number the baggies and hand out sheets of paper with the same numbers. The white powders can be sugar, flour, baking soda, etc. Without smelling or tasting guests must figure out what kind of powder is in which bags. These bags are passed around during the shower. After everyone has had a chance at every bag, the correct answers are added up and the person with the most correct answers wins a gift.

Advice Book
A gift all guests can give the bride at the shower is an advice book that they have compiled. The host can include a pretty notecard with the invitation and guests are asked to fill it out with their best advice and bring it to the shower. I would suggest having extra notecards at the shower for those that forgot. The cards can be added to a pretty photo album and presented the bride. Instead of cards and an album, guests could write in a pretty journal.

Having a cooking themed shower? Notecards could be recipe cards and guests give their 'recipe for a good marriage.'

Question the Bride

Instead of playing bingo or another game while the bride opens gifts, allow guests to ask her questions such as "Where did you two meet?" "When did you know you loved him?" "How did he propose?" "Where will you honeymoon?". This would be really nice for a larger group of women getting to know each other.

Famous Wives

Make a list of famous men--- musicians, TV or movie characters, actors, etc. Ask guests to write down the name of their wives. Make some really easy, and make others more challenging. Some men have very famous wives, and others don't.

Idioms

Each guest receives a paper with the first part of the sentence and they must complete the sentence in a given amount of time. My guess would be that grandmas and moms will do the best! The one with the most wins!

A woman's work...is never done.

A happy house...is full of laughter.

Behind every great man...is a successful woman.

A woman's place...is in the home.

When the going gets tough...the tough gets going.

A stitch in time...saves nine.

My house...is your house.

The path of true love...never runs smooth.

Variety is...the spice of life.

Every man's home...is his castle.

True love...conquers all.

Marriages are...made in heaven.

A watched pot...never boils.

If the shoe fits...wear it.

A penny saved... is a penny earned.

Home is... where the heart is.

Too many cooks...spoil the broth.

Kill two birds... with one stone.

A bird in the hand... is worth two in the bush.

Don't count your chickens...before they hatch.

Don't put all your eggs...in one basket.

Drastic times...call for drastic measures.

Never bite the....hand that feeds you.

Rome was not built...in a day.

Brand Name, Jingle or Slogan

Show logos of famous products and ask guests to name the product. You could either cover the name or digitally remove it. Some products such as Morton Salt have logos without the name covering it. Try: Toyota (or other car companies), Microsoft, Yahoo, Nike, Apple, BP, McDonald's, Starbucks, Little Debbie, Baskin Robbins,Girl Scouts, Quaker Oats, Gerber, Pepsi, KFC, and Ocean Spray.

Create a list of companies famous jingles or slogans and ask guests to 'name that company.'

Be all that you can be.--- Army

Breakfast of champions.---Wheaties

Eat more Chikin!---Chick-Fil-A

Every kiss begins with Kay.--- Kay Jewelers

Good to the last drop.---Maxwell House

Have it your way.--- Burger King

It takes a lickin and keeps on tickin.--- Timex

Just do it--- Nike

M'm M'm Good-- Campbell's Soup

Obey your thirst.-- Sprite

So easy a caveman can do it.--- Geico

Sometimes you feel like a nut, Sometimes you don't.---Mounds/Almond Joy

You can do it. We can help.--- Home Depot

Finger lickin' Good-- KFC

Taste the rainbow--- Skittles

Your potential, Our passion.--- Microsoft

The power to be your best--- Apple

Drivers wanted.--- Volkswagen

Hot eats, cool treast--- DQ

Hungry? Why Wait?--- Snickers

Everything we do is driven by you--- Ford

Where's the beef?--- Wendy's

Head for the border-- Taco Bell

Get the Sensation-- York Peppermint Patty

Memory

The bride comes out with an apron and a try of various kitchen items. She shows each item to guests while the hostess reads off the list. The bride leaves the room and guests must compile a list of everything they can remember. Want to make it more challenging?? Play a game in between!

Grocery List

Grab the current and local grocery store ad. Choose 5-10 items that you could use to make a great dinner. Calculate the total. At the shower, tell what store ad you're using and explain each item in detail--- brand, size, flavor, etc. Guests write their estimated cost for the item, or just keep a running tally in their head. Guests total their 'grocery bill' (with or without tax--- you decide!). The closest total, without going over, wins!

The Spice Game
Have ten bottles of herbs or spices with the labels covered. Have the guests guess the spices and herbs - they are allowed to smell the herbs or spices. The guest with the most correct answers may keep the spices or give them to the bride, preferably the latter.

 

Sources

Memory Lane Memories, Wedding Night Words, What's the Bride Wearing

Guess What's in the Bag, The Spice Game

Favorite 7

I think this may have been one of the first photos that I saved, oh-so-long ago! I just love the thought of bringing the outdoors in.

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This centerpiece could be done large scale or small. Here they have very unique branches in rather large clusters, but I can imagine small branches out of the yard in a $1 vase from the Dollar Tree sitting in the middle of a table, surrounded by votives.

If you are wanting something more abstract, ask around for trees with unique branches.

For a winter party, spray paint the branches white or silver, cover with glue and sprinkle with epsom sale, rock salt and glitter. Ornaments and snowflakes dripping from the branches would sure set the mood.

If your party is more elegant, drape strands of faux crystals from red, silver, white or black branches.

Glue matching flowers onto the branches, or sprinkle artificial leaves onto them.

Experiment with different vases/urns and vase fillers.  If using glass vases, try glass beads, dirt/moss, faux snow, or rocks.

It's good to add multiple heights in centerpieces for dimension and eye-appeal. Try pairing this centerpiece with a low one made from a slab of branch or tree trunk topped with candles, pinecones, acorns, ribbon, etc. Another low centerpiece idea is to use a long chunk of branch laying on the table surrounded with candles (or with holes drilled in the top for the candles to sit in).

This could be used for a party or shower that have themes like birds-nesting, enchanted forest, camping-outdoors, or for any season party.

Favorite 6

This favorite comes from P is for Party's blog and it was for a first birthday set around "It's a Wonderful Life." I just love the simplicity of these centerpieces. The host used vases and coches for the adult table centerpieces but wanted something less fragile for the kid tables. 

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I love the color scheme of this specific design, but can't you imagine them in silver and blue, gold and red, green and brown.... or any of your favorite Christmas package color combinations! I love the little touch of artificial snow she added. These are so beautiful on their own, but I can picture them grouped with glowing candles, vases filled with ornaments, an abundance of fake snow mounded around them, and little sprigs of greenery. What a beautiful idea for a Christmas dinner or a winter wedding!

Switching gears--- This idea could be used for any type of party. I had a friend use this same concept with a stack of 3 gifts (one wrapped in polka dot paper) paired with polka dot decorations and gerbera daisies at a baby shower.

Imagine them wrapped in brightly colored paper with a big bow at the top for a kid's birthday party, paired with balloons and streamers for a true "Birthday Party Theme."

Tiffany blue boxes trimmed in white would make a perfect bridal shower decoration.

For a more feminine look, a small bundle of flowers could be anchored to the top instead of a bow.

Wrap single boxes of varying sizes in coordinating papers and cluster them as the centerpiece. Wrap small, single boxes indentically and group them in a fancy centerpiece to serve as decoration, but also as favors when you fill them with your party's parting gift.

A shower filled with these centerpieces could be topped off with a matching cake.

My favorite part of this whole idea: the price! Who doesn't have gift boxes and wrapping paper lying around?!?! Again--- if you know this will be your theme for a future party, how great would it be to get all your supplies 50% off after Christmas! You could just pick up the boxes if the paper wouldn't match your theme, or a roll of silver or gold can be paired with most colors to add a little 'something.' Planning, planning, planning!

Favorite 5

This one has been around so long, I forgot about it! I guess i'm cheating a little bit-- it's not just one picture, but they all go with a theme!



Source

First of all--let me just say that I L-O-V-E the drinking glasses with the kitchen utensils standing in them. I can even see this as an invitation design with 3 utensils in 3 glasses across the top. That would really set the theme, wouldn't it!

If at a bridal shower--here are a few thoughts: the utensils/glasses could be the hostess's gift to the bride OR they could be used as prizes. The winner could take utensils or the set of glasses. I would probably purchase glasses from Dollar Tree or the cheap section of Wal-Mart if they were prizes, but I would buy nice utensils. No one wants flimsy plastic utensils. If buying cheap glasses, you can use etching cream and stencils to design the glass, or paint simple stripes/designs. I think I would put a matching dishtowel under the glasses to help "anchor" the centerpiece design.

The dishtowel cake would make a great main centerpiece for a shower, and could also be a gift to the bride. If you know that someone is making one, ask them to bring it early for you to use, but make sure they get acknowledgement during the shower, and it would be a good idea if it matches in color.

Other centerpieces could be kitchen items as vases--- coffee pots, pitchers, nice looking cans without labels...use your imagination. I've even seen blenders and toasters with flowers coming out of them! I'm even picturing a small crockpot filled with flowers as a huge centerpiece!Use your resources-- yard sales, friends, second-hand stores, but be careful of what you're buying. You still want them to look nice!

Another idea is to ask each guest to bring a recipe: their favorite, one for the slow-cooker, one that can freeze, or a family recipe to start the bride's collection.

As far as I'm concerned, this doesn't just have to be a bridal shower design as suggested, but also for a child's cooking themed party. With cooking and food as a theme, there are several directions you could go: pizza/italian, baking, or just utensils/kitchen items. Need help for more ideas? Contact me.