Is it too early for Halloween?

It's almost the end of August, and this morning it was 64 degrees out. Summer is almost over! But by now, the heat is getting to me, and I am dreaming of fall. So here is a little Halloween inspiration. It's not too soon - before you know it, we will be making costumes and planning parties.

I absolutely love these Halloween candles wrapped in vellum paper. For these, you can use the DollarTree hurricanes or square glass candle holders. Print your favorite black Halloween design on some vellum paper, wrap, and you're set to go. After Halloween, save your vellum sheets to reuse next year and come back here to see more uses for your glass candle holders!

http://abcnews.go.com/images/GMA/ht_gma_halloween_candles_091023_main.jpg 

Finally on to Hunger Games

I finally saw The Hunger Games last night, and my brain wanted to burst with all the party ideas that came to mind as I was watching. The movie is amazing and filled with such different scenes that you could go in just about any direction with this theme. From the districts to the capitol you get such a different setting that boy, girl, grown ass adult or teens can find a great platform for a party.

So here is our growing Pinterest board for a Hunger Games party here.

I am dying to get my hands on a Hunger Games party, and to prevent my husband from having an adult Hunger Games party, let me know if you are interested in one!



image via alishbrandon120410.blogspot.com

{Favor} Thursday - Sparkling Send Off

It doesn't take much to take sparklers from the generic box to great packaging for night time send off. Don't have enough time for labels? Simply cut long pieces of paper and slide in your sparklers for a package that looks thought out but really only took a few minutes. You're sending your guests off for the night with these, or giving them out to be used before the leave. Either way, it will be the last thing they remember from the night, so the extra few minutes is worth it! (And who doesn't love playing with sparklers?)

http://pinkcakeplate.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/DSC_0353.jpg



http://www.giverslog.com/giftguides/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/sparkler-favors-you-are-my-fave.jpg

{Foodie} Wednesday - Watermelon Pops

How easy are these watermelon pops! Less messy than using your fingers, a smaller slice with a popsicle stick make dessert as easy as, well, popping a stick in it. This requires little to no time, can be done beforehand, and you could easily delegate this one to a younger helper - all pluses in my book!

Now what else can I stick on a popsicle? The wheel are turning...

http://party-wagon.com/storage/kids_party_wagon_blog_pics/bike%20wash%20watermelon%20on%20stick.JPG?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1338520461989

{Decor} Tuesday - Don't forget the stairs!

If you're hanging out in your backyard, then you know people will be in an out and in and out and in and out...I think you get the picture. If people spend as much time visiting your stairs as they do in my house, then don't forget a little accent! I love these beaded lanterns, and wish I had seen this earlier so I could have given it a shot with some large jars. But as always, jars are always a great choice, and stuffed with candles will light the way at night.



https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLKVlviDMQnwHLKGTdn87e4OWJs4PqjBkiJyLOvCktAWu3r0ItmcLlHcSgFZIb-0upLhpK-8m332rVSiYlkUx5lf49G-xLnWxemvLCNlsfwD5sP0vB6tjsyu9gnYyucrJZ_rGkJ2gMuE/s1600/yellow-orange-lights-porch-stair-garden-votive-moroccan-unique-color-combination-living-room-decor-white-wall-spring-summer-idea-colorful-fun-elegant.jpg



http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0zQlsN3T6is/T-lLcu71aKI/AAAAAAAAI0Y/OO2O7gv-Wu4/s400/Hanging-Mason-Jars-1.jpg

{Stationary} Monday - Firefly Tags

So it's Monday and the weather has been pleasantly cooler. There is no need for the AC and the windows open at night keeps us nice and cool. Again, I am reminded that fall is almost here. A little panicked, I grabbed my summer bucket list to see what I may have missed, and catching fireflies is one of them! Good thing I have my arsenal of saved jars (there is always a purpose for them!)

If you are planning on hosting a final summer party, you may want to save a few jars and lids. Attach a simple label like this one here and break out your jars as it starts getting dark. I would say the kids will love this one, but I think the adults will have just as much fun!


http://img4-2.southernliving.timeinc.net/i/2011/06/firefly-jar/firefly-jar-m.jpg?300:300

{Stationary} Monday - Flip Flop Invites

With August already half way through, I am trying to cram in as much summer as I possibly can before the cooler weather hits. When I looked at the 10 day forecast this morning, I felt the summer panic- no days hitting 90 degrees, and a few days of 70something weather. In July this would have been a relief, but in August it's a little reminder that our warmer days are dwindling down. So now I am 100 % focused on finishing the summer with a bang.

So today's DIY stationary idea is for anyone throwing a final summer hoorah. I love these flip flop invites for the summer, beach or no beach. And while these below are wedding invites, I would opt to use these flip flip invitations for a birthday party or summer get together.

Happy Monday!


















justforinvites.com

freshweddinginvitations.com

It's National Book Lover's Day!

Today is National Book Lover's Day! Here are some great ideas for the book lover in you:

My absolute favorite! These little kids book cupcake toppers are amazing, and I am already thinking of a way to use them soon.


http://www.amelialyon.net/lola_003.jpg

I've seen these library card save the dates before, and I still love them. This one especially looks authentic with the worn edges and different colored date stamps, which makes it way cooler. 

http://fierceandnerdy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/savethedate-0namesleft.jpg

And for the modern book lovers, a simple Save The Date.

http://rlv.zcache.com/library_book_save_the_date_invitation-p161308787137327271bh8fs_400.jpg

It's National Lighthouse Day

Today is National Lighthouse Day, and as I searched for images I seriously thought about just skipping over today. Not that I don't love lighthouse, because I do. I just couldn't find the right image for this blog - until I found this image. 

Immediately I fell in love with this invitation and envelop duo. Alone, the invitation is simple but together with the lined envelope it's memorable. 

Enjoy!

 

http://www.serendipitybeyonddesign.com/wp-content/uploads/wpsc/product_images/deposit-lighthouse-and-vintage-map-wedding-invitation-(lake-superior)-01.jpg

It's National Watermelon Day!

Today is National Watermelon Day! Top off your water melon slices with these free toppers! Enjoy!


Get the toppers here.

{Foodie} Wednesday - Build Your Own Boxed Lunch

I have always loved the idea of boxes lunches. Call me a sucker for mini and individual size anything. Yes, I save the mini ketchup bottles from hotels (you know they're too cute!).


If you're planning on doing your own food for your wedding or party, you definitely want to consider this build your own boxed lunch idea. While this is not the quickest DIY project, it is a project that will save you big bucks, and that makes dedicating the time to do it right worth it. 


What unifies this set up is the packaging of each boxed lunch item. Taking your items (sandwich, chips, cookies, utencils) out of commercial packaging and putting it in your own packaging makes this boxed lunch wedding worthy. Buying bulk and packaging your own also saves you more. 


Brown packaging with a pop of color like the bands here brand your event, making it your own. Need a quicker way to brand your event? Print your own stickers and seal the bags with them. I love using brown paper packs, but you can also use a vellum or wax paper, which also looks great.





Plastic cups get an upgrade when they're grouped in a great basket. So does a simple homemade pasta salad when it's served up like this. And who doesn't love a healthy size slice of watermelon?


images from juliesfoodlove.com


Happy Wednesday!