Graduation Party

Some of you may know that I enjoy party planning.

Really, I do.

The fondant cake was my masterpiece. I was quite excited about it. The underlying emotion really was my excitement for my husband's graduation, but man was I excited about that cake. We had a blast and I think Ian feels that we celebrated his accomplishment properly. Love that man!

Sugar Cookie Recipe: Designer Bakery - Halloween Sugar Cookies

Royal Icing Recipe: Designer Bakery - Wedding Cake Sugar Cookies

Cake: White Cake Mix (from the box - thank heavens for those!)

Oreo Cream Cheese Cake Filling: Cupcake Project (but I used big chunks of Oreos instead of blending them)

Free Graduation Printables: Living Locurto

Graduation Decorating

My new Google seems to be Pinterest.

Well, when it comes to crafts anyway.

Why sort through loads of craft images on google

when Pinterest weeds out all the horrible designs for you?

You may have to see the same image about 23 times, but it's worth it in the end.

As most of you know, my cute husband is graduating from college next Friday.

Next Friday.

I can't even believe that is a reality.
It's soooo close! Wahoo!

And what does that really mean? Party time! I have been thinking about this graduation party for years, so now is the time to really go all out.

pizzazzerie

I love the cupcakes. I have been planning to make sugar cookies with our school's logo... but the cupcakes might make the dessert menu.

sweet e's

 frog prince paperie

I am pulling some of those wall swirls out... and you'll need to stay tuned for that pinspiration project because I have found the key to making those! Staples and string! Thanks to a lovely friend, Claire.

wedding elegance

I mostly like the sophistication of black... I'm thinking black, teal, and grey.

Don't worry. Pictures will be posted. For sure!

Have a fabulous day, all!

First of the Tips

I'm starting something new.

A TIP OF THE DAY!

So today's tip:

Tap into your inner child when designing!

We just watched "The Cat in the Hat" and I L-O-V-E-D the set!

Just take a gander:

Oh the colors and the glass uppers!

I'm a personal fan of dining chairs in multiple colors.

Who needs matchy matchy?

Do you see that wallpaper?

These super tall chairs probably made the biggest impression.

I couldn't stop talking about them through the movie!

(yes, I'm a design nerd -and a math nerd, if you must know)

The house after things went a little crazy:

And who doesn't want this cool ride?

For more photos, click here.

What childhood design would you use?

Painting!

Want to find out more about paint colors?

Visit me over HERE today!

Color Me Happy!

Tuesday is my CrAzY day of the week.

I wear a lot of hats on Tuesdays...

enough that I have to change my outfit 6 times.

That's right.

Six.

To say the least, I see a lot of colors on Tuesdays.

So let's talk about colors... and painting those colors...

Courtesy: Sherwin Williams - Sophisticated Sanctuary

Courtesy: Sherwin Williams - Global Garden

Courtesy: Sherwin Williams - Rooted

Courtesy: Sherwin Williams - Latin Zest

Question #1: How do I pick the right color?

From Sherwin Williams:

Begin at the Beginning

Determine what features or existing finishes in the room you would consider permanent. Consider the cabinets, tile or a brick fireplace. For example, if the wood of your kitchen cabinets has a red undertone, make sure the paint color you choose works well with that hue.

Create a Focal Point

Emphasize your home's attractive architectural features, such as crown molding or arched window treatments, with contrasting paint — lighter or darker than the wall — or by painting them with a glossy finish. You can also make one wall an accent wall by painting it a different color, giving it a faux finish, adding wallpaper or a border.

Unify the Color Flow

You can unify rooms by using a common color palette. Create distinct spaces by altering the shade and hue within the common palette.

Emphasize or Minimize

Color can emphasize certain features - and minimize others. A long narrow room will look wider if you use a slightly darker color on the shorter walls and a lighter color on the longer walls. You can make a ceiling appear higher by applying a lighter color, or lower with a darker color. To give a big room a more intimate feel, paint the walls in colors that advance toward you, such as red, gold, orange and brown. To help a small room seem larger, paint the walls in colors that make them appear to recede, such as blue, green or violet.

Reflect on Light Sources

Remember that the color you choose may look different at various times of the day and night. The warm tones of incandescent lights will have a different influence on the color than the natural light of day. Once you're aware of how different light sources can affect your color choices, you can change your room's "mood" to match the pace of your day.

Question #2: How can I save time when painting?

From Sherwin Williams:

Remember this simple motto: Three rights prevent wrongs.

• 1) Right prepUse drop cloths made of canvas and use painter's tape (not masking tape) around the edges of the area you'll be painting.
• 2) Right toolsRoller frames, short-nap roller covers, disposable tray liners and a 2" or 2 ^1/2" angled brush for cutting in.
• 3) Right applicationPaint the ceilings first, then work your way down, painting in 3-foot increments, applying paint liberally.
• 
  

So tell me, what's your favorite color?

Myth Busters... the Interior Design Version

My dear friend asked me about photo arranging, so I decided to blog about it.

Most people think it's an interior design rule to have matching frames in an arrangement.

MYTH!

Yes, that's right!

I said it! (Or wrote it, I suppose.)

You can create whatever arrangement you want -

believe me, I've seen some "interesting" arrangements.

Some really like symmetry:

although at first glance, you might not even notice the symmetry above.

Courtesy: Pottery Barn

Then we've got more eclectic:

Courtesy: Pottery Barn

and matchy (yes, I know it's not a word):

Courtesy: Pottery Barn

At this point in my search, I got a little side-tracked.

Time has slipped away from me, and my husband will be home in about 45 minutes.

Do you know what that means?

I need to clean up my "chest of drawers project" and think about din-din.

Literally the entire chest is sprawled out in the kitchen and laundry room

as the drawers are drying. I can maneuver around my supplies, but cooking dinner

would be a challenge.

So for now, here's my advice:

1. Gather the frames you want to use for one wall.

2. Place them on the floor in different arrangements.

3. Hang your favorite arrangement on the wall.

4. Enjoy a chocolate-covered strawberry as a reward for your hard work.

Now you'll see my sidetrackness:

Isn't this a fun idea?

A clothespin was inserted into the frame.

For the full story, click on the link: Lemon Tree Creations

Then take a look at this unique idea:

More info: Lemon Tree Creations

I happen to be a fan of empty frame arrangements:

Courtesy: Lemon Tree Creations

Okay you ready for the bing bang?

CoRnEr FrAmEs!!!

Courtesy: Freshome

And who needs a bookshelf when you have bookframes???

Courtesy: Freshome

Vinyl Lettering

To be quite honest, I love vinyl lettering.

I currently don't have an inch of vinyl lettering on any wall in our home,

but that will soon change.

(And when I say "soon" I mean "sometime in the future")

One more reason why I love these two images below:

yellow and orange brighten my days!

I absolutely love the view from our front window of the autumn leaves on the ground...

So tell me - do you like these?

Design Diva

Design Diva

Give your walls some character!

As you know, Etsy is full of creativity.

I love wall art, especially when it's fresh and original.

Just before we moved, a friend of mine had a damask print stenciled on her bedroom wall...

it was detailed and oh so beautiful!

Cutting Edge Stencils (found on Etsy) caught my eye immediately:

Cutting Edge Stencils

Cutting Edge Stencils

Cutting Edge Stencils

Cutting Edge Stencils

Cutting Edge Stencils

Imperial Trellis Stencil

Check out Hello Gorgeous for this amazing imperial trellis stencil! I am in love! I have a few canvases that I have been wondering what to do with.

I will post my progress as I go.

Have a great day!!!

Timely Inspiration

What has been your inspiration this morning?

Your children? Your spouse? A picture? The gorgeous spring weather?

Whatever it may be, carpe diem!

Today I am inspired by these clocks.

I have one wall in our future home reserved for clocks...

Image: Ballard