POTTER + BUTLER GRAND OPENING EXTRAVAGANZA

It is my pleasure to introduce you to a lovely NEW little shop named POTTER AND BUTLER. 

HOORAY for TODAY!!! I’ve been beside myself to share this little lovely bit of information with you. I’m sure you’ve seen this little wonder on Etsy…Potter and Butler is NOW OPEN for business. They have only been with us for a few days, but they already feel like old friends.

When I was reading one of my favorites, Hello!Self, a blog authored by Emily Horak, I noticed she was opening up shop in the handmade world of Etsy. It just seemed so natural that she, too, would join the marketplace, being an advocate for handmade memorable celebrations. I did a little happy dance in my chair and emailed her ASAP… begging her to let me feature the shop! She said “YES” and I did another little dance. I was so excited for her new endeavor and dying to know all the details (and see the new pretty party products!) The blogosphere is brimming with party talent and beautiful photos, but what makes Emily special is her devotion to “authentically-merry celebrations.” I knew she was going to be a hit and I had to tell you about it.

First, I must share her lovely blog. At Hello!Self, Emily brings her incredibly contagious merry outlook to her readers. She seeks all the wonderful things related to create meaningful and lovely moments. She is friendly, kind and fabulous! Emily offers guidance that goes well beyond the reaches of traditional party planning. She is a CELEBRATION COACH, which is a combination of “event planner + life coach + creative merriment pusher,” and I just think that HAS to be the coolest job ever. Her blog makes me smile and is genuine, which is rare these days. For me, Hello!Self is a beautiful reminder that everyday moments are celebration worthy.

Emily and her dear friend Carrie Flynn have opened up Potter and Butler to share their love of merriment and crafting with all. Two friends, who met in the design field, have been creating pretty fetes (one of their favorite pastimes) and created these lovelies for their clientele’s parties. The overwhelming love they received for the designs and requests for personalized, meaningful décor, prompted the two to open Potter and Butler: handmade goods for merry celebrations. Currently in their pretty little shop are: (I HAVE to quote Emily on her descriptions…too perfect)

Gracious Garlands: sweet and airy fabric pom garlands that sway to the beat of your fete or to the flow of your home

Cake garlands: a petite version of the gracious garlands – perfectly sized to adorn the celebration cake.

Morsel Adornments: Includes monogram toppers in vintage fonts, classic silhouette toppers, convey toppers (allowing you to customize a message for each topper), and Peppy Toppers, which are the food pick manifestation of our poms.

The Embellish: a modern twist on the days when grandma wore a corsage on special occasions. It’s a lush fabric corsage that says, “For me, there is significance to this moment.”

Merry Poms: The centerpiece for merriment. Reminiscent of a lush cluster bouquet, made with over two yards of fabric.

I Belong Pom: Let guests know they belong – and exactly where at the dinner table – with our take on the place card

Gift Wrap Embellishment: Our modern version of the traditional gift bow. Made of fabric, it can be part of the joy of gift giving time after time.

For Him Pom: something for the fellas - fabric boutonnieres

Sweet Notes and Good Fortune Poms- It’s a good life. And there’s lots to celebrate. Our sweet notes and good fortune poms send guests off with a sweet sentiment or fortuitous good will . Perfect as celebration favors or small gifts.

Emily and Carrie were so excited about their new shop they opened early, TODAY was to be their official grand opening. So, in GRAND Potter and Butler style…we shall CELEBRATE! Potter and Butler is holding its FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY here. Yep...I am incredibly excited, (beyond excited, really) to announce that you can win TWO GRACIOUS GARLANDS of your very own.

Winning is EASY!!! Enter FIVE times!!! Leave a comment here for each of the following:

1. Go to the Potter and Butler shop. Pick your fave. Tell us here.

2. Follow Hank + Hunt (here)

3. Follow Potter and Butler

4. Follow @hankandhunt on Twitter
5. Follow @PotterandButler on Twitter

How awesome is that? FIVE chances.  You know I would enter if I could...

COME BACK WEDNESDAY for my interview with Emily of Potter and Butler, more eye candy, and more ways to win...it'll be worth it.  I promise.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY PREMIER - SIMPLE JOYS PAPERIE

Hello Darlings! Welcome to WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY! I am starting a new column for the fall to bring wonderful lovelies of décor and gifts for the holiday season. Each Wednesday I will feature one shop or amazing item, in all their glory. This is a bit different from my usual collections of goodies by theme and I think it will be fabulous. I hope you will enjoy this and feel free to email me (hankandhunt@gmail.com) about any wonderful shops or goodies you think would be perfect to feature here on WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS! (attn: shop owners, if you want to recommend your own item, that’s okay, too!)

Our first Featured shop is…SIMPLE JOYS PAPERIE. As you may know, I find a good deal of lovelies whilst flitting around Etsy. I adore Etsy, its never ending corral of gorgeous goodness, and while hunting, I found this beautiful (and eco-lovely) shop while looking for Halloween décor. Her hand-rolled vintage paper wreaths are stunning. My jaw dropped when I saw this gorgeous wreath (above) pop up in my search for “brains” (long story…coming soon) and immediately got sidetracked.

There were more…

and I love ADORE each and every one.

You simply must go check out her shop…immediately.

And then there were cuffs made from vintage book spines… One of my favorite things are vintage books. So gorgeous. Brides… how PERFECT is this cuff to get a little dose of something old AND something blue to conjure up some lovely good fortune? I will tell you…PERFECT with a capital P! LOVE!

SOURCES:

1. MAY I PICK YOUR BRAIN WREATH
2. TATTERED HEART WREATH
3. TATTERED ANGEL WINGS (5% of sale goes to Etsy’s Project Embrace)
4. VINTAGE 1942 TIME WREATH
5. VINTAGE 1948 BOOK SPINE CUFF

Halloween Spooktacular - BLACK + WHITE

I know it's still September, but I've already started planning, and I bet you have too... With this mini series, I will be making inspiration boards that you can actually BUY!  So to start, a little BLACK + WHITE hallows eve party.  I have been seeing black and white everywhere, and I must admit I am dying for it...

SOURCES: (CLOCKWISE)

1. CROW MOBILE (POTTERY BARN KIDS)

2. ALL HALLOWS EVE SIGN (TUCKERREESE)

3. BLACK WINE GLASS (MARTHA STEWART FOR MACYS)

4. TREE TAPESTRY (URBAN OUTFITTERS)

5. WICKED OXIDIZED CANDLEABRA (ANALOGUESHOP)

6. B/W SWIRL LOLLIPOP (CANDY WAREHOUSE)

7. ROCOCO NOIR (ROSANNA)

8. ALL HALLOWS EVE INVITATION (BLUSHPRINTABLES)

9. LICORICE MINI RIBBON CANDIES (HAMMONDS CANDIES)

10. SIMPLE HALLOWEEN BANNER (TUCKERREESE)

Stay tuned for a Halloween inspiration board each Friday! Have a LOVELY weekend!

Mind your P's and Q's

Hello lovelies! I hope you had a fabulous long weekend! Here we had a fantastic time.  But, unfortunately Henry was sick on Saturday with a cold.  Yesterday Hunter got it, and guess who got it today?! Here's a quick little mini post on some little manners.

ADORE THIS!!! Loving this poster. It is SO something I'd say to the boys. SUBLIMINAL BABY POSTER by SYCAMORESTREETPRESS

A simple and perfect little reminder for the boys, and mama, too. EAT GOOD FOOD by LUCKYBLUEBIRDART

How adorable are these napkins?  Henry is just learning to read, is highly impressionable, and these would be perfect. MANNERS NAPKINS by BETSYGRACE

I love these colors! Perfect for hanging right next to the sink... WASH YOUR HANDS by BELLYBABIES

Oh dear, how many times do you say this a day, me about a hundred...SAY PLEASE by LOUELLAPRESS

With a zillion toys, why do they fight over the same one? This sums it up perfectly.  SHARE POSTER by INKPETALS

new goodies, a DIY, and a GIVEAWAY, too

Happy Friday all! I am really excited to share with you our new MINI PARTY PACK! It has everything you would need to throw a little fete.  It has a fringe garland, a bunting garland (new design) and cake flags! All made from fabric of course! There are more packages to come soon for the holidays, but for now you can WIN one of these party packs over at anders ruff.  I am beyond happy Maureen asked me to be a part of her blog, and her write up of my garlands is so sweet. Don't forget to check out her Etsy shop here (Halloween is half off until 9/15!)

  

In the MINI PARTY PACK, there are cake flags.  These lovelies are easy to make . Do you have random scraps of fabric lying around? (ok, I might have more than most) Swing by the craft shop and pick up some 4" lollipop sticks and a roll of double stick adhesive.  Break out the scraps and some pinking shears and let me show you an easy way to customize your party.

For some strange reason, I have long strips of fabric laying around...

Use the lollipop sticks to measure and cut 4" long strips. The width is up to you, however you would like the flags to look.

Lay out the cut strips and add some double stick tape.  Cut the tape a smidge over half the length of the fabric, this allows a bit of overlap to secure well to the stick.

Peel back the tape, and place the lollipop stick in the center.

Fold over in half and smooth together.

TADA! Told 'ya it was easy.

Feel free to use different fabrics for all sorts of occasions.

Have fun and have a HAPPY WEEKEND! (and yeah, I guess you could use paper for the flags, too!)

Awesome Alphabet Mini Post

School has started or is about to begin.  I am in the midst of planning a "first day at school" bash for my oldest, who starts preschool next Monday...EEEEEEK! Henry's ready, but me, not so sure...

Here's a quickie post for some inspirational alphabets around the web...
(Above) Vintage Flash Card Banner by handmadebyannepotter


A is for one word Flashcards by prettylittlestudio

Alphabet fridge magnets by lgarrido

Sukie Alphabet Wrapping Paper at Paper Source

ABC Color Creations Crayons by ducksinarow

Sillycone Alphabet Molds (found Via One Charming Party)

Animal Alphabet Flashcard Set at Land of Nod

P.S. LOVELY GOODIES TO PRINT!!! Free Dot to Dot ABC print and colour sheets by Mrs Booth

Harry's Half Birthday Party

Baby Harry is turning 6 months old.  I always wanted to throw my boys a half birthday party, but being a new mommy, extra time was hard to come by.  So, as random surprise goodie for my sis-n-law, I thought I would make a party kit for her.  Ready to hang garland, precut letters, bday invites with matching paperies (straws, cups from HeyYoYo), precut fondant 1/2 logo to stick on half a cake, be it store bought or fanagled out of Grandma Bub. I am also including a coupon for her favorite cupcake bakery Trophy Cupcakes (gosh I could live in that store...) To make it super easy, I did mock up party pics so she can just take it out of the box, add some baked goods and snacks from her local grocer and voila! Instant party.  Perfect for family and friends to taste while canoodleing with Harry.  My little guy starts preschool at the end of August, so we can't sneak away for vacation.  Phooey. Oh well, ship it baby!

Below are some of my homemade cupcakes, I am personally quite proud of the cupcake swirl on top.   I finally got the right icing tip (Ateco 845) and used mini cupcakes (way easier to decorate.)

The inspiration for the color scheme and background garland was a birthday card from Rifle Paper Co.Using helvetica 4" stencils, I traced and cut out Harry's name and glued each letter to lollipop sticks.

A little bit of healthy snacks, some not so healthy snacks, and Ding Dongs cut in half to match the cake.

A few more little bits...including the little onesies for Harry to wear to the party (and some backups in case he gets into the cake)

 

Cakestand Extravaganza White Edition

Come one, come all, to a gathering of cakeity goodness.  I keep finding lovely little cake plates wherever I turn.  A girl can only have so many before her husband starts questioning why she bought another one. I almost got through to him when I explained that it is like a tool.  Different ones, for different situtations, right?  It almost worked.  It didn't work with shoes either...Oh, and brides-to-be/newlyweds...I learned this one the hard way, don't ever let him know how much your purse costs...or else each time you come home with a new one, it means trouble.  Apparently, purses are not compareable to tools either. Small Pedestal Cake Plate - Origin Crafts


But I really do think the mighty cake plate is a tool.  I bet if we asked Amy or Martha they would agree.
And in a sufficiently stocked tool chest, one needs the basics.  The kind you can pull out at a moment's notice and voila...Here are the white ones.

Speaking of Martha, these are from Macy's,

yes, they are ALL on the must have list...

Studio Cake Stand Pottery Barn

Décor Bon Bon Cake Plate Rosanna

Vintage Pedestals

and Sinatra Cake Stand Crate and Barrel

 

Milk Glass Cake Stand Fishs Eddy

Scalloped Cake Stand Williams-Sonoma

 

Angelina Cake Stands at Shoestring Home