BLOG MAKEOVER!

p.s. be sweet, I did this all by myself.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY - Potter and Butler

Today, as promised, I come bearing more Potter and Butler.  I was so enamored with the blog Hello!Self that I begged Emily to let me cover her new shop, Potter and Butler. I had a hunch it would be something I love...and my intuition didn't prepare me for how much I would ADORE it.   I could do another whole post just on me gushing, but I will bring you the goodies behind the scenes.

Introducing the incredibly talented and undeniably amazing Emily, of Potter and Butler.

See her here:

POTTER AND BUTLER

HELLO!SELF

SHOP 

1. I am in love with your blog, Hello!Self, not only is it gorgeous, but it hits right at the heart of celebrations…creating memorable moments in our lives. Your shop heralds the handmade and supports heirloom celebrations, the kinds that are meaningful and personal. I am incredibly inspired by you, in awe really. What 3 things most inspire you?


Jenny, thank you! I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you connect with the spirit of celebration in my work. That’s a beautiful thing. Thank you, also, for the opportunity to come into YOUR beautiful space.

To answer your question, three major sources of inspiration for me:

Home life / connection with family. I love my home. I love being home. I love creating an environment of peace, joy, and celebration. And I love filling that environment with my family, who have been life-long catalysts of joy and laughter. Being in this place, inspires me.

Water. The ocean, lakes, ponds, pools – any body of water. It’s restorative, transformative, connective, and it allows for express-route access to my joy and creativity.

Creative women and men who consciously choose to celebrate the beauty of this life. It’s infectious. I love being in the company of, learning from, and journeying with such lovelies.

2. I’m noticing I admire a lot of women who wear many hats and have long lists of hobbies. It’s a resurgence in domesticity, but more than that, more of a growth of the love in the heart of our homes. You are one of those amazing women...what is your favorite thing to do?

I have too many to pick just one. To take advantage of the fact that you admire women with a long list of hobbies, may I list many? How about I list them in the order they come to mind, which may exposesome unconscious level of favoritism. That’s all I’ve got. ;)

I love to curl up with a great magazine with my husband by my side and my dog at my feet. I love to bake cookies. I love to decorate my home. I love to plan celebrations. I love to create. I love to journal as I sit by the water. I love to meditate. I love to laugh (if even only at myself). I love to share a great meal with my family. I love to travel. I love taking walks. I love working with inspired creatives and co-creating merriment. I love to decorate for the holidays. I love to watch reality television. (Thank god that one appeared last in this unconscious favoritism list.)

3. How/why did you start your shop?

My lifework is to support celebration and merriment in the lives of others, as well as my own. As a DIY Celebration Planning Coach, I love working with others as they explore creating celebrations.That was all fine and dandy, but I noticed there was still something creatively that wanted to surface: creating with my own two hands - and allowing that to be a means of supporting celebration in the lives of others, as well. And while it started out as a personal creative outlet, I quickly realized, along with my creative partner, Carrie, that this was something more than a hobby - This was a concept that needed to be integrated with my lifework. And then ta-da! Potter and Butler is born.

4. I LOVE your cake garlands and the peppy poms, cute décor + cake = a wonderful thing. Which of your lovelies is your favorite?

Given my absolute love of garlands, I’d have to say both the gracious garlands (in goldie and snow) and the cake garlands (in mint) are my favorites. But now I risk sounding like a parent that just picked a favorite child, don’t I? “I love them all equally.”

See the inspiration behind the cake garlands here.

5. Tell us your FAVORITES…

COLOR? Tiffany blue or Martha Stewart green

PARTY GOODIE/DECOR? Garlands. There’s something so simple about them and yet they have major pull in the merry-celebration-mood-department.

SECRET SOURCE FOR PARTY GOODIES? I have a favorite vintage goods store in my neighborhood, called Found on Fremont. The shop owner has such a way of presenting the oldies but goodies. I could spend hours in the shop, all the while capturing ideas and inspiration for future celebrations.

AAAAANNNNDDDDD... Emily has added more goodies to the giveaway from Monday.  In addition to the  TWO GRACIOUS GARLANDS, the winner will recieve a set of CONVEY TOPPERS!!!  I told ya she's amazing!!! Leave a comment here for one additional chance to win. (these entry numbers will start in order from last comment on main post.  Let me explain...if 50 comments on Monday's post, the first entry here will become 51. Winner will be announced next MONDAY, November 8.

A big fabulous THANK YOU to Emily of  Potter and Butler

 for sharing your inspiration and pretty little shop with us!

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.

Inspiration Board Contest - Win a LOCKHEART bag!!

My blogging BFF, aka Sharon, over on Cupcakes and Cutlery, is having the coolest contest and giveaway.  Enter here and get this...a LOCKHEART bag!

You could WIN it! Every girl needs a new purse right now...I know I'm not the only one who doesn't get one, in lieu of saving for the upcoming holiday season.  But you could win one.  FOR FREE! All you have to

do is send over an inspiration board based on this fabulous purse (retail $465) and you've got a brand new purse for an hour or two worth of work (let's face it, inspiration boards are fun, not much work goin on).

 

How do I make a board? I will give you an easy hint... I would use Picasa.  It's free and you put all of your gathered pics in the same folder (be sure to include the bag!) and click Mosaic.  It makes the board for you.  Then you just click them around and voila! Create, save, email, done.  Sharon has some other helpful options for you to use, too.  We want you to enter.   I say we...because I am one of the lucky ones that gets to help narrow down the choices for the judges.  I am super excited! But I'll tell you a secret...I just about kicked myself when I told Sharon I'd love to help with it (meaning: I don't get to enter or win)

But wait...there's more!!! You could win another awesome prize package (with minimal effort on your part)...trust me...AWESOME!!!...but you have to go check out the rules to find out how.

Easy Halloween Table

My boys and I threw this little orange and black table together on Friday before the hubs got home.  In our house, every Friday is pizza and movie night.  I know my mini-men are still little, but traditions start somewhere right?



This was easy.  I used what I had for decor and we ran to Target for snacks (orange soda, oreos, cupcake mix, lollipops, licorice, cheetos, almonds, and orange slices.)

The banner was precut and ready to assemble at the Party 101 class I took at the Art Weekend in Salt Lake City, hosted by none other than the fabulous Brittany of One Charming Party.   A little secret...I was so slow making it, my brother started wondering what was taking me so long. Brittany helped me finish it up and even gave me an extra cupcake to sweeten up my brother and his friend from being mad that I was super late. She was super nice and funny.  She offered loads of helpful tips for party planning, if you ever get the chance to go to one of her classes - do!

In her class, she had the cutest simple white cake with cut marshmallows around the top and bottom.   I baked a cake from box mix (apparently is so rare for me that my hubby even commented on it) and iced it with a container of frosting. Around the bottom I lined up candy corn.  Festive and easy with no mess. Add sprinkles to cover the slightly less than even icing, stick a pick in it and done.

SOURCES:
3 STRIPED BOWLS – MICHAELS

BLACK 3 TIER WIRE DESSERT STAND – COST PLUS
BLACK STRAWS – TARGET
STRIPED PUMPKIN, SPIDERS, WIRE SPIDER WEB – LAVENDER RIDGE GIFT SHOP, RENO, NV GHOST/PUMPKIN TOPPERS, CUPCAKE WRAPPERS, CREAM CREEPY FABRIC – WALMART
GLASS MILK BOTTLES – RED HILL GENERAL STORE
BLACK CAKE STANDS – ROSANNA
WIRE TREE – POTTERY BARN (PAST SEASON)
HALLOWEEN ORNAMENTS - MICHAELS (PAST SEASON)
APOTHECARY JAR - MARTHA STEWART FOR MACYS (PAST SEASON)
CLEAR CAKE STAND, MILK GLASS - VINTAGE (ETSY)




**You might notice the main backdrop looks similar to my zombie party.  It is.  We kept it up as wall decor for the Halloween season!**

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY - Wishing Tree

Happy WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY! This week is short and sweet. Today's treat is this little lovely Wishing Tree I found at hello hanna. I'm in love with the whole idea of wishing and think this pretty tree would be perfect at an upcoming baby shower.

I just love these little wishing birds, too.

 

Fall Inspiration over at Go Against the Grain

Two weeks ago, I was part of a fall inspiration shoot with Laurel of Go Against the Grain.  I was really excited to try out a new design for this.  I made some chair garlands for the rustic table.  These garlands are 3 inches wide and a very ruffled style, similar to the FANCY edition garland.  These chair garlands were made of chunky linen like muslin and had double ties of thick satin ribbon on each end so you can tie big bows.  I love how they turned out and will finally have these lovelies up in the shop this week. The chair garlands are 1.5 feet long, enough to let you have a little bit of a drape on the back of the chair. 

I am really excited about the rich colors in this tablescape and have been craving chocolate cake ever since.  Dying for the tree slice and I am loving the trend towards flags on cakes.

 I love the wrap around the beverage jar.  Doilies for fall? Yes, pretty please!

I love these for snacks.  Elevate the everyday snack to party perfection.

Pretty fall palette for favors and a dessert tier tower I am drooling over.  (Laurel sells them and I am so ordering one this week!)

A huge THANK YOU to LAUREL for letting H+H be apart of this shoot!

A super huge THANK YOU to PAPER DOLL PHOTOGRAPHY for the gorgeous photos!

and finally...a giant THANK YOU to my co-designers for all their lovely goodies!

PHOTOGRAPHY - PAPER DOLLS PHOTOGRAPHY

STYLING, CAKE FLAGS & PAPER BAG FAVORS - GO AGAINST THE GRAIN

TABLE NUMBER - APPLEBERRY INK

MENU & FOOD TENT CARDS - BLUSH PRINTABLES

HARVEST KANDY KONES & CREPE PAPER GARLAND - CELEBRATE TODAY

PURSE PARTY FAVORS - PARTY STARTERS

PLACE CARDS - THE PAPER CUPCAKE

CHAIR GARLAND - HANK AND HUNT

**Be sure to check out more photos of the shoot and see the elegant table over on Laurel's blog!!!