Category

Inspiration

Category
Now, I know some of you have been planning your Independence Day celebration for a while now…
 (and, I’d love to see pictures!)
But, this holiday always seems to sneak up on me. I’ve been searching for some easy, last minute ideas that I can incorporate into this year’s celebration. I thought I’d share some of the fun things I’ve come across in case you are like me and haven’t planned a thing or even if you are just looking for that final touch to complete your party!
You can find all the inspiration that I’ve been collecting on my Pinterest Board: Independence Day.
Don’t have Pinterest!?!
E-mail me and I will invite you (until I run out of invites)… have Pinterest?
Follow me and I’ll Follow You right back!
Some of my favorites from the board:
Image Credit: Seaside Creative
I love the colors of these free printables from Seaside Creative. Emily, the designer, actually caught my attention with them by e-mailing me the link. I’m pretty sure these will make an appearance in my upcoming celebration! Check out her site for some great inspiration, free printables
and to see her great shop!
Photo Credit: Bakers Royale
Don’t these strawberry treats look AMAZING!?!
I think these are a must do for this year’s celebration (and SO easy).
Although, I’ll be doing it without the vodka infusion.
I found these through Tip Junkie, but they originally belong to Bakers Royale.
Image Credit: Home is where the Boat Is
While almost EVERYTHING about the “Home is Where the Boat Is” party is AMAZING this is one of my favorite details. I love how they garnished drinks with watermelon stars and blueberries! I originally found this party through Entertain Exchange!
Photo Credit: Fiskars
I {LOVE} streamers. They are such a fun, inexpensive way to decorate for parties. But, I really love when someone does something CREATIVE with streamers. These star punched streamers from Fiskars would add so much to a party. I also really like the star punched paper plates that are also featured on the Fiskar’s Fourth of July post!
Photo Credit: Martha Stewart
Oh, and of course you can’t forget about the plethora of inspiration found on Martha Stewart’s website! I love how these are just re-purposed cans yet they look so fantastic filled with tasty snacks. The paper is provided as free clip art on the site and can be used throughout any part of your celebration.I’d love to know if you’ve found any GREAT Independence Day inspiration. Any big plans for your weekend?

Yesterday I posted the inspiration board for this concept shoot.
Today…
THE PHOTOS!
Again, I’m so excited to be able to share these photos with you because I got to work with fabulous people and we worked really hard on this shoot! I have so many pictures that I thought I’d divide them into two posts. This post features what I’d imagine the head table could look like for this wedding.
The beautiful photography was done by my friend, and Portland photographer,
Aubrie LeGault of Capturing Grace Photography.
So, with no further ado… the pics!
The lovely bride (model Joan Stevens) is showered in cherry blossom confetti as she looks out at tables adorned with cherry blossom branches, tea lights and small arrangements of white carnations.
Low arrangements make it easier for people to see across the table and allow for more intimate conversations.
For the table settings we played with a mixture of traditional Japanese plates and a more modern look with the wine glasses and tall water glasses.
Cherry Blossom confetti (made from tissue paper) is sprinkled across the table and guests can find their spots by looking at their chopstick holders that double as place cards.
The happy bride shows off her white carnation and cherry blossom bouquet.
Check back later today for images of the dessert table and the amazing cake made by
Alicia Smith of The Sweet Smith blog!
This Love in Blossom concept shoot was featured on Hostess with the Mostess!
*****
To see the DIY project instructions you can visit Hostess with the Mostess for instructions and photos!
I’ll be posting the DIY projects on this site next week!
I’ve been holding back this project for a while
(oh so difficult!!!!)
but, was pleasantly surprised yesterday to see it featured on
Hostess with the Mostess!
Which means… I can now share it with you!
~*~
Love in Blossom: A Japanese-Inspired Wedding 
I was inspired to create this Mock-Wedding reception from a request for a DIY wedding with the theme of “Around the World.” I have a special place in my heart for Japan because my husband was born and grew up in the Tokyo area. My in-laws were so amazing when I told them about my idea and they brought me some beautiful tableware from Tokyo the last time they came to visit! I wanted to mix Japanese details with some more traditional American wedding details.
I hope I got the right mix!
First off, my inspiration board for this project:
Sources from Top Left Clockwise:
(I’ve lost a few of these sources because I created this board over a year ago… if you know of the source for one of these photos PLEASE let me know so I can give credit!!)
1. Invitations: Martha Stewart Weddings: Sheila and Steve’s Real Wedding 
2. Girl with Umbrella: ???
3. DIY origami branches: The Flirty Guide  
4. Girls with Wands: Martha Stewart from Matthew Robbins Design 
5. Cranes: ???
6. Paper Lantern: Luna Bazaar 
7. Cherry Blossom Mochi: ???
I really wanted to focus on creating several 
DIY projects for this photoshoot.
 
In the end I decided on creating cherry blossom branches
(although, I did not go with the above Origami style because I was HORRIBLE at it and I liked a little bit more organic look),
printable chopstick holders that could double as name cards, 
cherry blossom confetti and a ribbon wall backdrop. 
I then asked my friend Alicia from The Sweet Smith if she’d like to be involved by creating a cherry blossom “wedding cake”— man did she deliver! She came up with a tasty lemon cake with a buttercream frosting and beautiful cherry blossoms made out of chocolate! Check out her DIY over at the Hostess with the Mostess! 
I’ll be back later to post photos from the shoot!