Monday, December 30, 2013

DIY: Pom-Pom NYE Food Picks

A last minute New Years Eve DIY to impress your guest!! &&& if you have time check out our matching DIY METALLIC BANNERS!! 

These food picks are perfect for skewers or even great in a glass on the side for people to use to 'catch' their meatballs or mini-weenies! 
{Photo By: Balee Images}

All you need:
 skewer sticks & metallic pom-poms (you can get a huge bag full from hobby lobby for $2)

Directions: 
Add a dab of hot glue to the pom-pom and attach to the end of the skewer stick! Make sure to keep the pointed end out to be able to 'skewer' the food!!! 


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Saturday, December 28, 2013

Kid Friendly New Years Ideas

This is per my friend Brandi's request;)... A kid friendly New Years Eve Party

Now, me being without kids, hmmmmm kid friendly NYE, yeah ok!;) 

After thinking and looking at various ideas, I came across the most adorable video on Daily Candy! If you don't have this Ap, or visit this website religiously, you are totally missing out! They have tons of awesome inspirations ranging from fashion to food to super cool kids ideas! 

They came up with some super cute NYE kids DIY's and even a kid friendly 'champagne punch'!

Check out the video HERE....and scroll down to see DIY instructions and punch recipe &&& a BONUS free printable!


Kid Friendly 'Champagne Toast' Punch:
1 Part Cranberry Juice
1 Part Pink Lemonade
Ginger Ale

Combine in a punch bowl & toast to a New Year!

DIY Confetti
Use Scrap Paper and hole punch! Or tear tiny pieces of tissue paper!

DIY Party Hats
Print out hat template HERE!
Glue together
Add any embellishments you like, pom poms, feather, sequin, ect.
Punch a hole in each side and add string!

DIY Party Poppers
Decorate a toilet paper roll
Cover top with a square of tissue paper
Fill it with your DIY confetti
Glue a paper straw to a plastic bottle cap
In a second toilet paper roll cut a slit down the side, and glue it around the cap
Decorate the second one with a piece of paper
Slide into the first roll and let it POP!

And just a little extra added fun.... Have your kids fill out these free printables about the awesome year they have had!!! 




Hope everyone has THE BEST start to 2014, I know we will!!! XOX






Thursday, December 26, 2013

DIY Metallic New Years Eve Banners

I made these banners for my holiday party, but they actually end up being PERFECT for New Years Eve! Not only are they easy to make, but they are SO inexpensive too!!

***Use these as single strands are put a group together for a full back drop!!!***

{Photos by Balee Images} :)

Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season so far! XOX



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Sunday, December 22, 2013

Rustic Bohemian Wedding Inspiration Board

A few months back I had expressed my LOVE for my wedding details and decor and that I wouldn't change a thing… that was until I created this inspiration board! I. AM. IN. LOVE. I am actually so in love that I will offer a 25% discount to any upcoming bride who lets me plan this wedding for them!!!

RUSTIC BOHEMIAN WEDDING INSPIRATION:

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Styled Holiday Shoot: Lady & the Lens Photography

This year we collaborated again with Lady & the Lens Photography for their annual holiday photo shoots! I love working with that crew, they are HILARIOUS, and make me laugh so hard!!! You never know what you are going to get with Holly, last year we set up in the freezing cold this year we set up in the sleeting rain! Did we still have fun, duh!!!

I wanted to share some of my favorites!!! &&& how lucky were we to get all this snow for pictures this year!!!!












Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Holiday Wedding Inspiration Board

One of my most favorite things lately is wedding inspirations boards; especially when my own photos fit perfectly;)! I love gathering ideas from all over and making them all fit together for a unique vision! Tis the season for holiday wedding, and I feel there is fine line between 'cheesy christmas' and 'beautiful rustic christmas'! 

Here are my thoughts on the perfect mix of holiday... 


Tic, Tac Toe Buddy Gifts

Last week my friend Brandi explained to me a DIY project she had seen on Small Fry Blog…sounded easy, yet super adorable and unique! I knew I had to share…


DIY TIC TAC TOE Buddy Gift By: Brandi {Inspired by Small Fry Blog}
A couple of my friends had mentioned the Small Fry blog to me, and I finally had a chance to check it out last week (seriously adorable!).  That day’s post was about inexpensive buddy gifts for children or families to give their little friends, and I loved the simplicity of their ideas, and of course, the thought behind it!

Let’s be honest, my holiday to-do list has me running in a million different directions right now, but their individual Tic-Tac-Toe games were just easy enough that I knew my first grader and I could whip them out in an afternoon and have them ready to hand out at his Christmas party later this week.  Quality together time + hammering home the “giving is more than receiving” value = a total parenting win!!!

What you’ll need (yes, you still have time to make this happen for your little buddies for Christmas, too!):

-Mardi Gras beads
-Scissors
-Glassine bags
-Computer & printer
-Photo paper or cardstock
-Paper cutter, optional
-Marker
-Ruler or straight edge
-Washi tape, sticker, or label

1.  Cut the strands of Mardi Beads into individual beads, sorting and dividing by color.  My 7 year old was able to do this unassisted, and my 4 year old managed to do some cutting, too, with my supervision.  We separated the colors into plastic bags, and I will admit to taking about 75 unnecessary pictures of the beads in various locations in my house, just because they looked.so.cool.  I couldn’t stop!  Don’t worry about the little strands that stick out on either side of the bead; those bothered me at first, and I wanted to go back in with tiny scissors and trim them off, but they actually serve a purpose and help the beads stay in their spot on the Tic Tac Toe board!

2.  The original Small Fry Tic Tac Toe board had an acorn on it, making it look kind of autumnal, so I made my own as a Word document, replacing the acorn with a snowflake.  I printed 3 to a page, using photo paper I already had.

3.  I used a paper cutter to cut the boards out into “squares.”  I use this term loosely because none of the boards are exactly the same size, and I’m sure they aren’t perfectly even.  I’m totally okay with that J

4.  Trying to figure out how to print the actual Tic Tac Toe board on the reverse side of the paper was going to require way more brain power than I felt like devoting to this project, so I simply drew them by hand using a black Sharpie and a ruler.  Again, they aren’t perfect.  Just letting this go, friends.

5.  I slid the board into the glassine bags, dropping in 4 beads of 3 different colors so that each player would have enough of one color to use for his or her game pieces.  When I was finished and saw that I had plenty of leftover beads, I put about 10 more beads in each bag because I thought it looked nice. 

6.   I cut about 4 inches off the top of the bag so they would fold nicely, and we sealed them with a label.  This is another great opportunity for your child to get involved by writing a personal message or signing his name.






Thanks to Small Fry for the wonderful idea, and to my friends for turning me onto their goodness!  This is the perfect gift for classroom parties or to keep by the door when little buddies and neighbors stop by.  I love the idea of starting the love and appreciation for homemade gifts at a young age!





Monday, December 16, 2013

DIY Ornament Drinking Glass

BEST DIY of the holiday season right here folks. No but really, these little guys were the star of my ATE FAVORITE THINGS PARTY! I can't help myself from drinking all holiday drinks out of them from here on out! LOVE THEM! EEEKKKK! 

DIY Ornament Drink Glass

Supplies: 
Clear Plastic Ornament (Places I found them: Dollar Store, Walmart, Joanne Fabrics)
Little Glass Dish (Found mine 3 for $1 at the dollar store)
Clear beads, rice, fish bowl rocks (use which ever ones match your theme)
Metal Punch
Straw

How To: 
Fill each glass dish with your chosen beads.
Use Metal Punch to make a hole in the metal ornament top. (WAY easier than I thought.)
Fill with your favorite holiday drink, add your straw and ENJOY!


Winter Baby Announcement Inspiration

If you haven't already heard, our Modern Momma is having BABY #2… I am seriously not sure if I can handle double the cuteness of Mac, but I guess I can try;)! I wanted to share her announcement photo because I think it is literally the cutest idea for this time of year! 

Who doesn't love a miniature snowman?!?! The classic, rustic, simplicity of the idea is just so breathtaking!!! LOVE IT…and as always Brandi from Balee Images nails it!!!!


Sunday, December 15, 2013

ATE FAVORITE THINGS PARTY

This past week was our ATE FAVORITE THINGS HOLIDAY PARTY! We had SO. MUCH. FUN….and lucky for me Brandi from Balee Images came earlier in the day to snap a few photos for me! I decided to go with a metallic theme, but of course in true ATE fashion threw some rustic touches in there as well!























Friday, December 13, 2013

RUSTIC WOODLAND HOLIDAY GIFT TAGS ***FREE PRINTABLE***

We have had such an AWESOME first year as ATE, and I plan on thanking you anyway I can think of!!! I decided to design some ADORABLE(they really are) holiday gift tags that you can download  and print out for free!!! Just click this LINK!
{Note: Print on cardstock for thicker gift tags!}








Thursday, December 12, 2013

12 Days of Giving Day 1 Winner!



Have you guys entered the 12 Days of Giving Giveaway yet?!?! We have been so excited with the amount of people getting involved, and couldn't be more excited to start giving away! Everyday throughout the drawing we plan on surprising you with a new fantastic prize, kicking it all off with this awesome $50 gift certificate to an amazing local restaurant SEVEN!!!









Winner winner chicken dinner, or should I say steak, seafood, burger & fries?!!?! Check out all the amazing entrees to choose from at SEVEN! 

Congrats Tammy! {PS. How cute is todays drawer?!?!}
Don't worry if you haven't entered yet, you still have time… 11 more days of awesome prizes to be exact!!! JOIN the party HERE! AND as always SHOP LOCAL!!!!  XOX

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

DIY Bohemian Stocking

Hey guys! Its been a few days!! I have been super busy with last nights ATE Favorite Things Party, which I will be sharing soon! Stay tuned, but for now, we are totally digging this Free People inspired DIY Bohemian Christmas Stocking! 

I am a huge fan of Free People and I fell in love with their Christmas stockings…the only problem, they were either A. Sold Out or B. $48+; so I decided I was going to make my own! I purchased a stocking for $7 at Meijer, and then went to my craft room and picked out some scraps to add to it! I tied ribbons and pom-poms on it,  hot glued some feathers & sequins, sewed on some fringe; and about $10 later here we are! I like to think of it as a 'dream catcher' stocking! LOVE it! 


Hope everyone is have a greta holiday season so far! XOX










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