Floral Cottage Bridal Shower Mood Board

This past weekend I hosted a bridal shower (with the help of my mother and step-mother) for my sister-in-law to-be.  She and my younger brother will be getting married in just a few weeks and I was absolutely thrilled to be throwing her a shower.  But to be honest, arriving at a “theme” for this party was nothing short of a challenge for me.  I wandered through all sort of ideas and finally, after a milkshake and fries session with a good friend, arrived at a loosely themed party that centered around florals and handmade touches with a comfortable cottage vibe.  (I’m trying to stay away from the ubiquitous and misused “vintage” adjective here…so “cottage” is the best I can come up with to describe using mason jars and burlap!)

I really liked how the party turned out in the end, but you’ll have to wait for that post to see how it all came together!  Today is a mood board put together from my Pinterest board (which had been hidden so the bride-to-be didn’t know all of the details; love the secret boards feature!)…

Floral Cottage Bridal Shower | This Nest is BestAl Fresco Dining | Burlap tables | Drinks | LOVE Letters | Burlap Centerpiece | Bouquet | Invitation

 

Posted in Party Inspiration | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Blogiversary Giveaway – $1000 (for real)

April 26th marked my two year blogiversary!  Still loving this baby blog I started and the opportunities it has presented to me!  Over the past year, I’ve still focused on party planning but post topics have expanded to cover home decor, travel…and whatever else is interesting to me on any given day!  Since last spring I’ve had the chance to write for West Michigan Woman.com, work on a benefit gala for a local non-profit that is near and dear to my heart, see my Hot Chocolate table featured on Apartment Therapy, meet some of my very favorite bloggers, and plan a budget party for a great team of party designers and bloggers.

Last year for my blogiversary, I did a small giveaway.  This year I decided to mix it up and join one of the group giveaways I’ve seen around.  A large number of bloggers come together to create an amazing giveaway package for one winner.  Because of this, I’m able to be part of a $1000 (yes, THREE zeros) giveaway put together by Spaceships and Laser Beams (looking for boy party inspiration?  check out their site!).  The $1000 is intended to be used towards a photographer’s shopping spree which I absolutely love the thought of.  I have a DSLR camera but still have a long way to go in learning how to use it so I’ve signed up for a Photography 101 class at our local Community College this fall.  I’m so excited for it!  What would you purchase if you won the shopping spree?!

Head over to Spaceships and Laser Beams to enter to win!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

{Pin}spiration: Arrested Development Party

Last week was Mr. Lemon’s birthday.  Like many years, I came up with an elaborate theme and details for a birthday party.  And like every year, Mr. Lemon preferred to do something more low key, which is much more his style and *totally* fine.  But, I realized that just because Mr. Lemon doesn’t want a party doesn’t mean I can’t share my ideas with  all of you!

About a year ago ago, we finally got on the Arrested Development fan wagon.  And as you may know, Netflix will be releasing new episodes over Memorial Day weekend!  The cult following is going frozen bananas while they wait for the release.  The show has so many quotable moments that translate very well into a party…

- For drinks, the number one requirement for any party to be off the hook is, of course, unlimited juice.  Go with straight juice boxes for a kitsch factor or an alcoholic jungle juice for the adult crowd.  Other drink options include Cloudmir Vodka, martinis, smoothies, or pop pop (from the attic).

- AD also gives a lot of inspiration for party food.  Chocolate covered Bluth frozen bananas are a must!  Other show inspired snacks are cornballs, mini grilled cheese sandwiches (I was made to understand they’d be here…), candy beans, muffin-sized portions of Skip’s Scramble, ice cream sandwiches, and chicken wings…with club sauce.  Smaller portions are perfect for a viewing party.

- One of the decor ideas I was most excited to execute were blue handprints a la Tobias all around the house.  I’m thinking if you got some washable tempura paint it would (hopefully!) come off after the party.  And I would definitely create a banner to hang – perhaps with “Family Love Arrested Development” or “Season Accomplished” or “You’re Killing Us, Fox” on it.

- With such amazing prop ideas, I can’t imagine *not* having a photo booth at an Arrested Development party.  Give me a pirate hook, a bow-tied stuffed seal, a giant rock and giant pair of scissors, a dead dove in a bag, and most definitely a sheep profile!  Pick props from you favorite episodes and make them into photo booth props.

- If you aren’t doing an actual viewing party or just feel like you need some activities, I would recommend something inspired from Army – marksmanship, sand racing, etc – the winner would get put in Hero Squad, naturally.  Alternately, a chicken dance-off could get the party going strong!

Arrested Development Party Pinspiration | This Nest is Best

More ideas on Pinterest!

If you haven’t gotten on the bandwagon yet, it’s not too late!  Check out Hulu for free episodes.

Buster & Sheep | Frozen Bananas | Blue Hands | Hook | Juice Boxes | Cornballs

Posted in Party Inspiration, Pinspiration | Tagged | 2 Comments