A Beautiful Bridal Shower as Inspiration for a Baby Shower!

Recently a dear friend of mine was celebrated as the Bride-to-Be at a beautiful "High Tea" Bridal Shower. A family friend hosted the shower at her gorgeous Victorian home. The home is nestled in Frank Llyod Wright's hometown of Oak Park, Illinois. Oak Park is home to several beautiful, grand houses--many designed by Wright himself. This home was no exception; it truly was beautiful, while still maintaining a comfortable, cozy atmosphere.

Because I'm thinking of a Pride and Prejudice era, Tea Party theme for my sister's Baby Shower, I took lots of inspiration from this shower. The moment I stepped inside, I was struck by all the little details that helped pull this shower together.

Those tissue puffs add a little pit of whimsy to the space, and seem easy enough to make. See that little drink cart on the right? They set up the punch bowl and glasses there. And I don't have a picture of it, but opposite that picture gallery wall is shelves-- floor to ceiling-- filled with beautiful books!

My favorite part of the shower was the seating they planned for the lunch. Rather than getting food, "buffet" style and sitting around the living room, we all sat together at the dining room table, making for a very intimate meal.

Mismatched china and silver pieces set the table beautifully. We passed around delicious finger sandwiches, bacon-wrapped dates, and other tantalizing bites.

We ended the party with a delicious Rum Cake, served on the most precious Milk Glass Cake Plate.

I can't wait to start buying micmatched china and searching my store to borrow items to use as decor for the Baby Shower!

~ Talk soon!

Jerseylicious Wedding

I loved our wedding, I really did. It was a total labor-of-love. It was a DIY affair, with everyone helping out and pitching in.

I made the invitations with the help of my brother-in-law, Mr. Hepburn, sister and sister-in-law. My mom and I (mostly my mom, though) made my veils. My mom, sister and I made the ribbon topiary center pieces. I made the table numbers out of vintage playing cards and spray-painted frames from Ikea. I scrapbooked our parents' and grandparents' wedding pictures. I used chinese takeout containers as placecards and to double as candy containers for our favor--the candy bar. I collected all the jars and drove miles to get the best deal on our favorite kinds of candy. I made our programs and the flowers to line our aisle. And I wouldn't have done it any other way.

(all photos done by the talented people of Hazelton Photography)

But two weekends ago, Mr. Hepburn and I had the pleasure of attending one of the most beautiful (and I'm sure expensive) weddings we've ever been to. It was in New Jersey, in the hometown city of the "Housewives of New Jersey", so you know it had to be impressive! I usually don't feel envious of weddings, as we worked so hard on ours...but after you see the photos below you'll know what I mean when I say I was a little green with envy. :)

They had an unbelieveable Hors d'oeuvre hour. All the food photos below are just from cocktail hour. They had several stations just as hors d'oeuvres! They also had stunning floral and crystal centerpieces in the main dining room. See that fire pit below? After dinner, they set up makings for smores, which I sadly didn't get a picture of. The band was amazing and the venue was just breath-taking!

(All photos by me)

I still remember our wedding fondly, but a girl can dream, right?!

Can You Spot the Fake? (Budget Friendly vs. Budget Buster)

While doing some research online about one of the items in my shop, I came across this image:

Nice right?

And here's one of mine from the store:

Beautiful! (Click here to see more or purchase!)

But guess what? The first picture was found here:

And if you can't see it, they are "modeled after vintage flea market finds...and printed with faded logos for a timeworn look." And the price? $99.

Mine? $30.00 and all real and authentic.

And that is my version of Budget Friendly vs. Budget Buster.

The One Where We Dress Up Pepper

I helped at a friend's garage sale yesterday and in between sales we had some fun with some items for sale and a willing model.

Getting Ready for a Swim!

Friend's Mom holding our model. She is wearing stylish sunglasses and a fun straw hat!


You've got to entertain yourself somehow! Hope you had a great, sunny weekend.

Talk soon!

Blue or Pink?

Hello!

I hope everyone had a great Easter. My family certainly did. Saturday we were treated to this after dinner from one of my close family members (won't reveal who yet as it's a secret! But, it wasn't me!)

Aren't they darling? Blue and pink peeps, and the little flags say Blue Or Pink? They are expecting!!
One of my favorite things to do is plan showers (baby and bridal alike), so of course my brain is already spinning with different baby shower ideas. One idea that is really resonating with me now is a book-themed shower. The Mom-to-Be is an avid reader and lover of Pride and Prejudice. Here are some inspiration pictures I've found around the web recently:

(Top Left, Top Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Right)

And this is one of my favorite book-themed baby shower images on the web:

(Source)

The vintage blocks are darling, and I love those stacked books on the stand with the glass lid. Too cute. The Mom and Dad-to-Be aren't finding out the sex, but I have the sweetest vintage tea set I would love to give them if I could!! (Wondering what I'm hoping for?!)

Have you ever planned a baby shower? Did you play those awful shower games like Guess-the-Melted-Candy-Bar-in-the-Diaper game?

Coming Soon

I have a smart phone, but it's not an I-phone. Normally, that doesn't bother me but I love the pictures people can alter with the Instagram app and am jealous I can't download that app to my phone. I did some research, though, and found an app for my phone called Photofunia, and it has some fun similiar effects. Here is a picture I took and added a "Spring" film to.

These will be added to the shop later this week. These are beautiful, vintage-industrial milk crates. I love the pops of turquoise and orange on these crates.

Talk Soon!

Introducing...

Hello!

I thought I'd start this blog with some quick introductions:

Me: I'm in my late-twenties and realized my real passion in life was working with children about 3 years ago. Now I work at an elementary school and spend my weekends and weeknights pickin' for treasures with Mr. Hepburn. I'm constantly struggling to lose those "last 20 pounds" and love playing Uno with my family (even though I never win!).

Him: He's in his early-thirties and works for a school district, on the administrative side. His passion is working out and he's usually up for a pickin' trip with me. He supported us while I student-taught for 3 months and emotionally supported me while I worked full-time and took 5 Master's level classes at the same time, so he's pretty much a keeper.

Us: We met through a mutual friends while I was a senior in college in 2005. After two years, we moved in together and he proposed in 2009. We were married in 2010, a day we still talk about.

Our Wedding, October 2010. Photo by Hazelton Photography

Them: The other important players in our lives are our animal children. Pepper is our Min-Pin Mix and Penny and Pearl are the kitties.

(Pepper is an intracite part of our pickin' process. The last time we took her to a pick, we left her in the car for 20 minutes--no dogs allowed--and she ate her leash and pooped on my backseat. Other than that, she's the perfect dog.)

The store: I began picking treasures when we were cleaning out Mr. Hepburn's Grandparent's attic. I'm still picking up treasures, where ever I go, and try to find pieces that I would have in my own home.

This blog: I always love to read about those I purchase from, so here's a view of my slice of life.

Talk Soon!