Sarah Hearts

My birthday is July 6th and Kevin’s is July 9th. Last year Kevin threw a surprise party for me (I had never had one!) complete with streamers and Hello Kitty paper goods. Were in LA for Kevin’s birthday last year for a YouTube convention, but it worked out perfectly because his company was having a party the night of this birthday. This year we are planning on having a joint-party. I put together a little inspiration board to help me plan the party.

The color palette is going to be mint green (Kevin’s favorite color) and yellow with gray (maybe silver, I haven’t decided yet). I plan on making a “logo” of sorts that includes our silhouettes and ages. I will post this as soon I make it.

I’m thinking we’ll do finger-foods and fresh summery beverages. I also want to make a fringed tissue paper backdrop and set up my trusty T2i as a photobooth. Maybe make a few props?

Any suggestions on what to serve or how to decorate?

Images via:
1. Pinterest, 2.  Duet Weddings, 3. Confetti System, 4. Inkwhimsy, 5. PrettySmitten

Board by me.

Father’s Day is this Sunday and if you are still looking for the perfect gift you can check out the gift guide I made here. Chances are you are going to need a card too. You’re in luck! Here are 3 free Father’s Day cards I made. Feel free to print them out and make them for your dad, grandpa, or uncle.

Click here to download the free printable Father’s day cards.

Love to craft? I do! This Saturday I’m hosting my second crafternoon at my house. I plan on making them a monthly event where friendships are started, wine is comsumed, and crafts are made. This time we are making hair accessories, anything from headbands, to hair clips, feather barrettes, etc.  If this sounds like your kind of Saturday afternoon, we have room for a few more. If you are interested, please contact me for details.

I have always loved doilies. The are so simple, yet have such amazing detail. My grandmother crocheted her own using a tiny hook and cotton yarn. Doilies can be used  in so many ways. I have gathered my favorite modern takes on the doily. (I even made a doily banner that’s perfect for weddings).

Do you have any doilies in your home? How do you use them?

1. Handmade table runner via Ashley Ann Photography 2. Doily Lamp by Shannon South 3. Lacy Sunday wall or floor decals by Blik  4. Wall art via This Next.

Like many of you, our home is full of a few Ikea staples. You know, classics like the Malm dressers and Expedit cubes. Recently, I have been thinking about how I can remake a few of those pieces. With a little research, I found that others have “hacked” their trusty Ikea pieces and made them into beautiful furniture. I love the idea of using wallpaper to add pattern and texture to the dresser. And Anthropologie drawer pulls would be awesome! If you own Ikea furniture, what are some tips for making them one-of-a-kind?

1. via Apartment Therapy. 2. via Cut Out and Keep. 3. via Design*Sponge. 4. via Simply Inspired Home.

Looking for a ridiculously cute and easy way to add some pizazz to your cupcakes? Make little flags for them! If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know I love flags. If you’re new reader (hello!) just take a peak at a few of my past posts and you will see.

The other day I made these chocolate cupcakes for a friend’s birthday. About five minutes before I headed out the door I realized they looked a little plain. So I grabbed some washi tape, toothpicks and scissors. All you need to do is tear about a 3″ piece of tape off the roll and fold it in half, around a toothpick, making sure the edges of the tape line up . Then snip a little triangle out of the edge and you’re done. So, so easy and instantly 200% cuter.

You can purchase toothpicks with a rounded end to make them look a little more like little flags (and less like pointy toothpicks). This would be such a cute way to incorporate your wedding color on your dessert table.

Awhile back I posted a few photos of the cookie bar my mom and I made for our wedding. I received many responses asking if I had a printable template for the labels. I’m happy to say that now I do! I’ve included ten of the most popular cookies and bars and instructions on how to create signs like the ones above. Please comment on this post if you have any questions. Enjoy!

Click here to download the printable label signs.

{Lovely images above by Divine Light Photography}

With Easter just around the corner, today’s wedding post has been replaced with a free Easter printable! I made some cute tags that can printed on cardstock and used as tags for Easter baskets or treat bags. Or you can print them on sticker paper and make labels! Above are a few ideas on how I used them. (Yes, my eggs are not dyed yet, I will be doing that today).

Download the free Easter printable here.

I will have more Easter goodies for you tomorrow!

Do you decorate eggs for Easter? I still love to. Last night I boiled a dozen eggs with the anticipation of decorating them later this week. I was looking for some new decorating ideas and I remember that Martha Stewart recently came out with an Egg Dyeing 101 iPhone app. Being the big Martha Stewart Living app fan that I am, I downloaded it. I was pleasantly surprised with the variety and uniqueness of the decorating ideas. My favorite decorating idea was using electrical tale and vinyl adhesive as stencils and resists. Above are a few ideas that inspired an app (with how-to’s for all you non-iPhone Easter egg fans).

1. Square-Patterned Eggs.
2. Leaf and Flower Easter Eggs.
3. Easter Eggs with Overlapping Dot Designs (I love how these use CMYK!)
4. Such a great way to make a drying rack for your eggs.

One of my friends recently showed me some cool videos and photos shot with a shaped aperature. I did some research and it turns out it’s easy to make and produces some fun effects! I like the tutorial posted by Melly on her blog GreenLaundry. All you need are a few supplies (you crafty folks probably have all the supplies at hand) and a SLR camera.

Have you tried this? I would love to see your photos!

{Images above clockwise, via debauchery’s tumblr, DIY photography, and Amy Rose King Photography}