UPDATED: Kelly's Korner Show Us Your Life- Fall Decorating

We are participating in Kelly's Korner Show us your life this week. I am a huge fan of Halloween so I am so excited to show you what we have been up to decorating the house. I need to run around and take some pics of what I have done this year. In the meantime I will post my inspirations and come back later today and show you what I created from these inspiring projects!

My first new project for this year was these adorable pumpkin topiaries I spotted on the Party Dress. They are from Good Housekeeping and there is a great little tutorial on how to make them. I tried my hand at making one and I will post the results this afternoon. Follow the Swanky Chicks Blog and you will get an update when I post them!

I also recreated this super simple but spooky door wreath and it cost me less than $10! You cannot beat that.

Earlier this year (way back in July) I did a post on the lovely Halloween decorations that Martha Stewart has created for Grandin Road. Well I have been holding out for the after Halloween sales to get them on sale. I am a big time bargain shopper, I try and buy as much as I can on sale ;)

I was running errands in Walmart last night when I came across a glittery candelabra version of these awesome chandeliers, (read: I still must have the chandeliers but the candelabra will help me wait) and it was only $4! I swear it is really cute and not cheap looking at all even though it is cardboard and glitter.

Last week I posted this awesome spooky tablescape from Gypsy's corner. Her skulls and bones all covered in glitter inspired me to make up a few of my own. I got all the supplies at Michaels and got to work. The little styrofoam skulls were $1.50, a jar of modgpog I already had and a tube of glitter (the really small pieces) Check back this afternoon for pics of the results. I started with one the see how it would turn out and I love it so much I am going to make more!

These things have not found a home yet :) They are all on my table waiting to be dispersed throughout the house. But I am proud of my little glitter skull inspired by gypsy's corner!

And a few more pics of some of the other decorations ENJOY!

 

 

DIY Wednesday- Pom Pom Love

No it's not what you think it is not tissue paper pom poms but a 100% printable pom pom invitation suite! The lovely and inspiring iDiY blog is a collection of fabulous DIY projects for your "I DO" day. Or for your bridesmaids to use for showers, or mommy to be baby shower I could go on and on about the million ways you can use this super chic printable. Oh and did we mention it was free, just how we like it for DIY Wednesday. Cruise on over to iDiY for full details on this swoon worthy free-be and for a link to download courtesy of Domestifluff.

Sip and Sea Baby Shower

The always inspirational Chris from Celebrations at Home has done it again! Her Sip and Sea Baby Shower has so many great ideas that you can recreate at home. The nautical theme is the perfect departure from traditional baby blue baby showers.

Chris chose vibrant hues of blue and red to really bring the theme to life. Mixed in were touches of baby, blue pacifiers, pictures of the little one and stuffed whales. This shower has just enough whimsy for baby and just enough sophistication for mom. Visit Chris at Celebrations at Home to get all the details!

If your not quite the do it yourselfer stop by Swanky Chicks. We have an adorable Ahoy! It's a Boy baby shower invitation set, and nautical place card holders to get you started in the right direction.

Fall Table Inspirations

Some fall inspiration for you today from some of my favorite sites, Southern Living, Better Homes and Gardens and Good Housekeeping. These beautiful fall table setting ideas are ones that you can actually do yourself! It's perfect for a fall wedding, couples shower, or your thanksgiving table. Simple touches from nature like leaves, acorns and gourds add beautiful touches of fall color. Most of the items can be collected in your back yard or a walk in the park, add a few candles and some gourds from the store. I created this awesome inspiration board on Style Me Pretty's new Style Circle, it is full of great inspiration for brides, take a peak and prepared to be amazed by the creativity of the many brides to be.

Halloween Tablescape

I have a confession along with fabulous parties the Swanky Chicks love love fabulous rooms. So I am often distracted and find myself browsing sites like HGTV's Rate my space. Imagine my surprise to find a perfectly spooky halloween table setting on rate myspace. The lovely home owner also runs a fabulous blog The Gypsy's Corner and is a blogher blogger. Tam loves to blog about decorating and has tons of cute DIY projects. She is quite the crafty lady. Her Halloween Tablescape has inspired me to revisit my own, I might just have to get out the glitter and glue! Check out her delightfully spooky halloween table at Gypsy's Corner.

The witch vignette on her side board is as equally creative as the table. She dressed up a plain skull with a witches hat and feathers.

I love the crow perched on the edge of the center piece!

How Tam achieved the look:

"In addition to my Halloween vignettes in the dining room I also set the table. The chargers are basic silver trays. The dinner plates I found at TJ Maxx the salad plates are from The Christmastree Shoppe. The center piece is an old 3 tier tray the silver witch hat on top came from Joanns the other two tiers hold bones and skulls I glittered orange and black round christmas ornaments orange acorns black crows and some orange glittered fruit. "

DIY Wednesday- Striped Vellum Candles

Our awesome DIY Wednesday project this week comes to us from the ever fabulous people over at Martha Stewart Weddings. This project is so versatile you can use it for any event and it might just wind up in your home permanantely!

Directions
This modern nod to luminarias -- paper bags with votives inside -- updates the look with chic stripes printed onto vellum and wrapped around straight-sided square glass vases.


You'll need to use oversized vellum; cut it to 8 1/2 inches wide so it will fit your printer, and then trim again once it's printed so it will fit your vase with a slight overlap. Attach with adhesive dots or double-sided tape, and add a tea candle or two to the vase.

Canson's "Vidalon" vellum is available at New York Central Art Supply. Square vases are at Jamali Garden Supplies.

You can download templates over at Martha Stewart Weddings in seven different stripe combinations in sixteen color combos!

Pink Envelope Project

Since October is Breast Cancer Awarness month we are bringing you a weekly dose of ways to incorporate giving into your event. If you missed our Brides Against Breast Cancer Post last week don't forget to check it out. This week we are highlighting the Pink Envelope Project. Brides Against Breast Cancer, Making Memories and Pink Envelope Project all work together to raise money for terminally ill breast cancer patients. Thier mission statement.

"We at Making Memories are dedicated to providing a spark of joy into the lives of women and men who are losing their battle against breast cancer. The tragedy of this illness is not merely the physical and emotional burden, but also the enormous financial strain it places on a family. When insurance benefits are exhausted and mounting medical expenses deplete bank accounts, there is often little or no money left for special memory-making moments, set apart from the everyday sadness and turmoil of “saying goodbye.”

It is the driving force of our Foundation to make a wish come true for these brave fighters. The wishes and memory-making events we bestow, allows the individual and their family the opportunity to put aside the realities of this illness, if only for a time, while basking in the joy of one another's presence. Our sincere desire is for every terminally ill breast cancer patient to pass from this world, comforted in the knowledge of having left one final beautiful memory for his or her family"

How you can use your special day to help change the lives of others.

1. You can host a Pink Envelope Project Bridal or Baby Shower. Pink Envelope Bridal Shower With your shower invitations, you include special Pink Donation Envelopes asking your guests to make a donation to Making Memories on behalf of your bridal shower. At your bridal shower, you will gather the sealed envelopes and send them directly to the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation.

2. You can have a Pink Envelope Wedding. In lieu of a favor make a donation in honor of your guests to the Pink Envelope Project. PEP will then send you favor cards for your guests. The beautifully designed favor cards explain the donation you have made and highlight the good that you have done. Pass these cards out or place them at your table settings for your guests to read. One recent bride made pink ribbon cookies and tied the favor cards onto them for her guests.

Don't forget to think pink this month and all year! Swanky Chicks will be donating 15% of our proceeds this month to Breast Cancer charities. So go ahead shop for a cause!

We've Been Featured on Creative Party Place!

Our Blue and Brown Mommy to Be baby shower was featured on Creative Party Place on Friday. Head on over to see what they have to say about Swanky Chicks.

Preggatinis: Mixology for the Mom-to-Be

For all you prego mamas out there and Swanky hostess who are hosting a baby shower we found a sweet little surprise today from Real Simple.

"My pregnant friend forwarded me a caipirinha recipe the other day along with a note that said, "Oh man, if I wasn't pregnant... These look so good! I guess I miss a nice drink more than I thought."

Well, fortunately for her – and the other millions of pregnant woman out there – there's a great book out by Natalie Bovis-Nelsen called Preggatinis that's full of creative, "lip-smacking, liquorless libations" designed especially for moms-to-be, and they sure look just as pretty as the real thing!"

Stop by Real Simple for the rest of the story!

Our Favorite 15 Ways to Host a "Greener" Party

Here are our pick of the our 15 favorite ways to host a "greener" party with out giving up one ounce of style!

leberpr.blogs.com

1. Use or rent real glass dishes rather than disposable. You are reducing the garbage your party creates making you a chic and eco friendly hostess
2. Purchase locally grown flowers, that are organic or grown in a sustainable way.   Buying local items means they've had to travel only a short distance (versus thousands of miles) to get to your house. And if you haven't guessed it already, that means they used up less fuel. Or try wildflowers for your floral arrangements. It’s all-natural, it’s organic and it’s free. It also looks nice, completely floppy in the vase and arranged casually.

weddepot.com

3. Instead of giving favors, make a donation to your favorite charity. Even better make a donation to a charity like The Nature Conservancy that will offset your carbon foorprint. You can calculate your carbon footprint here, it is very interesting!

4. Donate leftover food to a local food bank. You are cutting down on the waste created by your party and helping someone else out all at the same time.

5. Compost leftover food. Composting leftovers will ease the burden on the landfill, give you great soil, and keep your kitchen waste basket from smelling.

6. Go for shabby-chic and mix and match plates from a local thrift store. As long as you wash them in incredibly hot water, you are actually getting something amazingly unique and doing your part to create less trash. Hint donate the plates back after you are done if you won't use them again.

7. Use potted plants as centerpieces. Then send them home with your guests for a great green favor they can enjoy for months to come.

8. Cut down on electricity and create a romantic (and, let's face it, flattering) glow by placing lit candles everywhere. Use soy or beeswax candles, which, unlike petroleum-based paraffin candles, won't emit toxic, sooty fumes.

9. Decorate with branches you collect locally, not only will you save tons of dough but you are helping the environment.

michele.carole.lee.googlepages.com/receptionideas

10. Give tree saplings as a favor. This is by far one of my favorite ideas! Trees help to reduce global warming by 'cleaning the air'.

11. Use cloth napkins, rather than paper. Again you are eliminating the waste you are creating and saving the earth.

12. Donate the flowers from your party to a hospital, nursing home or other local organization. Brighten someone else's day when you're party guests are done enjoying the flowers, that you bought organic and locally of course!

13. Recycle- Make sure glass, paper, and plastic products get thrown out in the recycle bin. This will preserve natural resources, cut down on junk heading to landfills, and reduce the amount of energy used and pollution emitted in the manufacturing of new products.

14. Use organic cleaners. Organic stuff equals good for the planet. Use spray cleaner and dishwashing liquid that won't add bad chemicals to our water supply like Holy Cow and Method brands.
15. If you must use disposable tableware purchase from a site like Green Party Goods that only sells eco friendly and biodegradable options. Best of all the colors and designs are so chic.

DIY Wednesday - Floral Centerpiece

We found this weeks DIY Wednesday on Epicurious. Beautiful and unexpected elements combine to create this gorgeous center piece that you can recreate at home! Now I have never considered myself a floral designer but the tips in this tutorial will help you create a centerpiece that looks store bought. The bouquet is so beautiful and versatile. Try using the techniques in this tutorial and substitute colors and flowers to create a one of a kind centerpiece for your next event. This Pink and Green theme of the sample project is perfect for a bridal shower, baby shower, wedding, or just on your table at home. For the bride on a budget these are a dream come true. 

Vibrant pink blossoms are complemented by fresh green artichokes and asparagus

MATERIALS: 2 cube glass vases, one large (6") and one small (4"); 1 small square (approximately 4" x 4" x 3\8") of floral clay; 4"-square flower frog; 5 floral stakes; 2 bunches peonies (approximately 10 stems) in two shades of pink; 1 bunch of lilacs; 1 bunch of miniature kale; 2 bunches of thin asparagus; 5 baby artichokes; 2' pink and green ribbon

EQUIPMENT: cutting board; pruning shears; scissors; ruler; awl; chef's knife; double-sided tape

Place the floral clay in the center of the larger vase and the smaller vase on top of the clay. Asparagus stalks should be cut to approximately 5" before being placed in between the two vases. Use a pick or skewer to scoot them closer together. Add water to the outer vase so all stalks are covered by at least 1".

The flower frog—a heavy piece of lead with small spikes that sits at the bottom of the vase and holds the flowers in place—should be placed inside the smaller vase

Cut off the stems of the artichokes. Push floral stakes deep into artichoke centers so their weight will be fully supported. If the artichokes are very hard, make an initial hole using the awl.

Fill the smaller vase halfway with water (2"). Cut peonies, lilacs, and kale to 8" to 10" and slot them randomly into the flower frog so they stay in place—longer stems should be in the middle so they stick up, shorter stems on the sides so they curl under.

Artichoke stakes should be cut to 9" or 10½" and inserted so they sit higher than the flowers. The arrangement should look very full.


Choose a ribbon that pulls together the colors used. Attach double-sided tape to the back on both sides and wrap around the square vase, ensuring it is centered before affixing

Purple Inspiration Board for Fall

Dallas TX bride Kimberly came to Swanky Chicks for inspiration for her October Wedding. Her wedding color is purple, but not the light spring lavendar and lilac, a deep rich violet perfect for a fall affair. Our inspiration board below combines rich deep purples with autumnal hues of rust, brown, and pumpkin. The reception in our inspiration was created by Sasha Souza Events and featured in Modern Bride magazine. Deep purple table linens are adorned with amber colored votives, and rust, tangerine, and pumpkin floral arrangements. This beautiful reception chose to for go the traditional white wedding cake for a beautiful plum and tangerine creation. We came across an Etsy jewel in search of inspiration. Emici Bridal hand crafts equisite ring bearer pillows and bridal accesories. Emici Bridal uses fine silks, feathers and jeweled brooches to create one of a kind sashes, flower girl baskets, belts, hair pieces, and brooches for your wedding day. Stop by Modern Bride for more details on this "Plum Perfect" wedding.

Spooky Halloween Treats

We chose our three favorite spooky halloween treat recipes from Southern Living magazine to share with you. These treats are delicious and perfect for any halloween party. Best of all they are simple and require NO Baking, yep you heard me. Delicious deserts and no baking required. ENJOY!

Chocolate Ghost Cakes

These no-bake treats are quick, easy and make great party favors. Get Step-by-Step Instructions from one of Southern Livings Test Kitchen professionals in the video tutorial.

Witches' Hats

For all the reluctant bakers out there, have no fear: Witches’ Hats require only three ingredients and no baking! Fudge-striped shortbread cookies are simply topped with a chocolate kiss and finished with a frosting bow.
Recipe: Witches' Hats

Yield

32 cookies

Ingredients
1 (4.25-ounce) tube orange or red decorating frosting
1 (11 1/2-ounce) package fudge-striped shortbread cookies (32 cookies)
1/2 (13-ounce) package milk chocolate kisses, unwrapped (32)

Preparation
Pipe a small mound of frosting in center of each chocolate-covered cookie bottom; press a chocolate kiss on frosting. Pipe a frosting band and bow around base of each kiss.

Easy Owl-Ween Treats

Open-faced Oreos, M & M’s, candy corn, and sprinkles bring a convenience store treat―a MoonPie―to life. Secure cookies and candy to your MoonPie with melted chocolate candy coating. Then insert a 12- x ¼-inch dowel, available at craft stores, into marshmallow center and secure with more chocolate for an eye-popping, kid-friendly sweet.

Brides Against Breast Cancer- October is Breast Cancer Awarness Month!

October is Breast Cancer Awarness month and in honor I am reposting a blog post from Feburary. You can help fight breast cancer and buy your dream wedding dress for a fraction all at the same time with Brides Against Breast Cancer!

*Original Post*
Johnny and I recently attended his brother's wedding in Minneapolis. What an amazing city! Our hotel had an indoor waterpark, we felt like little kids, I went down the slides a hundred times. LOL Johnny's new sister-in-law Danielle looked absolutely stunning of course. I loved her gown, loved loved it! Danielle informed me that it was in fact designer and that she had bought it from a wonderful organization called Brides Against Breast Cancer. The organization takes in donations of gently worn bridal gowns as well as about 50% of the dresses donations from designers and bridal shops around the country and are brand new! They then put on events all over the country for brides-to-be. You can find the dress of yours dreams and at the same time further the fight against breast cancer. I honestly cannot think of a better way to help out the cause. Their slogan is “FIND THE GOWN OF YOUR DREAMS AND MAKE A WISH COME TRUE.”

To see a listing of the nationwide tour of gowns go to http://pepmembers.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=1434

To donate your gown and make a wish come true http://bridesagainstbreastcancer.org/index.html#donategown

The Dolan Family and Danielle's gorgeous Brides Against Breast Cancer Gown!