Pretty Pots & Guilty Pleasures

My future sis-in-law Nicole is the Gardening Queen. Seriously. She can make anything grow! My mom has the same gift- a serious green thumb (how did I miss out on this gene?) We were in Austin this weekend spending time with the fam and meeting with the wedding planner (SQEEE!!) and Nicole showed me this fab project in Martha Stewart Living Mag. You use this stuff called Hyperturfa (kinda like poured cement) and cool molds like textured bowls and baskets to make gorgeous planters. I'm thinking I need to master not killing my plants before I start making my own planters, but I can't wait to see how Nic's turn out. Pretty!
(Get the full project details here.)

On an unrelated random note, Tori & Dean are back on tonight! I adore her (and love seeing what she wears and her super cute house.) Can't wait! (For some reason, Geoff does not share my enthusiasm for Oxygen, Bravo, Style, or Glee...he's in for a long summer. Poor guy.)

Happy Monday!
XO
-L 

Images via Martha Stewart

Cascarones: Spanish for Awesome Easter Craft

Actually, Cascarones means "Shells" in Spanish. Learning something new everyday...

Cascarones (colorful confetti eggs) are made by first emptying the egg contents out through a hole at one end. The empty shell is then thoroughly washed and dried. The clean shell is filled with confetti, sealed with tissue paper, and dyed fun colors. Then, the best part, you get to crack it over someone's head! Good times! 

And since we are on a learning kick, here is the history of the Cascarone: (via here.)
The origin of cascarones is a little muddled. The cascarone stems from the Italian Renaissance when Italian gentlemen would fill emptied eggs with beautiful perfumes and scented powder to give to their beloved. As with the pinata, the Italians allegedly got the practice, via Marco Polo, from the Chinese, who filled the eggs with powder. The practice of making hollowed-out, surprise-filled eggs moved from Italy, into Austria, France and then to Spain. 

Learn how to make them here and get crackin! (Get it? Crackin? HAHAHA!!! Ok, nevermind...)

Image via ehow.com

Spring Cleaning Goodies

Happy Tuesday all! Feeling much more awake today than yesterday- YAY! Its going to be 80 degrees in Dallas today, spring is finally rearing its sweet little head. I gotta say, it is long overdue. I am one of those blessed with seasonal depression-I swear, too many gray days are enough to drive me bonkers. But when spring finally shows up, I am so ready to shuck off the coats and start reorganizing and cleaning-out. Like my own little rebirth. This spring, however, I happen to be smack-dab in the middle of wedding planning. So I am going to squeeze in organizing and crafting in wherever I can. What better way to start off our married life together?! An organized home is a happy home, right? Right.

So, here are the crafts I'm dying to tackle once I get a few spare moments...

XO
-L

ADORABLE Chalkboard Paint Jar Labels via The Inadvertant Farmer.
Love the idea of all my ingredients labeled and easy to find!

This is the perfect way to store our winter clothes and shoes!
Closet on Wheels under-bed storage from The Craft Queen (aka Martha)

Craft Material Organizer from (who else) Martha. I am DETERMINED to organize my boatloads of craft supplies. SERIOUSLY- I can't find anything when I need it. I'm dreaming of turning our office closet into a super organized crafts and wrapping hub. Wish me luck. 

Love this cute way to green up your grocery shopping (this would also make a fun gym bag).
Plus, I can use it to display my new last initial!
Canvas Doily Tote via Ashley Anne Photography, via Design Sponge.

One more from the goddess of goodness herself. I can see these all over our house: Organizing pet items, in the laundry room, in the living room armoire, in the craft closet, for bill filing, and in the bathroom organizing all my beauty paraphernalia. Stylish Storage Boxes with Labels via Martha.

There once was a paper bride...

who tried and tried and tried,
to design her perfect day,
and keep jitters at bay,
and enjoy this crazy joyride!

Haha! I totally crack myself up with my terrible limericks! No one else thinks they're funny, but that's not really important, right? Hmmmm...

Anywho...back to today's post featuring The Paper Bride by Esther K. Smith. The title immediately caught my eye at the bookstore the other day: "I love paper! I'm a Bride!" This book is chock-full of cute ideas for personalizing your wedding with crafty goodness. Want to line your invitation envelopes? The Paper Bride will show you how. Feeling super crafty? Try your hand at pop-up maps, guest book garland, or hand-stitched photo albums. Paper is definitely playing a big part in our wedding-and I can't wait to scour this book for great ideas.

XO
-L 

Check out this free free download of Save-The-Date Self Mailer project from The Paper Bride here.
All images from The Paper Bride. 

If you like it then you shoulda put some paint on it...

Yes, I'm dorky. And yes I love Beyonce. Shoot me. Anyway, lame title aside, I think its the perfect way to introduce my newest DIY inspiration. I love hunting for vintage pieces and furniture that have great lines and structure, but happen to be coated with some sort of hideous varnish or ugly paint. Usually, you get them for a steal, and you get the joy of turning these little treasures into something you truly love. My newest blogger obsession does just that-and I am convinced she could turn a ball of rubber bands, old socks and some spray paint into something cool. Meet Michelle from Three Men & a Lady (thank you to Made by Girl for the introduction.) She really is a genius.

BTW, it is Michelle's fault that I am now obsessed with finding a ceramic owl to paint white.
How stinkin cute is this?! 

I love that she took thrift store candle sticks and plates and mixed and matched to make adorable cake plates. Wouldn't these be precious for a wedding dessert buffet?!

I love the bold yellow she chose for the dresser, and how she transformed a Wal-Mart Table into a gorgeous entryway table.

My fave project (besides the white owl) has to be the awesome sunburst mirror. She took an affordable find from Home Goods that was a little small and increased the circumference using skewers and some glue, then painted it silver to match her decor: brilliant!

Check out more DIY projects and her house tour on her blog here.