Are You Ready for Some Football?

You survived the holidays and have had some time to recover. Winter is dragging along and cabin fever is creeping in. Could the Superbowl happen at a better time? Especially when you consider how easy a Superbowl Party is to plan - your theme and entertainment are already determined!
The need for decor is limited because, let's be honest, everyone is really just looking at the TV. An easy but high impact suggestion from Thoughtfully Simple is to cover your table with some astroturf up your local hardware store. Use plates, napkins and cups in the colors of the teams that are playing. Don't forget to put out some permanent markers so guests can personalize their cups with a game-day message! Throw in one of these cupcake ideas from Celebrations.com and everyone will be thoroughly impressed.


Besides a winning team, the other thing that will make your guests happy is plenty of food and drink. Beer is the obvious drink of choice for the big game. Choose some craft beers and microbrews for some variety. Diets go out the door on Superbowl Sunday choose satisfying finger foods like: Tiny Taco Meatballs, Pigskins in a Blanket, Chicken Quesadilla Pinwheels or
Spinach Artichoke Dip. Of course pizza, chili, veggies, wings, chips and dip are also welcome!
Last but not least, keep things simple for yourself so you get to enjoy the game and festivities as well.
Go Colts!

Linen Love

Is it strange that pictures of beautifully arranged tables make my heart pound and cause me to want to run screaming from my 9 to 5 so that I can launch a table-setting empire? Perhaps.
But I know there are plenty ladies out there who love you some party/wedding porn just as much as I do. And a girl can have a dream, right?
Well, Wildflower Linen, of California recently launched there new website and their gallery is full of devastatingly gorgeous designs using their products. While I can't post them all here - I thought a few of the photos would make great Valentine's table inspiration...

Maybe you want something romantic...

or feminine...

or just downright sexy...

Which one would you pick?

Party with Oprah (well, not really)

My friend Lesley recently introduced me to the idea of a Favorite Things party. We all know about Oprah's Favorite Things but I had not heard about the party concept before. I'm already in love! What a great idea for a just-because party with the girls!
Invite your guests bring their favorite things to share with each other. The favorite things guidelines can easily be adjusted to fit the budgets of your guests.
If you plan the party for a smaller group, let each one know how many people will be attending (send your invites well in advance so you have an accurate RSVP number). Have guests buy enough of their favorite thing for each guest. The cost limit can vary to suit your invite list.
After cocktails, treats, appetizers, etc. everyone ghas a chance to present the favorite thing they selected and talk about why they love it. The BEST part is that you send your guests home with one of everyone's favorite things!
A more budget-conscious variation would be to have each guest bring one or two of their favorite things for under X amount of dollars. Plan an exchange game so that everyone gets something new to take home.
Well, now that I'm starting to plan this in my head - these are a few of my (reasonably priced) favorite things...

I could eat a Cookie Jar Blizzard every day. I'd probably have to use a DQ gift card for party purposes.

A.dor.able Kate Spade pencils for $8.00 from Crane.com. Just to to resist writing something with these.

Pretty much anything that's soft and warm will make my list. I live for cozy slippers!

Bird Alert! Bird Alert!

The latest and greatest DIY project that is making the rounds in the event/wedding/craft blog world is an adorable twist on the as-seen-everywhere bird-themed decor. The fabulous Laurie Cinotto of La La Laurie (who, I just discovered, is originally from Iowa!) created these adorable scrapbook paper birdcages for The Bride's Cafe.

So many opportunities to use these! I am considering using them for some Valentine's decor. I wonder if the cardstock "bars" would hold up if you made a slightly larger cage? I'm thinking room for lovebirds inside...

In case these cuties haven't popped up on your Google reader yet, instructions are here.


Added bonus! Ice cream pint lids are recommended for the bottom of the bird cages. Bring on the cookies 'n cream!!