{Real Parties} A Day in the Country

Hello friends! I am still alive and well in case you were wondering! It's mind boggling to me how busy I have been with client parties and end of the year activities with my boys. I promise to be back blogging in full force VERY soon.

This past weekend, my family hosted a Day in the Country party at our farm in Bellville, Texas. We had such a wonderful time hanging out with new country friends and friends who traveled to the event from Houston. Of course I had to add special touches here and there and Kelly from The Party Dress and WH Hostess was there to help. Kelly designed the cutest sunflower invitation with a fresh twist!

Simple tables adorned with white tablecloths and sunflower arrangements with accents of green were placed on top of custom fabric by Spoonflower (via WH Hostess) that was made to match the invitation design!

For dessert, we served various pies. This fit perfectly with our theme! I asked Kelly to design pie flags to place in each pie to let guests know which was which. The pie buffet included pecan pie from Goode Co. BBQ, Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie and Buttermilk from Royer's and Apple Pie from the Houston Racquet Club. The table was definitely a crowd pleaser!

Whole Foods (Woodway location) in Houston created gorgeous centerpieces for the tables!

As our friends departed, we handed out custom sunflower cookies made by Michael's Cookie Jar complete with a favor tag designed by Kelly that said, "Thanks for Spending the Day at Bellwood Farm".

I hope you enjoyed these pictures from our casual get together in the country! Hopefully these pictures will inspire you to host an outdoor summer party and take a flower, in this case, a sunflower, and give it a fresh twist.

Sources

Invitations & coordinating paper goods - WH Hostess

Flowers - Whole Foods, Woodway location. Ask for Gail!

White vases - Ikea

Cookies - Michael's Cookie Jar

Tablecloths - Aztec Houston

{DIY) Bee Hive Pinata

This DIY bee hive pinata from Country Living will be all the buzz at your next summer get together! For those who love crafting, this is the perfect inexpensive project that will make a buzz worthy statement!

{DIY} Pie in a Jar

{image via Paiges of Style}

Lately, I have had an obsession with pies in a jar! I haven't made them yet, but I plan to and just placed an order for these tiny mason jars. The recipes seems easy, just maybe a little time consuming. But so worth it in the end! Take a look at the following DIY Pie in a Jar recipes from some fabulous blogs...

Our Best Bites provides a full tutorial complete with step by step instructions, pictures and a scrumptious basic recipe for any fruit filling.

Green Wedding Shoes shares beautiful photography and a styling idea for the cute pies. They also provide step by step instructions and an easier recipe using store bought pie filling.

Paiges of Style is a favorite blog of mine and I always enjoy her tutorials! Paige shows how easy it is to make pies in a jar and I love the way she packaged the favor!

I'm really looking forward to trying these little goodies out!

How to Cut & Create an Arrangement Using Hydrangeas

{image via Nancy Lui Chin}

I think it is safe to say that hydrangeas are a favorite of many. This beautiful flower can often be found year round from a florist, but they typically bloom from late spring to summer...so right now! And I bet that many of you mommies will receive some of these beauties this weekend for Mother's Day!

In the current issue of Southern Living magazine, there is a small article on how to cut and create a stunning arrangement at home. Here is the step-by-step guide as told by Southern Living...

Choose

Look for flowers that have fully opened and feel slightly papery to the touch. They will last longer when cut. Use one bloom color or mix varying shades.

Clip

This pertains to the lucky ons who have hydrangea bushes at home! But if you buy the flowers from a florist, the same technique applies.

Snip stems early in the morning. Cut at an angle, above a leaf bud. Place your stems in a bucket of cool water immediately after cutting.

Condition

Heat a pot of water until almost boiling; remove from heat and wait five minutes. Dip stem emds in hot water for 30 seconds before arranging in cool water.

Create

Show off your display with a rounded container to echo the shape of the blooms. Use moist floral foam to keep the stems in place if needed.

{Real Parties} A Modern Aqua & Green Apple Shower

Katie of Katie Grace Designs has impeccable taste and I love every party she puts together! What I love the most about Katie's parties is that they are hand made and full of DIY details. I know you will be smitten with all of the special touches found throughout this modern aqua and green apple baby shower!

Katie made this door hanger using large letters from a craft store, fake green apples and paint. Visit Katie Grace Designs to read about the how-tos on all of the shower projects.

Here is a perfect example of Katie's attention to detail! The sign in pens are even wrapped in coordinating fabric and topped with a mini apple!

Lots of spray paint was used here and on many of the other decor items.

Another great DIY project! Katie recycled sparkling water bottles and spray painted them green to be used as vases.

To continue the apple theme, there was an apple cider station of course!

I love the look of the favor table! Guests took home apple cider encased in homemade packages along with a fabric wrapped apple.

Thank you Katie for sharing this perfectly styled party with us! You will find many more pictures and details at Katie Grace Designs.

{Photoshoot} Swanky Swirls & Vintage Pearls

Sugarsticks Parties was asked to design a tablescape for a Swanky Baby Vintage spring line photoshoot and the result was absolutely swoon worthy! The theme of the party was "vintage with a sprinkle of Southern charm" and the shoot took place in an old pecan orchard which lent to the vintage vibe.

* All of the dreamy sources of the photoshoot are listed at the bottom *

You can read more about the gorgeous photoshoot here, on Sugarsticks Parties blog!

Vendor Guide:

Photography - The Picture Ladies

Outfits & hair accessories - Swanky Baby Vintage

Paper Goods - Sugarsticks Parties

Cake stands - Rosanna Inc.

Straws & baking goods - Bake it Pretty

Baker's twine - The Twinery

Logo cookies - Allyson Jane Designer Desserts

Burlap runner and napkins - Sweet Tea and Linen

{Real Parties} A Wedding Day Picnic Full of Lovely Details

This incredibly gorgeous picnic is one of the loveliest table settings I have ever seen...and it comes to us all the way from Spain! The details are sweet and simple, but elegant at the same time. Nina of Designs by Nina styled a beautiful picnic table for her wedding...

I was thrilled to see this intimate picnic in my inbox and to discover Designs by Nina!