Tuesday, May 21, 2013

How-To-Tuesday: Dollar Store Tiered Stand

For my first in the How-To-Tuesday series, I present to you a DIY tiered stand!

Ever since I bought my bottle of E6000 adhesive glue, I have been on a roll on adding height to different stands. This is definitely an Affordable Alternative to many different stands. Here are a few creations...

 

For both stands I used a candle stick holder from the Dollar Tree. The centerpiece used a tiffany blue vase that was on sale at Michaels and the candy stand holder was a heart shaped dish from the Dollar Tree.

I love shopping at Ross and TJ Maxx hunting down fabulous finds as well as trips to local Goodwills, but those are hit or miss when it comes to tiered stands. I have been looking for just the right stand, but the price is still not right...yet. Even though they are an investment when planning and hosting events (which seems to happen on a monthly basis over here). But I am constantly thinking, "I can probably get a better price!"

Well with the E6000 glue I figured I would give it a try and make my own. I picked up yet another candle stick holder from the Dollar Tree and two different sized plates from the 99 Cent Store. $3 total since I already had my glue!


First I glued the bottom of the candle stick holder to the bigger plate.


 Next I added glue to the top of the holder and centered the smaller plate on top.


 Apply pressure and follow directions as listed on glue.


Allow to dry as directed on glue.


Ta-DAA!


I first used the stand for my daughter's Mad Hatter Unbirthday Party. And then again for my daughter's Tiffany Party.

Its not the fanciest or most glamourous but for a $3 stand it will do until I encounter just the right stand! :)


"Be a source of joy & inspiration" -Walt Disney
*~EVIE~*

Monday, May 20, 2013

Glass Milk Bottles on a Budget


Lately I've been loving the look of glass milk bottles at all kinds of events. They're even more adorable with a colorful paper straw and dazzling details like tulle or tags or even doilies. Just another detail to get lost in when planning your special events. Here are a few samples I've seen in the party world...





I have not yet used them in one of my events because the price is just not right. They are a rather pricey alternative to "regular" cups and I'm all about affordable alternatives!

Most glass milk bottles are $4 each! If you have BIG events like me, a 20 person party would run you $80 for your drink ware budget! I was able to find some on Etsy for $2 each which is a better deal, but you would still be paying for shipping. Now if you have the budget, by all means, check it out and cross it off your list. 

Here are some great vendors with glass bottle options:

Ella Jane Crafts has them on her Etsy shop for $2 each for a 16 bottle order
Shop Sweet Lulu 6 pack order has the option of plastic reusable lids.
Karas Party Ideas sells them individually

Kara's Party Ideas Shop also includes Plastic milk bottles for a different more kid-friendly option.

After browsing through Pinterest, I stubbled upon this Pin and quickly repinned! It was the first I had seen and it quickly sparked a To Do DIY idea. The Pin caption said, "For cute "milk bottles" at party, buy grocery Starbucks Frappuccino bottles, drink them :), and remove the labels. Perfect party bottles!" 
I knew that my next trip to the store would include "Starbucks Coffee Drinks" on my list!

I ended up picking up the Target brand Archer Farms version because they had a Chai Tea flavor and I LOVE chai tea lattes! :) So I came home with Chai Tea and Vanilla Carmel. Each 4 pack was $4.99 so each glass bottle comes out to $1.25 and in Glass Milk Bottle terms thats a steal (and I get my coffee and drink it too)! You also save A LOT with no shipping cost necessary! 
Its definitely a Win-Win Affordable Alternative


Whats nice about the Archer Farms bottles is that the label is all plastic so when you initially are taking off the plastic wrap in order to open and drink, the entire label peels off and there is no need to pull out your bottle of Goo Gone to remove any sticky residue.

You can of course most certainly use Starbucks bottles like Gilit Cooper did on her Shoes Off Please blog post. You'll just have to spend some added time taking off the sticky label and residue.

I'm working on my collection as we speak, coffee in hand, and can't wait to use them in one of my future events! 

Here is my set of 4 with straws that I purchased on The Sugar Diva's Etsy shop The Party Fairy.



"Be a source of joy & inspiration" -Walt Disney
*~EVIE~*

Friday, May 17, 2013

First Holy Communion Tiffany's Party

After being 3 years in the process, 2 complete years of classes, a retreat, and her First Reconciliation, my daughter was finally going to receive her First Holy Communion! 

For those of you who are not Catholic, there are a total of 7 sacraments that one can accomplish within the Catholic faith. 

A little history...
Growing up I did not appreciate what my mother was trying to instill in us all those Sundays feeling like I was being punished to sit on wooden pews, trying my best not to close my eyes, let alone letting my mother see I was falling asleep for fear that she would pinch me to keep me alert.  It wasn't until I was in high school and in the process of my own sacrament of Confirmation that I understood and was participating on my own free will, no pinching necessary ;)

Present day...
To this day my mother continues to be a strong influence on my faith because of the amount of her own faith and without her I don't know what kind of faith I would have. While we don't always agree with each other and our choices, she is someone I look up to because of her strength. 

So this party was dedicated to her. 
She is the reason I choose to celebrate my Isabella's First Holy Communion with a Tiffany's Party.

I started with a Party Board on my Pinterest.

Knowing this was a once in a lifetime event for my daughter I wanted it to be styled with grace and beauty.
So I knew I would need some talented experts for the look I was going for!

I first browsed through Etsy and discovered Northern Designs. Robert has a beautiful collection of invitation designs. When I found the right look, but needed a custom color, he was more than able to complete the request! Thanks Robert!

I headed over to Made by a Princess for her new line of Sparkle Sticks! It was love at first sight and I knew I had to have them for this event! 

I next made contact with Roni Sugar Creations for some of her AMAZING cookie creations! I follow her on Instagram and am constantly in awe of her the sweet masterpieces she creates!

Recently I discovered a local bakery known for their French Macarons. They are EXQUISITE! So I ordered a dozen vanilla  from Merely Sweets and they just so happened to be the color I wanted...Tiffany Blue! 

And what celebration would not be complete without a cake...a little blue box inspired cake is what I envisioned and Yvette from Sweet Mimas created yet another lovely cake!

And last but not least is Laura from LAURA'S little PARTY. This woman's creativity and energy is just FABULOUS! Her LOVE of Tiffany's is contagious and infectious.

Without further a due, ISABELLA's Tiffany's Party





Favors for guest to take home :)




Ceviche Martini Glass Cocktails

Meatball Sliders 
Why YES these are coffee filters! :)
Sewing Table turned Drink Table :)



Look familiar? Repurposed this bird cage and used in my Mad Hatter Tea Party Birthday!



Doily Banner A La EVIE

Sparkle Sticks from Made By A Princess
The white dove cookies were my own creations :)
Cross cookies from Roni Sugar Creations! They not only look fabulous, but they taste oh so amazing!

Bows A La EVIE
Merely Sweets Vanilla French Macarons



Donut Pearls


Holly Golightly coconut pearl cup cakes! 
Sweet Treat Selections A La EVIE



Cake by Sweet Mima's









"Be a source of joy & inspiration" -Walt Disney
*~EVIE~*