Wednesday, May 20, 2009

two-four birthday pics

Hi y'all. I've been MIA for a few days, been really busy and actually I'm getting a lot of business lately so that's definitely a good thing. I thought I would share some of the details from the boy's birthday party as I had promised.

I'm not sure how it is around the rest of the world, but here in Canada we call a case of 24 beers a two-four. Since the boy turned 24, I made the theme of his party beer! I made a banner with red beer cups at either end and some rugged looking string/twine holding up card stock circles proclaiming 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN'. I cut the circles out of 5 different colours of card stock and glued on the letters that I had printed off my computer. I downloaded the font from 1001 Free Fonts. I put a little silver glitter embellishment on each letter.


I also crafted a smaller sign that was simply a square of card stock with the words 'two-four' in the same font and glitter embellishment with a red beer cup angled off the top of the page.


I had red and blue beer cups placed on the tables as well with favours and snacks in them. Since it was just a small party, I had four cups, two for snacks and two for favours/noisemakers. On the cups for snacks, I used some sticker letters with a similar font to the one on my sign and banner and spelled the word 'taste'. In one cup I put some red licorice and gourmet lollipops and in the other I put some pepperettes [pepperoni sticks] and pretzel sticks. I wanted to go with flavours that would compliment beer.


On the cups with the favours, I spelled out the word 'noise' with the sticker letters and put some blowouts with metallic streamers, hand-clappers and tin noisemakers. We were in a restaurant so I didn't get anything too loud.

On top of the tables, I sprinkled dozens of beer caps down the centre. They were from all different kinds of beer and really brought the theme together. I don't have any pictures of those, but I'm sure you can visualise what a table littered with tons of shiny beer caps looks like!

The dinner was a really fun time, you can't really go wrong with beer, pizza, friends and sports on 3 different TVs, especially if it's your birthday!! The boy said he had a great night and that's all that mattered to me.

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Friday, May 15, 2009

announcement: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Just wishing a very happy 24th birthday to the boy.
I hope you have a great day today! I love you.


Later today or tomorrow I will post some pictures of the decorations and details from his little surprise dinner we had last night.

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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

TV Theme Menus

Photo Credit: Romulo Yanes

I am all about theme parties. I love the careful planning and attention to detail required to tie everything in together and I eagerly look for creative ways to pull various party elements into my theme such as food, décor, music, drinks, dress.
Epicurious wrote a great feature about menus and party plans inspired by your favorite shows. Included are Mad Men, Lost, Gossip Girl, The Office and more. I'm excited to try some of these out!

Thank you YumSugar for pointing me to Epicurious.

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Thursday, May 7, 2009

finding inspiration: Mother's Day gifts

Photo Credit: Rick Audet
Mother's Day is fast approaching and there may be many of you out there who haven't found a gift for your mom (or other mother figure) yet. Luckily, the internet is a wonderful place for last minute shoppers to find some creative inspirations!

Photo Credit: LoveLeeSoaps

LoveLeeSoaps is an Etsy shop specializing in colourful and adorable soaps in creative and quirky shapes and sizes. The Blue Bird Nest soap would be a perfect gift for mom! Look how the mama bird is bent down over her egg babies... so cute!!


The philosophy Best Sellers Collection (available only at Sephora) is a box of philosophy's 5 most-loved products: Purity Made Simple One Step Facial Cleanser, Amazing Grace Perfumed Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel, The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, Hope in a Jar and Hope in a Tube. A great introduction to the philosophy line of products.


Photo Credit: LCBO

Tempus Two Copper Wilde Chardonnay is a full-bodied wine with layers of citrus and apple, made by an all-female team at a boutique winery in New South Wales, Australia's Hunter Valley. If your mom is a wine lover, she is sure to appreciate this!


Photo Credit: Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn's Pendleton Merino Wool Throw (currently marked down to half the original price!) is a beautiful and incredibly soft luxurious blanket for mom to curl up in.

What will you be giving your mom for Mother's Day?

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Tuesday, May 5, 2009

sitting down with... makeupbyjill

Jill Reid

Jill Reid of makeupbyjill is my younger sister. I've blogged about her before when she did makeup for the POGO Gala last month in Toronto. Since makeup is a hugely important part of many celebrations, I asked her to be a part of my sitting down with... series to get the inside scoop on life as an up-and-coming makeup artist.

How did you start your business?
I took an interest in makeup after my prom make-up didn't go so well. It wasn't badly done, just didn't match my color. Then my friend Taylor asked me to be a model for her make-up class, and after watching her do it, I thought... 'hey, I want to do this too!'. Since then, I've just been improving my skills, and getting my name out there!

How would you describe your work?
Well first, I am a perfectionist! I would never let any of my clients leave the chair in some ridiculous, garish make-up (unless of course it was what they asked for). I'm a huge fan of the natural look, so I always try to make at least the face make-up look as natural, yet flawless, as possible... the eyes you can go a little bit crazier with, because they are the attention getters! I am all over the place when I do make-up, sometimes I'll start with eyes, sometimes I'll start with the face, it's all about where I find inspiration first!

Photo Credit: 39 Photography

Who are your main customers?
It's mostly for formal events like galas and parties and proms. I do a lot of night-on-the-town make-up jobs, which are the most fun!

What information from your customers helps you best envision what they are looking for?
I like to do an assessment before the actual make-up application, of skin tone, eye color, what they're wearing for the event, what make-up they normally wear; this lets me know what colors to use and how I can make them feel comfortable (if I know they wear little make-up on a regular basis, I will use less products, and if they are no stranger to make-up, I know I can use a few more products or try different things).


What is your typical day like?
Being a student, and only 19 years old, my life doesn't revolve around the business just yet, but I hope to be there soon! Lately it's been all about school, and when I get time, I check out the counters at the drugstore and Sephora to snatch up any cool new products. To test out the products, I usually use my best friends Emma or Natalie as a canvas (they are absolutely beautiful to begin with, so it's an added bonus for me!). I hope that my customer base will grow and I can devote more and more time to my customers, because this is what I love to do!

What are your five must-have products?
Gosh primer, bareMinerals bronzer, Joe Fresh Beauty blush sticks, Revlon Beyond Natural mascara, Revlon eyelash curler (just the basic one).

What has your business helped you do that you couldn't/didn't before?
I've learned so many new things about how to advertise, who to know, what to do, not to mention I've met some great new people! Just a few weeks ago I was doing make-up for friends of mine, Lauren and Jess (plenty of pictures of them on my website, absolute stunners!), and I was working alongside a hairstylist from one of the best hair styling places in British Columbia, blo blowdry bar! That was a really fun time, and I think I may see how the fashion scene is out in British Columbia soon! It's been a great experience so far, and I'm definitely looking forward to my business growing!
What is the most difficult part of running your business?
Starting up is hard, and a little disheartening when the client base isn't that large. But, now that I think about it, it only makes me work harder on my clients, because I can take my time, and do the best job possible, knowing I don't have to rush around going from client to client.


What is the most rewarding part of running your business?
Seeing customers be truly happy with the product...I can tell if they don't like it, I've looked at their face for the past hour, so I'll know if they really do like it! That's the best part of it, for sure. Also, I'm a really social person, so I love talking and getting to know the people I'm making up as I'm going along. It's really interesting to hear about, for example, how they got into modelling, what their event is about, etc. I love everything about my job!

You can visit the makeupbyjill website here. Jill is based out of Brampton/Toronto but can travel so please inquire!

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Monday, May 4, 2009

Amazing Aprons

Photo Credit: Anthropolgie

Aprons have come a long way, baby! They are definitely more than 'Kiss the Cook' these days; fashion-forward hostesses are wearing chic cover-ups that are just as show-stopping as the outfit underneath! I have been reading all over the place about amazingly stylish aprons lately (namely here and here) and I actually meant to write this post last week but I just didn't have the time. Couture aprons are popping up everywhere and I am officially hooked! I need to get one asap!

The apron above is a surprisingly affordable piece ($34.51 CAD) from the delightful anthropologie. There are even matching oven mitts! Adorable! I can feel my devil horns poking out of my head as I type this.

Photo Credit: Smocks

This little beauty is from Smocks aprons. Smocks are 'inspired by contemporary designers, we created Smocks to protect a woman's wardrobe while also complementing it' and are designed to fit a woman's body. They even have different cuts and fits to ensure that your Smock is practical and flattering.*sigh*

Photo Credit: John Price Photo

Haute Hostess Aprons are an awesome product line by celebrity event planner and philathropist Elizabeth Scokin. There are three styles of apron, Glam it Up (like the one pictured above), Glam it Up Luxe and Give Me Sugar. I want every colour in every style, period. The Give Me Sugar aprons (like the one below) are especially exquisite though, and I think the bridal collection would make perfect bridal party gifts, bridal shower gifts or stagette/bachelorette party favours or gifts. There are tons of holiday themed patterns and colours available; something for every occasion including Christmas, Hallowe'en and homecoming parties! They are all 50% off right now (except the Haute Host and Bridal collections) so if I'm really good, I might get one!

Photo Credit: John Price Photo

Do you have a special apron that you wear for entertaining?

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Navigating the Tablescape: Cinco de Mayo

Photo Credit: Mix Mingle Glow

Last week, Mix Mingle Glow visited an outdoor flea market in San Antonio and found these adorable mini Mexican blankets that she used as napkins in her place settings. This would be absolutely perfect for your Cinco de Mayo tablescaping!

Photo Credit: YogaAccessories.com

Yoga Accessories also has these long skinny traditional Mexican yoga blankets that would be great as table runners for your fiesta! You can find them all over the internet and in yoga specialty stores.

Will you be celebrating Cinco de Mayo? How will you decorate your table?

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