Wine & Cheese Party: Golden Birthday Style

Did you ever celebrate your golden birthday?  Mine was when I was nine, and while it was magical I didn't have as many years anticipating it as my sister did whose date was on the 27th. Needless to say, we had to do it big! So we threw a wine & cheese party mixed with pink & gold. It was so much fun!

Here's a link to the chalkboard contact paper we used: via Amazon. We didn't stick it--just taped it to the table & we have been able to reuse it a lot. The chalk actually shows up nicely.

The spread! Pretty cream & pink roses, veggie tray, cherry chip cupcakes, etc. Those goat cheese balls left me speechless! Recipe found here: The Kitchn.

Gold & pink in perfect harmony!

Brent got all creative & made this menu to set at the table for our reference. We also filled extra wine glasses with old corks to add to the ambiance.

Such a success that some of Cass's friends say it was the "most fun party ever!" Parties are so fun to plan!

Tuesday Tutorial: Up-cycled Wood Blocks

I've had these wood blocks for a while, but I thought it was high time for an update. I thought about giving them away, but decided to update them instead. For this, all you need is a sturdy piece of wood (perhaps you too have a piece that needs to be updated...), some spray paint, painter's tape, & some acrylic paint.

For the first one I used Coral Isle. I really liked the look of the raw wood around the edges, so I used painter's tape before spray painting. After a few thin and even layers of spray paint (and letting it dry, of course), I roughed it up a bit with a nail file (or sand paper if you're classy) just so it wasn't so shiny. I then painted the word Patience with white & a grey outline.

Wrap 3M tape around the edges & fold

Spray a thin, even layer

After two thin coats

After three thin coats: perfect!

Roughed up a bit & with a thin layer of acrylic white

Beginning outlines of grey

& voila... with a little patience (ha) you're finished product will be dry in no time

For the second I used Chalkboard spray paint from Krylon (my first experience with this stuff & I am hooked). No better time to use this stuff than August when it's back to school time!

Apply a few thin, even layers allowing time to dry in between

After a few coats, let it dry for 24 hours. Then use the side of a piece of chalk and rub the entire surface of the chalk board. Erase with a felt eraser (or your fingertips) & then you're free to write/draw/create!

Linking up with these ladies: & here & here

Pink is the Color of Life Today

I saw this flower while walking the other day & it got me blushing pink. I currently have a hankering for that pale, pearlescent pink.

Delicate, soft, humble & antique. It reminds me of poodle skirts, ballerinas, gentle kisses, and bubble gum after you've chewed it a while. ♥

From top left, clockwise: $125 BCBGMAXAXAZRIA Women’s BG6338 Analog Eclectic Plisse’ Pink Dial Watch endless.com; $36 Petite pink bike print tee topshop.com; $89 Lowestoft sunglasses jackwills.com; $110 Jeffery Campbell ‘Lookbook’ Oxford nordstrom.com; $36 Pink Varigated stripe tee topshop.com; $70 Pink Silk Shorts by Boutique topshop.com; $850 Larkspur & Hawk Emma Ring barneys.com; $14 butter London Nail Lacquer nordstrom.com; $16 Cute Satin Flats forever21.com; $88 Sondra Roberts Pleated Box Clutch nordstrom.com