DIY Balloon Fringe Tassels

I am currently immersed in first birthday party planning for my little girl.  Last minute crafting, getting bedrooms ready for out of town guests, wrapping up all of the finishing touches.  I feel like the first birthday is such a milestone, and I want to make it a memorable one.  I know she won't really remember it now, but I hope one day she can look back on the pictures and see all of the hard work that went into celebrating her first year of life.   

We're having a very intimate gathering at our home with some of our closest family and friends.  While it is a small affair, I absolutely love planning parties and all of the personal touches that go into them.  So naturally, I've exhausted my frugal, perfectionist, DIY self into making almost everything myself (with the exception of the cakes--although I am adding my own decoration to them).  Pinterest, of course, has been a great inspiration.  What did we do before that little site came along?

One of the ideas I got from Pinterest was making fringe tassels for the oversized balloons I purchased.  I love those guys.  Anyway, I wanted to create some tassels to go on them for Auden's first birthday pictures and her party.  Luckily, I found this tutorial by Firefly Events that described how to do just that.  

Image via Sweet Thing Blog

I followed her steps using some shirts I found at a local thrift store and some lace ribbon I had from a previous project.  The total cost (minus the balloons) was $4 ($2 per shirt).  You could obviously go to a fabric store to select your choice of fabric as well, but the closest one to me is across town.   And I'm sure I would have spent more there anyway (plus the cost of gas to get there).  So the thrift store it was.  Win, win.  Whatever fabric you end up using remember to take its weight into consideration.  Something too heavy will weigh the balloon down.  Which is also why using tissue paper is a good option.  If you're using more than one balloon, you can obviously have more weight.

Image by Jordan Burch Photography

Here is my finished product from afar.  It's all I have to show for now, but I'll be back with more photos and party details later.  I absolutely love how it turned out and am sure I will be making many more in the future!  

Wish me luck for a smashing party (no pun intended)!... but I can't wait to see what she does with her smash cake :)

Bar Carts and How to Style Them

Now is the time of year when everyone is entertaining in their home.  Aside from having a beautiful dinner table (you can purchase our table setting packages here if you haven't already), I love a nicely done bar cart.  If your space and budget allow, I think these are a great investment for entertaining--they are fun, stylish and portable...what's not to like?  I've compiled a list of a few of my favorites below.  For smaller budgets, tray tables are a great option.

View fullsize

1 ($499) // 2 ($249) // 3 ($349) // 4 ($399, also in polished nickel) // 5 ($299) // 6 ($129)

Once you have your cart, you need to set it up right.  This can be easily done with these essentials.  So grab the necessities and interject your personal style for a cart that you and your guests will enjoy.

How to style a bar cart:

• Small decorative bowl(s): For snacks or drink garnishes
• Straws: Paper straws are my favorite, and they come in every style/color you can think of these days.
• Florals/greenery:  A great way to add color and life to your cart.  You can keep everything else on the cart the same and simply change out the flowers for an entirely different look.
• Glassware:  Forgo the plastics and get a set or two of essential glassware.  West Elm is one of my favorite places to find these, and they just so happen to have their glassware on sale (with free shipping!) right now.
• Ice bucket (and tongs):  Because no one wants a hot drink.
• Cocktail shaker: Another no-brainer.
• Bar tools: Purchase a jigger, stirrer and bottle opener if nothing else.  You can often find these tools sold in a set.
• Mixers: Have your favorite mixers on hand for quick pouring. Swap juice containers for glass carafes and cohesive look.  
• Alcohol: Unless you prefer the virgin variety of course.  Serving liquors from decanters instead of cheap looking store-bought packaging is optimal (especially for style points).
• Decanters:  See above.  
• Coasters:  Protect your furniture and add your style with a personal monogram.  I love these options from Mark & Graham.
• Tray: They are a great way to corral your glasses and alcohol and keep your cart looking organized even when full.

6 Place Card Ideas for Fall

I don't know about you, but there's just something about fall and all of its gloriousness that makes me want to gather up with friends.  The cooler temps, the football games, the groups of families at the local pumpkin patch-- this season just brings people together.  It's a time of gathering and a time to enjoy a slower pace before the hustle of the holidays--and that makes it the perfect time to throw a dinner party.  

We love dinner parties here at 3A Design Studio and have some big news coming up in regards to throwing a great one, but until then, I wanted to share with you a tip on how to make your dinner party stand out from the rest.  Making your gathering personal is easy to do in one simple step--thoughtful place cards. 

You can eliminate the "Where should I sit?" awkwardness and greet your guests with a personal place card with these simple fall ideas.

Pine cones are simple and free if you live anywhere near a pine tree.  Use craft paper to create a name ribbon for your guests. Source

Opt for dark card stock over light and write out guests' names in a gold gel pen.  Embellish with simple dot patterns and rounded corner for an added touch. Source

Leaves are another freebie you can use to create.  This magnolia leaf with white writing is perfect for a golden fall table.

Make your place card double as a favor for your guests to take home.  Since it's fall, s'mores seem like the obvious choice.  Source

Pick up a bag of feathers from the craft store and dip the top of them in paint--simple and beautiful.  Source

Fruits and veggies make great place card stands.  Grab seasonal favorites at the farmer's market or local grocery.  Pumpkins (I prefer white) are a great choice as well, but I love the green these pears bring to a table.  Source

Easy enough right?  So get your craft on and gather your friends for a dinner in!

Stay tuned for our big announcement coming soon!

A Dinner Story -with Serena & Lily

I've long been a fan of Serena & Lily.  They have a wide range of great items: furniture, wallpaper, baby goods, accessories... you name it.  And they also have great sales.  And y'all know I'm always looking for a good sale. 

This week while I was perusing their sale items (that are currently an EXTRA 20% off with the code SALE20 until April 21st), I became inspired by several of the items and thought "Oooh I could make a great dinner party out of these finds!"  And since I love sharing a good deal, I had to share with you guys!  Everything* listed below is on sale with the exception of the pillow, but it was too good to not include!  Tip:  Adding throw pillows to the head chairs at the table is great way to bring color and texture to any dinner party.  

*All items are from Serena & Lily except the drinking glasses and all prices listed are BEFORE the extra 20% off.  

1 Table Runner -68.00, now 21.99 /// 2 Brass Candlesticks -32.00-38.00, now 10.99-14.99 /// 3 Water Glasses (set of 12) -16.80 /// 4 Wood and Lacquer Tray -118.00, now 37.99 /// 5 Leaf Napkins (set of 4) -38.00, now 18.99 /// 6 Throw Pillow Cover -68.00 /// 7 Dinner Plates (set of 4) -58.00, now 29.99  /// 8 Placemats (set of 4) -88.00, now 22.99 /// 9 Gladiolus arrangement (they always have these flowers at my local grocery!)

The overall look has a collected feel that is casual and chic with fun patterns and warm tones reminiscent of a summer sunset.  Now who's ready to throw a summer soiree?  Summertime is almost here!  Can I get a hallelujah?  

I hope you all have a happy Easter!

A Fall Table

Dining out is always a nice treat.  But dining in can be just as much fun with the right ambiance, food and company (not to mention more cost effective).

My specialty is the ambiance.  I'm not going to lie.  I'm not much of a cook.  I'd rather bake, especially now that I'm 35 weeks pregnant and have a sweet tooth the size of a small child.  No pun intended.  

But I digress.  Ambiance.  If you ask me, ambiance can best be created with a beautiful table setting and nice lighting.  The rest is a just the cherry on top.  Of a sundae.  Preferably a brownie sundae.  See how bad it is these days, guys?

But seriously, fall is one of my favorite seasons because it is a time for gatherings.  And one of the perfect places for that is around a nicely decorated dinner table.  You don't have to stick to the standard orange and reds of the season when it comes to decor.  In fact, you'll make more of a statement if you don't.  Here's a yummy vision I've been dreaming of lately (aside from a pint of cookies 'n cream ice cream).   

1. This gold flatware set will bring a warmth and sophistication to any table. 

2.   Place settings are all about layering.  I'm a firm believer is having a simple, white set of dishes (fine china or casual) that you can intermix with fun patterns and textures like this salad plate from Target.   

3. This gold rim stemless wine glass adds the perfect amount of bling without breaking the budget.

4.  Every centerpiece doesn't have to contain flowers.  Gather up some pumpkins and add a little teal and metallic paint for a new twist on a traditional fall look.

5.  This wine carafe with an oak stopper will bring an organic feel to your table and can be used as a serving accent for every season.

6.  Take the guessing game out of where to sit and create a personal touch at each place setting by writing your guests' names on a leaf instead of a place card.

7.   Don't forget about the napkins!  They are an easy way to add some color and detail to your table.  This velvet trim jute napkin is a great example.  

8./9.  As with your place settings, lighting should also be layered on your table.  Have a good mix of height variance, votives and candlesticks to create a nice ambiance.  These vintage blue votives and brass candlesticks (check antique and thrift stores for similar finds) will bring the perfect color and glow to your non-traditional (and fabulous) fall gathering.  

Now, who's inviting me for over dinner?