National Ice Cream Month

July is National Ice Cream month, so to get you prepared (you should really celebrate it every chance you get! :)), here are some fun gadgets and recipes to help you make the most of the next 31 days!  If you really wanna get crazy, why not try a new flavor of ice cream for each day?!  If you're a local Nashvillian, I would recommend my favorite "sweet" spot - Sweet Cece's.  They now have 3 locations in Franklin, Belle Meade and most recently, Hillsboro Village (the Franklin location is my personal fave).  Now go out and get your supplies and let's celebrate!

Cuisipro Ice Cream Scoop & Stack

Fondue ice cream treats!

DIY Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice Cream Cupcakes

and for the dog lover...Pooch Passions Vanilla Ice Cream Treats

What are little boys made of?

Last night I got together with the two lovely ladies hosting the nautical shower that is coming up next weekend!  We did a quick 'mock up' of the table setup and reviewed the menu...and I can't wait to show you how it turns out!  While we were chatting it up, one of the girls mentioned that she has a shower coming up in August for a close friend and really wanted to go with the theme "What are little boys made of?".  So she searched and searched and was unable to find invitations to go with that theme.  I asked her to send the saying my way and I would work something up - even though it's too late for her shower.  This is what I drew up last night.  I would love to know your thoughts/feedback.  The mock-up shows the invitation, the address wraps and the templates for cupcake toppers.  If you have any other ideas/suggestions for themes that you've had a hard time finding, let me know!  I love the challenge of creating something new - especially if it hasn't been done before.

Also, I want to give a big shout-out to all of you who are following me on facebook - THANK YOU!  I appreciate all of the great feedback, sweet comments and just knowing that someone else out there thinks Frilly Milly 'ain't half bad' :).  Blessings to all of you!

Check back in later this week - I'll try to do a post on some 4th of July inspiration and ideas!

My latest "wish list" item

I was shopping with a friend at Williams Sonoma recently and stumbled upon this fancy-schmancy popsicle maker.  "What makes it so great" you might ask?  It makes popsicles in 7-9 minutes!!!  Here's the details according to the summary on the Williams Sonoma site:

Now you can create your own customized frozen pops, including cream-filled varieties, in as little as seven minutes. Simple and easy to use, our freezer ensures flavorful fun for the whole family.

• Makes up to nine 2 1/4" x 3 1/2" pops (three 2-oz. pops at a time) before refreezing is required.
• Nonstick cast-aluminum molds have a proprietary solution sealed inside their bases to enable rapid, uniform freezing.
• A specially designed tool helps to quickly release the frozen treats from their molds.
• Durable, reusable plastic pop sticks have unique ridged designs that allow pops to adhere securely.
• Special drip guards promote tidy eating.
• Includes base, remover tool, six reusable pop sticks and six reusable drip guards.
• A Williams-Sonoma exclusive.

If I didn't already want to throw a popsicle party, now I definitely do!  Shoot...I might just throw one for myself...and eat a popsicle every 7-9 minutes :).

Summer Fun: Flea Markets

(photo courtesy of Plum Water Cottage)

Every fourth Saturday of the month, the Nashville State Fair Grounds has a massive flea market.  I've actually only visited one time - when I first moved to Nashville 8 years ago.  I didn't walk away empty handed though!  I purchased a fantastic cedar lined chest for $75!  It's huge, perfectly restored, and has served many different purposes over the past 8 years.

I really enjoy a good flea market or yard sale to find those "hard to come by" vintage, retro, and one-of-a-kind items that help make a party unique and fun, but there are a few tips to remember before heading out.

1.  Know what you're looking for!

I can't emphasise how important this is.  Most people are not a fan of flea markets because it's simply overwhelming to take it all in.  I totally get that!  You walk into this huge warehouse of a building and it's not like they put all the glassware in one area.  It's booth after booth of a hodge-podge of items, and even though so many of those things may be a total gold mine, you pass them up because you don't even notice them in the midst of all the other stuff surrounding them.  Just a few of the fun things on my list for this weekend: mason jars (variety of shapes, sizes, colors), demitase spoons, cordial glasses, vintage canned goods (empty, of course...but with vintage labels), milk glass, old bottles, cake plates, etc.  Also, if you need something for a specific space, be sure to bring measurements!!

2.  Know how much you should pay.

This is sometimes easier said than done, but you should have an idea of what a bargain really is before you end up with something old that cost you more than it should.  A perfect example of this was the time that I purchased the cedar chest.  I wasn't sure if $75 was a good deal or if I could go to a furniture store and pay the same price (I was really young, okay? :)).  I called my mom, knowing she had a cedar chest and asked if she had a rough idea of what a decent price would be, and she (amazingly) remembered paying $150 for theirs when they first got married!  That's all I needed to know in order to hand over my cash to the seller!

3.  Set a budget before you leave.

Flea markets are full of great deals, but just because it's a great deal doesn't mean you should spend the money!  Know your budget before you leave and promise yourself you won't go over.  It's even a good idea just to bring cash and leave your wallet at home so you're not even tempted.

4.  Don't be afraid to barter.

You know a good deal when you see one, so if it's a fair price, leave it well enough alone and be satisfied with the steal you're getting. BUT, if it's a great item with a pricetag that's a little higher than you'd like to pay, it never hurts to ask.  The worst they can say is "no".  I've heard that there's a 20% margin, but I'm sure that varies from vendor to vendor.  Whatever you do, be fair.  Don't ask for diamonds with only pennies in your pocket. 

5.  Get there early or take a risk and get there late!

You have two options - either get there first thing in the morning so the best deals are not picked over, OR, get there late and risk the possibility that the vendors will be leaving and want as little to haul back as possible and will therefore give you a good deal if you'll just take it off of their hands.  Best selection: early. Best Deals: late. 

6.  Use your imagination!

This is a tough one for a lot of people, but it's the best thing you can do when walking into a flea market!  You might see an old hat box that has a cool exterior finish and think, "I don't wear hats, I wouldn't use that, but it sure is pretty!", but take that hat box, flip it upside down and you could have a really cool cake stand for a dessert spread!  An old wooden flower box with multiple dividers?  Now a perfect dish for candy, nuts or toppings (with a clean, interior liner, of course).  If you find something that really captures your eye, try to think outside the box of other functions it could be used for beyond what it was created to be.

I'd love to see your greatest flea market find!  If you have a story (or even better, a picture!), send me an email and any tips you'd like to share!

Happy Shopping!!

Feeling "crabby"?

Well this should cheer you up!  Check out TomKat Studio's "Tommy's Crab Shack Party".  Oh for cuteness sake!  I'm loving the red, white & blue theme, which is such a great thing to take advantage of with all of the 4th of July decor available this time of year!  Check out her site for links to the various pieces she's included in this party...as well as all of her other amazing work!

Inspired by Popsicles

Do you ever have those moments where you just see something and it sparks one thought that leads into a hundred more?  Well, last night I saw a popsicle and started mentally planning an entire party around it!

The invitations, the favors, the menu, the decor...all based off of a popsicle...how cute?!  I'm sure it's been done before, but I'd rather not know and just run with the thoughts that are milling around in my mind.  I'm writing all of them down so that when the opportunity arises, there will be a festive popsicle party! :)  I would love to know how to make pointy popsicles as in the picture above (found on this blog).  If anyone knows where I can purchase a mold like that, do tell!  I do love all the varieties of popsicle molds that Tovolo offers.  I could see this being not only a great kids party, but also a fun adult party as well.  Maybe there would be cocktail-inspired popsicles??  You could even combine the two and have a fun family outdoor get-together and have a popsicle party for all ages!

The possibilities are endless...as are the varieties of popsicles.  Anyone else craving a creamy chocolate jell-o pop about now? :)

Nautical Invitations

I apologize for the rough pictures (I tend to be a night owl and artificial light doesn't necessarily produce the best images!), so I'll try to take some better pictures in the daylight.  These are the invitations I created for the upcoming nautical shower for baby Hoop.  I'm obsessed with envelope "wraps" - mostly because it allows you to use any color of envelope, no matter how dark, without looking tacky with a big white label on the front.  May take a tad bit more time to assemble, but I think the finished product makes it all worthwhile!

Ahoy, It's a Boy!

As I mentioned earlier, I'm working on a shower for a baby boy...and this one has a nautical theme which is just perfect for a baby shower in the summer! I'm working on the table design, but here are just a few pieces of inspiration - some that will be used, others that won't...and some that just inspire an idea beyond the idea. I just finished the invitations last night and have sent them off to the printer! Maybe you've done a nautical shower or birthday party before and have some great ideas - I'd love to hear them! Stay tuned for more details!

1. Sailboat Cupcakes (Cake Central)

2. Sail Cupcake Toppers (The Party Dress)

3. Nautical Cupcake Stand (The Celebration Shoppe)

4. White Frosted Donuts

5. Sailboat Cake (Imprintables)

6. Sailboat Gift Packaging (d.Sharp Journal) 

7. Striped Straws (Bake It Pretty)

8. Blue Bottled Drinks (615 Creative)

9. Donutpops (Country Living)

10. Pirate Ship Fruit Bowl (Fat & Happy)

11. Red Striped Paper Plates (Paper Style)

12. Nautical Banner (The Sweetest Occasion)

13. Sailboat Placecards (Piece of Cake)

14. Table Banners (Ascot Friday)

15. Blue Saltwater Taffy

16. Sand & Seashell Filled Apothecary Jars (Just a Girl)

17. Sailboat (Christian Book)

"New Chick" inspiration board

1. Pink Poms (Martha Stewart)

2. Knot Straws (Wedding by Color)

3. Tree Centerpiece (ShopHollyDays)

4. Winter Tree Centerpiece (The Inspired Bride)

5. Bird's Nest Cupcakes (Hostess with the Mostess)

6. Bird House Cupcake Stand Topper (The Celebration Shop)

7. Petit Fours (I can't for the life of me remember where I pulled this image.  Our actual petit fours were from The Flour Shop in Brentwood)

8. Fabric Birds (The Long Thread)

9. Fabric Banner (also can't find this specific image link, but Nestables makes the same things)

10. Apothecary Labels (Lolliblog)
11. Dessert Table Layout (Amy Atlas)
12. Favor Bags & Almonds (That Final Touch store on Etsy)

Preliminary Sketch

I know this is a little bit backwards, but thought I'd post the original sketch from the "New Chick for the Nest" shower so you can see everything from start to finish!

A New Chick for the Nest

My friend Nicki was in charge of co-hosting a baby shower for a friend in her Bible study.  Their group happens to be called the "Hot Chicks", so what better theme than "A New Chick for the Nest"? There were a few details here and there that I would change (you learn as you go!), but overall I was pretty satisfied with the outcome.  I do know the guests enjoyed it - and ultimately, that's all that really matters!

Facebook

I promise this page will start looking less empty soon!  I have spent every evening working on the shower for this weekend and I can't wait to show you the final product!  Check back in on Monday for all the details!

Meanwhile, if you have a second, please go to my facebook page and become a fan.  I need 25 people to be able to customize the facebook URL, but here's hoping that number continues to grow well beyond that!  If you have a blog, please feel free to post about this new venture and spread the word to your family and friends.  Even if you're not local, I can still design from a distance! :).

Up next: another baby shower, this time, for a boy!  I don't want to give away all the details yet, but it involves seersucker, red ribbons...and donuts!  Stay tuned!