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Inspiration for a Valentine’s Dinner at Home

January 31, 2010

It’s almost time {two week countdown} for your LBD and that sweet *little date night* called Valentine’s Day. If you’re anything like my husband and me, this day often comes and goes without much ado. Life is too busy, after all, to buy roses and make dinner reservations! But this year I’m changing that. How sweet – sigh – would a romantic dinner at home be? Here’s a little inspiration to lead you in that direction:

{Shabby Chic & Sweet} Tea party-esque Valentine’s Day decor would make for a lovely evening. Wild roses from the garden, vintage plates and a tiered cake stand filled with morsels to share.

{For the Heartfelt Romantics} For those of us who love a little whimsical, dress up your dinner table in layers of fabric, a touch of vintage lace and sweet mini bouquets.

{Contemporary & Bright} Coral pink, blue and yellow make this modern Valentine’s Day table setting special. Incorporate patterned and geometric prints in a homemade menu, table cloth or napkin – white ceramic vases create a clean finish.

And if you still cannot be persuaded that a dinner in may just be the way to go, check back soon for a Romantic Dinner Giveaway to make prep for February 14 easy and pretty!

{Images: design*sponge, Style Me Pretty & Green Wedding Shoes}

Sledge Hammer Stories Part 2

January 30, 2010

Here’s a quick catch-up on the little project of overhauling our outdoor space. The above is a picture of our backyard when we purchased the property – a modified ‘Outdoor Room’ complete with carpeting and brick planter boxes.

We envisioned a different sort of… er… outdoor space. One that was a bit more practical and a bit more appealing – and one that would, in fact, be outdoors. Here’s a quick look at the inspiration board that sat patiently in the back of our minds: Sledge Hammer Stories Part 1.

And then the project began! What fun to tear down walls and roofs with the hopes of a beautiful new backyard soon to come.

Weekends were spent pulling up carpet, knocking bricks apart, ripping old cabinetry off of walls, and finally tearing down the roof and support beams. Here’s the hubby hard at work re-routing electrical… as Bodie, the patient puppy, looks on. More to come!

Friday Guest Blog Interview: Maddycakes Muse

January 29, 2010

Today’s Friday guest blog interview brings us over to the darling site, Maddycakes Muse. Have you had a chance to check out this neat party inspiration blog yet? If not, you’ll love her frugalista approach to all things entertaining. Michelle recently showcased her Dr. Suess Thing One, Thing Two party for an event industry convention, Parties for Pennies, and planned the entire party for just $213!! (more on that after the jump…)

She “muses” about all things creative and beautiful: coffee filter roses & mailed diaper invitations (for a baby shower) being two of my recent favorites on the creative side (would that not make you smile to get one in the mail?) and beautiful damask dinner parties and elaborate tablescapes being on the beautiful end. On that note, how lovely is this Asian-themed dinner party?

I love all of the brilliant colors! and the bamboo name cards double as a clever favor. The tablecloth is actually an Ikea duvet cover found in the As-Is section at a steal of a price (note to self: search through sheets at Ikea asap).

When Michelle is not sharing her latest finds online, she designs & plans childrens parties through her business (by the same name) in Pheonix, Arizona.

If you didn’t think entertaining on a budget was possible – check out two more delicious tablescapes after the jump! and Michelle takes a moment to answer PDB’s four interview questions. Continue reading →