Everyday Celebrating

Wordless Wednesday: Jars!

ok, breaking the rules.... don't forget, to get this look inexpensively - Goodwill!  Lots of mason jars! 

Creating occasions at Goodwill!

If you read this blog much, you know that I shop Goodwill quite a bit.  For me, and I know how corny this sounds, it's a place to clear my head and flip the creative switch.  I've told this to people before and many just don't understand.  Or, I've had several people write in saying they just never "see" things at Goodwill or can't find anything good.  With these comments as well as a few people asking what my thought process is while shopping Goodwill, I thought I'd start a series where I show things I find and the logic of how I'd use it.  There are many times that a theme is seen and decor pieces are put together AT Goodwill.

Let's get started.  These photos I'm showing today came from one store.  During one trip.  

First, I always find many many items that jump out as inspiration pieces.  Here are a few:

Polka dot box.  The famous disco dot pattern.  Michael Miller revived the disco dot pattern and I'm so glad he did.  It's everywhere!  When I saw this, I thought it was perfect to design several occasions around.  Baby shower, young girl's birthday, bachelorette party, summer girl's get together, to name a few.  Uses for the box?   It would be beautiful to sit a large carnation ball in as a centerpiece or line with tissue paper and use to hold favors, etc.  Of course, just the box along is adorable and would make a great gift box.  Throw in some Bath and Body Works products and a note for a friend who needs a pick me up?

Children's art.  This was a poster size piece of children's art on canvas.  Absolutely adorable!  You know how I talk about backdrops a lot.  This would be a great backdrop or focal point of a table for a baby shower.  Especially if the theme of the shower or the baby's nursery is something included in this art.  This is an amazing piece for party decor because it has so many common themes included:  airplane, animals, firetrucks, robot, rocket, etc.  A great piece to tie into!

  

Tea cup.  Looking at it now, I should have put it against something to really get the scale of this thing.  It was HUGE.  First thing I thought when I saw it was spray paint it!  Secondly, I thought 2 things:  either using it for an Alice in Wonderland party or a fun tea party either for little girls or older.  Uses for it may be holding a floral centerpiece or using as a punchbowl (seriously, it was THAT large). Of course, you'd have to line it with another bowl if you spray painted it to make it safe for food/beverage.  Or, place a large round piece of wood on top and use it as a themed cupcake stand or serving piece.  Lots of uses for this but it definitely needed to be painted first.

 
Then there are items that I see that already have a theme.  Like these three things:

Firetruck boots.  No transformation needed!  Add them to a firetruck theme child's birthday.  And do what with them?  Create a floral arrangement or fill them with floral foam and stick in long all day suckers. Another idea is to stick something in the bottom of both of them to elevate a cup and fill the cup with fun striped straws like these from Garnish.

Chairs.  Snow White and Cinderella.  Very common children's themes.  When I look at these, I see cupcake stands or a great place to hold a platter.  In using them to serve food, you won't be covering up the characters and can use them to really add a larger decor piece to your party inexpensively.  Plus, you can give them to the guest of honor afterwards!  These needed just a bit of touch up paint on the edges and they would be perfect!

 

Dragons.  I instantly think something like Harry Potter.  This could easily be in the center of your table on a stand or an easel.

Now there are many times that the Goodwill stars align and you find several items that fit one theme.  
Like during this trip, I saw this.  A massive margarita glass.  I'm thinking margarita party featuring various flavors, or a gathering of friends before a Jimmy Buffett concert to create a margaritaville concept.  Luau, pool party... tons of themes.  

How would you use it?  Floral arrangement?  Or place 3 regular size margarita glasses inside this one to create a graduated stand to display margarita cupcakes?   Or, if you're serving margaritas on the rocks, it's a great serving piece.

So, in the next aisle over, there was this sign.  Perfect to use in the margarita theme.  You can't tell it from the photo, but the actual margarita is 3D in that it is raised and has depth. Really cute! Place it on an easel  to add additional theme and color.

Need dishes to continue the colorful occasion?  Again, one aisle over....
The great thing about Goodwill is that, more times than not, you can find whole sets of dishes.

Then you're well on your way to a party!

So there you have it!  A small glimpse of how my mind works while shopping Goodwill.  For those of you that wrote in, I hope it's useful. :)  Email or leave a comment below!   I'm happy to make this a regular feature! 
 
  

Pom Pom Vines

Once Wed shows these adorable pom pom vines for a rustic outdoor setting.

Leaves can be cut from green paper or you could use real magnolia or other wide sturdy leaves.

 
 

DIY: Mini ice cream sandwich sticks

Amy at Living Locurto made these easy and cute ice cream sandwiches on a stick.  

Couldn't get much easier that this.

Take full size ice cream sandwiches straight out of the box.

Cut them in half, add a stick and dip them into sprinkles!

Use red, white and blue for July 4th or Labor Day.. or use whatever color combination matches your event! These would be especially cute at a tailgate.  Cover them in sprinkles of your school's colors, keep them in a cooler until time to serve!

 

Whiffle ball bouquet

What do you do with this?

add some spray paint.... and get.....

  

Whiffle ball bouquet!  I love it because it's a bit thicker and more ruffle edged than a pom.  Whiffle balls and coffee filters found at the dollar store! 
  
Find the full tutorial on the whiffle ball bouquet at Me Making Do

Still time to: Welcome your guests with streamers

Even though July 4th is Sunday, there is plenty of time to create an easy way to welcome your guests.

These streamers create gentle movement in the breeze and are made from items found at the Dollar Tree.

The poles are actually bamboo stakes normally used in gardening.  These are  green 5 ft stakes and are $1 for a package of 6 or so.   Spray paint those the color of your choice.  I used white.

Right now, most Dollar Tree stores have rolls of satin ribbon in stock.  I chose red, white and blue.  $1 per roll.  Cut long pieces of each color and hot glue one end to the top of the stake.

These can be placed anywhere... line your driveway, place them at the corners of your patio, stand them up in sand filled pots on your porch, etc.  Use any colors you want for any occasion.  These would be great for a bridal shower, graduation in school colors or child's birthday in primary colors!

This week: on my desk

One sprig of beautiful blooms from an outside bush held by a chemistry beaker.  Yes, that's a pyrex chemistry beaker.  It's simple and you can create a pop of color easily as it only holds a couple stems.

Pyrex beaker at Goodwill.  $.49.   Another example of thinking outside of the box when you shop.

Next week, I'll show the perfect Fourth of July use for inexpensive goodwill mason jars.

Vellum mobile

  

Great tutorial on making these vellum mobiles on Project Wedding.

Great for birthday parties, showers, etc. These would be a great addition for a Cinco de Mayo party in reds, oranges and yellows!  Vellum lets the light shine through!

Don't sew?... no big deal... just use a dab of hot glue or even tape to string.

Cascarones to celebrate Cinco de Mayo

Cascarones are the ultimate Fiesta and Cinco de Mayo party favor and decoration!

Cascarones are brightly colored confetti-filled eggs. Cascarones may be used to decorate centerpieces, wreaths, or party table tops.  They are also very popular for Easter celebrations.

Although cascarones make great decoration accessories, they are primarily used as party favors and jokes, or gags, as they are cracked over unsuspecting people's heads. 

Buy some at Amols.

Inexpensive summertime dishes

So most of us are still battling winter and most of us are over it.  LOL  We're moving on to thoughts of warmer weather, sunshine and bright colors.

Speaking of bright colors, how about those dishes?  Are you a fan of Fiestaware but need a cheaper alternative?  Or do you already have Fiestaware and you're looking for some accent pieces to give some punch?  Are you a dish junkie who has several sets {blush} and just want something new and friendly for summer that isn't going to break the bank and you won't feel badly if one breaks?

Enter Dollar Tree!

These are the summer dishes coming out at the Dollar Tree.  $24 for SET!  FOUR SETTINGS!  Of, you guessed it, 24 pieces.

Wouldn't these make a great gift?  Bridal shower or birthday... even if you got the set and put it back for next Christmas, even.

Go to the Dollar Tree site, enter your zip code to find ones near you or order online.