Make It: Paper Cones

Sometimes we all just need a dose of joy, don’t we? Paper cones are one of the sweetest {and simplest} ways to jazz up the joy factor at parties and weddings. There are so many ways to use these delightful props: think fuzzy confetti, dried lavender, rose petals and as treat cones filled to the brim with popcorn. What’s sweeter? They’re so simple to make yet when created with patterned paper, look like you spend an afternoon whipping up these paper gems.

You’ll need: decortive paper or maps {cut in rectangular strips to 11″ x 7″} | scissors | glue

Step 1: cut your paper to size {depending on the desired look of your cone} – we recommend about 11″ x 7″

Step 2: take the top right-hand corner of the paper and curl down and around {making a cone shape} to the bottom left-hand point.

Step 3: dab a bead of glue down the seam and hold in place {you can use a clothespin} until dried. We’ve found that hot glue also does the trick as it dries so quickly.

Now, you can fold down the tip or {as seen below in our map cones} leave up.

Photos by Rippee Photography for Valley & Co.

Here are some of our handmade paper map cones in action, made for one of our weddings and filled with petals for guests to toss post-ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Jasmine Star for Valley & Co.

So sweet, right? What moments could you use these for?

DIY: Pastel Ombré Easter Eggs

Happy nearly-Easter, friends! We hope you’re having a wonderfully fun-filled holiday weekend with your family – perhaps long brunches, Easter egg hunts and strolls to admire the blossoming cherry trees and budding crocuses are on your agenda? We’re doing much of the above and it feels oh-so good!

We also got creative with dyeing Easter eggs {oh, how this brings out the kid in us!} with a fresh approach. Ombré is a fun color treatment we’ve used on a few projects now {remember those flags we made for our client’s beach wedding a few weeks ago?} and we wanted to put it to use for unique Easter eggs and a Twitter challenge. The result of a #HolidayHQ Twitter chat we co-hosted last week, the Easter Egg Challenge was born; several of tackled a variety of eggs, some neon, and using mediums of dye, paint and even markers.

To make these eggs you’ll need: Easter egg dye tablets {from the pre-made kits} or food coloring | white vinegar | boiled eggs | large hair ties or rubberbands | a wire egg spoon | for added fun - thread and twine can jazz up your eggs, too!

Step 1: boil your eggs by placing them in cold water in a pot. Turn the burner on high and bring to a rolling boil.

This is not a rolling boil, just wait another minute!

Step 2: once the water comes to a full boil turn the burner off and place a lid on the pot, leaving the eggs in the hot water for about 8 minutes. No more!

Step 3: While the eggs are cooking you can prep your dyes. For this ombré treatment you will need three gradients of dye. We used small bistro glasses and ramekins filled with a dark dye, a mid-grade, and a lighter that had been diluted with one part water and two parts vinegar. Prep the first dye based on the instructions on the dye kit or by eye if you’re using food coloring.

Like so. Depending on how bright or pastel you want your eggs, use more or less water and vinegar and more dye tablets or food coloring.

Step 4: once your timer is up remove the boiled eggs and give them a cold water bath. This will make for easy handling and {a boiled egg trick} will stop the cooking process so they don’t over cook. Removing the shell is also much easier if you’re boiling eggs for eating.

As we did on some of our eggs, you can wrap a large hair tie or rubber band around the egg for added aesthetic fun.

Step 5: take your first egg and dip it into the lightest dye first, nearly to the top. You want to leave the cap of the egg white.

Leave in the dye for about 1 minute or so, depending on the effect you want. Slowly remove the egg.

Step 6: place the egg, up to the middle, into the mid-leveled dye. You’re simply giving the middle of the egg a darker effect than the first treatment. Leave in the dye for about a minute.

Step 7: place the bottom of the egg in the darkest dye and leave for 2 minutes.

The result: delightful pastel eggs that have a color gradient effect. We used a rainbow of colors as well for an especially sweet look.

 However you spend this holiday weekend, we wish you a wonderful one!

West Elm Urban Garden Event Seattle – Contributor Post

Friday! Cheers! What a week it was. In case you missed it, we co-hosted a splendid Twitter chat on Wednesday with some entertaining mavens where we chatted about all things Easter and holiday entertaining - you can check out the blog hop with Easter ideas here:

It was so much fun and a great mid-week pick me up! Stay tuned as the next chat will be on May 2nd talking all things lovely for Mother’s Day.

Now onto today’s goodness…as you may or may not know, we hail from the Emerald City of Seattle. Yep. The land of gorgeous ferry rides, tasty wines and cheeses, and rain….but we love it so. We made the move to San Diego a handful of years ago but we’re back frequently to visit our families and our clients and for our events. Needless to say, we sometimes miss our on fun shindigs like this West Elm Urban Garden event, when we’re not in town. So fantastic contributors like Vienna Catalani take us up on the invite and give us the skinny on the goodness!

From Vienna: Terrariums are out in full force this season, and with them come succulents, patterns and tons of love for the outdoors. After visiting West Elm and watching their urban gardener put together a mess of cool stuff, I was both overwhelmed and inspired. What they have on sale you probably have at home (hello glass bowl!), and that’s what I love- extending the life of an otherwise ordinary object that’s just gathering dust.

Armed with inspiration from my visit, I spent some time waking up my home, readying it for spring and dreaming of what I’ll do for summer. First, I made a terrarium with a glass bowl, adding plants I found at Lowes. After making the terrarium, I thought about how great the bowl would look with fresh peaches in it for summer.

I took their dried lavender bouquet idea and jazzed-up place settings for a lil outdoor dinner party I hosted.

I daydreamed about using their utensil caddy as a way to hold all my s’more goodies, am scouring Etsy for a similar printed floor pouf to use as an ottoman, and am wondering if it’s too late to try their cool looking “seed bombs.”

Photos by Vienna Catalani

As an afterthought today, I’m going to add the amazing air plants I saw to an old small birdcage and hang it in the bathroom. I love creation/inspiration, so I snapped some photos of their ideas, mixing in what I did at home. Enjoy!

Thank you so so much, Vienna! We loved your images and ideas! So happy you enjoyed yourself and were able to check out the goodness at West Elm back in Seattle for us! We hope you all have a magnificent weekend planned. What’s on the agenda?

Table Top Elements for a Marvelous Easter Brunch

Happy Wednesday, lovelies! Today is extra special as we’re gearing up to co-host the #HolidayHQ Twitter chat at 8pm EST tonight. We’ve joined forces with some magnificent entertaining mavens and we’re all ready to chat and share our Easter and Passover tips with you. If you’d like to join in the fun you can hop on Twitter and follow along with the hashtag #HolidayHQ – we’ll be asking and responding to a number of entertaining questions. You can also sign onto Tweetgrid.com and click the 1 x 2 feature and plug in #HolidayHQ under the search category. That should keep you up-to-the-minute on the chat!

Spring is possibly the most wonderful season as it’s signifies so much. Springtime for us bubbles up memories of magnificent family celebrations that included birthdays and Easter brunches with all of the trimmings. Memories of maple glazed hams studded with pineapple caramelized to perfection, hand dyed and painted Easter eggs, blooming branches taking center stage on the table top, napkins adorned with sweet treats, and laughter. When plotting out your own Easter brunch there are a few key must-haves to set the stage effortlessly for your own memorable celebration.

No. 1: A finished place setting is a must and can be done effortlessly. For this look we simply placed four $.20 tiles together to form a place mat, topped with a plate and handmade napkin and cinched with rope. Adorn with a fresh bloom from your garden and you’ll be sure to impress your guests!

No. 2: Delightful patterned flatware makes any place setting pop. If you don’t have enough for your party, head to your local rental company to pick up an order {read: no delivery fee!} that coordinates with your vision.

No. 3 Itty Bitty Potato Bites with crisped prosciutto and chives are oh-so tasty and easy to prep in advance.

No. 4 Herbed Goat Cheese Rounds are the perfect bite to greet your guests with and taste so light and fresh. Pair with a rosemary crisp and you’ve got the perfect pairing.

No. 5 A great mimosa alternative, Spiked Rosemary Lemonade, can be made in batches ahead of time and served with a rosemary sprig and sugared lemon wheels. Always remember to serve up non-alcoholic drinks as well but dress them up equally as lovely. Fresh herbs and fruit like berries do wonders to dress up even the most basic drink or flute of sparkling water.

No. 6 A fresh textured springtime arrangement adds the perfect finishing touch to your table. Monochromatic blooms in a variety of textures add a pop of magic. Place in vibrant vessels or a galvanized bucket for a garden feeling. {You can see our arrangement how-to here}.

Remember that entertaining effortlessly is all about the thought and care you put into it. Wow your guests with a short and sweet menu that has all of the trimmings, dress your tables with blooms you’ve taken a moment to carefully arrange and add your touch to, and go the extra mile with finishing touches. This can be as simple as a cocktail garnish, a rope napkin wrap or a take-home favor for your guests. Enjoy!

Please head on over to these wonderful blogs who are keeping the Easter and Passover chat rolling along with fun and lovely entertaining tips and ideas:

A Giveaway! IceMilk Aprons

My, oh my! {Those of you Seattle readers might recognize that springtime sentiment fondly, a la Dave Niehaus – former Mariners announcer!} We are so delighted with today’s post as it just hugs the fresh season and inspires us to get into the kitchen to bake up some sort of lemony chiffon cake, shortbread peppered with rosemary or a tart brimming with fresh berries; something delicious that signifies springtime and freshness. We’re both keen on baked delights that warm the heart and signal the season and an IceMilk apron is the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon spent with loved ones baking up a storm in the kitchen.

There are several ways you can enter to win your apron: 1. head on over to IceMilk Aprons and peruse their lovely aprons. Come back and leave a comment letting us know which is your favorite. 2. Follow us on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you do 3. Follow along on Twitter and Tweet “I entered to win an IceMilk apron on Valley & Co. | Lifestyle!” 4. Follow IceMilk Aprons on Twitter 5. Follow IceMilk Aprons on Facebook.

So. There you go – a handful of ways to enter to win this perfect springtime treat. Come on back next Friday, April 6th, when we choose our winner! And without further adieu, Ashley, talented Heirloom Designer, is sharing some lovely springtime picks.

 

 

We have been lucky with some unseasonably  warm weather as of late, so warm weather has certainly been on my mind. Here are a few of my must-have top picks for you this Spring!