The Perfect Wife

I love these save the dates!  Featured on Oh Happy Day by Office Optimist, via For Print Only via Simple Song on twitter.

They would make great birthday party invitations too!

Whether you are decorating cookies, cake or have some extra marshmallows laying around, why not try some marshmallow fondant?  Thanks over at Clockwork Lemon for these super easy directions on how to make marshmallow fondant.

Visit the site for the step by step tutorial. Here is the brief version:

All you need is:

1. Marshmallows - they can be big marshmallows or mini ones, either one works fine.
2. Icing sugar - You’ll be mixing the icing sugar into the marshmallows to make a dough so I usually make sure that I have an entire bag on hand.. but I rarely use the whole bag.
3. Food colouring
4. Flavoring oil - This is optional. If you don’t add this your fondant will be sweet and flavorless which works well if your got all the flavors your want in your cake already

Step One:

Take a couple of handfuls of marshmallows and put them in a microwave safe bowl. Add a couple of drops of water and toss the marshmallows in it until they are all a bit damp. If you are going to just make one colour then put the whole bag of marshmallows in the bowl and add a couple of teaspoons of water. If you’re going to put flavoring oil in, add it now and add less water

I like to make smaller batches because its easier to add the colour to the melted marshmallow than it is to work the colour into the fondant later.

Step Two:

Stick the marshmallows in the microwave for ten seconds at a time until the are puffed up and easily stir into a goo with a wooden spoon. Tip: Grease your spoon with butter, things can get a bit sticky.

Step Three:

Add food colouring  to the melted marshmallows until you get the colour you want. Remember that you’re going to be adding icing sugar which will lighten the colour so make it a bit brighter than you need.

Step Four:

Start folding icing sugar into the marshmallow goo until it becomes a soft and fluffy dough. Grease your hands with a bit of butter and turn the marshmallow out onto a table sprinkled with icing sugar. Continue to knead in icing sugar until the fondant is stiff enough to roll out.

If you add too little icing sugar the fondant will be very sticky- Just add more icing sugar

If you add too much icing sugar the fondant will be very stiff and hard to roll out - knead in a little bit of butter

Images: Clockwork Lemon

Aren’t these great?  I wish I had a teepee.   My nephew LOVES them!

Land of Nod

Moozle

With the World Series just around the corner, I thought this was an appropriate post found on Style Me Pretty.  How absolutely sweet and creative is this wedding?  If you want your groom to participate in the wedding planning, this is a sure bet. 

Photos by: John Schnack – Schnack Studios

Now this is what I’m talking about…build your own candy bar at Chocomize! 

Customize your own candy bar by choosing from hundreds of nuts, fruit, candy—and even basil or oregano!  Just create, buy, and in a few days, your personalized candy bars will be at your doorstep packaged in ice! Yumm

Images: Chocomize

I’ve retired from trick or treating…for now, but I would definitely knock on this front door

To learn how to create this great outdoor display for fall, visit Twig & Thistle

Materials
Pumpkins in varying sizes
Matte Black Spray Paint
Gold Spray Paint
Black Vinyl Sticker Numbers (Found at local art supply stores)
Spiky Plants (I used 2 Cordyline Plants)
Black Halloween Wreath (Found at Target)
Black Urns (Found at Target)
Black Ribbon

Instructions1. Wash and throughly dry pumpkins. Once completley dry, spray paint pumpkins in desired colors. I choose to make one gold to stand out.2. While the pumpkins are drying, spray paint plants in the same or a complimentary shade of spray paint. Try to find a plant that looks full but has few leaves. It can take some time to paint all the leaves so the fewer the better.3. Once the pumpkins have dried, place your house numbers where desired taking care to align and center them.4. Now with all the pieces ready, it’s time to decorate! Using some black ribbon, hang the wreath on the front of your door. Flank either side with a black urn filled will brilliant gold plants. To complete the look, place the pumpkins to one side so that you can clearly see the house numbers.

These are some of the cutest iPhone cases I’ve seen.  From Chilewich.  Not only are they indestructible but totally stylish.

Even though I can’t shake my blackberry for an iPhone, I’m definitely a fan.

Tis the season for homemade jams and spreads. 

Download these free templates for your own canning jar labels, courtesy of Wendolonia.

Images: Wendolonia

Or download these adorable (and free) heart shaped labels from eat drink chic

Image:eat drink chic

The Kitchn featured the top six eco friendly cleaners for your pad.  Read the reviews of each one here.

I use Shaklee which you have to order online, but you only need to mix a small amount of the concentrate with water so it lasts a super long time!

photo: the kitchn

Thanks to Knight Moves for featuring this ultra plush gorgeous room. 

For beautiful custom couches, check out the selection at Custom Sofa Design 

The prices are pretty reasonable considering the custom work.  They offer a large variety of shapes, sizes and fabric.

Bianca - $899

Sofia - $699 

Axelle - $899 

    Octavia - $899                                      

Marc

Check out these great industrial looking glass jug lanterns from Shades of Light

Perfect for the kitchen.  A little bit of vintage and modern.

Check out this recipe for an afternoon coffee break…with a little something special!  Perfect for a nice fall day. 

Recipe courtesy of Sunset

Photo: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Randy Mon

Time: 5 minutes.

Serves 2

4  tablespoons  each brandy, Kahlúa, and crème de cacao

3  cups  freshly brewed hot coffee

4  tablespoons  whipped cream (optional)

Divide brandy, Kahlúa, and crème de cacao between two mugs. Add half of coffee to each. Top with whipped cream if you like.

Perfect inspiration for this rainy day…

ishootnouns on etsy

Now if you’re planning on having lots of kiddies…check out this table from Hudson Goods

Made from reclaimed wood, this 12 seat table is perfect for entertaining!

I would die, with a capital D, for this closet!

Think of how much more fun it would be getting ready for a night out in this gorgeous bathroom/closet.  I don’t know if I would ever leave!

Image: Lonny Magazine

Gifts to fall in love with

Top Left:           Seda France Candle, Japanese Quince

                            BR Cohn Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Bottom Right:   Hermes Perfume: Elixir Des Merveilles

                            Chanel Blue Satin Nail Polish

Here is an all natural, cheap and fun way to do your laundry. 

Here’s SouleMama’s recipe:

Homemade Laundry Powder
(Makes approximately 5 cups)
2 cups (finely) grated castile soap*
1 cup borax
1 cup baking soda
1 cup soda ash (washing soda)

“Mix everything together, and store in an airtight jar. Depending on your water, you might need to adjust the sodas a bit, and the amount used per load. I use 1/8 cup per load. You may need to give the jar a shake once in a while to prevent the soap flakes from settling to the bottom.”

*Try Dr. Bronners different scents: citrus, lavender, almond, peppermint, rose, tea tree, etc.

(Image: SouleMama)

This weeks top favs

Dapper Paper has creative and one of a kind greeting cards

Note Trunk has some beautiful custom address stamps

Sarahseven makes some of the most beautiful and whimsical dresses

The best site for paperless electronic invitations and greeting cards!

http://www.paperlesspost.com/session/new