Warm days and lazy weekends call for hosting outdoor parties! Today’s post gives an outline and menu for an outdoor seafood party….complete with dessert! Drawing inspiration from a 1956 New England Cookbook (see source at end of post) this party will sure to be a hit whether you live on the east coast or the midwest!
Lets start with the menu – all recipes/ideas follow menu outline:
Seafood bake or Boil
Parker House Rolls Mustard Pickles
Marble Cake
Watermelon Refresher
I think that sending out invitations, announcements, and actual holiday cards are such a wonderful way to share good news and good wishes in this digital day and age! I mean, when you think about it, receiving a thick, beautifully designed card in the mail is just as exciting as receiving a gift…at least in my book! It is a way to send a lovely thought to someone special whether they live just a few doors down or across the country. I have even taken to shopping thrift stores and flea markets for vintage cards as they are lovely to display!
Just look at this sweet one:
And of course the same can be said of cards and invitations today!
Well, a few weeks ago a lovely invitation business called Basic Invite reached out to me to share their wonderful designs with all of you! Having just had a baby and wishing to share the news with EVERYONE, I had stationary on my mind so was thrilled to learn all about this company!! From designing your own party invitations whether for a boy or your daughter’s elegant sweet 16, this company has you covered! Talking to one of their lovely associates Kaytee, I learned all about what makes Basic Invite different….in all the good ways of course! 😉
Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. I personally love this option as many companies only give you options of what “they” think would look good…and sometimes I have other ideas!
How sweet is this first birthday invitation?!?!
Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order. Who wouldn’t LOVE this?!?!? Sometimes a digital image just doesn’t cut it and when it comes to something as special as a wedding invitation or announcement….you want to make sure your vision translates well on paper!
I love when you can combine a family photo and a greeting card all in one!!
Basic Invite is just as colorful with their envelopes as they are with their invitations. Customers can choose from over 40 different colors when it comes to their envelopes so that they can make their invitation stand out even before it is opened. All of their envelopes are peel and seal so the envelopes can be quickly and securely closed. This last part really appealed to me as I have spent way too many hours licking envelopes and…well…that glue certainly doesn’t taste all that great!
Having the option for both an invitation and matching thank you card I think is such great idea!!
Use their free address collection service to request your addresses with just three simple steps. Share a link, collect addresses, and get free envelope printing.
Say what?!?!? Sign me up for that!
Where I can read my own handwriting…sometimes…a beautifully printed one just looks better!
This sweet invitation is a great choice for a baby shower where the gender is a surprise!
So while I am still a few months off from sending out my daughter’s first birthday invitations, I have already picked out the most perfect one to use from Basic Invite! 🙂 I’m thinking something like this…
If you are anything like me, invitations and cards are special keepsakes that should be cherished and treasured for years to come! These beautiful bits of paper truly are tributes to wonderful memories and times made and shared with all your loved ones!
Simply click below to access Basic Invite’s website and social media:
Summer is almost here!! How do I know? Well, apart from the increased sound of lawn mowers up and down the neighborhood, I can now leave the house without a jacket! A wonderful change if you ask me!!
And since it is almost summer, and a new month, it is time to share with you my favorite list of things I am loving or wishing to try!
All links are below each image.
To start this month’s favorites list off, I have chosen the sweetest little romper. With my own little girl due next month, I am all about sweet, simple clothes to dress her in!! 🙂
Bailey Blossoms – Blueberry Pie Romper
Not only am I in love with the soft green of this gown, I am also on a 1890’s kick! I love the 1700’s influence seen in the back fabric drape.
1890’s Tea Gown from the John Bright Collection
Even though I am still rocking maternity clothes, I thought this jacket from Modcloth would still be a wonderful addition to both my maternity and regular wardrobe. Pair it with skinny jeans and a pair of flats…and maybe a mocha latte! Perfect!!
Jacket from Modcloth
This little thimble key chain is the perfect gift for a fellow sewing enthusiast or for yourself!
Thimble Key Chain from Gustav’s Dachshunds Shop
And with it being May 1st, I have to include these up-cycled May Day baskets….the perfect thing to brighten up those rainy days!
May Day Baskets from The Princess and the Frog Blog
Today’s post is all about appreciating the various aspects of life during the 1920’s. From recipes to fashion and a bit in between, I hope you enjoy these reflections of the past. And of course, I hope you will try one of the delicious recipes provided below…I know I will! 🙂
Spring weddings are the perfect time to choose something bright and cheerful! I love the cut of the green dress!
Finding the perfect wave and bob is such an eternal struggle. Maybe these images will help spark some ideas!
Upcoming rainy days mean bringing out the old reliable rain coat! This stylish lady has both a matching hat and jacket in a happy shade of blue!
This lady is not only impeccably dressed, she is also in a stunning location!
Host a spring tea party and make a few of these little treats to serve!
I adore house plans, and this little bungalow is equal parts quaint and charming!
It has been a very busy two weeks.
I have been sewing up a storm and working very hard at this tricky little thing called online marketing. And since my brain has been swimming with all the things that need to get done, I thought I would take a little mental break. And what more perfect way to take my mind off all the craziness than to focus on my happy little bundle that is due in less than four months!
Four months!! Eeeek!!! 🙂
The past few weeks have also been a bit of a roller coaster when it came to finding out the gender of our baby. Since I am a planner, and sewer, it was important to me that I find out the gender in advance so I could plan and get as much done as I could before the baby comes. So when our doctor told us at our 12 week sonogram that she was 85% sure she knew what the gender was, of course, we couldn’t wait to hear! Imagine our joy when she said it was a boy! My husband and I were both over the moon and began planning the nursery, choosing names, and getting just plain excited.
Well, we knew we had to go back for the second sonogram so we decided that we would wait to start buying things until we were sure, but we had definitely everything picked out. So the day of the second sonogram came and we excitedly went to the doctor, eager to see our son again. As we enjoyed watching our little one on the computer, the technician asked if we were ready to know the gender…which, of course, we were. I mean, we were ready for a confirmation of what we already knew. So as the two of us waited to hear the words “It’s a boy” emerge from her lips, when she said very matter of factly, “It’s a girl!”
Wait, what?
We both just about fell out of our chairs (or the medical bed in my case.)
A girl???
As we scraped our jaws up from off the floor, my husband mentioned that last time we came they thought it was a boy. “Well, that does happens sometimes, although it is rare.” was her response. Oh. Good to know.
Sooooooooo after going through shock, a complete mind shift, and a new name search, we are happy to announce we are having a girl!!!!
Let’s begin with this 1860’s photograph and a mother and child. Both of whom, I may add, are impeccably dressed!
These 1910 maternity dresses are perfect for both pre and post baby!
These two moms to be from the 1940’s look absolutely adorable in their maternity dresses!!!
While I can’t say the super tight skirt looks all that comfortable, I adore the loose fitting top from this 1960’s sewing pattern.
This entire 1940-1950 collection for a baby is just fantastic! What a wide variety offered in this pattern!!
And for when they get a little older, these little girl dresses from the 1910’s-early 1920’s are absolutely perfect!
And for some modern takes on vintage dresses, this ADORABLE dress tutorial by Craftiness is Optional is perfect in every sense of the word! Link is under the image.
And who wouldn’t want a few bonnets to match those precious little dresses. This tutorial from Simple Simon and Company is as easy as it is sweet! Link under image.
We aren’t even half way through February and I have major garden fever. I’m craving bulbs, blooms, and bright happy colors. I’m getting a little sick of looking out my window and seeing various shades of brown. Sick, I tell you!!
A few weeks ago, it had warmed up to shockingly spring like temperatures. In fact, we had almost three or four days of such warmth that you almost became used to it. Except it was January, and not March….and one felt a little depressed. But it wasn’t until I saw the tip of a little bloom from my spring bulbs that one realized the danger of such warmth. And sure enough, within two days of the bulb sighting, we received 8 inches of snow. Now all I can do is stare out the window at the snow covered flower bed, and hope my little bulb is okay.
So until the outside matches up with my wishes, I shall have to content myself with pictures, decorations, and dreams. And just in case you are in the same boat as I am, I thought I would share some flower inspiration to keep out spirits up!
This 1840’s gown shows the dedication one person had to infuse their clothing with lovely little floral accents. I wonder if she did this during the dull days of winter?
While I would make sure to wait to wear these 1920’s shoes once the snow melted, I am most certain they would boost my spirits immensely! Although, I would have to find a whole new outfit to match them….
With so many color and pattern choices in this 1930’s ad to choose from, I think I would like a frock in every floral pattern available!
Even though this would be a little too chilly to wear right now without a sweater, I can’t help but smile at those happy little rosebuds all over this full cotton sun dress!
Any table would instantly feel more springy and bright with a floral stand like this one from Pier One (link below.)
Vintage Gold Sewing Prints by Mod Pop Deco– $15 +
I love these prints by Mod Pop Deco! They are elegant and can easily go in a sewing room or a bedroom.
Monthly Sewing box by Stitch Box Monthly – $30 for one month
With a different box each month, this fun little gift is a welcome surprise for anyone after the holidays. Each box comes with fabric, tools, a pattern, and variety of other items. A great present for that sewer who has everything!
12 Days Advent Calendar from The Vintage Cosmetic Company – $42
This is a wonderful idea for the person who can’t simply wait for Christmas to get here! With a little surprise each day, any makeup lover will adore this advent calendar.
Bath Fizzies from Les Belles Bouclettes – $3 for 10 pcs.
With all the stress of the holiday season, nothing would feel better than a warm and fizzy bubble bath. And these lovelies from the ladies at Les Belles Bouclettes are perfect for a friend, neighbor, or (with such a great price) a few for yourself! Try them in their new scents of Olivia (chocolate mocha) or Citrus Splash…yum!
Instant Downloadable Print for a 1940’s/1950’s Capelet by Aimee’s Victorian Armoire – $7.50
Perfect for the beginner who is looking to break into the skill of pattern drafting, this pattern, created by me, is perfect for those chilly days…or create one in a lighter fabric in preparation for spring!
So have fun crossing off those final names on your gift giving list, and celebrate with a cup of hot chocolate…and a warm fuzzy bubble bath! 🙂
I’m pretty sure I have said this before, and will most probably say it again, but I adore vintage advertisements. I love the catch phrases, the corny promises, and the super happy people just grinning from ear to ear over the product. But when you add in anything to do with a holiday, I just go wild! Commercials have the same effect on me. Whenever a holiday commercial comes on, especially if its one that gets played every year, I just get that much more excited! So with Thanksgiving coming up this week, I thought it would be fun to take a look at some vintage advertisements featuring products that one must just simply have …or at least within reason!
Turkey, or in this case, ham is the foundation for the meal. I can’t say I have ever had ham on Thanksgiving…but if it was put out there next to the turkey, I’m sure I would indulge!
Okay, I personally do not care for sweet potatoes or yam..but I know many in my family do. Especially if it has little tiny marshmallows melted on top. So this advert is for them!
Can’t have Thanksgiving dinner without the cranberry sauce or jelly! I love how this Ocean Spray advert includes recipes!
A proper Thanksgiving meal wouldn’t be complete without the dessert. Here is one featuring Dinah Shore and her pumpkin pie recipe!
And for those of you out there who can’t decided between pumpkin or pecan….why not try this pumpkin pecan pie!
I hope you all have a fantastic Thanksgiving where the times with friends and family are as delicious as the food!
