Polo Themed Nursery

There have been so many lovely nautical and nature inspired nursery themes over the last few years, but I long to arrange a place for our newborn that is both preppy and polished. A polo inspired space, like the Fox Hunt Nursery I posted a few weeks ago, is a unique alternative to the normal planes, trains and automobile boy themes, and promises to grow with a little lad.



Decorate the nursery walls with framed ribbons, paintings of polo matches and polo mallets -- Country Living,The Polo House, Ralph Lauren

Announce your petit polo player with this announcement by Sarah LeClere -- FineStationery.com

Place this polo pillow in a warm-cherry rocker -- J. Covington Designs

Add silver cup trophies and paint the room in a polo-inspired palette using bright colors like green, red or yellow -- Ralph Lauren via Inspiration for the Home Blog

Hang the diaper bag from a horse-shoe hook -- Kids Bedding Blog

Finally, keep your little one cozy and classic in a polo one-piece -- Ralph Lauren

Friday Finds and Fine Pin

Bring on the weekend! What do your plans include? Mine include pizza with friends, a trip to the antique market and laughing through the Super Bowl commercials. To wrap up this past week, here are a few fun finds from around the web:

If you're looking to add a little pizazz to your business or contact cards, you'll want to check out this amazing DIY for adding your own gilded edges!

Crane & Co. intrigues its fans once again with a short video on the creation of a letterpress wedding invitation. It's amazing to see the time and detail put in to every piece. If you've ordered letterpress stationery in the past, or plan on ordering it in the future, be sure to check out this great video!

Take a few minutes this weekend to wrap up your holiday thank you notes, or compose a darling love letter to your sweetheart for Valentine's Day (or just because you love them!) We've got tips for Writing a Gracious Thank You Note and Writing a Love Letter from the Heart.

Writing a note is so much more fun with a unique writing instrument. These streamer-wrapped pencils, spotted by Hank & Hunt, are great for kids, teens, and grown-ups!

The Fine Pin of the week is a sweet one... check out these lovely lace crepes! Wouldn't they be perfect for a Valentine's Day breakfast treat?

Visit our Valentine's Day Pinterest board for more inspiration!

A Wedding for Lovebirds

A friend of mine is planning her upcoming summer wedding, and is leaning toward the idea of "Lovebirds" as a theme. I love this sweet idea, and wanted to put a few ideas together for her inspiration. I had no trouble finding lovely accents that would work perfectly for her big day -- a collection of my favorites are pictured below:

These floating birds have tiny clips for attaching handwritten bits of advice or well wishes from guests -- BHLDN

Cookies that are embossed with the couple's monogram and pretty bird silhouettes make great favors or accents on the dessert table -- Martha Stewart

Fill a few of these bird-topped apothecary jars with assorted candies and encourage guests to fill a bag with sweets to take home -- BHLDN

A tiny bird's nest with chocolate eggs doubles as a favor and a place card -- Martha Stewart

This whimsical invitation is perfect for a lovebirds themed soiree -- William Arthur, available at FineStationery.com

Purchase a set of these blue damask lovebirds to use as cake toppers -- Etsy shop Vintage Green Limited

Beautiful vintage-inspired birdcages filled with either flowers or candles make wonderful centerpieces -- Style Me Pretty

This lovebirds pin would be a wonderful gift for the bride, and would surely be a keepsake and reminder of her special day -- BHLDN

Choose a ring pillow with bird silhouettes and a dainty ribbon -- Etsy shop Petite 25

Best wishes and happy planning, Shelley!

Writing a Love Letter from the Heart

Finding the right words to express how you feel can be a real challenge. Here are a few tips on how to translate your love and admiration into a letter your mate is sure to treasure for years to come.

• Select a nice piece of stationery for your note, something that will stand the test of time. For Valentine's Day you might want to select a seasonal design with a passionate red or sweet pink, but there is also something very intimate about using your own personal stationery.

• Begin the letter with your love's full first name, especially if you normally use a shortened version or a nickname (Elizabeth instead of Liz, or Timothy instead of Tim). Though it may seem very formal for an intimate letter, it is actually quite the opposite. Most likely, many people shorten your mate's name, and to see it written out in its entirety can be very striking.

• Open with a statement as to why you've been inspired to write the note. "This Valentine's Day, I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much you mean to me" or "While you were sleeping this morning, the sun glinted through your hair and you smiled softly. It's that perpetual optimism that makes me love you so much... but that isn't the only reason..."

• Throughout the body of the letter, focus on the things that you find admirable in your mate, for example, his innate ability to make you laugh or her hard-working attitude. Be sure to use plenty of adjectives.

• Also mention things that you've noticed that make your lover unique. The cute dimple that comes out in a cheek when he smiles a certain way, or the way she laughs so hard she cries. He/she will really appreciate the attention to detail.

• The letter doesn't have to be long. Instead of dragging it out (and possibly losing your credibility), keep it simple and sweet.

• Finish your letter with a meaningful complimentary closing. Instead of "Love" or "Sincerely" try "I'm yours" or "With great admiration."

• Lightly spritz the stationery with your signature scent for a subtle reminder of yourself.

• Do not reserve love letters only for special days like Valentine's Day and your anniversary. While it is wonderful to receive a love note on these special occasions, there's just something more meaningful about a letter that was written with some spontaneity.

Example:



* Lettersheet by Checkerboard available at FineStationery.com.

Parisian Party for the Bride

A Parisian theme is oh-so-chic, and works well for a Bridal Shower or Bachelorette Bash. Feminine accents and a flirty pink palette will make any bride say "oh-la-la!"

A set of Parisian inspired thank you notes makes a great gift for the bride-to-be -- Bubbles n' bows, available at FineStationery.com

Frozen Strawberry Souffles, along with Eiffel Tower cookies and French macarons are perfectly delightful for your fete -- Martha Stewart, Amy Atlas, Cannelle et Vanille

Serve champagne and toast to the bride-to-be -- Martha Stewart

As favors, offer each guest a bottle of pink nailpolish (this color is called Bachelorette Bash!) and a paper Eiffel Tower filled with macarons -- Essie, Brides.com

Another special gift for the bride would be a Parisian-themed garter -- Etsy

It's in the Details

Whether you're hosting a birthday celebration for your little one, planning a baby shower or making arrangements for a wedding, here are a few simple decoration add-ons that can really help make your party pop.

1. Whirly Ball Candleholders: Hang them from tree limbs or the ceiling and fill with flowers or votive candles. Their reflective and dainty qualities are sure to add a bit of whimsy to your event. Wouldn't the below flower screen be lovely at a bridal or baby shower?

via All Gussied Up

2. Striped Straws: The perfect detail to add pizazz to Pepsi, Perrier and fruit punch.

Available from Etsy seller CupcakeSocial

3. Personalized Stamps: Use a single personalized stamp to coordinate a custom party from the invitation to menu cards as well as thank you notes and favors.

PSA Stamp Camp
Personalized Stamps available at FineStationery.com

Friday Finds and Fine Pin: Super Bowl Edition

Super Bowl is next weekend - can you believe it? This Friday, we thought we'd focus on football-related finds in order to pump up for the big event! Let's get right to the Fine Pin of the week... Behold, the "Beer Cheese Cupcake with Bacon Cheddar Cream Cheese Frosting":

Whether you're hosting or attending a Super Bowl party, these "cupcakes" are a MUST! You'll be voted MVP in no time when you show up with a batch of these treats.

If you're looking for other Super Bowl party ideas, Celebrations.com Party Expert Shawn Rabideau put together an article on Super Bowl entertaining ideas -- be sure to check it out & then start planning for your party!

It's no surprise that dips always score big points at Super Bowl parties. This collection of winning salsas and dips looks wonderful -- especially the Blue Cheese and Walnut Spread!

Check out this football themed children's birthday party -- the details are so fun, and the homemade score board is especially neat. Any little guy would have a blast at this party!

This couple put a fun spin on their engagement photo session by honoring their favorite football team. The matching jerseys are great!

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy preparing for next weekend's main event!

Lucky In Love Engagement Party

Lots of proposals happen between Christmas and Valentine's Day, so chances are, you or someone you're close to will be celebrating an engagement in the coming months. If you're looking for a fun theme for your engagement party, look to playing cards for a bit of inspiration. Go with a red and black palette, and be sure to incorporate lots of fun details:

This King of Hearts invitation by Checkerboard sets the tone for your event -- FineStationery.com

As the bride, dress the part in a white bangle with a gold spade accent -- kate spade

These ace of hearts cards can be used for a fun party activity - Have each guest write a bit of advice or a sweet note on the back. Afterward, keep the notes as mementos of your party -- cards by Checkerboard, available at FineStationery.com

Dress up the drinks with playing card tags -- Family Chic

These mint chocolate playing cards will be a hit on the dessert table, along with rice krispies that look like playing cards, and candy bard wrapped in themed paper --  Fancy Flours and Amy Atlas

If your party involves a sit-down dinner, designate each table with a suit and a number, then use playing cards as table cards -- Ruffled

Sweet Reads

Searching for a great Valentine's Day gift for your sweet? Don't disregard the bookstore this holiday! Here are a few top picks for books that will be well received by your sweetie. Want to score brownie points? Whip up one of the sugary confections from the book to present with the gift!

Every occasion calls for a creative cake pop. Cake Pops by Bakerella has an idea for just about every festive event!

Kids will go nuts for the unique & fun cupcakes in Hello, Cupcake! by Karen Tack & Alan Richardson

The soon-to-be released Sweet Designs by Amy Atlas is sure to be a favorite. Her dessert tables and recipes are so inspiring!

Tuesday Trends: Fashion Meets Paper

Last Friday's finds included a link to an article on spring's easiest trends to wear {read it here}. Today's post is all about the translation of those trends on paper. Breath life into your stationery wardrobe with bold patterns, color-blocked looks, and the year's hottest color: tangerine. Which trend are you going to try?

Bold patterns by Boatman Geller (top) & Kramer Drive (bottom)

Color-blocked looks by Marsupial Papers (top) & Checkerboard (bottom)

Orange and tangerine shades by William Arthur