DIY Easter Project

Can you guess what this adorable Easter egg garland is made from?

That's right... hardware store paint chip samples! Head to the closest hardware store and stock up on a handful of pretty paint chip samples -- in no time, you'll have a lovely garland to hang in your home.

Project spotted at The Sweetest Occasion

Feminine Easter Ensembles

With Easter right around the corner, you may be starting to shop for a new spring look -- something fancy for the holiday with feminine style. To get you inspired, here are two looks -- one for a woman (bottom) and one for a little girl (top):

Children's shoes and dress via J.Crew

Woman's "Easter Bonnet" via Anthropologie, Dress via ModCloth

For a little extra fun, create a set of tiny bunny ears for your little one to wear on Easter day:

Bunny ear tutorial via Martha Stewart

Easter Table Centerpiece

When planning your Easter celebration, be sure to have a beautiful centerpiece -- one that is full of color and life. This look, created by Martha Stewart, incorporates tiny egg cups and cake stands of varying sizes. Simply stack a couple pretty cake stands, accent with egg cups and fill with fresh flowers. Daisies and tulips are the perfect blooms for a spring event, like Easter!

Colors & Patterns: Inspiration for a Baby Shower

A spring or summer baby shower calls for lots of color and fun. If the mama is going to be surprised with the gender of her baby, go all out with each color of the rainbow. Mixing patterns is a great idea, and gives you lots of flexibility with decor. The brighter, the better!

This invitation, featuring the silhouette of an expecting mama, is full of color and pattern -- Inviting Co., available at FineStationery.com

Fabric bunting is great for party decor, and can be gifted to the mother as nursery decor once the shower is finished -- Etsy shop Modern Baby Trends

Making ribbon clips for the baby's hair is a fun party activity - simply provide different colors and styles of ribbon, glue and plain plastic clips -- Etsy shop Polka Dot Skies

Set out a few glass bottles of striped straws for decor and use in drinks -- Pinterest

These polka-dot cupcake liners would look great filled with cupcakes or candy -- Pinterest

Cover tables with gingham cloths for a burst of color. You could mix up the colors and use a different colored cloth on each table -- Pinterest

This cake, complete with multi-colored fondant dots, is festive for a baby shower -- Martha Stewart

Add small vases of daisies to each table, tied with a ribbon -- Pinterest

Cool Aqua and Kelly Green Wedding

The combination of cool aqua and kelly green is refreshing and fun. A great palette for any spring or summer wedding, these color choices leave many options when it comes to flowers and flair.

Choose crisp white flowers, accented with green hydrangea or Yoko Ono Mums. Eucalyptus leaves sometimes have a pale aqua-blue tint to them, and would add a subtle coloring to an all-white bouquet -- Style Me Pretty, Build a Board (pale aqua)

This cocktail dress by J.Crew is a great choice for bridesmaids or guests of honor -- J.Crew

Blue-colored Ball jars accented with kelly green ribbon look great as votive candle holders, or fill them with white flowers for centerpieces -- Martha Stewart

This cake, featuring festive aqua sugar blooms, would make a gorgeous statement at your reception -- The Knot

This new invitation by William Arthur is lovely with a scroll design and beautiful typography -- William Arthur, available at FineStationery.com

Choose a signature cocktail and add ribbon-accented stirring sticks for fun -- Martha Stewart

New Wedding Invitation Styles

We are so pleased to offer a new collection of wedding stationery by Brides for Checkerboard. The designs are colorful and exude style in a modern and unique way. With gorgeous touches like patterned matching envelope liners, blind embossed wood grain textures, Swarovski crystals and more, these invitation suites are sure to please. A beautiful selection is already available at FineStationery.com, and additional styles will be added. New styles will be added to the collection shortly, so be sure to check back for the invitation suite that is perfect for your big day. Here are a few of our favorite designs:

Carnival, Nouveau, Cameo, Gingham

National Puppy Day!

Today is National Puppy Day! You can read all about this fun day on the official website, along with the Top 10 Puppy Names of 2011, helpful tips for a happy puppy, and 50 ways you can celebrate the day! We're head over heels (or, paws?) for puppies here at FineStationery.com -- many of our Fine Family members have pups of their own! We've rounded up a few of our favorite puppy products to share with you today. So, go give your pup a squeeze, or consider adopting a cute canine, and enjoy National Puppy Day!

ID Tag -- Barker & Meowsky

Puppy Announcement -- William Arthur, available at FineStationery.com

Bloom Bed -- Barker & Meowsky

Flower Collar -- Etsy shop BowWowCouture

Modern Food & Water Stands -- Barker & Mewosky

Rope Bone Toys -- Martha Stewart for PetSmart

Royal Wedding Watching Party

With all the hype surrounding the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in April, it's time to start planning a Royal Wedding Watching Party! What better way to view the wedding? Invite your closest friends, put on a fancy hat, serve scones and tea and watch the beloved couple tie the knot on April 29th. Here are a few ideas to inspire your Royal Wedding Watching Party:

Start with a regal invitation, like this one with gold gilded edges by Martha Stewart. Mimic the official Royal Wedding invitation by choosing a crown motif. Begin your invitation with, "The Lord Chamberlain is Commanded by...", just as the Royal Invitation states.

Decorate with bunting that displays the Union Jack -- Etsy shop Loopsies

Serve Eton Mess to guests. Prince William attended Eton College, so a dessert that makes reference is perfect -- BBC Good Food

Being a traditional English breakfast treat, scones are a must-have at the Royal Wedding Watching Party -- Pinterest

Serve an assortment of teas in pretty teapots and teacups. Be sure to sip, not slurp! -- Martha Stewart

Place vases of English garden roses with fancy feathered accents in the party space -- The Knot

You'll want to be as stylish as Kate Middleton, so wear a gorgeous hat or fascinator. Of course, you'll be sure to wear a replica of her engagement ring to the party -- HSN

Shop New Styles and Save 10%

Happy Spring Shopping!

Dressing Up An Envelope

Images via {The Paper Nickel}

There is something so unique and lovely about a vintage stamp. The designs, colors, sizes and textures are so different from the modern glossy-peel-and-stick stamps. If you're looking for the perfect way to dress up an envelope (other than beautiful calligraphy), consider purchasing vintage stamp sets. Before tearing in, guests will hold the envelope in their hands just a little while longer, admiring the pretty delivery. Two great stops for vintage stamps are {The Paper Nickel} and Verde Studio.

Gorgeous Green Wedding Cakes

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, I've rounded up a few gorgeous green wedding cakes from around the web. These beauties should satisfy your afternoon sweet tooth!

Cake 1, Cake 2, Cake 3, Cake 4, Cake 5, Cake 6, Cake 7, Cake 8

Sending Luck Your Way Today

Invitation by Boatman Geller, available at FineStationery.com

50s Sock Hop Party

Celebrate an upcoming birthday with a retro twist by throwing a 50's Sock Hop. Dressing up in a poodle skirt and sipping a milkshake is fun at any age!

Poodle skirts can be found on most costume websites or in costume shops, but they are also simple to make from a large circle of fabric and an iron-on poodle patch -- AnniePoodleSkirts.com

Serve sugar cookie french fries with jam "ketchup", strawberry milkshakes, and burgers made from cupcakes, brownies and icing -- French fries via The Idea Room, Milkshakes via Martha Stewart, Burgers via Bakerella

For added fun, fill tall milkshake glasses with patterned paper straws -- Bake It Pretty

This invitation, featuring a poodle skirt and saddle shoes, is a fun choice for a Sock Hop -- Invitation by Glad Tidings, available at FineStationery.com

Fill bowls that resemble records with popcorn or chips -- Uncommon Goods

Fresh Farmer's Market Salad

With the weather getting warmer, farmer's markets and fruit & veggie stands will be popping up all over the place. Many products from these stands are only available in the spring and summer, so you'll want to make sure you take advantage of the freshest items by incorporating them into your daily meals. Sunday Suppers posted a great recipe for a Farmer's Market Salad, complete with spring onions, mushrooms and fresh cheese. You'll want to bookmark this recipe (and others) and get to shopping!

Image via Sunday Suppers

Daffodil Inspired Easter Brunch

Easter is just around the corner, and you may have already started planning your celebration. This year, look to pretty daffodils for inspiration when it comes to planning your brunch. The lovely yellow and orange, paired with bright green, make for a pleasing spring palette.

A cute white Easter dress, complete with a yellow ribbon, is perfect for dressing up a little girl -- Crew Cuts

Serve mimosas, assorted quiche, and a delicious dessert like lemon trifle -- Martha Stewart

Dress up white linen place mats with paint to give your table a spring time look -- Martha Stewart

Cut brown paper bags into baskets, filling them with tiny daffodils. Use these are centerpieces on your table -- Martha Stewart

To make clean-up a breeze, serve dessert on these paper plates printed with daffodils -- Caspari, available at FineStationery.com

An invitation with blooming flowers is perfect for this spring gathering -- Stacy Claire Boyd, available at FineStationery.com

As favors, create these daffodil candy cups with card stock and cupcake wrappers -- Martha Stewart

French Cafe Birthday Party

This first birthday, inspired by a quaint French cafe, was spotted on Spearmint Baby (originally posted on Pink Peach Cakes). I love the yellow and white striped awning, cheese & crackers, white chocolate Eiffel tower pops and cakes. Perhaps my favorite part, though, is the wall covered in paper with ornate frames drawn in marker for the children to create their own masterpiece within! How adorable!

Planning The Big Day

Recently engaged? You might be feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the planning that lies ahead. You might be swimming in a sea of bridal magazine (is that really a bad thing?) You might not know where to begin. When it comes to planning a wedding, there are so many decisions to be made, and choices to choose from. Trust me, that's the fun part! You just need to know where to start. This short video, posted on Grey Likes last week, is a great resource that will have you feeling inspired in no time.

Suddenly Inspired || First Steps from Lindye Galloway on Vimeo.

So, congratulations on your engagement & best wishes to you as you begin to plan for your big day! Don't forget that when it comes time to order Save the Dates, Invitations, Programs and more, the Wedding Specialists at FineStationery.com are here to help you along!

Love Grows: Spring Wedding Favors

Perhaps one of the best ideas for spring wedding favors is a potted bulb or plant that has just begun to bud. A blooming plant can be symbolic of the bride & groom's new journey. Here are a few ideas for favors that are in bloom:

Barely blooming daffodils via Martha Stewart

Bulbs planted in vintage tins via Once Wed

Tulip bulbs via Martha Stewart (the leaves are place cards!)

Marvelous Mardi Gras Recipes

Happy Mardi Gras! Celebrate Cajun-style today with a few great southern recipes:

Half-Hour Chicken Gumbo, Mufaletta Panini, French Quarter Cocktail, Dirty Rice

New Mama Sanity Savers

Joni from Lay Baby Lay is a new mama, blogger, and super-talented creative guru. A few weeks back, she posted an adorable and sweet list of sanity savers for new mothers. I immediately passed it on to one of my best friends, who had just become a mama herself. Today, I'm sharing it with all of you!

Click over to Lay Baby Lay to view this image full size, and check out other cute baby ideas!

St. Patty's Day Dessert Roundup

In anticipation of St. Patrick's Day, I've rounded up a few of the most delectable desserts from around the web. As Natasha from Fete Fanatic put it, "Eat Your Greens!"

Mint Chocolate Whoopie Pies, spotted on Fete Fanatic

Chocolate Mint Thumbprints via Betty Crocker

Irish Cream Coffee Bars via Betty Crocker

Lucky Charms Cupcakes via Betty Crocker

In The Box

As a child, do you remember being excited by the possibilities of a large box? I'm talking about plain ol' cardboard boxes that appliances or packages come in -- the kind that kids are easily entertained by when their imaginations run wild. I remember building forts with boxes, or hiding my brother's toys inside them (sneaky sister!) The newest issue of Sweet Paul magazine will have you reliving your childhood with their article, "In the Box". The article is full of great ideas for turning ordinary boxes into extraordinary play pieces. So, gather your kids, grab a box and put your imagination to work!

Milkshake Bar

Planning a summer wedding? If you're looking for a fun reception idea that will keep guests cool and entertained, a Milkshake Bar is sure to please! In addition to your regular cocktail bar, decorate an additional bar like a vintage soda shop, complete with all the fixings for the perfect milkshake treat. Be sure to include several ice cream flavors, pretty straws, and lots of great toppings. The Milkshake Bar is guaranteed to be a hit with guests, and makes for a unique and fun photo-op for the bride and groom! Here's a bit of inspiration, spotted on The Sweetest Occasion:

This is also a wonderful idea for outdoor birthday parties, baby and bridal showers during the hot summer months!

Spring Fashion: White Out

According to Refinery 29, white is going to be a go-to color when it comes to spring wardrobes. Add crisp and clean basic white pieces to your ensembles for a style that is just as refreshing as a gorgeous spring day.

White jeans -- Gap

White jacket -- J.Crew

White wedge sandals -- Ralph Lauren at Zappos

White cane clutch -- Anthropologie

White blouse -- Anthropologie