12 Days of Christmas Crafts // #8 DIY Glitter Dot Wrapping Paper

I'm showing you how to make this on the new blog today! Hop over to {LL Styling} and check it out!

 

 

12 Days of Christmas Crafts // #7 DIY Glitter Candle Jar

I'm sharing how to make this pretty little glitter candle jar on the new {LL Styling} blog today! Hop on over and check it out!

 

 

 

 

{LYOTS} Blog-o-versary! AND a new BLOG!

{via}

 

Happy 1 year to {LYOTS}!! I can't believe I have been blogging for a full year! So much has happened over the past year and I'm happy to share it with all of my followers!

 

As you may already know, I have officially turned 30 as of last month...This means that {LYOTS} must come to an end...sad face...

 

But, don't worry! I have a BRAND NEW BLOG-SITE {HERE}!! LL Styling is my new home and event styling business and I will be sharing my work and daily inspiration on the blog.

 

I hope you will continue to follow along with me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rat Pack Christmas Cocktail Party!

Well, another Christmas party success! This year's theme was so fun to plan and to see everyone get in the spirit! Here are a few photos from the evening...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Needless to say, a good time was had by all!

 

::Details + Decor::

 

 

 

 

I had so much fun planning the decor for this party! Top left is the signature cocktail area where we served Martinis, Old Fashioneds and Manhattans. Top center - I put my hand made cocktail stirrers to work in the mini martini glasses. Top right - I made a photobooth back drop using white garland and a "Happy Holidays" banner from {this} etsy shop. Bottom Left is the karaoke set up. I put the boys in charge of karaoke and music. Bottom right is our tree! We finally got it set up Saturday morning. It was raining when we got it so I wasn't able to get any cute "picking out the tree" photos...

 

::Food::

 

 

Hors d'oeuvres menu:

 

Shrimp cocktail

Deviled eggs

Bacon wrapped smokies with brown sugar

Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese

Pesto, mozzarella and tomato crostinis

Goat cheese, pear and honey crostinis

 

I also made a cheese board with yummy cheeses such as Gruyer, New York sharp cheddar, Gouda and Cotswold.

 

We actually ran out of food fairly quickly, so either I didn't make enough or it was that good! Probably a little bit of both...

 

The night ended with some amazing karaoke performances. Too bad I didn't record any of the performances, or I'd upload them to Youtube and we'd all be famous by now... ;)

 

Now that the party is over, it's back to preparing for Christmas, holiday shopping and more crafting :)

 

Happy Monday!

xoxo,

L

 

 

 

 

Friday's Fancies // Rat Pack Christmas Cocktail Party!

{Sources:: RatPack Christmas Cocktail Party }

Tomorrow I am hosting a Rat Pack themed Christmas Cocktail Party! It's really just an excuse for me to listen to Frank Sinatra Christmas music, dress fancy and sip on dirty Martinis all night ;)

The outfit I have picked out is similar to the one above {if I could afford the Alexander McQueen number, I would totally purchase!} Dress code is cocktail attire with a 50s flare!

I have been busy preparing, crafting and decorating all week! I can't wait to share photos with you next week.

I'm linking up with {av} from {long distance loving} for Friday's Fancies!

Happy Weekend!

xoxo,
L

12 Days of Christmas Crafts // #6 DIY festive cocktail stirrers

 

 

I'm hosting a holiday soiree this weekend. The theme is Rat Pack / 50s cocktail party! I'm so excited to see if everyone gets creative with the outfits! I've been busy plotting and planning the decor, menu and signature drinks. Naturally, the cocktails I chose are the Martini, Old Fashioned, and Manhattan. I'm planning on having a small 'mix it yourself' bar area with drink recipes in frames so guests can have fun learning how to make each drink.

 

I wanted to make some fun/festive drink stirrers and my first thought was paper bow ties as toppers...But, then these festive pom poms and polka dot tape caught my eye while brousing through JoAnn Fabric's {some of my best ideas happen when I see supplies at the craft stores!}...

 

 

The supplies you will need: skewers, cut to the size of cocktail straws, multi-colored cocktail straws, wire cutters {to cut skewers to size}, Elmer's glue, sand paper, patterned tape {I used the polka dot tape shown above}, multi-colored 1/4 inch pom poms {they usually have holiday ones out now} and scissors.

 

For the pom pom stirrers:

1 // cut the skewers to the correct length with wire cutter and sand the cut edge to prevent splintering.

2 // add a dab of Elmer's glue on the pointed end.

3 // stab a pom pom with the point of the skewer and hold in place for a minute for the glue to dry.

 

For the tape flag stirrers:

1 // cut a piece of the patterned tape to about 2 inches.

2 // wrap around one end of a cocktail straw and pinch ends of the tape together.

3 // cut a small triangle out of the end of the tape to create a flag look.

 

And you're done! I made about 40 of these suckers! I feel like I'm a pro!

 

 

Happy crafting!

 

xoxo,

L

 

 

 

 

12 Days of Christmas Crafts // #5 DIY Framed Glitter Reindeer and Chalk Board Sign



 

 

I whipped up these two beauties pretty fast last night! I had purchased adhesive glitter paper not knowing what I would use it for. Then, I remembered {this} little fun DIY pin and decided to tackle it!

 

While staying at my parents house to baby sit the dogs, I found some old unused frames that I could use {sorry Mom, I'll get you some more if you want :) }. You could also find some at Goodwill or a second hand store and spray paint them gold.

 

First, the sparkly reindeer...You will need sparkle adhesive paper {I found mine at JoAnn's in the scrapbook section}. Or you could use regular sparkle paper and just glue it. Print off a shape of a reindeer head like {this one}.

 

Turn the glitter paper over and trace around the reindeer head with a pencil or pen...

 

Cut around the shape...

 

Adhere to a white piece of paper...

 

Stick it in a gold frame and TA-DAH!!

 

To make the look of the chalk board art, I used black construction paper and a white crayon...

 

 

I used a larger wooden frame for the chalk board look...

 

 

Not too shabby, huh? If I can do it, so can you!

 

xoxo,

L