I know that Tissue Poms have been around for a bit now, but I’ve had a few “just how easy are they?” questions come my way, so I decided to put together a little board with step-by-step photos. Tissue Poms are now sold in packages, via Martha Stewart, or individually in 20 different colors and 3 sizes, via Luna Bazaar – and I’m sure there are other places you can find them. What’s great about these options is they come with the wire you need and pre-cut ends for a perfect look! For under $25 you can add some pops of color to your next party. Step-by-step photos are below:

{Steps} 1. & 2. Accordion fold the tissue paper. | 3. Fold wire around center of folded tissue paper, and create small hook by bending wire. Use this to hang your tissue pom from the ribbon. | 4. Lay tissue pom flat on table. | 5. Take top tissue layer from one side and lift tissue layers away from each other. | 6. Complete side before starting the next.

Check out my “Ready To Pop” Sprinkle where these lovely poms hung over the food table!

I love to use custom drink wraps for water bottles at parties. They are an easy way to carry the theme into your food and drink. Once you have your custom labels, there are several ways to to adhere them to the water bottle – and after some trial and error I’ve found that a simple two-sided tape is the easiest way to do it! Below are my instructions for applying bottle labels – try it out this Halloween with my FREE Halloween Water Bottle Labels {click here to begin download}. Perfect for those of you throwing a Halloween Party this weekend!



To start you’ll need water bottles, water bottle labels {download my Free Halloween labels here}, Tape Runner XL or double-sided tape, and Fiskars Paper Trimmer or scissors.




And here are some of my learning experiences from previous trial & error:

I’ve had this bookmarked for a couple weeks now, and have been waiting to share this adorable DIY candle holder idea from Jenny over at Hank + Hunt. She provides a very easy-to-follow tutorial on the amazing Sweetest Occasion. It’s the perfect touch for a kid’s birthday party, baby shower or even for a grown-up party…it’s pretty amazing how spray-painting something gold makes it instantly chic!

All photos copyright Hank + Hunt.

This project does require the use of a power tool (a drill) but it’s super do-able! You’ll also need the below items, and detailed instructions are over at Sweetest Occasion.

• Small plastic animals (I’ve also seen these on Amazon and in random bins at craft stores, like Michael’s)
• Plastic birthday candle holders
• Spray Paint (a metallic works best, available at any home improvement store)
• Spray Paint Primer, if using a non-metallic paint
• Pliers

Good luck!

I was in one of those “blog rabbit holes” the other day and stumbled upon a clever, unique gift idea…A Bourbon Infusion Kit.  Each kit is a bit different and contains an infused-bourbon along with all the ingredients to make the specialty drink noted on the enclosed hand-made label. I love this idea for a groomsmen gift,  as part of a couple’s shower gift (pair it with glasses from their registry), or even as holiday presents (it’s just around the corner!). DIY Instructions are just below the pictures.

To makes these kits, you’ll need the following:

• Kraft boxes from Uline
• Infused bourbon of choice, here’s an easy orange-infusion recipe
• Small glass flasks (for infused-bourbon)
• Small jam jar (for vermouth or mixer)
• Orange (or the other cocktail components)
• Labels for your ingredients
• The specialty cocktail recipe, here’s the 1974 cocktail recipe

This can be really personalized to a cocktail that your recipient loves or perhaps you’ve shared together. Not a bourbon drinker? Infusions can be done with any liquor, just follow the same steps listed for the orange-infusion recipe above. During the summer I make cucumber-infused rum for my mojitos, and I just pour equal parts rum to sliced cucumber and let sit for 48-hours in the fridge. Good luck!

{Source} Photographs are copyright of Victor Sizemore, who makes this as gifts for his friends and family.

I was in Anthropologie and spotted an adorable sewing kit in a mason jar. Such great presentation, I couldn’t help but think it would be a great favor idea for a bridal shower or baby shower. It would even be a sweet hostess gift or college graduation gift.

The one at Anthro retails for $48 each (wow!), but it can be made very easily for a lot less money – which would come in handy if you’re planning to give multiple. If you have some time (or a couple girlfriends to help) below is what you would need for each kit. If you made a set of 12, you could do it for under $8 a kit!

• Mason Jars (check your local retailer to avoid shipping cost, I found at a local target for $9/12-pack)
• Mini-scissors
• 2 Wooden Spools of Thread for a more vintage look, or  2 Spools of Thread of standard thread
• Sewing Needles, attach to a piece of felt cut in a circle
• Vinyl Tape Measure
• Metal Needle Threader
• Thimble 
• Glass Pin Heads, placed in a Window-Pane Mint Tin
• Pin Cushion – burlap or thick canvas cut into two-3″ circles, hand-stich edges and stuff with poly-stuffing. From the inside, glue to the outer-lid of the mason jar.
• Twine
• Safety Pins