Flag Toothpick Art

I remember loving this flag toothpick wreath from a few years ago! Now that I live in DC I should definitely make it for all of the patriotic holidays-Memorial Day, Veteran's Day, July 4th! This year the wreath can have double duty with the Summer Olympics coming up soon. I thought this is the perfect year to showcase some of my favorite patriotic themes! I scoured the web for some flag toothpick sources for you in case you have a problem finding some.

DecorArtsNow

All it takes is a styrofoam wreath (around 18 inches) and around 600 toothpicks to make your own Flag Toothpick Wreath as featuerd at Good Housekeeping

Toothpick flags in simple vase yields a beautiful patriotic style from Etsy store Smile Mercantile

Toothpick Flag garland DIY from Sugar & Charm . She just cut the sticks off, and hot glued the flags to white string.

Framed WWII era Toothpick flag from One Kings Lane as featured on Huffington Post

Get your own mini vintage 48 star flag to frame yourself, ebay

Patriotic cupcakes photographed by Michelle Lange as featured on Style Me Pretty

Dress up your "Freedom Burgers" in their patriotic glory

Toothpick flags were used to make these mini pinwheels and decorative for the match box for the sparkler gift from Kara's Party Ideas

Grab some cheap little flag toothpicks and make something for your July 4th!

Oriental Trading-144 count $3.75

Party City-120 count $2.99 (may be at your local store too)

Factory Direct Craft- 100 count $2.50

Sur la table-50 count $5 (available online and at local stores)

Amazon-500 count $12 (Available for Prime)

Dorothy Draper Banana Leaf Styling

Still in the tropical mood from the copper pineapple drinks? The design team at Laurel & Wolf Interior Design asked me for my thoughs on their latest trend alert on Banana Leaf & Palm Print's. Obviously the first image that flashed in my head was Dorothy Draper's Brazillance wallpaper at the Greenbrier Hotel. Check out my two styling options of adding a little Draper style banana leaf & palm prints into your world. What's the first image that comes to your mind when you think of palm prints?

Retail concourse at The Greenbrier Hotel from Dorothy Draper

If having banana print wallpaper is not something you can commit to, this is removable wallpaper reasonably priced that will let you style an accent wall or use behind an open bookcase for a bold impact. For this luxe look, I chose rich textures of emerald green velvet Chesterfield sofa and black leather. Black and gold accents were added using the signaure Dorothy Draper chest along with a vintage Hermes silk scarf pillow.

Lamp / Removable wallpaper / Vintage Hermes scarf pillow / Sofa / Ralph Lauren black chair & Similiar / Ottoman / Dorothy Draper España-style chest

Dolce and Gabbana came out with a beautiful line up of palm leaf dresses and skirts which inspired me for the fashionista entertainer. Here, I kept with vintage design elements with the white buffett with vintage round rings and the vintage green Champagne coupes. The palm prints from Pottery Barn are so versatile they could go anywhere. Lastly, I loved the palm tray which is only $25!

Vintage Green Champagne Coupes / Tophat Champagne Cooler / Palm Tray $25 / Palm Prints  / Dolce Gabbana palm print dress / Dolce&Gabbana ankle wrap sandals / White Buffet / Banana leaf chair / Dolce Gabbana Palm Print Iphone Case

Copper Pineapple Barware

The pineapple has long been a symbol of hospitality in the South & abroad. Early explorers to the West Indies & Americas learned that a pineapple placed at the entrance of a village meant all were welcome. This tradition continued with those who settled in the new land. Sailors would bring this new fruit back to the lands and hang the fruit on their home’s door or set out in the front of their home or gates to signal their return from a voyage and welcome those who wish to come visit!

The cooper pineapples have been popping up all over with the help of Absolut's Vodka Elyx served in their own copper pineapple at hotspots such as Jean-George’s Matador Room in Miami and Andiron Steak & Sea in Las Vegas. I have not been lucky to be served a yummy drink in the infamous pineapple yet, but luckily have found some sources you can get your own! How genious they have a hole for a straw, the pineapple leaves can be turned upside to hold the drink, and your drink doesn't spill when they serve it to you! Have you been served a drink in the pineapple yet? 

Copper pineapple chilling on South Beach from Conde Nast Traveler

Ceres at The Pink Dream adds her pineapples to her bar cart for summer styling

AM Dolce Vita showcases her golden pineapple on her bar cart 

Saffron Avenue likes to showcase her copper pineapple on a beautiful tray with fresh flowers

Ashley from Perfect Fit Models was lucky enough to be served this beauty at Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica

Beauifully styled photo from The Official Viet

Absolute Elyx and Copper Pineapple kit from Luxatic

Get your own Pineapples!

Easter Brunch Ideas

Happy Good Friday! I have had a hectic last few weeks! For my birthday, we went to the Dominican Republic for some fun and sun and then I had my mom in town for the beautiful Spring DC weather and the Cherry Blossom Festival starting and now I can't believe Easter is this weekend!

Are you hosting an Easter brunch, having people over, or invited to a brunch? Here are some interesting ideas you could have or bring to someone's house!

French Toast Kabobs from Martha Stewart

Pancake Dippers (Bacon covered in pancake mix) from Lady Behind the Curtain

Donut Hole edible topiary from Kitchen Living with Coryanne

Mini Cadbury eggs Cheesecake Dip from A Pumpkin and a Princess

Overnight Eggs Benedict Casserole from The Food Charlatan

Carrot Cake Pancakes from Nosh & Nourish

Happy Friday!

Rosemary Sprigs

I wanted to some up with a simple decor idea for your Thanksgiving table and I saw some cute leaf projects and pinecones, but I just adored these ideas using a sprig of Rosemary. Such simple ideas that also smell great. Just like my last post with persimmons I definitely think many of these ideas transition nicely into the holiday season where you can use rosemary sprigs as napkin rings, around the bottom bases of your candle tapers, or like a stirrer in a yummy wintry cocktail.

Easy to make rosemary wreath table cards or napkin rings from Spoon Fork Bacon

Burplap thats been fringed ties the silverware and rosemary sprig together from A Pretty Life in the Suburbs

Don't want to fuss with napkin folding? Try this idea where you tie a beautiful grosgran ribbon and rosemary sprig at bottom of napkin from Debbi Lilly

Paper place mat and matching name tag with decorative edger paper cuter from Martha Stewart. Source: Country Living

Napking folding instructions to hold memo from Rustic Wedding Chic

Name card holders tucked into folded napkins with pocket from Spoon Fork Bacon

Rosemary sprigs wrapped around votives from Style by Emily Henderson

Holiday Moscow Mule from Home Sweet Jones

White Christmas Sangria with cranberries from Cake N Knife

Decorating with Persimmons

Persimmons look like a cross between a tangerine and a kumquat but have an indentation and the distinct "dried leaf". I feel like Thanksgiving decor can be tough since people are so eager to get into Christmas decor, but with persimmons, you can easily transition from fall into Christmas and continue using your persimmons paired with pomegranates, cranberries, evergreens or magnolia leaves. I loved some of these ideas since a few of these inspirations can use items from the grocery store or perhaps your yard to decorate for fall. Look for some berries, twigs, pine cones, duty miller or mums and make a nice Thanksgiving centerpiece, wreath or decor for your mantel. 

What are some natural elements you are using for your Thanksgiving centerpiece this year?

Persimmons with dusty miller and orange mums in a wooden bowl make a beautiful centerpiece from Santa Barbara Chic

Create this rustic Thanksgiving centerpiece using brown craft paper for the table runner, walnuts painted gold and persimmons with greenery from remodelista 

Julie Blanner's "5 Minute Tablesetting" uses tangerines but you could substitute persimmons, add a few pinecones and greenery

Persimmons, spanish moss, cranberries, artichokes and succulents create this earthey centepiece from Weddingomania

Beautiful rustic urn with persimmons from Cermony Magazine

Lone persimonns on plates make a bold impact and provide the pop of color from Country Living

If you are lucky enough to find persimmons on the branch or if you grow them you can put them in a vase on your mantel or side table from BHG

Persimmons filled to the brim of this antique silver trophy is a great pop of color for fall and transitioning into Christmas from Savor Home

Wreath with persimmons (or kumquats hard to tell) provide pop of color to the dark door from Alice Lane Home

Magnolia wreath with persimmones and pomegranites could go from fall to Christmas with a new bow and if desired a few evergreen sprigs with this wreath from BHG

"Public Service Annoucement"

Illustrated Bites

Sweet Fall Treats

Happy Fall Ya'll! Wow Fall came quick! I know everyone gets excited about everything orange and brown, apple picking and pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING! Here are a few of my favorite fall sweet treats to get you in the Fall spirit! What is your favorite thing about Fall?

Pumpkin Creme Brulee

Apple Cider Float

Apple Cider Sangria

Salted Pumpkin Caramels

Caramel Apple Bars

Pumpkin Spice Macarons (you think they have this flavor at Laduree?)

Pumpkin Spiced Whoopie Pies

Pumpkin Pie French Toast

Apple Pumpkin Butter made in your crockpot makes great gifts 

Want more Fall faves? Check out my Fall Pinterest collection!