::Girlie Girl Birthday Party::

PSSSST...I'm no longer blogging here!

You can now find me at

www.acottagegirl.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

My Grandbaby Robyn Rose just rounded her first year, and we partied on Sunday to commemorate the occasion.

Pinterest helped. Duh.

Robyn's mommy, my daughter Kristen, worked for a couple months crafting all manner of decor during Robyn's naptimes.  

Mighty proud of her...not just for her decorating/crafting abilities, but for being such a terrific mama to my grandbaby.   See her below with her big sis Maddie, who hosted the shindig at her place.

I only pitched in by bringing the serving pieces, fake flowers (I own a plethora, as I don't get along with real flowers as yet), and styling the cake table.

Kristen made all the cupcakes and cakepops.  Robyn's cake was two hearts stacked.

Love the wee candy cups and cupcake wrappers she used!

(dollar store candlesticks, plates and bowl made into a cupcake stand...

used at Kristen's wedding shower too)

Everything looked so sweet and springy and festive...

Especially the Queen of the Festivities....

Here she is just hangin' out with her bink.  

And wondering why all these people with cameras are surrounding her....

Wait a sec...what is that?

Now that looks interesting.....

Are you kidding me?  I get to eat this?

All by myself even?

You mean I get to *SMASH* this?  

Now THIS is what I call a party.

It was (ahem) a smashing success, and all Kristen's hard work paid off.....I told her she was setting a dangerous precedent, but in these days of Pinterest, all bets are off, yo.

I'm just in awe how my wee grandgirl went from this...

to this in just a year's time...

And although I don't celebrate her with a party and all the party trimmings everyday, 

I DO celebrate her presence in my life every single morning.  

Can't wait til they live next door so I can get my Robyn Rose fix everyday! 

So how'd my daughter do?  She's got some skillz, eh? And BTW,  how cute is Robyn?  *wink*

I'm bringin' this party to these parties:
Primp your Stuff
Transformation Thursday
Inspiration Gallery
Fabulously Creative Friday Linky
Catch as Catch Can
Grace at Home
Simply Create
Frugal Friday
Be Inspired
Treasure Hunt Thursdays
Party Funk @ Funky Junk Interiors

::Stylin' Those Shelves...A How To::

PSSSST...I'm no longer blogging here!

You can now find me at

www.acottagegirl.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Hey cottage friends!

I'm excited to show you how I go about styling my shelves. 

I change them out with the seasons, so it's a skill I've honed over the years.

I also like quite a bit of 'movement' in my vignettes, but even if you don't, I think my tips can still serve ya.

There is actually a method to my madness, but I'm no professional, nor do I play one on TV.

Most of what I've learned came thru studying pages of magazines and catalogues.  

So are ya ready?  Here are my tried and true tips on making mini vignettes on your shelves, your mantels, your piano tops....you name it!

TIP #1:  Move it to the center.

You'll notice I mentioned 'when you can'....because on my middle shelf, I can't.  Which leads me to...

TIP #2:  Consider the practical stuff.

My beautiful Mama's picture helps to hide the technology that doesn't exactly fit into my ::cottage instincts::

So I can't squish everything to the center on that shelf.  

TIP #3:  Use variations on a theme.

There can be several themes so long as they play nicely together, coordinating by color, shape, type, etc.

 I like to mix up textures and finishes too.

This is where you get a big payoff if you've learned what you love (and not just 'like'), because you'll realize you tend to buy things that go with your 'themes'.  Surface styling is also a fantabulous way to add in a few of your 'likes' or trendy stuff as these vignettes lend themselves to changing often.

TIP #4: Pay attention to the size of the space and your items.

Vary the height and width of stuff.  Size the items in the space in proportion to the space they will occupy.

I used my tall metal candle holder and barn star to fill the space here, especially since it's the top shelf.

TIP #5: Group items in odd numbers....

OR group an odd number of groups!

You'll notice there are 2 groups of only 4 items...which breaks the rule of odds.  BUT  it all works because there are 3 shelves.  And adding all the items together make 11, another odd-y but good-y.

Here I will let you see the nifty wallpaper border the previous owners left for our enjoyment.

And some more examples of themes:

Another view....

Here's a test.  I mean that's why you come here, right?  To be tested?

I posted this pic yesterday when showing you how I Spring-ified my dining room.  

Can you see how I used all my tips?

TIP #6:  When you find yourself frustrated and/or overwhelmed do these three things:

~Stand back from the space and squint your eyes.  Do it.  It migt help you see what's needed or what's not working.

~Take some pictures and look at them on the computer...amazing what jumps out at you.  

~Go eat something that makes you happy (ahem *Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies* cough) and come back later.

Here's where I show you what the built-in looks like for reals.  The cabinet below houses Robyn Rose's toys.  I'll be hanging a curtain there soon, as well as adding beadboard wallpaper in the back, adding trimwork along the outside, replacing the glass shelves for wood, and painting it all white.  

So what tips do you have for styling shelves and horizontal spaces?

Do any of mine help ya at all?

Transformation Thursday @ The Shabby Creek Cottage
http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2013/03/treasure-hunt-thursday-100.html
The Farmhouse Porch's the Scoop
Tweak It Tuesday @ cozy little house
: