Green Is The New Black

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As I close the suitcase for Texas after putting that onnnnnnne last pair of "just in case" shoes in, I thought I'd pop in and leave you with something for the next couple of days.

If you've been around Stem long, you know I'm on the Board of Operation Shower and we are heading out to throw our first Eco-Conscious Baby Shower at Ft. Hood for military wives who have deployed spouses. Next weekend we'll do it again at Scott AFB Illinois. I am so excited I can't even hardly stand myself.



Since we are trying to be as friendly to the earth as we can, I recently wrote an article on throwing "green" showers for Clever Parents. The founder of CP just happens to be a co-founder of Operation Shower. Most of the tips can translate into any event though so don't worry if you don't have any baby showers in your future. Surely you have SOME reason to celebrate, right?

Here are some highlights:

Décor and Food

• Make sure your décor items can do double duty. For example, display unwrapped gifts in creative ways for centerpieces.
• More on Clever Parents...
  

No Paper Goods

• If an online invitation is out of the question, then look for invitations printed on recycled card stock.
• Use linen napkins and real dishes. .....Want to do it without spending money? Call your friends and see what fun, mix and match combo you can come up with for a fun and festive look.
• More on Clever Parents...

Favors

Give favors that will actually be used by the guests later.

• A flower in a simple bud vase is something that will make your table look great and just as easily brighten up a desk or kitchen window at
  your guests’ home.
• Hang a reusable shopping bag on the back of each chair as a favor.
• More on Clever Parents...

Gifts

• There are hundreds of amazing eco-friendly products for baby on the market now. With just a little research you can find products that will surely elicit the requisite “oooooo’s and “awwwww’s” from your guests.
• Think of new ways to wrap presents. Use baby blankets or towels in lieu of wrapping paper. Present gifts in reusable shopping bags in lieu of paper gift bags.
• More on Clever Parents...

Get the idea? Click on over to Clever Parents for the rest of the story and come back here soon to see photographs of these tips in action as I share post-event photos with all of you!

Tableware: Head Of The Table
Toy Duck: Imagiplay
Bags: One Bag At A Time

A..B..C. She Makes This Look Easy As 1..2..3.

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Would you just LOOK at all the adorable and super chic details of Kim at Head of The Table's latest party?

You don't have to have the memory of an elephant to remember this baby shower. Forgetting it may be the problem. I am pretty certain it will appear in my dreams tonight.

The invitations? Drool-worthy. The custom print? Perfection. Every last detail is sublime. Sublime.

Fantastic job as always, my dear Kim.

Kisses, Amy

Now Featuring In The Center Ring..

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One of the CUTEST parties I've seen in awhile. No offense to all you other parties. Maybe I just haven't seen you yet.

If you haven't see this adorably detailed Circus Party on Armelle: The Blog then you are in for a treat.

Like any good party should, it all started with the invitations. Caroline Armelle designed these gorgeous things herself and has been so kind to share all the details here on her blog. The red balloons had a "secret password" printed on them for a prize redeemable at the party. I know. Cute.



From the simple, graphic food presentation to the balloon animals to the banner, every detail of this party was so well thought out that I want to run over and give her a big hug. The polka dot fabric hung to make a photo booth might just warrant a kiss, too.








Be sure and visit Caroline's blog for all the details. While you are there, check out the rest of her site and stop on over to her Etsy store to see more of her creations. This is one talented lady!

Thanks for all of the inspiration, Caroline.

We Now Return

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to our regularly scheduled entertaining.

I'm back and boy do I have something fun for you. You may have already heard the news from a couple of my favorite girls in The Lou, Ginger and Kim, but, just in case, St. Louis (and you!) have a new source for all things entertaining - St. Louis Entertains.








St. Louis Entertains is the brainchild of the amazingly talented, Arina Lanis. Her work is impeccable. Her photography alone sends me over the edge. Couple that with entertaining ideas, tips and tricks and I'm reduced to a puddle.

Arina set out to create a local magazine that would provide ideas and inspiration for the most intimate dinners to the grandest of affairs. One look at the first issue and it's clear she has succeeded. For those of you that aren't local you can order a copy online or flip through the online version of the first issue. Be sure and sign up for the mailing list while you are on the website because she sends out the most fantastic newsletters ever to grace your inbox.

Thank you so much for getting this party started. Much success to you, my dear!

P.S. Why yes, those are invitations from Ginger at Serendipity and tableware from Kim at Head of the Table you see in those pictures. Don't say I didn't tell you where you can get the goods.

The Ultimate Celebration!

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Just a short personal post here about what I consider to be the ultimate celebration. I am so excited for the Go! St Louis Half Marathon that I am doing this Sunday.

I signed up to do it with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team In Training in honor of my friend, Marie. You see, I'm not only doing it FOR my friend Marie but WITH my friend Marie. That's right. She's a survivor, baby. It often moves me to tears when I think about everything she has overcome the last couple of years and that she is still with us today. She's not just with us. She's doing a half-marathon. Holla!

(Marie and me at my wedding in October 2005)

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my other marathon partner, Natasha, or Natty Lite as I like to call her. Natasha has overcome her own struggle the last two years by losing 100 lbs. No gimmicks. No surgeries. Just healty eating and a LOT of sweat. Really, she's sweaty. Natty Lite kicked it Biggest Loser style and changed her life. She makes me cry, too, because I am so proud of her.

jj

(Natty Lite this Valentine's Day. Ignore the wrong date on her friend's digital camera! Durrrrrr.)

I cannot wait for Sunday and I cannot wait to cross the finish line with my heroes. We're gonna party like it's 1999! (And probably cry some more.)

Inspiration: Pretty In Pink Shower

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Have I mentioned how great the people that stop by Stem and email me are? It's true. You guys are the best. I can't thank you enough for all the kind words and comments and am flattered when you use something you see here as inspiration for your next party. I'm also thankful that you all are patient with me as I deal with email backlog!

Case in point, Toni from The Chase Gang blog. Toni emailed me with a few questions regarding the Pretty In Pink shower as her extremely adorably pregnant friend is expecting a little girl and wanted "Pink! Pink! Pink!"



Well, Toni, by the looks of things you gave her exactly what she wanted. I am sure she was thrilled with all of your special touches to make her day special. Good job, kid!

We need to talk though. French Toast Casserole? Are you kidding me? Hand over the recipe and no one will get hurt.

Thanks for sending in photos, Toni. It was fun chatting with you. You all can check out the rest of the details here on Toni's blog.

You Owe Yourself (and me) This Much

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If you are in the New York City area, you MUST go check this out on Thursday. Since that is quite a commute from St. Louis, it's the least you could do for me.

I mean, really....a Plum Party Warehouse sale? Wine and cheese?



If you are in the New York City area, you MUST go check this out on Thursday. Since that is quite a commute from St. Louis, it's the least you could do for me.

I mean, really....a Plum Party Warehouse sale? Wine and cheese?

Forget the famous "Running of the Brides" wedding dress stampede at Filene's Basement. I'd trip a girl to get dibs on some fun tableware and decor.

What? I didn't say I was proud of it.

Wedding Olala

jj
First of all, I LOVE double duty decor and favors. You have a million things to do when throwing a party, so why not multi-task where you can, right? Case in point, favor cakes and unique favor boxes from Wedding Olala. Favors = Decor = Yaaaaaaay. (Don't be intimidated by my math skills.)

Don't let the word "wedding" fool you though. The favor cakes and favor boxes from Wedding Olala can be used for almost any occasion.

Throwing a shower and want an alternative to the diaper cake centerpiece? Need a new idea for favors for your birthday celebration? Like the option of having it all done for you or doing some of it yourself? If your answer to any of these is "yes" then click on over to Wedding Olala's site and check out all of your options!

This Needs To Stop

jj
Okay, Miss Thang, you need to stop with your craftiness.


Have you seen the latest DIY project that the cuteness that is Robyn at MixMingleGlow posted?

The glow stick idea just put me over the edge.

You win, Robyn. I fold.

Thank You Favor Affair!

jj
Welcome back to the Operation Shower blog. I'm noticeably absent these days, but I can't help it. I am "ate up" with Operation Shower activities, as we just had our fundraiser and are gearing up for our Mother's Day Boxes in Bloom showers at Ft. Hood and Scott AFB.

It is so rewarding to be a part of this organization and I can't wait to show you all the after event photos when we are done! Until then, take a peek at one of our fabulous donors, Favor Affair.

We are using the adorable little daisy place card holders at our showers. I'm excited to feature them at our Eco-Conscious showers because I think they will make for great decor additions to our tables and equally cute little picture holders for our new moms. Won't they make sweet little holders for a baby photo to keep on their desks? Decor, favor and repurposed later. Now that is Eco-Friendly, my dears.

I've also featured a couple more items that are either inherently Eco-Friendly (bamboo coasters) or can be used for shower decor, favors and at home, too (bud vases). Oh, and the little jars? Well, those are just cute. I'm sure you can think of some way to reuse those later, right?

Much more to come, but until then, THANK YOU Favor Affair for your donation!

C is for Cookie (and for COOL)

jj

I know what you are thinking. The Pretty in Pink shower again, Amy? That's so January 2009.

You're right it is. I just recently stumbled across the fact that the blog for Cookie Magazine picked up and featured it on their site back in March though. I'm happy. I thought it was a cool little surprise. Sue me. (Please don't.)

Write On! GalaFont

jj

Looking for hand-written envelopes, placecards, favor tags, etc., but traditional Calligraphy isn't your thing? Then this is for you!

GalaFont offers a fantastic alternative with custom hand-lettering in the block-letter architectural style. I happen to be a huge fan of this type of lettering. Must be all the years I've spent around architectural drawings in engineering firms. Unfortunately I still haven't picked up the skills to write like this. Now, thanks to Danielle of GalaFont, I can cross that off my "Things To Do" list and pay her to do it. Problem solved!

So if you are in the market for a personal touch for your next event and are looking for something more hip and budget-friendly than traditional calligraphy, stop by and see Danielle.

You're welcome.

Happy Friday!

Hello blog peoples!

Getting ready for big fundraiser for my charity, Operation Shower, this weekend so the week's been a busy one. Exciting though!

Hope to get some good pictures for you for next week. The space is a hip lounge though with some serious mood lighting. (BONUS: Low light makes you look pretty and not exhausted, right?) Photos are not my forte and our professional couldn' t make it, so we'll see what we get.

I may not have been here this week much but I'm thinking of you! Have a great weekend. And, if you're in St. Louis, it's not too late to come out and join us. See the invite link above and come play. Just make sure and come say hello to me!