DIY

NEW YEARS EVE PARTY IDEAS

We’ve been scouring the interweb for the coolest NYE ideas and recipes. Whether you’re throwing a big shindig or a having a cozy night at home, there’s always something special you can add. DIY garlands, fun balloons, confetti, glitter!!, yummy dips and apps, and of course…champagne! Check out our pinterest board for all things NYE.

THAT’S A WRAP! [PART 1]

It is nearly impossible to make it through December without hosting or attending a holiday party of some kind. We decided to be on the hosting end this year, and throw a wrapping party. Wrapping gifts and eating every holiday treat out on the market is truly our idea of the perfect night! 
Cocoa drizzled popcorn cups with peppermint Oreos!

Wrap buffet…
We served Prosecco and peppermint hot chocolate. We are so in love with these drink toppers. Wouldn’t they be perfect for a NYE party as well!?!

Our bestie, Lauren of Rock Paper Scissors, came with these beautiful and tasty antipasto skewers.

No cup of hot chocolate is complete without christmas tree marshmallows. 
We placed mini ornaments (found in the Target dollar section) in shot glasses to add to the “buffet/bar” theme. They just looked so pretty!
You can find these little guys almost anywhere. We got ours from the dollar section as well. We spray painted him gold, and added a festive Santa hat. 

We are so in love with this garland, it pains me to think of taking it down in a couple of weeks!
(Tutorial coming this week incase you would like to make one of your own!)
Remember that large branch that adorned the top of my Thanksgiving tablescape? Well, I kept it around and hung “falling snow” and a couple of snowflakes on it. Just string cotton balls onto fishing line, and voila! So easy, but so beautiful we think!
Our finished products coming up in the next post!
We hope you all are enjoying your holidays and spending time with the people you love so dearly! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! 

MODERN THANKSGIVING TABLESCAPE

One day until our Thanksgiving feast, and my table is already set! I may be a little excited. Creating a tablescape is my absolute favorite part of Thanksgiving ( well, second favorite to devouring all of the delicious food).
This year, I tried to use things that I mostly had on hand. I couple of Thanksgivings ago, my mom purchased some beautiful linen napkins from Pottery Barn. They weren’t cheap, but I just HAD to have them. Therefore, I owe them several appearances on my table. I absolutely love the dark teal color, and really wanted to create a table around that color with hints of gold. 
I spray painted pumpkins with a metallic gold spray paint, which has to be the easiest project ever. It makes such an impact too! I purchased some brass candlesticks a couple of years ago at a thrift store, and this is my first time using them! Sometimes you just have to wait for the perfect time to pull things out, ya know? I also had a gold dotted burlap runner from a previous event I hosted. I purchased a set of salt and pepper shakers and a Threshold runner from Target. I put the final touches on the table with some greenery, roses and pheasant feathers. Now we are ready to stuff our faces!

I hand painted a small “say grace” print with water color. I think it may be a permanent framer for my dining room.

My favorite part of my Thanksgiving decor is the floating branch above the table. I found it on the side of the road while on a walk with my daughter. I strung it up with fishing line and commando hooks. I am really considering leaving it up and stringing “snow” from it for winter, so this may not be the last you see of it.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
-J

CUSTOM HOLIDAY WRAP FOR THE LITTLES

Remember the chain link garlands you made in grade school? Well, we’re reinventing them! They make perfect gift wrap toppers for the holidays. At Love & Lion we celebrate both Hannukah and Christmas, so we’ll show you how to wrap using all the same supplies. This is the perfect craft for your littles! My three-year-old Ari stamped the Hannukah wrap paper all by himself. Great for small motor skills and shape recognition. 
Grab your toddler and get to stamping!

Here’s how to make your chain link garland topper:

Voila!

Here are some shots of our Hannukah party. We used the extra stamped wrapping paper as a table runner and kinda went crazy with the chain links!

We tied the napkins with candles – Hannukah is the Festival of Lights after all! 

Any great holiday crafts you like to do with your kids?
-L