Giuliana's First Birthday

Giuliana, my baby cousin, celebrated her big first birthday a couple months ago and her mommy and I went ALL out! Since this was her first birthday we wanted it to be a beautiful classy party because in the years to come it will be all about costumes, sticky fingers, and colorful games. Our love for Pinterest fueled our ideas for this party so you may recognize a few ideas. I hope you enjoy the photos!

The party tabe was so much fun. We had personalized party water bottles, #1 sugar cookies, balloons, crepe paper flowers, and baby roses.

These little candle holders were adorable. I started with some fog glass candle holders, then, I took the baby roses and baby's breath to circle the rim. The flowers were held with a rubber band and then a delicate pink ribbon. One great thing about these is that after the party you can turn the holder upside down, dry the flowers, and keep them for a little longer.

Here are the little water bottles. Rachel, Giuliana's mother, is very health conscious so we decided to have healthy food and drink options. I designed the happy birthday logo and took some sweet little "one year" photos to print on the labels for the bottles. This is super easy to do. Just find print labels that mach the size of a water bottle and go!

The buffet was gorgeous. We used books and boxes to create a raised buffet. Then, we put a solid white tablecloth down and added white Christmas lights wrapped around the platforms. A sheer white table cloth on top made the little lights sparkle and shine around the beautiful platters. 

These lovely vases are made with real cut lemons. Place a small vase inside the glass jar, place lemons around rim, fill with water, add flowers, and tie with a ribbon!

This chalkboard is an adorable idea my cousin had. She recorded little facts about Giuliana's first year and wrote them on the board.

Another lovely vase idea I saw was placing baby's breath in the bottom of a large vase and floating candles in it. 

Giuliana and daddy!

Giuliana surrounded by tissue paper and colorful bags.

Noni and baby G

Giuliana doesn't eat processed sugar yet so Rachel made her an amazing apple spice cake with banana frosting. It was awesome!

Monthly photos

The party food blog post is coming soon!

Beautiful new item

The Celtic Designed Leather Cuff

I had a BLAST creating this one. I have a new line of creative leather bands coming out and this is the premier!I started off with a leather band that I sliced to give it texture and stress, then I added this lovely Celtic circle pendant that I wove color into. I chose to use the light green and soft red because the color patterns this season are leaning toward the pale vintage accents. In the center in a small blush colored glass pearl. The whole bracelet just took me away! I love it. Go check it out at my shop.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95105465/celtic-designed-leather-cuff

More to come!

-Lauren with The Swell Sunflower

Lace is Everywhere!

Everyone is loving lace right now and so am I ! It's such a great addition to any little outfit, accessory, or even bags. I made these little cuties today in honor of my lace love. Here they are:

 This is a closer look at the lovely rose pattern lace

This is a horrible photo of one headscarf I'm working on but I love it SO much I just had to show it off. The beadwork pattern will be ivy and leaves in brown, green, gold, and light green beads.  I love the giant flower next to the Coral Red striped fabric. I'm so excited to get this one finished! I modeled the design on this silly belt I had as a kid. It was brown and cream beads connected by a tan and brown flower that looks very much like my styled flower here.

I can't wait to show off the finished product! I'll update soon.

Thanks,
Lauren

2012 Spring Fashion Update: The Headscarf

"The headscarf makes a comback!" says Daniel P Dykes with Fashionising.com


This Spring 2012, fashion is taking us back to the 40's and 70's with headscarves. When you go to get your spring haircut this year, remember, it's not just your hair that needs to be showing off. Models for 2012 have been sporting adorable 1940's scarves tied with a knot atop their heads. This is personally my favorite scarf trend this season.

 
Also, hitting the runways are 1970's inspired scarves like these.

"On-trend hair isn't all about styles in 2012. For those with a willingness to experiment and a desire to stand out from the crowd, the humble headscarf makes its return, pushing the tuban aside and taking on a casual air." - fashionising.com

For fear of only posting high fashion model photos and scaring you away from this trend with their harsh stares, here are some fun and flirty scarves!

 I love this look! Two other things that are VERY stylish this Spring- Coral Red lips and pale pinks or yellows accented by vibrant greens. Oh, the wonders of color!

Who can resist a fun print? 

I hope you all enjoyed your Spring Fashion Update. Now, get ready to buy some scarves from my new line coming soon!


Thanks,
Lauren


Topic and model photos taken from:
http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b--headscarf-fashionable-accessory-15070.html

Valentine's Collection

Here are my favorite pieces from this years Valentine's Collection. To see the full collection please visit my Etsy www.theswellsunflower.etsy.com

My focus this season was on COLOR and TEXTURE! I love the deep reds and golds. I also chose to use leather, roses, beads, and pinks as accents in some pieces.

 I adore this bracelet! It's so vibrant.

 Fluffy little ear warmer!

 Such a great piece. It glistens so well in the sun.

 Love dainty bangles.

 Paris and Bangles

 This necklace takes my breath away. It's just so elegant and versatile.

 Such fun! The cosmos bangles are so sweet and delicate.

 And of course The Red, Red Rose matching Bracelet.

 The Red, Red Rose Earrings inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

 This is my little steampunk winter addition! Love that steampunk.

Leather is so much fun in all seasons. The gold accents in perfectly.

 The Spring line is coming soon with some GREAT pieces. You can look forward to fashionable 2012 spring headscarves for you lovely ladies. And men, I have some great leather bands and fashion items for you too!


Thanks!

Rachel Mcadam's Bracelet in Glamour Magazine

The February issue of Glamour features Rachel Mcadams! In one photo she has a bracelet that I was so excited to see because it looks very similar to one of my bracelet creations. Check it out:

 The picture on the left is Glamour Magazine's taken from Just Jared. The one on the right is one I took of my Gold Oval Link Heart Bracelet. Now, her's is obviously a lot nicer and, I'm certain, a lot more expensive but I love this style. It's simple but "glamourous."

Check out the one I have for sale: www.theswellsunflower.etsy.com

Violet Hour

Today's treasure is a wee little violet hair clip. I spent a few hours creating a bunch of these little guys and I think they are just the cutest little things. They fit perfectly on headbands or nestled in a messy-bun. The ruffle flower is made with satin and decorated with violet glass beads and a faux diamond pendant.

More is coming!

Necklace Envy

It's two weeks after Christmas and I still haven't given away all my gifts! I've been waiting to give my best friend her present for days and I'm very excited about it. In fact, I almost want to keep it... I got the idea from a Pinterest necklace I saw that had a human heart sketch on the pendant. My friend is a pre-med student so based on that and her love of dark green and long simple necklaces, I created my own version just for her. I used a glass frame locket, emerald green glass pearls, gold charms, and a double rolo chain. I did the art as well! It was a bit difficult, being so tiny, but very well worth it. Result:

 I love the double rolo chain look. It just looks so intricate. Here's a closer look at the little heart. It says "Love" on the side.

 I edited this one with a fun finish...

The Treasures of Thrifting!

I got this beautiful Italian leather purse today while I was out shopping. It's brand new, not a scratch or smudge on it, and it only cost $4! I couldn't believe it. You'd think I was rummaging though the purse for loose change the way I looked for the tag inside it, Genuine Italian leather it said. I'm certain the girl next to me, who also happened to have been at the previous store I went to, thought I was insane. Once I showed her the bag she laughed though. It's beautiful and it reminds me of something Audrey Hepburn, Jackie O or Grace Kelly would have carried. Here is mine.

And here are their bags:

 I think mine has the shape of those two but this one below with Jackie looks like its twin with the colors flipped. Mine even has the little buckle! Now I just need to find that amazing outfit. I wish there was a better photo of this purse though...

I hope you enjoyed my fun little find. There will plenty of stuff like this purse up on my Etsy, The Swell Sunflower, starting January 16th! Theswellsunflower.etsy.com