My blog is changing a bit to reflect family life and all the fun rollercoaster ride it is!  Please bear with me as I attempt to make some new design changes to reflect the new and really fun direction we're going!

It's the daily life of me, a North Georgia mom and her guy, and the little guy (my son) as we embark on family projects, vacations, seasonal holidays and baseball season after baseball season! 

This morning as I was having breakfast I read my favorite magazine of all time, Southern Living.  I've been reading it for over 20 years now in fact (do not jest..I just turned 40 ok?) .  All my uuber married girlfriends love it too.  It's our source for finding a great mini-vacation, awesome recipies, gracious gardening, and sensible interior design.  But who'd ever think that it's a fabulous source for wedding planning?

Now that I've met THE guy my eye turns to some design ideas I might not have considered recently.  There were two articles that piqued my interest:  "Bring Spring Indoors (showing how to create a gorgeous arrangement)" and "Test Drive a Garden (how a gardener turns part-time party planner)".

In the first article, there is a complete how-to on creating a gorgeous table arrangement.  The base of the arrangement could be made quite a few days ahead and the flowers just placed immediately before the event.  These would be gorgeous on tables at a wedding or at a rehersal dinner if you're wanting to hold down flower costs.  You could also re-use the self-made containers again for another soiree too!

Here's a teaser of their finished product and the link to the D.I.Y project:  

http://www.southernliving.com/home-garden/decorating/how-to-arrange-flowers-00400000034583/

Now to this second D.I.Y. wonder.  I loved reading this article because I think an arrangement which gets a second life after the party is fabulous!  I love entertaining outdoors and have in fact, a glass table which would create this look exactly.  The ideas came from a gardener who married a man who was a second-generation grower and owner of  huge greenhouses.  She wanted to bring gardening to younger crowds so she decided to decorate some clients' yards for garden parties.  What a fantastic and creative idea!  I love this idea and think it would make an incredible cake table (just imagine your cake on this gorgeous table!) or favor table as it packs a punch of color.  Plus I could totally see this used again and again for backyard parties as the buffet center or for wine and cheese.

What do you think?  Love it as much as I do?  When not hosting a party (or a wedding), the glass top can be stored away and the planted containers become deck or front door attractions all season long!  Not only is this eco-friendly as it is re-useable, but it's budget friendly too. 

 I've noticed as of late interesting cake toppers.  I've also oogled swarovski crystal encrusted cake toppers which sparkle with fire, wooden figurines painted to look like the bride and groom toppers too! 

But what about my personal preference?  Would I use over and over a glittery crystal studded topper at a holiday dinner on my sugary confections?  Nope.  Would I ever re-use wooden figurines?  I don't think so. 

So what could a classic, traditional, Southern gal like moi possibly find that could convey elegance, give a bit of interest, and become an instant family heirloom?

Something like this for me, takes the cake!   

An elegant, monogrammed, crystal bowl cake topper! 

I could imagine some flowers adding a pop of color at the top of the cake peeking out from this lovely little bowl.  After the vows are exchanged, I could imagine this would become instant heirloom serving as candy dish, or a small bowl for blooms on a desk, coffee table or nightstand.

This little gem I discovered at www.thatsmytopper.com !