Wine Taste Girl: How To Tuesdays

Posted 1/10 How to use chalk paint....

My new obsession is chalk paint. Have you all heard of it? It's not chalk board paint, it's called chalk paint and I'm obsessed! This paint gives a whole new look to any kind of furniture or home accessories you have sitting around the house you may be thinking of getting rid of. It gives an antique, french finish to any object worthy of finding in a Parisian market. This paint is the perfect option for those of us on a beer budget because instead of having to buy something new, you can give something you already have a make over, for not a lot of money or effort. Watch this four minute "how to" video I made on how to transform something outdated into something fresh and new.

http://gallery.me.com/michaelandshannon/100009

Check out these pictures of the before and after. Pretty great, right?

The supplies....

My friend Deann painted Union Jack on her sideboard. Amazing! She used Aubusson Blue, Emperor's Silk, Duck Egg Blue, and Old White with clear and dark wax. You have to check out her Facebook page to see more of her beautiful artwork. www.facebook.com/ArtbyDeann

Let me know if we've inspired you!

Posted 1/6 How to wear colored jeans...

When I first wrote this post I titled it "Colored Jeans.... Must or Bust," but since then I've run out and bought a pair and they are definitely a must! This fabulous pair I found from Anthropologie are not only super cute, but they go with a ton of different things in my closet. For those of us on a beer budget, it's great when you can get one staple item for the season and pair it with items you already own. Here's a few of the outfits I came up with.

Pair them with a crisp, white button down, matching jewelry, and beautiful blue pumps. These happen to be a Kate Spade pair and they are too die for!

I posted a few months ago about this denim shirt I found in the Anthropologie sale room. I love how versatile this shirt is. Here it is paired with the colored jeans, a white camisole, and a pair of casual wedges.

Pair them with this $38 navy tank from Anthropologie and you get a super comfy, shopping or beach outfit that won't break the bank.

So...... colored jeans. Will you be wearing them????

Posted 11/23 How to throw a cupcaked themed party....

So on to the party from this past weekend.... no, not Tis the Season, my daughter's first birthday! I can't believe it's already been a year! All you people with kids know how it goes, one day you are bringing them home from the hospital and before you know it, they are up walking and developing their own little personalities. Well the theme was cupcakes, and it was all pink and burlap with lots of glitter and fun! Here's a few ideas if you want to do the same kind of birthday or baby shower.....

First, go online and find a cupcake template you can use and get creative. I used this for my treat bags but you can also use them for signs, etc.

Next, go on Etsy and get you some water bottle labels. You can find pretty much any theme, colors, whatever, and the best part is, you can print them off yourself. So cheap and so cute!

For the adult beverages, Cupcake wine of course! I love the Chardonnay and the Merlot, but the Cab is great also. These little cans of Sophia champagne are too cute and I put those little pink and white straws in them and they were absolutely adorable! You can get those straws on Etsy as well.

Next, fill a jar with candy. You can get any color gum ball at party city and fill them in a glass jar. On the table, I covered it in burlap and then put a pale pink runner on top. For the food, you'll want to keep it in the same color scheme as your party.

These adorable pom poms are at Joann's and you can make them yourself. So easy!

I got this sign on Etsy also and it was only like $5 or $6. The napkins I found at The Dotted Line in GreenHills.

Here's a picture of my sweet girl with her smash cake. I made this banner out of scrapbook paper I found at Joann's. It was really easy and anyone can do it! The smash cake and delicious cupcakes came from Ya'll Be Sweet.

I'm so sad I didn't get a picture of my adorable cookies from Laura's Custom Creations. They were amazing! She did them in the shape of cupcakes and the number 1's. All pink and tan glitter of course!

I have to end on this picture. I, of course, had the most beautiful birthday hat and this is as close as she came to putting it on her head. Oh well, this will be a great picture for her baby book!

Hope you like the party ideas!

Posted 11/7 How to throw a Lilly Pulitzer themed baby shower...

This weekend some friends of mine and I threw a baby shower for a dear friend having her first baby. She, and the rest of us, LOVE Lilly so we knew we had to have this shower Lilly Pulitzer themed. A lot of the ideas, and items, we got from other blogs and from Etsy, and some, our creative friends came up with on their own. Here's a few pictures....