<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?><rss xmlns:atom='http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom' xmlns:openSearch='http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/' xmlns:georss='http://www.georss.org/georss' xmlns:gd='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005' xmlns:thr='http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0' version='2.0'><channel><atom:id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414</atom:id><lastBuildDate>Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:26:12 +0000</lastBuildDate><category>Reception</category><category>Fab Finds</category><category>Behind the Scenes</category><category>New Inventory</category><category>Inspiration</category><category>Weddings</category><category>DIY</category><category>Birthdays</category><title>Centsational Celebrations</title><description>Want DIY &amp;amp; vintage touches for your event but don&amp;#39;t have time to craft, hunt for treasures, &amp;amp; set up all the lovely details? We&amp;#39;ll do it for you! http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com.</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/</link><managingEditor>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</managingEditor><generator>Blogger</generator><openSearch:totalResults>10</openSearch:totalResults><openSearch:startIndex>1</openSearch:startIndex><openSearch:itemsPerPage>25</openSearch:itemsPerPage><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414.post-1417886539785878898</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:57:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2012-07-03T11:26:12.879-05:00</atom:updated><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>New Inventory</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>DIY</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Weddings</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Inspiration</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Reception</category><title>Vintage in Use: Escort Cards</title><description>Brittany came back from an estate sale with boxes full of unexpected items (She'll give you the big reveal of new inventory on Fab Finds Friday.) &amp;nbsp;Among them was a mattress spring from a crib. &amp;nbsp;The&amp;nbsp;springs still have me dreaming up tablescapes, but one we'd already pinned as as escort card holder.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Mattress Springs:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/meegan@meeganweaver.com/25023/garrett_514$!x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/meegan@meeganweaver.com/25023/garrett_514$!x600.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/475240"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Luggage tag cards attached with clothespins.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;I did not use table assignments at my own wedding; Brittany did. &amp;nbsp;Preparing assignments does help ensure that guests can connect with people they already know, making them feel at ease. &amp;nbsp;My wedding and reception took place in the same space with a small number of guests. &amp;nbsp;Chairs were arranged in aisles for the wedding; after the ceremony, tables were brought in. &amp;nbsp;Escort cards weren't necessary because I could count on acquaintances mingling and grouping as the tables and chairs were being rearranged. &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;Brittany had more guests and two venues, so escort cards made sense to avoid the awkward task of choosing a seat. &amp;nbsp;Plus, it ensures that each seat is filled without breaking up couples or family groups. &amp;nbsp;It just depends on the size of the wedding, family history (read: avoid drama by separating them!), and the bride's preferences.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We have multiple inventory items suited for &lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;an &lt;span class="Apple-style-span"&gt;escort card display. &amp;nbsp;Best of all they can add to the atmosphere and theme of the couple's big day, rather than just being a list in the entryway.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Bunting:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/melanie.rebane@gmail.com/29819/2012_melanie_rebane_photography_0625$!600x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/melanie.rebane@gmail.com/29819/2012_melanie_rebane_photography_0625$!600x.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/601487"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Escort card bunting would look cute hanging from mattress springs, an old frame, or luggage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Library Card Holder:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/hello@johnpluslouise.com/17341/h_s_1359$!x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/hello@johnpluslouise.com/17341/h_s_1359$!x600.jpg" width="318" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/photo/394490"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Our card holder is gray. &amp;nbsp;Their green shade is the perfect fit for the color scheme.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Luggage:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://cache.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Escort-Cards-in-Vintage-Suitcase-250x376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://cache.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Escort-Cards-in-Vintage-Suitcase-250x376.jpg" width="318" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2010/12/30/fairy-tale-nestldown-wedding-meg-perotti/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;Cards tucked into a bed of moss.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/morgan@morgangalloevents.com/7111/IMG_4134$!600x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/morgan@morgangalloevents.com/7111/IMG_4134$!600x.jpg" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/128295"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Luggage card tags are perfect fora travel theme. &amp;nbsp;The sign says "Your Final Destination is Here."&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://ribbonsandrust.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img_1153.jpg?w=1024&amp;amp;h=768" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://ribbonsandrust.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img_1153.jpg?w=1024&amp;amp;h=768" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://ribbonsandrust.wordpress.com/2010/08/16/old-suitcases-new-love/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;These escort cards double as a favor. &amp;nbsp;Guest find their card and get to keep the succulent plant.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Shutters:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4918207296_ba49ab301e_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4918207296_ba49ab301e_z.jpg" width="320" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/heres-some-of-my-vintage-inspired-diy-projects-from-my-august-21st-wedding"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Beautiful skeleton keys attached to escort cards.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/carolineplusben@gmail.com/25246/jack_jessy_wed_b1_111119_3223$!600x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/carolineplusben@gmail.com/25246/jack_jessy_wed_b1_111119_3223$!600x.jpg" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/463196"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Cards are folded and tucked into the slats.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Wooden boxes:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/josevillaphoto@mac.com/12480/008619-R1-021$!x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/josevillaphoto@mac.com/12480/008619-R1-021$!x600.jpg" width="353" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/search/picture/185954?s=vintage&amp;amp;pos=236"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We have a variety of wooden crates. &amp;nbsp;Brands include &lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;Coca-cola, Vess Billion Bubble Beverages, Canada Dry. and milk crates.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/picottephotography@gmail.com/29066/melissajoshwedding_98$!600x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/picottephotography@gmail.com/29066/melissajoshwedding_98$!600x.jpg" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/558197"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;I like the mixture of wood finishes in this tablescape.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec9.pinterest.com/upload/181762534930667628_bUbm88jq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec9.pinterest.com/upload/181762534930667628_bUbm88jq.jpg" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/5629568254769444/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;These escort cards were created to look like tickets at a baseball themed wedding.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;I was so inspired by these shots that I stepped into the Craft Test Kitchen and made my own escort card creation. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JlEFC7w9r1Q/T_JMaIc1-aI/AAAAAAAAA7g/SeUO-_5P95A/s1600/PICT0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JlEFC7w9r1Q/T_JMaIc1-aI/AAAAAAAAA7g/SeUO-_5P95A/s640/PICT0135.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNuWcYWPeow/T_JMfR6FjdI/AAAAAAAAA7o/5FmylsL4dbY/s1600/PICT0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BNuWcYWPeow/T_JMfR6FjdI/AAAAAAAAA7o/5FmylsL4dbY/s640/PICT0137.JPG" width="360" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZodLVHPMXE/T_JMklQ4_FI/AAAAAAAAA7w/oOMHe58ti8c/s1600/PICT0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZodLVHPMXE/T_JMklQ4_FI/AAAAAAAAA7w/oOMHe58ti8c/s640/PICT0138.JPG" width="360" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It uses 2 wooden votive holder boxes from our inventory. &amp;nbsp;I cut out scrapbook paper in the swallowtail shape and attached them to skewers. &amp;nbsp;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;I like this escort card option because it's compact, leaving room for your guest book, photographs, and the other touches greeting guests at your reception site.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymC-xxPL8mU/T_JMvLPWgLI/AAAAAAAAA8E/NMqYPQhqgao/s1600/PICT0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymC-xxPL8mU/T_JMvLPWgLI/AAAAAAAAA8E/NMqYPQhqgao/s640/PICT0140.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vl8peuJCgBo/T_JMp45_VqI/AAAAAAAAA78/FHMcAKnWD0M/s1600/PICT0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vl8peuJCgBo/T_JMp45_VqI/AAAAAAAAA78/FHMcAKnWD0M/s640/PICT0139.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;I am linking up to a few parties.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com/"&gt;&lt;img border="0" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk189/4MyDesigns/Buttons/adits_125_1.png" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/"&gt;&lt;img border="0" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5171/5510086154_5717620675_m.jpg" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5644639575266341414-1417886539785878898?l=centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/07/vintage-in-use-escort-cards.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4918207296_ba49ab301e_t.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414.post-5748742456648556025</guid><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 2012 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2012-07-02T11:00:02.512-05:00</atom:updated><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Behind the Scenes</category><title>A Tale of Two Banners</title><description>Noticed our banner? &amp;nbsp;Brittany and I are totally loving it--though we didn't have the same vision at first. &amp;nbsp;Of course two sisters will have occasional disagreements, even sisters that are best friends and business partners like us! Our first official business disagreement arose during our banner photoshoot.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We completed the task after nearly 4 hours (!!!) of photographing all of our inventory in the hot sun, so I'm sure that our desire to get back into air conditioning contributed to our slightly crabby moods, thus priming us to have a minor squabble. We'd happily agreed upon the items to use in our banner photo, including our favorite typewriter, a selection of lovely glassware, and a few paper crafts. We'd also agreed upon the site of our photo backdrop--the weathered wood on our mother's back porch. I began styling first, scattering items above the bunting and overlapping the frame. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKgKORVbVSU/T-enqcdsc3I/AAAAAAAAA1M/zVmoYLEN3vA/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKgKORVbVSU/T-enqcdsc3I/AAAAAAAAA1M/zVmoYLEN3vA/s640/IMG_6542.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Then Brittany chimed in "Doesn't it look a little...kooky?" &lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: white;"&gt;Now I admit to you that I am kooky and I fully embrace those parts of my personality. &amp;nbsp;I sing and use accents at random. &amp;nbsp;I eat M&amp;amp;Ms in even numbers so that I eat the same number of each color on the left and right sides of my mouth. &amp;nbsp;On Halloween, I dress up like a Roberts dairy milk carton (my last name is Roberts after all!) And Brittany is also genetically pre-disposed (judging by how our parents and other relatives act) to be a little kooky.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: white;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: white;"&gt;But hearing my banner design dubbed kooky did not fill me with confidence. &amp;nbsp;Like a mama cub, I defended my original decision, but Brittany insisted that it felt cluttered. &amp;nbsp;We agreed to disagree. &amp;nbsp;We decided we'd each make our own version of the banner and then take our favorite bits from each to blend a final product. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Since this was a group effort, I'll let Brittany step in here to describe what she liked best about my banner!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MzdJdW2fsk/T-enwrv3l_I/AAAAAAAAA1U/aCsyeOdbbKQ/s1600/IMG_6548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--MzdJdW2fsk/T-enwrv3l_I/AAAAAAAAA1U/aCsyeOdbbKQ/s640/IMG_6548.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;First, I totally agreed that the frame looked best on the left, since we planned to add text in there and the eye naturally reads text from left to right. I also loved how Megan had styled the books so that you could see the cool design on the blue book's spine, along with the lovely patterned orange cover. Plus, the stack of mismatched china looked great--I especially loved how the milk glass plate was placed next to the pinwheels so that it almost looked like one of them! I'd been worried that the cluster of glassware up at the top of the frame would make things look too cluttered (or kooky, ha!), but ultimately I love how it turned out! I'm glad that I trusted Megan's judgment on that one. Sometimes we just need to not trust our gut reactions!&amp;nbsp;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;And now back to Megan to describe what was working in my arrangement.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here is Brittany's banner design:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HiboE4wLy5Q/T-en3GRW6gI/AAAAAAAAA1c/ipmdg3-JMIE/s1600/IMG_6555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HiboE4wLy5Q/T-en3GRW6gI/AAAAAAAAA1c/ipmdg3-JMIE/s640/IMG_6555.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;Adorable, right? &amp;nbsp;She pulled out a few more of our inventory items to add more color and texture to the photo--&lt;a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105193405427788874233/InventoryAsOf6172012#5752233924361627122"&gt;a burnished silver teapot&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105193405427788874233/InventoryAsOf6172012#5755239334801484258"&gt;a milk glass pedestal bowl&lt;/a&gt;. She also used more pinwheels than my design and I love the punch of color. &amp;nbsp;The stacked books add dimension. &amp;nbsp;What you can't see is that she used a Coca-Cola bottle to prop it up--ingenious! &amp;nbsp;The birdcage is laid on its back, which is a better angle from the camera's bird's eye view. &amp;nbsp;Back to Brittany!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;So with our two different stylings in mind, we decided to create our perfect banner together! Originally we planned to look at the pictures of both of our arrangements and pick the top three things we liked about each to more purposefully fuse them (sorta like the first season of HGTV's Secrets from a Stylist, with two distinct room designs merging together), but then we realized that it made most sense to just jump into styling the photo together. So we removed all of the items and began styling away in tandem. It worked out perfectly! It turns out we naturally implemented things we both liked from each others' design, and we also arranged things in ways we didn't think of at all in our original stylings! We kind of got out our kinks in the first two arrangements, so that things went very smoothly when we united because we really began to trust each others' instincts.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fXYATarqUc/T-en9hOHlVI/AAAAAAAAA1o/j_UJ42l37Zw/s1600/IMG_6580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fXYATarqUc/T-en9hOHlVI/AAAAAAAAA1o/j_UJ42l37Zw/s640/IMG_6580.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i style="background-color: white;"&gt;In our joint styling, we returned the typewriter to where Megan had positioned it in the corner--it felt a little cluttered when it was placed next to the chunky frame, and it really draws the eye to that upper corner. We ended up wanting more color, so we popped in a blue-patterned salad plate &amp;amp; amber sherbet cup. Both of us loved how the plate looked when clustered with the pinwheels, so we added the green bowl to bring in more of the sage color to that corner. We also opened up the lunch box, migrated the pinwheels to the corner, and mixed up the items above the bunting for more interest (rather than having all glassware up there).&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;i&gt;Now all that was left to do was crop the photo and add our text! I played around a little without Megan and came up with this...&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJke6Fvy6ak/T-eoBf-m28I/AAAAAAAAA1w/ynyB9NtoqIg/s1600/With+tagline+example.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="292.5" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJke6Fvy6ak/T-eoBf-m28I/AAAAAAAAA1w/ynyB9NtoqIg/s640/With+tagline+example.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;...And then together we decided that we'd like to crop the photo a bit more, place our full name in the frame, and remove the tagline (which we felt made the banner feel a bit cramped). Here's what we ended up with:&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jE6926wlAhU/T-enjyJQ7_I/AAAAAAAAA1E/UpFPuiwin8E/s1600/Edit+6-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="224.25" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jE6926wlAhU/T-enjyJQ7_I/AAAAAAAAA1E/UpFPuiwin8E/s640/Edit+6-9.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;i&gt;And we both love it! I think that styling this shot helped prepare us for any disagreements that may arise when we're setting up an event or just decorating our studio space :) Turns out things really do turn out better when we work together.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8C395vekYA/T-fAY3e0ffI/AAAAAAAAA2I/jWY9Q2IGgak/s1600/Group+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="104.25" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8C395vekYA/T-fAY3e0ffI/AAAAAAAAA2I/jWY9Q2IGgak/s640/Group+signature.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5644639575266341414-5748742456648556025?l=centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/07/tale-of-two-banners.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RKgKORVbVSU/T-enqcdsc3I/AAAAAAAAA1M/zVmoYLEN3vA/s72-c/IMG_6542.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414.post-8243770615016387657</guid><pubDate>Fri, 29 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2012-06-29T11:00:06.914-05:00</atom:updated><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>DIY</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Inspiration</category><title>Craft Test Kitchen: Maps</title><description>&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;On a recent trip to the Goodwill Outlet, Brittany and I purchased a collection of out date atlases. &amp;nbsp;While they may not useful for a road trip, we knew they were perfect for a craft! &amp;nbsp;We set to work creating&amp;nbsp;accordion&amp;nbsp;folds to make some pinwheels.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDOCArUsX4g/T-k5blT5ToI/AAAAAAAAA38/G5gO5orQEW0/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDOCArUsX4g/T-k5blT5ToI/AAAAAAAAA38/G5gO5orQEW0/s640/IMG_0057.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E3Q-wJMneBg/T-k6mHekPBI/AAAAAAAAA5w/SPFSE0dkFg0/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E3Q-wJMneBg/T-k6mHekPBI/AAAAAAAAA5w/SPFSE0dkFg0/s640/IMG_0070.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eShUGTbrrJ0/T-k6xBOjnEI/AAAAAAAAA6A/h9SFfDS35Iw/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eShUGTbrrJ0/T-k6xBOjnEI/AAAAAAAAA6A/h9SFfDS35Iw/s640/IMG_0072.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnQpEi7JVNg/T-k7CkL-8nI/AAAAAAAAA6c/OVs0G_lOwEI/s1600/IMG_0075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MnQpEi7JVNg/T-k7CkL-8nI/AAAAAAAAA6c/OVs0G_lOwEI/s640/IMG_0075.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydGLJw71p0w/T-k621xlt0I/AAAAAAAAA6I/bhYk-dcqTPk/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ydGLJw71p0w/T-k621xlt0I/AAAAAAAAA6I/bhYk-dcqTPk/s640/IMG_0073.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyN8OABOaE4/T-k68yVyT_I/AAAAAAAAA6U/pIY48WnNpVk/s1600/IMG_0074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qyN8OABOaE4/T-k68yVyT_I/AAAAAAAAA6U/pIY48WnNpVk/s640/IMG_0074.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;We also made a banner in a new pattern--the swallowtail flag. &amp;nbsp;Since this is the test kitchen, we experimented with using a pointed and straight edged top. &amp;nbsp;In the end, we favored the clean lines of the straight edge. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COHhwp_NZVA/T-k7IpU6OvI/AAAAAAAAA6k/4MyoEnly4eE/s1600/IMG_0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COHhwp_NZVA/T-k7IpU6OvI/AAAAAAAAA6k/4MyoEnly4eE/s640/IMG_0076.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We took a picture of multiple banners within our "craft portfolio." &amp;nbsp;You can see the map banner on the third strand from the top. &amp;nbsp;Of course, clients can select a whatever combination of shape and paper that fits their event theme. &amp;nbsp;The swallowtail is my new fave!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCZRrSw_zgc/T-k7OtCgF8I/AAAAAAAAA6s/gUnKrrcW3Eo/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CCZRrSw_zgc/T-k7OtCgF8I/AAAAAAAAA6s/gUnKrrcW3Eo/s640/IMG_0078.JPG" width="336" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Here's a close up:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RFoQi89sAw/T-k7SAxsIFI/AAAAAAAAA64/-EVn_99q-2g/s1600/P1020577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2RFoQi89sAw/T-k7SAxsIFI/AAAAAAAAA64/-EVn_99q-2g/s640/P1020577.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JK0tbzUk4gQ/T-k7V6-ceZI/AAAAAAAAA7A/-1q_hch_1AA/s1600/P1020578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JK0tbzUk4gQ/T-k7V6-ceZI/AAAAAAAAA7A/-1q_hch_1AA/s640/P1020578.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Here are some other adorable ways to use maps at an event:&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Cut hearts out of maps: where you met, where you married (or honeymooned!), and where you live. &amp;nbsp;This idea could be easily modified: vacations with dates, birthplaces, where you've lived, etc.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.ilovefarmweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/20120425-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="314" src="http://www.ilovefarmweddings.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/20120425-01.jpg" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Embroider a map with the route you took on a vacation (great for road tripping honeymooners!)&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/upload/212513676136612799_AHo3Id5Z_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/upload/212513676136612799_AHo3Id5Z_c.jpg" width="384" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;Or create a map garland!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/11.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="344" src="http://lifestyle.allwomenstalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/11.gif" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;We were excited to experiment with our atlases and love how the map crafts turned out!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJWzVfeUSPU/T-emS1Gks0I/AAAAAAAAA08/_2APolQz-g0/s400/Megan+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="155" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJWzVfeUSPU/T-emS1Gks0I/AAAAAAAAA08/_2APolQz-g0/s400/Megan+signature.jpg" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5644639575266341414-8243770615016387657?l=centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/06/craft-test-kitchen-maps.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bDOCArUsX4g/T-k5blT5ToI/AAAAAAAAA38/G5gO5orQEW0/s72-c/IMG_0057.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414.post-5213350393103181030</guid><pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 2012 14:01:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2012-07-02T17:29:40.163-05:00</atom:updated><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Weddings</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Inspiration</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Birthdays</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Reception</category><title>Come Fly With Me: Travel-Themed Event Ideas!</title><description>To continue with this week's travel theme--which is very appropriate since I will be road tripping down to Louisiana tomorrow--today I'm sharing some party ideas perfect for any wanderer! There are so many genius ideas out there that incorporate a worldly theme in a subtle way. As with any theme, you don't want to go too overboard and make things feel cheesy. (Except if the theme is cheese. If so, please invite me!)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Speaking of inviting, the first step to any soiree is getting the word out. What better way to do that than with these adorable boarding pass invitations!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/airplane-birthday-invitation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="312" src="http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/airplane-birthday-invitation.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/2012/baby-boy/featured-party-airplane-themed-birthday/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"&gt;The above ones were from a little boy's airplane-themed party, but could also work well as a destination wedding invite. The red, white, and blue scheme matches classic air mail envelopes, but could easily be switched out to match any event color scheme.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Modern-Calligraphy-Wax-Seal-Wedding-Invitation-Betsy-Dunlap-550x359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="312" src="http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Modern-Calligraphy-Wax-Seal-Wedding-Invitation-Betsy-Dunlap-550x359.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://ohsobeautifulpaper.com/2011/07/modern-travel-inspired-calligraphy-wedding-invitation/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;This invitation suite is so classic and lovely but still has quirky elements. I especially love the elegant calligraphied address, monogram, and seals juxtaposed with the mismatched stamps and twine! And the map-lined envelopes add a touch of whimsy to a usually boring spot.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sCmJb0PbkSE/TGMc2eaQ74I/AAAAAAAADdU/r8ydisq5oyw/s640/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="319.5" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sCmJb0PbkSE/TGMc2eaQ74I/AAAAAAAADdU/r8ydisq5oyw/s640/16.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.theloveliestday.com/2010/08/fun-filled-travel-themed-wedding.html"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Once guests arrive, let them know where they'll touch down for the evening with this adorable map-backed escort card holder! Luggage tags are emblazoned with the guests' names and their home country/city for the night. The places correspond with the table numbers, below: rather than just writing out the location, this bride found some vintage postcards to mark the spots!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sCmJb0PbkSE/TGMc1I6ljUI/AAAAAAAADdM/sPZkAye2eCQ/s640/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="366" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sCmJb0PbkSE/TGMc1I6ljUI/AAAAAAAADdM/sPZkAye2eCQ/s640/15.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.theloveliestday.com/2010/08/fun-filled-travel-themed-wedding.html"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;Let's be serious. Food can sometimes be the best part of a vacation. So any travel-centric event should feature a decked out food and drink spot! The hostess of the hot air balloon-themed party below used stacked suitcases as a side table of sorts to display some delicious drinks and adorable balloon-shaped cookies. I love how the drinks were placed in those lovely stoppered bottles, and how the liquid coordinates so well with those vintage amber goblets and the bottom-most tan suitcase. And the basket is lined with pages from a road atlas--what a smart way to add height and also cushion all the glassware!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://blog.amyatlas.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Fly-Away-With-Me51-700x1053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="500" src="http://blog.amyatlas.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Fly-Away-With-Me51-700x1053.jpg" width="318" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://blog.amyatlas.com/2010/08/travel-inspired-guest-dessert-feature/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;This drink station has such a great vintage vibe thanks to the vintage suitcase, lantern, and those adorable straws! I also love all of the signage--the water pitcher is labeled as "Alaskan Glacier Ice Water," while the flags around the striped straws say "Bonjour!"&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/16536723601834050_8scQTaxH_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="500" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/16536723601834050_8scQTaxH_c.jpg" width="441" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.faroucheshop.com/bobbirthday.html"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;This set-up is too cute for words (and yet I will attempt to describe why it's great!) Of course the suitcase packed with treats (or "In-Flight Snacks") is great, along with those two globes accessorizing the table! The cake bunting is probably my favorite touch, though--it's made of tiny paper airplanes, which were folded from maps, of course! The map backdrop also helps draw attention to the wall and prevents boring dead space.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxyn0EJ2eLw/T-ucHVQ4OeI/AAAAAAAAA7M/ryUK2AQX3Ac/s1600/Travel+Food+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gxyn0EJ2eLw/T-ucHVQ4OeI/AAAAAAAAA7M/ryUK2AQX3Ac/s640/Travel+Food+Collage.jpg" width="336" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.armelleblog.com/2011/05/airplane-party.html"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;This "Precious Cargo" themed baby shower really steals the show. I love the aqua, red, and white color scheme (brought in by those awesome berry baskets, milk glass cake stands, and blue mason jars), the bunting, the antique baby scale, the luggage stashed on and under the table, and the hanging plane with its trailing message!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://cdn1-blog.hwtm.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/airplane-baby-shower-sweets-table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="319.5" src="http://cdn1-blog.hwtm.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/airplane-baby-shower-sweets-table.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://blog.hwtm.com/2012/05/amazing-precious-cargo-vintage-travel-baby-shower/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;This kids' "Around the World" themed birthday party looks so pulled together because of the great orange airplane logo that the hostess designed and carried through all the print goods, from the invitation to the utensil and water bottle wraps. The table settings are grounded by map placemats. Each guest received a pilot's hat and prepackaged food.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vk9WzK8cAKA/S8PCLyPJUgI/AAAAAAAAAaU/pPXldHiCHv4/s1600/Amanda+Pics+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vk9WzK8cAKA/S8PCLyPJUgI/AAAAAAAAAaU/pPXldHiCHv4/s640/Amanda+Pics+036.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.apartystyle.com/2010/04/around-world-party_12.html"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This sophisticated tablescape is full without being too "busy." The clustered candles and sea shells look great in those metal and glass lanterns. The vintage postcards, maps, and blown-up envelope make a great backdrop for the table!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://ab.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/ab/images/i/201219/0004/images/design-studio/entertain/throw_summer_travels_im1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="367.5" src="http://ab.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/ab/images/i/201219/0004/images/design-studio/entertain/throw_summer_travels_im1.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/design-studio/articles/how_to_throw_a_summer_travels_party.html"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;How awesome are these book paper roses and paper airplanes! The "passports" are the wedding invitations, but would make fun programs, too! I'm also in love with those map pinwheels. When placed on sticks, the paper airplanes and pinwheels could make great centerpiece options!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://cdn-blog.hwtm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AroundTheWorldWedding_07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="500" src="http://cdn-blog.hwtm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/AroundTheWorldWedding_07.jpg" width="355.5" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://blog.hwtm.com/2011/11/diy-vintage-style-travel-themed-wedding/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;This tablescape draws its colors from the globes clustered on its center. The aqua and yellow pair so nicely with each other! I'm happy to announce that we recently acquired a globe for our rental inventory, and we're looking to add more so that clients can achieve this layered look.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.seasideinvitations.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/f03cd566076880e906e32e91a3706307_w2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="202.5" src="http://www.seasideinvitations.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/f03cd566076880e906e32e91a3706307_w2a.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.seasideinvitations.com/globe-inspired-wedding"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;Paper mache suitcases make the perfect favor boxes when paired with paper luggage tags and stamps. I love the "Baggage Claim" tag--what a cute touch!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/favors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="500" src="http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/favors.jpg" width="472.5" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/2012/baby-boy/featured-party-airplane-themed-birthday/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;I also love the simplicity of these favor boxes made from atlas paper--so smart and easy!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/sites/files/marthastewartweddings.com/ecl/images/content/pub/special_issues/2010/mwd106122_sip10_mapfav3_xl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="500" src="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/sites/files/marthastewartweddings.com/ecl/images/content/pub/special_issues/2010/mwd106122_sip10_mapfav3_xl.jpg" width="384" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/230646/good-things-destination-weddings/@center/272506/destination-weddings#/103547"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Tiny boxes + twine + stamps = the cutest little favor boxes I ever did see...they look just like mini parcel packages!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10o2p3wdcYo/T-ud0_o-5_I/AAAAAAAAA7U/q-VuBm6_kUE/s1600/Package+favors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="500" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-10o2p3wdcYo/T-ud0_o-5_I/AAAAAAAAA7U/q-VuBm6_kUE/s640/Package+favors.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/2010/08/travel-themed-party.html"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;Anyone else longing to host a party just to incorporate these cute travel ideas? Really, the theme can fit any&amp;nbsp;occasion, from a going away party (duh!) to a housewarming to a wedding to a birthday!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DiH-OuevpyM/T9_Q3VfQC3I/AAAAAAAAApg/rEXfWfUOjEk/s320/Brittany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DiH-OuevpyM/T9_Q3VfQC3I/AAAAAAAAApg/rEXfWfUOjEk/s320/Brittany.jpg" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5644639575266341414-5213350393103181030?l=centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/06/come-fly-with-me-travel-themed-event.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sCmJb0PbkSE/TGMc2eaQ74I/AAAAAAAADdU/r8ydisq5oyw/s72-c/16.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414.post-4742581446632295044</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2012-06-26T11:00:03.974-05:00</atom:updated><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>DIY</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Inspiration</category><title>More Luggage Inspiration: Decor and DIY</title><description>&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;In the search for event inspiration, I also found lots of tutorials and products made with luggage. &amp;nbsp;Some of them were so creative I had to share. &amp;nbsp;Maybe they will speak a DIY idea and get you excited about tracking down your own set (or reusing those already tucked away in your closet!)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/re-nest/3-25-2009suitcases.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="323" src="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/re-nest/3-25-2009suitcases.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/look-suitcase-table-at-oakland-80176"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;My rating:&amp;nbsp;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;Wow&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;This pic stood out to me because it goes beyond the standard end table I've seen before. &amp;nbsp;Suitcases of various sizes are stacked and puzzled to create a flat surface for the table top. &amp;nbsp;I know if Brandon were making this, he'd want to connect and reinforce the suitcases to ensure he had a sturdy base. &amp;nbsp;This photo was taken by a guest staying in the&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;Oakland's Waterfront Hotel&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;, so there isn't a tutorial on how they put the piece together.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/dc/051311-suitcasecabinet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="300" src="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/dc/051311-suitcasecabinet2.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/dc/051311-suitcasecabinet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="300" src="http://i-cdn.apartmenttherapy.com/uimages/dc/051311-suitcasecabinet1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/suitcase-medici-146632"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;My rating: Woah&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;I'm actually in need of more bathroom storage (our master has a small footprint of 6x7) which is probably why this idea caught my eye. &amp;nbsp;Hung on the wall with shelves inside, the suitcases lid becomes the door. &amp;nbsp;They've attached a mirror to the front, but I'd prefer having the outside look as close to the original as possible. &amp;nbsp;I think opening the cabinet would have more wow factor with that contrast.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.rossanaorlandi.com/images/prodotti_894x1110/2010/dicembre/Jamesplumb/room_2_004.jpg/298x370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.rossanaorlandi.com/images/prodotti_894x1110/2010/dicembre/Jamesplumb/room_2_004.jpg/298x370.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="321" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.rossanaorlandi.com/48,Product.html"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;My rating: Ohmigosh&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;This idea blows my mind! &amp;nbsp;So creative! &amp;nbsp;What I really like about this project is that you could use materials you might otherwise pass up. &amp;nbsp;The dresser might have out of date drawer fronts and the luggage could be worn and ripped on the sides, but in combination they look beautiful. &amp;nbsp;I'd choose luggage with sturdy metal handles that would stand up to years of pulling.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"&gt;Two other projects I never would have dreamt up- a suitcase chair by REcreate designer Katie Thompson and a mini picnic table (with retractable legs!) tutorial by Instructables.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.recreate.za.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/White-Samsonite-suitcase-chair-white-linen-floral-deep-button-suitcase-detail-1-1-483x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.recreate.za.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/White-Samsonite-suitcase-chair-white-linen-floral-deep-button-suitcase-detail-1-1-483x600.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="321" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.recreate.za.net/blog/press/3rings_jan2010"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FF1/WV2K/GQRAVSXC/FF1WV2KGQRAVSXC.MEDIUM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="326" src="http://www.instructables.com/files/deriv/FF1/WV2K/GQRAVSXC/FF1WV2KGQRAVSXC.MEDIUM.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Suitcase-Picnic-Table-and-Speaker-System/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"&gt;And I also found this...&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.296676860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="300" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.296676860.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/88847977/large-la-belle-epoque-suitcase-cat-dog?ref=sr_gallery_9&amp;amp;ga_includes%5B0%5D=tags&amp;amp;ga_search_query=suitcase+dog+bed&amp;amp;ga_search_type=all&amp;amp;ga_page=1&amp;amp;ga_view_type=gallery"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;My rating: Not Gonna Happen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;I am a cat lover, but this is bizarre to me. &amp;nbsp;In my experience, cats are content to lie on an extra pillow (or the one you're trying to use), a magazine (especially when you're reading it), your lap (especially when you have somewhere to go). &amp;nbsp;You can buy them the best seat in the house. &amp;nbsp;They will not use it. &amp;nbsp;They will sit on your face before sitting in a kitty bed. &amp;nbsp;So yeah, I'm not buying or making this.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;Are you inspired to use any luggage in your home? If so, how? Let me know in the comments!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJWzVfeUSPU/T-emS1Gks0I/AAAAAAAAA08/_2APolQz-g0/s1600/Megan+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="155" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJWzVfeUSPU/T-emS1Gks0I/AAAAAAAAA08/_2APolQz-g0/s400/Megan+signature.jpg" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5644639575266341414-4742581446632295044?l=centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/06/more-luggage-inspiration-decor-and-diy.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UJWzVfeUSPU/T-emS1Gks0I/AAAAAAAAA08/_2APolQz-g0/s72-c/Megan+signature.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414.post-724884117735254785</guid><pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2012-06-26T00:03:05.661-05:00</atom:updated><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>New Inventory</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Weddings</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Inspiration</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Birthdays</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Reception</category><title>Vintage in Use: Luggage</title><description>&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;This week is travel week! &amp;nbsp;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;If you &lt;a href="http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/06/fab-finds-friday-urban-mining-homewares.html"&gt;read this post&lt;/a&gt; about our trip to Urban Mining, then you know that suitcases have been on our business wish list. &amp;nbsp;I'm happy to tell you we've recently acquired a plethora of new (well, new to &lt;i&gt;us&lt;/i&gt;) suitcases added to our inventory: a lovely tan leather piece, a black hardback, and a pretty blue suitcase, all renting for only $5, and a little red cutie for $3!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWMIDVw47Cc/T9623f11eUI/AAAAAAAAAlw/NkLiehb2VH0/s640/P1020236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWMIDVw47Cc/T9623f11eUI/AAAAAAAAAlw/NkLiehb2VH0/s640/P1020236.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpsW2N_EW7w/T-is8H_KqtI/AAAAAAAAA2w/FPpNIzd4K2w/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HpsW2N_EW7w/T-is8H_KqtI/AAAAAAAAA2w/FPpNIzd4K2w/s640/IMG_0238.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XNcAO_3bXFc/T-isbccUaFI/AAAAAAAAA2U/GagtMP_uNWY/s1600/IMG_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XNcAO_3bXFc/T-isbccUaFI/AAAAAAAAA2U/GagtMP_uNWY/s640/IMG_0235.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6VvKubfM48/T9624GOl46I/AAAAAAAAAlw/0gZsTNqdS_U/s640/P1020248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K6VvKubfM48/T9624GOl46I/AAAAAAAAAlw/0gZsTNqdS_U/s640/P1020248.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222;"&gt;There are countless ways to decorate with luggage at an event. &amp;nbsp;Plus it provides the dual purpose of storage and style! &amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;Ultimately, we'd like to have 5-6 bags so they can function for any clients' need. &amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #222222;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Sometimes on our shopping trips, we get odd reactions when we tell people we're buying an item for a rental business. &amp;nbsp;"Who would rent suitcases?" they seem to wonder. &amp;nbsp;Maybe next time we should be prepared with this stock of inspiration shots.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Vintage luggage looks great stashing favors, like these gift bags at a&amp;nbsp;&lt;span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"&gt;train-themed birthday party:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bZpzjZ2cdYo/TPZZ5MSBIUI/AAAAAAAAB0M/rCDHEAxjTzk/s640/choochootrain_birthdayparty_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bZpzjZ2cdYo/TPZZ5MSBIUI/AAAAAAAAB0M/rCDHEAxjTzk/s400/choochootrain_birthdayparty_2.jpg" width="320" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://blog.hwtm.com/2010/09/real-parties-vintage-train-birthday/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;Or these adorable little succulent favors (which also double as escort card holders) at a wedding reception!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://ribbonsandrust.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img_1153.jpg?w=1024&amp;amp;h=768" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="300" src="http://ribbonsandrust.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/img_1153.jpg?w=1024&amp;amp;h=768" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://ohdarlingwedding.blogspot.com/2011/01/vintage-suitcase-decor.html#"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Suitcases also look chic holding sweets, like these lovely blue ones at a 1st birthday party:&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://blowoutparty.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/airplane-party-dessert-table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="267" src="http://blowoutparty.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/airplane-party-dessert-table.jpg" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://blowoutparty.com/blog/2010/11/airplane-first-birthday-party/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;Or this wooden case adorned with a silver cake stand and lovely white cake:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NgNi5iZV8K4/T9qgOAsm9aI/AAAAAAAAAbw/x2-CWmwchok/s1600/Cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="261" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NgNi5iZV8K4/T9qgOAsm9aI/AAAAAAAAAbw/x2-CWmwchok/s400/Cake.JPG" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.milehighbride.com/vintage-inspired-style-shoot#"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;How cute is this luggage paired with vintage crates, tissue pouf balls, and rustic vintage cake stands and trays?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/278026976966443808_Q7ufjpK8_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/278026976966443808_Q7ufjpK8_c.jpg" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://jennycookies.com/2011/10/burlap-lace/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;Luggage also looks great stacked to accessorize a table:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P9ZloteHsJE/TF4y0wkJXuI/AAAAAAAACew/uZyDmK0uGys/s400/vintage+travel+party+overall+Found.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_P9ZloteHsJE/TF4y0wkJXuI/AAAAAAAACew/uZyDmK0uGys/s640/vintage+travel+party+overall+Found.jpg" width="424" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;And when opened can stash bottles of water to refresh your guests!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P9ZloteHsJE/TF4ymfnS2VI/AAAAAAAACeY/dStD7LMgvBc/s400/vintage+travel+suitcase+and+globe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_P9ZloteHsJE/TF4ymfnS2VI/AAAAAAAACeY/dStD7LMgvBc/s400/vintage+travel+suitcase+and+globe.jpg" width="265" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://cupcakesandcutlery.blogspot.com/2010/08/oc-vendor-spotlight-found-vintage.html"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;At this hot air balloon-themed birthday bash, stacked suitcases act as a side table of sorts for a wicker basket that's doubling as drink storage:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://sweetsindeed.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Fly-Away-With-Me2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="640" src="http://sweetsindeed.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Fly-Away-With-Me2.jpg" width="424" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://sweetsindeed.com/blog/2010/09/01/fly-away-with-me-dessert-station/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Pair an open suitcase with some chipboard letters, ribbon, and clothespins, and you have a beautiful nest to collect cards!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://bios.weddingbee.com/pics/89798/vintage-smogshoppe-wedding19ruffled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="266" src="http://bios.weddingbee.com/pics/89798/vintage-smogshoppe-wedding19ruffled.jpg" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/any-ideas-for-vintage-decor"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;Escort cards look so good nestled in vintage luggage, too:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://cache.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/morgan@morgangalloevents.com/7111/IMG_4134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="266" src="http://cache.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/morgan@morgangalloevents.com/7111/IMG_4134.jpg" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/01/05/vintage-garden-wedding-by-morgan-gallo-events/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;How lovely are these cards popping up amongst the bed of baby's breath?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/info@cassandrasantor.com/8399/0079_Braedon%20copy$!x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="640" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/info@cassandrasantor.com/8399/0079_Braedon%20copy$!x600.jpg" width="468" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/photo/148818"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;Programs are also right at home in vintage luggage, especially when paired with pretty bunting! We also specialize in party crafts and printables, and we can make lettered bunting like the one pictured.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/keridoolittlephotography@gmail.com/14398/%20(43%20of%2077)$!x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="640" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/keridoolittlephotography@gmail.com/14398/%20(43%20of%2077)$!x600.jpg" width="426" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/08/09/whimsical-seattle-wedding-from-keri-doolittle-photography/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"&gt;These stacked suitcases are the perfect place to stash the sign announcing the photo booth, along with a jar of fun props for guests to pose with! I had a photo booth at my wedding and it was a HUGE hit with guests!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dkTH-zTOcY/T9qiC4SHZ6I/AAAAAAAAAb4/MMlyGcVk7_4/s1600/Photo+booth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9dkTH-zTOcY/T9qiC4SHZ6I/AAAAAAAAAb4/MMlyGcVk7_4/s640/Photo+booth.JPG" width="416" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.100layercake.com/blog/2012/01/31/charming-hand-crafted-vancouver-wedding-natalie-jason/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;How amazing is this vintage vignette? The stacked suitcases make the perfect plateau for tea tins turned vases, a tiny vintage scale, mason jars brimming with apples, and an antique radio.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/melanie.rebane@gmail.com/29819/2012_melanie_rebane_photography_0562$!x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="640" src="http://isa2.stylemepretty.com/wp-content/submissions/uploads/melanie.rebane@gmail.com/29819/2012_melanie_rebane_photography_0562$!x600.jpg" width="426" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/gallery/picture/601416"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;And there are plenty of other suitcase-inspired event ideas, like these lovely l&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"&gt;uggage tag Save the Dates:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/223139356507706413_zjLGWHUJ_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/223139356507706413_zjLGWHUJ_f.jpg" width="396" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85826167/miranda-vintage-luggage-tag-wedding-save?ref=sr_gallery_46&amp;amp;sref=sr_71db9db9702f157ddfd05830f3c3b3b226faa4a84ba4004bdd8edb4a9a67e9d5_1337931200_14144861_wedding&amp;amp;ga_search_query=wedding&amp;amp;ga_view_type=gallery&amp;amp;ga_ship_to=ZZ&amp;amp;ga_min=0&amp;amp;ga_max=0&amp;amp;ga_page=7&amp;amp;ga_search_type=handmade"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;Or luggage tag favors:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/197525133627225214_I1NlqUNO_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/197525133627225214_I1NlqUNO_c.jpg" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://weddings.theknot.com/Real-Weddings/60951/detailview.aspx?STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&amp;amp;type=3&amp;amp;id=60951&amp;amp;STOPREDIRECTING=TRUE&amp;amp;colors=blue&amp;amp;pageIndex=20"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;Why not use luggage tags to display your seating assignments?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/15973773648481034_u1lMv1p4_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/15973773648481034_u1lMv1p4_c.jpg" width="426" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/california-weddings/"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;Or if you and your future spouse share a love of traveling, ask for a luggage cake!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/upload/208010076509504627_oPYW98uE_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/upload/208010076509504627_oPYW98uE_c.jpg" width="426" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.bridalbook.ph/wedding-articles/travelinspired-wedding-details"&gt;via&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Who knew that luggage could do so much more than toting your clothes and toiletries! I just love the chic look they bring to any event, and their storage capabilities! We're on the lookout for more pieces to join our inventory, and we'll let you know when they do!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DiH-OuevpyM/T9_Q3VfQC3I/AAAAAAAAApg/rEXfWfUOjEk/s1600/Brittany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="120" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DiH-OuevpyM/T9_Q3VfQC3I/AAAAAAAAApg/rEXfWfUOjEk/s320/Brittany.jpg" width="320" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5644639575266341414-724884117735254785?l=centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/06/vintage-in-use-luggage.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWMIDVw47Cc/T9623f11eUI/AAAAAAAAAlw/NkLiehb2VH0/s72-c/P1020236.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414.post-3225532254886209302</guid><pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2012 16:13:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2012-06-24T20:33:27.135-05:00</atom:updated><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>New Inventory</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Fab Finds</category><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Behind the Scenes</category><title>Fab Finds Friday: Urban Mining Homewares, June 2012</title><description>&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EqglNFrihXA/T9lt-nu6qeI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/nlUDbaKaMvw/s1600/Fab+Finds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EqglNFrihXA/T9lt-nu6qeI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/nlUDbaKaMvw/s400/Fab+Finds.jpg" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;Earlier this month, Brittany and I made our maiden voyage to First Fridays at Urban Mining Housewares. It was actually Sunday afternoon, but there were still plenty of treasures to admire.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EkeHfyODZog/T84XlC-JdoI/AAAAAAAAAA8/fTzhWsf9eB4/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EkeHfyODZog/T84XlC-JdoI/AAAAAAAAAA8/fTzhWsf9eB4/s640/IMG_0060.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We were greeted with cool finds the moment we stepped out of the car. &amp;nbsp;Look at how much is tucked under the awning--I didn't even notice the sheriff star hanging from the wall when I was there in person!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cWM9no_hVI/T84XmUVLHRI/AAAAAAAAABM/tXri0Lm851U/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0cWM9no_hVI/T84XmUVLHRI/AAAAAAAAABM/tXri0Lm851U/s640/IMG_0062.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This park bench would look great under the *** in my back yard. &amp;nbsp;Brittany noticed the step ladders first, selling for $25. &amp;nbsp;Ladders of any shape and size are easy items to repurpose, whether in your home or at an event--check out these uses, especially the ladder-turned-table assignment tree!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0NMK2yYesI/T9llHZYks1I/AAAAAAAAAXY/WgL-WGXnaEI/s1600/Ladders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0NMK2yYesI/T9llHZYks1I/AAAAAAAAAXY/WgL-WGXnaEI/s640/Ladders.jpg" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.womansday.com/home/craft-ideas/entry-bench-ladder-craft-91103"&gt;top left&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://inspirationforhome.blogspot.com/2011/10/ladders-repurpose-reuse-and-recycle.html"&gt;top right&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.kristanlynn.com/2011/05/redecorating-by-repurposing.html"&gt;bottom left&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://greenweddingshoes.com/real-wedding-jamie-jeremys-rustic-diy-wedding/"&gt;bottom right&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We're lucky enough to have a spare ladder a neighbor was going to throw out! &amp;nbsp;So we'll post more about our own repurposing later.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjR-wV02q6c/T9lgx0-rduI/AAAAAAAAAXM/2CZhKV0c5TI/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GjR-wV02q6c/T9lgx0-rduI/AAAAAAAAAXM/2CZhKV0c5TI/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;This bingo basket was a rare find and a gorgeous shade of blue. &amp;nbsp;We passed on it, but now I'm thinking of all the ways it could be used: filled with decorative balls (I'd want some with numbers on them, as a nod to its original purpose.), to play charades, as a candy dish (only sweets with wrappers, of course!), for assigning chores, &lt;strike&gt;salad spinner&lt;/strike&gt;, making a tough decision (aka choosing a movie/dinner), &lt;strike&gt;hamster wheel.&lt;/strike&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0JtPY7Jefg/T84Xj4H85lI/AAAAAAAAAAs/HKycv5P7e_0/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j0JtPY7Jefg/T84Xj4H85lI/AAAAAAAAAAs/HKycv5P7e_0/s640/IMG_0058.JPG" width="360" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Brittany and I have been working on the project of decorating our craft studio. &amp;nbsp;We've purchased a few metal wall-hanging organizers similar to these standing letter trays pictures on the left. They appeal to us because they're sturdy and hold up to spray paint. &amp;nbsp;Then we saw these beauties, which I would never DREAM of spray painting...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qtFpfv_k0eY/T84XkTbHIRI/AAAAAAAAAA0/Qp-t2IpfNlE/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qtFpfv_k0eY/T84XkTbHIRI/AAAAAAAAAA0/Qp-t2IpfNlE/s640/IMG_0059.JPG" width="360" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I love the finish of these cool cubbies, along with the handles and the space for a label. &amp;nbsp;My dream craft studio--you know, the one that doesn't include a budget--now includes a set of these. &amp;nbsp;I'd use the drawers like magazine holders to organize papers and projects.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrBkI-7JbzE/T84Xh62k4MI/AAAAAAAAAAU/JVYl9DOmOtA/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RrBkI-7JbzE/T84Xh62k4MI/AAAAAAAAAAU/JVYl9DOmOtA/s640/IMG_0053.JPG" width="360" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;If either of us were in need of a dresser, we would have walked away with this one. &amp;nbsp;It was a good price ($125, plus an extra 20% off!) for the quality of the piece. &amp;nbsp;It was made of solid wood with carved details, and the drawers slid easily. a lovely vintage dresser like this can make quite a statement at an event, too, whether accessorized with an eclectic assortment of bud vases or a delicious spread of desserts!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-Zbx50OqW0/T9lodQIBs8I/AAAAAAAAAXo/6tsk28Lh3dg/s1600/Dresser+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e-Zbx50OqW0/T9lodQIBs8I/AAAAAAAAAXo/6tsk28Lh3dg/s640/Dresser+collage.jpg" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&amp;nbsp;{&lt;a href="http://www.heygorg.com/2011/02/the-dessert-dresser-finale.html"&gt;left&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/california-weddings/2012/04/02/point-loma-nazarene-university-wedding-by-sean-walker-photography/"&gt;right&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;Those fresh white dressers look fabulous, but the lovely Urban Mining dresser above wouldn't even need to be painted!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uu8uZXSWoZQ/T84XipsjfTI/AAAAAAAAAAc/flfRrCwPtOs/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uu8uZXSWoZQ/T84XipsjfTI/AAAAAAAAAAc/flfRrCwPtOs/s640/IMG_0056.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;This projector would be a perfect addition to a movie room, and would be a cool statement piece on a guest book or cake table, like the cameras and typewriters below:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e725rQJbBlo/T9loktUI58I/AAAAAAAAAXw/Ghcp54Punfs/s1600/Typewriter+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e725rQJbBlo/T9loktUI58I/AAAAAAAAAXw/Ghcp54Punfs/s640/Typewriter+collage.jpg" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/08/02/camarillo-wedding-by-marianne-wilson-photography/"&gt;left&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/2012/06/08/garrison-new-york-wedding-from-carla-ten-eyck-datura-a-modern-garden/"&gt;right&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We currently have &lt;a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105193405427788874233/InventoryAsOf6172012#5752234067516509906"&gt;three&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105193405427788874233/InventoryAsOf6172012#5752234172358125314"&gt;different&lt;/a&gt; &lt;a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105193405427788874233/InventoryAsOf6172012#5752234357336811730"&gt;typewriters&lt;/a&gt;, one camera, &lt;a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105193405427788874233/InventoryAsOf6172012#5752234125565600818"&gt;one slide projector&lt;/a&gt;, and one &lt;a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/105193405427788874233/InventoryAsOf6172012#5752234143426335426"&gt;Super 8 video camera&lt;/a&gt; in our inventory!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wzOqM-MbXII/T84XjN8cVzI/AAAAAAAAAAk/kRGSEjzbnvk/s1600/IMG_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wzOqM-MbXII/T84XjN8cVzI/AAAAAAAAAAk/kRGSEjzbnvk/s640/IMG_0057.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A leather suitcase set is on my wish list. &amp;nbsp;Brittany mentioned they're on her radar too though, so hopefully we don't have a antique picking battle over a good deal! &amp;nbsp;I'd want to stack them to create an end table. &amp;nbsp;Not sure what I'd put inside yet-- it's a great opportunity for storage of items you don't often use. And they look quite chic at events, too:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HNIB6HbNTek/T9lsSB-NwEI/AAAAAAAAAYI/RZuhLNWv4Zg/s1600/Luggage+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HNIB6HbNTek/T9lsSB-NwEI/AAAAAAAAAYI/RZuhLNWv4Zg/s640/Luggage+Collage.jpg" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;{&lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/02/08/vintage-wedding-by-three-nails-photography/"&gt;top&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/08/02/camarillo-wedding-by-marianne-wilson-photography/"&gt;bottom&lt;/a&gt;}&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Brittany has a sixth sense- Pyrex detection. &amp;nbsp;Even among these beautifully cluttered shelves, she found the brightly colored dishes on the bottom shelf right away:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EqPQP3brx9M/T84XUepsbpI/AAAAAAAAAAM/95rfhuwkDV0/s1600/IMG_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EqPQP3brx9M/T84XUepsbpI/AAAAAAAAAAM/95rfhuwkDV0/s640/IMG_0052.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;It's hard to see in this picture, but I am in love with the painted legs and stained wood top of the table. &amp;nbsp;We are planning a combo of finishes for a craft worktable. &amp;nbsp;I totally missed the tripod lamp until looking at this photo-- I guess it wasn't meant to be...&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;We leave with a few purchases along with endless inspiration!&amp;nbsp;Brittany bought a small map of the United States that matches her aqua and orange kitchen to a T, along with a cheery Pyrex lemonade pitcher:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiaDBea5hkg/T9l0IejzWyI/AAAAAAAAAY0/Ti7Su1-HVs8/s1600/Brittany+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiaDBea5hkg/T9l0IejzWyI/AAAAAAAAAY0/Ti7Su1-HVs8/s640/Brittany+Collage.jpg" width="480&amp;quot;" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;Brandon and I found a new addition to our nautical painting collection. &amp;nbsp;We hang them in our master bedroom to remind us of our honeymoon in York, Maine. &amp;nbsp;This one will be paired with a photograph we took of a sailboat we spotted from the beach.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2HyuOx17J6k/T-YJK_iSZ5I/AAAAAAAAA0w/l6h-yhU_Ap0/s1600/PICT0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2HyuOx17J6k/T-YJK_iSZ5I/AAAAAAAAA0w/l6h-yhU_Ap0/s640/PICT0097.JPG" width="480" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;We also scooped up a few finds for our rental inventory: a milk glass vase (the rightmost one in the photo below) and a glass cake stand!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nwkljYH3s3k/T9QI6YLkU7I/AAAAAAAAALg/p1rGdyoxtJk/s640/IMG_0383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nwkljYH3s3k/T9QI6YLkU7I/AAAAAAAAALg/p1rGdyoxtJk/s400/IMG_0383.JPG" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3xeM-2liPk/T9QGu3dQHdI/AAAAAAAAAHo/wXI0zsEIOaY/s640/IMG_6319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E3xeM-2liPk/T9QGu3dQHdI/AAAAAAAAAHo/wXI0zsEIOaY/s400/IMG_6319.JPG" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;We're already planning our next First Fridays. &amp;nbsp;This time we want to explore the shops in the West Bottoms. &amp;nbsp;If you're in the KC area and have visited those shops in the past, leave a comment to let us know your suggestions of places to go!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnWSRcoZZfw/T9lmbcfjgwI/AAAAAAAAAXg/8tUGZjtI_IA/s1600/Megan+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="124" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GnWSRcoZZfw/T9lmbcfjgwI/AAAAAAAAAXg/8tUGZjtI_IA/s320/Megan+signature.jpg" width="320" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5644639575266341414-3225532254886209302?l=centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/06/fab-finds-friday-urban-mining-homewares.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EqglNFrihXA/T9lt-nu6qeI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/nlUDbaKaMvw/s72-c/Fab+Finds.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414.post-6274065268108706171</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 Jun 2012 15:47:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2012-06-20T10:47:00.442-05:00</atom:updated><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Behind the Scenes</category><title>Meet the Centsational Sisters: Megan!</title><description>Hello, I'm Megan, the other half of Centsational Celebrations.&amp;nbsp; I live in my hometown of Lee's Summit, MO, less than 3 miles away from my parent's house.&amp;nbsp; I share 1,??? square feet with my husband, Brandon, and my cat, Gilligan.&amp;nbsp; Yes, we named him after the namesake of Gilligan's Island (and I plan on naming all other future pets after the remaining characters!)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RiGnZWWyMLM/T9omupYqKzI/AAAAAAAAAao/87A-JX8JyAo/s1600/Gilligan+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="493" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RiGnZWWyMLM/T9omupYqKzI/AAAAAAAAAao/87A-JX8JyAo/s640/Gilligan+Collage.jpg" width="493" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"&gt;{Gilligan in various phases of adorable}&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Like Brittany, I married my high school sweetheart. &amp;nbsp;We had  dated for seven years before we got married on August 9, 2009. &amp;nbsp;My  wedding was planned in 4 months with a small budget. &amp;nbsp; At the time, we were also renovating a foreclosure Brandon had bought in January. &amp;nbsp;Those projects are happy memories. &amp;nbsp;I really feel like it's our home: something we've created together.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KrQFeiLSvuc/T9olvWWlfEI/AAAAAAAAAaI/dPlqLBPyflw/s1600/Wedding+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KrQFeiLSvuc/T9olvWWlfEI/AAAAAAAAAaI/dPlqLBPyflw/s400/Wedding+(8).JPG" width="266" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"&gt;{Brandon and I on our wedding day}&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/2658_509050333144_5947867_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/2658_509050333144_5947867_n.jpg" width="296" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"&gt;{Us after hard work at the house. Please excuse my work clothes}&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Kids have a special place in my heart. &amp;nbsp;I am a  2nd grade teacher in a Title 1 (low income) school. &amp;nbsp;I am passionate about  working in this environment. &amp;nbsp;My fellow teachers and I are patient, dedicated,  and fiercely loyal to our kids. &amp;nbsp;My students are smart, kind and funny and I'm very lucky that it's part of my job to bring out those qualities. &amp;nbsp;This year another teacher and I  started a weekly drama club group for 3-5 graders. &amp;nbsp;I also teach Sunday school for the 3-9 year olds with my husband.&amp;nbsp; It's been a new challenge and blessing each week and a great crash course for future parenthood.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My first 5 pins:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeS1It1tNfc/TwPhjHoLnEI/AAAAAAAAAwc/HHoOUb45ss8/s1600/Dictionary+Flowers+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeS1It1tNfc/TwPhjHoLnEI/AAAAAAAAAwc/HHoOUb45ss8/s200/Dictionary+Flowers+012.jpg" width="150" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/17873729740898989_MAlBgOOX_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="200" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/17873729740898989_MAlBgOOX_c.jpg" width="133" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/174373816792010956_2bWnHVZk_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="133" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/174373816792010956_2bWnHVZk_c.jpg" width="200" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/56224695317705426_3Yq14JnG_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="155" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/56224695317705426_3Yq14JnG_c.jpg" width="200" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/207728601532197263_6feZ22zG_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="132" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/207728601532197263_6feZ22zG_c.jpg" width="200" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;My last 5 pins:&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/281543696198409_cPaOUVUh_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="150" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/upload/281543696198409_cPaOUVUh_b.jpg" width="200" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/310017_333589760048406_126894987384552_767291_686749047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="146" src="http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/310017_333589760048406_126894987384552_767291_686749047_n.jpg" width="200" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bC4ZVz-OZhE/TSJpcNPYFCI/AAAAAAAAACQ/aF0Xqx4EYH4/s1600/100_1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bC4ZVz-OZhE/TSJpcNPYFCI/AAAAAAAAACQ/aF0Xqx4EYH4/s200/100_1515.JPG" width="200" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://foodformyfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/watermelon-lime-sorbet-slices-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="200" src="http://foodformyfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/watermelon-lime-sorbet-slices-4.jpg" width="133" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Thbrv2VJ3yE/Tkvg7VvVeCI/AAAAAAAAAGM/GeGuNVb6OxU/s1600/132_3270%25255B3%25255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Thbrv2VJ3yE/Tkvg7VvVeCI/AAAAAAAAAGM/GeGuNVb6OxU/s200/132_3270%25255B3%25255D.jpg" width="150" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;Favorite movie:&amp;nbsp; Shallow Hal or You've Got Mail&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Favorite movie snack: &lt;strike&gt;Twizzlers&lt;/strike&gt; Except I can't have them now that I'm gluten free! Dark Chocolate Raisinets&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;strike&gt;Addictions&lt;/strike&gt; Can't Live Without: &amp;nbsp;Music on car rides,&amp;nbsp;Sugar Free Vanilla Lattes, Fuzzy slippers post shower&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Bad habits:&amp;nbsp; Popping my fingers&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I never would have imagined I'd be starting a business with my sis, especially in the wedding/event world. &amp;nbsp;I was not the type of girl that dreamt up the perfect wedding day. &amp;nbsp;But on the other hand, it makes perfect sense. &amp;nbsp;I love making things. &amp;nbsp;I love to add little details to a room and give it personality. &amp;nbsp;I love to shop (though Brittany may love it more!) &amp;nbsp;And most important I love my sis. &amp;nbsp;I may sound like a big cheese ball, but I am SO excited for this fabulous excuse to spend more time with her!&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;I will also love giving you a peek into our business through this blog. &amp;nbsp;We'll be taking you along as we shop for antiques, try out new crafts, and decorate events for clients. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F9bfY6XZKkY/T9onCViUDRI/AAAAAAAAAaw/9iF0NTjoFds/s1600/Megan+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="155" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F9bfY6XZKkY/T9onCViUDRI/AAAAAAAAAaw/9iF0NTjoFds/s400/Megan+signature.jpg" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5644639575266341414-6274065268108706171?l=centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/06/meet-centsational-sisters-megan.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RiGnZWWyMLM/T9omupYqKzI/AAAAAAAAAao/87A-JX8JyAo/s72-c/Gilligan+Collage.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414.post-3419211939095572673</guid><pubDate>Tue, 19 Jun 2012 15:30:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2012-06-19T10:30:03.022-05:00</atom:updated><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Behind the Scenes</category><title>Meet the Centsational Sisters: Brittany!</title><description>&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;Hi! I'm Brittany, one half of the sister duo that makes up Centsational Celebrations! (Before anyone asks, I'm the younger sister. But I'm taller!)&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"&gt;I'm currently&amp;nbsp;splitting&amp;nbsp;residence between my hometown, Lee's Summit, Missouri, and the beautiful Missoula, Montana. Ryan, my then fiance, now husband and I moved to Missoula in August 2010 so that I could attend the graduate program in Creative Writing at the University of Montana. Now I'll be living in Missoula until May 2013, when Ryan (the aforementioned husband) will graduate with his degree in Computer Science! Until then, I'll be working with my dear sister from afar.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/28449_1364668479281_492710_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/28449_1364668479281_492710_n.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"&gt;{The Missoula Valley. Kinda nice, right?}&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;&lt;a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/377636_1893088969463_524713370_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/377636_1893088969463_524713370_n.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"&gt;{Megan and I posing by the Clark Fork River in Missoula, summer 2011}&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ryan and I were high school sweethearts. (I kind of stalked him after spying him in the lunch room, but that's a long story I won't get into right now.) After our wedding (on Friday, January 13--we're daredevils!), the craft and design bug had officially bit Megan and I, and we decided to start our own event rental and decoration business!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GI1NnC0l2SM/T9orSDN2-BI/AAAAAAAAAa8/kAfBrvu_Kzc/s1600/barr+wedd+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="500" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GI1NnC0l2SM/T9orSDN2-BI/AAAAAAAAAa8/kAfBrvu_Kzc/s640/barr+wedd+056.JPG" width="320" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"&gt;{My man &amp;amp; me. The weather held up nicely for us--the light dusting of snow didn't hinder traveling but made a great photo background!}&amp;nbsp;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYgfWr7YLxg/T9orYBTQE-I/AAAAAAAAAbE/Pg2FHeJOlg8/s1600/barr+wedd+167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CYgfWr7YLxg/T9orYBTQE-I/AAAAAAAAAbE/Pg2FHeJOlg8/s640/barr+wedd+167.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"&gt;{Some of the decorations my sister, bridesmaids, &amp;amp; I made for the reception!}&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Since I went into graduate school straight from undergrad, I don't have an official "big girl job" yet, but I'd like to work in writing, editing, and publishing, or as a writing instructor. And of course as a crafter, vintage hunter, and event styler at Centsational Celebrations! :)&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;Now a few fun details about myself:&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;I can't ride a bicycle. (Yes, I know it's easy, and no, I don't care to learn. Although I would love to ride a sweet tandem bicycle!)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;My favorite day of the week is Wednesday. Not sure why.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;When I was 5, I appeared in an opera as a 3-year-old Japanese boy. I didn't have any lines or anything, but I was the main character's son. (A few years later, both Megan &amp;amp; I appeared as sad orphans--or something along those lines--in another opera!)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;My ideal 5-course meal (in a world where calories don't count): the Caesar salad from The Rome in Columbia, Missouri, the cheese dip from El Maguey Mexican restaurant, a Zip Burger from Nu Way, a side of Culver's cheese curds with ranch, and a flourless chocolate cake filled with dark chocolate mousse. Mmmmmm.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;I am a die-hard &lt;i&gt;LOST &lt;/i&gt;fan, but kind of an all-around TV junkie&lt;i&gt;. &lt;/i&gt;Some other favorites include&amp;nbsp;&lt;i&gt;&lt;i&gt;How I Met Your Mother&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="font-style: normal;"&gt;,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;Veronica Mars&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Friday Night Lights&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Parenthood&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Once Upon a Time&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Glee&lt;/i&gt;&amp;nbsp;(I'm a choir/theatre nerd!),&amp;nbsp;and a host of summer reality shows (currently watching &lt;i&gt;The Bachelorette&lt;/i&gt;--go Sean or Arie!--&lt;i&gt;So You Think You Can Dance&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;Design Star&lt;/i&gt;, &lt;i&gt;The Next Food Network Star&lt;/i&gt;, and &lt;i&gt;The Glee Project&lt;/i&gt;!)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;I looooove karaoke!&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;div&gt;I am so excited to embark upon the journey of owning a business with my big sis! I definitely feel like I'm at a crossroads in my life (post-graduation and all) and I'm ready to jump in and see what happens next :)&amp;nbsp;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Stay tuned--tomorrow you'll be hearing from the biz's better half, Megan!&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMcp0ROncBw/T9vk0mndLvI/AAAAAAAAAc4/u750l-YdSc4/s1600/Brittany.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMcp0ROncBw/T9vk0mndLvI/AAAAAAAAAc4/u750l-YdSc4/s400/Brittany.jpg" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5644639575266341414-3419211939095572673?l=centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/06/meet-centsational-sisters-brittany.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GI1NnC0l2SM/T9orSDN2-BI/AAAAAAAAAa8/kAfBrvu_Kzc/s72-c/barr+wedd+056.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>0</thr:total></item><item><guid isPermaLink='false'>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5644639575266341414.post-7649411793365926645</guid><pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2012 16:00:00 +0000</pubDate><atom:updated>2012-06-21T03:22:01.908-05:00</atom:updated><category domain='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#'>Behind the Scenes</category><title>Welcome to the Centsational Celebrations blog!</title><description>&lt;span style="line-height: 115%;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;Hi! We're Megan and Brittany, the sisters behind Centsational Celebrations. We specialize in vintage rentals, handmade decorations, and event styling, and we serve the Kansas City metro area!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/39109_1383719435543_3203974_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="360" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/39109_1383719435543_3203974_n.jpg" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"&gt;We'll spill more about us later this week, but for now we want to share what our business is all about, and what sort of things you'll see featured on this blog.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/409087_2046323120221_1821487181_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"&gt;{All crafts made and arranged by us! Photo by Heather Breshears Photography}&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px;"&gt;After making 120 pinwheels, 96 tissue pouf balls, and 15 strands of bunting for Brittany's wedding, we realized we have a knack for crafting.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;"&gt;Once we started to actually&lt;span class="apple-converted-space"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); font-family: inherit;"&gt;miss&lt;span class="apple-converted-space"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/i&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918); font-family: inherit;"&gt;folding sheets of scrapbook and tissue paper, we decided we should share our love of DIY with those less craftily-inclined who still desire handmade touches at their special events. If you don't have the time to DIY, allow us to do it for you!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918); font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cX3Ef3A56ms/T9vhcLhge-I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/WvrADNDDRa4/s1600/barr+3+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cX3Ef3A56ms/T9vhcLhge-I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/WvrADNDDRa4/s640/barr+3+033.JPG" width="500" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"&gt;{Some of the tissue pouf balls we made and hung in clusters. Photo by Heather Breshears Photography}&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918);"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918);"&gt;We also share a passion for event design, from planning to shopping to styling. That's where our vintage rentals &amp;amp; event set-up services come in! We realize that f&lt;/span&gt;inding antique gems for a one-time usage at an event can be time-consuming and expensive. Our extensive rental inventory will&amp;nbsp;&lt;span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918);"&gt;help you create a custom vintage look for your event while remaining within your budget! And our styling and clean-up services allow you to achieve the look you want without any of the stress of meeting deadlines.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;You can learn more about our services, inventory, party craft portfolio, and pricing &lt;a href="http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/p/inventory-pricing-information.html"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918);"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;tbody&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vmgsOkrAjIM/T9viNQ7lneI/AAAAAAAAAck/wIQ5ackGqCc/s1600/barr+3+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="500" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vmgsOkrAjIM/T9viNQ7lneI/AAAAAAAAAck/wIQ5ackGqCc/s640/barr+3+026.JPG" width="320" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"&gt;{Table styled by us. Photo by Heather Breshears Photography}&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;&lt;/tbody&gt;&lt;/table&gt;&lt;span style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918);"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="line-height: 19px;"&gt;This blog is a place for us to share details of our hunting trips, give you inspiration for your vintage and handmade events, spotlight our inventory, share events that we've crafted for, rented to, or styled, and to test out new crafts!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969);" /&gt;We're excited to start this venture together, and hope you enjoy reading along!&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXWwYuTJoXc/T9vipiJ-KcI/AAAAAAAAAcs/wyNKyv9WLYU/s1600/Group+signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"&gt;&lt;img border="0" height="87" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXWwYuTJoXc/T9vipiJ-KcI/AAAAAAAAAcs/wyNKyv9WLYU/s400/Group+signature.jpg" width="400" /&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div style="text-align: center;"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918);"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style="font-family: inherit;"&gt;&lt;span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.918);"&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div class="blogger-post-footer"&gt;&lt;img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5644639575266341414-7649411793365926645?l=centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com' alt='' /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;</description><link>http://centsationalcelebrations.blogspot.com/2012/06/welcome-to-centsational-celebrations.html</link><author>noreply@blogger.com (Centsational Celebrations)</author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cX3Ef3A56ms/T9vhcLhge-I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/WvrADNDDRa4/s72-c/barr+3+033.JPG' height='72' width='72'/><thr:total>1</thr:total></item></channel></rss>