Holiday Giving and Crafting

I can't believe Christmas is in one week!  December seems to just have flown by, and although I've got most of my shopping and crafting completed, there's a few things left on my to-do list, not to mention baking, wrapping... oh my!
In any case, this has been a crafty holiday season for me, in part because of Pinterest.  My love of Pinterest knows no bounds and is both a blessing and a curse, but at this time of year definitely a blessing for all the fantastic ideas and inspiration it provides!
While I can't post any of my finished products yet (I don't want to give wandering eyes of family and friends who may read this the scoop on their gifts!) I can share some of the giving and crafting ideas that motivated me this season.  Don't worry, a full report of my crafting adventures (and mishaps) will appear here as soon as wrappings have been cleared away and gifts have been handed out!  So here are a few of my favorites, check out more by following me on Pinterest! 

From Whit and Whistle - love these chalkboard mugs!

I love to personalize things, especially gifts.  These chalkboard mugs seemed like a great way to do just that, and encourage the recipients creative juices to flow - they can mark it up however they like!  Michael's carries the Martha Stewart line, which has a good non-toxic chalkboard paint.

I also love a little glitter, and holidays are the perfect excuse to glitter things up in my opinion!  These sparkly votives are super easy to make, and you just might find some fun ways to add your own flare as you start experimenting, like I did, but more on that to come!

From Namesake Design - DIY sparkly votives

I hope these have provided some inspiration for some of you in need of a little divine intervention on gift giving ideas.  And, if all else fails, just remember .....

Via deanmorriscards.co.uk on Pinterest

Nutcracker - Streaming Live!

Hey everyone! Just found this via the Ballet News Facebook site and thought it was too great not to pass along.  If you're not making it to a Nutcracker this year, or just can't wait another second to get some Tchaikovsky into your system, Staatsoper.TV will be streaming John Neumeier's Nutcracker tonight!  Here's the link with all the info, hope you can check it out and Happy Nutcrackering! 

Photo by Wilfried Hosel

Sugar Plum Party on Pretty Ponderations!

My good friend Janice has a wonderful blog called Pretty Ponderations.  (I'm sure you've heard me talk about Janice and Pretty Ponderations before, both she and her blog have been constant sources of inspiration for me over the years).
Check out her post on our Sugar Plum Party here.  Remember, there are only a few weeks left in December!  Don't miss out on this great offer and sweet event, book your party now!

Holiday Reading for Party Planning

Happy belated Thanksgiving!  I hope you all had a fantastic holiday and that you're still nibbling away at those yummy leftovers! 
As the creator of The Ballerina Birthday, I obviously love a party.  Holiday parties have a special place in my heart as well, since the Christmas season is one of my favorites.  (It's one of the things that inspired me to create our Sugar Plum Party! Have you checked it out yet?!)
I'm sure I inherited my love of the holidays from my Mom, our family has always made a point to dress up our house, meals, crafts, and parties around the holidays.  It's a tradition that I love, and one I'm sure I'll pass on to my own family someday.
I also inherited my love of books from my Mom, she has a huge collection, and she especially loves cookbooks and entertaining books. I've been known to snoop in her collection from time to time, and I've found two new books that I think are great especially at this time of year, with parties and events and gift giving opportunities around every corner.
Pippa Middleton really captured the media's attention by being her sister Kate's Maid of Honor at the oh-so-memorable Royal Wedding last year.  Ever since then I've had a slight fascination with these sisters; they are both so elegant and chic, and as I dove into Pippa's new book, Celebrate, I came to like and respect her even more.  I love that her introduction opens with this:

"It's a bit startling to achieve global recognition (if that's the right word) before the age of thirty, on account of your sister, your brother-in-law and your bottom."

Classy, witty, and well-spoken.  I love her!  With years of experience working at her parents business and within the London event planning industry, Pippa offers not only useful tips, observations and ideas on hostessing, but history on events and holidays celebrated in the UK, which I found particularly interesting.  The pages are filled with beautiful photographs as well, taken by David Loftus.

Another great book I've found is Cupcakes and Cashmere.  Inspired by her very successful blog of the same name, Emily Schuman gathered some of her most popular blog posts, some additional in-depth tips, tricks and tutorials on staying organized and getting the most out of each season, and great photographs into her book.  I love that this book offers ideas not only on organization and hosting parties and gatherings, but tips on fun seasonal make-up, and festive wardrobe looks.

If you're looking to host either a grown up holiday party, or a kid-friendly festive gathering, both of these will get your planning wheels turning and inject a good dose of party planning excitement into your process!

A Sweet Sugar Plum Party

My holiday gift and to-do list has been in development since September, and now that it's November, I can feel the buzz of the holidays in the air!  

I'm excited to announce The Ballerina Birthday will be a new offering a new holiday themed party for the 2012 Holiday Season: The Sugar Plum Party!  Treat your Sugar Plum and her friends to a festive party that's sure to sparkle and delight!

The Sugar Plum Party will draw its inspiration from the holiday classic story of The Nutcracker.  Have this timeless story read aloud for 10 of your guests, who will be dressed to the nines in our fantastic tutus and dress up items that make our parties so unique.  Party leaders will guide guests through dancing their own version of The Nutcracker, using Tchaikovsky's music and interactive props!  End the afternoon with a special holiday craft that guests take home to remember their special day!

This is a seasonal and limited offer, and one we're confident will make your holiday season magical.  Bookings are limited, but we have a few select weekends still available! Additionally, if you book a  Sugar Plum Party before December 1, receive 15% off the Performance Fee!  We're also extending this offer to any Ballerina Birthday Party!  We can't wait to celebrate the holidays with you!

A Sugar Plum Fairy Wand: just one of the crafts guests

can do at the Sugar Plum Party!

A plum-y tutu perfect for The Kingdom of Sweets!

Serenade

Happy Election Day!  Have you gotten caught up in the whirlwind of all the election madness?  No matter your affiliation, today will be a busy and exciting day, so I wanted to provide a little respite and break from the election grind. So, take a look at this beautiful video of Balanchine's Serenade.  The lovely Ashley Bouder is interviewed, and this ballet just makes me breathe a little easier.  Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!  I hope your day is filled with treats, spooks, and a whole lot of fun!  The past few weeks I've been getting in the spirit and creating and crafting some tricky and treaty projects, and today is the perfect day to share them!  Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Welcome guests to your house with a bevy of spiders!
Attach magnets to the backs of plastic spider rings
(take the ring portion off) and you have creepy crawlies
to attach to your door!

Use mini black trees and candy corn for a festive table setting.
I plan on decorating these trees tonight.  Use orange or silver buttons,
mini lights, whatever!

Of course I had to include a tutu!  I added a black flower
to this green and yellow one and it was a hit with my
students, who pretended to be witches brewing spells
in it!