Pepper Design Blog

Valentine’s Love Bites

Thank you for letting me share with you a little about the love of a special family yesterday. Fitting that Valentine’s Day and all things *love* is just around the corner, no?

Here’s a clever theme idea for a Valentine’s Day party: Love Bites. Whether it’s you and the girls (and you’re all boycotting boys) or it’s a couples/family party and everyone is assigned a finger food (little love bites in the dessert form), here’s a delicious recipe by Dricoll’s to get you started. Mmmmm.

Deliciousness.

More Valentine’s Day inspiration (including party themes, decorations and recipes) here. And don’t forget to follow the jump for the above recipe. Read more »

Home for the Holidays

Since this is our very first Christmas at home (we usually travel to one of our original hometowns) we’re opening up the house for family to come and visit us!

My family arrived just yesterday afternoon and I had just a bit of time to add a few final touches to our Christmas decor. I wouldn’t have worried about it considering the mall madness this time of the year, but I came across this feathered wreath on a recent outing which reminded me very much of these DIY trees. Plus at 50% off at Z Gallerie, I just couldn’t resist.

A bit of ribbon and two thumbtacks on the reverse of these frames for hanging and our bathroom received a bit of Christmas cheer.

This is definitely a doable DIY project as well, the wreath is actually made of styrofoam (hello Michaels or Joanns) and the feathers are layered just as the trees are. That added glitter detail is fun too. Note: if you attempt to tackle this on your own, choose the lightest wreath material possible. The thumbtack trick was great but definitely wouldn’t work for a thicker, heavier wreath base.

I tackled a bit of holiday baking earlier this month and these cookies were delicious! I highly recommend this Ultimate Ginger Cookie recipe for a cookie exchange or just nibbling around the house. Those big chunks of crystallized ginger seal the deal.

AND before I leave you today, check out this really neat time capsule ornament idea (thanks for sharing, Anna!). I think I might start this tradition with my little one next year – what a great way to capture the memories (I would insert funny words, phrases, likes and dislikes, etc.) of your kids as they grow up.

Can you believe it… tomorrow’s Christmas!

{Deliciously Decorated} Holiday Dessert Tables

There are so many creative {and beautiful} holiday ideas out there that I thought I’d share a quick round-up of a few of my favorite dessert tables.

These buffet-style spreads are full of great DIY projects - from adorable crafts to favors for friends to yummy recipes – that even if you don’t have time to tackle an entire table at your holiday party there’s sure to be an “ah-ha” idea that you’ll love in there somewhere.

For all of the juicy details and plenty of pictures, just click on the link with the theme name to jump out to the original full post.

I love the idea of using a striped fabric or wrapping paper as a backdrop to a delicious spread – and how wonderful are all of the gingerbread details in this “Christmas Candyland” theme design by Bird Crafts and featured over at Hostess with the Mostess?

Below, TomKat Studios shares a whimsical “Let it Snow” dessert table with splashes of bright pink:

Check out the adorable sugar-covered marshmallow men (in the form of skewered pops) on this Christmas Snowman table by Shindig Parties to Go:

Above, WH Hostess (of The Party Dress) shares a “Sweet Treats” aqua and red theme with beautiful feather and tissue paper details.

Below, a “Pink Nutcracker Suite” buffet shared on HWTM by Kate Landers Events makes for a great little girl’s birthday party or even a grown-up girl’s spread before a night out on the town to see the ballet or catch a chick flick!

And that’s the round-up!

Christmas decor is going up in a flurry over here at the Spenla house – I keep wondering what will happen if babe decides to come early (he/she is technically full term now at 37 weeks!) with me amidst rolls of garland, flashing Christmas lights and tiny ornaments as I get the house holiday ready! I don’t think I’d like to come back from the hospital in the chaos that is our living room now…