New Instagram iPhone cases!

All NEW custom iPhone Otterbox cases! Personalize them with your favorite Instagram photos. Here's how...

  1. Pick your photo case design
  2. Decide if you would like 1, 2 or 3 photos
  3. Email your order to harperwillow2@gmail.com. Be sure to include the name of the case, if it is for iPhone 4 or 5, personalization or not, and positioning of the photo(s)

  4. Ship to address and credit card information

Otterbox Photo Cases are $69 plus shipping.

Orders placed by Monday December the 3rd, will ship in time to arrive for Christmas. (USPS priority mail)

A Sweet Nutcrackers Party

Planning a themed Holiday party this year?

A nutcracker theme is fun for adults, kids, and kids at heart!

In the traditional Nutcracker story (and in some ballet productions), Clara was transported with the Nutcracker to the Land of the Sweets. Bold colors, vibrant details, and lots of sweets are all your need to make your holiday party fun, festive and sweet!

  

Sweet Nutcrackers Invitation by Paper so Pretty

Peppermint Wreath

Joy Banner

Nutcracker Cake Pops

Candy Cane and Gift Stamp

Nutcracker Cookies

Save 20% for 20 days!

For 20 days, save 20% off any  Christmas Photo Cards or Holiday Invitations!

Pick your design here and claim our special Facebook offer here!

We will be announcing the winner of our Repin and Win Giveaway of 100 free photo cards/invitations later today!

Repin and Win!!!

 

Repin our pin now to win 100 free photo cards or invitations! Choose from any of our holiday designs at www.papersopretty.com.

This special Pinterest offer ends tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 19th.

http://pinterest.com/pin/21251429462925407/

Fall Must Haves!

A few statement accessories, like this Amethyst Snakeskin cell phone case by Harper Willow, can be the perfect pick-me-up for your fall wardrobe!

See the newest designs at www.harperwillow.com and don't forget to Like us at Harper Willow's facebook for updates! http://www.facebook.com/myharperwillow?ref=ts

Labor Day Weekend DIY

Long holiday weekends are great for grilling, entertaining, and spending time with family. They are also a great opportunity to work on those DIY projects you hardly seem to have time for!

Here are a few of our favorite DIY  Pinterest picks we hope will inspire you

this Labor Day weekend!

 

 

Painted Wooden Spoons

littlebitfunky

 

Floor Poufs from $3 Ikea Mats

apartmenttherapy

Colorful Hand Towels

creamerchronicles

Fabric, Paper & Yarn Garland

abeautifulmess

Fabric Flower Pots

ashleyannphotography

Wine Cork Letter

myhappilyeverafter

Back to School!

Summer is coming to an end and the first day of school is soon upon us.

Don't forget to give your child's teacher something special.

We think some of the most thoughtful gifts are hand made, like this DIY highlighter vase & paper bouquet. It's also a cute little way to start off the new school year. 

Constructing the Vase:

Remove the label, wash, clean, and dry a recycled can. 

Next wrap a rubber band around the can. 

One by one, add your highlighters around the can.

Tie a ribbon around the can to hide the rubber band. 

Insert a small piece of Styrofoam or floral foam inside the can. 

Set the vase aside.

Making the Paper Flowers:

Constructing paper flowers can be made however your heart desires.

For this project, you can make simple accordion flowers.

Use craft punches in flower and circle shapes to embellish the accordion flowers. Hot glue each paper flower onto a wooden skewer and arrange them in the highlighter vase.

You can then make a sign or hand-written note that says,

“You as my teacher is the highlight of my year."

Have your child sign it to add a special touch.

Back to School Teacher Gift - DIY Inspired

For the college-bound back-to-schoolers, here are some stylish dorm room decorating ideas we love!

Decorating Dorm Tips

Dorm Room Bedding

 Dorm Room Chevron

New Otter Box iPhone cases from Harper Willow!

Express yourself with a HOT Otter Box phone case from Harper Willow!

Don't miss out on our August Promotion!

Like us on Harper Willow's Facebook to receive a promo code

for $5 off the case of your choice.

To view our selection, visit  www.harperwillow.com.

Harper Willow is a  Division of Paper so Pretty Designer Stationery.

http://www.facebook.com/myharperwillow

End of Summer... already?

Summer is winding down and back-to-school is near.

You may find yourself wondering where the time went! Before it's over, grab a few friends and have a cookout.

The occasion provides a moment to enjoy a beverage (or two)

and grill some burgers!

For these Paper so Pretty summer invitations, head over to our website!

Try this recipe for a good, ole fashioned, Texas Ranch burger.

(from Texas Beef Council)

1 lb. lean ground beef
2 tsp. sweet paprika
2 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crushed
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
4 egg-bread hamburger buns, split
4 leaves Romaine lettuce
4 slices tomato
1/4 cup prepared creamy ranch dressing
2 Tbsp. canned French fried onions

Combine paprika, thyme, salt, onion powder, and red pepper in an airtight container and shake to blend.

Shape ground beef into 4 patties, 3/4-inch thick. Press 1 tsp. of the spice mix evenly into both sides of each patty. Store remaining spice mix in airtight container for future use.

Grill over medium heat or medium coals to internal temperature of 160 degrees F.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce and tomato. Top with burger and spoon ranch dressing evenly over burgers. Sprinkle with French fried onions and close sandwiches.

Halloween Mixology

Halloween is a time for gathering with friends, costume parties,
and celebrating in the creepiest of ways.

It also happens to be Michael's absolute favorite holiday, and he LOVES designing Halloween invitations. Here is Paper so Pretty's newest design, Halloween Mixology! This little spider and his assistant are busy creating a spooky concoction, and they hope you get inspired to throw the most spooktacular of parties!

1. Halloween Mixology Paper so Pretty Invitation

2. Halloween Pom Poms

3. Goblin Mimosas

4. Spider Cake

5. Green Monster Cupcake

6. Toxic Cocktail

Goblin Mimosas (from PartyTipz)
Ingredients: 
5-6 oz Orange Juice 
1 shot Black Vodka
Black Olives
Cream Cheese

Instructions:
Pour orange juice into a glass about half way.
Pour black vodka carefully over the orange juice.
A great tip is to pour the vodka over the back of a spoon so the vodka runs down the side of the glass.
For "eyes" use pitted black olives stuffed with cream cheese.
Cut up one olive into tiny little pieces, and use those pieces for eyeballs.
Pierce the eyes over wooden toothpicks and place on the rim of the glass.... enjoy!

Proceed to Party!

This big red cup is synonymous with good times! So why not throw a themed party?

Whether you’re throwing a birthday party or celebrating an engagement, this disposable drinking vessel is sure to be a hit!

Grab a pack of cups and proceed to PARTY!

1. Big Red Cup Invitation

2. Solo Cup Cake

3. Solo Cup Hanging Decor

4. Red Solo Cup Cakes

5. Happy Birthday Banner

6. Big 30

Red Solo® Cup Margaritas (from Bigredkitchen.com)
 
Ingredients:
12 ounce can frozen limeade
1 1/2 cans white wine
1/4 can cointreau or triple sec
4 cups crushed ice
Margarita Salt
4 lime wedges

Instructions:
In a blender, blend the first 4 ingredients until smooth. Pour into four 18 ounce Solo® plastic cups. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze 24 hours to 6 months. Remove from freezer and rim with Margarita salt if desired, allow at least 30-60 minutes to defrost before serving. They should be slushy like a frozen Margarita. Serve with a straw and a wedge of lime. Double or triple the recipe and store in freezer and remove as needed. Great for parties! Serves 4.

Christmas in July

Everyone at Paper so Pretty loves Christmas!

 

To continue with your Christmas in July theme, here are a few tips on planning the perfect holiday dinner party.

 

Place cards

Holiday chair covers

Candle centerpiece
Festive Place Setting Invitation by Paper so Pretty

Planning a menu and an entertaining evening with guests can be quite intimidating. But with some planning, you will have a wonderful time at your own party!

First decide on the date of your party, guest list, and theme.
Make a realistic assessment of your cooking and baking skill levels, and the time you'll be able to commit to the party. A sit down dinner party is more formal than a buffet, so think carefully about what type of party makes you the most comfortable.

Get ready to make lists! Once you have the basics well planned and written down, your mind will be free to be creative with the food, fun, and decor.

Make your guest list and invite them. Be sure to send your invites well in advance. Because December calendars fill up so quickly, try to get your invites into your guests' hands before Thanksgiving.

Plan your menu and take inventory of your supplies. Make sure the things you own are sparkling clean.

Think about how you want to decorate. Decorations for a party can be as simple as candlesticks on the table, or more elaborate streamers, flower arrangements, tablecloths, and even chair slipcovers.

Happy Independence Day!

This week we are celebrating Independence Day!

Did you know the Declaration of Independence was published on July 4th,1776? Betsy Ross was commissioned by the Congressional Congress to sew the first American Flag which she finished in May or June of 1776. That was just in time to celebrate our nation's very first Independence day in Philadelphia on July 8th, 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was read aloud for the first time. 

Whether you celebrate with bar-be-ques, fireworks or parties, be sure to keep cool off with this refreshing and patriotic beverage recipe.

 

What you need:
Cranberry Juice
Blue Gatorade Frost
Diet 7-Up
Ice cubes

What you do:
You can do this in individual servings by the glass or in a dispenser.

Fill the glass or drink dispenser with Ice.
Start by pouring in the cranberry juice.
Next pour in the Blue Gatorade Frost, BUT make sure that when you're pouring the Blue Gatorade Frost that you pour straight onto some of the ice to gently add the layer. If you pour it directly into the juice it will mix!

Next, pour in the Diet 7up, also pour onto an ice cube to prevent them from mixing.

You will need to use drinks with varying amounts of sugar, since those that contain more sugar (such as soda) are denser than those with less (such as diet drinks), this makes it possible to actually stack one on top of another.
Happy Fourth of July!!

Summertime Fun!

 

Some of our best childhood memories come from summer fun activities. It seems that our childhood summers were spent swimming, playing baseball, and just hanging out with our friends. Here is a summertime recipe and fun outdoor game you can do with your children. Have fun and Enjoy!

Use Your Noodle!

Get set: Cut a few swimming noodles in two, so that you have one half for each player. Scatter 20 or so blown-up balloons on the ground around a laundry basket.

Cooperate: Give players five minutes to move as many balloons as possible into the laundry basket without touching the balloons with any body part. The catch? The only tool they can use is their pool noodle. At first, players may try batting the balloons into the basket, but they'll soon realize that they must pair up and use two pool noodles like giant chopsticks to lift the balloons into place.

Cool down with these yummy and easy Watermelon Pops!

What You Need
1cup sugar, divided
1pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Lime Flavor Gelatin
2cups boiling water, divided
Ice cubes
1cup cold water, divided
1pkg. (3 oz.) JELL-O Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
3Tbsp. miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2pkg. (4 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1-1/2cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Step 1: MIX 1/3 cup sugar and lime gelatin mix in medium bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water; stir 2 min. until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to 1/2 cup cold water to measure 3/4 cup. Add to lime gelatin; stir until ice is completely melted. Refrigerate 25 min.

Step 2:MEANWHILE, repeat Step 1 using strawberry gelatin mix and omitting the refrigeration step. Pour into 16 (3-oz.) paper cups. Freeze 20 min. Stir 1/2 tsp. chocolate chips into gelatin in each cup.

Step 3: BEAT cream cheese and remaining sugar with mixer in medium bowl until well blended. Stir in COOL WHIP; spread over gelatin in cups.

Step 4: POUR lime gelatin over cream cheese mixture. Insert wooden pop stick into gelatin in center of each cup. Freeze 3 hours or until firm. Remove pops from cups just before serving.

Some of our best childhood memories come from summer fun activities. It seems that our childhood summers were spent swimming, playing baseball, and just hanging out with our friends. Here is a summertime recipe and fun outdoor game you can do with your children. Have fun and Enjoy!

Summer Party Inspiration

Start the summer off right by throwing a party.

Celebrate warm weather with the essentials... friends, food and fun!

But first, head over to Paper so Pretty for the perfect summer invite!

1. Lifesaver Napkins

2. Crabby Crabwich

3. Starfish S'mores

4. Strawberry Drinks

5. Giant Beach Ball Sugar Cookie

Paper so Pretty Beach Ball Bash Wiggler

Flip Flop Wreath for Summer!

Everyone loves summer!

Filled with trips to the beach, sunny skies, and lazy days, summer is the time of year when the weather gets its warmest and flip flops become a necessity

(especially if you're from the South, like us).

Here is a tutorial for making this fun flip flop wreath.

All you need is a simple wreath, hot glue gun, artificial flowers, ribbon, and flip flops.

• Arrange your flip flops however you like, and start hot glueing them to the wreath.
• Then hot glue the flowers, either in between or on the flip flops.
• Afterwards, simply choose your color of ribbon and wind it in between the flip flops. You can fill in any gaps with your ribbon.
• If you have a Welcome cutout, like the one in the photo, simply hot glue it onto your wreath.
• Hang on your door, grab a cool lemonade, and enjoy your summer!

Father's Day

When we are little kids, our Dad is everything! He's the tallest, the strongest and he can fix ANYTHING! We want to grow up to be just like him, or marry him. Don't forget to let your Dad know that he is still all those things and more! Happy Fathers Day!

Flag Day

Celebrate Flag Day today by proudly displaying your flag.

Here the basics on displaying the American flag.

• The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
• In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
• The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
• The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
• When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
• The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
• Never let your flag touch the ground.
• Fold your flag when storing.
• When your flag is old and has seen  better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried.

June Pinterest Picks

Paper so Pretty's Pinterest Picks!

Chalkboard Glasses

Pink Popcorn

Ribbon Platestands

Jelly Bean Favors

DIY Address Pots

Memorial Day 2012

Wishing you a Happy Memorial Day weekend from all of us at Paper so Pretty!

Memorial Day started as a holiday to remember the fallen during the Civil War.

The day was first observed as Decoration Day, on May 30th 1868, when Americans would decorate the graves of Civil War veterans with flowers.

More recently, we observe this day on the last Monday in May. It is now a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces, and it has also come to mark the unofficial start of summer.

Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery each year with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Traditionally, the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

On Memorial Day, the flag is to be lowered to the half-staff
position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.

Mother's Day Brunch

Mother's Day is Sunday, and we are inspired by these delightful brunch ideas!

Wishing all the mothers a very Happy Mother's Day, and we hope you all enjoy the day off (with breakfast in bed, of course!)

Sweet Meadows invitation (Paper so Pretty), Mother's Day party ware, Mother's Day desserts

Cinco de Mayo

Saturday is Cinco de Mayo! We hope you are all enjoying the day with chips, salsa, margaritas and friends!

Cinco de Mayo Chili Pepper Pom

Ruffled Streamers

Pinata Cookies

Here is THE BEST (and easiest) salsa recipe for you to make this weekend. Trust us, it's good! We have ALL tried it at Paper so Pretty! Follow this recipe if you want to go easy on your taste buds, but you can always make it more CALIENTE by substituting HOT Rotel & more peppers!

Easy Blender Salsa (from Pinterest)

Ingredients:
1- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1- 10 oz can orginal Rotel
1/2 small onion, roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
1/2-1 jalapeno, seeded or not
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
small to medium size handful of cilantro, washed
juice of 1 lime
 

Directions:
Put all the ingredients in the base of a food processor or good blender and pulse to combine for 30 seconds or so until all the ingredients are finely chopped and salsa is desired consistency. Taste for seasoning and adjust to taste. Serve with chips or over tacos. ENJOY!

Our Pinterest picks of the week!

Pinterest is FILLED with cool stuff, fun projects and pretty objects. We've picked a few of our favorites this week.

Don't forget to follow our boards!

http://pinterest.com/papersopretty/

The Lotto... What would you do with the winnings???

The Mega Millions Jackpot winning numbers
are being announced tonight, and it's at a whopping $640 million! If you're lucky enough to beat the 1 in 176 million odds, what would you do with the money???
Would you buy a yacht... or a jet... or your own private island??? Here's what the Paper so Pretty office is doing with their winnings!

Get Glam!

Planning a girls night out?

Invite your besties with any of our chic invitation designs.
After that, just grab your heels, your little black dress, and have a FABULOUS time!

National Puppy Day

It's National Puppy Day today!

Dog lovers around the world are celebrating the sweetness of puppies. Here is a collection of adorable pooches we found on Pinterest.

Who can resist these fuzzy little furballs?

Enjoy!

Hello everyone! I just wanted to share a little behind the scenes on our latest photo shoot at Paper so Pretty. I decided to break out the iPhone at take a few shots of Brenda setting up for the full page ad in the upcoming Summer issue of Stationery Trends Magazine. It really doesn't matter where you are, even an old warehouse like ours to capture a beautiful shot like this. Hope you like!