Ten Lovely Things

10 Lovely Things: Sweet Shop Party Ideas

I recently went to a family celebration and was intrigued by the host’s unique way of thanking guests for attending by offering a beautifully decorated candy table. Large glass jars and huge bowls were filled with an assortment of popular old-fashioned and current sweets. Gorgeous vases were brimming with colorful hard candies, chocolates, and licorices. There was something special for just about everyone to enjoy!

The whole experience reminded me of my childhood and the penny candy store I used to ride my bike to visit. I couldn’t wait for the cashier to fill a brown paper bag to the top with pieces of my favorite candies from inside the glass case. My mouth waters just thinking about it!

Dum Dums looking regal in a tall and fancy glass.

Anywhoo… back to the real world and a little Pinterest sweet shop party idea inspiration! At this particular event the kids went crazy filling pink and white striped bags with silver scoops of sugary, edible souvenirs. Even the adults got into it and grabbed a bag or two for filling up. It was so much fun choosing whatever I liked, but just as much fun watching guests smile, laugh, oooh and aaah while handpicking their favorites.

I remember getting swirled lollipops like these as a gift or on special occasions when I was a kid. They remind me of the game Candy Land and the movie “The Wizard of Oz” with scenes of the Munchkins and the yellow brick road.

The retro and old-fashioned motifs are sheer fun and I love how they attract the mature guests as well as the little ones. Many of the guests at the party were excited to find candies they hadn’t seen since their youth, and the younger kids were intrigued with seeing some of them for their first time.

This photo reminds me of a 1950’s soda shop and is a great idea for an ice cream social.

Colorful cake and marshmallow “suckers” rolled in sparkly sugar and confetti sprinkles make for delicious treats and look so beautiful on a table.

I think most young girls who would love to open a gift box with a candy necklace or receive a jewelry tree filled with strands of them, too!

I love this fireman theme. It could easily be adapted to a farmer or favorite character from a children’s book or movie.

Such a pretty display of colorful confectionary and clever use of glass containers, bowls and covered cake display. So fun!

With the variety of candies and beautiful apothecary jars available, along with the invention of Pinterest, my imagination runs wild with candy shop party idea possibilities! How about you?

10 Lovely Chalkboards & A Makeover

Photos from Pinterest

I have wanted a chalkboard in my kitchen for a long time and never got around to making one until this past week. Pinterest has great inspiration ideas for crafts and these chalkboards are just a few of the neat designs I found there.

This decade old seashore canvas has been sitting in the back of a closet for a few months and I really like the frame, so I decided to use it and make the chalkboard. The original plan was to buy a piece of wood and cut it to fit then cover it with paint. But while browsing supplies at Hobby Lobby I saw a plain framed chalkboard that cost about $5 after a 40% discount — less than what a can of paint and a wood board would have been — so I bought it. My husband cut it to fit the frame then tacked it in with small nails. I switched the wire on the back to hang it vertically and a piece of chalk lays on top in a shallow divot in the frame. Ta da! Project finished!

AFTER

The old frame is working out great as my fun, new chalkboard and was much easier to make than I thought it would be.

10 Lovely Reading Nooks

Oh, how I relish a cozy reading spot, don’t you? A few weeks ago I shared my appreciation for outdoor spaces in 10 Lovely Porches and I feel the same way about quaint reading nooks — every home needs at least one.

Almost any quiet place can be turned into the perfect nook. Requirements are a cozy seat, cushy pillow, soft blanket, good lighting, and a side table big enough to stack a few books and a hot or cold beverage.

How would you like to walk up your staircase to this inviting landing? We have a small area at the top of our steps that gets very little attention right now. This photo inspires me to turn it into something special and really enjoy it.

Morning coffee anyone? I think it would be hard to wake up on the wrong side of the bed with this mix of cheerful colors waiting in the next room.

Farmhouse flair — my favorite style to chill out in. I love this combination with spindled antique table, black and white barn art and the unexpected pink honeycomb bench. The updated wing chair and small pops of red add a fun, updated vibe.

My grandmother had a sumptuous lounger similar in size to this one when I was growing up. I couldn’t wait until evening when I would crawl into it with a blanket and a good book. Spending time there with Grandma felt really special and cozy.

In the photo below, the billowy chaise makes for an inviting corner in this master bedroom. The beveled mirrors are a sophisticated update to the older style mirrored closet doors we all remember. Isn’t it lovely?

What a window seat, eh? Nearly any family could easily relax, snack and play board games in this room. It is so fun and seems like a peaceful place to hang out.

This eye-catching, bright and airy place with rustic oval table beckons visitors. It may be beige but it’s far from boring.

Check out this pink chair in a surprising spot with mini library and lots of natural light streaming in. The white urn and books serves as a table to rest a cup of tea.

Isn’t it inspiring to see how other people carve out niches in their home? Do you have a favorite cozy reading spot in yours — a place to rest, read or take a nap?

10 Lovely Family Porches

Have you noticed the variety of porches trending all over the internet and inside magazines lately? The best porches beckon visitors, and I sure would enjoy dropping by a few that have caught my eye lately. Some remind me of homes I’ve enjoyed being a guest in and others evoke memories of favorite television shows I watched growing up. Then there are those that bring to mind my grandmother Pearl’s humble front porch. It was modest in size and yet our big family clan could sit there talking and laughing together for hours.

The front porch is a lovely place to be any day of the week, or time of day for that matter, but especially on a hot summer’s day to cool down, sip an iced tea or lemonade and hope to catch a breeze.

How grand! Big enough for an evening stroll perhaps?

French doors. Oh, yes.

I’m partial to classic Americana front porches. I can almost hear the wood screen-door snap back to close as guests walk in and out throughout the day.

There always seems to be so much to see from the view of a front porch.

I could fall asleep in all those pillows. Grandma had the same medals chairs in dark blue. They rocked slightly and were much more comfortable than they look.

No matter the style, size or what part of the country you spot them in, there’s just something comforting and easy about the family porch.