french eye candy

I'm feeling like a bit of a party pooper this evening. My 'big gift' for the holiday was a couple of evenings with a night nurse who would take our sweet but colicky baby for 8 hours while I blissfully slept through the night. I had everything prepared and my Ambien in hand when she knocked on the door to say she couldn't stay- she felt like she was coming down with the flu. Such a bummer!

Alas- back to work and the night shift. In the meantime, I am procrastinating by perusing yet another beautiful French blog. Check out all of the gorgeous images right here (and if your high school French is better then mine, you just might be able to try out the recipes at home).

all images from cakes in the city

superhero party

Check out this Super Hero party from Pittsy's Place! Mom Sarah kept things simple by throwing the party at a park, but made the occasion special with some very sweet touches- including personalized power snacks, above.

more pretty holiday

This girl is sooo talented, I eat up everything she does. And she's only 21! (Makes me feel old to write that). If you haven't checked out A Field Journal...get yourself over there- now!

Some of her pretty Christmas wrappings, above.

sweet, sweet paul

I just love this holiday tableau from sweet paul! The decor feels as relevant for a New Years party as for Christmas.

note to self: keep this in my idea file for next year!

dora

For those of you who are parents to Dora the Explorer lovers, you will love this Dora-themed party. Who says Nick Jr.-themed parties can't be done tastefully?!

via sweetbeaker

balloons, balloons

Another fab 3rd birthday party right here! I love all of the balloon-inspired touches.

via molly winn

tea party

Check out these cuties hamming it up for the camera at Elle's mother-daughter 3rd birthday. So much more to inspire right here!

back to business

My oh my, my apologies for being gone so long! I always underestimate how busy this time of year is, complicated further by the fact that we have a wee one in the house...add to that a sick 2 year old, and I am beyond happy to be looking forward to 2010!

some wintry weather cookies from bossacafez

new blog love (and great gift wrapping ideas)

I love when I stumble upon a new (to me) blog. So much inspiration from allerliebst right here! Maybe my christmas presents will look half as good as hers next year...

birthday horse

Love this portrait for Alibar the horse's 28th birthday!

'tea' party

Apologies for my absence...a colicky baby, illness, jealous toddler, preparations for christmas and houseguests has meant little time to spare! My inbox is overflowing and many of you are due a response- I hope to get back to you soon.

I stumbled upon this beauty of a party, and couldn't resist sharing. I can't translate most of the text, but it appears there are outstanding favors, delicious food and lots of cuteness from what I can tell. More here, on menina's photostream.

floral place setting

I love this table set up by Emersonmade. 

reader question of the week #2

reader question of the week #2:

"My good friend's husband has been in Iraq for the past year and will be returning home next month(yippee!!!), so she is planning a "welcome home" party for him.  Just wondering if you have any thoughts on  decor/centerpieces?  I am usually a very creative person when it comes to party planning, but, I am stuck on this one.  I would appreciate any help! -Lisa"

reader question of the week #1

reader question of the week #1:

"I am looking for ideas for my 18th birthday party. I am really girly but I don't my theme to be too girly or childish. I am on a budget, so any DIY tutorial would help. Thank you so much! - gen"
 

cookie beauty

I love this image from Martha Stewart.

etsy holiday

So many fun vintage party finds on etsy. I stumbled upon these here, here, here and here. 

where's the party?

I'm digging these partyscapes from Holly.

holiday table

I just love this table setting by Chelsea of frolic!

gen says...holiday wrap!

From Gen:

"I am so excited to finally be getting to my holiday wrapping and prettying up the house for upcoming Christmas festivities! Thought I would pass along some fun holiday finds in stores now.

I am in love with this mix of graphic holiday papers.... 

Modern Black Floral: Old Navy 

Drummer Boy: Martha Stewart for Kmart 

Graphic Green Tree: Old Navy 

Candy Cane: Target 

Gold Star: Martha Stewart for Kmart 

Fun Details... 

Dot and Stripe Napkins: Michael's dollar section 

Dot and Stripe Paper Table Cloth: Martha Stewart for Michael's 

Cupcake Holders: Martha Stewart for Michael's 

Drummer Boy Gift Tag: Martha Stewart for Kmart 

Glittery Letters: Martha Stewart for Michael's 

Butcher Paper Cookie Boxes: Martha Stewart for Michael's 

White Gift Labels: Martha Stewart for Michael's 

Dot Ribbons: Michael's 

Happy Decorating!!!  -Gen"

holiday DIY's

I spotted these amazing salt dough ornaments on red thread, which led me to Katy Elliot's beautiful blog... choc full of amazing DIY holiday projects! Some of my favorites, above. Check out Katy's blog for much, much more.

pretty swell winner

Congrats to Shauna...Seattle-based, current Californian who writes "These are so unique and beautiful, it would look darling in my daughter's bedroom!"

(winner determined by random.org number generator)

Thanks again to pretty swell for this amazing giveaway! And thanks to all of you who entered.

reader question of the week #2

reader question of the week #2:

"I am looking for ideas for a garden party for a 1 year old's birthday party in April. I would love any and all suggestions! Thanks so much for your time! -Erin"

To submit your query for reader question of the week, email me at hickspapergoods(at)yahoo(dot)com

reader question of the week #1

reader question of the week #1:

"I'm throwing a surprise 40th for my husband next January. He was born in 1970, so that is my theme. I'm going more with a hippie vibe versus a disco one so I was looking for any and all details I could add in to make it awesome but classy. The one thing I've got down is the invite, which will be a "vintage" 8-track with the invite info printed on the back label, wrapped up and mailed. Thanks so much! -Shannon"

fairy garden party (!)

Oh my. I am so into girly parties these days with the recent arrival of my little one, and I am beyond smitten with this one! (Yet another brilliant party set-up from scissors paper cake). I think the piece de resistence is the graphic mushroom cake, surrounded by the cutest toffee apples I've ever seen. I'm dreaming of sugar plums (and fairy garden parties) in my head!

.................

That super cute flower garland (above) reminds me about our pretty swell giveaway! You have until Sunday at midnight to enter...you won't want to miss the opportunity to win.