Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate >Rebel Housewife Bridal Shower Part 2

What did you think of those fabulous shower pics Laurie posted last week?

We had way to much fun coming up ideas for this party. At a certain point we just had to stop brainstorming because A) We didn't win the Mega Million's jackpot to fund all of our crafty ideas and B) Our families were threatening to riot if we didn't spend some of the time we were devoting to party planning, doing boring things like the dishes or laundry...Boo.

The great thing about our crazy Rebel Housewife obsession is that we have lots and lots to share with you guys! Today I'll be sharing some more great pictures of the games and our table decor.

As our guests arrived and found their seats, we gave them a little reading material called the "Good Wife's Guide" from Housekeeping Monthly circa 1955, which was redesigned from a great Etsy seller, Due Cuori. Let me just tell you that based off of this guide, I probably would have become a old spinster with 50 cats or a super divorcee ala Elizabeth Taylor, if I had to adhere to these guidelines. Here's a little sample of some of the "Good Wife's" suggestions:

Prepare and Refresh yourself. Touch up your make up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking for when he arrives home.

At the time of his arrival from work, eliminate all household noise. Encourage the children to be quiet.

Or my favorite:

A good wife knows her place.

I'm pretty sure that my "Good Housewife" place is in front of my laptop with a cup of coffee and if my husband came home to a quiet house and me in make up and a bow; he would be double checking the street address to see if he was in the right house. Or he would wonder if I had been body snatched. No wonder people drank so much back then! Just the thought of sacrificing all my personality just to be the perfect 1950's stepford wife, makes me want to stick my head in the oven. Hello, 2012!

Because we make our party guests work for their food love a good game, we next handed out a quiz that Due Cuori also provided to test those "Good Wife" skills. Some people even answered the quiz as to how the future Mrs. 2wicked would - and it was hilarious!

We also did the standard, "How well does the bride know the groom" and it was so sweet to hear all the quirky things those two love birds dig about each other. The was a lot of "Aawwww" 's going around.

On to the tablescapes!

Our girl loves her world in black and white, so we wanted to bring some of that into the color scheme with some cool chevron fabric that we found at Craft Warehouse. We cut pieces for table runners and table squares. We layered them over crisp white tablecloths for a little pop art contrast. Next we brought in some art deco style plates and then added a fun, blue dot dessert plate, on top. We finished the table settings off with the polka dot napkins with the red ribbon for a splash of color.

Next we placed our favors that Laurie geniusly DIY 'ed and the floral center pieces. For these we used a vintage looking bird accented domed cake plates we found at our mothership, TJ Maxx,  and used oasis foam and flowers for the center. They came out pretty cute huh?

We also used this concept for some busts that we prettied up with a chevron apron and a floral crown. These flanked our buffet table:

Laurie also found these gorgeous mirrored "love" signs from Hobby Lobby, which we hung behind the buffet and dessert tables. A little pop art and retro all at the same time!

 We finished everything off with a dusting of bling...

Ummm, doesn't that table look yummy?! Come on back tomorrow for our "Rebel to a Housewife" menu and more delicious pictures.

~Angela

Frock Me Friday > We're Going To A Bridal Shower -- Again!

Our bride to be is having her "Not Clan" Bridal Shower on Sunday at a local winery and believe it or not the weather is saying it's supposed to be 84 degrees that day!  

I have found the perfect dress on Polyvore and accessorized it with all the items that I wish were in my wardrobe.  My dream is that after making a styleboard on Polyvore I could press the print button and my in home dressmaker (like your printer - but makes a dress with fabric) would work away and then out would come the dress and not only would it fit but it would be very flattering on me!  Of course this magical machine would also spit out the accessories, handbags and shoes!!!  Okay back to reality or Polyvoreality.

I know I like to use my existing wardrobe and build on it but sometimes a special occasion like a bridal shower calls for a special outfit - especially if you are the mother of the groom.  

Spring Bridal Shower Dress/Outfit by laurieglossyflossy 

I should have added a hat - not just any hat - but a wide brimmed southern belle type of hat.  I had to include a pair of wedges with this because while I'm a pump girl, wedges are much easier to navigate if you are outside on the lawn.  I really, really, really, love those sunglasses, but sadly I don't have $230 to spend on something that I will scratch, bend, and eventually lose or break.  I can't be trusted with a nice pair of sunglasses.  If anyone knows where I can get a more reasonably priced version of those, let me know.


I did not go completely over the top with this outfit because I can use the pieces in this outfit and mix it up with my existing wardrobe for some cute outfits.  That sweater is very versatile and would go with a ton of things in my Polyvore wardrobe.  Check it out.

Spring Blue Stripe Strapless Dress/Outfit by laurieglossyflossy featuring The Row sunglasses

Goldenrod Sweater w/pants outfit by laurieglossyflossy featuring Kookai jeans

Goldenrod Sweater with slacks Outfit by laurieglossyflossy featuring Aqua earrings

Happy Frock Me Friday.  Don't forget to let me know if you find those sunglasses!

~Laurie

Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate > Rebel Housewife Bridal Shower Part 2

Are you ready for Part 2 of the Fabulous Rebel to Housewife Bridal Shower?  We have so many fab ideas for you that we are gonna have to stretch this into a three parter!

I want to forewarn you now that I maybe should have titled this:  "Longest Post Ever!"


There have been some questions about how the flower bustier of dress form was made.  It was trial and error and I'd like to pass on the tips that I learned.

• I used small straight pins to pin flowers on.

Assemble the flowers:

• Take flowers apart and with a low temp glue gun put a small amount of glue on each layer to glue together. Why low temp?  Because I'm not very coordinated and I would like to keep my fingers from getting 3rd degree burns.
• I glued the plastic stamen (that's the technical name for that thingy that's in the center of the flower) on the hydrangeas to the flower petals and then cut the back of the stamen flush with the flower.
• I glued the small red flowers together without the stamen, kind of scrunching the top red petal so you couldn't see the hole where the stamen was.
• After gluing the daisy petals together, I glued the red flower to the middle of the daisy (where the stamen would be.)

Assembling the Floral Bustier:

• I put the belt on the form first so I knew where the bottom of the floral bustier would be.
• Find the spot that will be the V of the bustier and pin one hydrangea blossom there.
• Pin one hydrangea blossom on each side where the bustier would end under the arm.
• Pin one hydrangea blossom on each spot that would be the top of the bustier of the breast or as I like to call them "the ta-tas".
• Stand back and check to see if it looks symmetrical.  Be sure to stand back often during the whole process and check to see how it looks.
• Fill in the hydrangea trim.  Be sure to put pin in the bottom layer petal so it won't be seen.  
• Now start pinning the daisies on, keeping in mind that you don't want one daisy centered on each side or it will look like a strippers pasty - unless you're going for that look!  I started with the daisy under the V and pinned around the trim and then worked my way down to the belt.
• There you have it - easy peasy.  

The welcome sign was made with an 8.5 X 11 sheet of card stock printed with speech bubble and text.  I used clear packing tape to attach a straightened wire hanger (remember those - this really is a retro party!)  The t-shirt was a child's size and was very tight on the dress form so I just stuck the wire down the back of the shirt and it stayed!

Now for the favors:  the favors are the dollar store (10 for $1) bridal dress favors that I fabbed up to look like a million bucks!  Super simple to do except the numerous trips to Craft Warehouse, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Walmart and JoAnn's to get the right paper and trim.  You know how that is - you have to look at all the paper and trim to see what is available and then go back and get them from three different stores because no store has paper and trim to go together.  The jeweled band came from Walmart, small polka dot from Hobby Lobby and large polka dot from Michaels.  


Assembling the Favors:

• Trace the bodice of dress favor on the small polka dot paper and cut out.  Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat enough for front and back of each favor.  Again, we really went old school, pencil and scissors - no fancy schmancy Cricut or Silhouette.
• Trace and cut out skirt using large polka dot paper for front and back of each favor.
• Printed text in speech bubbles and cut out.  I had four different sayings.

• Glue front and back bodice to dress form.  
• Attach flower to bodice and blinged trim at waist.  
• Using a half of a white address label, attach small white floral wire to back of speech bubble.
• Using other half of white address label, attach other end of wire to inside of dress favor.
• Fill with favors and close up with glue dots.
• Now rest your fingers from all the cutting you've done unless you did what I did and find someone to cut out everything - Thank you Mr. Groom-to-be! 

Miss Angela Glossy Flossy will continue with Part 3 which will be all about table decor, games and food.  That's sounds like another reeeaaaalllyyy long post - this may become a four parter.


~ Laurie

Manic Monday > All Over The Map

This weekend flew by like a IRS refund. Sorry, had to do it. Tax day is tomorrow in case you hadn't heard or you are skipping taxes this year - which may not the best idea, just ask Wesley Snipes.

Here in Glossy Flossy land we had a weekend filled with baseball, sunshine, and most importantly, kettle corn. Seriously is there anything better than baseball and popcorn? Well maybe popcorn and wine, but your fellow little league fans might frown on your glass of Pinot in your cup holder, so best leave that combo for home. Which led me to this recipe for home made kettle corn in the MICROWAVE from April over at Frugal Homemaking, with just a paper bag and just four ingredients. Easy Homemade Kettle Corn:

2 Tbsp. popcorn kernels

2 tsp. oil

1 Tbsp. sugar or sugar substitute

Dash salt

Directions:

• Pour the kernels, oil, sugar and salt in a small bowl. Mix until all kernels are well coated with sugar, salt, and oil.
• Pour the bowl's contents into the paper bag. Place the bag on a plate and fold the top of the bag over 1" twice. You can also use a microwave-safe bowl and a vented lid (like a microwave-safe colander or splatter shield),
• Place in the microwave on popcorn setting or for about 1 minute, 15 seconds. Either way, shut off microwave when popping slows to less than a pop every second to avoid burning.
• Open slowly and carefully, as steam will be hot.

Was anyone else foaming at the the mouth with this week's stay a home mom bashing? Lets face it, being a mom is not a job for wimps. It is a freaking hard job to be solely responsible for the complete development of a human being, who at times just wants to cry and break stuff. Why would we as women turn on each other, when we are all in the same boat whether we work or not? Lets face it, the children out number us, so we should stick together -there is safety in numbers!

Is everyone getting ready to plant their gardens? Laurie Glossy Flossy planted her garden this weekend, but I am still procrastinating...I have these two livestock troughs that will hopefully soon look like this:

In the mean time check out all these great gardening plans for vegetables from Better Homes and Gardens:



I'm also jonesing for new melamine plates for summer:



Marimekko Plates, Crate and Barrel

Melamine Summer 2012 Collection, Target (Online only)

Happy Manic Monday!

~Angela

Frock Me Friday > Orange You Glad Its Friday?

Did you guys know that Tangerine Tango is the official the color of 2012? Well, according to the color wizards over at Pantone, Tangerine out Tangoed last years color queen "Honeysuckle". Poor girl.

It would be hard to even stand next to a color that is described as, "Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy," says the peeps over at Pantone. Yikes! This girl sounds fierce.

But she definitely has the looks to back up all that sassiness! I'm sure you've seen her popping up all over the place. I think I heard that her platform is world peace thru Springtime pops of color....Check out all the ways she can make you look fabulous:

Tangerine Tango by glossyflossy featuring stretch jewelry

Day Dresses by Anthropologie
Flats by Sacha

Day Dresses by Romeo & Juliet Couture
Flats by Kate Spade

One-Piece Swimwear
Platforms

 

Better luck next year, Honeysuckle.

 

Happy Frock Me Friday!

 

~Angela

 

P.S. As always, click the pics for the links.

Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate > Fabulous Rebel Housewife Bridal Shower

Our Rebel Housewives Bridal Shower turned out great, and we've finally recovered enough to share the goods with all of you!  

We stayed true to our "Rebel to a Housewife" theme from the shower invitation, and incorporated it into our decor. Angela's house was all decked out with vintage, retro, and graphic pop art touches. It was pretty and funky all at the same time, kinda like our cute bride to be!  


In fact, we had so many fabulous pictures from the Rebel Housewives Bridal Shower that I don't know where to start - so I'm going to start at the front door!  

We greeted our guests with this welcome sign.  We used a vintage dress form that came from my Mama.  I covered the form up with some kids t-shirts and then dressed it up and gave it some bling using some dollar store flowers, jewelry, a belt from Mr. 2Wicked and a adorable vintage apron that Miss Angela later gifted to the bride-to-be.

Check out the details.  The bodice was made using three different kinds of flowers:  daisies, small red button flowers for the daisy center, and hydrangea petals around the top of the bodice.  The top was crowned, literally, on top of a giant black daisy. (Who knew you could find black silk flowers?)  The vintage apron had red birds appliqued on it, the perfect apron for the Future Mrs. 2Wicked.

After the guests had arrived we put the crown and apron on our future bride for the shower festivities.  

We continued the vintage apron theme on the gift table.  We used three vintage aprons across the front of the gift table.  I'm partial to that poodle apron and am keeping it because it is tooooo cute.  I had one of the pictures from the shower invitation made into poster size and framed.

That's as far as I can take you today, but stay tuned for the tablescapes, favors, menu and games.  


~ Laurie

Celebrate Celebrate Celebrate > The Birthday Party We Aren't Having

Happy Birthday Scott!  Usually I would be cooking fish tacos and strawberry pizza today for Scott's birthday but he's not in town so instead I'm recovering from too much good food and candy from yesterday's Easter celebration.  


This is one of my favorite pictures of him out on the river in his Garfield life jacket.  

This is another of my favorite pics.  Even as a little kid he loved to fish.  And I also love his little pocket sticking out because I know that he would always come home from fishing with his Dad and dig something he found out of his pocket to show me.

Happy Birthday Scott!

~ Laurie

Frock Me Friday > Easter Frocks

Is anyone else starting to freak over Easter Sunday's attire?

Let me just preface this post by saying that my family and I completely understand and celebrate the true reason Easter. But if you really know my family, as some of you are getting to do through this blog, then you know that we can't just simply get together and quietly acknowledge a holiday.  Unfortunately, we just don't possess the restraint - it's just not in our DNA. Our family, for unknown and insane reasons, have to turn everything into a celebration of feasts and feats, with some healthy competition thrown into the mix.

That's just how we roll, and Easter and the celebration of Jesus's resurrection, is not safe either.

Easter Sunday for us means church, brunch, and Easter outfits, and we have volumes and volumes of photo albums (honestly!)documenting our Easter finery over the years. It has now somehow morphed into a crazy, yearly, competition of who will have the best Easter outfit. For realz.

Don't you love a dress with a peplum?

Over the years we have rocked scarves, bow ties, suspenders, clip on ties, Thai silk ties, custom cuff links, white gloves, shrugs, vests, a variety of hats, corsages, headbands, and whole lot of patent leather.

I think my brothers and I take it the most serious, so imagine my distress that it is now the Friday before Easter, and I have no idea what I'm wearing. My baby brother just told me to not even worry about being the best Easter frocked, because he is wearing a custom made suit he had made while he was in Thailand for vacation! Seriously?! The craziness has even spread to my littlest. He came up to me last night and told me that his "fancy vest" is a little tight, and that he needs a new one before Easter.

Aaah!

At the end of the day we all know that no one cares what we wear on Easter Sunday as long was we are celebrating something amazing together. But it would be nice for me to have something other than yoga pants to wear, so here are a few options in case anyone else in in the same boat as me.

These are all under $60, because I have to go and buy some midget sized "fancy vests" too:

Simply Vera Wang Dress, Kohls $39

These next dresses are all from my new favorite store, Dorothy Perkins. They've been fabulous in the UK for years and now have a US shop. Yay! You can find all these great dresses for under $60 here.

Pumps by Miu Miu
Clutches by DKNY

Platforms at shopbop.com
Satchels by Rebecca Minkoff

Pumps by J.Crew
Clutches by New York & Co.

Platforms by Dereon
Clutches at farfetch.com

If all else fails you can WWJD...

My brother won that year, in case you were wondering.

Happy Easter!

~Angela 

Feast Your Eyes > Easter Quiche

Is everyone ready for Easter - just in case you want to panic - it is this Sunday!  


Mr. Glossy Flossy and I are dashing around trying to get our yard pulled together for the Easter Egg hunt, and get the pool open and warmed up for the "Kids gotta swim, even if it's cold and rainy!" Easter swim.  It was 37 degrees yesterday when I got up and it rained and the wind blew . . . but, we're opening our pool.  Crazy, I know but blame this on my sister-in-law who owned this house and lovely pool before us.  She would open the pool up for an Easter swim and my oldest son said that when he was a kid that was the best part of Easter because he would go back to school and tell everyone that he swam on Easter!  So, we continue this crazy tradition!


By the time Sunday morning comes I will be ready for my breakfast Mimosa, fruit and Quiche.  This is the easiest Quiche ever and goes together quickly and effortlessly (which is about all the energy I have left by Easter morning.)  I prepared this recipe for the Rebel Housewife Bridal Shower - I know you're still waiting for the post.  You'll have to wait a little longer as it will be posted next week.  

QUICHE

1 T olive oil                               4 eggs, large

1 large sweet onion, diced           ¾ c. half and half

¾ tsp. kosher salt                      8 oz. Gruyere, grated

½ tsp. black pepper                   1/8 tsp. nutmeg

½ c. fresh parsley, chopped        Pie crust

 

Heat oven to 375^O.

Sauté diced onions, ½ tsp. of salt, and ¼ tsp. of pepper in olive oil until onions are softened.  Add parsley the last couple of minutes of cooking.

Whisk together eggs and half and half.  Stir in Gruyere, nutmeg, remaining salt, remaining pepper and the sautéed onions.

Place pie crust in pie plate and crimp edges.  Pour egg mixture into pie crust.

Bake about 40 minutes, until filling is set and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let rest for 5 minutes.  Cut into wedges.

Note:  Staying true to my belief that recipes are an outline of how and what to put in a recipe not a strict guideline - I don't always put in the parsley and contain your excitement - it will turn out great.  Also, I put in close to 8oz of Gruyere, not exactly 8oz.  I also usually put chopped ham in it (don't tell anyone but I use ham lunch meat and chop it up.)  I add my ham to my sauteing onions about the last couple of minutes.  I've added mushrooms, asparagus, broccoli, feel free to add any vegie that floats your boat!  I don't think you can mess up this recipe.  At the shower, this quiche was cooked at 350 degrees because I forgot the recipe and couldn't remember what to cook it on and it turned out great and was delicious.

~ Laurie

Manic Monday > Lately, Every Day Has Been Manic

Everyone is going to have to wait a couple more days for pics of the fabulous Rebel Housewife Bridal Shower cause we're busy putting our kitchens and houses back together after Sunday's soiree and getting ready to color six dozens eggs for Easter!

Don't judge me - but I am just now washing all of the goblets and other special dishes that need to be hand washed.  I was just to exhausted,  tired, lazy to do it yesterday after the shower!

To continue my laziness I am going to post an email that I sent out to my friends last year.  I can share this with you too, because you are all my friends - aren't you?  This email was about my dieting.  I want you to know I have since adopted a new plan.  I'm not actively trying to lose weight, I am just trying not to put on 10 lbs more this year.  That's why my elliptical and I have become very close.  

I'm sure this girl also has her own plan about dieting.

Source:  nikkicrumpet.blogspot.com

I know how this happened to her.  First my pants became shorter. Then my fat pants became my skinny pants. Then my fat pants became not this week pants, then distant memory pants, then not in this lifetime pants.  Apparently when this happened to her she thought "What the heck!  I don't need pants, why not something fringed to show off my asssss - ets. "  Well, I know how it happened up to the fringed part but  after I reached the not in this lifetime pants I thought, "What the heck!  Now I get to diet back down to at least the not this week pants."  I guess we all have different responses.  I'm pretty sure she's a much more fun girl than I am.

Happy April Everyone!

~  Laurie