Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Bridal Shower

Remember all the crates and kitchen drawers I told you I saved from bulk trash over the last few weeks? Well, I was finally able to put them to good use over the weekend. My girlfriend Kim is getting married and when one is about to get hitched, there is usually a party that precedes the event. (Hmm... that's lots of partying going on huh?) Anyway, today I'm going to show you how beautiful a recycled lingerie shower can be using some things you already have lying around your house.

kitchen drawer and crate from bulk trash

old cookie sheet

old vases, canning jars and powdered sugar (to keep tea lights in place)

gifts don't have to be wrapped - I tucked some of her new lingerie into the kitchen drawer for a splash of color

"Lights Out" banner on old sales tags and lingerie from my drawers!

another wine crate from bulk trash with vintage hankies and mirror from home

(excuse the flash - it was getting dark) more vintage hankies and cake plates from home

All that recycled goodness makes for one very affordable, adorable, memorable and fun shower. Look around your house, I bet you have a party in the making lurking in every cabinet! xo

Around the House: Cakestands

When my husband and I got married our budget for the wedding was pretty tight so we opted to do a lot of things ourselves. I made my wedding gown and the bridesmaids' skirts. We made our own keepsakes for everyone to take home. My father-in-law made a beautiful arbo for us to get married under (it rained.) We did all the decorations ourselves and the flowers were all from Grandma Pat's garden. The food was catered and we did cupcakes instead of cake. That was seven years ago and I still use the cake stands that my mother-in-law gave us daily. I wish they were filled with cupcakes everyday but that, unfortunately, isn't reality.

Instead we have used them to decorate our dining table, for halloween decor, as plant stands and as a stand for our beloved fish's (Pinky-toe) bowl. I also use them at almost every baby shower and sip-n-see I co-host. Don't you love it when you can use something over and over again and the possibilities of said objects are endless? Ahhhh, now that's getting your money's worth.

Here's a look at some other ideas for your cakestands. Don't have any? I think the photos below will entice you to run out and get some - quickly. Don't worry. You don't have to break the bank. Check out local garage sales, estate sales, thrift stores, craigslist and ebay before visiting retailers. Ooh, why not look in your Grandmother's kitchen? Happy hunting! xo

images via flickr: here and here, designsponge