Nautical Nuptials

You'll have to excuse our respective one-track-minds over the next couple of months - we have weddings and babies on the brain. But we are bringing some of our ideas to you. Now available in the shop - mini monkey fist place cards. The perfect touch for a nautical wedding or party!

Party Prep: Easter Placecards

This year, our Easter table will be set with these festive DIY place cards. We used different colored sheets of scrapbook paper as the base, and white card stock for the label.

Using a ruler and a sharpie, the gold edges dress the cards up with some shimmer.  

 The finishing touch is a small Easter egg, each one decorated in different gold patterns. 

Party Prep: J. Crew x Paperless Post

J. Crew and Paperless Post have teamed up to create the perfect collection of e-cards (read about it here). We've book-marked these for summer gatherings:

You can find all of these invites, plus many others for different occasions, here!

Party Prep: Dress Up Chuck

Don't get us wrong, we love a good bottle of wine. But for weekly Oh Buoy work nights and parties that last until far after midnight, Two-Buck Chuck is just what we need. While inexpensive (it is actually $2.99 in MA), Trader Joe's supplies a decent bottle. We just don't love the look of the label. Let's be serious...we do judge a book by its cover.

Our solution? The easiest DIY project ever. We head to the craft store to buy some coordinating sheets of scrapbook paper and double stick tape. Write the variety in some fun handwriting, tape the new label right over the old one, and voila...you have a party perfect look which you can match to any theme.

Party Prep: Derby Day Soiree

Lindsey and I both love to entertain, and never shy away from hosting an event in our homes. Our new semi-regular series, Party Prep, will be a behind-the-scenes look at our to-do lists, planning methods, and most importantly, our party supplies (which always have preppy or nautical influences) before the big event.  

 

I am looking forward to hosting the first event in my new apartment - a Kentucky Derby viewing party! While I still have a lot of provisions to gather, I've already rounded up some of the essentials.

Paper Straws (from The Paper Source)

Mason Jars

Mint Napkins (from Target)

J. Crew Mint Chevron Coasters (thanks EGC!)

Mint Julep Cups

Bourbon

Race Horse Cookie Cutter (from Sur la Table)

White Table Cloth (needs ironing...)

Framed Horse Racing Prints (not pictured)

 

The To-Do List:

Make Simple Syrup for Mint Juleps 

Bake & Decorate Race Horse Cookies

Roses (The Derby is called the Run for the Roses)

Shop for Hors D'oeuvres

More Bourbon!

 Are you having a derby party? What are must-haves at yours?

Easter Basket Inspiration

What do you like to put in your Easter baskets? We think the best baskets keep it simple. Here's a few tips for building a lovely little basket.

• Go for quality chocolates—Lindt makes the perfect gold bunny and many other delectable spring treats you can find here. 
• Adding candy do mason jars is an easy way to reduce the packaging clutter. 
• Beauty items are the perfect size to fit the basket. Here we've used nail polish from Chanel and Essie in spring colors and a deliciously tangerine EOS lip balm. 
• Don't forget a few Oh Buoy gifts your little Easter bunny will love!

Who wants to buy all that stuffing for the bottom of your basket? It's a waste of money that immediately gets thrown away. Here's how to make your own from scraps of paper you already have laying around the house! Wrapping paper scraps and even newspapers work well for this purpose. 

Cut a strip of paper about 2 inches wide.

Fold the paper in half lengthwise.

 Cut notches perpendicular to the long edge, almost all the way to the end. 

 Flip the paper around and cut notches going the other way in between each of the original notches. Remember to not cut all the way through!

 Cut the entire length of the folded edge.

 Gently pull on the ends to loosen the pieces.

 Rip or cut the long strips into smaller pieces and throw them in the basket!

Want It Wednesday - Red White & Party Blue

Here at Oh Buoy we love to entertain. 

From Clambakes to Christmas, we will find any reason for a get together. 

We will be periodically bringing you party ideas and glimpses into our own events, 

and there is no better way to kick it off than with the 4th of July!

1    Paddle Ball by Sunny Life

2    Red, White, and Blue Smoke Premium Sunglasses by Knockaround

3    Needlepoint Flask by Smathers & Branson

4    American Flag Napkins by Pottery Barn

5    Red & White Paper Straws by Kikkerland

6    American Trivia: What We All Should Know About U.S. History, Culture & Geography

7    Vintage Eagle Glasses