Whimsical Paper Mobile

Create a whimsical atmosphere overtop any table with this feminine paper mobile, crafted from vintage dictionary pages.
Photos: Etsy

Multi-Use:Mason Jars

While scouring spring flea markets, be sure to stock up on mason jars for all your entertaining needs. These classic jars are the perfect multi-use party accessory. With a bit of thoughtful planning, they can easily be incorporated into all aspects of your event, from your floral centerpieces to lighting to post-party clean-up.
Photos: Etsy

Vintage Bouquet Wrap

Before your next visit with your florist, consider browsing online vendors such as Etsy for sparkly vintage belts. The belts, which can be found in a variety of colors and prices, are a stylish way to wrap a bouquet.
Photo: Once Wed

Beer Soap

Trying to find creative (and eco) V-day gifts for the men in my life is often a difficult task. However, these beer soaps, which are made using Guinness Extra Stout, are phthalate-free, vegan-friendly and decidedly more sweet (and definitely more unexpected) than the go-to box of dark chocolate.

Photo: Etsy

Gothic Glamour

Add a touch of gothic glamour to your table setting by substituting traditional vases with vintage pharmacy bottles. Online vendors, such as Etsy, carry an eclectic assortment of the bottles at fair prices (we love the bottles adorned with French script, see below).

Photos: Etsy & Ruffled

Floral Pin Place Cards

When it comes to place cards offer your guests more than just a designated place to sit. Instead, offer them fun, quirky pins as small favors. A simple search on sites such as Etsy will provide a number of vintage retailers who carry gently used secondhand jewelry, much of which can be purchased in bulk for a fair price.

Photo: The Knot

Repurposed Magazine Pomanders

Pomanders, also known as kissing balls, are versatile accents that are perfect for nearly any party. Often made from fresh flowers, pomanders are commonly used to dress up an otherwise simple aisle or are hung from the back of a chair for a burst of color. However, when clustered together on a tabletop, they also make for modern centerpieces. If you’re thinking about incorporating kissing balls into your décor, stop by Brown Fox Studio. The company makes an assortment of beautiful pomanders that are crafted from repurposed magazine pages – ideal for any green hostess!

Photos: Brown Fox Studio

Bookity

Bibliophiles everywhere will absolutely adore our new favorite Etsy vendor, Bookity. Bookity specializes in beautiful handmade decorative items for book lovers. Their Etsy store features charming ornaments, garland and confetti all crafted from the pages of recycled books. The perfect compliment for any green, DIY-inspired affair!

Photos: Bookity via Etsy

Etsy Roundup: Favors

If you’re in search of some fun, off-the-beaten-path favor ideas, be sure to check out the many options available on Etsy. Here is a collection of some of our recent favorites. All of the products featured below are budget-friendly ($20 or less) and would make adorable, eco-friendly favors for nearly any spring celebration.

Photos: Etsy

Share your love with your guests with this adorable lovebirds tote, made of 100% recycled cotton. Vendor: The Craft Pantry, $20/each

Encourage your guests to reduce their waste by offering them this pretty reusable sandwich bag. Vendor: WasteNotSaks, $7.50/each

Give the gift of good fortune at your next party! Made from recycled, non-toxic crayons, these upcycled fortune cookie crayons are fun for kids of all ages. Vendor: Chase Dreams, $8.50/set of 12

Bring your guests back to their middle school days with one of these made in the USA paper fortunetellers. Vendor: Sycamore Street Press, $8.00/each

Show your love of recycling at your next get-together with this simply chic canvas tote. Vendor: RC Tees, $12.00/each

Encourage random acts of gardening at your soiree with these seed bombs, which come prettily packaged in muslin bags. Vendor: Visual Lingual, $7.00/each

This fragrant handmade soap not only smells just like a sweet glass of freshly squeezed juice, but has a thinly sliced piece of dried orange in its center. Vendor: Cota Products, $6.00/each

LBRANDTerraria

Since childhood, I’ve adored terrariums and the way they capture and enclose a perfect little world for my viewing pleasure. Lately, terrariums are having a bit of a moment in the design world. LBRANDTerraria is one of my new favorite companies for chic terrariums and other gifts that embrace the natural world in their design. The next time you’re in search of a beautiful (and affordable) hostess gift, consider one of their minimalist glass bird feeders. Hosting a small party? Take a break from the flower “norm” and opt for a small cluster of conversation-worthy terrariums (I’m a huge fan of the coral reef inspired terrarium, pictured below).

Photo: LBRANDTerraria

Eco Etsy Finds

Eco Etsy Finds

From time to time, I like to browse both Etsy and Eco Etsy to see what sorts of fun, new products I’ll stumble across. There have been lots lately, so I thought I’d put together an abbreviated list of some of my most recent finds/vendors.

Recycled Sail Purses and Luggage Tags

Throughout college, I frequently summered in Portland, Maine. There was excellent shopping throughout the city, but I’ve always remembered this one little shop that turned used sails into adorable handbags. These purses and luggage tags instantly made me nostalgic for a summer spent with rocky beaches, lobster rolls and good friends.

Vendor: Reiter8

Upcycled Bottle Cap Magnets

Over the weekend, I was (perhaps to my own unfortunate embarrassment) skimming through the pages of one of my Martha craft books when I found a fun project: turning used bottle caps into adorable magnets and “mini” frames. You can thus imagine my excitement when I discovered these Valentine’s Day-themed versions this afternoon.

Vendor: Beans Things

Dictionary Gift Tags

As a writer, I always adore finding any sort of decor that incorporates reading and/or writing into its design. These upcycled gift tags feature delicate dove cutouts atop of a circle cut from a dictionary page.

Vendor: Kelso Doesn’t Dance

Woven Vintage Tablecloth

This woven cotton tablecloth reminds me of something I might find in a bin at Urban Outfitters, question whether or not it was adorable, purchase because it was on sale and then use until it literally became worn with holes.

Vendor: I Wonder Vintage

Sea Glass Necklace

As a kid, I always loved to skim the beach in search of sea glass, which I would later wrap in wire and fashion into jewelry. I love this more grown-up version. The copper chain makes this necklace a little bit tough while the delicate cut out heart design makes it sweet, too.

Vendor: Sea Find Designs

Lavender Ring Pillow

A linen ring pillow filled with lavender is a simple, yet pretty (and calming) touch for any wedding ceremony. Each ring pillow is custom made so that you can select colors that will tie in with your wedding palette.

Vendor: La Pomme