Trendy Trifecta: DIY Planter Decorating with Gold Foil

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Looking for the perfect way to add some dazzle to your workspace?Look no further than potted plants! They not only add a simple and chic fresh touch but plants also have tons of great benefits. Win-win!

We jam-packed 3 trends – DIY-ing, chic potted plants, and gold foil – and turned them into one super chic and trendy decoration to add a touch of glam to your work desk or study. The potted plant used here was the Succulent Garden by Real Simple®. It comes in a sleek white ceramic planter which served as the perfect canvas for what I had in mind. The best part? Not only was this craft so easy, but if you grow tired of the metallic look, the gold foil polka dots will come off easily with some rubbing alcohol!

Note:  A 1” round hole punch was used here to create the “polka dots.” You can choose whatever hole puncher you wish to achieve your desired look. Alternatively, if you do not have a hole puncher, you can easily use scissors and a pencil to trace and cut out your desired shapes.

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Supplies for DIY Planter Decorating With Gold Foil

Planter (preferably in one basic color)
Gold Foil
Hole Puncher in desired shape and size
Liquid Adhesive (I used Mod Podge)
Brush

Directions for DIY Planter Decorating With Gold Foil

Start by cleaning off your planter and removing any fingerprint or residue stains. Once your planter is prepared, cut out a handful of your desired shape.

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Dip your brush into the liquid adhesive and apply to the back of your shape. Try and keep most of it in the center of the shape as it will ooze out the sides when you are securing it to your planter. Use your fingernail to smooth out the shape and secure onto the planter.

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Continue until you are satisfied with your look. Now, you’re ready to show off your newly decorated planter!

DIY Gold Foil Polka Dot Planter: Before and After

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Chinese New Year 2015: The Year of the Goat

On Thursday, February 19th, you are sure to find doors dressed with icons representing good fortunes and red decorations cut out of paper! That is because on this day Chinese New Year 2015 is celebrated by individual families and Chinese communities all over the world. Read on to learn more about Chinese New Year history, traditions and how to celebrate!

The History Of Chinese New Year

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As this falls at the end of winter in China, this celebration is also sometimes known as the “Spring Festival.” Chinese New Year always falls on a date between January 21 to February 20. The history can be traced back to over four thousand years ago and was originally a celebration to honor deities.

Today, Chinese New Year is a way to say goodbye to the previous year and welcome this year with open arms and thoughts of luck, wealth and success.

The Year of the Goat – What Does It Mean?

Each year on the Chinese Lunar calendar is associated with its own zodiac sign. 2015 is the Year of the Goat – also known as the Year of the Sheep – and thus the year is said to parallel some of the trait’s of that animal’s personality. According to this belief, we can expect 2015 to be peaceful and full of creativity and kindness.

5 Traditional Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year 2015

Clean the House

This isn’t just for keeping up appearances (although it doesn’t hurt)! Generally, those celebrating will clean their house or “sweep the dust” as a way to say farewell to the previous year and welcome the new one.

Traditional Dinner With Family

Traditionally, on the eve of Chinese New Year, those celebrating gather with family – both immediate and extended – to mark the new year and reunite with relatives they may not see frequently. Serve authentic foods such as dumplings, sticky rice cakes and noodles!

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Paint the Town (and Your Wardrobe) Red

Chinese New Year is all about the color red – and it doesn’t just stop at the paper cutouts decorations! Those who really want to get festive will even go as far as to wear red undergarments in the spirit of the holiday.

Decorating with red flowers is a great way to add a festive touch to the day! Fill your home with bouquets of red flowers scattered throughout for a fragrant (and lucky) touch. Pin a red flower to your jacket for a subtle touch that is sure to add some luck to your day!

Hand Out Luck and Wealth

A fun tradition for older generations to share is to give out red enveloped filled with money and luck to kids. This can be chocolate coins or actual money; the red envelopes are thought to be lucky therefore you are literally handing out luck!

Indulge in a Tray of Togetherness

As Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions, it is common for families to put out an assortment of snacks, also known as a Tray of Togetherness. This tray often includes dried fruits and nuts served in an decorative platter (red, if you have one).

Chinese New Year 2015

The Year of the Sheep

The Chinese New Year begins on the first day of the New Moon. This year it falls on February 19th. It is “The Year of the Sheep”! For ways to celebrate, turn to traditional Chinese customs, foods, and colors for inspiration. Don’t be afraid to have some fun with it and use your imagination.

Decorations

Red is an important color not only because of its intoxicating vibrancy, but also because of its rich meaning in Chinese culture and history. It is said that red is the color of the soul of the nation. The color red signifies reunion, health, happiness, harmony, peace and prosperity. So guess what color palette I would suggest for your Chinese New Year’s celebration? That’s right – red!

Flowers are an important part of the Chinese culture, and New Year’s is the biggest day in the Chinese flower market. Flowers are said to bring good luck and are given when visiting family for the traditional New Year’s Eve feast. Pick up decorative takeout containers from a party supply store and fill with flowers in shades of reds, golds, and oranges. These sweet, petite arrangements can also be given as gifts to your guests when the party is over.

Or you could go with a more glam look like this. Deep, rich red roses snuggled in a Chinese takeout- inspired purse would make a lovely surprise for someone special. Just line the container with a waterproof plastic dish or even a tin can, fill with fresh clean water, cut the roses short and place in container!

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“Sake” to Me Baby! A few stems of dendrobium orchids placed in a beautiful sake bottle is an easy yet elegant touch that is sure to delight. A tea light in a matching sake cup completes the look!

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Food

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Lettuce wraps are a fun and easy traditional Chinese food. They are served at New Year’s because the Cantonese word for lettuce sounds like rising fortune. And they are filled with other lucky food such as noodles and peanuts. You can find some great recipes for lettuce wraps at www.food.com and www.foodnetwork.com

Gifts

Hongbao, which are small red envelopes stuffed with money, are often given to unmarried children.  You can find these envelopes at party supply stores or online at www.orientaltrading.com.

Download free, printable Year of the Sheep graphics like the one I used on the container holding the Hongbao for an even more custom look!

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Perfect Pairings: Famous Couples Past & Present

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Mark Antony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, Beyonce and Jay-Z … history is filled with famous pairs both fictional and non-fictional that have filled our hearts with love. Whether your favorite celebrity pairing is from a book, movie, or a real-life couple, celebrate the timeless love celebrated by these famous pairs with our handy printable matching game!

This game is the perfect activity for a Valentine’s Day brunch, engagement party activity, bridal shower game, or for a fun ladies night filled with rom-coms!

So grab some pens, prepare some hearty snacks and put on a lovely soundtrack, and get ready to celebrate love! Download our Famous Couples Past & Present Matching Game here.

Famous Couples Matching Game Answer Key:

Non-Fictional Famous Pairs

Mark Antony & Cleopatra
Rhett Butler & Scarlett O’Hara
John Lennon & Yoko Ono
Adam & Eve
Matthew Broderick & Sarah Jessica Parker
Beyonce & Jay-Z
Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera
Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt
Prince William & Kate Middleton

Fictional Famous Pairs

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Mickey & Minnie
Superman & Lois Lane
Popeye & Olive Oyl
Spiderman & Mary Jane
Romeo & Juliet
Homer & Marge
Han Solo & Princess Leia
Jay Gatsby & Daisy Buchanan
Ross Gellar & Rachel Greene
Tarzan & Jane

Win a Bouquet of Flowers from Sidecar & 1800Flowers

If You Live in San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, Boston or D.C.

Fields of Europe Romantic Mixed Bouquet

This Valentine’s Day 1800Flowers has teamed up with the rideshare service Sidecar to help you #deliverlove on this special day! If you live in San Francisco, San Diego, Chicago, Boston or D.C., we will be giving away bouquets to 50 lucky sweethearts! Sign up to enter to win your Valentine’s Day bouquet giveaway here: deliverlove.side.cr

Get $10 Off a Shared Ride from Sidecar

In honor of this sweet partnership, Sidecar wants to help you #deliverlove this Valentine’s Day with an added bonus: use promo code 800Flowers and get $10 off your first ride! Sidecar Shared Rides matches people with a nearby rider heading the same way and cuts the cost in half.
Click here to download the Sidecar app.
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Save 20% Off Valentine’s Flowers and Gifts on 1800Flowers.com

If you aren’t in one of the eligible areas for this offer – don’t fret! Use the promo code SIDECAR at checkout to save 20% on your order at 1800flowers.com. Now you can buy all the flowers, chocolates, and (giant) teddy bears for that special someone!

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