Flowers are such a quick and easy pick-me-up, and with spring just around the corner, what better way to D.I.F.Y. than to bring a little bit of the outdoors in. While it may be tempting to rock this gorgeous floral headpiece, we thought we’d give you a more down to earth option. Spruce up your home or office with a potted plant – there are so many floral choices to choose from, you are bound to find one that makes you smile. If flowers don’t do it for you, why not try out Marc Jacobs’ Daisy perfume. Be it a simple bouquet or just a new sweet scent, don’t forget to Do It For Yourself every once in a while.

[photo credit: left, right]

Everyone has their own vision of the perfect look – get inspired and think about textures and layers that can make your bridal details extraordinary. We’d love to see how you mixed and matched on your wedding day, please share with us what inspired you.

The amazing folks at Pillsbury® were kind enough to share their recipe for making your own Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Pop favors, it’s easy to make (not to mention incredibly delicious) so put on your favorite apron and bake away!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED (makes 8 pie pops):

- 3/4 cup frozen strawberries, thawed, chopped, drained, juice reserved

- 1/3 cup granulated sugar

- 2 teaspoons cornstarch

- 1 cup frozen chopped rhubarb, thawed

- 1 box Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box

- 8 craft sticks (flat wooden sticks with round ends)

- 1 egg white, beaten

- 1 teaspoon sugar

- 3 1/2-inch round cutter

- 1/3 cup powdered sugar, if desired

- 2 to 3 teaspoons milk, if desired

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WHAT TO DO:

1. Heat oven to 450°F. In bowl, place reserved strawberry juice. In another bowl, mix 1/3 cup granulated sugar and the cornstarch; using whisk, beat into reserved strawberry juice. Stir in strawberries and rhubarb.

2. Remove pie crusts from pouches; unroll on work surface. Using 3 1/2-inch round cutter, cut out 16 rounds (8 rounds per crust). Place 8 rounds on ungreased cookie sheet. Spoon strawberry-rhubarb mixture evenly onto each round to within 1/2 inch of edge. Place 1 craft stick in filling of each.

3. Flatten remaining rounds to 4 inches in diameter. Brush underside of each round with egg white; place over fruit. Press edges together; seal with fork. Cut small slit on top of each. Brush tops with egg white; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon sugar, dividing evenly among pops.

4. Bake 10 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack; cool 10 minutes before serving. Mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth, adding milk until thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over pops; let stand until set, about 30 minutes.

(For tasty alterations, replace the strawberry-rhubarb filling with 1 cup of your favorite canned pie filling – cherry, blueberry or apple)

It doesn’t matter how you choose to tell your story, as long as you tell it. Whatever it may be – be it love letters, champagne lunches, breakfast in bed or romantic kisses – Happy Valentine’s Day to you!

D.I.F.Y.:

1) Laura Welsh – Music always sets the mood. This amazing up-and-coming British singer/songwriter is going to be the next UK sensation. It was such an opportunity to spend some time with Laura, not only is she a rising star on the music scene, but her and her family are some of the sincerest and sweetest people we have met. If you are unable to catch one of Laura’s shows in London, be sure to check out her music on her tumblr site!

2) Jersey Boys – The theatre scene in London is a must-see. With so many productions to choose from, there’s sure to be something for everyone. We loved seeing Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre. Not only was the show outstanding, but you can’t beat the atmosphere.

3) For the foodies – Not that we don’t love a good fish and chips at the local pub (yum!) but we’d like to share our favorite restaurant worth the reservation wait:

- Kensington Rooftop Garden: While we thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience, we are clamoring to return in the Spring so we can enjoy their three themed gardens and flowing stream stocked with fish and their resident flamingos. (By the way, they have one of the best cappuccinos we’ve ever tasted).

4) For the shoppers – Oxford street is a must-go, be sure to stop by Liberty for fun and unique fabrics and fashionable trends. Portobello Road – the world’s largest antiques market – is another great shopping scene, if you love vintage wears this is the perfect spot.

5) High tea at the Savoy -  Being fortunate enough to stay at this beautiful hotel for the week, we took full advantage of all that it had to offer, high tea being one of our favorite highlights. Having received the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Tea Guild, this experience lives up to the hype. (Side note – we heard from our waitress that Victoria Beckham had visited a few days prior.)

After this whirlwind trip, we realized how important it is to D.I.F.Y. – our creative juices have been flowing ever since!

Walking into the spa at Sofitel London St James, we were immediately transported into a different world – the world of nuna, complete with an over-sized baby chair known at nuna as the Leaf (one of the only organic baby chairs in the world).  An appropriate name for one of many products manufactured at nuna’s green certified factory.  The event space was designed with comfort, style and functionality in mind, and what’s not to love about a mini mani on a mom’s day out. The  philosophy of this award-winning Dutch designed brand is to help parents raise their baby in simple, smart, chic-looking and safe gear.

We weren’t the only ones glowing – Boudoir PR, the press, bloggers and trendiest UK celebrities including: Jenni Falconer, Peaches Geldof, Angellica Bell, Chantelle Houghton, Donal Macintyre and Ameera Macintyre were enjoying the afternoon nuna style as well.

With all of the new babies at Something Fabulous, our only disappointment was that the product is not currently available in the US. The nuna celebrity baby shower kicked off the re-launch of their products now available at John Lewis in the UK as well as other locations worldwide.

We definitely fell in love and we’ll be keeping in touch with our new friends via facebook. We hope to see more of nuna in the near future.

Joy’s fav were the SIMBA V Throat Shoe Boots from Top Shop. What’s not to love about a 5 inch suede heel?

We cannot wait to share more about our London adventure in next week’s Love Story and D.I.F.Y. Stay tuned to read about one of the hottest British singer/ songwriters we met &  feel in love with in London, products of the year, celebrity baby showers, and European inspiration for 2012. Until then, slip on a pair of ankle boots and enjoy your fashion-forward weekend.

 I drove down Woodward Avenue in a bit of a fog. It could have been the clearest, brightest, most perfect day on record, but the truth of this day was that the world would be gray for a while. Gray and LONG… at least a few hours of this day would be the longest hours of any day EVER. On this day, the reality of the battle hit harder than any of the other battle days. On this day, the magnitude of the entire seven months leading up to this day hit ME.

 That day was January 31^st, the day before my little sister’s 33^rd birthday. If you ask her she will no doubt tell you a different story of that day, but for me that was the LONGEST day of the whole ordeal. It was the day I realized that the package my mother had called “my baby”, the one she had brought home to me 32 years and 364 days earlier was not indestructible. I could have told you before this day that she wasn’t perfect. Perfectly able to push every one of my buttons with expert skill – without a doubt. Perfectly expert in her designer heels from Nordstroms, Saks or wherever she disappears to under the guise of retail therapy, most definitely. Perfect – No. Not, perfect. But, Indestructible – Maybe, indestructible based upon years of sisterhood. Yet,  that was before the longest day.

As I parked my car and went into wait, I sat with my mom and my brother-in-law. I felt sick, anxious and terrified. It was an outpatient procedure, but in these hours I realized that “my baby”, the one who never fails to let me know when “I’m being stupid” and always chimes in with an “I’d do it for you” whether I believe her or not – wasn’t replaceable.

In fact, it occurred to me that she was my first gift. 

 How many times in life do we receive a gift without acknowledging it’s significance or impact on our lives?

Today is a day to celebrate because today my sister is 5 years cancer free.

I hope it’s the longest day on record to date. And, as she plays with her new little baby daughter (same age as Jennifer in the picture above) and sits with my mom and my brother-in-law in her lovely home in a sunny part of the world.  I will be here in Michigan soaking up the gray with a smile and with gratitude.   And as I have been skillfully practiced in button pushing myself, whether she likes it or not. She IS the Fabulous in our Something – in the way only a trendsetting fashionista can be.

 In Grace, with Gratitude and ALL of God’s blessing.

I love you, Jennifer and I am so glad you are my business partner, my friend, my sister and FREE!

ps. It turns out that the anticipated typical gray Michigan day is going to be sunny and 55 today.  Now, that’s what I would call a sign!

Love is in the details. Having Midori Ribbon as a vendor, we were excited when we came across this great “how to” and thought we would share. Create this ribbon rose for a favor box, place card, table card, or just to brighten your day : )