Pinterest for the Practical

     I got my invitation to join Pinterest two months ago. After careful evaluation (1 week of "pinning") I have come to the conclusion that everything on that site is perfect and without unlimited time, money, or resources few of those creations can actually be accomplished.  I was made painfully aware of this on Easter Sunday while decorating for brunch.  For your viewing pleasure I offer my attempts to "style" my house.

1) Plastic Egg Garland:

Left:

pro - Setting the tone for your Easter day festivities is important and nothing says "Welcome to my Pagan Home!" better than plastic egg garland adorning the front door.

con - The strands of plastic egg garland are surprisingly bulky and require some serious hardware installed to keep the string from falling and ensnaring visitors.

Right:

pro - This fun craft project can be done by kids and requires minimal adult supervision. As a bonus it makes use of excess plastic eggs from years passed.

con - Without adult supervision my children chose the least attractive eggs and paid little mind to symmetry, pattern, or design.

 2) Easter Floral Centerpiece:

Left:

pro - The pretty pastels and grass make this a creative and festive centerpiece any stylist would be proud to display.

con - Between the boring errands my children would get dragged on for materials and the hour + I would have to ignore them to piece together this display my children would revolt the day before Easter and  my house would be trashed.  But at least my table would look gorgeous!

Right:

pro - While already at Trader Joe's buying necessary food I grabbed this lovely bunch of tulips for only $3.99.  Cut the ends off the stems, add to a vase I got for free 4 years ago, and voila!

con - The tulips were not available in my color scheme so I'm pretending I'm chic by offering an alternative color palette.

3) Holiday Candy Display

Left:

pro - With its vivid colors, sweet offerings, and sticky treats, this is a feast for all of the senses. Everyone will love this!

con - Everyone will love this.  Don't even bother feeding them dinner. They won't be interested. Plus, with seven different topping offerings, the dipping sticks, and the chocolate required to fill that pot this extravaganza costs more than most people spend on their main course.

Right:

pro - All the Easter classics you've grown to love in easy reach.

con - The Costco size container of "jelly belly" jelly beans isn't even 1/4 empty.  We'll be giving away jelly beans for Halloween.  (Maybe that isn't a con...)

4) Table Decor:

Top pictures:

pro - You get to show off your mad origami skills and you get to use the gorgeous plates you have stored away all year long for this one special occasion.

con - Unless you're a stylist who will get multiple uses from such items, buying and storing table linens and tableware in colors coordinating each special holiday is expensive and impractical.

Bottom picture:

pro - For under $10 from Costco you get enough festive decorated plates and napkins to feed a small army for Easter or for use every day in April.  As an added bonus they are the paper variety so you escape the pesky task of washing dishes.

con - Although available in many colors and styles paper plates are neither as environmentally friendly nor as sturdy as ceramic plates.

Immitation is the sincerest form of flatery.

Feel free to "pin" or "share" any of my above ideas.

(You know you want to!)

sources

plastic egg garland: http://honeyandfitz.blogspot.com/2012/03/diy-easter-egg-garland.html#axzz1rePhujfh

floral centerpiece: http://www.marthastewart.com/274530/decorating-for-easter/@center/276968/easter#/267518 (picture #17)

peep fondue: http://underachievingdomesticgoddess.blogspot.com/2012/04/all-they-are-saying-is-give-peeps.html

bunny napkin: http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/bunny-fold%20for-napkins?autonomy_kw=bunny%20napkin%20ring&rsc=header_7#slide_0

purple tablescape: http://www.bhg.com/holidays/easter/decorating/easter-table-setting-ideas/#page=15