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FREE | Let Me Look Upward :: 8x10 Art Print

Monday, June 27


To me, nothing says Summer more than sleeping in, slowing down and sitting on a blanket beneath a canopy of old oak trees.

Just as the quote says, I actually have been "looking up into the branches of the towering oak trees" and being a bit more reflective as of late. Most of the time it's when I walk our dog in the morning when the world is just stretching its arms out and opening its eyes.

Needless to say, when I came across this quote the other day, it seemed so perfect for where I'm at right now in life.

I'm not in a rush. (as often)
I say no to things. (much more often than I used to)
I don't feel so guilty about saying no. (most of the time)
I take more time to look into my kids' eyes when they are sharing something with me, or I with them.
I do more listening. (when I'm not talking) *wink*
And mostly...I've cut many of the ropes of self-expectations that have bound me tightly for most of my life.

It feels oh so good and it's pretty amazing the difference these changes have made.

I love the line in the quote that says "send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values."
I've always said I want to "live a life that has an organic authenticity with an heirloom quality to it."
When I find myself getting lost...or feeling distant from the values that live deep in my heart, it seems the majestic oak trees always have a way of calling me back to the place I am meant to be.

So yes, I immediately felt a connection with this quote from an unknown author as soon as I read it. I loved it enough to take time to create a simple art print using it.

If you share my love for oak trees too or just love the message in this art print I designed, grab the FREE 8x10 DOWNLOAD HERE!

I hope you all have been having a wonderful Summer!
And most importantly...I hope you've been finding ways to slow down.

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I've been spending A LOT of time on Snapchat over the last couple of months, sharing my sense of humor. I have to say I'm so glad a friend of mine twisted my arm on several occasions begging me to get on there because I just LOVE it. I rarely get to share that side of me here on the blog...or with people in general...and it's just been a fun, laid-back way to tap into my silly side. If you are on there too, you can find me by searching: pnpflowers

I'll be posting more about WHY I love Snapchat along with a couple of videos I've posted on there too...just to give you a glimpse into what you are missing out on. *eye rolling with a wink*

P.S.  Super excited about our Family Reunion coming up this weekend!
My family tries to have them every 18 months and I've been missing them.

STYLING | Kisses + Confetti Baby Gender Reveal Party :: Hershey's

Tuesday, June 14


If you follow me on Instagram, then you know I've been working behind the scenes on some exciting projects for a fabulous company...Hershey's!!  This brand has been a long-time favorite of mine...as I'm sure it has been for most of you as well!!

I'm not sure what your Hershey's favorites are but my love of peanut butter and chocolate developed early on as a kid thanks to my first two-pack of original Reese's cups. They are still a favorite of mine to this day. 

I've since developed an addiction for those delicious Hershey's Nuggets - specifically the toffee and almond combination. Oh my YUM!! I use them as part of my entertaining or celebrations whenever I can. Remember the custom watercolor wrapped nuggets I created for Clara's graduation party a couple of years ago?

With all of that said, you might say when Hershey's approached me about coming up with a few creative party ideas to help promote their newly released line of color foiled chocolates, I was ecstatic. I was obviously excited about working with one of my favorite candy companies, but even more excited about all of the color foil options now available to make party planning and dessert table styling even more fun!!

Today, I'm  happy to be sharing the first of three party ideas...

Kisses and Confetti Baby Gender Reveal

Baby Gender Reveal Parties have become really popular over the last few years with more and more expectant parents choosing to find out the sex of their baby in front of an intimate gathering of friends and family. (or expectant parents that already know the sex of the baby who then choose to turn the big announcement into an interactive, suspense-filled celebration for close family members and friends, again, using a creative reveal).

The "Kisses and Confetti" theme I chose for this gender reveal made the desserts, styling and reveal ideas extra fun since I was able to integrate Hershey's Chocolate Kisses and confetti thoughout all of the party details.


I decided on a Pink + Mint Green color scheme versus the traditional pink and blue, and incorporated some touches of gold.

I whipped up a simple invitation to highlight the confetti and balloon reveal idea of the party. (I'll talk more about the balloon in a bit).

I chose to do a simple dessert table/voting station combination.  The extent of the desserts were chocolate kisses, of course, as well as yellow cake cupcakes with a classic buttercream frosting. I topped the cupcakes with pink and green sprinkles and finished them off with a single wrapped Hershey's kiss, in pink or light green foil. I think they're adorable and tie beautifully into the theme!

For the dessert table, I filled the front drawers of a dresser with pink, gold and green foiled Hershey's kisses!


I created a centerpiece on the table using a beautiful cake plate and some KISSES + CONFETTI POPPERS!




These actually have three potential purposes.
1. A darling centerpiece on the table....as shown.
2. Favors for guests to take home.
3. A fun interactive "reveal" - guests pop them open simultaneously to reveal candy and confetti that corresponds to the sex of the baby.

See the full DIY Kisses + Confetti Poppers to see how easy they are to put together!!


As part of the simple dessert table, I included a "voting station" for each guest to cast his/her vote as to what they believe the sex of the baby to be. (just pick a mint green or pink hershey kiss and drop it into the corresponding glass carafe at the back edge of the table).   I created a quick DIY label holder using an individual Hershey's kiss. I just attached my label to a wooden skewer using a glue dot and stuck it right into the chocolate kiss. It worked beautifully and it's really cute...and simple.


I decided it would be fun to fill a giant black balloon with confetti and kisses to be used as part of the party decor, but also, to pop in front of guests to reveal the sex of the baby.


See the DIY for the Kisses + Confetti Balloon right here and to see a video of the balloon popping!

Such a cute idea, right? I just love it!!  I especially love that this theme can be used for a variety of celebrations - not just a baby gender reveal. Think bridal showers, Sweet Sixteen, graduations, birthday parties, baby showers and more.

Grab these FREE Kisses and Confetti Tags + Labels to use at YOUR "Kisses + Confetti" themed baby gender reveal!!



All of the cute party decor you see in this post came from Paper Crush!

My friend, Holly, owner of Paper Crush, has an online party store and just recently opened a brick + mortar as well! I'm so excited for her and hope you'll show her some love and support by using her pretty party products for your next celebration!

LINKS TO SOURCES
FREE Kisses + Confetti Tags + Labels - Pen + Paper Flowers
Kisses + Confetti Invitation - Pen + Paper Flowers
Blush Pink Paper Fans - Paper Crush
Gold Paper Fans - Paper Crush
Mint Paper Fans - Paper Crush
36" Black Balloon - Paper Crush mine was empty and I filled it with confetti + kisses *wink*
Balloon Tissue Tassels - Coral, Mint, Ivory + Gold - Paper Crush
Rectangle Confetti - Blush, Mint + Ivory- Paper Crush
Large Ivory Ruffle Cake Stand - Paper Crush - couldn't find the direct link to this one
2 Small Ivory Ruffle Cupcake Stands - Paper Crush
Light Green Foil Hershey's  Kisses - Hershey's
Pink Foil Hershey's Kisses - Hershey's
Gold Foiled Hershey's Kisses - Hershey's
Cupcakes - Cupcake Delights
Plastic Push Pops with Lids - Hobby Lobby
Gold Polka Dot Tissue Paper - Hobby Lobby - couldn't find it online to provide you with a link. *boo*

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
THIS IS A SPONSORED POST BY HERSHEY'S.
PEN + PAPER FLOWERS HAS RECEIVED COMPENSATION AND/OR PRODUCTS 
IN EXCHANGE FOR CREATING CONTENT AND SHARING PRODUCTS.
  AS ALWAYS, FRIENDS + READERS, I ONLY WORK WITH BRANDS 
AND SHARE CONTENT I'M INSPIRED BY AND THINK WILL INSPIRE YOU TOO!
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KEEPiNG iT REAL
I wasn't kidding when I said the original Reese's Peanut Butter Cups were what kicked off my addiction for peanut butter and chocolate. You would've never known that in 9th grade, at 14 years old and barely 97lbs, my daily school lunches consisted of a pack of Reese's Cups, a bag of Cheetos and a carton of chocolate milk. *blushing*

DIY | Kisses + Confetti filled Giant Balloon


Filling a 36" balloon with confetti and chocolate Hershey kisses might seem intimidating at first, but the process is actually super simple.

It's also the perfect element of surprise for any celebration...perhaps a NEW PARTY TREND to replace the classic piñata? I like to call this a balloon piñata!

However, this giant balloon filled with confetti and kisses is especially appropriate for baby gender reveals, like this "Kisses + Confetti" themed baby gender reveal I styled for Hershey's. 

Simply fill it with coordinating colored confetti and the new color foiled Hershey's kisses and pop it at your party in front of guests to reveal the sex of the expectant baby.

Materials Needed:
1 - 36" black balloon (black because it helps hide the contents inside)
Confetti - approximately 1 or 2 cups (or more - depending on how much of a mess you want to clean up) *wink*
Hershey's Kisses - I used about 25 Hershey kisses but could've used even more without compromising the weight of the balloon.
Funnel - to easily add the confetti to the balloon
Tissue Tassels - OPTIONAL - to tie onto the string of the balloon.




Instructions:
1. Fill the balloon with confetti using the funnel.
2. Add the Hershey's Kisses one-by-one. The opening in the balloon is plenty big enough for the kisses to drop right in.
3. Take the balloon to your local party store to have it filled with helium. (I actually went to the floral department of my local grocery store and they did it for me).
4. Add your tissue tassels once you arrive home.

TIPS: 
1. You will need at least two large balloon weights to keep the balloon from floating away.
2. Be sure the vehicle you are driving is large enough to transport the balloon once it has been filled with helium.




When it comes time to pop it open in front of your guests, hold it up high, away from your face, (and away from the crowd), and use a sharp object to poke it. I gave my daughter a sharp wooden skewer but a pin or needle would work too.

Want to see what it looks like when it pops?
See the COLOR VERSION of the balloon popping.
See it in BLACK + WHITE in REVERSE!

So cool.
And so fun!!

I hope you love it and will try it for your next celebration.

xoxo,
Jess

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I wasn't sure what to expect when we popped it, as far as how loud the pop would be and whether or not the hershey kisses would fly out in all directions. But as you can see from the video, the kisses simply fell to the ground while the confetti floated through the air. It was perfect and the noise wasn't  nearly as loud as I'd expected.

DIY | Kisses + Confetti Poppers


These Kisses + Confetti poppers for weddings, baby gender reveals, birthdays and more are great used as favors or popped open as part of a celebration. I like to call them hand-held piñatas! *wink*

Simply change out the color of the confetti, Hershey's Kisses, Ribbon and Tissue Paper to match your specific celebration!

I created mine for the "Kisses + Confetti" themed baby gender reveal party I recently styled for Hershey's. They are so easy to make and so fun as a centerpiece, party favor or reveal idea!

So let's get to the how-to...



SUPPLIES NEEDED:
Push Pop Containers with flat lids - there are dome lids out there which would prevent your poppers from standing up on their own.
Confetti I used some leftover white and gold crinkle cut packing from the order I placed with Paper Crush as well as some ivory + mint square tissue confetti - part of my order from Paper Crush.
Gold Polka Dot Tissue paper - Hobby Lobby
Gold Ribbon - Hobby Lobby
Scissors- for trimming tissue paper and ribbon 

P.S. I love my fancy gold scissors, but of course any pair of sharp scissors will do. *wink*

Although I'm sure you can totally figure it out from the photos, I'm sharing some written instructions as well...

DIRECTIONS
Stuff some crinkle cut confetti in the bottom of each push pop.
Add some Hershey's Kisses - I used 3 for each container.
Add some colored tissue paper confetti.
Top off with more crinkle cut confetti.
Snap on the lid.
Wrap a square piece of tissue paper up around the filled push pop and tie a ribbon around it to secure.

HINTS:
Each tissue paper wrap for the outside of the push pops was approximately a 10" square.
My ribbon pieces measured about 12" long - but that was after I trimmed them down so give yourself some extra for tying purposes. 




INSTRUCTIONS FOR POPPING
Using one hand, hold the popper away from your face, (and away from the faces of others), with the stick pointing towards the ground. Use the palm of your free hand to apply force to the bottom of the stick to eject the confetti and kisses into the air. (it's the same motion you would use to serve a volley ball). *wink*

TIP: There are plenty of tutorials out there to make confetti poppers. Most all of the ones I saw did not use the lid to the container. I'm not sure if it was because the lids they had weren't flat or if they didn't think the poppers would work with the lid on. I tested my poppers with the lids on and they worked just fine. 

These are so easy and fun to make - even the littles can help!!
If you haven't tried them out already, I hope you will!!

xoxo,
Jessica

KEEPiNG iT REAL
You should seriously order something from Paper Crush just to get some of the cute crinkle cut paper she includes in her packaging! *wink*
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