There is no occasion that is ill-suited for a garland. They can convey a color, design, theme, or, in the case of these lovely examples, a message.

  

Off the beaten path phrases from Banter Banners.

Christmas carol banners from Katie Did.

A simple birthday garland made from circles cut from cereal boxes, baker’s twine, and letter stickers (no glue needed…just use the sticker to attach string to cardboard). From Parents Magazine.

How Sweet It Is, for real, from Simple Song.

I have a thing for them; don’t know why, but I do. Maybe it’s the even spacing, or the dashed lines, or the simple and familiar font. Clearly, I’m not alone…

Pretty Linen Measuring Tape ribbon from Cotton Blue, found via The Long Thread.

I’ve loved this birth announcement idea for a long time. Of course, it’s from Martha.

Clever: a lamp made from measuring tapes. Cute for your craft room? Found on A Dress a Day.

A gift bow made from a measuring tape? Why not? Found in Canny Belle’s Etsy store.

Cute bangle from Cupcakes Polka Dots on Etsy.

And lastly, for a practical use of this ubiquitous tool, mount a measuring tape on the edge of your work space. You’ll never fumble for a ruler again. Oh Martha!

I am usually not a fan of the packaged party thing; I’m a DIY girl after all. I’m constantly getting press releases and pitches for “party in a box” sets that just do it all for you. Now, I’m not a mom yet, and I know most moms out there say that sometimes is just easier to buy a kit. Well, if you must do the grab-n-go thing, at least spring for something as cool as Banter and Frolic. Check out these sweet party kits.

The Carnival is in Town contains (among other things) hot dog holders, popcorn bags, pinwheels, and ticket strips.

The Grandstand Sports Party comes with sporty drink holders, paper to make cones, pennants and sandwich holders.

Off Limits Construction Party comes with construction tape, straw tags, construction tape, and icon food toppers.

Standard with each party comes invitations and a manual (yes, a how-to manual for setting up your party-in-a-box). Sad that you’d have to order from an online Australian site (hello, shipping costs!), so if you must have a kit made in the USA, go for the precious ones by Meri Meri.

(But really, if you have any questions about kids’ parties, leave a comment; it’s my specialty!)

Banter and Frolic found via LMNOP.

I’ve been trying to think of a way to group these hilarious posts from Unhappy Hipsters into a round-up, but honestly, they are just too good to water down with anything else. The writers take images from design magazines and sites and pen new captions for them. As someone who has worked on a ton of photo shoots trying to make scenes look “real”, trying to find the “humanity”, these make me laugh out loud.

It became his morning ritual. He woke, stepped to the window, and fantasized about the day he would be free of his knotty-pine cell.

(Photo: Hertha Hernaus; Dwell, July/August 2008)

Babe, look! It says here that some people live in trailers, intentionally, without a hint of irony.

(Photo: Wallpaper magazine)

There are certain sacrifices one has to make when choosing a designer environ. The ability to comfortably recline tops the list.

Trompe-l’œil is an art technique involving extremely realistic imagery in order to create the optical illusion that the depicted objects appear in three dimensions, instead of actually being a two-dimensional painting.

I really have no words to introduce these amazing creations. These photos say it all…

Rita’s Living Room, made of all plywood. Found via Paper n’ Stitch.

Inspired Goodness decorated their booth at a trade show with this awesome butcher paper mural.