nuts about school {nutty inspiration for back to school}

Ah...the smell of back to school is in the air for the little hipsters.
Was daydreaming one fine day and thought that a back to school peanut butter + jelly tasting would be the coolest way to get ready to roll back down the hallways of higher learning. It evolved into a squirrel + nut theme-come on, you know that's funny.

So I gathered up some of my ridiculously talented Lovas and assembled some nutty inspiration for a back to school playdate. A tiny sandwich tasting for an afternoon of giggles, high drama and Nutella.

You know I think outside the crayon box-I love to transform the ordinary into extraordinary. With glitta. Hope you find some dazzling inspiration. Wishing you and your little hipsters a stellar school year.

Class dismissed. xo

shiny new kraft banner design

faux background by three little monkeys studio

sassy squirrel illu by monkey see monkey do art studio

fruit snacks on sparkle sticks, clever, no?

come on, you know this is hilarious

breadbaskets by garnish

bread for the kids...crusts for our feathered friends:)

these glittered acorn candies are ridiculous.

vintage confections has some serious skills

some apple juice in a burlap + hand dyed ribbon costume

glam glittered acorns

handmade tassels make everything cuter

this banner is beautiful. beyond.

peckled perfection

the golden squirrel's feet are sinking into the quicksand-like frosting. 

send help. and acorns.

a gift for the guests.

gold initial notebooks with twig pencils.

to write down their thoughts on the tastings...

acorn adorableness.

a recipe even I can handle via the piggy princess

party pinching

backpack tags, luggage tags, whatever you call them-

fabulosity in woodgrain form

sparkling events and designs dishes out

spectac events and badass backpack tags

faux bois + festooning

makes my knees go to jelly. grape.

three little monkeys studio designs the foresty fabulousness

if you follow me and my parties...

you may recognize this tablecloth.

it is the backdrop from the Donkey Kong APE-ril rave:)

chicks I would totally sit with in the cafeteria:

the purple pug~nuts banner, handmade tassels, concept, styling, blurry photographs
vintage confections~designer of the original planet pop + tiny glittered acorn adorableness
three little monkeys studio~the faux bois whisperer~all paper backgrounds
sparkling events + designs~beautiful + badass backpack tags
peckled~sparkling pinwheel perfection banner
party pinching~ choco acorn cute tute
monkey see monkey do~furry + fab squirrel illustration
garnish~breadbaskets:) + tiny wooden spoons

The Crazy 8 Train Global Glittery Giveaway...

The Crazy 8 Glittery Global Party Train is leaving the station~Express to GlittaVille. 
I am celebrating 8,888 Facebook fans with a confetti throwing Conga line across the Continents. I am giddy + honored to have 88 passengers on this train, plus another 8 in the caboose to help me celebrate the sparkle across the world.

This party train is offering up happiness, kindness, nachos, and some serious cash prizes. And a twist of Glittery Goodness. Make sure you read below... 

The dazzling deets:

To achieve a giveaway this CRAZY, I had to pull together an even bigger list of of some of the most spectacular human beings on the planet. These businesses span six countries and all are simply amazing on so many levels. Some are established businesses, some are brand new-all offer up something extraordinary. Honored to have them at my party. 

The Sparkling Sponsors of this Party Train~

thdezign party, Kari Lind Creations, Soiree Event Design, Squared Party Printables, Party on Purpose, Swish Printables, Cutie Patootie Designz, My Sentiments by Liama, Tricia Rennea Illustrator, The Shy Socialites, Casa De Sousa, Sparkling Events & Designs, Faith's Cookies and Crafts, I Have A Favor, Vintage Confections, Wizards & Fairies, D's Stitches, Sweet Georgia Sweet, The Doodling Bug, Bird's Party, Piper's Play Closet, Alli's Studio, Piggy Bank Parties, Elle Dee Designs, Your Blissful Day, KK's Favors, P's & Q's~Event Perfectors, Something Blu Events, Sweet Petite Soirees, Painted and Sprinkled, Chloe Christine, Stunning Party, Top It Off Designs, Green Elephant Prints, Sensationally Sweet Events, Kelly Spalding Designs, The Party Animal, Made by Cristina Marie, DimplePrints, Expressions Paperie, Valerie's Jewelry Creations, McClure Couture, Nancy Veitenhans Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant, Giggles & Grace Designs, Painting Paris Pink, A Touch of Whimsy Designs, Designs by Nicolina, lululily, Just a little Sparkle, Jubilee Supplies, The Party Wagon, Fizzy Party, Fancy That, Sew Pookie, Ribbon Revelry, A Delicate Gift, Creative Designs by Toni, Folky Art Candles, Oh My! Creative, Katie D's Pampered Chef, One Stylish Party, Unlimited Party Themes, Mirabelle Creations, Flaired Affairs, Gallamore West, Three Little Monkeys Studio, Sprinkled With Paper, MaDa Designs, Beautiful Paper Crafts, One Swell Studio, Peckled, Lauren McKinsey, The Epicurean Crafter, Myranda's Sweet Treats, Spaceships and Laser Beams, Stampin' Fanatic!, Crochet by Danelle Rae, Sue's Gift Box & Sweet Shoppe, Buttercup Bling, Hello, Cuteness!, Mad Hatter Tea Par-Teas, PaperCandee, Monkey See Monkey Do Art Studio, Sweet Peach Paperie, Garnish Inc.,  Party On! Designs, Miss Party Mom, Clemens Designs, Frog Prince Cake & Cookie Design, The Knock Knock Factory, Love The Day, Flowerz By Suz, Print The Party, I Love Party Style, Birthday in a Book, Scents You Love. 

Prizes:

TWO randomly chosen winners will each receive $888 USD in funds via PayPal. You must have a PayPal account to enter.

THREE randomly chosen winners will each receive $88 USD in funds via PayPal. You must have a PayPal account to enter. 

Rules:
Contest is open from August 8, 2013 at 8:00am EST to August 16, 2013 at 7:59am EST. The winners will be chosen randomly through the Rafflecopter form. The odds of winning depend on the number of people who enter. Giveaway is open worldwide to all participants 18 years of age and older. Void where prohibited by law. Winners are solely responsible for any taxes, duties or reporting as required by law. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize. Should they not claim their prize within this time, another winner will be selected. Please ensure that the email thepurplepug [at] thepurplepug [dot] com is on your "safe list" as we would hate for you not to get your prize!

Disclosure: This is an independent blogger giveaway. It is in no way associated with PayPal, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or any other social media network. I did not receive money to be part of or promote this giveaway. Should you have any questions, please contact Kristy at The Purple Pug  via email at thepurplepug[at] thepurplepug [dot] com.

USE THIS RAFFLECOPTER FORM TO ENTER TO WIN SOME CRAZY 8 CASH!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And now...the twist...

Every day I wake up, flip on the computer and play in this spectacular online world of kids' parties. Over the top grand parties, tiny one cupcake parties, parties designed with love, parties designed for show, parties planned for years and parties designed in a week. I see beautiful images at every turn-Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, online shops and blogs~and I love it.  There is something so powerful and inspiring about seeing how people celebrate their children and other big occasions. There is something heartwarming about seeing how much love + thought goes into so many of these events. This dazzling online party world is over the top, fabulous and a part of so many of our lives...So many of our businesses depend upon them and we all inspire each other with new designs and creative ideas. 

It is a shiny, happy, lucky place to be every day. 

But...sometimes...we all need to take a step back...and keep life in perspective. There are children, mothers and fathers out there in every city in the world that are homeless. There are no coordinating invitations, napkins, cake balls or cookies in a homeless shelter. These are people that simply need a warm bed, a hot meal and hope. I cannot imagine how frightening it must be for a child in a homeless shelter. I cannot imagine what it feels like as a parent to spend even a night in a shelter. There are people that can imagine and are trying to do something to spread a little happiness to the tiniest residents of homeless shelters across the US~ Project Night Night.

Project Night Night donates over 25,000 Night Night Packages each year, free of charge, to 
homeless children who need our childhood essentials to feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and 
significant.  Each Night Night Package contains a new security blanket, an age-appropriate 
children's book, and a stuffed animal -- all nestled inside of a new canvas tote bag.  By providing 
objects of reliable comfort, Project Night Night reduces trauma and advances the emotional and 
cognitive well-being of the children we serve.   

Honored and thrilled to announce that Our Crazy 8 Party Train will be making a very special stop, at a very special station. We will be making a donation to Project Night Night on behalf of all the passengers on this Crazy 8 Train. We are amazed by your work. Beyond supportive of your noble cause.

Good luck. Do good when you can. And glitter everything. xo