Detail-Oriented

My mom always decorated for Christmas in every nook and cranny of our house. Most people have a Christmas tree, garlands, wreaths and the like. Some ambitious folks have themed hand towels and soap dispensers. My mom didn't think it was too much to switch out pillows and area rugs to feature Christmas themed ones, pull out her Christmas picture frames to hold our family photos for a month, stage multiple miniature Christmas villages and nativity scenes or suspend Christmas AnnaLee dolls from our entrance hall light fixture (it was way less creepy than it sounds, I promise).

I've veered off track from vintage rental items a bit, but my point here is that people who visited us around the holidays weren't raving about our tree. It was the details that had them talking, oohing and ahhing. That's what we want for your wedding, baby shower, birthday party or other event. After all, every event is going to have some sort of table to hold the food and some chairs for people to rest. It's tough to make those things memorable without fantastic details.

Here are some of our favorite small accessories that will leave your guests with something unique to feast their eyes on no matter where they look!

Part of our collection of vintage cameras

 Adorable Westinghouse fan (still works!)

 These locker baskets would look great holding programs.

Filled with flowers or favors, this vintage picnic basket is the perfect rental piece for any event.

A quick shot we threw together at the Cameo office. Contact us for info on any accessories you see in this post.

First Impressions

They mean a lot, don't they? We always hear that first impressions are critical and if you spent hours getting gorgeous for your first date with your fiance or husband, you probably buy into this expression. :) Your wedding or event should be no exception. A fabulous gift table or guest book table at your gathering sets the tone for the rest of the event and gets people talking right away.

When it comes to putting together your guest book or gift table, we can provide interesting and beautiful desks, dressers and tables as well as the small flourishes that help catapult your event from stunning to unforgettable.

Take a look at a few inspiration shots first, then some of our inventory pieces that can be put to work on your special day.

I love the Victorian chair added to this great guest book table featured by Martha Stewart Weddings.

 Ruffled never fails to deliver inspiring photos. The rustic chalkboard, books and quilt look great with the retro typewriter, which makes a handy and updated guest book.

Wedding Chicks featured this desk with beautiful patina and bright yellow accents. 

And now for our pieces...

Volree Table. Appropriately named since this photo was taken by Volree Photography! Email us for pricing.

Meredith Desk. Looks great with a chalkboard, guest book and typewriter. Email us for pricing.

Florence Table. Dress her up with a lace runner, flowers and some vintage luggage underneath. Email us for pricing.

Peyton Table. The chippy paint on this table and its expandable leaves make it perfect for holding a pile of gifts! Throw in our rustic mailbox for cards. Email us for pricing.

Bike Week

When I first started buying inventory for Cameo Vintage Rentals, one of my very early purchases was an adorable red vintage bicycle. From day one I knew a bike was a must-have...I could picture it with a "Just Married" chalkboard outside of a reception, with gifts piled around it at a vintage themed birthday party or (my personal favorite) used in engagement photos.

While I'm still on the hunt for a tandem bike, I have managed to find an almost exact match of red bike number one, giving me a pair which is almost as cute as a bicycle built for two. I've seen a number of precious engagement shoots using one bike as often as I've seen two, so either way you go (provided you hire an excellent photographer!) you're bound to end up with some great images.

For the first time, we're offering a special on these bikes. They typically rent for $60 each for a three day rental period, but if you put down a deposit this week only (before 11:59pm January 29) you can get them for $40 each. You must use the bicycle(s) by April 30, 2013 so they're fully available for peak wedding season, but this price includes delivery within 5 miles of Cahaba Heights. Email us for more details.

And just in case you're wondering what you'd do with a couple of vintage bikes, here are some great ideas from Green Wedding Shoes, Ruffled and Belle the Magazine. If you need some more inspiration feel free to cruise around our Pinterest page!

 Love this pre- or post-wedding bike ride featured on Green Wedding Shoes

Super cool idea from Ruffled for displaying place cards...just attach them to the bike's spokes

 

An adorable engagement (or even anniversary?) photo shoot featured on Belle the Magazine's blog (we have luggage if you need it, too!)

Another cute one from Belle!

I can't find the photo/blog credit for this anywhere, but it's just too good not to post. The bikes, the cans...swoon. 

All Fun and Games

Before I begin, I have to say I didn't get to quite as many blog posts as I had hoped this week. I have about 8 posts started that will hopefully find their way to completion in the not-so-distant future! In the midst of the rain/snow we got in Alabama, I decided to build some shelves in my bathroom (with the husband's help) and the projects kept multiplying and escalating. Before I could mount the shelves, I had to go ahead and paint the bathroom so I didn't have to paint around the shelves later. Then I needed to make new window treatments to go with the wall color. Then paint our large wooden storage piece in the bathroom to go with the window treatments. Then order a new shower curtain. You get the idea. I think we're done for the moment, though. At least in that bathroom...so now I can get back to the topic at hand.

My obsession with vintage games and toys started with a trip through my grandmother's basement. I came across my dad's old toys and some board games that clearly hadn't seen the light of day in at least 40 or 50 years. The graphics are just incredible and take you back to a time when everything was just a little less complex.

Pinterest never fails to provide inspiration and I've seen jacks attached to wire/string to make napkin rings, jars filled with marbles and game pieces and game boxes stacked as risers on a food table.

Next time you have a game night or a vintage-themed birthday party, give us a call to browse our collection of toys and games. And for now, feast your eyes on some of these great vignettes!

See more from this precious party at Bella Grace Party Designs

Bella Grace Party Designs

Bella Grace Party Designs

Another adorable party featured by Hostess with the Mostess

I Want Candy

I remember the first time I saw a candy table at a wedding reception. My ridiculously talented friend Sarah had her reception at Birmingham Country Club and had set up a breathtaking table with a wide variety of monochromatic candies. It seems like candy tables have only increased in popularity since then and have made their way into other celebrations, as well, and for good reason. They have a a huge impact and allow you to carry your theme through to another area of your reception. Individual favors on tables are fantastic, too (that's what my husband and I did at our reception), but you can't beat the impact of a candy table.

Fortunately, those big apothecary jars lend themselves to life after parties in a number of functions in your home; but if your place is already loaded with accessories, we're here to help. We have 7 different apothecary jars for rent for $10 each, versus a purchase price of anywhere from $25 to $70 retail per jar. We'll drop them off anywhere in Birmingham city limits for no charge and pick them up, leaving you stress-free and able to add other fantastic touches to your wedding with the money you've saved.

Our selection of small accessories is always a great addition to these candy tables, too. We can help add interest and color to tables with books, wire baskets, suitcases, vintage trophies and much more. So without further ado, some of our favorite candy tables!

A small selection of our jars, milk glass and accessories. See our website for more details! (Photo by Volree Photography)

A great table with vintage accessories featured on Hostess with the Mostess

We love this great masculine option! What a cool alternative to the groom's cake from Amy Atlas. (PS, call us if you want to get your hands on an eclectic collection of vintage cameras!)

An awesome example of a candy table utilizing vintage scales and other pieces for display featured on Wedding Chicks.