{Preview:} Lauren’s 3rd Birthday

May 21st, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Entertaining

I have to admit, one of my biggest motivators to get back to blogging was my desire to share the details of Lauren’s upcoming third birthday party.  I can’t believe my baby girl will be THREE in less than a month.  The time has flown by and, if I’m being honest, I’m just a little sad.  ”Two” still seems like a baby age, but “three” is a big girl.  I LOVE her and love planning a special celebration for her each year!

I usually like to choose her party’s theme and start planning in January.  However, this year we had a really hard time picking a theme.  Lauren isn’t the kind of kid who gets really into just one thing.  There are lot of things she loves, but no clear “favorite.” Then, one afternoon as we walked through the produce department of our local grocery store, it hit me.  As she had on nearly every previous shopping trip, Lauren asked about the pinatas displayed high above the bins of vegetables.   Suddenly, it was perfectly clear.  We could combine our Texas roots and LOVE of Tex-Mex cuisine with Lauren’s desire for a pinata and have a “FIESTA” themed party!

Of course, I started a Pinterest board to streamline my ideas.  Andy loves the theme because it gives him a great reason to grill up one of his favorites-fajitas!

So today, I just wanted to share a few sneak peaks of what we have in the works for her party ”FIESTA” next month.

I knew from the get-go that I wanted to put a colorful, girly spin on the “traditional” fiesta.  I purchased digital paper and clipart from Lilly Bimble on Etsy. EVERYTHING in this shop is so cute. I highly recommend you check it out.

I also created this fabulous mesh wreath to place on our front door and welcome guest to the FIESTA.  (Sorry about the horrible iPhone photo, pregnant Aleah has no time for photo editing.) I love all the bright colors and the adorable mini pinata.  Ole!

I’ll share all the details from her party in a few weeks! Be sure to check back soon!

 

{Easy} Valentine’s Breakfast Ideas

Feb 11th, 2013 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats, Entertaining

Since we’re away, I don’t have my regular {Menu Monday} post to share with you today.  Instead, I have some easy Valentine’s breakfast ideas.  Lauren and I served up these goodies to our friends last week.  They are perfect for a Valentine’s morning playdate or just a quite morning at home with the ones you love.

“We’re Bananas for You!”

Serve up some of homemade banana bread or muffins.  My Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is an extra sweet start to the day.

“We’re Berry Glad We’re Friends!”

How about some simple yogurt parfaits.  Strawberry yogurt topped with blueberries and diced strawberries.

“You’re the Apple of My Eye!”

And, I’ve saved the easiest for last! Apple slices!

A well stocked craft room and five minutes on the computer allowed me to whip up the buffet labels.  Another cute idea for a beverage is “You’re My Cup of Tea.

Come back soon because I’ll be sharing a few more cute Valentine’s ideas as well as my most recent party (a “Snow Sprinkle”) later this week!

Christmas Candyland Cookie Exchange

Dec 20th, 2012 Leave a comment
Posted in: Eats, Entertaining

Wednesday, Lauren and I hosted our Third Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange.  Our theme this year was “Christmas Candyland.” I think my candy-themed December Wreath of the Month really had me in a sweet holiday mood this year and inspired the party’s theme.

This adorable (and free) printable set from Forever Yours Prints via PIZZAZZERIE was perfect and made styling the party SO easy! Thank you, Forever Yours Prints and PIZZAZZERIE!

Drink Table featuring Christmas Candyland Punch

Water Bottles with Printable Wraps

The party started at 11:00 AM.  A small group of around fifteen friends joined us for a lunch of salad and baked ziti with meatballs.  After lunch the kids all played and the moms visited.  Finally it was time for dessert and cookie collecting!

Dessert Table

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2012 Halloween Party

Nov 5th, 2012 Leave a comment
Posted in: Crafting, Eats, Entertaining, Fun

It’s almost a week after Halloween, but because we just trick-or-treated here on Monday it really doesn’t feel like it.  In any case, I wanted to share some photos from this year’s Halloween party with you all.  With Hurricane Sandy on the horizon just days before the party, I wasn’t sure if we’d even be able to pull the party off or if friends would be able to safely get here to celebrate.  Luckily, things worked out.  I really like the way everything turned out, but I love that we were able to spend the day safe, warm, and dry celebrating with our friends.

For a long time (since before last Halloween even), I’d been planning on a candy corn themed Halloween party.  I had no shortage of ideas, and I even have Pinterest board devoted to it.

Then, the weekend before Halloween, I came across this adorable (and free!) Halloween printable set designed by Stephanie Creekmur for Pizzazzerie. I’ve always been a fan of traditional black and orange for Halloween.  I’ve also always loved accenting with lime and purple, so I just fell in love with this set and I knew I HAD TO change my theme.
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What a Hoot!

Oct 18th, 2012 Leave a comment
Posted in: Crafting, Eats, Entertaining

Owls seem to be everywhere this fall, and they really are perfect for the season.  A good friend of mine, Erin, recently hosted an owl themed birthday party for her daughters who were turning three and five, and it was a hoot!

Erin’s a girl after my own heart, and she really got into planning the party. (“I’ve discovered Pinterest!” she told me.)  I LOVE all the adorable and handmade owl elements she included in the party and Erin was kind enough to allow me to share them here with you all. Read more

Blame Chuck Bass

Sep 6th, 2012 Leave a comment
Posted in: Entertaining

One night a few weeks ago while Andy was away I stayed up late watching TV (something I rarely do).  I caught an episode of Gossip Girl on some channel I didn’t even know we had.  Big mistake.  I’m normally not a TV watcher.  I just have  had other things I’d rather do…  Well, the next day I realized I could stream all the back episodes of Gossip Girl on Netflix, oops! Can you guess what I’ve been doing everyday during naptime for the past two weeks?  I remember friends I taught with talking about how they watched the show like five years ago, I guess I’m a little behind.  In any case, I’m embarrassed to admit that my recent slacking on blog posts is because I can’t get enough of this silly show! The first step is admitting you have a problem, right?

I was honest, now it’s your turn. Do you have a favorite guilty pleasure TV show you can’t get enough of (no matter how many hours you waste watching it)?

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream

Jul 31st, 2012 2 Comments
Posted in: Entertaining

 

July is National Ice Cream Month and last week Lauren and I hosted our “2nd Annual I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream Party.”  We provided the ice cream and we asked our friends to each bring their favorite topping to share. Read more

A Berry Special Birthday Party

Jun 14th, 2012 5 Comments
Posted in: Crafting, Eats, Entertaining, Family, Fun

I knew even before Lauren’s first birthday that I wanted to have her second birthday at Donaldson Farms.  We all love the farm and during the summer we’re there at least once a week to buy fresh produce.  Lauren’s birthday being in June meant that we’d be able to have a strawberry picking party and that seemed like a perfect idea to us.

Knowing your party’s location and general theme a year in advance gives you a lot of time to brainstorm and plan. My overall vision was “farm-chic.” I used red and white gingham, Ball jars, and galvanized metal accents-easy and cute! We booked the party in early spring and sent the invitations in the beginning of May.

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Strawberry Sneak Peak!

Jun 11th, 2012 Leave a comment
Posted in: Entertaining, Family

Lauren’s second birthday and our celebration has now come and gone! I’m sad that it’s over, but we had a great time and it was a day I’m sure we’ll never forget.  I’m thrilled with how wonderfully everything came out and I can’t wait to share all the photos and details with you.  Speaking of photos we took over 300, so I have quite a bit of sorting and editing to do before I get my full post up.  Hopefully it will come a little later in this busy week.  Until then here are a couple of sneak peaks!

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Strawberry 2nd Birthday Party Preview

Jun 5th, 2012 Leave a comment
Posted in: Entertaining

So one of the things that’s been keeping me busy (and not blogging) lately has been planning Lauren’s second birthday.  I can’t believe in just a few days my baby girl will be two!  This second year of her life has gone by so fast.  I wish I could make time slow down.  She is growing and learning everyday.  Andy and I continue to enjoy every second with her, and she constantly amazes (and exhausts) us.

Lauren’s birthday party is this Saturday, and I can’t wait to get everything set up.  We’re hosting it at our favorite local farm and Lauren along with 20 of her closest 2-year-old friends will spend the afternoon going on a hayride, picking strawberries, and playing with farm animals.

I don’t want to give too many of the details of what I have planned away, but if you’d like a preview you should check out my “Strawberry Theme” Pinterest board.  (I’ve been collecting and “pinning” ideas for months.)

I’d better get back to last-minute party prepping now.  I have tablecloths to iron, favors to finish, and cookies to bake. Wish me luck!

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