{Etsy Shop} Halloween Invitations

Usually, when September 1st comes around, people start getting into Fall mode. I created a few Halloween invitations for my shop. They are only. $8.50/each. Over the next few weeks, I want to focus on lots of fall and Halloween ideas. Looking forward to sharing them all with you!

To purchase these invitatons, visit my etsy shop here.

{Press} Featured on Hostess with the Mostess!

I think whenever you host a party and send it out for a feature, you are always hoping to get a response from the one and only Hostess with the Mostess! I've been wanting to be featured on her site from the day I started my blog! I'm so over the moon excited today!

Very.Big.Smile.

To read the entire feature, please visit Hostess With the Mostess.

Party Checklist

When I host a party, I also make lists. To stay organized, so I'm always writing lists out to make sure nothing gets missed. While browsing Martha Stewart's site I notices she has a All Occasion event planning checklist. This would be helpful for any time of occasion. Especially with the Holidays here before we know it, this will come in handy!

To download the printable checklist, click here.

Some tips for planning parties that I've learned is:

Get a head count. Make sure you have an RSVP response on your invitation. Also call or email as the date gets closer if you haven't heard from some guests yet. It's better to have the correct number and easier to coordinate your party.

Map out your party. Get and idea and schedule that you'd like for the day. It doesn't have to go exactly to plan, but it's best to have an idea.

Example:

Craft from 1-:30pm

Food & Cake 1:30-2pm

Presents 2pm-2:30pm

Favor pass out/thank yous 2:30-3pm

Relax and enjoy the party. It's very easy let the party get the best of you if something goes wrong. Relax, go with the flow and enjoy the occasion.

Happy Party Planning!

{Sneak Peak} & Update

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! I wanted to give you a sneak peak into my new logo and look. I will be changing over to wordpress within a week weeks and the site will be very user friendly with lots more material than I have now. I love the new logo and colors! Can't wait to share everyone with you all soon!!

love.love.love it! :)

Back to School Lunch Ideas

I was searching online for the kids backpacks and lunch boxes and came accross some great information on Pottery Barn Kids.

Tips for Packing Lunches via Pottery Barn Kids.

Make It Nourishing

Aim for the Lunchbox Four: Key ingredients to include in every school lunch.

• A protein-rich food such as nuts or nut butters, sliced deli meats, fish, tofu or beans.

• A calcium source such as milk, cheese or yogurt.

• Both a fruit and a vegetable to help reach the daily goal of 3 to 5 servings.

• Whole grains such as whole wheat bread, pasta, couscous and brown rice for fiber and quick energy.

Make It Easy

• Plan ahead by stocking the pantry with easy, go-to lunch items: a well-stocked fruit bowl, cut up vegetables at the ready, wholesome snacks and plenty of sandwich fixings.

• Pack lunches and refrigerate them the night before so you're not rushing to put them together in the morning.

•Have assorted reusable containers on hand for speedy, eco-friendly packing

Make It Fun

•Let your little ones know how much you care by dropping in something special.

•A love note from mom, dad or little brother.

•A riddle or joke; they can share their answer with you after school.

•A couple of stickers.

•An occasional treat packaged in a small container

Summer/Fall Transition

Can you believe summer is almost over? Where did the time go? I wish it was longer, however I do love the transition of getting the kids back to school. The kids love picking out new clothes, backpacks, supplies, & shoes. Fall is one of my favorite seasons, but I dislike what comes after: {Winter} But, I'm not going to get ahead of myself- It is still only August.

Here's a look into our wonderful summer as well as what I'm looking forward to in the fall!

The kids would swim all day if they could! These two are such fishes! I love this photo of them! They were using our slip n' slide in our backyard.

We spent LOTS of time up on the lake at my parents. We are so lucky to have them only a couple hours away. We have such a blast up there! Its great to see all the cousins together, and spending time with family. I cherish the memories we create each summer up there.

What I'm looking forward to this fall:

A whole new website & blog! So looking forward to this!

Dylan's birthday! He's 10 this year! {Planning for his Football theme Party has already begun}

Lighting all my fall scented candles!

Wearing my cozy sweaters on beautiful fall days

Halloween decorating & crafts!

Thanksgiving- I'm hosting! {I'm already thinking of decorating.. crazy I know}

Adding lots more to my Etsy shop!

Lots of football games & gymnastic practices for the kids!

Is anyone looking forward to something specific this fall? If so, do share!

Adult Alice in Wonderland Inspired Party

Growing up, Alice in Wonderland was one of my favorite movies. When one of my best friends decided to host a birthday party, I knew Alice in Wonderland would be the perfect theme. She's fun, whimsical and full of personality just like the theme. Of course, this theme needed lots "eat me" and "eat me" tags and signs, so I started there. Also, I knew I had to have a ph0tobooth. Photobooths are so trendy right now! I've been seeing them at lots of weddings! I created some colorful whimsical printables to go along with the theme.

I wanted the dessert table to be playful and fun. I used cotton candy, cupcakes, and cookies to help bring out that side. Because it was an adult party, I also did Sour Apple Martinis, and Strawberry shooters using test tubes. For a kids party, you could just eliminate those items, and have sugar rimmed punch for the kids.

I found a floral fabric that I love so I turned it into a tablecloth. I added a white wavy boarder around the bottom. I love how it turned out. I also used some Easter pitchers for decorations on the table.

The martini's seemed to be a big hit. They are an easy drink to make, and really stand out!

I created lots of printables for the party! I even made some to look like playing cards from the movie. I also used a "2" & "6" for the birthday girls age.

I created the cookie tower using a dowel and some floral plates I already had. It was great serving piece, which I used some store bought cookies. The strawberry shooters were such a fun time! I wasn't sure if people would take them, but it was a fun, unique way to have a drink. I topped each one off with a colorful jewel.

Photobooths are SO fun! I used items such as frames, boas, hats, & necklaces as props along with the printable signs & hats I made. Once I printed the signs, I went to my local Loews store and asked for some paint stirrers. I spray painted each of them and hot glued some colors jewels. They turned out really cute.

Aren't the hats so fun and cute?? I love them!

The birthday girl (on the left) as well as my other friend who went above and beyond to give her a special day!

I hope you enjoy the whimsical pictures!

The entire printable collection is on sale for $15. Click here!

Jungle Theme Cake!

This past weekend I made this Jungle Themed cake for a baby shower. I was asked on Wednesday night, and the shower was for Saturday. {Crunch Time.} I think it turned out really cute. I based the cake off the nursery bedding which had a monkey, giraffe and lion. I also spread fondant leaves and fondant bananas all around the cake. The cake was layered chocolate and vanilla with buttercream frosting. Hope you enjoy the pics!

FREE School Printables!

The start of the school year is fast approaching us here on the East Coast... I can't believe how fast Summer went by. I wanted to create some simple printables to use on the kids supplies, books and for their lunch money. It seems like their items are always being mixed up with others and I'm constantly sending in new ones. Hopefully, this will help them keep track of their belongings. I used colors that will work for boys & girls and a simple design for all ages.

The labels included are for Crayons, Markers, Books, & Lunch Money. Also included are a few blank designs, which I happened to use for their pencil boxes and scissors. They would be perfect for glue sticks too! We all know how fast those disappear! Some other ideas for the blank labels are for lunch boxes, thermoses, rulers. & more! I printed mine on full sticker sheets, but you can print them on regular paper if that's what you have. I suggest using double sided table to hold them in place. I hope you enjoy the items and everyone has a great school year!

To download the FREE School printables, click here.

Pirate Party

I recently hosted a Pirate celebration for the annual girls & kids weekend my family holds. We always like to do something special for the kids! The setting was perfect. My parents live right on the lake, so the kids thought they were real pirates on the "Sea" and going on voyages {On the Paddle boat.. too cute} I used the dock to set up our food table. I used the printable collection from Anders Ruff, which I think is so cute. I covered the table with a black table cloth and topped it with netting from the dollar store. I created a big sail using fabric that match the printables. I added other items like Corks, Red Glass bottles and treasure to style the table. For food and drink, we had Pirates Beer {Root Beer}, Treasure maps {Fruit roll ups tied with twizzlers}, Cannon balls {whoppers}, Planks {Fudge cookies}, Catch of the Day {Swedish fish}, and two types of cupcakes. I had cupcakes with pirate toppers from Cookie Covers, as well as cupcakes I made with brown sugar and used the printable collection to make parasols.

I added a pennant banner to my large sail to give it something extra. The Cannon balls were a big hit with the kids. I also used the printables to cut out some of the pattern and dress up my sail boat. I also made sails to go on top of my rice crispy treats, which you can see my tutorial here.

The "Catch of the Day" was my favorite addition to the table.

How adorable are these fondant pirates? I ordered them from Cookie Covers on Etsy. I made the other cupcakes using chocolate frosting dipped in brown sugar and topped of with parasols I made and a chocolate gold coin.

To give the Root beer and extra touch, I added a cork to each of them and some of the pattern paper underneath the drink wrap.

For the seating area, I used a charger plate that I added some red and gold jewels to. I topped it with a red plate and name tag. The table had skeleton heads and coins for decorations.

The pirate goblets were a great find at the dollar store. I really liked how they looked with the table.

We used the dock as our "walk the plank."

The kids had a great time doing the scavenger hunt. It was a really fun activity for them.

A tent fit for Pirates only! Arghh! We also had an areas with sand and coins for the little ones to dig for treasure.

Lastly, some of the kids enjoying themselves throughout the weekend!

Credits:

Styling & Photography: Live Smile Celebrate

Printables: Anders Ruff

Pirate Cupcake Toppers: Cookie Covers on Etsy