Party Inspiration

My Life My Loves is a beautiful blog with wonderful ideas for dessert tables. Check out her designs {HERE}

But as any blogger or blog reader quickly finds, there's a plethora of resources out there often linked by some of your favorite blogs. My Life My Loves posted on these blogs with great party inspiration {HERE}

Enjoy!

So It Starts Something Like This

Mason's First Birthday is a huge deal...you only turn ONE once- right?

I'm having a blast planning for his birthday celebration. This mommy LOVES A PARTY! So as promised 1 1/2 months ago {sheesh!} here's some of my inspiration photos and ideas so far:

THEME: Little Man

Admittedly this theme is completely, entirely, directly inspired by this fantabulous party {HERE from Full House}

{via Full House}

COLORS: Why aqua & brown of course! Here are the fabulous invites from The Paper Nest

ATTIRE: Neckties, bowties, moustaches, and the assorted MANLY accessories...

Those tie onesies are adorable, and yet masculine enough to be appropriate for boys {yay!}.

{photos via various Etsy sellers}

Mason will wear a birthday jon-jon with smocked cakes {not very manly...I know}, but I'm going to make a bib with a coordinating tie, hopefully it'll look something like this {although mine won't have the collar because I couldn't figure that part out...}:

DECOR & PARTY GOODS: I'll incorporate neckties, the colors,

I'd love to have a supercute tablescape for the dessert buffet like this:

{via My Life My Loves}

And while I've seen these on various Websites for sale:

{via Etsy}

I decided these were easy peasey after using this Tutorial {HERE} and crafted these for the party:

Since Mason's party will be almost 1 1/2 weeks after his actual birthday {procrastinating Mommy}, I'm making him a party hat for the actual day and will use it as decor somehow. Check these adorable inspiration photos {random pics saved, sorry no credits!}

I may even have to make him a shirt for the actual Day...

And while I've already purchased patterned paper plates, this would have been a cool idea:

{via Etsy}

And these would be great for food markers:

{via Etsy...same seller as papergoods & cupcake wrappers}

But I need to watch what I purchase...even if on clearance. I found these on Oriental Trading Co. Great colors for a boy's birthday party right? Yes. But look carefully and they read, "Happy Birthday Jesus." Ummmm, I love my son but this smells just a tad of sacrilege!

PARTY FAVORS: Well, these are going to be a secret because some of the invited may read this post. I will share a super cute idea that I most likely won't have time to complete. Handmade Bowties for every guest! {*sigh*}

GET YOUR PARTY ON!

Stunning Style

Full House blogged about a gorgeous home with an equally stunning Dining Room:

I want to buy 3.5 yards of this fabric so I can emulate that tablecloth ASAP. And then my floating centerpiece would be grounded...dilemma solved!

{Check out that home HERE}

Header Evolution

So this Blog has undergone many different design changes. And while I only wanted on a header change this time {keeping things fresh!}, it was fun looking back at my old header designs.

{the original}

{designed by The Paper Nest}

{designed by The Paper Nest}

{the most recent one}

{and now the NEWEST!}

I'm keeping the same font {Edwardian Script} and sticking with the same color scheme {green & white}, but this fun little Ikat print fits just right {from aprintaday.blogspot.com}

Sorry...This Just Isn't Working

While my small infant child is ridiculously handsome, he cannot manage to sit still anymore and therefore cannot be kept on my Dining Room table as a centerpiece {sad for the Dining Room}.

I've known for quite some time that the current candle and holder cannot remain as the centerpiece. Look how lonely it is floating in the random space of the black table...

And while I'm constantly keeping my eyes peeled for a lovely alternative, I just haven't seen anything that I'm particularly fond of. So I've decided it's time to take things into my own handcrafting. Having never done any real flower arranging {much less dried or fake flower arranging}, I know I'll need plenty of inspiration photos as well as some good Online tutorials.

Here's a classic hydrangea arrangement:

I really like the idea of wrapping the container in foliage or placing it in a clear glass container and using foliage pressed up against the inside walls for decoration:

Lemons anyone?How about artichokes?

My light fixture is low {I had the chandelier hung lower for more functional lighting...and because I think it looks better at that height}. So the height of the centerpiece will be a challenge, but I think I want to create a low but full arrangement with thinner elements with height to create drama. Think things like fiddlehead ferns:

Or even pheasant feathers:

Or of course I could go with a florist staple, curly willow:

If anyone has DIY projects or inspiration photos they wouldn't mind sharing, I'd love to see some ideas!

Quirky Find

I'd seen one of these seashell magnifying glasses...a random quirky find:

And since I read somewhere that a magnifying glass is an essential desk item, I figured this fun little piece:
Would go nicely, here:

{PS I adore trellis fabrics!}

The Perfect Jeans for $60

If you are in a larger market {READ: outside of the backwoods state of Alabama}, click HERE for a clip from the Today show on NY and Company's Premium Flare Jeans. SELF magazine did a review of over 600 pairs of jeans and this particular pair is the most universally flattering jean...oh and by the way, it's only $60 {READ: SIXTY BUCKS!} They're a mid-rise jean with a flattering dark wash and strategically placed whiskering. The backsides (sizes ranging from 0-14) on all of the women on the Today Show look equally flattered which is a pretty amazing thing, if you ask me.

Right now I'm a little upset that I can't find them Online...and I called the store to see if they had any in stock and they advised that none of the Alabama NY and Company stores will receive the jean because it's not a large enough market! If there's any state that's in dire need of better-fitting, decently-priced denim jeans, I'd think Alabama would have high enough demand to merit keeping this merchandise readily stocked!!!

January Showers Bring February Babies

Well, perhaps February babies...if Pink Pimpette has a say, this baby will pop out soon!

On Saturday, Pink Pimpette and Brother came in town while her sorority sisters came over for a Shower for Baby S.

The Cake
The Spread

The Gifts

The Lovely Guests

And of course...

The Ladies Man Pink Pimpette's Hostess with the Mostest, 'Slaw'
{seriously, it was so nice that Slaw told me she just needed a venue & she took care of EVERYTHING else...and all I did was make sure the house was clean and provided a couple of dishes}
Pink Pimpette & I
So very glad everyone had a blast...
{shower lasted from 2pm until 7pm!}

And there were many gifts showered...

Lovely, fun, girlie, frilly things...

Dear Gigi, do you recognize your Ruffle Butts gift?

And Baby M loved every minute of being his charming self...

Baby S is definitely a future Phi Mu legacy

And Baby M is definitely a future heartbreaker...

{I think 4 girls caught Baby Fever that day- scary!}

Case of the Mondays

I have a bit of a Monday morning hangover. Funny thing is...I haven't had a drop of alcohol since Tuesday night {loved seeing you Buckeye Belle!}. And NO, that wasn't left in my system from a week ago! {haha-only 1.5 glasses reasonably poured}

Yeah, it's just an awful case of the Mondays.

That, and I'm totally bummed about losing one of Mason's Pediped shoes Friday night...the favoritest shoes in the world. He wears this pair probably 6 days out of the week. We have 2 or 3 other pairs that will fit him right now, but none that are as cool & hip, functional, baby-feet-friendly as this pair. SAD DAY INDEED!

But I have most excellent news to report: Pink Pimpette's Baby Shower was a huge hit! I'll have photos to post soon...well later today, when the Mondays are gone.

Girl, It's Out of Control

I set out Thursday night to make some hair bows for Pink Pimpette's soon-to-arrive Baby S. What I didn't realize is that once you get going with something cute, fun, and super girlie...it sometimes gets out of control. This is the Online tutorial I used {HERE}

God totally knew I needed Baby M to be a BOY. I cannot even imagine how much craziness would ensue if he'd been a girl. Even so, I still think it's good to take future blackmail photos like this:

{totally TEASING!}

So This Week...

I hung around Saturday, and had some fun:

But I avoided the gym and haven't run:

The week's been productive with lots of work done:

This weekend I host a shower for the Bun:

It's been a GOOD week. Not one without its challenges, but it's been good. And I have many blessings to count...too many to count actually.

• Rock climbing was a blast. My forceps are still sore.
• My Starck chair came in...it's everything I was hoping it would be {isn't it lovely in my home office!}
• Family, friendships, and relationships are great.
• And Pink Pimpette is gonna have her baby SOON!

Can't Wait to Get My Hands On It

It's silliness, but I'm excited to finally get a chance to use these {Kate Spade Babysitter Notes}

Since tomorrow, I'll be doing this {Indoor Boulder Climbing}:

Yay- Happy Weekend Everyone!

Feminine Fashionable Function

Growing up in a family where both my parents were artisans in their own right {as a hobby/home company}, I've come truly appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship of handcrafted things.

While I don't have a lick of talent in this area, I'm somewhat familiar with woodworking, carving, and painting. Leatherwork is something I'm in awe of...especially when the beauty is crafted into something fashionable, feminine, and function, like a handpurse!

I don't know this artist, but she's certainly talented; check out these beauties from Etsy seller TanyaWork:

Wow- while I've had an affinity for my pebbled leather Coach bags, I'd say these purses take the cake!

My Design Heart Smiles

I've been on the lookout for a well-priced Philippe Starck Louis "Ghost" chair for quite some time. And then yesterday I found a shop that let me make an offer on the chair that I've been eyeing for almost half a year now...and they accepted my offer!

{yes design gurus, I realize it's very 2002 of me but I believe the timeless outline and the clear lucite material makes this a classic piece of furniture}

I. CAN. NOT. WAIT.

Newness

Baby M has a new friend.

And he's grown quite fond of him.

Mommy has too...