Sip Sip Hooray – A Bridal Shower Happy Hour

4.11.2022

I can find any excuse to have a party. Especially a themed party. It’s a Tuesday night? Taco Tuesday. It’s a Thursday lunch? Let’s have a Thirsty Thursday luncheon. I already have the themes picked out for the rest of the birthdays in our house for the year. Except mine. I guess my husband should get on that.

I may find any excuse to party, but I’ll also talk you into a good party too. Case in point: my best friend. She’s getting married in a few months, and she wasn’t going to have a bridal shower. Or a bachelorette party. (Gasp!)

Needless to say, I saved the day. I could throw her a party, as long as it wasn’t too ‘bridal shower-y,’ and not where she would have a spotlight on her at all times. She’s not really into that sort of attention. (I’m still working on her.)

All jokes aside, we threw a little Bridal Shower Happy Hour in her honor. No games, no gifts, no photos plastered all over the room. Just her favorite people put together in a room, mingling and enjoying a cocktail or two.

So if you’re looking to have a little event too, but aren’t into all the theatrics of a bridal shower, this is for you. Just some fancy desserts, some fancy cocktails, and some yummy finger food.

A few tips for planning: if you serve all finger food, you don’t need plates/napkins/silverware. Tiny desserts (like mini cupcakes and macaroons) are a better option because people can hold them easily (and also they take up more space and can be part of your decor).

Grab some Hershey Kisses from the Dollar Tree (because it’s okay to be a little cliche), some little stands for your desserts, and print signs (find the files below, we got frames at Dollar Tree). You can get the balloon garland here. I made the giant K out of poster board, and then used frayed tissue paper to cover it. We laid a white tablecloth down, and then layered it with this white sequined runner (which was only $6 when I purchased it, so if it’s pricier, find an alternative on Amazon), and this chiffon runner. I used my Cricut to cut out diamond shapes, hot glued them onto toothpicks, and stuck them in some of the desserts. We printed little tags for the straws too, which added a little bit of personalization.

If you’re in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area, you’ll have to check out Heavenly Macaroons for the most delicious little treats. Then check out Sugar High Sweets if you’re in the mood for some sweet cupcakes. For both desserts, we went all white to keep the aesthetic.

Overall, she was really happy with how everything turned out. We loved celebrating her (and I’m pretty sure she enjoyed being celebrated too, even if she won’t admit it). 😉

Sip Sip Hooray file

Welcome Sign file (name/info will need to be added)

Prints for 4×6 frames

Home Decor

Beach Themed Nursery

4.02.2022

Does it surprise anyone that we went with a beach theme for our second nursery? Now that we live by the beach, we are doing everything we can to ensure that our kids love the beach as much as we do. Subluminal messaging maybe?

All jokes aside, I fell in love with the colors and wanted to create this space with these relaxing tones. I love that it isn’t super girly, while also having little touches of femininity.

The only piece that we reused from our last nursery is the rocking chair. Since they’re a little expensive, we just got a blanket that we could drape over it to make it blend more.

The little details are what really brings everything together. We did the whole room on a budget, but I did splurge on a few things. I figured why not, this will be my last baby (and this time I mean it!). If it’s not linked below, it came from Hobby Lobby, Home Goods, or Marshalls.

Crib

Dresser

Corner Stand

Six Beach Prints (the ones I ordered aren’t available, these are similar)

Overall, it’s now one of my favorite rooms in the house. When she’s sleeping well that is. No one wants to be in there while she’s screaming! Hopefully she grows up to love the beach as much as we do, since it’s her peaceful place and all.

DIY, Parenting

Scholastic Klutz Craft Kits

3.01.2022

Thank you Scholastic Klutz for sponsoring this post.

When I was a kid, nothing was more exciting than the Scholastic catalog day at school. We’d get the flyer, bring it home, and at my house I was able to pick out any book I wanted. Needless to say, it was a real treat. It also instilled a very deep love of reading, one that I hope to pass on to my children too.

The catalog always had little craft kits in it too, and I’m so happy to know they’re still included with Scholastic. When Scholastic sent us this Klutz Ceramic Studio craft kit, I was so excited to get to work with Sawyer. It brought me right back to my own childhood.

So far Sawyer absolutely loves crafting, something that makes my mama crafting heart happy. While her dad hopes she gets into golf one day, all I ever hoped for was that she loved to craft as much as I do. We try to get creative as much as we can when it comes to art projects, but we tend to stick to the same things if I’m being honest (mom life, right?). This kit was perfect for us, because it allowed us to step out of the box and try something new (something I probably wouldn’t have tried before, to be honest I don’t even know if I’ve seen at home ceramic kits before).

Since we are all spending a lot more time at home lately, this kit was a real treat for her. She was so excited to make her own ceramic dishes, and I was happy to help! The best part is that it came with step-by-step instructions that really supported independent craft time. I was able to sit by her side and just let her work on her projects, which was perfect since I always need to keep an eye on her baby sister too!

We made a few little ceramic pieces, she picked a small dish, a small bowl, and then what ended up being a ‘plate.’ I know they’re not picture perfect, but they were perfect to her, which was the most important part. She learned hand-building techniques with clay by using the turntable and miniature bowl mold that came with it. She was able to learn about the process through each step, and she was able to express herself. After forming them, she painted each piece (she had no patience to wait for each color to dry, so it’s just a collage of colors), and then we left them to dry.

When they finished drying, we painted them with a clear glaze that was included to get an artisanal finish. Now they’re off to her grandparents homes! That’s the best part about craft projects, amiright?

Overall, the experience was perfect. We got to spend some quality time together, she got to express herself, and we got to make cute little gifts for her grandparents. I’m so excited that Scholastic has the Klutz kit options, because we will definitely be trying more of them.

Party Planning

Baptism Reception, but make it cute.

2.24.2022

I don’t think I’ve ever thrown a party halfway. It’s either all or nothing in this house. When it comes to party planning, I take things very seriously.

That being said, I didn’t go all out for Quinn’s baptism reception. Sometimes less is more. At least that’s what I’m telling myself.

Life is just a little busy in our house right now, and I didn’t have time to bring a lot of pieces together. I grabbed this balloon garland kit on Amazon (and paired it with these small rose gold balloons) to start. That’s the easy part.

We cut a simple dove cutout with a Cricut machine, strung them on fishing line, and hung them behind the balloon garland. We alternated with a white cardstock and a white shimmery cardstock.

We featured custom cookies by Cellar Door Cookies, made a pretty charcuterie board, and had lots of pretty floral arrangements put together by my bestie (all of which she grabbed from Trader Joes). I grabbed a few signs from Hobby Lobby too (I may just return them after, don’t tell anyone) and voila! We have a party!

Because there’s no such thing as a party without favors, I had to do something cute for this too. I found these crosses at Hobby Lobby on clearance for less than $1/piece. I cut and pasted pink cardstock onto each one (it had a bright ugly print color before), and my bestie used her amazing calligraphy skills to write on the back of each one. Now we have something to remember this day by!