A Little Shower Finale

And for the grand finale, the onesies. We set out sizes from 0-9 months along with some hats, cardboard, fabric paint and pens, sponge brushes and stencils. The stencils, from Michael's, were the absolute best purchase for this project. They made decorating so easy and the turnout was a pile of  ready-to-wear instead of a hot mess which I semi-anticipated.

Everyone got so creative, one was cuter than the next. Therese doesn't know what she's having, but these are definitely tipping in favor of a boy. I can't wait to see Baby Fonz sporting this homemade goodness come October!

A Little Shower Spread

I could have stood at the table and taken pictures all day, but about 25 lovely ladies were patiently waiting outside for lunch. Salads (which I only helped make look pretty, Jackie and Jillian were the chefs) ruled the spread with chicken, pasta, fruit, and spinach.

Minor details: the sandwich flags were made with satin ribbon and attached to picks with double sided craft adhesive (aka tape). The striped table runner is actually folded wrapping paper and ribbon. And, if you're considering getting 10 three foot balloons, make sure your car is big enough to hold  them or else you'll have to hold one out the window all the way home from the party store.

Lastly, I knew some babes would be joining us, so I didn't want to leave them off of the favor train. Bubbles were on hand and animal crackers served double duty as decoration and snacks for the littlest guests.

A Little Shower

I had the honor of co-hosting a baby shower for my bestie, Therese, over the weekend. Jackie, Jillian, and I put together an afternoon of shmoozing and delighting which I will not soon forget. Here are a few photos from the party & I'll share more throughout the week. I must warn you that the finished onesies are heart attack inducing. Even more so when I think about the little babe that will be wearing them in about a month!

A lot of detail inspiration came from a couple of my fave blogs, you are my fave and Just Say Maux. How did people plan parties before blogs? And Martha? Honestly.

Beatle Mania

Well...after my trip to California I took another trip to Florida. In between that was a U2 show and on Sunday I got to see Sir Paul McCartney with my mom and sister. It was probably the best concert I've ever seen. My favorite moment was sitting on the brick wall right behind home plate at Wrigley Field with my feet in the dirt singing Hey Jude with thousands of adoring fans. Very cool. Since I've had only Beatles and Wings songs swirling around my head for days, I found it fitting to come across this charming Beatles party from 45wall Design. What a lucky three year old to get such a bash!

A trip to Wisconsin is up next so the blogging will be sparse. Again! Busy, busy summer.

Hot Dog Champ or Whirlwind Sweetheart?

Well, the bff is having a baby! This means a shower is in order. The above is what danced around my head last night - very similar to sugar plums. No matter if it's a girl or a boy, I think the babe will still be a hot dog eating champ...which will make me very proud.

I Remember Summer, bomobob; Hot Dog Eating Champ Tee, crewcuts; Girls' Whirlwind Dress, crewcuts; Rainbow Baby Shower cake via Oh Happy Day; Elephant and Giraffe Rattles, Bla Bla; The Secret Circus by Johanna Wright, Amazon; Animal Parade Cupcake Kit, Meri Meri; Paper Straws, Polka-Dot Market.

Devil Jars

I need to make these. Or any version of these crazy cakes in a jar. But, it will have to wait awhile because 

I also needed to make cookies on Monday and then only ate cookies for three days.

Cake + party favor all in one. "Here's your cake, it's a favor, thanks for coming, adios."

Photos from babble.com

Supergirl

I love the idea of taking kids artwork and turning it into something like this.

From Tortoise and the Hare. Do stop by and see all the amazing pics and details from this special party!

Royal Aftermath

The Royal Wedding has come and gone, but my house is still full of grand decorations. I didn't want to spend much money on decs, so I printed my own union jacks and fastened them to wooden skewers, found some suitable crown clipart and made toppers and garland, printed the royal invitation and a few copies of the official progam, and photoshopped the wedding procession drawing from the the program for framing.

And, in case you're wondering, there were other people there, it wasn't just me waving a flag around wearing a feathered headband taking in the splendor. Although that would have been perfectly acceptable.

Sweet Easter Treats

This year my family went to Easter brunch at a nearby hotel so I wanted to do a little something personal for everyone. I know I wouldn't mind getting an extra bag of sweets, so I put together these little cookie packs. Each one had a chocolate cookie sandwich (a recipe I made back in February) and a vanilla cookie sandwich (same recipe, just used vanilla cake). I dyed the icing all sorts of Easter pastels to shake things up a bit. This is a super easy recipe to follow and would make great place cards or favors. I was happy with the result and even happier when I saw some empty bags on the table before we even ate!

Doily Do

I don't know what it is with me and doilies, but I love finding new uses for them. This is too cute.

And that dessert spread isn't too shabby itself.

From a sweet baby shower featured on Dandelion and Grey.

Photos and paper goods by Leila Brewster

I Scream You Scream

I couldn't love this cake more. So cute and easy for a birthday. Speaking of birthdays....today is my sister Elizabeth's 18th. 18 years ago today my name got called over the PA where I got called to the Secretary's office to find out I had a new sister. Then I patiently waited at a friend's house after school until my Dad picked me up to meet her at the hospital. I can't believe how old you are ElizaB!

Happy Birthday to you!

From One Charming Party: Stay cool. Even an ice cream party deserves a cool cake. Take a simple ice cream cake and top it with chocolate ganache. Add a chocolate ice cream cone to the top to make it look like melted ice cream. Don’t forget the sprinkles.

See more fab party ideas at One Charming Party here.

Photo credit One Charming Party

The Anatomy of a Cupcake

Photographer, Allen Hemberger, and designer, Sarah Wilson, created this print for their friend Lesleigh because they couldn't be with her on her birthday. They also created a little video of their design process.

It's gotten quite the buzz (was featured on Forbes and a few other blogs) and now the print is for sale.

Go here to purchase this sweet birthday gift and watch their design video.

The Mrs. in Anthology

A successful party promises riotous fits of laughter, bottomless cocktails, impromptu dancing, tasty noshes, increased smile lines and perhaps a light hangover the next day!

I would love to be invited to a Mrs. Lilien cocktail party. Better yet, I would have loved to take part in pre-party planning for her feature in Anthology magazine's second issue. This Mrs. party included inspiration from Dominick Dunne's The Way We Lived Then, which documents the entertaining habits of bygone moviestars and socialites. She was also inspired by childhood parties thrown by her Mother and put together a spread that included date boats and fondue. Rob Roys and French 75's were the cocktails of choice, just a few more nods to the bashes of yesteryear.

Have you met Mrs. Lilien? Her blog is outrageously fun and the entire thing rhymes. She doesn't skip a beat, which is quite a notable feat!

Fine, fine. No rhyming here.

Photos by Jen Siska for Anthology Mag

About Face

Dan O's birthday was yesterday and I wanted to do

something new and exciting for him.............like stick his face on a cake.

So, I blew up this silhouette I did of him in Photoshop, printed it on cardstock and cut it out with an  x-acto knife on a cutting board. Then I placed the dark cutouts on the cake, sifted powdered sugar over the top and caaaarefully peeled off the cutouts.

These mini banners are just strips of colored cardstock taped to some skewer sticks.

Happy Birthday to Mr. Dan O, my first face on a cake victim!

Have Your Cake and Breakfast, Too

I wish tomorrow were Saturday so I could make these devils and lie comatose on my couch.
Cake Batter Pancakes? Oh my. How fun for a birthday breakfast! Or any day breakfast, really.

From How Sweet It Is found via Good Good

Corn Chowda

I don't take storm warnings lightly. So, I went to the store and stocked up with enough food to last the next month.  Best purchase: one rotisserie chicken. Used in: Chicken Corn Chowder.

It was easy enough for me to do which means my dog could probably pull it off. 

Also recommend mini saltines just because they're adorable.

Would be a great addition to your Superbowl Sunday spread (but I might double the recipe).

Excruciatingly Sweet Gumball Necklace

I want to walk right up to this project, say GET OUT and maybe push it.

 It's just enough to push me over the edge. You too?

Even past Feb. 14th they could stand as invitations or party favors.

Valentine Gumball Necklaces from One Charming Party

Found via Aesthetic Outburst 

I Would Have Died and Gone Straight to Birthday Heaven

A surprise birthday luncheon for Kathleen from Twig and Thistle is just about one of the sweetest things I've ever seen (in regards to birthday amazingness). She thought she was showing up to her friend's house for a small lunch and what she got was an explosion of pink, tulle, glitter, calligraphy and floral goodness. I'm not kidding when I say if that was me I would have died and gone to Birthday Heaven.

Bow Napkins in Action

Now this is a birthday table. I love seeing Martha's ideas come to life.

From Coco+Kelley

Putting Doilies to Good Use

A DIY contest entry from Ruffled.