sneak peak ;)

ella's birthday is lurking just around the corner...i have been planning for what feels like forever...so now i feel like it's getting down to crunch time..ordering, creating, more buying, planning, invitations (my sister, melissa is making them..and i am so excited for them..they are sooo cute!..stay tuned for a pic when she is done)...ahhh..the list goes on and on. i have soooo many ideas swirling around in my head, i get dizzy just thinking about it..haha! anyway..the other day i started working on ella's birthday banners, and my second set of lollipops. i have discovered it's just easier doing a little bit here, and a little bit there. and you would think i would be doing all of this in my craft room..but no, this is exactly why a big island in the kitchen comes in handy..haha! i guess you learn to adapt when you have kids! when luke is sleeping..ella and i go to work on crafts! :) anyway..here's a look around our craft day.  keep in mind..nothing in these pics are finished...that will have to be revealed on the party day! ;)

this is my first attempt at making banners...and i totally entered a zone and was having so much fun making them!

gotta love the mess it makes...

i found this basket at an antique store a couple of weeks back.  it has come in handy toting around all of my crafting goods.  love it!

the start of one...

candy everywhere! ;)

these are so easy to make..some styrofoam..cellophane..ribbon..dowel..and voila! :)

memorial day bbq

happy memorial day!  i would first off like to say thank you to all of those who have served or currently serve in our military.  i have so much respect and gratitude for each and every one of you!  in celebration of memorial day, we decided to have a little bbq.  here's a little "taste" of what i made...

it all began with these 2 sprinkle bottles...

chocolate and vanilla dipped pretzels (my specialty ;)..they are not only so easy to make, they are so tasty too!  and without a doubt, always a hit!  i rarely have any left over!)

i didn't want cupcakes, i wanted sugar cookies..and i really wanted to use my new cupcake tower...so why not? :)  spice it up a little with ribbon and flags..and it was my most festive centerpiece! :)

i just found this drink dispenser at costco the other day..and was so excited!  it is sooo practical! one of the best things about it is that the bottom half holds ice..so it keeps the beverage cold!  in this case it was iced tea.  i love it!  

a few centerpieces i threw together atop red and white checked tableclothes.  and a bbq just isn't complete without rockers and a picnic table, right? ;)

it was a perfect day to bbq, enjoy the weather, and just relax!  i hope everyone enjoyed their day as well! :)

birthday lunch for mom ♥

it was my mom's birthday last weekend, so my sister, melissa, and i decided to throw her a little celebration birthday lunch. girls only. ;) which would include my two sisters, my mom, and myself (don't worry, the rest of the family was included in the birthday bbq that night..haha!). we chose the colors red and white to theme, and set the table accordingly out on the patio.

starting off...i have to say i was so excited to find these cushions..really, how cute are they?!


i potted some flowers in a pot...and placed some fresh flowers in mason jars...

i love big, bright white flowers..so fresh.

yummy!

melissa preparing her famous strawberry salad :)

emily was in charge of taking our mom to get a pedicure...so when she arrived home she had this awaiting her :)

the birthday girl aka my mom...along with my sister, emily

melissa made some tasty lemonade, accompanied with raspberry ice cubes...so cute!

who doesn't love red gerbers?

we also made turkey croissant sandwiches with all the fixins, fruit salad, and a couple other sides set around the table

nothing beats spending the afternoon with the girls!

why put in a perfectly posed pic when you can include what really goes on? hahaha!

happy birthday mom! i hope you enjoyed your celebration! xoxo

First tablescape/Fondue party

now that melissa has introduced me to tablescapes, hosted by between naps on the porch (her blog is beyond inspiring) i am in love, and already feel an addiction coming on.  so, i was hosting a girls night, and figured what better time to try out my first tablescape.  

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the colors black, yellow, and white immediately came to mind..

i instantly thought of black square plates, and was delighted when i found the perfect plates and bowls at world market.

i love anything polka dot!  i have had these placemats for a little while now, and had yet to use them.  they were perfect.

izze drinks are not only one of my favorite drinks, but who knew they would also make the perfect accessory?! haha

fondue fork wrapped on top of a napkin with white tulle

i love ribbon, and love any opportunity to incorporate it...so i wrapped some bows around the glasses...

made simple yellow place cards

put some yellow and white flowers (i found at joann) in mason jars, filled with black and white striped tissue paper and tied with a little yellow ribbon.

i found the white daisy with the placemats at homegoods

this was the great cookbook we used for our fondue

sun went down..time to light the candles

here's a few pics of our fondue..we had two bowls of different chocolates, and one big cheese bowl...with all the different dippings our hearts desired :)

melissa made these delicious salads..and yes, they tasted as good as they looked!  maybe i can convince her to post a recipe on her blog ;)

yummy!

a toast to great friends!

decorating + fondue (yummy food) + great friends and conversation = the best girls night!