WW: My DIY Printable Invitations

Maya Mondays

My sentiments exactly!  Cheers to a week of full of LIFE... and style.  Nothing wrong with style :)

Team Pink vs. Team Blue

My Wordless Wednesday post earlier this week was a peek into some party elements at the Gender Reveal party this past weekend.

It was a great day!  It was also, however, my only planned outing for the weekend after I had my wisdom teeth (+ a molar) removed.

Guess Who's Expecting!

"Grandma, I have to get my blue for my baby brother's party!" ~Munchface

 

Yep, the kid was certain her god sibling would be a boy.  She told everyone at her grandparents' home to get ready.  One, she's going to be a big sister.  Two, the baby is a boy.

 

No, silly. I'm not expecting!  Who is, you ask?  Well, here's a clue:

 

 

Have you figured it out yet?

 

WW: Guess Who's Expecting!

Maya Mondays

More about this series on the blog here.

Who wants to be ordinary when there's an option to be EXTRAORDINARY?!

WW: The Birthday Bow.

The One Month [FREAK] Out

AHHHH, Islanders!

It's one month until Munchface's eighth birthday and I have a huge confession.

I'm WAY behind my typically obsessive party planning schedule.  By now, I'd have a growing pile of birthday junk somewhere around the house and, well, I don't.  I haven't decided if it's good that I haven't started shopping (as that is my sneaky way of busting the budget) but I do acknowledge it's time to buckle down and get 'er done!

The good thing is this will be her FIRST part-ay at our place so I can finish projects and put them in place *like* immediately.  Plus, I've done so much advanced planning that I am not stressing at all but, goodness, it is one month away! 

Here's the START of my to-do list:

- Design and mail invitations
- Test the music-controlled party light for the space
- Order and fill SWAG bags
- Confirm cake design
- Finalize Munch's outfit
- CRAFT CRAFT CRAFT
- Finalize layout (will they be upstairs then migrate downstairs for the party or will I contain the party to the basement?)
- Download Playlist

We'll talk more about the rock star party planning this week!  Stay tuned!

Maya Mondays

More about this new series on the blog here.

This will be a productive and VICTORIOUS week for us!  We are not defined by our losses but REFINED by them.
 

Munchface, The Comedian.

Munchface is hilarious.  She tells us all kinds of funny stories.  Her most recent makes me laugh everytime I think of it so, I thought I'd share...

"... do you know Ms. Big ZiZi from the church?  Well, do you know her husband... the one who said the first prayer at church today?... Well, I was sitting by Grandma Lisa.  And.  He said bosom.  In his prayer.  On the MICROPHONE.  AT CHURCH.  He said bosom.  I had to laugh and I had to tell Grandma.  She started laughing... Now, Mommy, I know what a bosom is... He said bosom.  Does God have a bosom? He said bosom.  Like, who does that?"

We laughed about the whole 'bosom' thing for a long while.  She continued her story by mentioning how some of the kids started laughing at her...

"I was in Sunday School.  Someone asked me did I have fun in GA for the fourth. I said yes.  They asked me what did I do. I told them.  Then they asked if I saw family. I said yes.  They asked who did I see. I said I saw my cousin, Boobie.  People started laughing.  Then, I remembered about boobies.  MOMMY, HE SAID BOSOM AND I SAID BOOBIE!!  IN CHURCH!! I SAID BOOBIE IN CHURCH!!"

Boobie is one of my cousin's nicknames. After this realization, she demanded to know his REAL name.  She didn't want to EVER say boobie in church again. NEVER again.

What's all the Chatter About, Baby?!

It's Friday and the end to our BIG ANNOUNCEMENT WEEK here on the island.... hmm, Finale Friday? 

Yea, I think I like the way that sounds.  I don't know what it is about catchy titles but they make my blog world go 'round.

FINALE FRIDAY!

One of the steps I've taken towards building my online presence is to pursue opportunities that align with my blog goals.  I receive frequent emails from companies who want to partner or provide me with free products in exchange for a review or feature.  I've been featured on several websites and written guest posts for a number of sites... some of these features are as a result of a paid agreement I enter into with a site/blogger (where I pay for the exposure).  These opportunities have been great and helped to boost my readership.  I would, however, prefer to be paid for my content.  I'm no longer interested in paying others to promote my blog (at this time). 

I provided a link to my blog in response to a request for an article and was excited to learn the company not only wanted me to provide my personal story BUT to become an official contributor to their website.

That's right.  This chick is a PAID weekly contributor to BabyChatter.com!

Paid... As in they will Paypal me funds upon receipt of each blog post I write.  Sure, it's not enough to pay bills but you know what, Islanders?  It's the confidence booster I need to continue pursuing my dreams!

I have my first deadline to the site administrator this weekend and I'll certainly keep you posted!

So... What's the chatter about, baby? 

It's ALLLL about taking baby steps in an effort to achieve BIG dreams... progress, people.  PROGRESS!

Munchface, The Model.

So... I told you I had lots to share but I didn't say it was ALL about me.
 

Background: I'm learning that my role as mommy will change as my child gets older.  When she was younger, I devised my own future for her... assuming who I thought she'd be (maybe a singer?  OR a doctor? a teacher?  a lawyer?).  I've enjoyed watching her grow like a wildflower and, much like her stretching legs, Munchface has shared her desire to REACH for the stars.  The kid has some larger-than-life dreams.

IDK if I've told you but Munch has set her own extracurricular activities.  She wants to cheer again this season - DONE.  Earlier this Spring she asked for drum lessons from our amazing drummer (and music instructor), Mr. Zach.  She's been taking lessons for three months and she loves it.  She's also come to me asking about dance/vocal lessons and, most recently, she's said she thinks she could be in commercials and/or magazines.  She wants to hit the big screen.

Yep.  My kid wants to be in print and on t.v.  I have to be honest, I nodded and smiled when she said it...  NOT because I don't think my kid is adorable because, well, I think she's *like* the cutest:

WW: Munchface's Big News - Sneak Peek.

Wordless Wednesdays

A Week of Big Announcements

Islanders, I've got so much to share that I contemplated NOT posting our weekly Maya Mondays inspiration this week.  I went to delete it and, when I read it, I -- I couldn’t.  It spoke to me but, more appropriately, it spoke to the topics for this week.

I’ve set personal goals and I’m making serious strides towards meeting them.  O and yep, I’m ready to share these updates with you, my beloved islanders.

Blogger Guest Speaking Event

I’ve mentioned several times that my church rocks.  Well, it totally does J  It’s jam-packed with a unique bunch of people from all races, cultures and backgrounds.  EVERYONE is awesome and has an amazing talent or story to share with the world.  Don't believe me?  You should totally come on by!  Seriously, if ever you’re in Stafford, VA, come visit Real Life Community Church at 11 Smokehouse Dr. Suite 103, Stafford, VA 22406.

Maya Mondays

More about this new series on the blog here.

I've decided to do something everyday that positions me one step closer to living out my dreams.  I've got some big news to share and I can't wait to tell you some of the progress I've made...

Let's make this a productive week!

4th

Happy Fourth of July!

Rustic Wedding - Day-Of Details

Rather than share the details of the rustic wedding and speak to what I did, I'm going to address some of my frequently asked questions (FAQs).

- How can I personalize my wedding so it doesn't feel cookie cutter?

- How can I host a fun reception for a couple who doesn't dance?

- Why are printables so expensive? How can I DIY my own?

- How can I save money on my flowers?

Who knows, maybe this will evolve into a series (much like my Wordless Wednesdays... Frugal Bride Fridays or something... IDK.  We'll see).

BACKGROUND:  I don't know if I've shared this but I know I've  mentioned Sheena's maternity leave from our event planning business last season.  What I didn't mention is when the season (2014) approached, Sheena announced she was no longer able to sacrifice the time required to co-own an event planning business.  As she settled into her role as mommy, Sheena realized time away from home meant milestones and moments could be missed with DatMyHoney.

Think about it.

We were busy 90% of the weekends in the summer (if not for events then meeting with potential and current clients to discuss upcoming events); I get it!  She assured me that, if I needed her, she would always have my back.  I appreciated her support but I knew DatMyHoney was growing and made a mental note to only call her for events where I really needed the help.

OK, with that out the way...

Absorbing the stress of this event and its construction took a lot out of me but it didn't feel like work.  I chose the venue.  I helped define the colors (and their use). I executed the floral design.  This wedding was pretty-much-basically MY baby... We started meeting a year out from the wedding date and met so often that I had to cut off communication until two months out from the event, lol. 

My goal for sharing the décor and crafts for this wedding is to show the crafts we talk about all the time here on the island can easily meet the requirements for a classy and beautiful event.  Let's get to it!

First, an update on the venue drama from yesterday.

Ceremony before?

Ceremony Space after!

Ceremony Space Décor

The Barn had an awesome view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the property line touches a small dairy farm so cows come right up to the fence that lines the ceremony site. 



Rather than detract from the gorgeous views, we simply added simple-yet-elegant and rustic décor items.

The mother of the bride wrote the sign to tell guests the day was about becoming family and not about sides:

Here's what the guests saw from the parking lot when they arrived:

I love the card box and that wood slice is the guest book!

After dropping off some items, the bride and her parents were leaving the night before the wedding but had one more task for me - using the chalk boards to come up with signage throughout the space.  I wasn't sure how to use this double-sided chalk easel so I came up with a welcome side that read, "Welcome to our happily ever after."

I lined the "aisle" with burlap-wrapped mason jars.  Each jar had a single hydrangea bloom.

  

  

Reception Space Décor

Do you recognize the pinwheel banner above the sweets above the sweets buffet?  Yep, it's the same technique we discussed here.  I just used the same technique from our tutorial in her colors with fancy-pants shimmery paper and wooden letters for an elegant rustic touch:

I'm planning a post where I'll discuss ways to personalize your wedding and ways to save on your budget.  One of the ways brides can save on the budget is to make the bridesmaids bouquets serve double duty.  We used the bouquets as centerpieces on just-about half of the tables:

 

O and what are those colorful bags in the chairs?

Gift bags to keep the kids occupied during the reception.  We filled them with coloring books and crayons, balloons, bubbles, candy and more.  They worked out GREAT for the young crowd :)

O and the bar was fabulous.  I wrapped ribbon around giant mason jars and placed lighted branches the mother of the bride purchased.  My bride didn't think we should use them because she felt they didn't match...  I knew it was all about finding the right location for them.  As suspected, once they were made pretty on the bar, we ALL fell in LOVE with the arrangements:

Aren't they great?!

I have more to come!  In addition to discussing the floral design, I'm going to share some common issues my clients frequently bring to my attention.  On your way out, check the other side of the entry/welcome sign guests saw as they left the ceremony.

Trust me, you don't want to miss the information I'm sharing.  I'll be sure to present it in such a way that it will improve how you host any event AND the DIY printable information will save you buckets of MONEY in the long run!

See you soon!