WW: Something Memphis Blues Sneak Peek

TBT: A Rustic Wedding in the Garden

I wanted to share some beautiful details from a wedding a few months back.  It was simple but full of great ideas.  Like the place cards:

I loved how string, clothespins, and pieces of paper created a beautiful-yet-functional display.  The outdoor venue is beautiful.

It had a beautiful open atrium using rustic wooden beams.  It is such a beautiful outdoor space.

Think outside of the box for photobooth props; a galvanized letter will be perfect in photos. 

The groom made wood pieces for the centerpieces.  He made round ones and he also made this long wooden one:

Gorgeous, right?!  I am a fan of the eclectic jars and single blooms.

The table numbers were designed to match the place cards and there were Throwback photos of the couple at each table.  Each number symbolized something for the couple and there was a write-up explaining what.  For example, table number could coincide with age or grade, or table 4 would have a photo of the bride with 4 teeth missing in the second grade - haha.

I was able to provide the floral designs for the cake. I love how the flowers are classic and whimsy.

I created a halo of greenery around the perimeter of the cake plate before putting the cake on 

The key to rustic floral arrangements is to focus less on blooms and more on greenery and filler.  The goal is to have a 'picked from a field' appearance.

It was fun styling the cake and I love the mix of the lace tablecloth with the greenery and dahlias.

This casual and elegant wedding was sure to be a beautiful and fun day for the bride and groom!  Happy Throwback Thursday!  Who doesn't love a good #tbt?!

Choos Choos and Tutus: A Co-ed Party

I remember one year, when my parents were moving from Japan back to the states, they decided to combine my birthday party (January) with my brothers' (both in October).  It was so awesome to have a big party and to enjoy a sleepover with my friends and to get a lot of awesome gifts and to have triple the number of friends at the party...  Islanders, I still remember a lot of my gifts (the life-sized Barbie, a cool hot pink giant lock-shaped safe with a secret combination).  It was an awesome birthday... the birthday song with *like* 50 kids was so awesome!  If I recall correctly, it was hosted late summer before we relocated in late September.  The combined party itself was epic but, when my actual birthday came around several months later, it was a major letdown... I think I may have gotten a cake but it certainly wasn't what I had become accustomed to.  No presents, no party, no friends... just a reminder of the epic party hosted months prior.

It was at that moment, my disdain for combined birthdays was born.  I prefer not to combine December babies with Christmas or sibling birthdays (unless they're within two weeks) or really anything; I like the idea of giving each birthday honoree his/her due.  

Despite my personal experience, I gained a new appreciation for combined birthdays during the planning and execution of a recent co-ed birthday party.

Avery was born on the same day as Mason's first birthday party.  Their birthdays are days apart.  Their parents share families and friends so, it was natural to combine their birthday parties.

 

In conversation with Amalia, Avery's mom, she mentioned there were a number of typical themes on the list but the parents decided on a final theme that was unique and different.  I got the colors and I offered to make the tags for the favors.  I decided to create two separate designs for the favor bags, one for each guest of honor.

The tags read as follows: "It was TUTU sweet of you to come to celebrate Avery turning one!" and "Chugga Chugga Thank you for celebrating Mason turning two!"

I came up with the original wording and design based on a few inspiration images from Ryan, my sis-in-love and Mason's mommy.

 

TBT: Avery and Mason

Happy Throwback Thursday, Islanders!  In celebration, I'm sharing pictures of two littles who combined their birthday parties this year.  Don't worry.  Mason and Avery are super cute and I can't wait to share their super cute party.  Oh, you can check my Instagram story for more cool pictures and ideas for hospital gifts and activities, baby showers and nursery decor!  For now, let's just throwback to some cute baby cheeks!

Here's a sneak peek of their adorable birthday photos. 

See you tomorrow with a cute party theme!

Well and Pretty: An Update.

Howdy, Islanders!  

Yesterday's Wordless Wednesday post was a pictorial update on some of my favorite things to keep myself well and pretty.

Life Water

Have you heard of the many benefits found in alkaline water.  I love water.  I tried Life Water and I LOVE it.  I can FEEL the difference from the inside out.  

I drink a bottle of alkaline water everyday.  Some of the benefits include, but are not limited to:

- digestion support

- urinary health

- flushing bodily systems

- balancing and countering an acidic diet

So, drink water... LOTS of water.  If you can, try to incorporate alkaline water into your water intake routine.

Bare Minerals Makeup

I found a makeup routine that works for me.  Its fail-proof technology and consultations at the time of purchase have helped to give me a polished and dewy complexion when I want to get all dolled up or add a little somethin' extra on any given day.

Check out the website(here) for the latest updates, discounts and product information!

100-calorie Candies

OMG!  At the checkout lines in Walmart, they've introduced the perfectly sized candies for my sweet tooth.  They're these nifty 100-calorie bars that are made for a small variety of candies including Snickers, Twix, Starburst, and Skittles.

They larger than the fun-sized bars and offer a guilt-free opportunity to indulge.  They've quickly become my go-to treat once a week.

Fruit

While I've always kept a fruit bowl, I've cut back on the unhealthy snacks in our home.  Oh, and by cut back, I mean practically cut off all unhealthy snacks.  I mean, we used to have all kinds of snacks but not anymore.  

Every week, I stock the fruit basket.  I love to have my daily dose of 3-5 fresh fruits a day.

I have specific updates to share.  I found an amazing eyebrow pencil, I found a great soap to keep our skin moisturized, I have a facial regimen that keeps my skin clear (for the  most part), I have been sleeping better, I have decreased my carb intake... things (physically, mentally, emotionally) are on the up and up.  

What are you doing to improve yourself?  Share some ideas in the comments! I'm always looking for ways to improve.

WW: Well and Pretty, The Sneak Peek

DIY Brush Tree Frame Tutorial

Howdy and happy 2018!

I am still on a holiday high.  Our Christmas was awesome.  We enjoyed time with family, time with our friends and some time together as a family.  We set up a beautiful impromptu tree at the parents' home.

It was last-minute and totally unplanned but it was also really nice.  We returned home after the new year to a home that was frozen in Christmas time.  It smelled so good.  The tree looked so perfect and so perfectly frozen in time.  The stockings were still hung... stuffed and ready for us to enjoy the contents.

Then, it hit me.

I wasn't ready for Christmas to end.

I just -- I wasn't ready.  

I took photos at our family Christmas Eve celebration.  I can't wait to look back and smile... to print my fave and to place it in a frame for prominent display next year.  My goal is to keep the cheer of this season all year long.  I am starting to take down the Christmas decor and I removed a piece from the wall that I loved.  It reminded me of a tutorial I wanted to share.  I can't believe I almost forgot to share a fabulous and EASY frame idea PERFECT for the entire winter season!

DIY Brush Tree Frame Tutorial