Ella's Spa Birthday Party

A dear friend of our family turned TEN recently. And she had the birthday party of all birthday parties. So I'm going to share a boatload of photographs from the party, because it was simply over-the-top...

 Ella Turned TEN!!  She and her crafty mom made individualized cake stands for the mini cakes.  Too stinkin CUTE!!

The 8 girls were treated to a chocolate facial.  Yes.  It tasted divine!!

Out in the covered patio, they were fixing to have lunch...

While the girls waited, they helped themselves to a chocolate fondue fountain.  It was DELISH!!

Each girl signed up for a facial, make up, a mani/pedi, and a chair massage.  They read girlie magazines that were age appropriate, and listened to spa music overhead.  It was hilarious to watch these girls get into the whole thing.

 

I couldn't get over the attention to detail.  It was amazing!!

There was a photobooth.  Oh, yes of course.  Each girl got flip flops and a robe with their name embroidered on the front.  TOO CUTE!!

Aren't they LOVELY???

 

Happy 10th Birthday, Miss Ella.  I love you to BITS!!  xo

 

Enjoy your day!!

 

Rhonna Designs App

Last week, the highly anticipated launch of Rhonna Farrer's new iPhone app and its loveliness led me to create these...

 

 

 

 

If you are an iPhone user, I would HIGHLY recommend spending the $1.99 on this app that can be found in the iTunes store.  Seriously, you won't regret it.  In fact, it may take up the next few days of your life, like it has mine.  Consider yourself warned. 

And for even more awesome news, Nancy Wyatt created a couple of outstanding You Tube videos on how to use the mask and layering features on the app here.  Be sure to check back, I'm sure she'll do more!!

 

Enjoy your day!!

 

She.

 

She is such a great daughter.  I thank God every single day for this girl.

She is kind and thoughtful and can read people well.

She is goofy and awkward and knows that it's part of her charm.

She is smart and prides herself on getting straight A's.

She still plays the clarinet, and it comes easily to her.

She is 5'9" tall, and still growing.

She eats me out of house and home and is unapologetic for it.

She is an awesome babysitter and earns extra spending money watching neighborhood kids.

She misses my mom almost as much as I do.

She was there with me, holding my hand, as we watched my mom leave this earth.

She is strong and wise and happy and hormonal, all wrapped into one.

She is a good and loyal friend.

She is obsessed with volleyball and getting an iPhone.

She texts all.day.long.

She snorts when she laughs, just like me.

She is serious and sincere, just like her father.

She is a light in my life that shines on the darkest of days, and I adore her.

 

Love you, Jami.

 

Enjoy your day!

Giant LRC Game DIY

I think this idea of a giant Left, Right, Center outdoor dice game is fabulous.  At our house, we play with dollars instead of coins, but this is a family-friendly version that can be played by tons of people at a party.  You can get all the details about the pieces parts here at DIY Showoff.

 

Enjoy your day!

A-Frame DIY Tent

Been thinking of doing these for the Outdoor Movie Night we have in our backyard every year.  I have a bunch of old bed sheets that will be perfect for this project, and the wheels are turning.  Seems simple enough, eh?  You can check out the DIY tutorial here at Cakies. 

 

Enjoy your day!!

Easy Pecan Bars

These are GOOD...

 

Easy Pecan Bars
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls
 3/4 cup chopped pecans
 1/2 cup sugar
 1/2 cup corn syrup
2 Tbsp butter or margarine, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg, beaten

Heat oven to 350°F. Unroll dough and press in bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of a 9x13-inch pan. Firmly press perforations to seal. Bake 8 minutes. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Pour filling over partially baked crust. Bake 18 to 22 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour, and cut into bars.

 

Kenz's Grad Party

Last week, I attended my dear friend Jen's grad party for her daughter, McKenzie. Jen is an art teacher at a local high school, and is crazy talented with all things crafty. I had to share many of her ideas with you all here today...

 Kenz wanted a party to celebrate her choice of colleges--so they went with purple and gold because she's headed to Albion College in Michigan.  They made a chalkboard and this welcomed guests...

Kenz has ALWAYS wanted a pet monkey.  On vacation last year, she got to hold one.  So they had to use that photo to welcome guests...

She's one SMART COOKIE.  The cookie bar was a hit.

But without a doubt, the cake was the star of the show.  Her aunt Margaret made this for her beautiful niece.  WOW.  It had so many personal details.  Simply amazing...

There was a huge area of food with many different salads.  But she also hired a Taco Truck to come and park themselves in the driveway.  The bbq chicken empanadas were amazeballs.  Truly a unique and FUN idea!!

They had popcorn and cotton candy machines in back...

Lots of flowers in jars on the tables...

She had guests sign her shirt as a going away gift.  My kids loved this idea...

She had MOO cards made with purple pens, and each contained Kenz's new address and email and info so they could stay in touch with her...

The bounce house and tent were truly over-the-top.  That is my little guy below, with a head full of sweat from playing all day long inside that thing...

Congrats to you, Jen, for holding this amazing party for Kenz.  You single-handedly pulled this off without a hitch, and you out-did yourself.  And to you, Kenz--words cannot express how proud I am of you.  I know you are off to do incredible things, and I can't wait to see your life unfold.  Love you both so, SO MUCH.  xo

Enjoy your day!!

 

Max's Grad Party

My dear friend Laina Lamb had a grad party for her son Max a few weeks ago. I wanted to share the beauty and the simplicity of their event with you all today.

Max's party was held in the backyard of their beautiful home.  It was perfect.  When you walked up to the house, this awesome chalkboard sign adorned the walkway.

 There were lights and paper lanterns throughout the yard.  It was festive, with rainbow colors all over the place.  A white tent and backdrop made the colors pop.

There was a wide variety of sweets at the candy bar.  That happened to be my personal favorite (my kids all agreed!)

Laina made these paper garlands and they were so cool!!  This one was on the patio for the food table.  She went with a Chipotle bar, and it was also a huge hit.

There were lots of games, a trampoline and a playset for kids outside.  Their yard is just beautiful...

For Max's cards, she decorated an open suitcase that was vintage.  So cute!!

She had Ball Mason jars on the tables, with a beautiful floral bouquet on each and every table.

These were the cool stickers on the bags for the candy bar.  Doesn't hurt to have a mom who is an awesome graphic designer, huh?

There was a projector set up in the yard, displaying the photos from Max's life.  So touching and personal...

And another great idea--they had a bartender present so there weren't any issues with under aged drinking, or anyone having too much to drink!!  LOVED that idea!!

 

Congrats to you and all your amazing accomplishments, Max.  I had a blast sharing your senior year with you, and can't wait to see all that you have waiting for you at college!!

 

Enjoy your day!!