Tropical Inspired Bridal Shower

I LOVE a good party! Hosting parties, celebrating loved ones, all the crafting, and decorating are definitely a few of my favourite things! I just love all the details and of course, the food. 

This past month I had the honour of celebrating my future sister-to-be! 
It was a special day filled with friends, family and well wishes! The bride and groom will be getting married in Mexico - with not everyone able to attend, I wanted to bring a little tropical heat into the theme to really get inspired and excited about the upcoming nuptials. Here is a little peek....

DIY Banners, tropical details, lots of yummy food, Fruity Punch & Luggage tags for favours to continue with the destination feel...

My favourite DIY was definitely the easily spray painted pineapple also i used one and turned it into a vase for these fresh tropical flowers my mother-in-law brought! (seen above) It really was as easy as you would expect... 

Fresh Pineapple- check! 

Gold metallic spray paint-check! (2 coats to be exact)

Outdoors & Newspaper-check! 

 

We also played an updated version of the traditional 'whats in your purse?' game, with a 'what's in your cell phone?' Here it is for some inspiration and ideas- it was a great way to incorporate things specific to the bride! Turns out we had a winner with close to 100 points!

For a surprise for the bride, Guests wrote ideas for date nights on popsicle sticks and placed them in a box for the bride to take home and share with her groom. Its really funny to read the inpiration and where it came from for years to come! 

Hope you enjoyed a peek at this Tropical Themed bridal shower- It was full of love and memories that we will be talking about for years... 

Firsts!!!

Hello!!!! I'm back! a little break never hurt anyone, I'm refreshed to start blogging again - just realizing the amazing ability to connect with people around the globe is inspiring and leaving me awestruck! 

So for this first post back- I'm proud to say, I have a 3 year old!!! we have survived the (not-so terrible) twos and have moved on to 'three-anger' territory! This one ain't for the faint of heart- life is now full of opinions, boundary pushing and 'why's .... say a little prayer for me! 

This left me reminiscing, as most mothers do, where has the time gone? Life really does flash by when your cleaning pee and trying to sleep... 

This is an exciting season of life, a celebratory season - not only is it almost spring, but its the beginning of new lives, my best friend is expecting her first bundle of joy- other friends are welcoming new little's to the world too and to top it off I'm gaining a sister in law!!! There is just something about firsts...
So in honour - this is a flash back to my Little's first Birthday!!!! 

I will be doing lots of celebrating in this next season of the year and am feeling blessed!!!
Thank GOD for Pinterest and all the unachievable ideas ... Because I love to throw a good party, here are a few very achievable party ideas from my littles first 'circus' bash!! Because well- life with wee ones is a Circus... 

Tickets, clown noses, snowcone inspired cupcakes, lemonade and a photo booth really added to the circus vibe. We also had a make your own cotton candy and hot dog station. The big gift was this Circus tent from IKEA which has been well loved and still standing strong.. 

 Those polka dot balloons made for great photo pop for my little the next day for pictures! 
It was a great time celebrating with family and friends!!!!  Im so happy i took so many pictures to remember upon- 1 is a really big deal, not only is your little growing, but you have survived the parenting pains of year 1 too!!! 

DIY 'feel better buddy' bath bombs - ALL NATURAL

Looking for a last minute DIY - or am I the only one that adventurous on DECEMBER 23rd!!?! 
Well these are fun, easy and will make a lovely gift for this time of year- i love them so much, my people are likely to be getting these natural and handmade sweeties for most upcoming holidays... easter eggs, hearts, pumpkins.. oh the list continues....
Lets get started. 

All you need are a few on hand ingredients and they take a little time to prepare but the efforts are worth it! (Unlike LUSH'S bath bomb's, these don't fizz up as much because there is no citric acid in them) they are safe for littles and natural and healthy!!! but at a savings of  $6+ a pop - you won't mind...

You will need:

• 1 cup of epsom salts 
• 1&1/2 cup of baking soda 
• 1/2 cup sea salt 
• 1 cup lemon juice (instead of citric acid) 
• spray bottle filled with about 1/2 cup of water (i suggest a decent sized spray bottle) 
• fun sprinkles for the kiddos.. (optional) 
• food colouring (optional- i chose no) 
• 10-15 drops of essential oil of your choice (i chose 'immune' from sage wellness) 
• silicone or metal moulds 
• whisk 
• * you could also add eyeshadow pigment to create a shimmer- but i didn't) 

1) Combine epsom salts, sea salts & baking soda into a large bowl
2) Fill spray bottle with water and lemon juice and food colouring (if desired) - shake to combine 
3) Add your drops of essential oils 
4) Stir well with whisk
5) About 1 spray at a time, spray the liquid mixture into the powders and combine with whisk, repeat. (if you see the mixtures starting to fizz you are going too quickly) 
6) Get your mixture to the texture of wet sand 
(this does take awhile, so be patient and err on the side of too wet than too dry- my snowmen didn't turn out as well as the gingerbread men because they were 'dryer')
7) Stir in sprinkles if desired (i thought a few would be fun) or sprinkle them in the moulds before packing the mixture in- 'how LUSH!'
8) Pack the mixture tightly as possible into the moulds applying lots of pressure, this is going to create your shape! 
9) Allow to dry overnight *
10) When ready to pop them out- lay down a tea towel and gently turn them over .. easy clean up and it eases the fall.. 
11) Under warm water drop these buddies in and enjoy a relaxing and healthy aromatherapy bath! (safe for littles too) 

*applying a sheet of tissue paper is supposedly a great way to enhance drying*

Enjoy and Happy & Safe Christmas to you all!!!! 

DIY bird feeder - easy nature craft!

so.. you've been on pinterest, you know- SO many ideas for toddler crafts, so many fails.. well this one ain't that bad. 
Ive looked up all kinds of fun simple crafts for my and my little to do this summer and looking back, this one was a hit- we might even try it again! 

DIY bird feeder is a fun way to get your little involved and curious about nature. This would be a fun craft to try making out camping too! All you need is simple stuff i am sure you already have on hand. 

-1 paper roll
- Peanut Butter (or non-peanut butter if you have allergies) 
- granola, seeds, oats, birdseed..whatever you have on hand 
- plate to roll the seeds into the roll 
- string or ribbon to tie it to the tree

Simple & Fun (like all the good stuff) - my little loved watching the birds come around our new tree to have a tasty treat! 

10 easy decorator tips

My job before this one, where my little (tries) to call the shots and i get paid in hugs I had a creative career, my dream job that i loved and sometimes do miss dearly..

I worked hard for my creative degree and that resulted working for a homebuilder in the city on an amazing team decorating 40+ showhomes a year. I'm tired just remembering it...

Its was fun to tell people i was a showhome decorator just to see the reaction on their faces. Almost always they say "so you shop for a living??!?" well yes and no dear... and its far more sweaty, exhausting, rigorous work than that. Full of time management and coordination. But it sure does sound glamorous doesn't it.. I'm sure i haven't fooled you.. 

Well i find myself missing that day to day decorating and since its such a hot topic for interest i though i would share with you some tricks and tips i learnt along the way for successful decorating! 

ONE: Please!!!! Ive seen this mistake SO MANY times, unless its intentional as part of a gallery wall- this rule needs to be followed- there are far to many pictures living close to ceilings in this world. 
Suck it up, putty it up and bring it down just above eye level. 
Gallery walls are great places to incorporate odd sizes and pieces and fill an otherwise empty wall
This is a great way to add dimension and interest to a large space! This unique and eclectic look allows you to incorporate a variety of photos, prints and framed personal pieces. 

TWO: If your going to splurge on that don't you think it should be neutral? If your the adventurous type and feel a lime green leather couch is something your going to adore for years, then your braver than me! 
Times have changed and colour is great, but keeping your investment pieces neutral (greys, taupes, blacks) will allow for longevity. They also ground a space and give your eye a visual rest. 
A million places make awesome throw pillows and blankets in fun patterns and colours - even inexpensive art can be changed out for a whole new look. Try that before your up to your eyeballs in dusty rose. (yea, people have been there before...) If you gotta have yellow, try a bowl with faux lemons on the coffee table or a great spray of tulips. Doormats, decals and frames are also an easy and unexpected way to add colour. 

THREE: This will make or break it. Furniture needs to be in scale with itself and its friends. 
A Large sectional with slipper chair isn't going to look right. Pieces like sofa and coffee table should mirror each other for size, and bulkiness. Large leather sofa should be paired with an end table that has some strength to it in your style. A feminine bed frame should have a nightstand that also feels feminine and light. There are no hard and fast rules but before you purchase that ottoman, make sure its going to flow... 

FOUR: I think what people most adore about showhomes (aside from all the creative ideas) is the fact that it has good energy through being clutter free. 
There are no personal items like mail and laundry hampers stuffed with clothes. Shoes aren't littering the back door and kids toys aren't hiding around every corner. However it can be argued that those are the things that make a house a home. Showhomes however are simplistic and clean. What people don't know is that is integrated into the decorating, little 'vignettes' are staged throughout the home, a neat diaper basket in the nursery with a few color coordinated toys. That tray of olive oils in the kitchen - these make it feel accessible, you can put yourself in its 'shoes'. Its paired down from the everyday. 
Take this as far as you like, i enjoy keeping a few personal items in my home, but i don't want my whole DVD collection on display and my mail is hidden in a drawer.. and after all, more stuff means more dusting and who wants that. 

FIVE: The world of Pinterest has changed life as we know it for the D-I-Y'er. 
Anything you can think of you can make with a little elbow grease, a lot of time and dedication - it can be done. Even professional decorators put in the sweat when it comes to custom projects. A many late nights were spent gluing, crafting and painting. Even if you have the highest of ambitions, some things can be too much, so proceed with caution. A DIY is a great way to personalize things and make you feel proud of your home. Give it a try, start small and you will astonish yourself. 

SIX: Have you met Grey? I'm talking all of its 50 shades here, no - not like that- I'm talking cool grey, warm grey, taupe grey. Seriously, its not just that but take a serious look at anything in your house that bring you back to the 70's, 80's, and particularly the 90's... peach, ruffles, potpourri.. upolstry that looks like a cosby sweater or covered in plastic- come on. let it go..Adding a little grey and neutral, clearing the crap and a fresh coat of paint will immediately update your space. 

SEVEN: This is simple, a home shouldn't have anything in it that isn't useful or that you love.. This is a great measure when clearing the clutter, deciding on purchases and sorting for donation. 
If you love those doilies from grandma and just can't part with them - think outside the box, frame them! showcase them in a unique way.. 

EIGHT: Personally, even when i was spending other peoples money (yes that was fun) - i just don't think its necessary to pay full price for almost anything. Since HomeSense (as we call it in Canada) has emerged on the decorator scene- i honestly don't know how other home accessory stores are keeping up.. They have pretty well everything your looking for, unique treasures and terrific prices. Shop smart and look online. 

NINE: When it comes to curtains that is - Hanging your curtains about 6 inches from the ceiling will make your windows feel bigger and brighter. 
Light is Key- everyone wants it and not everyone knows how to find it- I'm here to help you, check out my post about 'farmhouse curtains' for drapery tricks. 
Second to hanging pictures too low, this is the next most popular offence, let the sunshine in people! Your ceiling will look taller and your view will shine brighter. Win Win. 

TEN: Sometimes all you need is paint. Things can be transformed with a brush and some time. 
Many times as a decorator when we didn't like something or it wasn't quite right, paint fixed it up and made it a statement for the room. Whether that was an accent wall in a living room or a fun colour for a piece of furniture, making your own art or making accessories work- Paint is a makeover artist. Its budget friendly and almost anyone can do it. 

good hostessing is free wifi

the cutest trend around being a hostess is this cute idea for your guest room or front entry. i love being a hostess and having guests over, i dream of owning a quaint b&b someday in the forest or near the water - this is my husbands worst nightmare but a girl can dream... 

until then, how sweet is this? it lets guests know your wifi password so its on hand and easy for houseguests to stay connected. LOVE THIS!! my dear friend Jenn from fox in the hole designs made this one at her sweet little design shop - check it out for purchase on her etsy shop now!!! She's a unicorn of graphic design and isn't this just perfect? 

Enjoy and happy weekend to you!