Where the Poppies Grow

More and more I'm finding that the smallest, most simple things in life are oftentimes the most treasured, especially in motherhood.  And last week, one of those small joys was waking Marin up one morning to see that her poppies had bloomed.  We planted a small box garden with my dad a couple months ago, and we have faithfully watered it every day since.  It has been so rewarding to watch Marin observe the whole process, starting with her tiny hands carefully (then not so carefully;) pressing each seed into the soil. Not going to lie, watching her prance around the backyard with her little picked-poppy trophy made my heart swell a bit because SHE made a way for that little flower to grow, from start to finish (with a little help from her Papa of course).  And on this very normal Tuesday, we are glad for the soil, the poppies, the hands, the simple moments that are building this life.
Hope your day also is being filled with all the ordinary moments that make these days so very extraordinary.  

Let's Party! Friday Favorites

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Hip hip hooray, it's Friday! And if that's not a reason to talk parties, I don't know what is. ;) I have always had a soft spot for a cute party with all the fun details that make a celebration unique and special, so today I thought I'd share some of my favorite party supply shops.  I'm sure there are oceans of shops out there, but here are a few I've come to know and love.

Shop Sweet Lulu is an online boutique that carries on-trend and adorable party supplies, bakeware, etc.  Their prices are super reasonable too. Bonus!

Ultra Pom is a rental shop I used to rent the sequin tablecloth for Greg and Kaitlin's baby shower.  I was a bit nervous about renting a tablecloth (that would have desserts all over it no doubt) but I was SO pleased with this experience! They make the whole process really easy. 

Shop Meri Meri Meri Meri party supplies are some of my very favorites.  If you are looking for unique and precious party collections, you won't be disappointed with this company. Amazon also carries loads of their party supplies if that is a more convenient ordering method for you.

Beau-coup I used this website to order custom, white-chocolate dipped fortune cookies for Greg and Kaitlin's shower (in the middle of the Summer!) and they arrived, packaged to perfection and really yummy.  They are a fun shop for unique sweets and favors. 

Luna Bazaar is a shop I used to order pink vases for Marin's Third Birthday Party.  They have a large (and affordable) inventory of party decor.  

 Anthropologie is always a good idea, but I especially love finding unique party and hosting gems here, including the tablecloth and cake stands I used for Brite's first birthday party.  

Hope these are helpful for all you party people! Have a fun weekend and if you need us, we'll be at the poooooool.
;)

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday! With all this nice weather, we've been playing outside as much as possible. Those long gone February days made a mom forget how easy the days can be with a little outside play.

Which brings me to these bubble wands.  We got them as a gift and they are so much fun. We just fill a bowl with dish soap and water and wait for someone to accidentally kick it ;). Loads of fun and pretty durable.  Lately, Marin and I will turn on the Disney station on Pandora or the Disney princess playlist on Apple Music playing NICE and loud and run around making bubbles.  So let's just make this a blanket apology to all our neighbors while we're at it because sometimes this involves little people in their skivvies.

Speaking of clothes, a couple weeks ago I retired some of the running clothes I've had since HIGH SCHOOL (yummy) and got a couple more pieces for working out. I noticed this top from the Gap got really high reviews, so I ordered two and totally see why the reviews were so high.  It is perfect for working out in hot weather and super comfy.

 I used these small and REALLY affordable cake stands for the girls' birthdays and loved the look.

And lastly, a couple favorite pics from the week because memories with these people are my forever favorites.  Also, when all else fails, walk down the street barefoot with yo princess wand and pet unicorn. ;)

Easter Basket Gift Guide

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Happy Friday! I've had such a fun time picking out a few things here and there for the girls' Easter baskets this year, so I thought I'd share a few ideas I've come across.  Books are one of our favorite gifts to get them and That's Not Funny, Bunny is such a sweet story about how true friends love you for who you are. I think Marin is going to really enjoy it. We are also putting this book and this book in their baskets. And those surprise carrots! I actually have no clue what's inside them, and I think they're party favors, but they were just too close to their kin, the highly acclaimed (at least in our house) YouTube surprise eggs. ;)
Easter festivities start this weekend with the girls' first Easter egg hunt, and I'm sure it's going to be a blast to watch!  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Friday and I'm (P)in Love

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Happy Friday! Are these warm weekends breathing a little extra life into anyone else? We are especially looking forward to this one because I just got the Getting ready to board plane. Can't wait to see my girls text from Andy. Dad is headed home! Woohoo!  Miss that guy when he is gone. ;) 

We have tons of exciting things to look forward to in the next couple months, including both girls' birthdays. Sigh. Lately, whenever Marin gets asked how old she is, she proudly says, "I am almost FWEE and Britey is almost ONE!" Then my heart breaks a little. BUT when my heart is done melting to mommy mush, I start getting excited for birthday parties for these little ones. And with birthday parties, comes pinning and with pinning comes pinning of things totally unrelated to what you set out to pin originally.  Following me?  So, today I thought I'd share some of my favorite Spring-party-hosting-Summer-wardrobe inspired pins. ;)  Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Master bedroom shiplap + Inspiration

Last week, while Andy was out of town, I decided a house project was in order to keep our minds off of missing dad. I have always loved the look of shiplap and have also been wanting at least one room in our house to have white walls, so I made plans to make both of these things happen in the master bedroom..uh..while watching both girls. I promise it made sense in my head. Ha! Well, turns out this was a much bigger undertaking than I could wrangle on my own, so I am beyond grateful that grandparents, aunts, and uncles came to visit with drills, saws, tools, chick-fil-a and the willingness to help watch the girls. I'm also really grateful for fun memories made during a week I was dreading a bit. 
I decided to use 1x8 v-joint wood panels for the wall I wanted to shiplap and the same color paint as the baseboards and molding, Behr Premium in Shoji White, for all of the walls. I am really happy with how it all turned out and can't wait to finish the rest of the room's makeover! Here are a few rooms that are inspiring me to get this pup finished. I'm feeling a cottage meets modern vibe. Is that a thing?

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BANO, COMMODE, BATHROOM

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In true nesting fashion, I hearby present to you a small but finished room in our home: el bano, the commode, the bathroom.  I always love seeing home tours out in blog world, so here is a humble look at a small but mighty room in our home.  

ASHLEY'S BABY SHOWER

Every bump has a story…the weeks, the months, the years it took to come by it. 

My best friend now has a bump with its own unique story that is her story to share.

BUT I can tell you it is a beautiful story and she is a beautiful friend who I love dearly. So, naturally, I have been waiting, busting at the seams, to celebrate and throw a par-TAY for the little miracle in that bump.

A few weeks ago, a few other friends who were also busting at the seams to celebrate the mommy-to-be reached out to join in the planning, crafting, baking and creating. Talie from www.funnybeautiful.com and I took on venue and decor while Melissa and Natalie made an incredible spread of food and drink. (Good thing because no one would have wanted the microwave dishes I would have whipped up. ;) This group of girls was so impressive and hard working. You know the kind; they are gorgeous in and out, create gorgeous things and make others feel gorgeous. Impressive they are indeed.

Yesterday it all came together and we finally got to shout out (by way of tiny handmade felt flowers, personalized invites, iced cookies and cakes, ranunculus and roses, savory eats, and poms upon poms) "Hurray!" "Yes!!" And "Welcome, baby girl!" 

Enjoy the pics and thank you Talie for sharing!

 

 

 

Thank you, Maddie + New Blog Design

I'd like to introduce you to this beautiful lady and dear friend, Miss Maddie Richardson. I got in touch with her a few weeks ago with the itch to refresh my little space a bit. I still loved the former design, but so it goes, I'm a bit addicted to change (Once again, lucky Andy).  

Maddie has such an amazing eye for the lovely in this world, especially in unexpected places; I just knew she was the perfect person to ask. When I sent her a general idea of what I was looking for, along with a rough sketch of how I wanted the title to look, she sent this mood board back to me. I gasped when I saw what she came up with. Genius. She even thought to use my "rough handwritten title" as part of the design. I wouldn't have thought of it, but adore the idea and the way she put my personality here in this space. I couldn't love it more and am so pleased to introduce her and this lovely new blog design to you today.  

Thank you, Maddie for being wonderful and fun to work with and for creating this beautiful space! You are a doll, a peach, a babe. 

xxx,

m