Falling For...

I have never been more excited to welcome in my favorite season.  After a record breaking summer  of 100 days of 100+ degree weather and our town being named the hottest place in the country (read: the worst place to live), most everyone I know is welcoming fall with open arms.  While the temperatures here continue to be in the upper 80s, I am completely smitten with all things fall.  Right now I am falling for: mums and pumpkins, dark nails, fall fragrances, and pumpkin spice (nothing says fall to me than a hot pumpkin spice latte on a crisp fall morning!)...

   

{1. Essie Very Structured  2. Bath and Body Works Autumn Candle  3. Fall in Aspen by Amy Higgins Designs 4. Pumpkin Spice Latte  5.  Pottery Barn Harvest Embroidered Suzani Table Linens  6. Staffordshire Royal Mail Platter  7. Anthropologie Gossamer Birch Shell  8. Lulu Frost for JCrew Figure Eight Bangle  9. One Kings Lane  10. Handmade Birch Napkin Rings}

image via HGTV

Pink and Green Turtle Party

When Vivi turned two we celebrated with a preppy, Southern turtle party.  I was inspired by this Lilly Pulitzer inspired turtle party, a fun and beautifully done party by Kori Clark of Paper & Pigtails.  All of the paper goods were created from a DIY printable party package from her Etsy shop.  I handmade many of the party decorations including the Confetti System inspired banners, paper flower wreath, and the "2" door hanger.  Rather than use typical vases, I created simple centerpieces using mason jars with pink, white and green flowers for a casual element.  Following a light lunch guests enjoyed beautifully made sweet treats from Batter Up Pastry Boutique in Fort Worth.  Favors included turtle cookies with pink and green polka-dot bows for the girls, and turtle bubbles for the boys.  The party was perfect for Miss Vivi, she loved every moment!

Paper and Pigtails - Party Printables

Smash Cake, Turtle Cookies & Mini Cupcakes - Batter Up Pastry Boutique

Lily Pulitzer Plates and Napkins - Lifeguard Press

Turtle and Frog Custom Crayons - Red Elm Designs

Birthday Girls Frog Bow and Bow Favors - Lili Bug Boutique
Turtle Bubbles - Melissa and Doug
Pink and Green Bubble - Remember Nguyen, monogram by Red Threads Monogramming

All of these vendors were such a pleasure to work with.  I would highly recommend them all and will definitely use them again.  Thank you!


Inspiration for the DIY elements provided by Pinterest and blogs.  
DIY paper flower wreath
Tissue Paper Tassel Garland
I had a difficult time getting the tissue paper to twist properly, so to make the tops of the tassels uniform and pretty I attached matching ribbon using a hot glue gun.
Two Door Hanger
To add a sweet touch, I made the door hanger out of an 8x10 canvas that Vivi had finger painted pink this summer.

Beautiful Art

There are few things that I enjoy more than an afternoon of creativity with my sweet girl.  Lately, she has been painting beautiful masterpieces on canvas.  A few have found a special home around our house, but many are being saved for future projects (like the two door hanger).  I have gathered up a few creative, stimulating, and inspiring products that would be a great addition to our playroom and sure to provide hours (or at least 20 minutes) of fun.

1.  Let's Make Some Great Art  2. Rosie Flo's Garden Coloring Book  3. Charley Harper Coloring Book  4. Scribble It Postcards  5. Made to Frame Art Pad  6. BioColor Paints  7. Twig Crayons Set  8. KidKraft Deluxe Wood Easel  9. Blue Floral Oilcloth Smock