Entertain Me

Gardens in May burst with magnificent color.  Why not take advantage of Mother Nature's handiwork and host a garden party this Memorial Day weekend.  Take a break from the traditional, yet always fun, pool party and dazzle your friends and family with a whimsical backyard soiree.  Create a menu using fresh produce from your local farmer's market for a dinner as beautiful as your surroundings.

images via:  Shatterboxx, Vinum Vine, Style Me Pretty

1.  Lilly Pulitzer Aleesa Dress  2. Spearmint Bib Necklace  3. Tory Burch Drea Wood Wedge Sandal  4. Lotus Dinner Plate  5. Tulip Salad Plate  6. Madeline Weinrib Pink Chevron Napkin  7. Gold Flatware  8. Bali Glassware  9. MAC Girl About Town Lipstick  10. Russell Woodard Outdoor Sofa  11. Verona Hurricane  12. Missoni Home Bouquet Outdoor Pillow

Pin of the Week

Although we are transitioning from nursery to big girl room with Vivi and have no plans to decorate another nursery anytime soon, I could not help but swoon over the design of this room.  Talk about the modern traditionalist.  Shelli, from a la mode maven, curated the perfect balance through the use of graphic fabrics and timeless silhouettes.  I love how elegant the baby clothes look in the gold leaf frames, darling!  See more of this room at Baby Lifestyles.

image source:  Baby Lifestyles

Twin Beds

A childhood friend of mine had two twin beds in her room when we were growing up and I always loved the look and functionality of it.  When my husband's aunt asked if we were interested in the twin beds she was no longer using I had to jump at her offer.  And when I saw them in person I was head over heals.  Today, we had those very beds installed in Vivi's room and her baby bed removed.  Sleeping arrangements around here are about to get interesting.  

images via:  Beautiful Rooms, Katie Rosenfeld Design, House of Turquoise, Pinterest, Coastal Living, Pinterest, ML Interior Design, Coastal Living, Full House, Pinterest, Decor Pad, Phoebe Howard, Houzz, House & Home, House of Fifty, Cote de Texas, Pinterest, Pinterest

Fab Find Friday

I am dying to incorporate a little mint into my summer wardrobe with this Viscid watch from Anthropologie.  At $58 how can you resist?!

Monster Birthday Party

The planning for Cade's first birthday party started months ago as I scoured Pinterest for the latest party inspiration.  I came across this sweet invitation created by Imprintables and it was love at first sight.  And so I began the process of designing the paper products for the party.  What a challenging and fun process it was.  I admire how creative and talented graphic designers have to be!  During the creating of the printables I was able refine the theme of the party.  I wanted to do a softer monster theme with graphic elements, thus the shades of blue and green as well as the chevron pattern that runs through the party. 

It rained all day, the day of the party so I was thankful that I planned a simple lunch.  Little guests enjoyed a boxed lunch complete with a sandwich, Annie's Cheddar Bunnies, applesauce and apple juice followed by monster cupcakes and cake pops.  The lunches were served in berry boxes tied with coordinating twine, which worked perfectly into the design scheme.  I purchased the berry boxes and other paper goods were purchased from Sweet Lulu.  The adults dined on chicken salad croissants and turkey pesto sandwiches, sweet onion potato chips, smoked gouda pasta salad and a mixed berry salad.  The littlest guests went home with custom chevron bibs made by Baby Chunk Monk and the older kids took home Sandra Boyton's book, Birthday Monsters, a new favorite in our house.

Of course a birthday wouldn't be complete with a few DIY elements.  I custom made two Geronimo style balloons for the party as well as the eclectic chandelier over the lunch spread.  I had been swooning over these little bundles of balloon happiness for months and was thrilled to discover how easy they were to create.  There are a few tutorials out there and I would suggest using a variety of materials for visual interest.  Just make sure not to weigh down the balloon too much!  I used ribbon, pom garlands, DIY ruffled crepe paper garlands, fringed paper garlands, tissue pops (re-used from Vivi's 2nd birthday), as well as a few other materials.  I just love these balloons! 

Sources:

Sweets:  The Good Samaritan Cupcakery

Party Supplies:  Sweet Lulu

Custom Bibs:  Baby Chunk Monk

Books:  Diapers.com

Printables:  Designed by me!

Monster Birthday Party

Last weekend we celebrated my little man's birthday with a monster mash birthday bash.  I have been pinning ideas for months and narrowing it down to my favorites.  Here is an inspiration board I put together for the occasion.  I will follow up with party pictures, so stay tuned!

Pin of the Week

I have a confession to make, I have been cheating on my favorite blogs.  With Pinterest.  I am in serious need of a Pintervention.  While I was contemplating what to give up for Lent, I considered Pinterest.  Honestly.  But I just couldn't do it.  It is my number one guilty pleasure and I get such joy looking at all of the little pretties that pop up on my screen.  Don't you?  You can keep up with all of my pinning here.  So, instead of giving up Pinterest, I will be posting on TSF every day (excluding Sundays) until Easter.  Finally a reason to become a committed blogger.

I found this image via Gramercy, one of my absolute favorite blogs, full of beautiful home inspiration.  I would love to visit their shop in Atlanta and bring home a few special and luxurious touches.  There are so many aspects of this room that I love.  The repetition of blue in the gourd lamps and the small benches, the chevron rug, the canopy bed and that wallpaper.  As any true Southern Girl would do, I would add a fabulous monogram to those shams.  Is it just me or are they begging for one?!  My favorite part about this look is that it is accessible to anyone!  

1.  Anthropologie Vanuatu Twilight Wallpaper  2. Anthropologie Italian Campaign Canopy Bed   3. Pottery Barn Plaza Duvet Cover and Sham in Foam Green  4. Robert Abbey Double Gourd Accent Lamp  5. Z Gallerie Concerto Nightstand  6. Ballard Designs X-Bench  7. Togo - Iman Home Fabrics in Peacock  8. Alexa Chevron Vibe Zebra Rug  9. Pottery Barn Terrarium  10. Goldfinch Needlepoint Pillow 

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.