Glamorous, Affordable Life

{ Beautiful }

2013-06-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

There isn't a thing in the world that makes me happier than thinking of my children!

It is because of the things they do, their personalities, gestures, laughs, doubts, sorrows and joys that bring a smile to my face everyday!

It's such a wonderful feeling to know that I will cherish these little memories of my babies forever! I jot down cute things they say and do, so that one day I can look back and laugh!

I've made this beautiful printable describing just that! I hope you enjoy!

{ click photo to download }

{ Let Freedom Ring! }

2013-06-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

The Fourth Of July is quickly approaching!
How do you celebrate with your family? We celebrate by throwing a bbq with friends and family and maybe a few small fireworks. I'm sure many families celebrate the same way, but it's important that our children also realize why we're celebrating! The birth of the American Independence signed in 1776.

Alright, enough of a history lesson, now onto the "freedom" banner I made for the fourth! I wanted something that wasn't the traditional red, white and blue, but that could easily be paired with those colors. I tend to decorate more neutral with pops of color.

I started by uploading a vintage script background, uploading it to PicMonkey and creating my letters. I printed each onto white cardstock, cut to my desired size and hole-punched each corner. I grabbed burlap ribbon I already had and cut a thin strip (about 1/2 inch width) to use as my thread. I simply weaved it thru each hole until completed. With an extra, oh, yard and a half, two yards or so that I had of the burlap ribbon I created a super simple bow, using the technique below!

I attached the bows to each end of the banner using floral wire.

And there you have it! A beautiful, rustic looking banner for a little to no cost, yippee!!

Sharing this project on these fabulous blogs!

{ Be Happy Now }

2013-06-14T08:18:00.000-04:00

I seriously feel like time is just absolutely flying by us! My kids are growing up so quickly and my husband and I will be celebrating 10 years together in a few months.

It's so cliche, when you're young, people tell you to enjoy being young while you can because it will fly by. Well let me tell ya, it does!

In between, taking the kids to school, extracurricular activities, birthday parties, doctor visits, sleepovers, housework, grocery shopping, working, and anything else you might do in a days work, time is moving on, the kids are growing up and you're growing older.

It's kind of a scary thing to think about really, but all the more of the reason you should live your life being HAPPY, all the time!

Being happy, positive and optimistic (even in tough times) is something I want to teach my kids! What a great outlook they will have on life!

{ click here to download }

{ Fab Pins of the Week }

2013-06-14T00:00:00.000-04:00

Hello weekend :)

This weekend is a special one for my family & I!

We're celebrating my little mans' 7th birthday on Sunday!!

The years have flown by, but what an amazing person my son has become!

I hope you have a great weekend too :)

Let's get to what has been inspiring me this week!

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1. I'm just in awe of this stunning rustic dining room! The exposed brick makes this room!! Visit the source to check out the rest of this gorgeous mansion!

2. Rustic neutrals done beautifully! I love the rustic charm feel the wood, neutral bedding and decor bring together!

3. Oh my goodness, this bathroom is to die for!! I don't know that there's one thing I would change about it! Such a stunning chandelier to light up the gorgeous white-washed wood ceiling. And that tub... ahh! Absolute perfection :)

4. My latest obsession is pallet walls! We've decided we're going to do a small section in our half bath downstairs, and I can't wait!! I'm loving this beautiful pallet wall by The Lettered Cottage. Head over and check out how they incorporated these old gymnasium floors into this eye-catching wall decor!

Please be sure to visit the source links I've provided in this post to give credit to the original sources!

Make my day, follow me on Pinterest!

{ Have Your Pictures & Enjoy Them Too! }

2013-06-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

This is a sponsored post and all opinions are my own.

If you're one of the many who own a smartphone, you're going to want to download the latest app Groovebook. Groovebook is an app that allows you to upload your desired photos straight from your phone and they create your very own photobook! If you know me, you know I'm crazy about photos and take tons with my iPhone, so I was really excited to give Groovebook a try!

The process is simple, download the free app on your phone and create a profile. You can manually select your desired photos, up to 100 pictures. By signing up, you can have your photos sent to you monthly for FREE, only pay $2.99 for shipping! The photobooks are 4x6 photos with perforated sides for easy removal! That just might be my favorite part :) It's so easy to take out your favorite photos to add to frames, give as gifts or DIY projects!

Just for my viewers, Groovebook has created a code where you will receive your first Groovebook absolutely FREE! No charges, free shipping and a free photobook!!! Use code: GLAMOROUSGROOVE at checkout.

So what are you waiting for?! Go give it a try!!!

{ Tips for Party Planning! }

2013-06-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

I'm sure you've heard me say many times before, just, how much I ADORE party planning! I love everything about it :) I know it stresses some people out, and if that's you I have some great tips to make it less stressful, and more enjoyable!

Three months before event:

Set date, time and place.
Choose theme and colors.
If you have specific details you want to include, write them down so you don’t forget! I use a word document and just jot down ideas as they come!

Two months before event:

Every party I host is on a budget, so browse the local Dollar Stores, Hobby Lobby, Jo Ann’s, Michaels and Target for great dollar finds!
Order your invitations. A website like TinyPrints has a great selection to choose from!
Write out your guest list and add up the number of children attending so you can plan for goodie bags.
Plan party activities. Write out a list of games for the kids to play along with any supplies you will need to purchase. If you're doing rentals, such as a bounce house, call to reserve your date.

One month before event:

Plan your menu. Don't feel obligated to feed everyone lunch if it doesn't fit in your budget! Schedule mid-afternoon and offer a dessert bar.
You can easily create personalized banners using a tool like PicMonkey and printing it onto your desired paper.
Begin working on more time-consuming projects like banners, food labels, party décor, etc. Getting it done ahead of time will save you the stress in the end!

Two weeks before event:

Prepare and send out invitations.
Purchase tablecloths, plates, cutlery, cups, napkins and/or other party supplies.
Buy items for the kids goodie bags and prepare. I like to do a variety of these go-to items: pencils, markers, glow sticks, a piece of my kids favorite candy, temporary tattoos, bubbles, chalk, homemade crayons, or a journal.
If ordering a cake from a store or bakery, place the order and plan to pick up the day before the party.

One week before event:

Head to the grocery store with a list in hand of all the food, condiments and drinks you will need.
Start preparing or putting together any accessories needed for the party games. Get a good idea of what order you want to do each game in, it will make party day go much smoother!

Two days before event:

If you're hosting the party at home, do the bulk of your cleaning and leave vacuuming and/or mopping for the morning of.

One day before event:

I make my kids' cakes and cupcakes, so for me, I spend the day before making all the desserts. In case of any uh-oh’s I have time for plan B!
The evening before, I always have a plan set out for how I want the next morning to go until the party begins. Inevitably, things may come up, but at least you can stay on track and get things accomplished in a timely manner!

Party day:

I always plan a special birthday breakfast for my little ones!
Buy the balloons! I head to the local Kroger down the street to buy my balloons. The balloons only last about 8-10 hours, so you don't want to buy them too soon!
Buy some fresh flowers! They're the perfect centerpiece J
I start two hours before the party is set to start by decorating. Prepare and decorate the main table, dessert table, and gift table.
With the entire décor ready, begin prepping the food. Wash and slice veggies, fruits and cheeses and place in fridge. Put drinks in ice or cooler.
Finish up any cleaning, such as vacuuming or mopping.
Get yourself ready, get the kids ready!
Add balloons to the mailbox or at the end of your street for family and friends to see.
Sit out any appetizers or munchies before the guests arrive.
After the first couple of guests have arrived, sit out any condiments, veggies, side-dishes, etc.
We’ve found the easiest way to please guests is to have a barbeque, so I let my husband man the grill!
Sit back, relax and enjoy the masterpiece you've created!!

I hope these tips will be able to help you enjoy your next party a little more!!

{ Fab Pins of the Week }

2013-06-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

Hello :) Happy weekend!

More working on the outside of the house for us this weekend!

Can't wait to cross some projects off our list!

This week, I'm sharing my love for mint green! It's one of my favorite colors right now!!

1. source 2. source

3. source 4. source

1. I love, love, love the idea of upcycling a globe! This project would be perfect for the kids play room with a fun, relevant quote! Now, that's something I just might do! Be sure to head over to the source and check out the other amazing globe transformations!

2. This living room looks so inviting and cozy! The pops of mint green and turquoise make this room come

together perfectly!

3. Mint green + white just might be my favorite color combination right now! I love the looks of this sheer white blouse, mint green bubble necklace and mint lace shorts! This outfit scream Summer perfection to me :)

4. Painting the kitchen island a different color is something we've considered doing at our house. I'm really loving this robin egg blue/ light mint color pictured here! It's clean and refreshing!

Please be sure to visit the source links I've provided to visit the original image sources!

Follow me on Pinterest!

{ Guest Post: Father's Day Gift Suggestions! }

2013-06-05T07:30:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone. I am Eva Stephen. I am going to share some shopping tips and gift ideas for the upcoming Father's Day. I feel the price of the gift is not that much important but the love and gratitude you have for him is all that matters. Please also share your ideas and any interesting experiences in the comment box. :)

What to shop for Father’s Day

Though most of us agree that the loved ones should be loved every day of the year, it is still nice to shower them with gifts on that one symbolic day when everyone recognizes their special role in the world. So, with Father’s Day just around the corner, there is no time to spare. Whoever has not yet chosen a present for their father or father of their children might find a few good ideas in this text.

Like father, like gift

Buying gifts can be an act of mere spending, or a manifestation of true skill. If you don’t want to have your money wasted on a useless gift, you’d better do some heavy thinking and maybe even some detective work. You want to find out what the father of the family likes, wants and would love to have at this very moment.

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Buying the man in your family furniture is certainly an original gift. He may be imagining himself falling deep down into a recliner chair, with a pipe sticking out of his mouth, watching out the window and contemplating life.

Maybe he likes nice suits in general, but would die for a certain rock concert ticket right now. That is why you should spend a few days being very attentive to what he says and pays attention to. Observe carefully and with little luck, you'll know exactly what you should buy him.

How about furniture for the domestic type?

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Or, he may have seen an outrageous TV set at his friend’s house and cannot stop thinking about it. Maybe he’s one of those artsy types who enjoys nothing more than a nicely ornamented wooden piece of furniture, a unique lamp or a massive, respectable looking mahogany desk for his study. Better visiting Shop 4 Furniture and see what they have to offer to a father who likes furniture as a gift.

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Let’s think of gifts for an adventurous type.

If father/husband is more of an outdoors type of person, or someone who likes entertaining an idea that he’s always living on the edge, there is a variety of products for that tough guy. A ticket to the most dangerous roller coaster, a mean Swiss knife, a shirt with special printed letters ordered just for him that say: “Don't mess with me if you don't want your head messed up” – like one you can find at 8 ball. Such a gift also works if father likes fun stuff.

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Naturally, budget is also to be considered.

Of course, listing gift ideas is not a problem, but you should narrow down your choices according to your budget. If you can't afford buying extravagant gifts, or if your father didn't let you go out the previous night so you are a little angry with him and don’t think he deserves a very expensive gift, there are many interesting and more frugal gift options: a leather wallet, a fun tie, the latest album by his favourite band, a rare movie he’s been looking for a long time, etc.

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Make him a gift and he’ll never forget it.

There’s something about handmade gifts that makes people appreciate the thought behind gift-giving even more. Some very cute and doable handmade gift ideas are shared at Tip Junkie, you can pick any of the idea for your dad. So, go ahead, make your father/husband a treasure box full of things he likes – book of jokes, Sudoku, a photo of him and mum he thought was lost, a mix CD of his favorite music, his favourite chocolate (but only one piece so he wouldn't get fat).

The most difficult part is recognizing that one perfect gift, so without much ado, start your top priority mission now!

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{ DIY Rustic Citronella Candles }

2013-06-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Last week I pinned a super cute bunch of mini- candle terracotta pots and I thought something like that would be perfect out on our deck! The picture I had in mind, was different sized pots ranging from large to small, and making them into my own citronella candles. So, that's exactly what I did :)

Here's what you're going to need:

terracotta pots ranging in size ( mine were 7,5 & 1.5 inch pots)
patio/outdoor paint
sanding block
dollar store candles or a block of wax from the craft store ( I'll explain later in the post!)
6 inch wicks
wooden skewers or popsicle sticks
boiling pot and wax pot
citronella and eucalyptus oil
magazine or newspaper as working space

Initially, I went to Michaels and priced out the candle wax and supplies. For 4 pounds of wax was $19.99, 6 inch wicks were $3.99 and the wax pot was $16.99. Despite the fact I had never made candles before, I wasn't sure I wanted to put out that money incase it didn't work out. So, I headed home that night empty handed, but determined to find an alternative, and I did! I was talking things over with my husband and he suggested just going to the dollar store and buying a bunch of unscented candles to use for my wax, I would be melting them down anyway! I tell ya, that man is brilliant sometimes ;) The next morning I scooped up 8 unscented candles from the dollar store. I went back to Michaels and bought the patio paint and wicks. I purchased my pots from Andersons (3 for $3.07!), which was cheaper than Michaels! I didn't purchase the wax pot in hopes I would find something less expensive or something I already had at home. I opted for an old, small saucepan we hadn't used in ages.

It was a beautiful day out, so I took the pots onto the deck and began painting them using a small wedge sponge. The patio paint dries really quickly which made it a breeze to get two good coats on all three pots! I let them dry thoroughly in the sun for a bit and then began roughing them up with a low-grain sanding block. I wanted the rustic, worn feel and I think I accomplished it with little effort!

Now onto the candle making... First, fill your boiling pot and bring the water to a slight boil and reduce heat. Add the wax pot and candles. The dollar store candles came wrapped in plastic and with a sticker on the bottom. Simply remove all the wrapping and you can pull the wick out of the bottom and save for a future candle project! While the wax is melting, prep your pots. For the 5 and 1.5 inch pots, I easily hot glued the wicks onto the bottom of the pots covering the drain hole, no problem! The larger 7 inch pot was a little more difficult. I added a small piece of double layered aluminium foil and hot glued into place. Then I glued the wick on the inside of that. I had a little (big) uh-oh moment, so I highly recommend the foil technique on the bottom of all of your pots for coverage! The wax melts rather quickly, less than 10 minutes. Once the majority of your wax has melted, add 10 drops of citronella oil and 5 drops of eucalyptus oil. I rested my pots on magazines incase of any drips or spills. Grab your wooden skewer or popsicle stick and rest your wick on it, and carefully pour your wax in. This can be rather messy without a spouted pot, but I made do! Center your wick and keep it remaining on the skewer until completely dry. Finish for the remaining pots.

I allowed mine about 5-6 hours of drying time. Trim wicks and enjoy!! We tested them out on the front porch this evening and I love them; and they smell sooo much better than the store bought citronella candles!! This is definitely a project I'll be doing again :)

Sharing this project on these lovely blogs!

{ Hello Summer: Ice Cream Cone Cakes! }

2013-06-03T00:00:00.001-04:00

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Well, the warm weather is here! I'm sure you're going to be celebrating birthdays, graduations, barbeques, family gatherings and more this Summer. If you're searching for a simple, yet delicious dessert, I've got just the thing for you!!

I wanted to make the last day of school for Christian a special one, so I invited a few of his friends over to have a little "school is out" party! I thought it would be a lot of fun to make ice cream cone cakes! They are really easy to make and I let the kids decorate their own!

Here's what you're going to need:

1 box of Betty Crocker SuperMoist party rainbow chip cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs (as directed on the cake box)
24 ct. flat- bottom ice cream cones
1 container Betty Crocker Rich & Creamy frosting
cupcake pan

I gathered the kids around the kitchen island and allowed each of them to help by adding all the ingredients and stirring the batter. When making cupcakes, I always prepare the batter in a spouted measuring cup so it's easy to pour into the pan. Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full and place an ice cream cone upside down into the batter; repeat for remaining. Bake at 350 for for 16-22 minutes. Allow cakes to cool completely.

While the cakes were cooling, I set up a few ingredients on the kitchen table for the kids to decorate them with! We had icing, sprinkles, M&M's and cherries. The kids had so much for decorating them, and I had a blast watching them! This is the perfect idea for a kids birthday party, setting up all the ingredients and allowing each child to create their own!

I think we had a pretty successful celebration! The kids agreed by giving a big thumbs up :)

For step-by-step instructions for this recipe, click here to be re-directed to the Betty Crocker Pinterest page!

For more fantastic summer recipes, check out Betty Crockers favorites here!

{ Fab Pins of the Week }

2013-05-31T00:00:00.000-04:00

Well hello there :)

I hope you all have had a great week!

We are celebrating Summer break by kicking it off with a bonfire tomorrow night with friends!

So, let's get to what's been inspiring me this week!

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1. Tulips are among one of my favorite flowers; such a beautiful bloom! These abundant blooms look dashing in these metal planters. I love using bold pieces to plant in! I've seen a similar look using tin trash cans and they look great!

2. I love this outdoor vignette with neutral tones and natural elements. Don't get me wrong, I love decorating with colors, but when it comes down to it, I'm a neutral girl all day! I've pretty much decided that as we're preparing to re-do our backyard/deck area that I want to stick with neutrals and add flowers for pops of color! I love, love, love the glass hurricanes with candles! Candles are a must- have for my outdoor space!

3. I really love this outdoor setup! Absolute perfect space for entertaining! The kids and I bought my husband a new stainless grill for an early Father's Day present and this gives us great inspiration for incorporating into our outdoor space. I love the built in cooler, how neat is that?!

4. My love for succulents continues! These flowers are so beautiful and such low maintenance! Planting them into a beautiful urn will just make them that much better to enjoy ;) I just bought some more yesterday and can't wait to plant them!

Please be sure to visit the source links I have provided above to check out the original source!

I would love to have you follow me on Pinterest!

{ My First Furniture Rehab!! }

2013-05-28T00:00:00.000-04:00

You can view my guest post where I first shared this project on The Golden Sycamore!

Last Summer my husband cleared out a storage unit of his Fathers and he told me I could go through and pick stuff I wanted to keep, if anything. I had been dying to get my hands on a piece of furniture I could rehab! A dresser caught my eye... This dresser has been a part of my husbands family for many years, so I was thrilled to "bring it back to life"! I knew it would be perfect to rehab and add to Isabellas' room! It was in pretty rough shape, so I started by sanding some of the rough scrapes and bumps and filling large grooves with wood filler.

I had went back and forth on whether I should use primer or not, but I decided to use it since the dresser was so dark. I removed all of the hardware and added a coat of white primer. I wanted to keep the piece a light color, so the paint color I chose was Valspar Swiss Coffee and applied a few coats. This was a project I was working on while the little one was napping so it had a good two days of drying. I grabbed a mid-grain sandpaper and begin roughing it up! I adore the shabby chic look of furniture and that was the look I was going for!

To seal and bring out the roughed edges I created, I used Miss Mustard Seeds furniture wax. I applied it with a clean cloth and buffed off. To add a little character, I lined the dresser drawers with an adorable metallic silver and white chevron wrapping paper. It was ultra thick and durable, and I taped it into place.

I attempted to paint the original hardware, but I wasn't happy with the look. I previously had picked up two cut-glass knobs from Hobby Lobby for the top small drawers. For the remaining drawers I opted for a cup-pull knob I previously had a bunch of. I coated them with a couple coats of light pink spray paint and used a matte clear coat for protection.

One of my favorite parts of this dresser is the legs! They're beautiful :)

I'm really happy with the end result! It's the perfect addition to Isabellas' room! It's not perfect and I didn't expect it to be :) I can't wait to transform another piece of furniture and share it with you all!!

Sharing this furniture transformation on these fantastic blogs!

{ On Summer Break... }

2013-05-24T20:00:00.000-04:00

The Mom Connection is on summer break!

We hope you have enjoyed all the topics we have discussed this school year. The Mom Connection will resume end of August with a new panel of moms and fresh new parenting advice.

Hope to see you back in the Fall!

*image credit

Click here to catch up on all the past Mom Connections.

Want to be part of the next Mom Connection?

Or have suggestions on topics?

Email

Naptime Review

julie_marling@yahoo.com

for details!

{ Fab Pins of the Week }

2013-05-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's my favorite time of the week! Happy Friday :)

It's time to share my inspirational pins from this week!

We've been in full force of outdoor projects at our house this week!

We started painting our shutters black, ahh!! They're looking great and I can't wait to see finished the finished result! Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up with the latest, I'm alway posting pics!

Anyways, lets get to it...

1. source 2. source

3. source 4. source

1. I don't know what it is about white, but I'm super crazy about it right now! I think it's only because I know it wouldn't last ten seconds in my house with two busy kids and a nosey dog! But a girl can dream, right?! I just love the cozy look for this beautiful tufted chair and matching ottoman. And those wood-planked walls aren't too bad either ;)

2. Sigh, yet another beautiful kitchen with butcher block countertops! Don't worry, I'm not complaining (too much!) these are on our to-do list! I think they add so much character to a kitchen and give it a warm, rustic feel. I really, really do love them!

3. I love a beautiful outdoor space! I think I would spend most of my days outside if I had a space like this! It's truly magical! It would be a great place to make memories with the kids, have fun family dinners, host one-of-a-kind parties and relax with the neighbors! We've been working on our yard and won't get to our deck and backyard landscaping until next year, but this is such inspiration for what I want!

4. This bedroom is my shabby chic dream! I can't wait until the day I can own a piece of glass furniture of my own! I don't dare buy one with my kids as little as they are still, but the glass wall table makes this room! Really loving the sequined comforter too!!

Unfortunately, this week I wasn't able to find original sources for most of the featured pins. Please be sure to visit the source links I've provided above!

I'd love to have you follow me on Pinterest !!

DIY Terrarium

2013-05-23T08:00:00.001-04:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Looking for a fun project to do with the kids this Summer? Why not make your own terrarium to watch grow! The kids will have a blast putting it all together, adding some character and enjoy it everyday!

Here's what you're going to need:

pebbles
Moisture Control Potting Mix
glass container
succulants and/or cactus
spray bottle of water
toy figurines for the kid to personalize with (optional)

You're bound to have a glass container that needs put to use ( I seem to have many!). If you're not able to find something you already have, check out the local thrift store or Marshalls. Line the bottom of your container with a layer of pebbles. Next begin with a small amount of your Moisture Control Potting Mix. Arrange your plants and add some remaining potting mix to hold into place. I added thyme to mine and I can't wait for the frangant aroma to fill the kitchen! Allow the kids to each make their own and add a few of their figurines to personalize it!

Terrariums require little water, so grab your spray bottle and mist the plants daily, not saturating the soil. If your container is enclosed, mist with water and cover. A closed terrarium recylces moisture and doesn't require watering for months!

Are you looking to start a garden? Check out the latest product from Miracle-Gro. An entire garden in one simple kit! To feed your flower and vegetable garden, use LiquaFeed All Purpose Plant Food Advance Starter Kit or Shake’n Feed All Purpose Plant Food. It's the easiest way to feed your plants!

I will be sure to keep you all updated on more tips of fun terrarium fun :) In the mean time make sure to stay connected and follow Miracle-Gro via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterst and YouTube. For more ideas and to share yours too, check out fun garden projects!

And be sure to join the The Gro Project, check out the video!

Well what are you waiting for, get growing!

{ A Shabby Chic 2nd Birthday }

2013-05-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

I had so much fun sharing bits and pieces of Isabella's second birthday party with you guys and now it's time to share it entirely! We had a wonderful day celebrating with family and friends!

The color scheme was turquoise, pinks and neutral tones and the theme was shabby chic. You don't have to spend a lot of money to make a party look great and well- thought out. I get a lot of my stuff from Michaels dollar bins, dollar stores, Target dollar corner, etc. Once you've chosen your theme and colors, you'd be surprised how great things start coming together :)

Tags labeling food & drinks

Homemade birthday cake

Fresh flowers

Display from her photo shoot!

Thank you bags

Attempting to sneak a cupcake!

For the tutorials on the rag banner & skirt:

Vintage Chic Rag Banner

Adorable Birthday Tutu

Cupcake wrappers & straws from JoAnn Fabrics

Small white metal pale & bucket from Target

Mini picture frames from Michaels

Pink silverware lanterns from Michaels

Wooden silverware set from Pick Your Plum

Sharing this fun party at these great blogs!

{ MC: Helpful Tips for Traveling With Small Children }

2013-05-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

I am part of an AWESOME mommy panel with Cassie from Two In Diapers Julie from Naptime Review.

Each Saturday, we will bring you fresh new ideas and advice about motherhood.

If you enjoyed what you read, we encourage you to tweet about it!

Now on to this week's topic!

What are your helpful tips for traveling with small children?

Here is what Mom Connection shared:

Welcome! I'm Julie over at Naptime Review. I am a mom of two wild, crazy and beautiful girls. My oldest just turned 4 and my baby is 16 months old. This is my advice for traveling with small children:

We all know the stress that traveling with kids can bring. Many of times before we boarded an airplane, I prayed for nice and understanding people on our flight.

Every time I have traveled I have enlisted the help of friends and family for some tips and secrets. Here are a few things that have helped keep our sanity over the last 4 years when it comes to traveling with little ones.

Plan Travel Around Nap Time: When we drove to Florida, we pulled an all-nighter. It was great. Averie slept the whole drive. Now, when we arrived Mommy and Daddy were tired and Averie was well rested but we made great time with only a few stops.
Purchase New and Exciting Stuff: I hit the dollar bins every time we travel. I buy new snacks and some new toys to entertain. When traveling by air, I always make sure to have a drink box or sucker for the kids to help with air pressure.
Pack Car seat and Boppy Pillow: The car seat was a must-have when we flew to Florida last Thanksgiving. We knew our rambunctious toddler needed to be strapped in at all costs. We were also comfortable with the fact she knew what was expected behavior in her car seat. Now, the bobby pillow comes in handy for babies. It was great for traveling when Averie was 6 months old. It supported her in the seat next to me and provided myself with comfort when holding her on my lap for 4 hours.
Ask Your Doctor: I had a pediatrician recommend Benadryl for Alice’s first flight. She did great on the trial run at home but was wide awake on the plane. Go figure!! However, I have heard urban legends of kids doing well with a little Benadryl cocktail.
Technology Makes A Great Babysitter: Pack portable DVD player, Ipads, and Leap Pads. I always download a few new games when we travel.

Good luck when traveling this summer! Hopefully, these tips will elevate some of the stress that travel can bring. When all else fails, just remember it is only a phase and one day travel will be easier!

Hi! I'm Cassie from Two In Diapers, and I'm a mommy to three sweet babies, ages 5, 3, and 2. This is my advice for traveling with small children:

We just returned from Florida, which was a vacation that included two four-hour flights with all three kids! I am happy to report that both flights went as smoothly as possible!

One major thing that makes our travels with children a bit less painful is our general attitude. When we travel, my husband and I try to keep the mood to a lighthearted and excited one, instead of the way we usually really feel - tired and stressed. :) Since our littles feed so much off of the tone we set in our family, this helps a ton right from the start. We try to point out every little exciting thing about the trip. Kids are so easily excited, so why not make the trip as fun as possible?

For this last flight, I raided the dollar section at Target. I found all kinds of travel-safe toys for super cheap! Tiny dry-erase boards, flash cards, books, etc. I individually wrapped each item and marked it with the child's name and the order in which they were to be opened, which I arranged strategically (for example, least exciting toy first because at that point they're just excited to open a present). I made sure NOT to tell the kiddos that they had a bag full of presents so that they wouldn't always be looking for the next one, and believe it or not, we didn't even get halfway through the presents on the trip there! This worked out perfectly because we had a few for the trip back also.

We definitely also packed lots of snacks... snacks are a great distraction for kiddos! Especially the ones that you can play with - animal crackers, scrabble Cheez-Its, etc.

My final piece of advice is... don't plan on reading a book or closing your eyes for even a few minutes. Set realistic expectations for the trip and plan on playing with the kids. Make it fun for everyone!

My name is Alexa from No Holding Back. I am the mom of Nayner Bug (male, 5), Jelly Bean, (female, 3) and Tiny (female, 1). This is my advice for traveling with small children:

We have some experience in this since we drive from South Carolina to Upstate NY once, if not twice a year to visit my husband’s family. 16 hours in the car! This summer will be the first time we do it with three children, and I’m not looking forward to it at all! But this is how we survive:

- In vehicle entertainment systems are a must! DVD players, good music, anything to keep their minds off of the road

- Pack lots of snacks! When all else fails, I give them a treat!

- Plan to stop at rest areas that have room to run. Pack a ball or something that they will enjoy playing with and let them run around for a little while.

- If you stop for fast food, make sure to stop at a place with a playground!

- Make a “travel kit” with books, coloring books and crayons, and some of their favorite toys. This works for car or airplane.

- Perhaps invest in a new toy or something that, if all else fails, you can whip out and give to them! (Not bribery, just positive reinforcement for behaving!)

If you have never traveled with small children before, the key to survival is the realization that you may have to make frequent stops and you are going to have to be patient. It is easier for us to travel on a plane with them than in a car, because there are so many distractions on a plane. But, we have found ways to keep them entertained on long car trips.

And you never know what may provide entertainment. On our first drive to NY when my oldest child was about 18 months old, he had a big time with a roll of paper towels. He must have played with it for over an hour, maybe two. First unraveling it, then ripping it to shreds. We had a mess to clean up, but he was entertained and happy!

My name is Fotini! I blog over at Glamorous, Affordable Life. I am the mom of (Isabella 2 years and Christian 6 years). This is my advice for traveling with small children:

We love to take family vacations at least every year so it’s important that the kids adjust, so it’s enjoyable for all of us! First things first, I make sure there are plenty of activities to keep them busy while we drive or even fly.

Coloring books, dry erase boards, chalkboards, road trip bingo and other fun games here, magnetic puzzle boards and books.

Prepare snacks ahead of time. It will save you money while on the road plus you won’t have to stop quite as often and they’ll be satisfied! I pack a small cooler full of sandwiches, their favorite snacks, juice, frozen yogurt sticks and water.

If your vehicle doesn’t have a built in dvd player, invest in one! Our van doesn’t have them, so last summer we bought a dual headrest dvd player so they both get their own screen to watch their favorite movies. I try to surprise both of them the day we leave with a new movie. That keeps them quiet for the first couple of hours!

I try my best to make the environment familiar for both of the kids, but especially Isabella since traveling is still new to her. I bring things from home that she’s close to, like her favorite blanket, babies and a couple toys. I’ve found every time we’ve traveled and I’ve stuck as close to our at-home routine as possible, everything goes really smooth, including bedtime! That makes it so nice for Daddy and I. :)

Your Turn:

What advice do you have on traveling with small children? Leave us a comment; we love to read your tips and advice!

Need advice? Check out these previous Mom Connection topics:

Setting Goals with Your Children

Teaching Your Kids to Share

Getting your Preschooler Dressed

Balancing Blogging and Motherhood

{ Fab Pins of the Week }

2013-05-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Happy weekend :)

This week, my favorite pins are all glamorous- inspired!

I tend to like a variety of designs and decor, but when it comes down to it, glam is my fave!

Enjoy!

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1. Oh, the days of when I could actually have a white couch and keep it clean! Maybe when the kids are all grown up and out of the house, I can use my white slipcover! Anywho, I think this room is stunning. The matching mirrors, along with the ceilings, make the room appear spacious and open. I'm so crazy about fancy chandeliers and this one is just fantastic! The gold furniture, fresh flowers and blush pink accents sort of win me over too ;)

2. My goodness, I can only dream of having an outdoor space that looks like this! It is absolutely wonderful <3 nbsp="" p="">

3. Mirror, mirror on the wall... You make the room appear endless! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find the original source of this picture, so I'm not sure on the size of the room, but if you have a small space and want to stage it to appear larger than, just add mirrors! They add depth and character to any space and I love the variety that they used here.

4. Now this is a glam office space! We still haven't finished the basement yet, so I still haven't got to start designing and decorating my office yet, but when I do, I think I'm leaning more towards glam-chic! I love the clean lines, sparkles, whites and grays and pinks! I could certainly create a few masterpieces with an office space like this, couldn't you?! (wink) ;)

You can follow me on Pinterest, here!

{ True Love Blossoms... }

2013-05-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

I know for me, one of my favorite gifts is one I can continuously enjoy. This year for Mothers Day the kids made and decorated bird houses for our Nana and my mother in law, but I wanted to give a little something special! We were going to be hosting a bbq on Mothers Day and I wanted to have something to give each Mom, so I headed to the local thrift store in search for teacups! I scored 7 di-cut glass cups for $1.49, score!!! Next, I headed for the local garden center in search for flowers! I opted for an eye-catching, small bloom, cockscomb. They were bright, beautiful and dainty enough to fit perfectly into the cup!

To start, add a small amount of soil to the bottom of the cup, remove the flower and roots from container, hold into place and fill with soil. I pressed my down to eliminate loose soil and to keep the plant in place. Water each day, making sure the soil is moist. I sat mine on the kitchen window sill where it will get plenty of sun and I can enjoy it :)

For the gifts, I used a small tag and wrote "true love blossoms..."; I hope they enjoy watching this flower bloom all summer long!

Sharing this project on these fabulous blogs!

{ My Mom Is...}

2013-05-11T13:43:00.000-04:00

In celebration of Mothers Day my husband, the kids and I collaborated with Zulily and took part of the "My Mom Is" and had a small photo shoot at home!

What is my mom is? It's a chance for each of us to show appreciation and express just how special our Moms are to us! Not only on Mothers Day, but everyday!

I hope all of you Mama's out there have a super special day tomorrow and have fun celebrating with your loved ones!

{ MC: Summer Activities I Enroll My Kids In }

2013-05-11T00:00:00.000-04:00

I am part of an AWESOME mommy panel with Cassie from Two In Diapers and Julie from Naptime Review.

Each Saturday, we will bring you fresh new ideas and advice about motherhood.

If you enjoyed what you read, we encourage you to tweet about it!

Coming on May 18th, we will discuss:

Tips For Traveling With Small Children

Now on to this week's topic!

What sorts of summer activities or camps do you enroll your children in?

Here is what Mom Connection shared:

Welcome! I'm Julie over at Naptime Review. I am a mom of two wild, crazy and beautiful girls. My oldest is 4 and my baby is 20 months old. This is what sort of summer activities or camps I enroll my children in:

Every summer since Averie has been a baby we have always done swim lessons. This summer since our new home has a swimming pool, the girls will be doing Self Rescue Lessons. If you haven’t seen the Facebook video floating around, you should check it out here.; It is amazing! It was a real eye-opener to how fast a child can find themselves submerged into water. I am also excited that Averie is finally at an age to enroll on Vacation Bible School. VBS is a week long of bible stories, crafts, music and fun! We are so excited! So other than swim lessons and VBS we look forward to relaxing and enjoying the sun! Oh, and did I mention packing up and moving with two small children? IKES!

Hi! I'm Cassie from Two In Diapers, and I'm a mommy to three sweet babies, ages 5, 3, and 20 months. This is what sort of summer activities or camps I enroll my children in:

I definitely think a successful summer is one that is full and fun! Since our children are still pretty little (our oldest just turned 5), organized summer activities have been mainly soccer, and we will be participating in Vacation Bible School this year. In addition to that, we frequent every park in this city and make a few visits to the pool as well! I also co-run a playgroup, so we have weekly activities through it. When my littles get a bit older I'm sure we will be swamped with camps and things, but for now we just try to get out and enjoy the sunshine every single day!

My name is Alexa from No Holding Back. I am the mom of Nayner Bug (male, 5), Jelly Bean, (female, 3) and Tiny (female, 1). This is what sort of summer activities or camps I enroll my children in:

We are on a really tight budget, so our activities will be mostly limited to free, or mostly free activities. I have the kids already registered for two vacation Bible schools! My 6 and 3-year-old both really want to do gymnastics, so I will probably enroll them for the summer and see how that goes. That will give them a planned activity each week. We are lucky that we have a pool, so we’ll spend a good bit of time swimming. We also always take advantage of our zoo membership, and I’m sure there will be plenty of trips to the zoo, the park, and picnics with the other moms and children in the Moms club. We live about 40 minutes away from a large lake and two hours from the beach, so those are both feasible day trip options. This summer I also plan to take full advantage of the programs at the library. The summer will be over so fast!

My name is Fotini! I blog over at Glamorous, Affordable Life. I am the mom of (Isabella 2 years and Christian 6 years). This is what sort of summer activities or camps I enroll my children in:

Since Christian was about two years old, I’ve had him in swimming lessons every summer and some sort of sport. We always enjoyed spending the mornings at the pool for lessons and a little play afterwards, and then practice a few evenings during the week. And then Ms. Isabella became a busy little toddler and doesn’t like to sit still. I learned this the hard way last Fall when we signed him up for soccer. I spent both practice and games chasing her around. Needless to say, we will be taking a break from a busy summer schedule this year! I did, however, enroll Christian in T Ball with a little guy from his class, who also lives in our neighborhood. We’re really looking forward to that starting the end of the month. My hopes are that Isabella will listen to me a little better and be intrigued by Christian!

This year my husband thinks we shouldn’t sign Christian up for swimming lessons; he wants him to get comfortable with the water and swimming all on his own. I do plan on signing Isabella up though. She is pretty much fearless and it scares me to death! For us, it’s important that she knows how to swim.

Besides that, we plan on having a relaxing summer! Maybe take a couple of weekend getaways and lots of quality family time :)

My name is Kristen from The Mrs. & The Momma. I'm the momma of 4 children ages 2-7. This is what sort of summer activities or camps I enroll my children in:

With my oldest being seven, we're not quite at that age where I can send my children off to summer camp for a glorious 2 weeks (while I sit at home reading, taking baths, and luxuriating in doing nothing). I always hear friends gush about what great memories they have from summer camp, and I've thought of sending my children someday. There are some amazingly legendary ones around the Austin area.

But for now, our plans for summer activities include gymnastics lessons, library reading program, and possibly swimming lessons. Horseback riding lessons are another option, but very few instructors around here begin as early as seven. Whatever our summer may bring, I plan to have a weekly outing or activity I do with all four kids....whether it be going to the pool, the children's museum, or just playing in the sprinklers outside. Here's to a wonderful summer!

Your Turn:

What sorts of summer activities or camps do you enroll your children in?

Leave us a comment; we love to read your tips and advice!

Need advice? Check out these previous Mom Connection topics:

Setting Goals with Your Children

Teaching Your Kids to Share

Getting your Preschooler Dressed

Balancing Blogging and Motherhood

{ Fab Pins of the Week }

2013-05-10T00:00:00.000-04:00

Hello beautiful :)

It's Friday and I'm welcoming the weekend with open arms!

I've pinned lots of incredible inspiration this week, but lets get to my favorites!

Have a great weekend!

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1. This is such a charming little garden center. Having something like this on the side of the house or shed would make it easy to get to your go-to garden tools and have work space to do it all! I just love how it looks :)

2. My new found love: teacups! They aren't just darling, but they're also great to use as decor. Use as a vase for your fresh flowers, plant your favorite flower inside, or even plant fresh herbs to enjoy those pretty little cups everyday!

3. Oh my goodness, I will SO be trying these for our next summer BBQ! No bake blueberry cheesecake in a jar, yum! It would even be fun to set all the ingredients up buffet style and let everyone make their own! We love fresh berries in the summer, don't you?!

4. Determined my husband and I will be making a pallet sofa for our deck! It's an easy, DIY idea that's affordable and super cute! You can easily dress it up to make it comfy with store bought cushions or by making your own! Isn't it adorable?!

I would love you to follow me on Pinterest!

{ Fysiko Eyelash Serum }

2013-05-09T12:17:00.000-04:00

What woman doesn't dream about having gorgeous, full eyelashes?! I know I do! Eyelash treatments can be really expensive, but they don't have to be! I've been lucky enough to have the chance to review Fysiko Eyelash Serum.

Here's a little bit about Fysiko:

Fysiko makes eyelashes stronger, fuller and longer in 6 weeks.
It is made with natural ingredients.
It is safe for those wearing contact lenses.

I started using the product about two weeks ago and apply each evening after I've removed my make-up. Like I previously mentioned, full results take about 6 weeks. I can't wait to share my final review of Fysiko with you guys! Be sure to check back with me mid-Summer for results!

Prior to using Fysiko

After 2 weeks of application my lashes appear thicker!

{ Birthday Attire }

2013-05-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

Part of the excitement for me when planning my little ones birthday parties, is picking a fun, customized outfit for their special day! This year to go hand-in-hand with Isabellas vintage chic rag banner (here) I created an adorable tutu using the same technique!

You're going to need your desired fabric, elastic, scissors, needle and thread or sewing machine.

Cut out your number, in my case 2, and turn it backwards and trace onto the fabric, then cut out. I decided to sew my number one using turquoise thread (I still haven't busted out my sewing machine!!)

My husband got me this nifty tool to easily created snaps and buttons! I (he) decided to give it a try and it worked out perfect for this project. It's easily hidden by simply sliding a piece of fabric directly over it!

And there you have it! A beautiful, one-of-a-kind tutu fit for any princess!!

Sharing this project on these fabulous blogs!

{ MC: My Favorite Thing About Being A Mom! }

2013-05-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

I am part of an AWESOME mommy panel with Cassie from Two In Diapers and Julie from Naptime Review.

Each Saturday, we will bring you fresh new ideas and advice about motherhood.

If you enjoyed what you read, we encourage you to tweet about it!

Coming on May 11th, we will discuss:

What sorts of summer activities or camps to you enroll your children in?

Now on to this week's topic!

What is your favorite thing about being a mother?

Here is what Mom Connection shared:

Welcome! I'm Julie over at Naptime Review. I am a mom of two wild, crazy and beautiful girls. My oldest is 4 and my baby is 20 months old. This is what I love most about being a mom:

What I love about being a mother is nap time or anytime my kids are sleeping! Just kidding, I truly feel blessed to be able to fulfill my dreams of being a mother. As a young girl, I played house and dreamed about being a mother. I wake up every morning and thank God for trusting me to mold and shape these 2 beautiful girls.

Now, being a SAHM has it challenges so when those challenging times come and they come often with an almost 2-year-old and a strong-willed 4-year-old, I try to focus on the positives. I focus on watching my girls play and interact. They are forming sisterly bonds that will last a lifetime. I focus on them not being this small forever. That one day I will blink and they will be off to college and they won't need their mommy to snuggle and love on them. I focus on their little brains absorbing so much and learning and growing daily. I focus on all the funny things that my girls say and do. I really love being a mom! It was what God has called me to do, and I feel so blessed to be able to do it day in and day out. So when their toys are everywhere , the kids are screaming in the grocery store, or they just dumped a bowl full of cereal on top of their heads, I just stop and focus on all the good before my eyes. There are so many things to love about being a mom. I am truly blessed.

Hi! I'm Cassie from Two In Diapers, and I'm a mommy to three sweet babies, ages 5, 3, and 20 months. This is what I love most about being a mom:

I know we're all passionate about mothering or we wouldn't be here at the Mom Connection, but being a mommy is my absolute passion.

Since the question of what I love about being a mom sent my head spinning in all sorts of directions, I'll just list a few things for you. :)

- I love every moment of the "process", from pregnancy to delivery to watching them grow and change each day.

- I love the responsibility of teaching these tiny people everything from basic facts to behavior and manners to deeper things.

- I love seeing them grow and finding qualities in them that mirror my husband or me.

- I love the way their smile or rosy morning cheeks can completely brighten up my mood.

- I love their sweet, precious, wholehearted and innocent love for their mommy.

I am so very blessed to be a mommy.

My name is Alexa from No Holding Back. I am the mom of Nayner Bug (male, 5), Jelly Bean, (female, 3) and Tiny (female, 1). This is what I love most about being a mom:

It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the day-to-day insanity of having three little ones and forget about all of the things that we love about being a mom. My favorite things about being a mom are the following:

· Lots and lots of kisses and hugs! I am blessed with three snuggly bunnies!

· Giggles and silliness!

· Getting to relive life again and see the joy of the small things (look mommy! A caterpillar! Ooh mommy, look at the pretty flower! And so forth.)

· Playing and dancing and not giving a care in the world.

· Swinging with my little ones!

· Exploring and learning things that I never realized I had an interest in!

· Learning how to be crafty!

· Did I say giggling? The sound of my children giggling, and getting to giggle myself! That might be my favorite! No, kisses are definitely my fave!

· Made up words and expressions! Monkey cheese (mac n cheese) samliches, bathing soups, two nail polish, and so forth!

· Imaginations!! Oh boy does my son have an imagination!

· Celebrating milestones and achievements.

· Hearing those precious little voices say “I love you mommy!”

They know how to push my buttons, but man I love those three little monkeys!! :)

My name is Fotini! I blog over at Glamorous, Affordable Life. I am the mom of (Isabella 2 years and Christian 6 years). This is what I love most about being a mom:

I wake up every day with a big smile on my face the minute I hear Isabella saying “Mommy come here!” My kids have truly shown me what living life is all about. I love when they call me Mama, surprise me with a kiss or hug, tell me I’m pretty, like what I cooked for dinner, tell me they love me, want to cuddle, and listen to me. I love to hear them laugh, love to see them smile, hold them when they’re scared, sing them to sleep, cuddle them close, hold their hands and provide for them every day!

Christian is at the age right now where he’s becoming quite the charmer ;) He’ll say sweet things and leave me the cutest little notes that just melt my heart! I have a memory box I keep all those little notes in and I know they will brighten my heart as I grow older! He has also been doing things around the house and at school that he knows will please me, which makes me feel like I’m doing my job right :)

Isabella is becoming more independent every day, and since she’s my baby it’s been hard for me to let go of the “baby” stage, but at times she’ll snuggle up to me and want cuddled and tell me she loves me. She is such a loving child and it makes my heart smile.

My name is Kristen from The Mrs. & The Momma. I'm the momma of three girls (ages 7, 5, & 3) and a little boy (18 months). This is what I love most about being a mom:

1. Unlimited hugs and kisses.

2. Becoming an expert on all things kid-related.

3. Being able to stay at home with them and not miss anything...letting them know how much they matter.

4. Loving some one unconditionally...actually 4 some ones.

5. That I have built-in friends for life. Plus my husband, of course. :)

Being a momma makes me more appreciative of every other momma in my life. It's an honor and privilege to be a mother...my biggest blessings in life have come from my children.

Your Turn:

What are some of your favorite things about being a mom?

Leave us a comment; we love to read your tips and advice!

Need advice? Check out these previous Mom Connection topics:

Setting Goals with Your Children

Teaching Your Kids to Share

Getting your Preschooler Dressed

Balancing Blogging and Motherhood