Ooh, La, La...Fourth of July!

Usually we wait til the weekend to do our Ooh, La, La! post, but with it being a holiday weekend, we couldn't wait to show you these great ideas for spreading your Independence Day cheer! Spotted on Real Simple, an adorably fun Fourth of July Party styled by One Charming Party and shot by Nicole Hill Gerulat.

This party in a wheel barrow serves as the perfect traveling

station for a neighborhood party or picnic with the kids.

Watermelon slices on popsicle sticks and a

cupcake liner as a drip guard, love it! The perfect summer treat.

Learn how to make these explosive firecrackers for your Fourth of July celebration! Hope you all have a happy Fourth of July!

Linking up with Simple Pleasures.

Restoring Beauty

One passion my hubs and I both share is restoring discarded junk to beauty.

The past couple weeks he's been gradually crafting,

and painting

this formerly old, warped drop leaf table that was left for junk

into a beautifully restored farmer's table.

Any takers? We'll put her in a local gallery this week,

but you know...first come first serve.

Tribute to the World's Best

I know it's the end of the day, but I wanted to put together a

little storyboard in honor of Father's Day. Such cute things!

Every year on Father's Day, we do a few fun things for my hubs. Usually we give him a new mug. Seeing as he really is the...

...we try to do simple things that we know he'll love.

So, we got donuts for breakfast from the best donut place around, went to church, had his favorite lunch (vegetable lasagna), enjoyed visiting with family, ate Watergate cake for dessert...and blueberry cream pie...and took the kids to the park. It was a great day...and just the way he wanted it, which was exactly what we were going for.

So, to all those world's best dads out there... thanks for being so great.

(bowties; guitar pick; pony card; i love my dad card; moustache glasses)

Yellow and Gray Pretties

Events by Design was asked to create some embellishments for an out of town Bridesmaid's luncheon, and we couldn't have been more pleased with how they turned out. The inspiration was a great color theme of yellow and gray...and the style being a little bit vintage and whole lot chic.

Because I'm super functional, I like everything that I make to also serve a purpose (and yes, besides just sittin' pretty). So, both the place cards and the name badges became favors for guests to also take home.

This is what we came up with for place card holders

(calligraphy written place cards would be tied around the top of the jar)

And for a really elegant and fashionable way to showcase name tags, we made these cute rosettes that would also double later as cute accessories.

using my kitchen island as my workspace this week

They all turned out so great, I think!

Linking up with In the Studio.

A Light on the Horizon

Have you ever been somewhere, maybe with family or friends, and something happens. Something unexpected, or difficult, or possibly even tragic, and all the memories surrounding the trip or experience seem to fade as the bigger event takes center stage. So, later when everyone remembers about the trip, and talks about "...when ____ happened" or "remember when we did _____?!" and even though you might have a faint recollection of some of it...

...you really can't remember.

And, so the people that walked through it with you, retell their story of you.

They articulate what they remember, and you can somewhat put the pieces of life together surrounding the event. But, the big thing...is still there. And is still hard to get past.

That's kind of what it feels like as I look back even now. When my mom was diagnosed with cancer, I was a sophomore in college, and the world was my stage. Until then. When that happened, everything else went black, and it was all I could do to keep my head up.

I don't remember much about those months and years before she died. But my sweet friend Emily walked beside me, as several other dear friends, and she has given light into my soul even this morning. Almost 12 years later.

My hope in sharing, is that maybe it will do the same for you. My hope is to remind you, that if you're in that place, where darkness feels too heavy, where the shadows feel too big, that as you live, the art might flow out of you, and give you ease to this path for your feet. That you might see the light on the horizon, and know that the darkness will not always be this dark.

This is a Test...

Now I don't claim to be anybody's Emily Post, however, growing up, we were taught how to set the table. It feels like pulling teeth sometimes just to get our little ones to stay on their bottoms while we're eating, much less have all their proper manners down.

We've never been the kind of parents who have lots of rules while we're having a meal, however lately, we've seen the need to enforce a few more formalities into our dinnertime routine. I'd never ask my kids to set a formal dinner table, but I do think that there are some basic things they could know (drinks go on the right, forks and napkins on the left)

All these thoughts lead me to wonder, if asked, would you be able to set a formal dinner setting? Check your knowledge and see how many your would have known! A few months back, I found this cute chart. The next time you're hosting a dinner party, feel free to use it!

The Best Summer

I found a super cute article about all the things I love about the summer. Not only that...but it gives advice on how to do them the best way. Here's just a peek at some of my favs.

best way to catch fireflies

best way to wear a sarong

best way to stargaze

best way to get in and out of the hammock

(that made me chuckle, as many times as i've fallen out!)

best way to snag a fly ball

best way to make cut offs

(is this a summer tradition for you? just askin')

best way to entertain party guests

best way to pack a beach bag

I absolutely love summertime. Now, I could do without the humidity, as could my hair! Incorporating any of these things into this season, would make your summer even more enjoyable.

Go enjoy your summer...maybe the best ever!

pictures credit realsimple.com

Celebrating with Compassion

Long before I was an event planner

I dreamt of being a missionary.

Early on in my faith,

I had experienced something

That had forever changed

My perspective on

What life should look like.

Or what was really important.

Fast forward 15 years

And here I am.

A work from home

Mother to two

Running an event planning business.

I can tell you I never saw that coming.

But I can also tell you there's a lot more to celebration

Than having the right decorations.

One reason I adore celebrating

Is because it's an outward expression

Of the joy we have.

Our gatherings and parties

Weddings and grand events...

Are a simply a reflection

Of our gratitude or excitement

About the people in our lives.

We celebrate because

Life is so precious.

Life that we share with one another.

Life that we cherish

Because of what we have been given.

Even when it can appear

That you have nothing

There is still joy to be had.

Even in the midst of extreme poverty

There can be provision.

It doesn't make sense to my mind,

But I've seen it first hand with my heart

And now you can, too.

Come celebrate with Compassion

And be ready to be transformed.

Just make sure you have tissues near by.

Linking up with Imperfect Prose today.