bunnies making room.

My mom always had a tradition of giving the book Pat the Bunny as a baby gift. However, there were some things that she didn't do. Like decorate with bunnies. Which, on most occasions, I do not either.

However, Easter is a special time of year. It makes people do crazy things...like decorate with bunnies. And chicks. And jellybeans.

Our Bunnykins Breakfast Table

I hope you were able to fully celebrate this season!

c.e.l.e.b.r.a.t.e.

Happy Good Friday...I am so excited to celebrate with you all! This week has been completely crazy, but I've been looking forward to seeing and hearing how you all are celebrating this season in your own lives.

If this is your first time hearing about this...you can read this post. In short...I just wanna throw a party. Of course!

If you have a post of something you're doing to celebrate this season (a recipe you're making, maybe a project you're enjoying this Spring, an activity with your kids, a fun Easter tablescape, what have you!) link up in the comment section. Remember, everyone who participates gets an awesome little Easter present from me... (because remember, i love gifts!?! so fun.) And then, three lucky winners will receive one of our below awesome prizes.

1. Grace for the Good Girl (Emily at Chatting at the Sky)

2. Handmade Change Purse (Ellen at Handmade Recess)

3. Bird Pendant (Saucy Mama)

I'll announce the winners Easter Monday!

Welcome to the first Easter Celebration Showcase!

presents...as promised.

I hope you've been thinking of how you can be celebrating in your own home at this time of year. Like I said last week, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ANYTHING BIG! It can be something as little as bringing in flowers to your table, to remind you of the new life that occurs at this time of year. Or switching out the books on your coffee table so your kids can remember what this season is about.

We'll link up on Friday in the comment section and then come visit each other. I can't wait!!

Ok...on to the good stuff...

When I was a little girl I had a record player...yes, I'm that old. A blue and white striped record player, that was awesome. And even though I loved putting on my Disney storybook records (or Michael Jackson...you know), some of my favorite records were of Christmas music. My sister would get so irritated with me that in the middle of the summer I would have Christmas music blaring from our room that was only divided by a set of folding doors. Well, even though now I make myself wait until after Thanksgiving to blare my Christmas music, I've begun a new tradition with my family around Easter.

I love having an Easter CD each year that has songs that remind me of celebrating this season. Usually through the year, there are songs that I hear or come to love that seem to fit perfectly with Easter, so I figured, why not have Easter music, too!?

So, as a fun favor for celebrating with me on Friday, I'll give each of your your very own Easter CD, wrapped up by hand (of course!) to encourage you to continue celebrating even after Easter weekend has passed.

Now, for three lucky people participating we'll have a drawing to win one of these fun gifts! A signed copy of Grace for the Good Girl, written by my sweet friend Emily, a fun homemade change purse, made lovingly by hand by Handmade Recess, and a bird pendant necklace made by my dear friend Stephanie. I know y'all have heard me chat about them before, but I couldn't help myself from these fun gifts for this time of year.

image credits: http://img1.etsystatic.com/il_fullxfull.276931421.jpg

relish + easter + free gifts = fun!

A few years ago, I had an Easter party for my kids and their friends. We go to so many celebrations surrounding Christmas, but Easter many times, gets swept away without much focus at all.

It made me sad to think that what my kids thought about Easter was chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts. Don't get me wrong, I love those, too. But, I wanted to celebrate the true meaning of Easter. The fact that our Lord was dead, and then rose from the grave to beat death once and for all, for all who believe? Now, that's something to celebrate.

In an attempt to throw my own little Easter party here, I thought it'd be tons of fun to showcase our own Easter celebrations by linking up in the comments next week. Ok, and here's the fun part...I can't throw a party without having favors. So, everyone who participates will receive a gift from me. And, the three lucky people that link up will have an extra special gift, along with the other freebie.

It's just a little way to say thanks for celebrating life with me. I'll announce the awesome give aways next week...but it'll be good. I promise.

Don't think it has to be major. Maybe, you have an Easter wreath on your door, or just a pretty plant that is adorning your table. You might be doing something cool with your kids that others of us would love.

Or maybe you want to go all out and set a table similar to these beauties by Emily at Jones Design Company! (a little inspiration to get you started!)

How fun are these...

vintage yellow with blue and white polkas

luscious green

cutie pie kids table

teal accents with classic white linens

Can you guess my favorite one?

She has a printable set right now that she's selling over at her place...it'd be sure to look adorable on any table or gift!

Ok, so you have until Good Friday...it's definitely a good day to celebrate.

I'll tell you what the prizes will be next week

So, plan on coming back next Friday to link up.

Then, I'll announce the three lucky winners Easter Monday!

little loves

happy valentine's day to you.

I couldn't think of a more romantic picture than this one. It's a little "sweetheart" table I designed back in the fall.

Yesterday, as I was talking with a dear friend, we were talking about how little you have to do to celebrate with the ones you love. It doesn't take much. I just adore her sweet tradition...after the kids go to bed, she makes one big beautiful ice cream sundae to share, and then her and her sweetie watch a romantic comedy together. love it.

Yes, a beautifully designed tablescape at a romantic spot in an orchard would be ideal, but that's not really what it's all about.

We've never done much for Valentine's Day, simply because we want to truly focus on loving each other in little ways throughout the year. So, I never expect a slew of roses and flowers...but it was fun to walk down and have my hubby making my favorite breakfast of French Toast, and to have a few flowers and truffles by each of our places. (my daughter wanted to know why I had the biggest box of truffles. heehee.) It's little, but to me, it says "i love you." He'll have class til late tonight, so he thought ahead and wanted to do something special for us all.

This past weekend, my hubby took my little girl out to a Daddy Daughter Dance, and I went with my son on a date of our own. They both are so sweet, and just soak up the time we spend with them. And, also, ummm...when did they get so big???

I absolutely love this picture of her...it's filled with excitement and glee, childlike joy, and yet ecstatic anticipation. She knew exactly how she wanted her hair, and couldn't wait to surprise her date with which dress she chose.

I knew he wouldn't care about dessert or conversation, so I spoke his little love language and we went to CiCi's and then onto Bounce U. He thought it was better than anything he could have imagined. I loved how excited he was when he heard where we were going.

My sweet little man.

So, even though tonight I won't probably won't sit at a table like my "sweetheart" table, I'll pull out a few picnic blankets, and have a fun dessert to surprise my sweetie with when he gets home...and maybe get caught up on Downton Abbey.

Here's to hoping your day is filled to the brim with sweetness and love...

and all the mushy stuff, too.

A Twist on a Tradition

Last year, we had a super fun and very girlie Christmas Tea Party for the girls in my daughter's class. This year, we continued the tradition, but tweaked it just a bit! Since the drink of choice last year was the homemade cocoa, we decided instead of a Christmas "tea" party, we would make it into a...

Christmas Cocoa Party!

(How cute is that...if I do say so myself.)

The great thing about this party, is that it could be a Valentine's party, a winter themed birthday party, for either girl or boy, or just fun playdate for the colder months. Who doesn't love a good cup of cocoa?!

menu:

We knew that we would have some of our favorite goodies, and then some additional Christmas cookies to make it more...well, Christmas-y. We simplified beverages, and had one hot and one cold choice...our homemade hot cocoa, and fruit infused water. The girls had a blast fixing their little dainty plates and definitely came back for seconds...and thirds!

activities:

1. craft time

Last year, the girls loved the craft time, so I wanted to continue that tradition to this year's party. Because I had no idea what I was going to do up until the day of the party (truly), I figured I needed to use something I had on hand...something that was easy...and something that would be fun for them to use again. So I decided that their craft would be mini Christmas garlands!

my little sister being "in charge" :)

It was so cute. They each picked out their own little ribbons and scraps, and loved making them. The mini garlands ended up being about 1/4 of the original garland size, so perfect for their bedroom door, hanging on their bed, or just a little flair for somewhere in their room or home. And, you know me, I love any activity that can double as a favor!

2. toy exchange

My daughter has loved playing the gag gift game every year with our family. She's old enough now to get it, and loves how funny and random it can be...plus the part about opening a present is pretty fun, too. So, this year, she asked if we could play the gag gift game at this party. I thought it would be fun if the girls used one of their own toys (gently used and ready to move on!) as a gift. It was so much fun. The girls got to each take home a "new" toy, without spending a dime. They loved the surprise of opening up a gift to take home! A second little take home goodie.

picture credit: http://realmomkitchen.com/654/classic-hot-cocoa-and-a-hot-cocoa-bar/

3. storytime

After all the goodies and festivities, I like to gather all the girls together to read a Christmas story. It's a great way to share what we believe Christmas is all about with her friends. The girls always love sitting around and hearing a new (or familiar) story.

I think my favorite thing about this party, is that throughout the year, the girls will remember things about the party, and will ask things like, "Are you going to have us over for..." or, "Remember those little white cookies you made?! Can we have those again!"

To know that there are sweet little girls that get as excited about parties as I do, is a joy. I'm so glad my daughter and I can partner together on fun ideas for gathering people together to celebrate life.

my stepmom and i being silly hostesses!

Valentine's Adaption:

menu: Valentine candy, heart shaped cookies, fruit, cheese cut out with heart cookie cutters, hot cocoa, and fruit infused water

activities: Making Valentine's for people with scrapbook paper; mini garland using mainly pink, red, and white; Valentine day story

EASY DIY Christmas Garland

A few years ago, I had all these excess fabric remnants and scraps. I knew that a little love could turn them from trash to treasure, but I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted to make. It was around Christmas time, and I had been wanting to find a new way to display Christmas cards...thus the idea to make a Christmas garland came about. I made several, and sold out at a local Christmas bazaar, and totally forgot about them.

Until just a few weeks ago, one of my friends who had bought one, asked for me to make 10 for Christmas gifts for her. I brought Krista over to help cut, rip, and tie, and in a couple hours, we had it knocked out.

They are super easy (just a little time consuming), and don't require any sewing or glueing, which in my book means a true DIY project!! (see how lazy I am?!)

1. First, gather scraps, ribbons, yarn, whatever fabric you have lying around, and decide on your color scheme for your garland.

2. Cut your fabric into 6-8 in. strips, each being about 1-2 inches wide. If you like the rustic, whimsical look, you can tear some to leave the ragged edges exposed.

3. Choose your base...my client wanted the rustic look, so I stuck with twine for her. You could do a wider ribbon, or any long piece of fabric you wanted.

4. Cut your base string at 8-10 feet. This is long enough to hang in a doorway, or over a mantle.

5. Space out your bows about a foot apart (I wanted to make sure that I had plenty of room between each little fabric tuft to hang either ornaments, cards, greenery, (insert whatever you'd like to hang).

6. Continue layering and tying fabric and ribbon until you have the size bow you'd like. I usually ended up having about 5-6 strips of fabric each bow.

7. Wrap up as a great gift, or hang in your house to have a fun festive garland to use over and over again!

Some ways to use these: mantle decor, wrap around your tree, place over doorway, use to hang Christmas cards from, hang ornaments over a window...the list goes on! Also, it's a great way to repurpose old fabric, clothes, ribbons, and bows!

happy trimming!

All I Want for Christmas...

So, how can I go from not wanting anything for Christmas, to doing a Favorite Things Party post?!? Because I'm a sucker for a good party, that's why.

So, this cutie pie of a girl I met at Relevant posted over at Nester's yesterday. She posted about what I've wanted to do ever since she first brought it up at Relevant....and I. want. to. THROW. this. PARTY!!! I know you're shocked.

Since I don't know if it will happen in real life this season, I wanted to at least join in with the fun over at the linky. Check it out! Lots of fun stuff...but beware, you'll leave wanting to throw a party! (or maybe it's just me...hmmm.)

Prepare yourself for a corny photo shoot...it's late, I'm not a great photographer, and I'm feeling a bit punchy at the moment.

1. Light Up Lip Gloss ($15)

Ok, so this lip gloss...yeah, it's pretty much amazing. It's like lip gloss for a girl MacGyver (I just had to google how to spell MacGyver). It lights up, it has a mirror on the side, AND it has a minty tingle to it. Not to mention my lips are ever so thankful.

2. Handmade Recess Goodies!

first of all, how much cuter could you get...but wait...

look inside!!!

Anything that comes out of this girl's shop is amazing. She uses vintage fabrics that she's found all over, and then hand makes her bags, wallets, and clutches, and more. She's the sweetest gal, and such an encouragement to be around, and does amazing work! I've already done a little Christmas shopping from her, and already am wanting a few more!

3. My new favorite CD ($10)

I had so much fun hanging out with Christa at Relevant, and she is a beautiful songwriter. I love how she weaves justice and grace through her songs. Her words have been blaring out of my CD player non stop.

Ok, new sunglasses...$2 at Rue 21. Yes, $2. I love them.

And, last, but not least, my mother in law got me this fun scarf the other day. It was at the same little hole in the wall place where we got her tree... $11 of happiness is around my neck.

And yes, I did make a heart with my scarf around my favorite things. I told you I was punchy.

Day 29: Showcase Your Home

Mantels and front porches are the most prominent places to decorate year round, for special occasions and for holidays. Since these are usually focal points in a home, they do deserve special attention.

Displaying family pictures in your seasonal decor makes them more personal and tells a story, rather than just being there to look pretty.

If you like to lean towards holiday decor rather than seasonal decor, try to incorporate natural seasonal items (rather than fake greenery, gourds, pine combs and nuts) to keep your decor simple.

Instead of buying decorations, make some with your kids. The decorations will mean that much more to you, knowing that they were made with love.

If you don't have a mantel or a front porch (apartment living?), focus on areas in your home that are highly visible (your television console, kitchen island, windows, dining table).

Images: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8