Etsy Party Vendors

One of the first places I look when I plan a party is Etsy of course.  It seems that the sky is the limit for finding the exact thing you are looking for big or small.  Not to mention all the customizing that most shops will do if you see something you like but want it tweaked a bit.  And the small details are really what gets me excited...I even found heart twist ties for the cellophane heart bags I laid out on the candy table.  They were shipped to me from Hong Kong and the whole transaction was $5!  Here are some sources I recommend and search terms I used if you are looking for items for your next party:

Bake Me A Party: Heart Straws

This shop has patterned straws in just about any color, patterned treat bags in coordinating colors, bakers twine in multiple colors (can be really hard to find!), and miscellaneous other accessories all at really good prices.

SucreShop: heart wood utensils

I don't think utensils for a party can get any cuter than the wooden ones from this shop.  They have so many great patterns and can even customize as well.  I had seen a fork with one wood heart on the site. I was set to order when the owner suggested a custom order with multiple hearts, and I loved how they turned out:

KrystalsJewelNDesign: Heart Cello Bags

I used the red heart cello bags on the candy table.  This shop also sells paper goods and jewelry.

Handmade Hair Bows: Custom Birthday Bib

This cute bib was printed with my daughter's name, and she did some extra customization by adding the "1" for me.  Lots of bibs and onesies on this site in stock patterns you can personalize.

SaraLukeCreative: heart washi tape

There are so many uses for washi tape at a party I was so happy I had this on hand.  But this purchase doesn't do this shop justice, there are over 40 pages of paper goods, invitations, personalized favor bags, and more choices.

GoodiMochi: Heart Twist Ties

The aforementioned twist ties from Hong Kong.  Speaking of washi tape, this site has a ton!

cupcaketree: personalized conversation heart stamps

I ordered these customized small heart stamps you can see at the top of the favor bag: one says "Riley," the other says "one," and the third says "thank u" (not pictured).  These can be used well past her birthday for other projects. There are so many other stamps that can be personalized on this website that are so adorable, I can see myself getting a little obsessed!

IlovedielineStudio: valentine return address label

I purchased these return address labels for the thank you cards.  I think personalized return address stickers are a great alternative to customized stamps, as they are a fraction of the cost and still provide a theme touch as a final hurrah!

Belated Valentine's Invitations

Even though Valentine's now seems long past, I really want to share the paper goods/invitations from the Valentine's party created by the very talented Linda of Lyons Events.  She is a friend and event planner in the area who just happens to create amazing invitations too.  I knew the decorations would be heart garlands with some girly sparkle touches, and I wanted that to translate into the invitations.  I showed her inspiration invitations that I liked and relayed some of my ideas and colors, and she gave me a ton of options.  I was immediately drawn to the simplicity and sweetness of this one, which I think really set the tone for the whole event:

(I removed the address and last name for purposes of the blog post)

I purchased the envelopes at Paper Source, and she created these adorable heart liners for them:

We carried on with variations of the same for the rest of the signs at the party.  Signs pictured below are the dessert table, baby bar, and apothecary jar labels:

Lastly, here is the thank you card that she created:

Valentine's 1st Birthday Party

Happy Valentine's Day!  I thought this would be the perfect time to return and show you the Valentine's Party we threw for my daughter's first birthday last Sunday.  Since she was born so close to this day of love, I thought there was no better theme for her party.  I began with the idea of a copious amount of garland hearts and glitter.  We celebrated with an afternoon of sweets: a dessert bar, candy bar, and beverage bar with champagne and sparkling pink lemonade.  The babies got to dine too-- at the baby bar.  Instead of a traditional guest book, we had everyone write a sweet Valentine for Riley so we can always remember who was there to celebrate.  Riley got in to the spirit by pouncing on her cake, she couldn't get enough! Enjoy!!

 

 

Cake/Desserts: Haute Mama Dessert Company

Invitation/Paper Goods: Lyons Events

Photography: Joel Hershman Photography

Decorations: By Mom :)

Happy Belated Blogiversary

Since my posting has been sparse, I missed an important date last month.  My 2 year blogiversary!  Although this year hasn't been my best for blogging, I do still enjoy the creative outlet it allows when I get a moment to post.  I wanted to take a moment to appreciate you readers who keep coming back despite my absence!  Hope to be more present on the blogosphere...

*Image via Pinterest

Sweater Season

A new boutique opened in the area called Cotone, and I was introduced to the Italian label Brandy Melville there.  They have the most comfortable oversize sweaters that are one size fits all and super reasonably priced too.  I picked one up and I am kind of obsessed.  The temperatures have dropped and   in the morning nothing looks more enticing to put on than a comfy sweater.  I love to pair it with leggings and flats or boots for the day, but it's versatile enough that you could definitely dress it up for a date night too like this:

Sweater | Pants | Bag | Shoes | Necklace

Sleeping on a Cloud

I think a lot about sleep now: when will I get to sleep; how can I maximize my sleep time; will I really ever feel rested again.  So when my brother placed comfortable bedsheets as a top priority to purchase for the condo he is in the process of buying, it got me thinking too.  I always find myself wandering Bed Bath & Beyond trying to buy a very high thread count sheet that is reasonably priced only to find that they are not very soft or special.  

Love this bed and how you can close yourself off to the world...total blackout!
image via Lonny

In search of the perfect bedsheets, we were recently recommended Jennifer Adams sheets.  They retail for $425 but have a roadshow at Costco stores around the country where a King set sells for $100 (smaller sizes are less costly).  I immediately looked up the dates to my nearest Costco and put it in my calendar.  I picked up a set and it is like sleeping on a cloud--impossibly soft and warm.  If you have a preference towards unbelievably soft sheets I highly recommend them but if you like sheets more crisp this might not be your ideal.  You can check when the roadshow hits your nearby Costco here.

Checking in and a Sock Bun

Now that I have gotten my daughter on a more predictable nap/sleeping schedule, which took me 9 months I am hoping to be able to post more regularly.  Her naps have allowed me to delve in to some important endeavors such as perfecting the art of the sock bun.  I had always fashioned my hair in to a bun by myself but bought one of these things hoping to make it thicker and look more finished:

Although I really couldn't figure out how to use it until I saw this:

Have you seen this video?  Apparently a lot of other people think perfecting the art of the sock bun is important too since it has over 2 million views.  Such an easy go to for your hair!  Hope to see you back here again soon...