by Lila on February 24, 2014
How sweet is this idea! I wish I could claim full credit, but I have to hand it to my mama. She wanted a special way to honor one of her co-workers who is headed off to a new job. I made her a customized cake banner to place into a doughnut treat for the staff room along with a special flag to let Celly know she would be missed.
I love this idea because it aligns beautifully with the delicious doughnut trend that is taking the world by storm. Not to mention that it is a great way to bring a treat to an event without needing a cake knife, plates, and forks.
Even better, if you personalize this idea with a flag, the banner can be used again and again as people head off on the varied adventures of their lives. Just change the flag and you have what you need for a unique and meaningful sendoff.
Get your own personalized cake banner from my shop. Use the coupon code PERSONALIZE2014 for 10% off!
by Lila on February 23, 2014
“A portrait of my baby boy, once a week, every week, in 2014.”
February 22, 2014: The mobile has captivated my little boy. He now has a reason to enjoy the changing table.
Linking up with Jodi’s 52 Project
by Lila on February 21, 2014
When revving up for a party I always find myself in a creative, want-to-make-something-right-now kind of mood. For the Oscar Party I decided on a chalkboard cheese platter. Nothing like some delicious cheeses to go with a little champagne.
What I love best about this project is that the material list is short and the steps are simple.
You will need:
Step 1: Paint
Paint the cutting board with the chalkboard paint. The paint will probably suggest you use 2 coats, but lets be real, 3 or 4 coats looks far better. Be patient, its worth it.
Heads up: there isn’t a food safe chalkboard paint that I could find, so it is a good idea to cut out wax paper to go underneath your cheese when the project is complete.
Step 2: Attach Twine
Wrap twine around the handle of the cutting board and secure it with glue. I made sure to hide the ends of the twine on the backside of the cutting board. Aka, the side of the board with the poor paint job.
Step 3: Add Yummies
Find some delicious cheese, write the names of the cheeses on the board and add some olives, apples, or both for a little variety. So yummy and attractive. Gotta love that combination.
It is a fun piece to add to your arsenal of serve ware. I’m looking forward to styling it for the Oscar Party!
Interested in the Oscar Party printable invite? Click here.
Curious about what inspired this party? Click here!
by Lila on February 19, 2014
“A portrait of my baby boy, once a week, every week, in 2014.”
February 18, 2014: Grayson is starting to hold is head up on his own, which makes tummy time all the more enticing.
Linking up with Jodi’s 52 Project
by Lila on February 14, 2014
The theme has been picked, inspiration found, and now the Oscar Party invitations are going out. I hand drew the patterns for this invitation and then completed it using Adobe Illustrator. This method rocks because you can have a hand-drawn aesthetic without having to actually hand draw a boat load of invites. I went for the classic black and white theme. Big classy.
I love these gold envelopes from Paper Source. They are fun to get in the mail and add that gold, Oscar touch.
Having an appetizer competition is a fun way to engage your guests. At the party I will put out voting cards and have a small prize at the end of the night. Using an insert in the invitation is a great way to add a pop of color and a third dimension. Whether you decide to attach it using washi tape, an interesting paperclip, or just place it in the envelope, it adds a little flavor.
Just in case you are throwing your own Academy Award party, I created a fill-in-the-blank version of this invitation here: Oscar Party Invitation and a printable of the appetizer insert here: Appetizer Competition Insert. Enjoy!
Seeking inspiration? Check out my Oscar Party inspiration board here.
by Lila on February 12, 2014
“A portrait of my baby boy, once a week, every week, in 2014.”
Grayson has started to enjoy laying on the floor and staring out at the world. For his viewing pleasure I have hung some of his toys on a broomstick above him. He is starting to wonder at the world.
Linking up with Jodi’s 52 Project
by Lila on February 11, 2014
Dear baby boy,
It has been a big month, a roller coaster of sleepless nights and great joys. You are looking around and alert. The sweetest gurgles and coos escape from your little lips. You really seem to be communicating. My favorite thing to do is dance with you around the living room as the record spins. You love yourself some Aretha Franklin and Duffy. You are working hard for toots and poops. Bicycle legs on the changing table helps your tummy. Nothing calms you like a walk around the neighborhood strapped to your mama’s chest. You look around eagerly and then promptly fall asleep. You’ve started to hold your head up and you love to snuggle into the crook of my neck. Your legs are so strong. You push off them and I send you shooting into the air. You now sleep in your crib. You enjoy being sung to, held tight with your ear pressed to the music. And you are loved.
Love,
Your Mama
You can read Grayson’s 1 month letter here.
by Lila on February 10, 2014
Grayson is now two months old and I just finished hanging the last pieces of art in his nursery. It is finally ready to show you all. I thought that I was going to have everything ready before we had our little man, but then he arrived four weeks early and my progress came to a grinding halt. I’m excited that it is finished now; I was starting to think Grayson would be entering kindergarten before I got his footprints on the wall.
The changing station is one of my favorite parts of the nursery. The dresser was a craigslist find. You can see its transformation here. After attaching a changing pad and adorable changing pad cover from Ivie Baby it was complete. We have decided to rock the cloth diapers, so the glass jar you see contains wipe solution (because cloth wipes really are easier if you are already doing cloth diapers) and we keep Motherlove diaper cream within reach. Alphabet art has a found a soft spot in my heart and I can’t get enough of the “Love You” nightlight.
Changing Station Resources:
When you walk through the door the first thing you see is the crib on the far wall. The crib is a special item in the room because the grandparents united forces to get it and an organic mattress for baby Grayson. It is sweet that the place where he rests is such a love filled gift.
Above it are two art pieces I snagged and Grayson’s footprints. When you get your baby’s footprints from the hospital they are each on their own little piece of paper. I scanned them and used Illustrator to format them and alter the color. Then printed and framed. I got a screamin’ deal on the frames from Aaron Brother’s. Buy one get one free. Amazing.
Crib Resources:
I love our rocker. It is a chair that for many years lived in my dad’s office. I would occasionally catch him napping in it at the end of a long day. It is cozy, and tufted, and green velvet. Could you ask for more? The pouf makes the perfect foot rest, adds a pop of color to the room, and is a seat for my hubby who often plays yahtzee with me while Grayson nurses. The two dip dyed teak side tables were my splurge. I saw them in this nursery and couldn’t help but swoop them up. They are also so handy for all the things I end up working on or snacking on while taking care of our little man. 
Cozy Corner Resources:
A big book shelf is a necessity. Gotta have a spot that accommodates our family’s love of books and storage in general. Nothing beats IKEA’s cube shelf for the price. I like the clean lines and styling each square. It was fun to get out the adorable toys Grayson has already been given and find them homes in his nursery. I can’t get enough of the pirate in his boat. On top of the shelf there is an art print I designed and screen printed and a picture of Grayson still in my belly. The train is mine from when I was a wee one.
Bookshelf Resources:
This room has quickly become one of my favorite spots in our home.
by Lila on February 7, 2014
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
For awhile now I have been hankering to write a celebration series of posts that build on one another. Today I am excited to introduce my first celebrate series focused on throwing a viewing party! I will walk you through my process, starting with my oscar party inspiration. Check back in the coming weeks on Friday to see invitations, diys, recipes, what I will wear, and more.
To be honest with you I have never been an Academy Awards kinda girl. They come and go some years without me noticing, but this year I am feeling inspired. A couple weeks ago we had a group of friends over to watch the 49ers game and I realized how much I miss hosting. It was also nice to have guests come to us now that we have our little man to think about. So I looked at the calendar and got excited when I saw the the Oscars were quickly approaching. Who doesn’t love watching red carpet arrivals, sipping champagne, and wearing sequins.
Big picture inspiration is about gold and glitter:
1. I love this card, gold + great envelope color and liner. Beautiful.
2. Great geometric diy garland.
3. Yum cheese plate. So good with champagne.
4. Clipboard menu. Cute for a buffet table.
5. Golden cake flags. Perfect for adding a little pizazz to sugary goodies.
6. Oscar Bingo. I’m not going to lie, finding this was a big part of what made me want to throw an Oscar party!
7. Glitter rimmed champagne flutes. So celebratory!
These are the looks that have caught my eye so far. I can’t wait to put my party plan into action.
by Lila on February 5, 2014
“A portrait of my baby boy, once a week, every week, in 2014.”
February 3rd, 2014: This little guy hasn’t definitively smiled yet. I can feel it coming, any day now.
Linking up with Jodi’s 52 Project
