Beach Days Coming Soon

My wonderful boys gave me my much desired beach cruiser for Mother's Day.  They all had bikes and always wanted to go ride but I never had anything.  I guess I could have just ran with them but I think a bike ride would be better.  I can't wait to have the four us ride 

along the beach this summer with our delicious sandwiches in my basket.

 I can see picnic lunch in our future. 

 Summer beach days are almost here. 

The Table is Done!!!

We were able to enjoy the table for the first time at Krysta's 21st birthday party.  I was 

wonderful.  We were able to seat 10 people!  I can't wait for BBQ time this summer. This is actually

identical to a dining table in Pottery Barn.  They want about $1200 for JUST the table.  It cost us around $200 for the table and benches. 

 My husband is so talented.  Many of us have told him to start sell these but I don't know if he would enjoy mass producing them. It's just a hobby he has and he is ultra picky about his work.  

Zebra Party Complete

Decorations are down, food is all eaten, and memories have been made.  My niece Krysta's 21st birthday party is over.  I had such a joy planning this event with my sister-in-law Melissa.

The challenge of having a budget for the party was the best party.  I love doing a party on budget.  We started with ordering the invitations from www.vistaprints.com, my favorite place for invitations.  We also ordered stickers to make cupcake toppers.  They were all under $15 dollars.  Flowers were complements of Costco.  We only had 2 bunches of flowers and turned them into 4 table top decorations.

We then purchase many items from the Party Barn and Fabric Barn in Long Beach.  We used zebra print wrapping paper as table runners, zebra gift bags as center pieces along with signs made from my computer to put into the bags. All under $40.  That also included plates and table clothes. 

After searching for ideas online, we found at www.marthastewert.com, these adorable tissue paper pompoms.  The hours that were spent on these really made the party sparkle.  My nephew's girlfriend is now quite the expert on pompom making. 

When guests arrived, they were asked to guess how old Krysta was on the tree of pictures. It was a cute way to get the guest involved in the party.

Found this adorable zebra dress at Sugar Plum Craft Show.  Couldn't pass it up. Party decoration amount totaled around $100.  Food was the majority of our budget. 


Food was wonderful.  Pasta for dinner and a decadent dessert bar for dessert.  Decadent it was! Everything was homemade expect the birthday cake.  We had to stop somewhere.

Devils food cupcakes with marshmallow creme filling.

 Lemon curd and blueberry trifle 

 Cinnamon and vanilla popcorn

 Cookie dough cake balls

 We also had a fondue station which for some reason didn't get its picture taken.  That was the hit of the party. 

Garden Vegetable and Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pasta

 One last decoration, a 21 made out of picture of Krysta.

The party's over but the memories will last forever.  I have found by doing this that I really would love to pursue party planning.  I loved every minute of doing this.  My niece was concerned that I was put out by it all.  Not one bit.  It was a joy to do this for such a wonderful young lady.  
Happy 21st Birthday Krysta :)

Party Planning in The Making

A while ago my niece asked if we could host her 21st birthday and help her plan it.  I was so honored that she wanted me to help.  Her theme.... Zebra print.  I couldn't wait to start shopping for it.  Today my sister-in-law and I started the process at a place called the Party Barn in Long Beach and I fell in love! It had everything a party planner could ask for.  And then next door..... the Fabric, more like ribbon, Barn.  HEAVEN! 
    I thought I would give you a taste of what we bought today to make the decorations.  So many ideas are flooding my brain!  I can't wait to post the final products.  

Recycling Jars

A new use for apple sauce jars.  The boys have all these little green men, army men, and no place to put them.  I have been collecting Trader Joe's apple sauce jars for awhile now so I had some to spear.  They each have their own jar next to their bed. Blue ribbon gives a little mommy touch.

  Their army men and little bugs go in them and not on the floor.   

It's a good thing:) 

Family Treasures

It is so hard to update a blog when you don't have a computer during the day.  One day I will have my own computer  :)

This past week, I came across something my great.great, grandmother made, a very cool blanket. When I was young, I actually had it as my bedspread.  I didn't know what had happened to it since.  I mentioned something to my mom about it, and here she had it in her closet! I fell in love with it again when I saw it.  I just didn't know exactly what I was going to do with it.  It definitely has the country cottage look that I love.  I have in a basket in our living room now so that I can enjoy the wonderful stitch that was done so long ago.   I was wondering if any of you had one of these in your family.  My great aunt said that these were pretty popular to make back in the day.