Monday Escapes: Texas Bluebonnets

The bluebonnets are in bloom so we took a little trip to a beautiful field, and I snapped a few photos of this quintessential spring moment:

Hope everyone has a great week!

House Tour: Round Here Lately

Here are a few minor house updates we have implemented lately: 

 

Updated my pillows in the playroom upstairs (love the Celerie Kemble fabric) and added this really inexpensive starburst mirror.

Added on to my gallery wall in the playroom after getting Riley's 1 year photos taken.  Some of the photos are not going to stay once I have others to replace them, but I had to fill up the frames.

 

Finally got some furniture for my front patio.  I had a minor (okay major) obsession with these striped wicker chairs, heightened by the fact that they were out of stock.  One day, I saw that they were back up online and on sale so I scooped them up immediately.  I also picked up this pebble table from West Elm, and I have been enjoying a nice morning with a cup of coffee or warm evening with a glass of wine out here.

Added some more art to Riley's nursery wall including a watercolor I purchased from the Dallas Flea by a local artist and this free printable.  Also added this adorable toy basket from Land of Nod.

I had a photo of the fiddle leaf fig I picked up at Home Depot for $10 (score) and put in my family room, but it didn't last. I really can't keep a house plant alive!

Monday Escapes: Travel List 2013

At the beginning of the year instead of making a New Year's resolution list, I prefer to make a travel (resolution) wish list and fantasize about where I want to go next.  This blog is called "Travel"moon after all.  Last year, with a newborn baby I knew that the wish list was probably going to be just that, a fantasy.  But this year many of those 2012 travel wishes are coming true, and some by chance rather than design.

First on the list was Sweden.  Not only will I be traveling to Sweden, I am going to be a bridesmaid in my friend's wedding that is taking place in a castle.  Certainly a far grander and meaningful trip than I imagined when I put it on the list.

Helsingborg, Sweden a town near the wedding location

I will also have the chance to go to Copenhagen.  I have wanted to travel there ever since I saw the movie Prince and Me.  Anyone remember that one?

Picturesque Copenhagen

Number two on my list was a trip to somewhere (anywhere) in the Caribbean.  We are going to the Dominican Republic on a family vacation, and on a recent trip down the Pinterest rabbit hole I discovered that the photo I originally posted on my travel wish list was actually of the Dominican Republic.  Hmmmm if that isn't fate...

Can't wait to be on a beach that looks like this!

I had San Diego on the list so I wouldn't feel like a complete travel failure, and I did actually make it there quite a few times.  I  will be traveling there again this month before heading up to Santa Barbara for a bachelorette party weekend.

Santa Barbara

The last spot on the list I haven't mentioned was Charleston, South Carolina.  Who knows maybe it will happen after all, or maybe it will just make the 2014 list!

*Images via Pinterest

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