OLD (fashioned) BIRTHDAY PARTY

I just came across these pictures from last summer! We threw a mini party for my sister in law's 30th. I thought it would be fun to play on the OLD part as the focus and make "fashion" a bit understated. (she thought it was funny) I made  herringbone bow ties from ribbon and elastic. We had spectacles and mustaches on sticks. I used hard caramel candies on the table to add a touch of gold to the black and white theme. The adults enjoyed classic drinks like mint juleps and whisky sours. Super fun!

Peeps wreath

This turned out so adorable. We used toothpicks and the bottom ones fell out at first but after they dried up a bit they have stayed put!

Starting new project today!

In love with this color scheme!

Valentine's at our house

Foam mustache valentines and home made mailboxes. 21 heart shaped brownies. Tons if fun.

Super Bowl party table

Pulled it off! I only bought the tablecloth, 3 mini clipboards and the big football bowl- all from the dollar store!

CULTIVATE creativity

One of my goals is to be more creative. I have really put that part of my life away in the recent years. It makes me rather sad because it is such a happy part of my life. I do small things here and there, like handmade holidays. It was like it jump started my creativity. So as part of my one little word journey I am trying to make more time for the things that make my life more full- one of those is creating. Anything.

In the past few days I was reminded that in the fall I declared "Superbowl Party at our house!" Of course now that its this weekend I was panicking because I forgot completely. Then my lovely husband said  that I didn't have to do it, but that he thought it would be fun for me. And his so right (such a smart guy he has a way of often saying things in way that I am blown away by, our thought processes are so different. I am a worrier/analyzer, he is a yes/no man).

So, I sent out the text "5 pm Sunday" and I am challenging myself to throw a party this weekend, here is the kicker- with little to no budget.

So I did the Internet search and made a quick inspiration page. I am going to use what I have- paper/glue/tape, and make the most of it! Inspiration from Party City website here.

one little word to guide me through this year...

For years I read about Ali Edwards One Little Word, and find it very inspiring. I have been reading some new to me blogs that also participate. January rolls around and my mind starts racing, making plans, dreaming up projects and it does not stop all year. Most of the time though I find myself at the end of the year wondering  what did I get done on those "to do" lists in my head, and the answer is usually nothing. I have spent the past 3 years just surviving. living life everyday, driving, working, cooking, taking care of kids and dogs. 

This year I find I want more. In so many aspects of life. I want to be more active, more engaged with the kiddos, love more, create more. I wrote the goals down that immediately came to mind the first week of January- I have even done some of them! So I thought if I made a commitment to document more of my life here on this blog, it would keep me motivated. Thought if I could pick one word myself to always keep in mind that perhaps I could do more this year. I chose cultivate simply because I like that word better than grow. I want to cultivate a more fulfilled life. I want to actually DO the things I dream up rather than leave them dreams. 

It sounds overwhelming even writing it but I am talking small stuff that can hopefully lead me to feel like I did more this year. Example- I want to work on our house, make it awesome. Big lofty, aimless goal right? So I made a list of little things I have always wanted to do- that are absolutely achievable. I actually have at least 3 lists for different things right now. All full of small steps to help me cultivate a more fulfilled life. I am very excited because I am working on it - rather than putting it off. That is key for me. 

Making myself accountable in 2013! This is start of the list- it has 8 things on it now.
And we completed two of them!