DOUBLE FEATURE!

So so so incredibly honored to have Ari’s Animal Party AND Max’s nursery featured over on 
Red Tricycle, the go-to blog for stylish, awesome, busy mamas. They take the work out of scouring the internet to find cool crafts, unique nurseries, creative parties, and recipes your kids will actually eat. We read the baby/bump pages but for you all in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, LA, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, SoCal, and DC, you have your very own section of fun things to do around your town, fav children’s boutiques, monthly event calendars, kid-friendly food trucks, and more… 
how perfect is this if you’re traveling with your littles to any of these cities?! We love it! 
See THIS post for Ari’s 2nd Birthday feature
See THIS post for 13 inspirational nurseries- including Max’s!
And see ALL posts for just general awesomeness πŸ™‚ Thanks, Red Tricycle!

A WEDDING SHOWER: PARTY UNDER THE LIGHTS!

Hi Friends!! I know it probably seems like we have forgotten how to blog here, but I can assure you we have not just been sitting on the couch eating bon bons. Although, that sounds nice. One half of us is about to put a house on the market ( we all know how stressful that is in itself) while the other is in the thick of wedding celebration planning and styling for a sweet sweet couple. Exciting stuff, right!?!
I just wanted to share a few photos from a wedding shower that I helped throw with some other lovely ladies! The engaged couple are such dear friends of ours, and we were all so thrilled and honored to host such a sweet night for them. It was a “Party Under the Lights” theme, so we just wanted candles and garden lights galore. Oh! And LOTS of dancing. It helps when there is a beautiful home as a backdrop! I was in crazy party mode, so my sweet hubby took these photos. Btw, it is so interesting to see what details draw him in vs. what draws me in. There were a few detailed shots that we missed, but I am grateful to him for getting these shots. It will help you get a feel for the party.

^^ My favorite thing about the shower was the “balloon chandelier” over the dining table. I attached photos of the couple with baker’s twine to each balloon. The pics were all different sizes and the twine was cut at different lengths just to add some dimension. I couldn’t stop looking at it all night. ^^

^^ the not completely set up dessert table πŸ˜‰ ^^
^^ Jerk chicken anyone? Our friend, Damien, knows how to do it right you guys!”^^
^^ We had several chairs set up around a fire pit so the groom – to – be could enjoy some cigars with his buddies! ^^

^^ Another one of my favorite touches was filling these planters with living moss and candles. So simple and so beautiful. It was a great way to fill the planters that have yet to be “springified” πŸ˜‰ ^^

^^ We set up a guestbook table for everyone to come in and snap their photo and write a little note of encouragement to the happy couple. ^^ 
Such a lovely night. Friends, family and good food make for a perfect party!
-J

SHOP CRUSH: DABNEY LEE

The first in our Store Crush series is Dabney Lee in Brooklyn, New York. One of our fav things is supporting small businesses, especially ones owned by women and mamas. Oh and Dabney is a mama to THREE. Triplets. Count ’em. Dabney manages to somehow balance motherhood to her cuties AND run a successful design business AND own an adorable retail shop. This colorful gem is located in the charming Brooklyn borough, Dumbo (and this summer she’s taking over Shelter Island!). Filled to the brim with beautiful paper, cheeky cards, unique party supplies, personalized goods, not to mention her  custom stationery and invitation lines. Modern preppy chic at it’s best.
Okay, can we talk about this custom wallpaper for a second? Dabney, you genius!

Comprehensive New York / Brooklyn section of course!
 Dabney’s shop is so cheery and happy! Colors and patterns (literally) wall to wall. 
 Party supplies up the wazoo!
 Dabney even designs wrapping paper. Yes please.
 Pup friendly of course.
We asked Dabney for a peak into her noggin and here’s what she had to say:
1. What has been your favorite thing about opening your shop?
Getting to know everyone in my little neighborhood. I love seeing clients come in when pregnant and then meeting their little ones after they arrive, or helping engaged couples with their wedding days! It’s been really fun to grow with the neighborhood and become a part of the community.
2. How do you balance being a mommy and a business owner?
I try really hard to balance being a mommy + a business owner. However, I know that I fall short from time to time, but that is just part of being who I am and what I do. I’d be lying if I said it was perfect all of the time. I purposely opened my shop 2 blocks from our home so that my kiddos can pop in to see me during the day for a quick hug and kiss!  
3. What is your guilty pleasure?
Definitely fried chicken. My grandmother makes the best fried chicken in the world, and I am so happy she taught me her recipe!  
4. What’s up next for Dabney Lee?
The launch of our tech line and pet line- due in stores this summer! Our planners and calendars will be in Target again this summer, and we are super excited about our designs. I think our clients will fall in love with the lines, we definitely have!  
5. If you could be anyone else for a day, who would it be?
It would definitely have to be my son Bennett. That kid is a wacko. I’d love to know what goes on in that little head of his, like why he thinks he absolutely needs to have pirate booty for breakfast or why he thinks running around naked is the best thing ever!     
You’ve gotta go visit Dabney Lee, people! Your brain will explode from the awesomeness. 
If you can’t make it to Brooklyn or Shelter Island, be sure to check out Dabney’s ONLINE SHOP and BLOG. Keep up with Dabney on INSTAGRAM, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, and PINTEREST.
Dabney, we want it all!

REBECCA’S BASEBALL THEMED BRIDAL SHOWER

It’s #TBT party series time! Rebecca is one of my very best friends since childhood. She got engaged at game 7 of the 2011 World Series- go Cards!! Rebecca and her now husband, Mike, are reaaaally into baseball, so we thought it appropriate to throw an All American Girls Baseball themed bridal shower for her! I planned this party with one of the most creative people I know and a bestie of Rebecca’s, Sam Schmiz. We had a tough time finding inspiration for a modern adult girls baseball theme so we stuck with simple colors pink, red, and mint, and gave it a vintage style. 
Instead of a guest book, we had everyone sign baseballs! Another fun thing we did was take pictures of each guest in the photo booth, then as the party went on, we secretly made baseball cards for each guest to take home and a copy for Rebecca. We also gave Rebecca coordinating stationery and presented everything in a “baseball memorabilia” box with stat cards from each guest
Here’s the bride-to-be and the baseball themed food table. Hot dogs, nacho bar, popcorn, soft pretzels, and peanuts. 
I painted these forks just by taping off sections. (I’ll post a polka dot DIY soon.) Napkins by Shop Sweet Lulu– our fav party supplies site!
Cracker Jack Treats… oooommmmggg you guys. Recipe HERE just sprinkle fleur de sel on top.
We thought it would be fun to put the toppings into those little plastic baseball hats you get at the game for ice cream (AKA one of the only reasons I attend baseball games).
This was so fun- instead of playing a game we had the guests fill out these “stat cards”. Each square had a number involved in it to fit the baseball theme, like 7 is the number of___, on their 10 anniversary___, etc. We gave Rebecca the stat cards for her memorabilia box. PURCHASE HERE
How cute are these pennant invites Sam designed?
Sam used her Cricut to make the bunting banners, confetti, and this photo booth backdrop. Anyone have the new Cricut Explore? Dying for one!!
Anyone throwing a baseball themed shower? We’d love to see what you come up with!
-L

STYLED: ENTRY WAY

My husband is not touring these next couple of months, which means he is HOME and I am putting him to WORK! Lots of things get left undone when he is away, so we have a lot of catching up to do. We are currently in the process of ridding our walls of the flat builder’s paint that has been here since we moved in, and painting them in Behr’s lovely “Chocolate Froth”. It is a lot of work, but so worth it! I absolutely LOVE this color! We painted our guest room with this color, and I knew immediately that I wanted it in every other room in our home! 
We are currently working on our entry way, which is (by default) part of our living room. I put together a little inspiration board of things I have pinned over time or recently purchased for this little space. I am  mostly excited about wrapping a parsons console table in fabric or grass cloth. Leaning towards grasscloth. Have you ever tried a project like this? I am curious to know any tips you may have!
-J