love and lion

April 8, 2014

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 😉 ^^

^^ 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” 😉 ^^

^^ 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

April 4, 2014

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!

March 27, 2014

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

March 25, 2014

STYLED: ENTRY WAY

painting / pendant / mirror / wooden accent / rug / tray / basket

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

March 21, 2014

FAT KID FRIDAY: CHOCOLATE

This is why I can’t peruse Pinterest when I’m hungry (which is all the time)! I find oohey gooey chocolaty caramely peanutbuttery goodness that I just want to bake and gobble up immediately. Here’s what’s on my to-bake list (not Jenni’s, because she’s a freak and doesn’t like dark chocolate. Can’t believe we’re friends)… it’s Fat Kid Friday: Chocolate Edition.

1. cookie dough billionaire bars

2. reese’s peanut butter cookie s’mores

3. chocolate covered pretzel peanut butter

4. andes mint chip soft fudgy chocolate cookies

5. double chocolate banana bread

6. boozy thin mint milkshake

7. dark chocolate caramel bars

…and i just gained 5 lbs looking at these recipes. Anyone tried these? Lemme know!

-L

March 19, 2014

BUNNY TAILS AND CARROT STICKS

Easter is a very special holiday to my little family, not to mention all of the kids’ stuff that Target puts out every year is always so much fun to hang in Amara’s room. Amara has fun decorating her little tree (which we bought more decorations for this year) and hanging a wreath on her door. We just make a big deal out of it and she tells me how pretty it all is…. it is a win win really! I wasn’t super crazy about any of the garlands I came across, so I just decided to make my own. I wanted a more playful one since it was for a little girl’s room, ya know? I settled on bunny tails and carrot sticks. I simply used the items I already had on hand, which made it free… which makes it awesome!

Items you will need: I freehanded these little guys, so feel free to do the same or you can trace my kindergarten drawing HERE, one sheet of orange felt, 2 sheets of cream felt, two cotton balls, green yarn, and twine of some sort! Here is a great tutorial for making ~~poms~~ carrot tops if you don’t already know how to do it. Simply trace and cut, make your poms, break apart your little pieces of cotton and roll them into balls and go to town with your hot glue gun!

I bought this wreath and tree from Target! I probably could have saved some money and made this wreath by myself! Twine, yarn and a wreath form??? I went a little “crazy shopper lady” and snagged it off the shelf since it was the last one. I wasn’t thinking clearly people.

I will certainly make my attempt to explain what Easter is really all about to Amara, and I anxiously await the day when she “gets it”. In the meantime, it is a lot of fun to just put up pretty things!!

What are some of your favorite Easter traditions / things to do with you kiddos? Any suggestions on how to teach a toddler?

-J

March 17, 2014

DONUT PARTY (FREE PRINTABLES)

My mom was in town this weekend for her birthday, so I threw her a brunch featuring her favorite food ever: donuts! Sweet friends that she’s gotten to know over the years when visiting us, great conversation, yummy donuts, and colorful decorations made the party a hit.

Free printables for you at the end of the post!

DIY sprinkle confetti: just cut cut cut up your scraps of tissue paper and voila! Sprinkles!

DIY Sprinkle Forks: I used a letter “I” rubber stamp and just stamped it in different colors to look like sprinkles! For extra fun, I put the forks in a delicious glass of real sprinkles.

I didn’t have time to fully complete the donut balloons, nor did I supervise the lady at Kroger inflating these… half way. UGH! Much cuter HERE.

I left out treat boxes for guests to take home extras… I do NOT need donuts sitting around my house!

The birthday girl, my beautiful mom, Marty! And little Max of course.

To make your life a lot easier… free printables:

Donuts HERE and HERE

Tags HERE and HERE

Menu (blank) HERE

-L

Oh… and the winner of the FRESHLY PICKED MOCCS GIVEAWAY is…

RACHEL ARNOLD!! (e-mail us mama!)

Yippee! Congrats!

We clearly have the best followers EVER!! Thank you ALL for your entries and sweet comments. Get hype for some more giveaways coming up!

March 14, 2014

SAN FRAN & WHAT I WORE

We returned home from SF last week! We were out visiting my husband’s lovely grandparents, who are just SO very special. It was such a lovely trip filled with lots of memory making, good eats and absolutely breath taking scenery. I just don’t know if it ever gets old. I had a hard time coming home this time. I wanted to stay… possibly forever. On one of our days there, I got to stroll around the city with my two loves, drink coffee out of a bowl and just BE. TOGETHER. Truly, one of the best days of 2014!

^^ We went to Tartine for a morning bun ( Leah said it was a MUST) and an amazing ham, cheese and sun dried tomato concoction on homemade toasted bread…. HEAVEN! ^^

^^Days where I get to just wear a light jacket are my fav! Also, I am kind of IN LOVE with my new Nars lipstick ( in Schiap)! It is just fab, and ironically, I am so unafraid to wear it. Its just pretty darn it!! ^^

^^ I am such a fan of my Timi & Leslie bag. I don’t travel without it! ^^

Feel free to message us or leave a comments regarding what I wore. Most of it is stuff that I have had for a while, but I would be more than happy to point you to something similar!

Until next time San Fran….

Have a great weekend friends!

-J

Pssst…. 2 more days to enter the Freshly Picked giveaway! Enter HERE! Winner will be announced Monday!

March 13, 2014

A “WINTER WONDERLAND” BABY SPRINKLE

Our #TBT (Throwback Thursday) Party this week is a baby shower I put together for our sweet friend, Shara. Baby number two was on the way, and I wanted to do something simple, not over the top, but still oh so special.

It was a “winter wonderland” theme with some confetti markings as well. My main focus was to have “snow” hanging from the ceiling and an amazing dessert table. It was January, so it just felt right.

^^The invite (Rock Paper Scissors) ^^

I actually put confetti in the envelopes as well! That always a nice surprise for the recipient! yay!

^^ I did simple mantel decor by using fake snow and cotton balls, flowers, candles, DIY anthro inspired letters and a handmade felt banner. I put modge podge on the bottom of the votive candle jars and sprinkled glitter on them to give them a little something extra. Also, the banner consists of felt flags and wooden beads from JoAnn’s that I painted an aqua blue…. shara’s favorite color.^^

^^ White flowers are just so classy to me. They ALWAYS work!! ^^

^^ The dessert bar was my favorite part! So many yummy treats, especially those Aunt Ellie’s Campfire Crispies! I mean…. seriously. ^^

^^ Hand-lettering on the chalkboard. Always fun! ^^

^^”To go treat bags” are always a good idea when you are serving lots of sweets. Guests took extras home to their kids. That is what they said at least. I am SURE that they probably had a treat or two in their car…. in private! ^^

^^ Anything you can do to make writing “thank-you” notes a little easier on a new mom really helps. I had each of the guests address their own envelope, and I had already written Shara’s address on the back as well. All she had to do was write the simple note, and put a stamp on it. Easy! ^^

My ~~only tutorial I took pics of because I am the worst at stopping throughout my projects to take tutorial pics, as I get too excited~~ favorite tutorial that I can share with you are the DIY color-blocked spoons I made. Pretty self-explanatory…. just tape your utensils down with painters’ tape while blocking off different sections. Paint your first color, allow drying time, move your tape and block off another section, and repeat until you get the desired look. It was time consuming, but man… I am such a sucker for little details! ^^

P.S. Tomorrow is Friday!!! WHOOP WHOOP!

-J

March 10, 2014

A VERY SPECIAL GIVEAWAY: FRESHLY PICKED MOCCASINS – CLOSED!!

Happy Happy Monday friends!! We are beyond thrilled to be teaming up with one of our favorites, Freshly Picked, to bring you an awesome giveaway this week! We truly can’t rave enough about Susan, her amazing team and the quality product they produce to keep our littles styled comfortably. We discovered these handmade gems when our babies were born, and now consider ourselves “forever fans”. We finally found something that STAYS on their feet, with an ingenious elastic band around the ankle, while helping them get their little bearings in the world. The color choices are so stunning you will have a hard time choosing…. trust us! Be sure to check out the new Spring color releases if you haven’t already! We are crushing on the new coral and camo just to name a couple. I have personally saved each pair that Amara has grown out of to pass on to my other children in the future. They hold up so well, and make great gifts too!

(GIVEAWAY- details at the end of this post)

^^ Amara is wearing Radiant Orchid ^^

To enter to win a pair of Freshly Picked moccs in your choice of color and size, please comment below telling us what color you would love to add to your child’s shoe collection!

** For an additional entry, follow us on Instagram and comment by tagging TWO friends! **

The giveaway runs through Saturday, March 15, and the fabulous winner will be announced on Monday, the 17th! Thank you all for being a part of our first giveaway, and good luck!!!

UPDATE: And the winner is Rachel Arnold!! Contact us via email mama!!

March 7, 2014

WEEKEND RECIPE: CORNFLAKE MARSHMALLOW CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

We had a huge box of Cornflakes that nobody was eating, so I made Momofuku’s Cornflake Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookies. That’s a legitimate excuse right? Crunchy and gooey at the same time, delightfully buttery, not too sweet, and a touch salty. These. Are. So. Good.

If you haven’t been to Momofuku Milk Bar in Manhattan, you simply must. But of course you can get their cookbook filled with incredible recipes. I added sprinkles, because according to 3-year-olds… okay and 30-year-olds, sprinkles make everything taste better!

Here’s a close up of these babies… drool

I baked these in a cake pan because for some reason mine always turn out super flat and crunchy when I make them as cookies. Anyone else have this issue?

Here’s the magic ingredient- the cornflake crunch! I can’t even… I mean…

RECIPE

CORNFLAKE CHOCOLATE CHIP MARSHMALLOW COOKIES

Ingredients:

3 cups Cornflake Crunch (see below)

2 sticks butter, room temp

1 1/4 cups sugar

2/3 cup tightly packed light brown sugar

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups flour (I made with gluten-free flour BTW!)

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 tsp kosher salt

2/3 cup chocolate chips (I always use Ghiradelli 60% bittersweet chocolate chips. None better)

1 1/4 cups mini marshmallows

1. Combine butter and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment and cream together on medium-high for 3 minutes. Scrape down bowl and add egg and vanilla. Beat 8 minutes.

2. Reduce mixer to low and add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix until just incorporated- 1 minute.

3. Stir in cornflake crunch chocolate chips, and marshmallows until just incorporated- 30 seconds.

4. Press into cake pan and refrigerate for at least an hour. These will go everywhere if you don’t. Eat the dough in the mean time if you can’t wait 🙂

5. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bake about 20 minutes until the top is golden brown. The middle will be slightly jiggly but that’s okay! Cool completely in the pan before cutting.

CORNFLAKE CRUNCH (makes 4 cups)

Ingredients:

5 cups cornflakes

1/2 cup milk powder

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tsp kosher salt

9 tablespoons butter, melted

1. Heat the oven to 275 degrees

2. Pour cornflakes in a medium bowl and crush them with your hands to one-quarter of their original size. Add milk powder, sugar, and salt and toss to mix. Add the melted butter and toss to coat.

3. Spread on parchment-lined sheet pan and bake 20 minutes, at which point they should look toasted and smell buttery.

4. Cool completely before storing or using in a recipe. Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge or freezer to keep fresh for a month for your snacking pleasure!

Have a ~~buttery~~ wonderful weekend!

-L

March 5, 2014

POTTY PARTY – FREE PRINTABLES

My three-year-old, Ari, is FINALLY potty trained. This may be TMI but he’s been going #2 on the potty since he was two-years-old but refused to tell me when he needed to go #1. Stickers didn’t work, M&M’s didn’t work, jelly beans sort of worked, but it was moving at a slow pace. He needed major motivation. For Ari, it was the idea of having a Potty Party. I promised him cupcakes, decorations, and music. It worked! Only took a week. Guess I should have thought of this idea a year ago!

I designed some free printables for your own Potty Party should you have the need (scroll down to the end of the post). Just add cupcakes and you’re all set. Oh and string up their brand new undies- Ari thought that was awesome! I even made printables for the little ladies in your life.