On Fathers and Sons...

He woke up at 6:30 this morning. I could hear him brush his teeth, open and closing his drawers to get dressed and then I heard him go downstairs, open the front door and go outside. I knew he was getting the newspaper. From upstairs, I could hear him throwing the sale flyers on the floor and the crinkling of the newspaper as he was flipping through the pages-searching. Then, silence. After about a minute, I heard the little feet coming up the stairs and he came to show me: him + his Daddy. In the newspaper. I have never seen a prouder look on my son's face. I have never seen my husband more charmed by his mini-me sweetheart. Winners of the father son look-alike contest for a day, but a forever memory for my beautiful guys. I am the luckiest woman in the world. 
Happy Father's Day. 
Wishing you a day filled with happiness + beautiful memories. ♥

For the record-I think the dog pic should have been disqualified. LOL!

xo

4th of July FREE Banner + Bottle Wrap Printables

Patriotism comes in many forms and colors.
You know I love to roll with the wild and unexpected-especially on holidays.

To thank you for your support + love -I created this jazzy little 4th of July Firework Banner printable for you. It actually can be used for any party and I think you should use it every month out of the year:) I adore the fact that is an unexpected color palette mixed up with the traditional  red, white and blue.

I asked/begged one of my British Besties to design something cute to coordinate-and to show that Brits heart Americans and vice versa and aren't holding any grudges over Independence Day. LOL. Come on, funny.

My lova, Bird's Party created these spectac bottle labels to coordinate and I am beyond grateful.

Happy 4th of July. Thank you to all of those brave + awesome men and women that serve our beautiful country. We love you. Stay safe.

FAB + FREE STUFF:
Fireworks Banner
Bottle Wraps

Bird's adorable labels

firecracker paper straws

I added a little glitter to the star-couldn't resist:)

Sparkling Sequin Cake Band {for cute cakes}

the great gavini's magic cake

magic rabbit cake topper by this broad

Welcome to tutorial Tuesday. On Wednesday. More interesting. Today I am sharing with you a super easy and dazzling sequin cake band.

I wanted to add some sparkling sequin drama to The Great Gavini's cake and whipped up this dazzler of a cake band. A simple, speedy + inexpensive way to add some magic to your desserts and display pieces.

Junk you need:

Sequin trim {I purchased 1 yard of 2 inch wide silver sequin trim at Hobby Lobby for $3 per yard. It was more than I needed or the cake, but I wanted to have some to spare in case I had a craft wreck}

Craft glue {I tried several for this, but found that tacky glue worked the best}

Sequins {any colors, sizes or shapes}

plain silver sequin trim which is actually gorg enough to use on its own

I purchased one yard-any craft store should have

I found Turbo Tacky Glue to work the best and provide the strongest bond

Be generous with the glue~it will dry clear

You will need to let this cure overnight

Affix sequins in any pattern or no pattern at all

If you are using tiny sequins, you may want to use tweezers or a tool for placement

sparkling adorableness for the cutest Chimp

I did not reuse this because cake frosting was all in the crevices of the backing.

It is inexpensive enough that you will not have to stress over keeping it clean

Just a simple idea with glimmering results.

Try different widths of trim and use them for decor, cake stands, boxes.

A beautiful + totally impressive addition to any party. And so freaking easy:)

Fleece Freeze Pop Covers~Cutie Tutie

Nothing makes my Chimps more giddy than an icy cold freeze pop on a sweltering day. They fist fight over the red ones and get sticky red juice all over, but this is a true joy of kidhood that I cannot rip from their dirty little hands. A few years ago, I made these fleece freeze pop covers to protect my babies' fingers from the harsh frostbite that oftens accompanies freeze pop frenzies. Back in the day, my Mama used to wrap a cheap paper towel around them-Old School Style, but I digress....

Anyhoo, just busted them out this past weekend and thought I would do a quick tute on how I make them.

I have given them out as party favors over the years and as classroom gifts. They always rock and I have had some of them forever. Just a cool + cozy thing to have:) 

And...I adore you all so much that I whipped up some free tags that you can use to let your little people give these out to classmates for the end of the year. You could also use the tags for any other "cool type" end of year gift. Maybe some Cool Mint Tic Tacs...although I 'm kinda certain that there would be kid anarchy if I passed out minty Tic Tacs on the last day of school..LOL. Come on, funny. 

These are super easy to make, require very minimal sewing skills and will make you look like a rockstar in the eyes of kids, teachers and 'rents everywhere. Trust. 

Junk you need:

fleece fabric (I always try to use scraps I have around the house)

sewing machine ( I had to blow the dust off mine)

scissors or rotary cutter (if you are cutting mass amounts, def use the rotary-cuts through fleece like butta)

cute tags (FREE for my Lovas)

random ribbon

ice pops (unfrozen if you are not eating them then and there..LOL)

 gather junk

cut fleece into strips

I do 11 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches

you can adjust to any size you would like 

 fold fleece in half

sew together on the left side and right side

YOU DO NOT NEED TO SEW THE BOTTOM

just sew the two sides-straight down the sides

note-I am the worst with the machine, 

but I can do these and so can you! 

just sew the sides

cut excess off

they do not have to be perfect 

add freeze pops and admire the adorableness

 tie tags on with some sweet ribbon

admire some more and get ready to reap the love

Fab Feature Friday Partay

Chello.

Today I am featuring + sharing some awesome real party inspiration and gorgeousness from some seriously talented Lovas.

Nothing makes me happier than to shine the Glaring Glamorous Glittery Spotlight on the talents of others.

Fridays are for Partays. Come on, funny.




Just a Little Sparkle~ Farm Yard Bash

Charming + sweet. So many beautiful details and inspiration in this beautiful party. I adore the soft color palette mixed up with the kraft + burlap. See all party details here.

love the pig hineys sticking out of the mud

the cowgirl boots are the cutest. ever. 

tin pie plates to serve food-easy + clever

I am a sucker for a little milk carton favor. MOOOvelous!

Alyssa's Awesome Vendors:

Cake designer - Astonishing Cakes / http://www.facebook.com/AstonishingCakesLLC

Chocolate Covered Oreos- Sweet Temptations/ http://www.facebook.com/SweetTemptations.me?fref=ts

French Macaroons- Le Bon Bon / http://https://www.etsy.com/shop/LeBonbonLA?ref=ss_profile

Fabric Banner- Cheeky Plum Parties / http://https://www.etsy.com/listing/126998911/red-turquoise-yellow-country-banner?ref=shop_home_active

Dress designer - Whimsy & Whirl /http://https://www.etsy.com/shop/WhimsyandWhirl?ref=shop_sugg

Sugar Cookies- Serendipitous Sweets / http://www.facebook.com/SerendipitousSweets?fref=ts

Necklace Desginer - Green Apple Girlys / http://www.facebook.com/GreenAppleGirlys?fref=ts

Chocolate Covered Pretzels - Piece Of Mine / http://www.facebook.com/pages/Piece-of-Mine/235281233167715?fref=ts

Milk Carton Boxes - Wendy's Printable Party / http://www.facebook.com/WendysPrintableParty?group_id=0

Animal Crayons - Crayons And Crafts / http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crayonsandcrafts/407143146028019?fref=ts

Photographer - T Photography By Tina Hall / http://www.facebook.com/TPhotography1

Paper Printables - Just A Little Sparkle / www.justalittlesparkle.etsy.comor https://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-a-little-Sparkle/206087286078459

Oh My! Creative~ Vintage Luau 

This beautiful party was styled for grown-ups, but the ideas and inspiration could easily translate for a gorgeous child's party. Full dreamy details here.

pineapples make for dramatic decor. clever. 

beautiful cocktails + hula girls 

starfish make for sweet accents 

Party Envy by Charlene~ Lalaloopsy Party

Sweetness for the little Lalaloopsy Lovas. Beautiful inspiration and plenty of DIY ideas.

backdrop of coordinated streamers looks colorful + chic 

buttons used as "confetti" 

I'm pretty sure this is a Christmas tree skirt

and I am absolutely sure it is an awesome idea! 

purple licorice. i die.

picture frame used as a dessert stand. clever. 

Sparkle on a stick {cute tute}

Dazzling Monday to you...

Here is a sparkling, speedy + super easy tutorial for you to start your week of awesomeness.
Bling sticks, sparkle sticks, glittery wands, rhinestone canes, shiny poles-whatever you want to call them-they all translate to "cute on a stick."

Junk you need:

Sparkle Rhinestone Mesh Ribbon (I purchased mine from the always rad Ribbon Revelry)
Paper lollipop sticks or wooden ones would also work
Purple Glue Gun
Scissors
Diet Dr. Pepper

gather stuff up, take a few pics, then sit on couch

rainbow bling ribbon dazzles 

can be found online or in your local craft store

cut ribbon into sections

I found that four columns was the perfect size to wrap these sticks

I used 4" and 6" paper lollipop sticks

use full length that you just cut for 6 or 8 inch sticks

cut  piece in half to use for the 4 inch sticks

use purple glue gun to squeeze some glue all around the stick

wrap ribbon around stick, hold for a few seconds to set, burn fingers, release

completed sparkle sticks elevate donut holes from a box;)

totally heart entenmann's

my Lova, Audrey, blinged up her shimmery cake balls for her

little lady's Golden Birthday

this is where I stole the idea from;)

drink a Diet Dr. Pepper and relax the rest of the day~
you made something cute and deserve to chill:)