Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Ode to The Mighty Eagle...



In the months leading up to Christmas, my wee Chimp had one consistent item on his wish list-The Mighty Eagle. Back in October, when he started talking about seriously needing The Mighty Eagle to complete his Angry Birds collection, I did what most normals Mamas do~ I ignored him:) October is simply way too early to finalize a real Christmas list....As the weeks clicked by, I kept asking them about Christmas and he did not relent. The Mighty Eagle was his hoop dream. The Mighty Eagle is the most powerful. The Mighty Eagle eats tuna. So, I finally clicked on to shop for Mighty and almost passed out when I saw the pricetag for the Mighty One~ 99 BUCKS, plus tax and shipping. For a stuffed animal. And he looked big, very big on the computer screen. After a few weeks of inner turmoil and trying to justify spending a Benjamin on a stuffed piece of poultry, I decided to make this boy's Christmas dream come true. You only believe for such a short time. I decided I was not going to live with regret if I did not order it. I clicked,  Mighty was in my shopping basket and I hit "submit" and hoped for the best.

I told him that The Mighty Eagle was very rare and there was a serious shortage and Santa most likely would not be able to deliver and to please not be disappointed. I couldn't help myself-I wanted him to be really surprised!

Then the box came. When I say ENORMOUS, I mean ENORMOUS. This feathered beast weighed about 20 pounds. He is beak heavy and I can barely lift him out of the box. I hid him in my studio until Christmas-covering the GIANT box with tissue paper, Cricut cartridges and junk ribbons to camo it.

I placed Mighty on the love seat Christmas Eve with a big red bow (FYI~he took up most of the love seat;)

Christmas morn, I was downstairs and about 6:00am with my mother-in-law and we finally heard tiny footsteps upstairs. I could hear that is was Gavin. He was the first one up. I could also hear that he was brushing his teeth before he came down. He is my sweet baboo.

He came downstairs and the look of astonishment-shock-disbelief that The Mighty Eagle was his was overwhelming to him. I also think the actual size of the beast was stunning to him. He kept saying over and over and over again how he could not believe that Santa would choose this gift for him with the serious shortage:) It was a beautiful moment and will be forever in my heart. It was worth every single penny.

Nowadays, The Mighty Eagle flies his gigantic girth all over the house. He has a big, fat beak. He is obnoxious and he takes up too much real estate. I get enraged if he is on the floor when I am about to vacuum. I found him this afternoon in Griffin's room with his plush posses and snapped this picture before I kicked him in the grill. Come on, funny.

And...finally....I can never quite express how deeply I was affected by the tragedy on December 14th, 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary School. This is something that I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life. One of the most profound things I carry with me is that one of the little girls that died, had begged her mother to wear her new outfit to school that day. Her mother finally said yes. She died that day. But I am thankful and so touched that that Mom has that last act of beauty and kindness as a memory and that she did not say "no." I hope she finds one millisecond of comfort in that. Life is short, beautiful, tragic and unpredictable. If you have the chance to do something special for someone you love or even a complete stranger-just do it. No regrets. You never know if that chance will ever be realized again.

Kidhood is brief. Be present. Give with all of your heart. Love with all of your heart. Be the one that makes dreams come true.


Monday, February 25, 2013

Glitter Bombing on a Monday Morn...



Welcome to the Glittahood. So happy you are here on the fine after the OSCARS Monday.

Today, I am keeping the conga line going with a shiny new experiment in kindness on my blog~a flash mob of fabulous~
Glitter Bombing.

The deets: I am accepting nominations for awesome, tiny + new businesses that we are going to flash mob with love + support from around the virtual partyhood. All you need to do to be a part and help spread the kindness is~like their Facebook page and/or any other of their pages and if you have a minute, just leave the person a word or two of encouragement and support. That is it. The nominees will have no idea at all about what is happening. The element of surprise is making me giddy:)

If you would like to nominate someone deserving to be Glitter Bombed, please secret message me. Glitter Bombing will happen at random times to add to the drama + excitement::)

Thank you for always supporting me + my ridiculous ideas. I am not a perfect person, but I always try to be helpful + kind. It is not always appreciated and often forgotten, but that will never dissuade me from trying to spread goodness in this world. Those times that I can touch someone and spread a tiny bit of happiness make it all worthwhile. And fun. Giddy. Throwing Glitter on someone's page is a chance to do something extraordinary for a stranger and, in turn, will do something extraordinary for you.


Totally unsuspecting Lova to be Glitter Bombed:

Dayana {Bella Lu Designs}

Nominated by the clearly awesome, kind, fierce and fabulous Stefani {Chic Classroom Style} + {La Belle Party Planning}


Friday, February 22, 2013

The magic begins...



I've started the scheming + planning for my Little Chimp's Magical 8th Birthday. He is my little sweetheart. He loves magic, telling jokes and ketchup.

He requested a Magic Show for his party and a magic show is what Mama will give him~with some over the top dazzling drama. I am always the person who wants to handmake everything all by herself, but after so many years, I have learned that I just cannot do it all. Too much work and too much stress. I have met so many talented chicks and am giddy when I can outsource something and  can give someone the chance to shine. Plus,  I usually have wacky party demands ideas, and love to see how these talented broads rise to the occasion:)

I worked with Minted on the invitations and thank you notes and I am over the moon with how they turned out.

Stay tuned for the Magic Show in progress. I have lots of tricks up my purple sleeves;)

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

BAM! Glitter Bombing time!



Welcome to the Glittahood. So happy you are here.

Today, I am keeping the conga line going with a shiny new experiment in kindness on my blog~a flash mob of fabulous~
Glitter Bombing.

The deets: I am accepting nominations for awesome, tiny + new businesses that we are going to flash mob with love + support from around the virtual partyhood. All you need to do to be a part and help spread the kindness is~like their Facebook page and/or any other of their pages and if you have a minute, just leave the person a word or two of encouragement and support. That is it. The nominees will have no idea at all about what is happening. The element of surprise is making me giddy:)

If you would like to nominate someone deserving to be Glitter Bombed, please secret message me. Glitter Bombing will happen at random times to add to the drama + excitement::)

Thank you for always supporting me + my ridiculous ideas. I am not a perfect person, but I always try to be helpful + kind. It is not always appreciated and often forgotten, but that will never dissuade me from trying to spread goodness in this world. Those times that I can touch someone and spread a tiny bit of happiness make it all worthwhile. And fun. Giddy. Throwing Glitter on someone's page is a chance to do something extraordinary for a stranger and, in turn, will do something extraordinary for you.


Totally unsuspecting Lova to be Glitter Bombed:

Val {Charming Touch Parties}

Nominated by the clearly awesome + amazing Nikka {Triple M Good Parties}



Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Cupcake Stand Swagger...

Ah...the cupcake...perfect little ratio of cake to frosting in a cute little package. Cupcakes are easy, delicious and rule the dessert table. Cupcake stands are always a dramatic + adorable way to display the goods. I have two large PB stands that I use over and over and over again at my parties. They take up less real estate on a table and can hold many dry cupcakes that I usually am serving over here;) Embellishing a cupcake stand can add more visual interest and spice up your plain stand collection. Use your imagination and fall in love all over again with your plain vanilla junk.
Here are some ideas to add some swagger to your stands...If you have done a fab rendition, link it below~we all need ideas to steal;)




add fringe festooning for adorableness













and...if you ever wanted to know how to make your own dazzling stand...
check out this tute



If you want to show off your skills + ideas~please link below:)

Deets:

~Link directly to your post, not just your blog home page.
~Only link to your own work + designs.
~No spam, giveaway links, irrelevant projects or party porn;)
~Be kind + supportive of anyone who submits a project.
~Leave me a comment so I don't look like a tool.

xo








Monday, February 4, 2013

On Countdown Chains + Caribbean Cruises


The past few months have been a roller coaster of events and emotions for me + my little tribe. We have faced some of the most difficult times and also some of the most beautiful, meaningful and peaceful times. Life is like that. You cannot predict. You cannot prepare. You just have to sail through on a glittery love boat~sometimes there will be stormy waters-sometimes calm.

I will be leaving for a Caribbean Cruise vacay in a few days. I am going to enjoy every minute of time with my Chimps + Baby Daddy. I am going to spend hours just playing with my kids. I am going to watch them swim and splash. I am going to let them eat ice cream any time of day. I am going to relax + reconnect with my husband. We are all going to try exotic new foods. We are going to explore exciting new places. I am going to listen. I am going to laugh. I am going to sit on my balcony and breathe in the pristine sea air. I am going to play BINGO. I am going to the midnight chocolate buffet. I am going to dance with my guys to kettle drum music. I am going to touch white sand with my toes. I am going to leave my phone in my cabin. I am going to be present.

The countdown paper chain I made is in the single digits now. It has been a charming and exciting way to count down the days until we leave. Life is short, unpredictable, tragic and beautiful. I cherish every second I have with my little family. Don't sweat the small stuff. Know what is truly important and be grateful for all the good stuff in your life~so many have so much less. My guys are everything. I am lucky, happy and beyond grateful. I am so looking forward to this Adventure on the High Seas. And the chocolate buffet;)

Wishing you a week filled with wonderful. xo





Friday, February 1, 2013

And so the Glitter Bombing Begins...




Welcome to the Glittahood. So happy you are here.

Today, I am starting a shiny new experiment in kindness on my blog~a flash mob of fabulous~
Glitter Bombing.

The deets: I am accepting nominations for awesome, tiny + new businesses that we are going to flash mob with love + support from around the virtual partyhood. All you need to do to be a part and help spread the kindness is~like their Facebook page and/or any other of their pages and if you have a minute, just leave the person a word or two of encouragement and support. That is it. The nominees will have no idea at all about what is happening. The element of surprise is making me giddy:)

If you would like to nominate someone deserving to be Glitter Bombed, please secret message me. Glitter Bombing will happen at random times to add to the drama + excitement::)

Thank you for always supporting me + my ridiculous ideas. I am not a perfect person, but I always try to be helpful + kind. It is not always appreciated and often forgotten, but that will never dissuade me from trying to spread goodness in this world. Those times that I can touch someone and spread a tiny bit of happiness make it all worthwhile. And fun. Giddy. Throwing Glitter on someone's page is a chance to do something extraordinary for a stranger and, in turn, will do something extraordinary for you.


First totally unsuspecting Lova to be Glitter Bombed:

Jaclyn {Peckled}
FB Page
Shop
Blog
Twitter
Pinterest

Nominated by the clearly thoughtful + amazing Tara {One Stylish Party}