simple + chic baby shower.

I am smitten with this gender-neutral shower that Naomi threw for a girlfriend.

The party boasted a delicious menu, sweet decorations, and a fresh colour palette, proving - once again - that sometimes less is, indeed, more. For additional photos, visit the rockstar diaries and for the tutorial for the flower garland visit once wed.

conversation starter guest books.

How often have you picked up the pen and frozen, mid-stroke, after writing “Congratulations”? Each and every time I am faced with writing something in a guest book I panic. I try to think of something short + witty, or something profound, or something heartfelt and I always come up with a lame “congratulations and best wishes” (straight out of a Hallmark greeting card, published in 1968).

I love words. I am full of them. I just hate the pressure of a one-line message that is inevitably going to be filed away somewhere until the day it is dragged out at a couple’s 50th anniversary or the baby’s sweet 16 birthday party to my embarrassment.

Cue Martha, who has done it again. She’s inspired us to step outside of our guest-book-comfort-zone and into the exciting world of conversation starters. How brilliant; a guest book that acts as an icebreaker.

Some of my favourite ideas that she features (as clip art, no less, making it easy to print + wrap any notebook) are “what were you really thinking during our vows?” (hah!), “when did you know we were meant for each other?” and “what’s your funniest memory of us?” To hers, I add the following: “If you could describe us in a song, what song would that be?” “What toast would you make to us on our 50th Wedding Anniversary?” and “What is your advice for living a life you love?”

I also think this would be fun at a baby shower or first birthday. I’d love to write entries to my favourite tiny humans under the following prompts: “Dear 16-year old, Lyla…” or “If I could provide you with one life lesson I wish I learned at an earlier age…” or “Happiness is…” or “What advice to use and what advice to interpret for yourself…”

Awesome.

See another interpretation of Martha’s guest books here.

(Photos courtesy of Martha Stewart via me oh my).

etsy gift guide: the nephew.

Our sweet nephew turns 1 today (happy birthday, Michael! we love you) and I have quickly realized that one year olds are even more fun to shop for than newborns!

I have been scouring etsy since before this beautiful child was born so - needless to say - I have amassed quite a collection of awesome things. Without sounding too much like Oprah, these are a few of my favourites...


skittles set by Wee Waldorf



Arctic Animals Poster by Banquet.



giraffe print booties by Bug-a-booties



Bicycle Prints ( in English, Italian, and French) by English Muffin.



Sock Monkey by Lil Hipsters.




What is your favourite gift to give a toddler? They seem to enjoy almost anything they can get their hands on, don't they!?



(Photos courtesy of their corresponding etsy shops).

lyla ellie.

The littlest Turner is here.

Lyla Ellie was welcomed to the world this morning at 9:56 am by an ecstatic mama bird + papa bird. She has the sweetest face, the brightest eyes, and the cutest little mouth. I can't wait to cuddle with her. Happy Birthday, sweet baby. Congratulations R & A.

Big Love,

B & C



(Photos by Miranda Karkling).

An Up themed baby shower

A few months ago Stephanie and I threw a shower for Angie & baby T. Keeping the little one's impending arrival in mind, I figured now was as good a time as any to (finally) get around to posting this fun little party.

Since Angie is a fan of everything Disney and baby T's nursery was styled with Disney Pixar's Up in mind, it was a natural choice to use this film as inspiration for her shower. It also allowed us to have fun with decorations and food.

food:

We kept things quite simple and offered a mid-day spread of chicken salad sandwiches, veggies & dip, salads, pinwheels, crackers & cheese, and other munchies. Our sweets consisted of cookies, candies, a doughnut 'cake', and cupcake 'balloons' (these just happen to be the cutest thing ever. the template for the 'Up' house can be found here).

drinks:

We offered cucumber water, coffee, tea, and punch.

decor:

I picked up various swatches of quilting fabric and sewed together a few strings of triangle bunting. This was surprisingly easy and once I got going it took no time at all: I hand-cut the triangles in various fabrics, ironed a small fold at the end, and then sewed them to rik rak. We also - of course - incorporated helium balloons which are always fun, easy, and cheap. Throw in a few fun candles and some streamers and you have yourself an Up-themed party.


parting notes:

Angie, it is clear your daughter is going to be the best-dressed (not to mention most socially-aware and well-dispositioned) child on the playground. It may or may not have something to do with the fabulous females she will be surrounded with...

Ms. Stephanie, it was a pleasure throwing this party with you; you are fantastic. I can't wait until baby T is one to do this all over.

Big Love.

baby T

Remember these two? Well, this very morning, these two will become a three! Ms. Turner will be heading to the hospital with her Mr. to deliver their baby girl.

Although her many aunties were excited to find out the sex, I think I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say we will be equally as excited to find out this lady bird's name! A & R have kept this under wraps until her grande entrance. Which is today. I'm not sure if I mentioned that.

Anyhow, off I go in attempts to concentrate at work this morning.




(Photos by Miranda Karkling).

today.

two points for a Thursday morning:

1. I love this print. I just bought it and I'm pretty sure I would like to hang it above my dresser. Positive affirmations are an awesome addition to any morning routine.

2. Someone very special is coming into the world. Today. I couldn't be more excited to meet baby T who is slated to make her debut before the end of the day. More on that shortly...

Today is the day. As Kal would say, Go!



(poster + image via the big harumph's etsy shop).

Family Photos: the wardrobe.

If I had stumbled upon these photos of Gabrielle Blair's family without prior knowledge of her six (!) beautiful children, I would have assumed I was viewing the editorial spread for anthropologie's new kids line. Rather, I was viewing Design Mom's impeccably chic brood of adorable kiddos, captured - so brilliantly - by Sarah of Modern Kids Photography.

Beyond the gorgeous (film) photography, I was particularly impressed with this family's style (not to mention their ease in front of the camera). Quite often we have a hard time choosing the perfect outfit(s) for family photos, engagement shots, and other special occasions. Gone are the days of matchy-matchy, folks. Monochromatic palettes that stick within somewhat of a theme are the perfect way of looking put together without the cheese factor. Flowy beachwear and light, layered pieces are my current favourite interpretations of this look; incorporating various textures and patterns adds a personal twist.

As it is easier said shown than done, Gabrielle has provided us with her family's wardrobe details. I'm really loving the French Greys (the term she has affectionately coined for this collection) that she chose.





Do you have family photos planned for the near future? Are you finding it difficult to choose outfits?


(Photos by Sarah Wert of Modern Kids Photography via Design Mom).

Animals Font

Confession: I get overly excited about fonts and typography.

While helping Matt + Jen with their wedding invites I spent a long time on dafont playing with and downloading various fonts. I stumbled across some beauties but this one takes.the.cake.



Alan Carr created this adorable collection of animals that I am already having too much fun with. The font is free and can be downloaded (through dafont), here.

If this wasn't enough, Liz (of Say Yes to Hoboken) has provided us with a DIY tutorial for freezer stencils (find it here)! The whale tee that she created is beyond cute; I can't wait to make onesies for my nephew.



Have fun!


(Font designed by Alan Carr).
(Screen shot + photos by Liz of Say Yes to Hoboken).

portraits.

This collection of photos becomes even more beautiful after hearing this family's tragic and touching story.

Eden Lang (with the help of Kate Kunz) did a lovely job with the portraits of her beautiful children; they look amazing blown up + framed over the sofa. Stunning.



Photos by Eden Lang via You Are My Fave.

Up, Up, and Away...

This bright + colourful baby shower is just.too.fun. It would be the perfect shower theme for Ryan and Angie, who are modelling their nursery after the Pixar movie Up.

Oh, how I love balloons.






Photos via Oh Happy Day.

little girl love

A certain couple we know is expecting their first child.

I can't wait for this baby, affectionately known as Delilah (short story: mama + papa bird are keeping the baby's name under wraps so I gave their unborn daughter a pretty name for the interim), to be born... particularly so I can dress her in outfits from The Measure's Midsummer Nights Dream collection.




Not only are these outfits adorable, they are also ecologically sustainable: many of the pieces are made with 100% upcycled, repurposed men’s button-up shirts. With that I have to ask, when did little girl's clothing become more fabulous than women's?


Photos courtesy of The Measure via The Senses Five.

Mobile Homes Mobile

Because "mobile homes mobile" is fun to say and this concept is altogether clever and wicked sweet.



a teepee. an igloo. an a- frame. an airstream. a log cabin. hung from drift wood. yes, please.


View this mobile + more in the shop.




Mobile by Kim Baise via jikits.

Party Staple {bunting}

I'm a fan of the circus-inspired bunting that has made a playful comeback over the past year or so in weddings and parties alike. It adds the perfect touch of fun to a shower, engagement party, or reception.

{Kate Greiner}

I'm currently working on bunting of my own for a very exciting Vintage Circus themed shower that I will be hosting on Saturday with this lady to celebrate a special little man.

You'll have to excuse the lack of blog posting these days as I am chin-deep in project work at my 'nine-to-five' and busy-busy cutting triangles and brainstorming all the places I can string this fun decoration after-hours!

On that note, I must say I especially like when it is used to adorn tables, don't you?

{Photo by kz photo via Once Wed}



P.S. Is today really the 11th of May?! The wheels are in motion to put the final touches on Wine Tour, 2010 with only 10 sleeps to go. More to come... soon!

Sunday Sweetness {xvii}

I simply adore this photograph and the wedding it came from (found via snippet & ink).

Their beaming faces within the simplicity of the rest of the shot make me feel that we've witnessed a special moment, captured so brilliantly by Jonas Peterson.

Again, have I mentioned that Australia is the place to get married? Between Jonas and Natasja Kremers how could you not have the most amazing wedding photos... I'm in awe.

Now, while on the topic of adorable babies, I'm off to a shower.
Happy Sunday, friends.

Sunday Sweetness {xvi}

{Photo by Our Labor of Love via Once Wed}

Could a sweeter face exist?

There are three babies in my life these days; one I have met while the other two haven't arrived yet (I am anxiously awaiting their birth dates). As I am finding myself drawn to sweet baby faces and fun little things, it's no surprise that I was drawn to this photo. I hope you all enjoy a relaxing Sunday.