Homemade Valentines

Supplies:

6" Chalk Hearts Designer Cutouts from Creative Teaching Press

Magic Towels from Target's Dollar Spot

Ziplock Sandwich Bags

Washi Tape

Chalkboard Pen

Instructions:

1. Place one magic towel and chalk heart cutout in Ziplock bag. 

2. Seal the bag and place a strip of decorative washi tape over the ziplock closure.

3. Add a cutout to the top of bag and use the washi tape to secure it to the bag.

XOXO

It's been forever since my last blog post. I stopped blogging because it was not fitting in my life. I thought for a while I would stop all together, but I really missed having a space to share. Our life has drastically changed since we moved to the Pacific Northwest, so of course the blog should reflect that. Once I came to that conclusion it all kind of made sense again. I'm excited for this new chapter and I can't wait to share about it.

A Valentine's Party in a Snap

We invited friends over last weekend for a Pre-Valentine's Day party. It was an opportunity to hangout and get a jump on some Valentine's Day photos that we will send out to our family. I made snacks and we ordered pizza for lunch. I also designed a chalkboard background so I could snap some Valentine's pics of the kids.

Sawyer can be a picky eater, but when I cut his food in fun shapes and he loves it. I made almond butter and jelly sandwiches and for a nut-free option jelly sandwiches. I used a cookie cutter to make little X's and O's out of strawberries and to cut shapes into the bread so the red jelly picked through.

Yogurt topped with a little reduced sugar jelly and fresh strawberries.

Flower shaped cheese and crackers.

Annie's Animal Cookies. Don't you just love all the colors?

I created a Valentine's backdrop on my chalkboard door and we had a quick mini session with the kids.

I used props like these heart-shaped glasses to help distract my model.

I created a baby cupid by drawing wings in Illustrator and pasted them on the photo in Photoshop.

The only problem with this marshmallow lolly pop...I didn't buy enough!

I bribed big brother with a giant lolly!

A sweet reward. Just look at that face.

"Cheesy face" to mom and dad.

I just adore this picture. I turned a black and white photo into a stunner by adding some colorful drama. Click here for a tutorial on the process.

Gotta wear shades!

Curly NYE Hair

I had total hair envy when I saw Johanna from Three Nutz Baking Co. She also has curly hair and I know she would have some good CurlyQ Tips. So what do I do? I ask her to do a guest blog post. Your welcome! I think this hair would look perfect for NYE or just to spice things up for a night out. Below are photos and step-by-step directions to achieve the look. Thanks Johanna!

DAY 1:  I put in curling mousse and spray gel and allow my hair to air dry.

DAY 2: Later that day or the next morning (preferably) I brush it out (every curly haired girls nightmare of course). I like to add some dry shampoo to the roots and tease it a bit to give somebody.

Section off the bottom two inches of hair and clip up the rest. I split the hair down the middle. On one side, I wrap the hair around the barrel or wand starting closest to the scalp. If using a regular curling iron, I do not use the clamp. I hold for 15-20 seconds depending on how corse your hair is. Do the same to the other side. Always start the hair on the right side wrapping the same direction and everything on the left the same as itself. You usually want the hair to wrap over the front first, this way the hair curls up and toward the back of the head. Once curled gently pull the curled pieces in front of your shoulders.

Pull out another two inch section, right around the temple. In one inch tall sections, curl the hair the same way.

Once you reach the crown of the head, pull out the sections and curl alternating directions right and left.

Once everything is curled and while the hair is still warm, I like to clip up the top pieces of hair so it cools with some volume. Then, add a little hairspray before letting it out. 

Use a pomade or oil (my favorite is the Aveda, but I was currently out of it so I used argan oil) rub onto the ends and get rid of the frizz! Shake out your hair (do not comb) and hairspray upside down and let dry.

Sometimes I will go back and tease again if it is falling flat. If I'm really not having any luck then you can pin up the top to give it some volume. 

Since our hair is already prone to holding it's form, curly hair likes to stay curled so the style should last to the next morning! Which is perfect if you are racing out to brunch. It will either be fine on it's own (may need a re-curl here and there) or you can always pin to one side, pin half up, or my favorite add a super cute hat.

New Years Eve and a Bubbly Bar

Hello, hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! We had such a fun time visiting with all of our family and Sawyer got his first taste of opening presents. Christmas in California means...palm trees lit up, grinch sweaters, grandma making gingerbread reindeer pancakes, and high socks.

I love that the holiday isn't over yet. We always host New Years Eve and I'm really looking forward to the festivities this year. 2015 is looking to be a big year!

I got to work decorating for the New Year with this Bubbly Bar - Printable Party Kit. Our Bubbly Bar on Thanksgiving was so well received it's only natural to have it on New Years Eve. Of course, I had to restyle it for NYE!

What you need:

• Backdrop:  two poster boards (I used a crazy silver pattern, but black or white would work as well.)
• Printables:  Bubbly Bar and New Years Eve Printable Kits from my Etsy shop.
• Décor:  NYE Party Decorations from my local party store. Anything with black, gold, silver would work. I almost did all black.

The collection is a mix of glitter and chalkboard! It's so pretty in person.

I'm a total glitter girl. Having a little one makes me want to use actual glitter, much less. The printables are super sparkly and glittery without all the mess!

Chalkboard cutout cards give flexibility on adding personal touches. POP, FIZZ, Clink!

I decorated standard champagne glasses and wrapped them in washi tape. This metallic glitter washi tape set comes in the perfect colors to match the collection.

Pop, Fizz, Click!

What's New Years without a Midnight Kiss? I used to think if I got kissed on New Years it would naturally mean I would have an amazing new year. So if you don't have someone to kiss, but still want to have a great new year you can alway eat some chocolate. Same thing...right? Personally, I will be smooching the hubs and eating chocolate. Double whammy. Must mean it's going to be a great upcoming year!

The entire alphabet is included in the bubbly bar collection. Spell any word! I was limited on space so  C-H-E-E-R-S worked for me.

Time to Ring in the New Year! Any reason to have donuts and my husband is all over it. Personally, I prefer diamonds! I made these glitter diamond cut-outs to stick into ring-shaped appetizers or desserts.

Drinks for the kiddies. Happy MOO-Year Cocktails! I have a friend and fellow blogger Lauren from Minute for Mom who created appetizers, a dessert and these cute kid friendly cocktails for the big night.

Lauren handcrafted these Spinach Artichoke Bites. I popped them in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes and they were delicious warmed up.

For a healthy spin on dip Lauren made Almond Butter Yogurt Dip. This recipe has a base of greek yogurt and almond butter, plus a little honey to sweeten things up. So you don't have to feel guilty when you eat half the bowl.

For desser...White Chocolate Oreo Truffles. Holy smokes are these good! I'm not going to even tell you how many of these I ate. For these and all the recipes from this post check out Minute for Mom for all the details!

RECIPES:  Minute for Mom I DECOR:  Etsy Store