Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Harpers First Birthday Planning

Today consisted of a lot planning for Harper's first birthday, which is fast approaching *yikes*. I had finalized her invitation design and printed them out. I started creating a list of finger foods I want to make and drink options. I'm thinking comfort foods and tasty drinks - including maybe a hot chocolate bar :) The theme for her birthday is winter ONEderland - yes November isn't technically winter but pretty damn close. I got the ONEderland theme off of pinterest and I could not resist!
I was in our dining room/sitting room, working on birthday stuff while this little peanut crawled around the floor next to me, getting into everything!
She is on the move - constantly. I should add that the other day she got startled by the dog and flung herself back, hitting her head off of a plastic coin (goes with her treasure chest toy) - she lost her mind, and so did I. She cried..I cried. It was terrible. She had an outline of the toy imbedded in her head - I almost ordered her a mini helmet. Why do they have to hurt themselves? Yes I know it's part of them growing up and becoming more independent. BUT it freaking sucks. Seeing your child..your little human..cry because they've hurt themselves is total torture.


I can't believe that in a month and a half, we're going to be celebrating a year since this little beauty came into this world. Waaaaahhhhhh!

Oh and she's still obsessed with all of the curtains in our house. 


 There is going to be lots of gold and glitter at Harpers birthday party! 

I'm also going to be making a DIY massive chalkboard that I will have decorated and propped against the wall on the table with her smash cake, cupcakes and desserts (it will be amazing!). I'm also wanting to make some fun gold pom pom garland and a photo garland that will have pictures from every month of her first year. I also came across an amazing idea off of pinterest (#obsessed), that consists of a black artboard with all of her favourite things outlined in fun bright fonts. It would make a great keepsake and would look awesome in her room for decoration. Guess a trip to Michaels is in order! 

I'm going to post along the way as I plan more and collect/make more decorations.



Saturday, September 27, 2014

Fun new stuff!

While making some DIY decorations for Harper's first birthday - which consists of a lot of gold and glitter - I made four different designs for place cards. This first design is one of my two favourites. It's so whimsical and pretty.
You can find these listed on my Etsy shop here



After I made a few different designs, I was so excited to add these to my Etsy shop. They were just too cute to only make for Harper's birthday. Now I'm wanting to come up with a few other designs using some different coloured inks. 


Find these here
This next floral design is most likely the one I'm going to use for Harper's birthday as I used this same design on her DIY party invitations.


Find these here
These confetti/polka dot ones are really cute as well. I think these would be pretty in silver also. These place cards are perfect for weddings and parties. You don't necessarily have to use them as seating place cards but also for labeling food at a table.


Find these here
Lastly, these silver chevron place cards are totally adorable. Again, this chevron design would be awesome in different colours, I really want to make some in a nice rich red or blue. I have way too much fun designing new things, my brain never wants to stop!

Early bedtime and major milestones

 This lady has been on a super early bedtime streak lately, we're talking 6pm almost every night. I'm not complaining as this is sheer bliss at night having 4+ hours to ourselves when she's asleep. I might not love this so much when I return to work as I will have all of maybe two hours at night with her before she's ready for bed - which will bum me out. That being said, I don't think this will stick for very long. I'm thinking in the next few months she will start to push her bedtime which is fine for me as 6pm seems a little too early.
 Harper has simply amazed me this past week. I can't even believe the things she has accomplished in a mere seven days. Firstly, we were in her bedroom getting ready for nap and reading a book when she decided she wanted to take 5-6 steps (no help) on her own. Of course it ended with her falling on her bum but HOLY. She did it like it was nothing and I wish someone was there to take a picture of my face as I witnessed this. I was completely shocked. Yes she has been very steady on her feet while holding my hands, or holding onto something else - but wwwwwwhat? And the cutest thing was how proud she was. Little monkey.
Another thing she has FINALLY accomplished is putting small pieces of food in her mouth by picking them off of her tray. She hasn't perfected it yet, as most pieces end up on her lap, but she gets every third piece of food in her mouth (haha). This was something I've been working on with her for a while now and she couldn't have cared less. She used to much prefer her momma feeding her - oh what a life. The other thing, which she literally mastered the next day, was finally tipping her sippy cup properly so she could get some water on her own. Shes been lifting her sippy cup up to her mouth for a really long time (5 months) but she never could figure out how to get the water into her mouth. I would always have to help her by lifting it for her. Not anymore :) Again, something she is super thrilled and proud of.
This little lady still does not like to be very far from her momma.
Hanging out in her playpen.

Those lashes!
We decided to go outside to do some yard work, since this one didn't want to have a second nap. She just hung out in her stroller and lounged, munching on her organic blueberry puffs.

The leg then made its way up onto the rail of her stroller, which usually means she is getting sleepy.
Yup, very sleepy.
Sweetest babe ever!

Monday, September 22, 2014

Etsy Shop Up & Running

After a long time of deciding whether or not I was going to open up my Etsy shop again, I finally went for it. It took me about 2 months of planning and crafting, but it's finally up and running. I changed the name, the look and even some of the things I sell. I think I am an entrepreneur at heart as I have always enjoyed making things with my hands and have dreamed about owning a successful business of my own. About 5 years ago I started up a bath & body business which was so much fun but a ton of work. It was physically exhausting the busier I got. I got so busy that I was working 9am until midnight trying to fill orders - on my days off and during the evenings when I wasn't at my full-time job. It quickly turned into something I enjoyed to something I dreaded.

Then about a year ago I got into making my own jewelry and realized this was something I wanted to do. I started collecting my materials from all over, China in particular. I also wanted to include paper goods as I've always enjoyed making my own tags and cards. 


Thank You Gift Tags


Thank You Fox Gift Tags



Thanks You're Sweet Donut Gift Tags
Thanks, I'm So Grateful Gift Tags
Merry Christmas Gift Tags
These are just a few of the items for sale in my shop. I hope to add lots more very very soon. I'm obsessed with using heavy duty kraft cardstock to make holiday gift tags. My gifts this holiday season are going to be all decked out. I'm going to do a few blog posts on ways to decorate an otherwise simply wrapped gift. Here's an example of what you can expect to see:



I love how simple and fun this is. (Buy these tags here)

Being that I am returning to work in two short months, I've been wanting to spend every second with the baby. So that means only crafting when she is napping or is in bed. This little lady is the most important thing in my life - so she gets all of my attention always!



Checkout my Etsy shop here!

Have a great week everybody :)