Baby Shower Festivities!

I still have a smile on my face after this past weekend's baby shower festivities in San Diego! :) Not only did I get to spend some much needed time with girlfriends and celebrate Baby Girl Woodcock, I was spoiled rotten at my baby shower on Sunday.

The decor couldn't have been more beautiful...

Lunch consisted of all my latest "cravings"...

Homemade marshmallows?!

With silly (and disgusting!) games...

Every detail was so perfect and so special, including video messages from those who couldn't be there. And instead of cards, everyone brought books with sweet messages for Baby de Windt!

There's no question that I have the most amazing friends and family a girl could ever ask for. I can't thank you all enough for such a special day that I will never forget it. I love you all so, SO much!

(Can't wait to see pics from Michele's fabulous Safari Chic baby shower!)

Baby Shower Weekend!

My alarm went off at 4:30am this morning. I would normally dread waking up at that hour, but I couldn't have been more excited to get to San Diego for this weekend of baby showers. It feels great to be here without running around for work and with nothing on the agenda but relaxing and celebrating Baby Woodcock and Baby de Windt :)

I cannot thank you girls enough for being so incredibly thoughtful. You're amazing!

Bring on the babies!

Paint Your Own Ceramics!

When I came across this image from yesterday's DesignSponge post, I was inspired to look around for a ceramics studio. I've always wanted to take a pottery class or even just spend the afternoon in one of those studios where you make and paint your own pottery. While I'd never come close to being able to do some of the intricate designs by Shannon Garson, I should be able to recreate something close to this design of hers...

I'm thinking... a vase for my office, bowl for the coffee table, another vase for the nursery and maybe a mug or two (or 6). So... to my local Denver ladies... who's with me?!

Ceramics in the City: select an already made ceramic ($10-65 includes all supplies and glazing), paint your own designs and pick up 5-7 days later.

Pot-Luck Pottery: select your ceramic ($2-50 includes all supplies and glazing + $8 painter's fee), paint away and pick up a week later. They seem to have a better variety of ceramic items here.

Black multi-size polka dots with a solid sheer pink interior... shouldn't be too difficult right? We'll see. I'll keep you posted!

{ Photo Credit: designsponge.com }

Time out.

Today started out pretty rough. It was one of those days where you just can't get a break. Knowing that I have SO much to be thankful for, including a job that allows me to work for myself, make my own schedule, and do what I LOVE every single day, I couldn't even allow myself to complain. Instead, I gave myself a time out, went to the grocery store and made myself some cupcakes...

Nothing like a little fluffy yellow cake (zero effort, Duncan Hine's style) with chocolate fudge frosting and sprinkles to turn your crappy day around. I'd say it did the trick!

Back to loving life again :)

Design Your Own Cruisers!

Happy Friday All!!

While I can't believe it's already Friday, I am definitely ready for the weekend. All I can think about is turning in my final exam on Saturday, and doing absolutely nothing. Which actually means errands and catching up on some work. Blah! But I'm hoping to at least fit in a nice bike ride at some point.

We've been talking about getting some cruisers, since riding our mountain bikes around town with clip-ins isn't quite working out, so I was excited to see these Villy Custom Cruisers featured on One Kings Lane. You have to be a member to see their daily deals. Sign up here. How cool are these?!

Design your own, OK! Here's my own design...

Depending on what kind of accessories you add, they'll run you around $550. I'm thinking... early anniversary gifts?! Hubby... thoughts? :)

{ Photo Credit: villycustoms.com }

DIY Friendship Bracelets.

Are you sick of me talking about friendship bracelets yet?! WELL, I finally had some down time for a little crafting this past weekend and since I've been dying to try these DIY friendship bracelets (featured on my new favorite blog Honestly WTF), I gave it a whirl. Super easy and I'm LOVING the way they turned out...

The more I can add to my chunky watch, the better!

I'm not kidding when I say these were SUPER easy to make, and that's why I may have gone a bit overboard... I think I made about 25 :) The wax cord, leather cord and rhinestone chain were all found at Michaels and the brass ball chain and hex nuts were found at Ace Hardware.

Pictures and step-by-step instructions here. Have fun!

French Potato Salad

I had to share this recipe because it was DE-LI-CIOUS! We made it last night with the infamous Liquid Smoke BBQ chicken and ate practically all 6 servings :) It's the perfect potato salad to pair with anything off the grill. Easy, tangy, herbed deliciousness. Try it!

French Potato Salad

2 1/2 lbs fingerling potatoes, halved

Coarse salt & ground pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

3 tbsp dijon mustard

2 tbsp sherry vinegar

1 small shallot, minced (2 tbsp)

3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp chopped fresh thyme

1/4 small red onion, sliced

Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water by 1 inch and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Run under cold water to cool slightly, drain.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together oil, mustard, vinegar, shallot, parsley and thyme, season with salt and pepper. Add potatoes and onion and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature. Serves 6.

{Photo Credit: marthastewart.com }

Baby Girl!

No, not us! We're still waiting to find out if we're having a lil boy or lil girl the day he or she arrives :) But one of our favorite couples in the whole wide world are having a baby girl (approx. a week and a half before us!) and I was so excited to design the baby shower invitations to celebrate Baby Girl Woodcock. She's going to be the most beautiful thing, so I had to make these invites to match...

Up close to see the momma & baby giraffe (so fitting since Michele is originally from South Africa)...

Hand tied raffia with registry tag...

Her shower is being thrown by her sisters, so it's sure to be FABULOUS. Can't wait to celebrate such a special momma :)

Friendship Bracelets.

I was so, so sad when I sat down with my lunch today, to watch the premier of Project Runway from last night and I had FORGOTTEN TO RECORD IT! (I blame it on the our fantastic dinner guests - wondering... is it normal to invite guest for dinner and make them cook?!) So, I'm anxiously awaiting the rerun tomorrow morning to get caught up.

Instead of my dissection of PR Episode 1, I will share these amazing friendship bracelets currently on sale at Gilt.com...

Friendship Bracelets by Ettika | shown here $22-58

Brings me back to the days of best friends necklaces and homemade knotted thread bracelets. These are ALMOST as cool :)

I'm still planning on giving this bracelet DIY a whirl. Stay tuned!

If you're not a Gilt member yet, sign up here.

{ Photo Credit: gilt.com }

Project Runway - Season 9

That's right, the highlight of my year - Project Runway Season 9 begins tonight! You have no idea how happy that makes me :) I don't watch a ton of TV but this is an absolute MUST.

After looking through portfolios for the 20 contestants, I have to say, this season is going to be quite interesting...

I'm loving Anthony Ryan Auld's past work, which actually looks wearable...

Oh Heidi, how I've missed you. Lifetime, 9pm - Don't miss it!

{ Photo Credit: mylifetime.com }

Chalkboard China.

"Chalkboard" and "china"... two words that don't necessarily go together. But, how sweet are these chargers from Chalkboard China?!

Such a fun way to personalize table settings for your guests. Of course, the gorgeous china on top helps dress these up! At the Chalkboard China website, you can also find vases, wine/champagne/martini glasses, cheese/dessert trays, wine carafes and juice pitchers.

These two chargers are just $22 each on The Foundary today!

Side note: Happy Opening Day to everyone in Del Mar! Wish we were there to partake in all the festivities :)

{ Photo Credit: thefoundry.com }

Today I'm Loving...

Floral Woven Cardigan from Forever 21 | $22.80

Perfect for my growing belly!

Love Me Two Times 4 Painting by Kirra Jamison | contact kirrajamison@gmail.com

How amazing would this look in a nursery?!

Matiko Poca Grey Suede Wedge at Piperlime | $99.99

I LOVE the braided details, peep toe, side cut out and light suede material on these!

Dhurrie Ottoman from WestElm | $499

This is just amazing... that's all!

{ Photo Credit: forever21.com | kirrajamison.wordpress.com | piperlime.com | westelm.com }

Ahhhh, it's Friday!

The sun is out, I survived all the needles from my doctor's appt. this morning (baby is healthy and growing like a champ!) and my client's beautiful wedding invitations are packaged and ready to be shipped out...

Feeling good on this glorious Friday :) Have a great weekend everyone!

VEGAS STYLE.

A good friend asked me to design an fabulous invitation to celebrate her fabulous sister... VEGAS STYLE! I loved playing with the black and hot pink (because, really, what could be more perfect for a bachelorette party in Sin City?!) and added a pretty lil chandelier for even more Vegas fabulousness!

And the weekend agenda on the back...

Don't these invites kinda make you want to crash the party?! :)