{Corby} - 3 months

Mia's been asking if Baby Corby's on the blog yet. She's spent more time with him than I have, since Corby is Mia's teacher's son! So without further ado, I'd like you to meet 3 month old Corby...who was ready for a nap upon my arrival!

But not long after, he was ready to talk and flash me some handsome smiles with big beautiful eyes.

Not only did Mia ask if Corby was on the blog yet...but she asked if I planned his {first birthday} party yet! My little party planning mini-me already can't wait for Corby's birthday! Hopefully she'll understand that the party isn't until November. I can't wait to capture how Corby grows in the meantime!

Just Like Mommy - Go Illinois!

I haven't done one of these Just Like Mommy or Daddy posts in awhile...

A few months ago when Mia put on her Illinois shirt, she said, "But I don't have Illinois pants like Mommy." So, for Christmas our little chief got her very own University of Illinois sweatpants, just like mommy! She loves being my twin!

Princess Ballerina Birthday Party Decorations

**Thank you Jen for the feature on Tatertots and Jello!**

My 3 year old daughter is such a girly girl who loves to wear dresses, sing and dance around (to a made-up song where the only words are "Iiiii'm a prinnnnnnnnnnncessssss...."), pretend to do makeup, carry purses, wear jewelry and of course loves princesses. So sure enough, what was more fitting than a Pink Princess Ballerina Birthday Party full of sparkle and glitter??

Hey there! That's me - party stylist, photographer and lil mama!

If you're new around here, I'm all about DIY, thinking outside of the box and being resourceful to use what you already have to keep costs down. Keep reading for some of my party planning tricks. 

I pretty much based the entire theme and decor on this invitation and dress. Couldn't be more perfect! And yes, she has that sassy pose down. She's well on her way to being a Misha Media client! Click here to see my full party inspiration board.

{Wooden frame from Michael's painted with acrylic paint}

Come on in!

{DIY Tulle Doorway Swag with glitter ribbon from Michael's, similar to what I did for Erin's 1st birthday party}

{Mia liked helping me paint the frames. Then I printed "Happy Birthday" on regular computer paper, traced it with glue and glittered away! I made the star garland with a craft punch from the MonSTAR party and thread}

Someone was excited to greet her guests!

It was SO nice to have Mia's old dance instructor at her party. Just like mommy, Mia is the smallest one.

{Love how this cake stand can go from a boy's monster party to a sweet ballerina party. "Help yourself" banner made with picmonkey.com. No fancy water bottle labels, simply wrapped them in scrapbook paper.}

{Sparkle hydrangeas from Mia's Winter ONEderland party. To add height to the cake stands, I flipped trays upside down.}

Table settings fit for a dozen 3 year old princesses...

{Every little guest went home with favors of pink and white M&M's with a princess star wand.}

{Silver glitter wands for a $1 from Target's party section. Dig through those bins!!}

{I prettied up the popcorn/french fry boxes with a simple ribbon and star from cardstock.}

{Party food for the girls included star shaped salami and cheese sandwiches, pink chocolate covered popcorn, fruit cups and milk with pink striped straws.}

Told you she has quite the personality! I wish I could bottle up her sweet little voice too!

{Think outside the box! The flower centerpiece vases are actually stem less wine glasses wrapped with glitter  tape from Shop Sweet Lulu. Flower arrangements are rearranged from grocery store bunches - 3 for $12.}

{Semi-homemade pink velvet cupcakes from a World Market box mix atop tutu skirted cake stands. Mia's cupcake is topped with a number 3 made out of sprinkles.}

Love you, your animated personality and big squishy hugs, sweet heart!

Vendors:
Party Styling and Photography: a {day} with lil mama - me!
Venue: Baby Take a Bow
Invitation: Brightside Prints via The House of Smiths
Sparkle Tutu Dress: Nordstrom
Glitter Tulle and Glitter Ribbon: Michael's
Glitter Wands: Target
Star Wands: Party City (cheaper than Oriental Trading)
Favor Tubes: Pretty Sweet Stuff via Very Jane and Shop Sweet Lulu
Popcorn/French Fry Cups: Pick Your Plum

Thank you to my mom and best friend for helping with the set up. And to my husband who hates glitter and lived with a pile of pink party supplies for a few months!

linked up and as seen on Tatertots & Jello

20 Birthday Questions

My baby girl turned three recently and here's what she had to say when I asked her 20 questions on her birthday. I hope to do this every year to see how her answers change.

This little girl is full of personality where Doug and I can both see so much of ourselves in her. Already. At age three! We live for her big cheeky smiles, she amazes us every day with how much she knows/remembers and we couldn't be happier with our little family.

Princess ballerina birthday party pictures to come soon!

Princess Ballerina Birthday Party Ideas

It's been quiet here on the blog because the past few weeks I've been busy turning this pile of pink party supplies...

 

...into a princess ballerina birthday party! Here's the inspiration board for my soon to be three year old daughter who loves pink, dancing and princesses...

Sprinkle Topper: Kojo Designs
Cake Stand Tutu: Seriously Daisies via Baby Lifestyles
Pink Chocolate Covered Popcorn: Eat Good 4 Life
Adorable Table Setting: Sugar Sweet Buffets via Kara's Party Ideas
Sweets Table: Creative Juice
Star Cookie Wands: Lindsey Palmer Photography via Kara's Party Ideas
Sparkle Tutu: Nordstrom
Invitation: Brightside Prints via The House of Smiths

To see more pink princess ballet party inspiration, you can check my pinterest board here. Or just come back soon for a sneak peek at my DIY projects and how I whipped my pile of supplies into a pretty little party at our local dance studio. The pink starry glittery goodness drives my husband nuts makes me giddy! Only a few more late nights days until the party!

Introducing {Baby Joey}

Boy oh boy! First Blake, then Evan, and now Joey. Everyone is having baby boys! With a new family of 4, in one room for 3 hours, with a 2.5 year old and 2 week old, we made it out in peace! Meet Baby Joey...

As you can see from the smile on his face, being tightly swaddled is just about the most comfortable thing for a newborn baby...

But I don't think he was feelin' this adorable handmade knit hat...

After shooting their holiday card portraits a few months ago, Big Sister was excited to take pictures with me again! 

And she sure loves her Baby Joey.

Well hello there, handsome...

Beautiful new mama of two...

And proud papa with his baby boy...

In the last hour, Baby Joey was so tired and finally able to fall into a deep sleep. 

After he found a comfortable position, look at all the squishy rolls that appeared!

Sleep tight, Baby Joey. Before we know it, you'll be keeping up with your big sis! And no, big sis. We cannot put him back in mommy's belly!

To see more newborn, baby and family lifestyle portraits, click here.

 

Superhero Birthday Party & DIY Capes

Given that Elijah and Noah were superheros for Halloween, it's no surprise that a Batman/Superhero party was all one little boy wanted. Christine easily decorated her son's 4th birthday party for less than $20.

One tip I give when providing party plans is to shop your house. Christine perfectly used this tip where 90% of her decor consisted of the boys' superhero toys that are normally strewn about the house. When perfectly lined up and staggered with old fashioned paper bricks, they make quite an impact!

Christine used $1 reusable shopping bags to hide the bookshelves. Great, smart find! And functional after the party? Even better!

Christine put together super simple giveaways that pleased the 1-4 year olds (and parents because it wasn't useless crap) while doubling as decor.

For more details about Christine's superhero party decor and toddler party games/activities, check out her posts here and here.

When we received Christine's invitation, I told Mia I'd make her a cape to be a superhero. To which she replied, "No I dress like a princess." Despite topping off Belvedere and champagne bottle service for a 30th birthday the night before, this mama was determined to DIY three superhero princess capes the morning before the party.  

I barely made it, but I did it! Three no-sew DIY girly superhero capes. To make the purple ones, all I did was cut a rectangle from fabric with pinking shears (so it doesn't fray) and cut two slits in the corner where I could string ribbon in the front to tie the cape shut. To add some more bling to Mia's princess cape, she used a large hair clip through the slits as a closure instead of ribbon. The stars on the back are cut from felt and glued on. Easy. Peasy. FREE - my fave.

Another party planning tip I give moms is to think outside the box. For the pink cape....well that was crafted from an old tank top of mine...

I didn't do a thing to it! Didn't even cut it! Nada. Nothing. I just turned it inside out so the satin/shiny side was out and glued the star on. It's a good thing I don't throw anything away with hopes it can be used for some craft eventually!

Happy birthday Elijah, we had fun at our first dress up party! And we definitely enjoyed 3 slices of this cake the next day.

Have a great weekend! I'll be spending the morning with another newborn baby boy and the evening at our last holiday party. I'm bringing stuffed mushrooms and pizza puffs. What're you up to?? Bundle up because it's about to be 15 degrees in Chicago!!

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