It's A (Birthday) Movie Party!

As I sit here typing, I have a group of 8-year-old girls watching Barbie's "Princess and The Popstar" in our living room. My youngest daughter and I scoured Pinterest for party ideas and came up with a movie-birthday party theme, complete with a concession stand!

I purchased mini candy bars, individually wrapped Twizzlers, small soda cans and popped popcorn.

I had designed some "ticket" invitations that the girls had to bring in order to be admitted into the movie:

We stuck to a red and white color theme and added balloons and streamers. We also made cupcakes, of course!

On Pinterest, I found a way to make boxed cupcakes taste homemade! They actually turned out pretty well. My mom and I found this pretty (and reasonably priced) cupcake stand at Target:

I also found cute popcorn boxes at Hobby Lobby to use as goodie bags.

Hopefully she will remember this party and how fun it was planning it! :)

I Don't Know How She Does It

On the second day of school, I took a vacation.

After three months of Husband, three children and Juno (the slobbery English Mastiff) being home ALL summer, quiet time was certainly overdue.

I embraced that time by finally renting the movie "I Don't Know How She Does It" starring Sarah Jessica Parker. I rented it for two reasons; one) Husband is sick of my chick flick choices and two) This movie is my life (except I don't make that much money, we don't have a nanny, we don't live in Boston and we have three kids instead of two.) Other than that, pretty much art imitating life.

I was surprisingly happy with my DVD choice because if it was a rotten one, no one would roll their  eyes at me and say "well, that's another two hours of my life I will never get back..." (Words never muttered by Husband.)

I think all the juggling she has to do is realistic and don't even get me started with the pressure of baking for school! My biggest fiasco (other than forgetting that it was my turn to bring in a class snack) was the time I spent hours making cupcakes that were supposed to look like ground hogs, but looked nothing like ground hogs. If there was a 'Cake Wrecks' for cupcakes, I would have made the cut.

As a former SAHM and now basically a Jane-of-all-trades freelancer, there are very few luxuries in my life, and scheduling one day off is a HUGE luxury.

Anyway, I liked the movie, I think all moms and dads should watch it. If you did, tell me what you thought!

It Happens Every Year...

That one of my kids is home sick. So I'm doing quiet things, like designing and printing my youngest daughter's birthday invitations:

She wanted to have a movie-themed birthday party, so I'm getting all creative and scouring Pinterest for ideas on how to make it fun!

Speaking of Pinterest, because I speak of it often...here are my latest 'pin feats' and only one 'flop.'

I've made ALOT of Banana Bread recipes, but this one was the bomb! (The frosting really made it that much better!)

On the healthier side, I made this Coleslaw recipe using all fresh ingredients from a friend's garden.

But in case you were thinking this was a Pinterest-brag session, no worries, not everything works out the way I might want it to. Especially if you don't read the directions ever so carefully...

Not all matches are matches. Did you know that? Well, if you make this homemade craft (or the one using the mason jar, which I did, make sure to buy "STRIKE ANYWHERE" matches. Because the ones I bought from the dollar store that came in a box DID. NOT.WORK.  (and of course the crafter said this in her post, but I was too excited to make it and didn't bother reading the details.)

*sigh*

How are your Pinterest pins coming along? Make anything neat lately? Let me know! :)

Beautiful & Inspiring Designs

Many times the graphic designer in me needs inspiration. Here are some of my favorite designs and packaging ideas I've found thanks to lovelypackage.com:

Designed by: Lina Sponberg

Designed by: Cubic

Designed by: Leo Burnett Dubai

Designed by: Puigdemont Roca

Designed by: Jake Dugard

Back To School ~ Baking Bars

It's that time of year when I feel like baking so I can put a little special something into my kids' lunches. Here are some recipes that look appealing:

PB& J Bars

I've made Martha Stewart's version before and they are a huge hit with the kids!

Blueberry Bars

Since there are some blueberries still around, it might be a good time to make these.

Date & Nuts Bar

Taken from the Pioneer Woman's friend's recipe, you'll have to trust that this is yummy!

Austrian Raspberry Shortbread

The Smitten Kitchen always has amazing recipes to share.

Nanaimo Bars

I have yet to make these, but when I had them in Vancouver, BC, they were my favorite!