MONDAY TIPS FOR MAMAS | ABOUT BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS

One of my most prized friends started a blog which is now my new favorite. She is a single mama who has raised three phenomenal young men - I'm sure it helped that she is pretty phenomenal herself. She was having a little chat about birthdays (on her birthday) which prompted me to journal some things I wanted to remember and share about the birthdays I remember growing up and the traditons I've started with my own little family.

It still mortifies amazes me that I get to take care of and grow and usher this little flock of mine. I am so very proud to be a wife and mother to this brood…

But before that I was (and am) my mamas child. And for as long as I can remember there was the Bell Family Happy Birthday song. Especially once we moved off and went to college and such. Before I could open my eyes and get out of bed tos start the day, scrambling to open my eyes and answer the phone - and then hearing everyone's voice on the line (mom, dad, sissy in med school, high school brother) raspy sleepy voices, singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!  And then a rendition of "For he's a jolly good fellow, which I never understood, but sing along and crack up laughing every time…

As tired as I was - I felt super special from the moment I opened my eyes that day.

We didn't have a big party for the munchkin for the first time (she turned six) this year. I figured I'd just do a little something at school with treats and balloons and favors for her classmates. I got a sitter for little h and came to her class and read one of her favorite books to her class...she wore a favorite dress and we had a special "fancy" dinner at her favorite restaurant.

We had an amazing day - celebrating all that she had accomplished and learned and how much she had grown this past year. I made sure to give her extra snuggles and tell her how very proud of the young lady she is becoming...

I wanted to take the time to jot down some of our birthday traditions so I wouldn't forget and hopefully to inspire you to create (or add to) some of your own. 

Morning surprise.

Ever since the munchkins first birthday I've snuck into her bedroom before dawn and filled it with balloons. She almost caught me last year so this time I strung a wall of steamers right outside her door - worked like a charm.

Favorite Breakfast (In Bed).

Chocolate chip waffles for this last birthday. Or warm bubbly oatmeal for h. If you are lucky enough to have your birthday fall on the weekend you get to have your breakfast served in bed.

Balloons/Streamers in the car.

If her birthday falls on a weekday, instead of filling her room with balloons I turned the car into "party bus"!

Sweet Treats.

This year we actually put candles in a chocolate glazed donut - her current favorite. For Lover I made a double chocolate cake (I'm still working off the pounds from helping him demolish that one)... 

Every year we still wake up to a birthday song (from grandma, granddaddy, auntie Michelle and Uncle Alvin, mommy and daddy - little h or big sissy).

What I realized over these years is it doesn't take a million bucks to make someone feel like a million bucks on their special day. You'll be surprised how far a pack of balloons, a roll of streamers and a batch of cupcakes will get you.

P.S. This year I filled the hubby's car with balloons while he was asleep. The look on his face when he got in for his drive to work was priceless..

P.S.S. Did I mention that my two year old wouldn't touch a piece of cake (or any other sweet treat) with a ten foot pole. Doesn't like anything sweet, except for my homemade oatmeal, which consequently tastes just like birthday cake??:-) but that's another story for another day…

What special traditions did you grow up having or do you have now? I'm nosy like that:-)

xxB
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AVERY'S BIRTHDAY WISH LIST

One Step Ahead Bath time Letters | Hello Genius Book Set | Cardboard Rocket Ship  

Pottery Barn Kids Monogram Fleece Robe | Spider Man Action Figure 

Please forgive the interruption. Lost my rhythm a bit the last few weeks. Seems like just when you think you've got it all figured out, "up early, private time, get dressed, wake kids, make breakfast, pack lunch… boom, boom, WOOT WOOT! SUPER MOMMY!! Nope.

At any rate.. I've been working on a couple of parties over the last few weeks, one of which is LITTLE H's!!  Woo Hoo! Somebunny's turning two! Birthdays are like Christmas around here. We decorate and have lots of sweets and we try and come up with something special to give to celebrate the big day! A year older, wiser?

I'm so proud of my big boy. He's been amazing us lately by learning to do things on his own, recognizing the alphabet and counting and playing pretend. Not that there is anything wrong with a boy wearing a pink robe or singing the score to Disney's Frozen, or playing pretend with Barbie's, H and I think its time for a few of his own things (instead of borrowing his sisters).

I'm no toy minimalist. There is plenty to play with around here. We do our best to teach them to be grateful for what they have (although I'm not sure that's going very well). We hand down toys to the little one and donate things we've out grown or don't get much play. I instituted a chore chart (that I hope to share soon) last week that I'm hoping will help to teach the oldest about money and responsibility. I also regularly threaten to put all of the toys in a garbage bag and haul them out of here if they can't find something to play together instead of fighting over the toilet paper roll.

and there was my attempt to relieve myself of any guilt associated with buying more toys.

xx,
Bunnie

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ST. PATTY'S DAY COCKTAIL + LINKS

So I'm totally making these this weekend. This week has been the longest ever. Can I just say, DAY LIGHT SAVINGS TIME for the last time? We have literally been an hour late (waking, having dinner, getting to bed) EVERY DAY THIS WEEK.  I'm hoping that after the weekend things get back to normal. Looking forward to a warm weekend, without birthday parties or a hundred things to do and a couple of these St. Patty's Day drinks in hand.

Also possible, staring, stalking, or sneaking out for a bit to consider...

I'm a little bummed that this West Elm coffee table I've been eyeing is no longer on sale… that's okay.. I can wait.. You will be mine.

I'm on the hunt for spring lipsticks and this Revlon 1956 Snow Peach, and Colorburst Balm Stain in Sweetheart (Pink) are at the top of my list. The've relaunched 5 iconic lipsticks from the previous decades, see the others here.

Currently stalking this Atlanta Made Andover Trask woven tote for summer picnics and day trips. Did I tell you that hubby got me this one in Navy for Valentines day? I carry it every. day.

In heavy party planning mode. I've got a huge baby shower in April and Avery's birthday the day before Easter. Obviously we are doing an EGG HUNT. Im thinking  this little cutie from Etsy or even making something myself like this.

Dipping into my rainy day stash to pick up my most favorite Mario Badescu hand cream.  I keep it in the car, which is when I notice my hands are pretty much the ashiest. Also when I'm in the check out line at the grocery store. So ashy. At any rate, I'm sure I could get it online, but it gives me a chance to drool over the LOVELINESS in Ann Mashburn.

Hoping to maybe end up on someone's kid-friendly patio for some chips and salsa and such to ring in St. Patty's Day.

Okay, so maybe my weekend won't be as uneventful as I suspected… We shall see.

Are you doing anything special to celebrate St. Patty's Day?

xx,
Bunnie

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photo via smp.

PRETTY PARTIES: SWEETEST SOUTHERN LITTLE TEA PARTY

So this weekend was super, crazy, busy, fun.

We started the weekend off with an impromptu soiree! Some of H's pals stopped by for some bubbly and bites to celebrate the big deal he's been working on forever finally coming to a close. 

HOORAY he rocks!

And then, I swear these little people have such a jam packed social calendar. I really want to be just like them when I grow up. Birthday parties, book club, dinner with some really good friends that I feel like we haven't spent time with in forever… 

The abundance of wine and cupcakes (and ice cream) reaked havoc on my "High School Skinny" endeavors. But it was SO MUCH FUN. 

All this partying did not leave time for the work and writing I had planned to do over the weekend??!!  

But I'm back on the horse (clean eating and all) and have something super cute to share. Like last Monday. I'm starting the week off with a PARTY!!

This super sweet tea party for a beautiful 5 year old and her gal pals was TOO MUCH. These Georgia Peaches WERE THE CUTEST. They had so much fun noshing on sweet treats and sipping tea and making jewelry.

styled by me and my cohort over at Bailey Blue Events

xx,
Bunnie

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THE PRETTIEST LITTLE FAIRY DANCE PARTY

happy monday!

I hope you had a great weekend - it was the usual suspects for us. Highlights included catching up with a fab mommy blogger pal of mine and we made it to the church house which always give me a positive and inspired outlook on the week ahead.

with that in mind.  and thought I'd start this week off with a little party!

one of my very dearest friends (and partner in crime over at bailey blue events) threw the super cutest fairy party for her now four year old!

it was so dog on CUTE! 

There were wings and wands and fairy dust!! - OH MY?!

Oh and I can't forget the hand made tutu's which they needed for the magical dance party that ensued. 

pretty, purple, PERFECT! 

these little ladies has SO MUCH FUN! And so did I. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE LADY!

xx,

Bunnie

p.s. if you'd like a SUPER CUTE party of your own for your little munchkin check out Tiffany (and me) over at Bailey Blue Events!

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FINDING NEMOS!! {PRETTY PARTIES}

SO MUCH FUN styling this super cute party for a client and her "Nemos!"  I wanted to make sure and share a few pics. She calls her daughter and son her "Nemos" and they LOVE Disney, so we tried to do a modern twist on this favorite movie.

Favors:  We had the kiddos paint mini Melissa and Doug treasure chests and fill them with chocolate coins.

Food: the guests noshed on chicken bites, fresh fruit, and subs, perfectly re named for the party.  Sweets provided by This Wife Bakes! 

Fun: the fete was held at Shenanigans Toys and indoor playground (and toy store). Perfect for the colder months. 

Faire: burlap, orange and turquoise (chevron) linens, tableware, bunting, balloons and more provided by Bailey Blue Events. I used an etsy vendor to create the invites, whom I will not recommend since my experience with them was not the greatest.  Oh, and we used another lovely vendor - LexDesigns for some super cute favor tags and prints.  Other than that...

It went swimmingly:-)

My grad school pal and business partner have been doing this for a little while now and we love it so! Planning parties that is. Give us a ring if you are in the Atlanta area and If you havent already checked out our website give us a look here. Oh and some of our favorite shin digs here, here, and here. 

We are thinking of changing the name to something thats a better description of what we do. Fancy Fete? Petite Sociale? I think those might be taken already.... What do you think?

xx,

Bunnie

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a {SUPER SWEET TEA} party

Before I forget, I wanted to share the pics from this adorable little high tea party I styled for fellow blogger Mimi Scarlett. These little darlings were SO ADORABLE. They really had a great time noshing on miniature sandwiches and cupcakes and sweet candies.  We are in the South and its been a VERY HOT  summer so these girls preferred to sip on chilled sweet tea in the tiniest little china. They were dressed to the nines in mini fascinators (small fancy british inspired hats) and little gloves. For fun, they were allowed (just this once) to play in mommy's make up and get all dolled up (lipstick, blush, the works!). And as a special treat I provided each little lady with their very own munchkin statement necklace, handmade by yours truly - trying my hand a little jewelry line {BH&Co.} I think. 

So yes, SO MUCH FUN!

More Pics:

I already have another request for a tea party for the CUTEST soon to be 5 year old and I've got the munchkins {Retro Mermaid} birthday party right around the corner, so I will be pretty busy. Writing and planning parties are my MOST FAVORITE things to do, so I'm a pretty happy girl. 

I hope you are having a great week!

xx,

Bunnie

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Make This! Seersucker {Everyday Napkins}

I've been meaning to do this for some time now - Make some cloth napkins for the house. We have the nice white linen ones we registered for and pull out for dinner parties and such. But I wanted some that we could use for lunch/dinner every day in lieu of using a gazillion paper towels.

Dig In to this Sweet {Backyard} Garden Party

Hi! I wanted to share some pics of this charming backyard garden party we put together for a very special little lady in March. It was super sweet and so much fun!  The kids had snacks on picnic blankets and planted strawberries to take home and sipped on sweet home made lemonade and citrus mint water.

Pretty Little Pink Party

I actually wasn't going to do a party this year at all (pffft!). How could I even consider it right? Just a pretty little pink party upon the munchkin's request.

my stab at darcy miller (esque) invitations.

a few friends some pink play doh, cup cakes, and gerber daisies was all we needed for a pinktastic celebration.

pretty little pink party hats (gold for the boys) hand made by bunnie of course.

pink crayons, pencils, note books and sweets 

(m & m's and pink chocolate chip cookies with pink sprinkles - of course).

it was a pinkalicious day!