Goodnight Moon! Baby's First Birthday

Well, I have finally decided on a theme for my little guy's first birthday... it's going to be a teeny-tiny family party but I just had to have an inspiration. Colors will be all primary (like the ones on the cover of the book), and I'll probably make a moon... and a cow to jump over it. Wish me luck! The invitations have gone out:

These invitations were really easy to make-- I chose printable invitations (to a bridal shower, actually) from Party City with a color I liked, and cut teeny-tiny books out of photo paper that I put on the photos instead of the little ribbons they had included. A few cute fonts from dafont.com (my favorite site for downloading free fonts) and they were ready!


I know the party won't be anything as fancy as some of the ones I've seen online, but I'm excited about getting ideas from lovely Goodnight Moon soirees like this one!

We Love MORE FREE STUFF! 10 free printables, fonts, deals and steals

More FREE THINGS!

I am not too blog-savvy, but I can see from my analytics page what lands people to my blog. My "free" posts are the most popular, so I thought I'd do another one.

I'm always looking at and pinning free resources on this Pinterest board, so be sure and check back often!

First up: IF YOU HAVE PHOTOSHOP, YOU MUSTMUSTMUST GET THESE FREE FILTERS. Sorry to shout, but seriously, these are amazing and free from the Pioneer Woman.

Pioneer Woman Photoshop Action Filters

 Here's a YouTube tutorial on how to use them.

What about a free and oh-so-pretty invitation kit?

Free party invitations, Love vs. Design

This entire website is great (I mean, it's called "Fab and Free")! Here are some fonts.

Fab and Free Fonts

Free chalk backgrounds...

Foolish Fire

... and fonts to use on them.

Free chalkboard fonts

Free Redbox codes (I've used these, they work! But most are only one-time use. You can use a different credit card though and use them again...)

Found here

Pretty free printable botanical collage:

From Maybe Me blog

Free vintage prints:

FreeVintagePosters

Someone to congratulate? Free "congratulations" printable pack!

Lovendesign

Things you can get FREE on your birthday!!! Of course I found this in July. My birthday is in June.

BdayFreeDay

All of these sites are awesome, I highly recommend taking some time to look around them because there's lots more FREE to be had!

Baby's First Birthday... 1st Party Ideas!

One. Year.

That's how long it's been since I've posted! God bless you NG and AL for asking about the status of the blog. My Mom noticed it had been abandoned, too.

It's been a busy year: I've had a baby, relocated to a new city, and become a full-time mom and wife. This in turn has lead to a vast Pinterest arsenal. I feel really blessed and am very happy.

What inspired this great return? My search now to throw "That Party."

My sweet little bebe's first birthday is coming up, and I have become the mom I swore I'd never be, that throws a theme-party for a little person who will not remember it ("But he WILL have the pictures" is my most common defense for all this research and likely expense... TBD).

So here are some of my favorite ideas for a 1st birthday so far:

 "Where the Wild Things Are" Party

With this one, you can call it a "wild rumpus" and no one can judge!

This of course has lead me down the avenue of other literature-themed parties...  some cute ones also include "Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "Goodnight, Moon," among others.  How cute are these caterpillar cake pops? 

Or, a "Charlotte's Web" theme?! Cuteness overload! This is a slippery slope, my friends... I've actually just been diverted another 30 minutes checking out themes in composing this blog post.

 Or you could always go the broad "all children's literature" theme, like this Golden Books party (technically, it's a baby shower but could easily be tweaked to be a birthday party):

Moving away from the literature theme (for now), there's a pretty nautical theme:

Crayon-Color Theme party:

 Farm Theme:

You can even buy ready-made theme packages for parties from Minted.com for as little as $65, like this one, "Fanfare":

Two of my favorite children's party inspiration and idea sites:

http://www.100layercakelet.com/

Lily's http://swanky-chic-fete.blogspot.com

Or the most CHIC rental company for parties I've ever seen- Fire and Creme Kids:

Regardless... he's gonna have a crown.

The Barefoot Contessa Brings Good Tidings for the Tummy

 

Ah, the Barefoot Contessa. I have already professed my love for you, stemming from one of my best friend's love for you. Admittedly, my dear N is still much more on the road to becoming the next BC than I am, but that doesn't make my admiration and desire to, well... be you... any less.

Today's episode featured "Festive Fun."

And all that really needs to be said as to why this particular episode grabbed my attention is the menu:

It's festive fun with the Barefoot Contessa who is throwing a dazzling holiday dinner party for friends. A luxurious Seafood Gratin of lobster, halibut and plump pink shrimp in a golden saffron sauce is served. To follow, there's a creamy Pumpkin Mousse then spicy Mulled Wine and festive s'mores stuffed with French Chocolate Bark round a burning brazier in the garden.

I have a particular affinity for mulled wine, as I first tried it on a cold, cozy night in Scotland while living there for a year. The house smelled like cinnamon and the wine was warm and oh so yummy.







As a little (ahem, HUGE) sidenote: When I sent a text to N telling her how fabulous the holiday BC episode was... THIS is what she sent me back.

That would be N, talking to the Barefoot Contessa! 

I wasn't there, but apparently this was the exchange:

N: "Basically, Barefoot Contessa... I love you."

Barefoot Contessa: "I hope you like the new book."

I love you too, BC!!!!