Two more things off the list (operation de-nursery)

I took the plunge tonight and ordered Audrey's new headboard and nightstand. I've been eying these items for awhile now, and I've been rather surprised about the lack of sales these Overstock and Target items have received. Until today. (Cue choir).

This headboard has been sitting pretty at $119.99 since I added it to my Pinterest board in the spring.

And then it dropped to $101.99, which definitely peaked my interest. And when I got around to ordering it tonight, there was a $25 off a $100 purchase code. Ah. Mazing.

Audrey is also in desperate need of a new nightstand. While I love her current one (a previous Craigslist flip), the top has become extremely slanted...and well, I don't think there's much life left to it.

I fell in love with this simple nightstand from Overstock...it reminded me of something you'd find at Pottery Barn Kids, but not as expensive.

And while I wasn't crazy about spending $150 for it – I couldn't find anything else I liked more. And then today this nightstand went on sale for $125, and there was a $10 coupon.

I'm so thrilled. I was planning on paying full price for these items, and I ended up saving $75. It was a very good shopping day. Next item on my watch list is a pop-up trundle bed.

Crafty organization

Containers and putting things into containers, are two of my favorite things.

So The Container Store has always been my mecca. And as of last weekend, my mecca now has a home in Kansas City. To say I was excited would be an understatement. I went to the blogger luncheon, private preview party, and then to shop on Sunday...and Monday morning.

Right now, I'm focusing on getting Audrey organized. First up was her craft area in the family room. I thought the Colorware Smart Store Totes were perfect for the job.

The system is already a hit with Audrey. I love being able to take an individual container out so not much room is used on her table...and Audrey has already been putting them away when done without being asked (although I'm sure that honeymoon period won't last long).

My only complaint is that the container itself is too difficult for Audrey to open. But I have no problem opening it for her or just leaving the lid off. So yeah, definitely worth it.

De-nursery (tear)

I knew this day would come, but it still hurts. It's time to start saying my goodbyes to Audrey's nursery.

Last month, while I was putting Audrey to bed, she told me that her room needed more pink and asked me why I chose green picture frames above her bed.

That night, I started browsing the internet for ideas.

And I fell in love with a duvet (and may have already acquired it).

It's last year's Pottery Barn Kids Paisley Pop line, and I found a great deal for it on eBay.

Now that I have an amazing color palette of pink, teal, green and orange to work with – it's time to start having some fun. I'm hoping to have her room done later this year.

Need

I'm wanting to brighten up my living room just a bit. I think I need these pillows.

My New Adventure

After Audrey's birthday party last month, I decided I didn't want to make the party decor fun to end – so I'm doing freelance and created an Etsy shop.

So, here's what I've been up to this last month...

A MINNIE MOUSE PARTY

Birthday banner:

Minnie banner:

A SUPERHERO PARTY

Birthday banner:

Superhero banner:

A VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR PARTY

Banner:

I also did a penguin banner, and am working on an entire Curious George birthday party...and have a Thomas the Train party I'm doing for my nephew this May.

Right now, I'm pretty much just building up my shop as I go along, but I am having so much fun. I've always loved party decor, so it makes sense for me to take this next step.

A tiny house tour

I won't lie, when Audrey fell in love with Calico Critters, I did a happy dance.

Not only do I have the nostalgia of playing with them as a girl myself, but they might officially be the cutest thing ever. While the brand can be a pricey interest, the quality and attention to detail in every item is just amazing. And it's those details that Audrey seems to appreciate most (because who wants to play with a oven that doesn't open)? 

So of course, she needed a house for her Calico Critters! I did look at the Calico Critters ones for a bit, but they had two things going against them – price and room size. I already knew I'd be spending a considerable amount of furniture, I didn't want to add $100+ for a house on that. And the room sizes were just small, some of which were even difficult to access. I just didn't feel they were very 3-year-old appropriate.

So, we decided to build:

Supplies were roughly $35. I had the paint. And then I spent maybe $8 on wallpaper (scrapbook paper).

Audrey has had her doll house for 3 weeks now, and I can easily say she's played with it daily. I love watching her play with this house – her imagination at work is so much fun to watch.

And now, on to the tour:

The living room:

The kitchen:

The master: 

(If patient, you can find this set on eBay for a fraction on the price).

The bathroom:

The "big girl" bedroom:

The kids room:

The nursery:

And for those curious, the "connecting" tree house:

While the house never really looks like this (Audrey likes all the beds in one room...the toilet in the kitchen...the car in the living room), it's been such a fun process. She now has a doll house that her daddy built her, and the start of a wonderful toy collection that will be around for generations.

Audrey's 3rd birthday: AKA Hello Kitty Fest

I really had every intention of keeping Audrey's third birthday party simple – I cut the guest list to just family and close family friends and three weeks before the date, had successfully planned nothing. But then the "Happy Birthday, Hello Kitty" napkins arrived, and Audrey was so, so, so excited. We had to look at them every night and each time, her face just lit up. And that's when I knew my plans had changed.

The Winter "One"derland and Rainbow birthday parties were for me. But this Hello Kitty party was all for her. That's when I decided – if we were going to do Hello Kitty, we were going to do it right.

The Food

I stuck with appetizers again, because they are easy and yummy. The menu – pigs in a blanket, smoked sausage, barbeque meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, pasta salad, orzo salad, cream cheese pinwheels, manchego cheese and fig tarts, caprese skewers and a fruit tray.

The menu labels I made:

The Dessert
Like always, we got our dessert from Aunt Mary's Cakes Cookies and Cupcakes, and like always, it was rather delicious.

The cupcakes:

 

The cake:

The cake pops:

The cookies:

The Decorations

While the party decor changes each year to go with the theme, everything seems to follow a script. I always decorate the dining room wall, do a tissue paper number, have menu labels, do a similar menu, have cup party favors for the kids, etc. Because, well, if it ain't broke...

This year, I did add one new decor to the party though – the mantle.

It showcased signs I made...

Sign 1:

Sign 3:

...and was a fabulous photo backdrop:

I even used it as the background for cupcake photos:

Party Favors

Like usual, I did cups for the kids. While this can be pricey, the lack of spills is worth it to me. I got these at Target, and got Thomas ones for the boys.

I also picked up some kitty ears, because I thought they'd be so cute for photos.

The Tissue Paper Tradition Continues

I plan to do this every year. These are seriously some of my favorite photos.

It's just such a fun tradition to have.

The party was a blast, and most importantly, Audrey had so much fun. It was all so worth it.