Happy Weekend

Presley and I just got back this morning from an amazing stay in Lake Arrowhead with close friends.

I feel so relaxed and rejuvenated and am now ready for our weekend staycation with my side of the family.

Wishing you all a happy weekend.

I am feeling so much better, so I'm hoping you'll see more of me around here!

Madewell Fall Looks

I just got an email of fall look book from Madewell.

I'm loving most of the looks.

Fall has always been my favorite time of year.

I'm hoping I can make this dovetail shirt dress work with my growing belly.

Recent Project - Wood Stained Art

I recenttly completed a custom wood stained art piece.

My client/friend wanted one for over her sofa, and I thought it would be fun to make it oversized and she was on board.

We chose their wedding lyrics, that I now love.

Such a beautiful song.

It may have taken forever ... but was well worth it!

I can't wait to show you all the finished product soon.

Enjoy these sneak peeks until then!

Candice Brooke Photography

So sorry friends that I am still not feeling to hot, and either is this blog as of late ...

I hope to be back to myself again soon.

In the meantime I wanted to make sure my Souther California readers saw these mini sessions offered by Candice Brooke Photography!  

This is a great chance to get some amazing shots with your bronzed summer skin!

Bubbles & Butterfly Party

The birthday girl

The spread.

The beautiful painting by Rachel Robbins, all of Presley's favorite snacks, handmade paper butterflies, and party favors.  

I use the Presley circle banner at every birthday party made by sweet Caitlin for Presley's baby shower.

I of course had to make my favorite fringed streamers seen on Oh Happy Day!

We also had tons of balloons and streamers around the gazebo.

 

We had four different bubble stations set up.

Bubble machines with butterfly catching nets to catch all the bubbles.

A bubble bucket with kitchen gadgets that make bubbles too.

A bubble bucket with all different size wands, bubbles blowers, and bubble frames.

Last, and the favorite, was the pool filled with bubble solution and a hula hoop to make giant bubbles over the kids. I saw this idea on one charming party.

We had a watercolor and crayon station when the kids showed up to paint butterflies. 

 Took a break from bubble making for snacks.

Then had a short lived water balloon toss!

 And the presents before we spent the rest of the party eating a sweet treat and playing with the bubbles.

Luckily we had plenty of water and juice boxes - it was maybe the hottest day of summer we've had yet!

We served home made ice cream sandwiches.  I saw a friend of mine did something like this for a family party and I knew I had to do this for Presley's party.  It was nice to mix things up a bit and the kids loved making their own!

We sandwiched a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two home made chocolate cookies,

the kids then rolled their sandwiches in the topping of their choice.

Rainbow sprinkles were definitely the favorite, some kids did a little of each.

Crushed oreos, graham crackers, and mini chocolate chips

The ice cream sandwiches were a hit and helped cool us all down in the summer heat.

Simple party favors: I bought bubbles, put on our own label based off the invite, and made star and heart wands out of gold pipe cleaners.

 Even after an entire party full of bubbles, the kids still couldn't wait to open their party favors and play with more bubbles.

And I was worried that bubbles wouldn't entertain them the whole time ...

Can you tell someone had a good time at her party?

My happy little three year old.

photos taken by Candice Brooke Photography

Presley Cake Update

We of course made Presley's Cake on her birthday to celebrate.

(and blew out candles about 17 times.)

But I would say this was the best batch I have made and wanted to share my tips.

First, I made the icing with one stick of butter and one package cream cheese - 

it turned out lumpy and not that tasty, so I threw it out.

I would recommend sticking with the original recipe and just use butter.

I also let the butter whip until fluffy, then added the powdered sugar slowly,

and added blended fresh strawberries.

It was seriously so good!

So if you've tried it the other way, try it again without cream cheese.

It's A ....

It's a BOY!

We could not be more thrilled about our new addition, and are wanting to paint the town baby blue.

Bubbles and Butterflies Too

We just threw a bubble and butterfly party for Presley

and it was a hit!

This was my first "friend" party and I was fearful of not entertaining the kids.

Especially in my current low energy state.

It might have been the hottest day so far this summer ....

but everyone had fun and Presley felt so special surrounded by her tiny friends!

I created this invite inspired by the said butterfly painting by Rachel.  

I think the painted butterfly made it!

Thanks again to Rachel Robbins.

I am beyond exhausted from our fun (and a little party planning stress) week that I am going to wait to post photos of the party until next week.

Until then enjoy your weekend.

I know we will with our very happy, very spoiled, and very loved three year old.

xo

photo by Candice Brooke Photography

(can I mention again how lucky I am to have a photog in the family?)

Butterfly Painting :: Rachel Robbins

I was so excited to receive my butterfly painting by my talented friend Rachel Robbins!

It is so beautiful, and I can not get over all of the detail in each butterfly.

I first saw a few of Rachel's paintings in this post on her blog and knew I had to have one!

I love her graphic style of painting and how colorful her artwork is.

I wanted to have this painting in time for Presley's butterfly and bubbles party and then up on one of my lucky walls of course.

I can't wait to share with you where we end up hanging it!

If you are interested in buying a piece of Rachel's amazing art, email her at

robbins757@gmail.com

Presley Girl Turns Three

I will be out all day celebrating my baby girl.

 She woke up to birthday decor through out the house - streamers and balloons everywhere!

We lucked out and she called for us from her bed, so I was able to jump out and wait at the end of the hallway to get her reaction.

She had a tiny smile on her face and was a bit nervous until I told her to run through the balloons.

I think she likes the day already.

Ciao!