Celebrating my Mom

Today is my Mom's birthday and I wanted to give her a little shout out as she has always been an avid reader of Our designed life. Last week my Dad and brother were able to surprise her with a visit {my brother lives in Utah and she hasn't seen him in many moons} and a few days of family time together. We shopped for birthday's and baby and sat around the dinner table laughing and enjoying each others company.  She has always been my biggest fan and with her grandbaby on the way she has been filled with even more love and excitement; the baby even has her own nursery in my old bedroom at my parents house! So please, join me in wishing my Mom a lovely birthday filled with many many more to come, because she is simply awesome.

image by oh hello friend

They say its your birthday {or mine, whatever}

Today I am celebrating my big 2-9 birthday! I remember when I was younger thinking anything past 25 was old but you know what, I was wrong. So wrong. I am in such a great place in life, not only am I growing a little one inside of me, the husband and I could not be any happier with each other and our home even our adorable pooch Uli could do no wrong. We are celebrating by going out to one of my favorite restaurants Gracias Madre with a few friends and I could not be more excited...one for not having to cook and two for being able to live in a city that has vegan Mexican food. Hopefully there will be plenty of room tonight for dessert because this pregnant lady sure does have a thing for sweets. I've never been one of those girls that gets ashamed over my age and I have a feeling I never will. We grow with each and every year that passes and with age truly comes wisdom. And just for kicks I brought back one of my favorite shots of little Uli that I took last year to wish my Mom a happy birthday. She doesn't look too pleased to be posing with a hat but her face is just way too cute not to love!

image by our designed life

Personal pinatas

I've been working on a little something special for an almost 10 year old and I must say, I was surprised at how well it came out. I've never attempted a small pinata before so making 2 that looked like numbers was a bit intimidating but turned out to be really simple. Its the perfect personal pinata for tabletop smashing. Take a peek below to see how I constructed the numbers.

Since I wanted it to be slightly sturdy but easily breakable, I used 2 pieces of 12x12 cardstock for the number templates. Cut two of each design for front and back. 

I had just gone to Costco a few days before I started and had an empty rice milk box hanging around so I got to cutting for my sides...its always best to reuse items whenever possible. To assemble, I cut the cardboard to size for all the edges and used washi tape to hold everything while I pieced it together. Be sure to leave an opening to fill the pinata.

Once everything was in place, I used strips of duct tape to give it a little sturdiness but left one or two spots that can easily be ripped open...nothing worse then a package of goodies you can't get into.

Once you have the shapes ready to go, fill with all kinds of tiny bits of fun and tape it up.

For the fringe I actually painted white streamers {again, use what you got!} this teal color, the birthday girls fav, and cut into strips. Once you have tons of strips, cut out all the fringe.

Apply the paper to the cardboard with a little tape and you have yourself a handmade pinata made with love. Happy crafting. 

images by our designed life

Neon fun

Seems every time I log into Facebook another friend is announcing a bundle of joy so naturally I've been seeing tons of baby related fun and when I came across this neon inspired birthday party for a gaggle of 2 year olds I just had to share. Neon is so in right now, from decor to fashion and food I can't seem to get enough of it even though it sort of scares me to wear. This party is filled with an assortment of neon goodies including fun forts, a dessert table and party games all with hues that will make you smile.

photos via hello lucky

For my Mom

Today is my lovely Mom's birthday and I've got cake on the brain. Though I can't make the drive out for a visit, with one car and the husband needing it for work we had to prioritize, but I can still celebrate on my end with a collection of beautifully and no doubt delicious cakes. So happy birthday Mom, you are not only supportive of everything I do but you are one of my bestest of friends. Thanks for being my Mom, Mom and happiest of birthdays!

photo via not without salt

photos via tlc, martha stewart and mark t

photos via amy atlas, our eyes eat first and cake journal

Happy birthday to me

Tomorrow is my 27th birthday and I thought I would pull together some of my favorites, you know, in case I win the big one.  Although I bet my chances of winning the lotto would be a little better if I actually played.  Anyway, if I did have serious cash to throw down on goodies for me, I'd snatch these babies up in a heart beat.

How do you celebrate your birthday?  I'm starting off with a vegan cooking class with a friend and then the husband and I are both going to make my cake.  Because lets face it, he can barely make spaghetti, and I actually want to eat it!  And as a present to me, he's doing the dishes... he just doesn't know it yet. I am also extending my b-day celebrations and will be headed out to Disneyland next week with Erin and am super excited.

1.Choco tape dispenser  2. Recycled bottle votive 3. Hair accessories 4. Whisk me away dress 5. Boogie woogie heels 6. Eames molded chair 7. Angelique mirror 8. Zumi digital camera 9. Night and day sofa