no denying it...party planning madness

If you haven't figured it out by now I am totally obsessed with parties. Parties, special events, anything fun that can incorporate paper products and special details...sign me up.  I honestly have no idea where this passion comes from, and I can't exactly pinpoint when it started. I'm pretty sure I was bit by the wedding planning bug and have never quite recovered.

Which leads me to my most recent party planning experience...my daughter's 4th Birthday. It all started with an innocent cupcake, which led to a blog post, which led to blog surfing, and then photography websites, and Etsy shops, and so on and so forth. Our original cupcake party evolved over time, eventually blossoming into a Sweet Shoppe theme. From there, I became head over heels for candy buffets, favor ideas, invitation designs, and party details. It was a snowball effect that resulted into one of my most favorite memories ever. If you are the kind of person who believes a birthday party for a child under the age of 5 is strictly for the child then put your mouse away and stop reading. Seriously, this blog post is not for you. No offense taken, I promise : )

Of course I want my child to participate and share her input when planning her birthday party. After all, the celebration is for her, right? For the record, I incorporated several of her "favorite things" into this party, not to mention PINK. Everywhere. And glitter. And, well, you get the drift.

In a nutshell, I channeled my creative juices into planning this party for almost 3 months. Some people might cringe when they hear that, but for me it was therapeutic and fun. We all need an outlet, and for me this party served it's purpose.

After blog surfing for 3 months I knew one thing for sure. If I was going to put a ridiculous amount of time and energy planning this party, I wanted the pictures to prove it. My iPhone pics are fine for lunch trips to Chik-fil-A, but definitely not party worthy.

Instead, I hired a photographer as a finishing touch. I had never done this before, and honestly, I don't think I will ever have another party without one! I have to give a special shout out to our long-time family photographer Melissa Prosser for connecting me with Lauren Necko for the day! I called Lauren the day before our party and lucky for me, she was available. Immediately there was a weight lifted off my shoulders.

To know that each detail was being documented and captured, just as I envisioned (and not blurry with my point-and-shoot), made the effort worthwhile. When Elizabeth turns 25 I will be able to look back at these pictures and remember this special day, just as I had planned. Thank you, Lauren, for being a special part of our day!

I haven't seen all of our images yet, but thought I would share a sneak peek with you...

More to come this week...I promise!

hot mess

On Saturday my sweet baby Elizabeth turned 4. FOUR. To think, just four years ago I was home with a newborn, completely clueless. I had no idea how to change a diaper or what to do when she cried. I was hardly an attractive sight decked out in yoga pants and nursing tank tops, covered from head to toe in spit up. With a permanent ponytail I somehow thought my roots would hide (ummm...they didn't), and I completely swore off any personal grooming that may have been viewed as inconvenient. I believe the term is "hot mess."

Yep, that was me. I fell into the trap I swore I would never get close to. I will never forget the day my friend Allison showed up unexpected on my doorstep.

Ahhh, good old Allison. She was my young, blonde, super adorable, super cute, super fun friend. She pulled into my driveway with the music blaring and the convertible top down. Her curls bounced as she walked up to the door and her outfit was downright slammin'. This girl had it goin on. And here I was in my sweatpants, covered in baby puke. A not-so-hot mess.

When I opened the door her jaw dropped. I knew it. I had let her down. We had talked about this...how we agreed to never let this "hot mess" thing take over. We vowed to always be cute and put together, and to never, ever, ever let our true hair color shine through. I was the deal breaker.

My initial instinct was to run like Forrest Gump and leave her alone with my baby for the day. Surely her fishnets would not survive an hour with my kid, let alone that gorgeous hair of hers. She didn't stand a chance, especially with it being so long. I don't care what you say, a baby will find a way to get spit up on your back. It's a proven fact.

The only thing that kept me from running that day was the Chinese take-out she had in one hand, and the gallon of chocolate ice cream she had in the other. Now if that isn't a good friend, I don't know what is.

We spent the afternoon together and she forced me out of my sweatpants. She hijacked my cell phone, called my hairdresser, and emailed my husband to let him know he would be babysitting on Saturday...my roots just couldn't go another week. Best of all, she made me feel like me again.

It's amazing how things have changed in just four short years.Now that I'm back to normal, my dear friend Allison is expecting her first baby. I can't wait to strut my stuff, armed with chicken lo mein and mint chocolate chip. At least if she runs I'll be prepared.