Monday, April 11, 2011

Hocus Pocus MAGIC themed birthday party


Our youngest son, Titus, just turned 7. (I previously shared the sneak peek post where you can see the invites). Seven is a magical age, the perfect age for a MAGIC SHOW party!

I am a lover of creating parties. I believe in creating wonder in special moments of my family's lives. I believe in adding every little special touch whenever possible. I believe in loving this life we live. The parties I design are just as much for ME as it is for the kids. But shhh, that's a secret.


I was inspired to do a Magic Show theme for this party because of memories I have of my Dad and his magic. Growing up, my Dad would perform captivating magic shows for me, and sometimes for my friends as well. He was always mysterious, quick, and of course, very magical. He stored his tricks in an old square box in the top shelf of his closet. I remember occasionally peering up in his closet and spying the box in the darkness. I was always so intrigued with that box. I never wanted to touch it, just IN CASE I would somehow destroy the magic. It was a treat whenever my Dad pulled down the box and worked his magic.

To carry on these memories, I wanted to show my boys the wonder and childlike awe of storybook magic tricks.

My Dad showing our boys his old magic tricks after the party.
These are same tricks he did for me when I was little.






On the days leading up to the party, the boys learned some tricks and learned a bit about famous magicians. I'm a big fan of learning at every opportunity in life (pretty sure I got this from my mom!) ;)


I chose neutral tones (my favorite!) and white for the colors, with red and black accents. My all time favorite place to purchase party supplies is from Garnish. Garnish products help me maintain the neutral palette while still providing the freedom to enhance the decor with color.

I styled a dessert bar that focused on all the classic goodies but in a homemade form! Twinkies, donuts, Oreos: classic junk food made home fresh in a Mama's kitchen.



Home-baked mini cinnamon sugar donuts...sooo cute!




Homemade Oreo sandwich cookies...serious yum.



More homemade goodness:
Twinkies! These were my favorite.


The cupcake liners are from King Arthur's Flour.
I used these handmade felt star cupcake toppers in the twinkies.
I had them custom made from Taffie Wishes at etsy. This company is incredible!



I like to fuel my color theme by adding lots of candy
in ONLY the colors of the party.

Magic Wand Pretzels!

These perfectly adorable sugar cookies were made from The Cookie Jar on etsy. They make jaw-dropping cookie designs and I knew I had to have a dozen for this event!

I requested bunny ears in a peek-a-boo hat. We introduced the lil magic bunny in the hat with the party invitations and I wanted to continue that image on throughout the party.



Raspberry bite size Ice Cream Squares
with mini spoons from Garnish

Fruit and Cheese sticks, keeping it natural,
in the COOLEST cups from Garnish.


Occasionally, I will make a cake but I usually let the experts handle it! I use our local cake shop, The Cake Cottage, for most of our cakes. They never disappoint! Their cakes always steal the show at our parties.


To maintain our lil bunny in the hat theme,
I requested this cake style.


I decorated the table with signs on either side of the cake. I removed the glass from old photo frames and secured burlap to the backing. Then I simply taped on party printables. All my printables are from PinkPickle Studios. She is super fast at creating designs and understood my vision 100%.

Paper lanterns are AWESOME. They fold up easily for storage and make a super cool statement in party decor. I'm in love (again).




I also used a lot of ribbon in our decor. Ribbon has always been one of the primary supplies I use for party styling. It can be hung, tied, woven, wrapped, ANYTHING!

The felt MAGIC banner and star garland was custom created by TaffieWishes on etsy. They are by far the best shop I've ever worked with on etsy! I had such an amazing experience and their products are perfect. Taffie Wishes is one of my new favorite shops on etsy. This was very exciting to receive in the mail!

Charming, handmade,
felt squares hanging from a chunky rope...

An old magic book full of charm was dusted off to use for decor...and more felt underneath with some magic glitter...


The classic Magic dessert table stayed picture perfect for 2 seconds before the happy kids filled their plates with sugar overload.



All the fun paper STUFF with more black and red candy.



Mini H2O bottles

NEXT UP...

When the guests arrived they got transformed into little magicians or magic bunnies, complete with magic glitter dust sprinkled on their heads. ;)



They also received a deck of cards and paper bags
filled with some magic love.

Name tags were pinned onto their goodie bags
with teeny tiny clothepins.


We had a magic show stage set up for some TRICKY STUFF.
The book is a gift for Titus.
I often use gifts as props and decor.

We gave Titus a super silky magician's cape that is reversible. I ordered it with a big number 7 on the back to have as a memory of his 7th birthday. I found it on Katie's Capes on etsy. It is perfectly made and she was my lifesaver since I don't like needles and thread. Titus had his top hat, cape, wand, and white gloves...ready for a show!


We had a surprise visit from a REAL DEAL MAGICIAN in the middle of the party! He kept the kids wide-eyed as he performed.


The real magician...

During our Magic Show, an adorable bunny mysteriously appeared out of a box with a special message for Titus...
This was my most anticipated moment of the party! With some magic chants from all the kids of hocus pocus, poof, abracadabra, and shizam , Titus' BIG birthday surprise APPEARED as part of a trick!

A bike from Grandma and Grandpa and Mom and Dad.




We have magical moments tucked into our hearts as we celebrated LIFE.
We smiled over the 7 years that Titus has added magic to our spirits, by his innocent, calm love.


We thank God for blessing us with our youngest, and for the group of beautiful friends who celebrate with us: the next generation in this big-little thing we call life.




Our three little heartthrobs, magicians for a day,
little people for awhile longer...




A word of thanks as the day is done...
If you're still reading, you seriously rock. This was the longest post EVER. Thanks for indulging my passion. Your support is extra valuable to me.


The fine print: The government makes me say that I was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own, ALWAYS.


Vendor resource list:
Taffie Wishes for the custom felt banner, garland, and cupcake toppers
Pink Pickle Studio for invitations and party printables
The Cookie Jar for custom sugar cookies
Katie's Capes for the custom magician's cape
Garnish for food styling supplies
The Cake Cottage for the magic cake


Be blessed,





This post is linked to: Design Dazzle, Under the Table & Dreamin,
It's a Blog Party, Think Pink Sundays LambAround, DIY Showoff, DIY Living, Seasonal Sundays, It's so Very Cheri, Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Mondays, Market Yourself Mondays, A2Z Tips & Tutorials, Lettered Cottage How To, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tuesdays at the Table, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, We're Organized Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Swing into Spring, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Blog Hop Thursday, Transformation Thursday, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Friday Favorites, VIP Party Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up



Thursday, April 7, 2011

Pastel Affection: Easter and spring decor 2011



Easter Time

new life
quiet sunshine
little bird songs
breezy curtains
Sunday hats & white gloves
pretty pastels
green earth
potted flowers on porches
wet soil
egg hunts
Cadbury chocolate
promises from heaven
folded little hands in Easter Service

Spring is simple. fresh. peaceful.


(mini me on an Easter past)




Our home gets some pastel lovin once a year...



The boys get EXTRA excited every season as they pull out timeless, treasured decor...and that makes this mama very happy. ;)









My childhood Easter basket,
which has held lots of chocolate bunnies
and colored eggs through the years...




My little lovey ducks,
the first Easter decor I bought as a married.





Each of us has a happily ever after,
discover it, and
celebrate yours.



Our boys wait impatiently each season
for the new chalkboard message to appear...



Link
Egg-dyed doily garland,
see here for the how-to.






Heirloom treasures from my Grandma.
I have lots of memories of her beautiful home at Easter time
with candy tucked into every bit of decor.



In my second life,
I will have fresh flowers
delivered to my doorstep
every single day.


Springtime for boys means bare feet
and plenty of dirt.

The boys tried planting a "tree" all on their own initiative.
But it is only a broken tree branch...sad!




Still, they did an awesome job!
They were so proud of their work.
I love how they put stakes on either side,
held up with circles of big rocks.
Grow tree, Grow
.


A fun springtime activity to do
with the little people in your life
is to fill Easter baskets with picnic lunches
hang the basket over old bicycle handles
and find a nearby park.




Yarn, ribbon, and sequins
in place of colors on eggs
to keep things fresh.



(For last year's Easter and spring decor, click on the jellybean photo below)



Spring has come when you can put your foot
on three daisies.

~Proverb



Don't forget to enter the
SPECIAL DRESS giveaway
just in time for Easter!

You can also receive 10% off your order by using
coupon code:
mooreminutes10off


This post is linked to: The Sunday Showcase, It's a Blog Party, Think Pink Sundays LambAround, DIY Showoff, DIY Living, Seasonal Sundays, It's so Very Cheri, Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings, Met Monday, Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Mondays, Market Yourself Mondays, A2Z Tips & Tutorials, Lettered Cottage How To, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tuesdays at the Table, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, We're Organized Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Swing into Spring, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Blog Hop Thursday, Transformation Thursday, Tablescape Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Friday Favorites, VIP Party Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up

The DIY Show Off

Monday, April 4, 2011

Shabby Apple springtime fashion & Dress GIVEAWAY plus a coupon code!

***UPDATE*** THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. Congratulations to Kelli Brewer, our winner via random.org! Enjoy your new dress!

Whatever opens your heart
to grace and fun...


Whatever makes you be
beautifully unique in the office...



Whatever new and fresh LBD inspiration
you can dream up...


(PS I have and love this dress!!)



Whatever fuels your sense of adventure while
still giving you a girly spirit...



Whatever captures your vintage style,
while you flirt using wholesome charm...

Whatever makes you feel confident
and on top of the world in a completely different way...



Whatever embraces femininity,
whatever celebrates our unique passions,
whatever is a refreshing style statement,
whatever is stunning....
all of that is Shabby Apple.



Each dress is an experience
waiting for you.

Shabby Apple just unveiled their newest Spring 2011 line, Roamin' Holiday. This Italian inspired collection celebrates the beauty and grace of fashion with the same quality Shabby Apple has always delivered.


I have been a longtime fan of Shabby Apple dresses. I was passionately in love the moment I found their website last year. I remember showing my husband nearly every single dress I found! Because of that, this giveaway makes my heart do those little butterfly flutters.

Shabby Apple clothing has been seen in Lucky, Glamour, and O Magazine. I have a sweet treat for my lovely readers! Shabby Apple is generously giving away one of their dresses from this new line. The winner can choose between the DaVinci or the Spanish Steps.
Link
DaVinci pictured left:
brings comfort casual to your wardrobe mixing the classic soft sweatshirt with delicate puff sleeves.

Spanish Steps pictured right:
a graceful mix of classic beauty paired with intricate loveliness, making you feel like a star.


It's easy to enter to win one of these Shabby Apple dresses:


Simply leave a comment on this post. Tell me what makes you feel beautiful! ;) And you're in for the win.


If you REALLY want to win, here's an EASY way to get extra entries:
1) Become a follower of Moore Minutes.
2) Share about this giveaway on your blog, Facebook or Twitter
3) Like Shabby Apple on facebook
(please leave a separate comment for each additional entry)


The fine print goodies:
The winner must have a US shipping address.
There will be no exchanges on the winning dress.
The giveaway will close 4-17-2011, with the winner announced the following week.
The winner will be selected using Random.org
I was contacted by Shabby Apple to host this giveaway but all opinions are strictly my own.
I am an affiliate with Shabby Apple but I only partner with companies who I am truly passionate about!


Moore Minutes readers get 10% off their order this month from Shabby Apple! Your special coupon code is: mooreminutes10off


Soooo, GO!


Make YOUR day
and buy a little lovely for yourself
to feel pretty in this spring!
LinkLink

And leave your commentLink
easily and quickly below to WIN.

Someone has to win...it may just be YOU!





This post is linked to: Making the World Cuter, LambAround, Tatertots and Jello, Show and Share Day, Lovin It, Friday Favorites, Blog Hop on Thursday, Show off Your Stuff, Tip Junkie, Someday Crafts, Show N Tell, Works for Me Wednesday, Topsy Turvy