Country Hoedown Birthday Party

All year we plan Ava Rose's Birthday Party. It has become a tradition to have a big party to celebrate Ava's birthday and also to get together with our family and friends for some summer fun. It has become a tradition between Ava and I to start picking a theme early in the year and then start to gather ideas. We turn to Pinterest, magazines and just have fun coming up with our own ideas. 

This year we went with the country hoedown theme.We lined the tents with rustic style country burlap banners. We picked up hay bales for decor and additional seating if needed. We used picnic baskets to store plates and plastic wear, we used painters drop cloths and burlap runners for our table linens. We made the center pieces for each table out of mason jars, wrapped in burlap, tied with a gingham fabric bow and we placed a sunflower in each.

Our good friend and graphic artist Melanie created this fun menu. This year we decided on a mostly vegetarian menu and hired a wonderful chef to cater it for us. 

These fun large mason jar drink dispensers were used for ice tea and lemonade.

   

 The chef provided pretty baskets for her delicious corn muffins and a fun kettle for vegetarian chili.

 

An assortment of sandwiches were wrapped in paper and twine. Each one was so delicious!

We set up a tent full of fun for the kids. One of the highlights of the day and a table that attracted a crowd was our Free General Store. Paper bags were supplied so the kids can fill their bags 

with fun toys and treats.

Gear up partners. We filled this table full of country gear for our guests to join in on the hoedown fun.

Welcome Yall! Ava and I found this amazing DIY welcome sign on pinterest.

We found this palette and stapled twine to the palette with a staple gun and put the sign at the party entrance.

We had lots of fun activities throughout the day. Potato Sack Races, a Dance Party, Pinata, and a Pie Eating Contest! Fun prizes all day long. But the highlight of the day was the arrival of Ava Rose's favorite ponies Sweetie Pie and Cocoa Puff. They come every year and this year Ava saved up all by herself to pay for them so all of her friends can enjoy pony rides.

 

And the birthday girl made her wish. Something tells me it is about planning her next big birthday party! I need some time to rest first!

We had a wonderful time with family and friends and enjoyed every moment from planning the day to setting up to spending a fun day with great people. These are the moments in life we cherish so much. Happy 6th Birthday Ava Rose. May all your wishes come true.

Decorating your Home this Fall Season

Fall is full of warm tones and pumpkin spice lattes! We love the smell of the crisp Fall air and starry nights. Snuggling up with a soft throw or slipping into the softest pajamas is an all time Fall favorite!

Fall decorating is one of our favorite seasons to change it up. We found some inspirations that we love and listed some items for an easy touch of Fall for your home sweet home.

Loving this simplicity of this master bedroom. A twist on Fall with a warm golden duvet and muted juniper coverlet and shams

Nothing screams Fall like warm tones of orange and reds. Stick to these simple solids and you can't go wrong for any season

Picking pillows can be just as fun as picking pumpkins! 

Add a few new throw pillows and bring on the Fall flavor.

The nights are starting to get chilly. 

Slip into something so comfy you wont want to get out of bed!

Snug as a bug. 

Add this Saffron Throw to your couch or bed for a flair of Fall.

What screams Fall better than earthy Jute Rugs?

Thick and durable and an assortment of colors.

What could be more relaxing and romantic than a hot bath? Maybe the kids are back in school and life gets a little busy...take care of yourself and do something nice for you. Our bath and body products will help you do just that.

P.S. Don't forget...

Back to School - Vegetarian School Lunch Ideas

Coming up with healthy ideas for school lunches can be challenging, adding on a vegetarian menu is even more challenging.  Living the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle is not to hard when you make your meals at home. 

Here are some ideas I have found to make healthy, vegetarian lunchboxes for kids and adults that are tasty, satisfying and meat-free!

Peanut Butter and Jelly
You can never go wrong with the old PB & J:

Peanut Butter and Banana

Change it up to Peanut Butter and Banana, now you have something just as delicious - has less sugar and more nutrition.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Avocado & Feta Sandwich

In a rush, have no time to roast peppers? Use jarred or canned roasted red peppers.

Simple, easy and full of flavor.

Roasted Red Pepper, Baby Arugula, & Goat Cheese Sandwich

Again, an easy trick: use jarred or canned roasted red peppers.

Crunchy and creamy and totally filling.

Healthy Banana Blueberry Muffins

Found on recipeboy.com

Bento Boxes

A popular kid favorite. Add an assortment of foods to give your child a variety. Bite sized foods are a hit. Try grape tomatoes or mini finger sandwiches. Your kid will love it:

As Vegetarians and Vegans, we are strong believers in compassionate living we are on the constant search for recipes and dining out options. Besides just out food choices, we are also on the lookout for beautiful vegan accessories, handbags, totes and cosmetic cases. 

Here is a collection of items that are vegan friendly, everything gets the vegan stamp of approval from us before adding them to our shop. 

Layering your Bedding. How to get these looks.

We love the layering of mixed fabrics and throw pillows. Bella Notte does such an amazing job of displaying their gorgeous bedding. Mixing and matching fabrics, colors and styles. We carry every item from Bella Notte, if you see something you love, we have it available in our shop. http://bit.ly/BellaNotteShopping

WHAT IS INCLUDED THIS PHOTO: Hendrix Deluxe Shams in French Grey, Linen Standard Pillowcase in Ginger, Homespun Standard Sham with Self Flange in Mineral, Isla 22x22 Throw Pillows in Cool, Isla Accent Throw Pillow in Cool, Hendrix 20x20 Throw Pillow in French Grey, Hendrix 20x20 Throw Pillow in Ginger, Linen Queen Fitted Sheet in Ginger, Linen with Crochet Lace Queen Flat Sheet in Ginger, Homespun Queen Duvet Cover in Mineral

http://bit.ly/BellaNotteShopping

WHAT IS INCLUDED THIS PHOTO: Linen Whisper Queen Duvet Cover in French Grey, Linen Whisper Deluxe Shams in French Grey, Linen Whisper Euro Shams in Powder, Linen Whisper Queen Dust Ruffle in Powder, Velvet 16x16 Throw Pillow with Satin Ruffle in Powder, Velvet 16x16 Throw Pillow with Satin Ruffle in French Grey, Olivia Bolster in Powder over Linen Bolster in French Grey, Linen Queen Fitted Sheet in Pebble, Linen Queen Flat Sheet in Pebble, Linen with Crochet Lace Standard Pillowcases in Pebble, Linen Whisper with Ruffle Curtain Panel in French Grey, Olivia Curtain in French Grey, Headboard upholsered in Velvet Yardage in Powder

http://bit.ly/BellaNotteShopping

WHAT IS INCLUDED THIS PHOTO: Mirabella Euro Shams in Perfect Peach, Linen with Crochet Lace Standard Pillowcases in Sand, Linen Queen Fitted Sheet in Sand, Linen with Crochet Lace Flat Sheet in Sand, Harper Queen Duvet, Isla Accent Pillows in Warm, Silk Velvet Quilted Throw Blanket in Powder

http://bit.ly/BellaNotteShopping

 WHAT IS INCLUDED THIS PHOTO: Mirabella Euro Sham in Sand, Mirabella Queen Duvet Cover in Sand,Camille Accent Throw Pillow in Cool, Mirabella Standard Shams in Mineral, Madera Queen Fitted Sheet in Sand, Madera Queen Flat Sheet in Sand, Linen Queen Dust Ruffle in Sand, Headboard covered in Silk Velvet Yardage in Mineral

http://bit.ly/BellaNotteShopping

WHAT IS INCLUDED THIS PHOTO: Grace Queen Duvet Cover, Grace Deluxe Shams, Homespun Standard Shams in White, Grace Accent Throw Pillows, Linen Queen Fitted Sheet in White, Linen Queen Flat Sheet in White, Linen Queen Dust Ruffle in White, Allegra Kidney Pillow

http://bit.ly/BellaNotteShopping

WHAT IS INCLUDED THIS PHOTO: Mirabella Deluxe Shams in White, Mirabella Euro Shams in White, Mirabella Standard Shams in White, Mirabella Queen Duvet Cover in White, Madera Queen Fitted Sheet in White, Madera Queen Flat Sheet in White, Linen Queen Dust Ruffle in White, Mirabella Personal Comforter in White, Linen Whisper Curtain in White, Headboard upholstered with Linen Whisper Yardage in White

http://bit.ly/BellaNotteShopping

 WHAT IS INCLUDED THIS PHOTO: Mirabella Deluxe Sham in Pacific, Mirabella Queen Duvet Cover in Mineral, Trecento Queen Fitted Sheet in Champagne, Trecento Queen Flat Sheet in Champagne, Trecento Standard Pillowcase in Champagne, Mirabella Standard Sham in Powder, Nina Accent Throw Pillow in Warm, Nina Accent Throw Pillow in Cool, Hendrix Standard Shams in Mint Julep

http://bit.ly/BellaNotteShopping

 WHAT IS INCLUDED THIS PHOTO: Loulah Deluxe Shams in Sand, Mirabella Euro Sham in Perfect Peach, Valentina Standard Sham in Powder, Camille 22x22 Throw Pillow in Warm, Pennelope Boudoir Throw Pillow in Perfect Peach, Pennelope Queen Duvet Cover in Sand, Valentina Queen Dust Ruffle in Powder over Linen Queen Dust Ruffle in Perfect Peach, Mirabella Personal Comforter in Powder, Isla Accent Pillow in Warm, Mirabella Euro Sham in Powder

http://bit.ly/BellaNotteShopping

WHAT IS INCLUDED THIS PHOTO: Camille 22x22 Throw Pillows in Warm, Pennelope Boudoir Throw Pillow in Perfect Peach, Mirabella Personal Comforter in Powder, Isla Accent Pillow in Warm, Mirabella Euro Sham in Powder

http://bit.ly/BellaNotteShopping

P.S. Don't forget...

My Baby Girl is Turning 6 and Party Plans are Underway!

I cannot believe it! Ava Rose is turning 6 on August 4th. Time really goes by way too fast. I try to enjoy ever single day with her and still it went so quickly. I savored the baby years and toddler years. Cried for the first day of pre-k and kindergarten now I have a first grader!

Ava Rose's first photo shoot. Courtesy of Christina Bohn Photography

Ava Rose is a true miracle. I truly had faith that she would come into my life and always believed, trusted and was very patient. So the day she was born is a true celebration for me. I celebrate that Ava Rose is a gift from heaven and that she is an amazing little girl. Truly taking after me she loves party planning and decorating and parties are a big deal at our house. Ava Rose starts to plan her birthday in the winter. She carefully thinks about a theme all winter long. I always tell her don't rush it! But she loves it so we plan and plan. This year she decide on a Country Western Hoedown. The planning, shopping and decorating is well underway for at least a month now. We enjoy every minute of it. Creating a guest list, writing out invitations, and of course researching on pinterest and coming up with a full plan. Then shopping!! We create everything from the table arrangements to full props.

Ava Rose's first birthday

 

Ava Rose is involved in all aspects of the party planning. Even selecting the menu. This year we decided on a Country American picnic mostly vegetarian menu. We found a great chef that worked with us to select some fun comfort foods - southern mac and cheese, corn muffins, chili, corn on the cob, old fashioned potato salads and picnic salads and sandwiches. We will have old fashioned lemonade, ice tea and of course a sundae bar!

Of course no party of Ava's would not be complete without a horse so her favorite horse will come and wish Ava a happy birthday and provide fun for the kids. We have lots of games planned like potato sack races, horse shoe throw and digging for gold. As well as a photo booth and old fashioned village.

We believe in paying it forward and giving back so each year before the party we go through all of Ava's toys and clothing and donate them to local charities. I also taught Ava Rose that it is important to save for what she would like and she saves her coins all year round to pay for her favorite horse to come to the party.

Ava Rose turns 5. 2013 

Ava Rose's party is this Saturday so we have a busy week ahead as we start to decorate but we will have photos soon to share with you.

Feeling so blessed!