you are my sunshine

As a first time mommy, I’m a little sad to say that my daughter was 5 months old by the time I finished her room. I think most moms have it finished weeks or even months before the baby is even born! BUT, in my defense, my hubby and I didn’t find out the sex of the baby until she was born. So, I figure that bought me some extra time, right?

When we moved into our house, the room was painted the cutest blue tones. It would have been perfect if we knew we were having a boy, but we didn’t want to take our chances. Grey is neutral and the perfect soft color for a baby nursery. Painting the walls and our hand-me-down furniture were our only accomplishments we finished while I was preggo. We decided if it was a girl, we would to grey and yellow {because I’m obsessed with those tones and because yellow is the best color EVER :-)} and if was a boy, we would do grey and navy.

For the record, yellow is a tough color. Everything ‘baby’ in yellow looks like butter, popcorn yellow. I wanted a bright, vibrant and fun yellow. It took me some time because I was on a budget, and I didn’t want to buy things just to fill up the room.
{Note: painting furniture is a fun, inexpensive way to brighten up a room with color!}

Here’s the skinny on where I found everything:

Crib: Munire ‘Conventry’, Guys and Dolls Furniture
Elephany mobile: Pottery Barn Kids
You Are My Sunshine design: Fleur de Lis (a paperie), available for purchase here {set of 4 for $20}
Isn’t She Lovely design {white frame with chevron design}: Fleur de Lis (a paperie)
White frames and flowers: Hobby Lobby
Jellycat ‘Dante’ Donkey: Fleur de Lis (a paperie)
Baby name letters, crib sheets and crib skirt: Firefly Furnishings (letters painted yellow at home)
Chevron toy basket: Treasured Totes via Etsy
Furniture Paint: ‘Sunshine’, Home Depot

{images via Tutto Bella}

Rainbow Wedding Inspiration and Colorful Table Setting

Somewhere over the rainbow where the MN skies are blue
red, orange, yellow and green are there too.
Colorful flowers, linens and stationery are perfectly placed,
with this shoot, the colors of the rainbow are beautifully embraced.

We fell in love with these GORGEOUS images from Drew Coleman, Event Consultant at Life Design Event Planning, and his team. The Phoenix-based event planning firm recently expanded their services to Minnesota, and they certainly brightened the planning possibilities for brides and others in need of their services in Minnesota with this colorful shoot. They teamed up with Minnesota’s best, and the results were stunning!

Drew said, “This concept was simply inspired by the rainbow. We wanted to prove that we could do a rainbow shoot….and do it well! Being new to Minnesota, we wanted to collaborate with some local talent and work on something that would bring us together for something fun with some fun vendors!”

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

placecards_Life Design Event Planning_Sewell Photography

VENDOR LOVE
Desserts: Cocoa and Fig
Floral Design: Just Bloomed
Paper Products and Design: Paperista
Furniture: BeEvents Photography: Sewell Photography
Tableware and Linens: Apres Party and Tent Rental
Shoot Location: Calhoun Beach Club
Pillows: Pillowtalkk
Wedding Gown: L’atilier Couture Bridal
Hair and Makeup: Smart and Chic Bride
Concept, Design, Details, and Shoot Direction: Life Design Event Planning

{images via Sewell Photography}

when life give you lemons…

make lemonade…or at least something sweet with the lemons!

Last week I was into bright yellow sunshine and this week, it’s lemons. Apparently I’m into yellow right now. The cheerful hue has me day-dreaming about lemons, sunflowers and spring all day.

My grocery cart will be filled with lemons at my next trip to the grocery store {the lemon loaf looks too delicious not to make right now} and the next time I throw a party, I’m keeping lemons in mind. They make such sweet favors…no one will leave with a sour taste in their mouths.

Lemony Lemon Bread, Glorious Treats
{You can find the recipe here, yellowdrop twine at The Twinery and print the FREE printable labels here, courtesy of Glorious Treats and The Twinery}

 Homemade Limoncello, Matt Bites
We served Limencello at my wedding because 1. I’m Italian and 2. it was a fresh welcome to the party mini-drink. Although is was a hit, we should have more clearly expressed its potency or limited 1 per person…preventing some from passing out on a rock at 9 p.m. {wink, wink Nicole} :).
I love the idea of making homemade Limencello and sending it with guests as a favor…and with packaging as cute at Matt Bite’s who can resist? Giada DeLaurentis shares her homemade Limoncello recipe here. Salute!

DIY Lemon Drop Favors via Style Me Pretty
{created by Posh-Paperie}

Lemon drop candy, vintage bottle caps, small containers, ribbon and parchment paper make this DIY doable and adorable.

Homemade Lemonade Favors, Style Me Pretty
These homemade lemonade favors are so clever and make beautiful gifts in the vintage bottles.

{images via Glorious TreatsMatt Bites and Style Me Pretty}

you are my sunshine

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away

My mom and I sing this to my kids all the time. My daughter particularly loves it ~ her eyes light up when she hears it, and when the song is over she always asks for more.

It’s a meaningful song to me, so I brought it to life with my inspiration board today. Hope it brings a little sunshine to your winter day…and I think it’s a sweet spin on Valentine’s Day for your loved one {make your Valentine feel like he/she is the sunshine of your life}.

I’ll leave you with a cupcake recipe that looks like it tastes as refreshing, yummy and sweet as sunshine. It makes me wish summer was here.

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes by Half Baked, The Cake Blog

images via:
Zappos Hunter Original High Gloss Rain Boot | Sugarboo Designs You Are My Sunshine Art Print |  Country Living Yellow Painted Bedroom | Yellow Centerpiece with Chevron Runner from Oh So Beautiful Paper | You Are My Sunshine Sign by Etsy seller Go Jump in the Lake | Flower Necklace by etsy seller RachelleD | Yellow and White Sailor Tote Bag found at Damsel in Dior and sold by Etsy seller Bayan HippoJonathan Adler Grapefruit Pop Candle |  You are my Sunshine Cake found at P is for Party | Pinterest Hello Sunshine pillow | Mulberry Fashion Ad from Damsel in Dior | Half Baked, The Cake Blog | Sunflower Soiree Party by The Party Dress | Invitation by Fleur de Lis, a paperie