life according to three j. sisters - weddings, parties, lifestyle.
Can you unscramble the words in the title to this post?
The correct answer is: thank you.
We owed some very special people a thank you, so the kids and I got creative with our words. With delicious, homemade shortbread, and Ghiradelli chocolate as our base, and just a hint {in this case the hint word was, gratitude}, we created a cookie scramble ‘thank you’.
{images via j. sorelle}
Our family is truly blessed with the beautiful souls {almost 7} that have entered our lives the past 7 years. Our family started with just 2 {our amazing parents}, grew to 5 {Jessica, Jenna and Jodi}, added 3 more {handsome hubbies} and then came the babies, totaling almost 15! We have so much to be thankful for. Jenna’s newest, and gorgeous addition, Enzo, was recently baptized. We celebrated with family, friends…good food and fresh mint cocktails! Her “Mint” To Be a Catholic Boy party was a good time had by all…and sweet Enzo smiled as the holy water rolled down his cute head.
We added some DIY details in the last 12 hours. Totally doable and easy.
LAST MINUTE BAPTISM PARTY DETAIL TIPS
Follow Melanie’s DIY for the ‘no sew garland’
Pick fresh hydrangea from your garden
Hot glue DIY pom-poms {use this tutorial from Creature Comforts} onto a blank canvas into a letter or design
Use antiques from around the house for props, such as vases, window panes, trays, boxes, etc
Make these amazing Chocolate Mousse shooters, with a shot of Creme de Menthe and topped with fresh mint leaves
Make refreshing mint water with fresh mint leaves and a mint-infused signature {we have an amazing mint cocktail we’re sharing from the party on Friday} for guests
Wrap a white pipe cleaner around a straw or wood stick in the shape of a cross for a lovely drink accessory
Make the setting personal with photos and a name
E-mail Jenna at paperie@fleurdelisdtc.com to create a custom invitation
{images via j. sorelle}
I plan to make the first day of the school year special with lots of photos, love, hugs, kisses..and donuts. Who doesn’t have a good day that starts off with a donut and love? And, we have a free printable for you too from Fleur de Lis! You can find it here. And, not just for the first day of school – for anyone you love, on any day of the week. Yay! Donuts for everyone.
I hope the rare goodness of chocolate and sprinkles before 8 am brings a smile to my kids faces’ and eases my kindergartener’s ‘first day of school’ anxiety. Heck, I think I need 10 donuts to ease my anxiety for the first day. Bring on the chocolate glazed donut for mama!
You can either print the printable directly on a white bag from Target like I did. Or, print and cut, then attach to a bag with a clothes pin.
{images via j. sorelle…as you can see, we couldn’t even keep a donut untouched for the photos – chocolate fingers snatched some bites}
One of my best friends just welcomed her first child into the world. As I held her, I was reminded about how tiny, miraculous and fragile they are. I was just there two years ago with my own son, and yet, it felt like forever ago. When my children were babies, I was obsessed with their fingers and toes. I still think about the way my babies’ tiny hands wrapped around my finger tightly in the hospital room post birth, and the way they still reach for my hand as they cross the street. I think about the sound of pitter-patter steps across the floor a hundred miles an hour everyday, all day, and it makes my heart smile. The joy, laughter and love those tiny hands and feet, hearts and souls have brought into my life is priceless.
I pray those once tiny feet continue to grow and lead as they walk along the path of life. I pray they always take the time to feel the sand in between their toes, step forward with bravery and courage to lead others and always stand up for what is right. Sometimes our kids have big shoes to fill, but with guidance and love, I believe they can do it.
I also know those tiny feet are too cute and precious not to ‘dress up’ with well-made, and beautiful shoes.
Enter: Freshly Picked.
Let me just preface this story with the fact that we are big fans of Shark Tank at our house, so the name and product that is Freshly Picked, was not new to us {Susan scored a deal with Daymond of Shark Tank – see it here, 32:30}. So when the beautifully made, and adorable to boot, camo moccasins arrived at my house, it was exciting…and also a full circle moment for me. You see, Susan, the owner of Freshly Picked, has been an inspiration to me. Being a mama to her two kids, she was frustrated with the lack of well-made kids shoes. So with a little leather, determination, hard work and $200 behind her, she set out to make gorgeous, comfortable shoes. Well, she made it…and she’s a major success!
I’m a stay-at-home mom, and my love for all things pretty, detailed, party-related and yummy was my reason for inspiring my sisters to start a blog with me. With zero experience, money and time against us…and teamwork, hard work and passion on our side, we have taken this little ‘passion project’ to places we never thought. And, part of me still feels like it’s just the beginning of great things to come for the j. sisters. For us, if Susan can do it, she gives us hope that we can do it too.
Who knew little moccasins would spark such a reaction, huh? Maybe they will spark a reaction in you too…and you will have a chance to see what your reaction will be with a chance to win a FREE pair – giveaway is below.
My children recently had the opportunity of a lifetime to ‘play’ and discover real helicopters. What better place to debut our new pair of Camo Freshly Picked moccasins than among the professionals who wear camo on a daily basis? True story – the awesome military men noticed the shoes, commented on them…and loved them!
And, at the end of our amazing day…I think he thought he could really fly {while wearing really comfortable shoes}. And, no one told him otherwise. 🙂
We’re big fans of Freshly Picked moccasins…and we know you will be too. You have the opportunity to win a pair of $60 Freshly Picked Moccasins too. Enter below.
{images via j. sorelle}
It’s time for back to school. No more lazy mornings and pool days basking in the sun…until June rolls around next year. I know, so sad. Jessica’s oldest son starts Kindergarten this year, which is also a sad reality of ‘letting go’ just a little, adjusting to a new norm of waking up early and getting out the door in a semi-organized fashion everyday and the realization that no matter what we do, they still grow up.
To make the first day of school even more fun for the kiddos this year, we made easy, DIY favors for the kids and teachers…and it was a great activity for our kids to practice writing their names.
All you need is college ruled paper, a printer, Elmer’s Glue and Crayola crayons.
Follow the photos above if you’re a visual person, and read the instructions below if you need it in words:
1. Use Microsoft Word to print your personal note on the top-right side of the paper. We typed, “It’s going to be a noteworthy year. your friend,”
2. Fold the paper in half with text visible on top.
3. Fold the paper in half again.
4. It should look like this.
5. Cut the top two layers on the top blue line.
6. It should look like this.
7. Cut a curved arch on the back two sheets of paper.
8. Use Elmer’s Glue to glue the edges together. You will have extra edges on the back flap and front flap, so add a little glue there too.
9. Add Crayola Crayons and sign name.
{images via j. sorelle}