sip and see

Sip & See.

Definition: A meet and greet to introduce your new baby to the world.

My personal thoughts on a Sip & See party…genious! I love baby showers, but as beautiful as a preggo mama is at her shower, people love to hold a baby and say ‘ooh and ahh.’  

It’s like show and tell, with the best gift of ALL…a sweet bambino.

I’m all about giving the new mom {and second, third or fourth-time moms} space to adjust to life as a new mom – let’s face it, her life has been turned upside down and all around…in a good way. Not to mention the hormones that will have her crying for no apparent reason. 🙂 I admit, I am one of those women who prefer to be left alone after having a baby – so I would need at least three months before I could do a Sip & See – but others are different and enjoy being around people after giving birth {and God bless you for that}. So, whatever time is right for you, make the time {or have a friend or mother, or mother-in-law make the time} to host a Sip & See.

I love this party at The Party Dress because its adorable, and, of course, has some fun cocktails for people to Sip while they See.

Tori Spelling threw a Sip & See shower for her friends, the famous “guncles,” with the adorable theme, Simple Simone after the baby girl’s name, Simone. Courtney as Pizzazzerie helped designed the logo.

I saved the best for last because I am IN LOVE with this MILKaholic Sip & See by Carrie Sellman of Half Baked {found at Hostess with the Mostess}. You HAVE to see more details of this party…the details are amazing!

The idea of making a diaper thoughts station is brilliant. Love it…also a great idea for a baby shower {with the baby still in mama’s belly}.

{images via The Party Dress, Child Mode, and Hostess with the Mostess}

skinny dipping, i mean drinking

Here’s the skinny … we love our cocktails, but not all the sugary, empty calories. We can’t help but have one (or a few) cocktails on a holiday like the 4th of July, so pick up this delicious alcoholic beverage while barbequing, sitting pool side, or watching gorgeous fireworks this year to celebrate our wonderful nation’s independence.

For those of you who know me and my sisters, we are completely obsessed with The Real Housewives. You who have not heard of the Real Housewives series have been living under a rock, seriously! Totally hilarious and entertaining – love it. Bethenny Frankel, from The Real Housewives of New York City, created a delicious, low calorie margarita called Skinnygirl Margarita. All natural ingredients, seriously low in calories, and so delicious! You can find in most liquor stores around the nation – so, next time you and your ladies want a cocktail without the guilt, pick up Skinnygirl Margarita! Blend it or pour on the rocks, with or without salt, and enjoy …

* Happy 4th of July! *

skinnygirl

bethenny frankel

{images via beautysnob.com, risingwatersentertainment.com}

game, set, match

We grew up in a tennis-loving family. Tennis tournaments, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras, racquets and doubles partners…all of it was talk at the dinner table every night. OK, not every night, but at least a couple of nights a week. 🙂

Today, we pay homage to our childhood sport and the wonderful game of tennis with fabulous tennis party ideas…and {of course} just in time for the Wimbledon Championships this weekend.

Throw a tennis tournament and host a fun post-tennis tournament party, or throw a party in lieu of the finals of a major tournament. Or, as you will see, you can just throw a beautiful party on the green and white court.

I love this Friar Tuck Cup Party from Christi at P is for Party. Elaborate, fun and gorgeous. For more photos and details, visit Christi’s blog.

How pretty is this Ralph Lauren Inspired Tennis Dessert and Champagne Table by Victoria from A Subtle Revelry. For more photos and ideas, visit A Subtle Revelry.

Denver-based Design Works by dave and mike made their client center court with this creative party.

Check out this Courtside Soiree from Canvas and Canopy.

{images via P is for Party, Canvas and Canopy, Colorado Expression Magazine and A Subtle Revelry}

add a little sparkle

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

Red. White. Blue. One of my all-time favorite times of the year. This week I was inspired by the 4th of July and a wedding from Style Me Pretty that beautifully carried our nation’s colors throughout the decor. What a fun theme for a summer wedding!

My new obsession for weddings: FIREWORKS!

I am SO in love with wedding photos with guests sending-off the newlyweds with fireworks. The fireworkds literally light up the party, they are exciting for guests and they are a fun, creative way to end the night as bride and groom. And, the photos are undeniably awesome. I am definitely obsessed!

Also a romantic prop for engagement sessions:

Go ahead, add a little ‘sparkle’ to your wedding day 🙂

A few ideas for buying fireworks online…

Koyal Wholesale has 20 inch sparklers in bulk for a reasonable price.

BuySparklers.com has a variety of sparklers that come in ‘wedding’ packaging and are  a variety of prices and styles.

Wholesale Event Solutions sells 10 inch sparklers for 99 cents.

{images via green wedding shoes, southern weddings, style me pretty & the frugal style}

popsicle treat for those hot summer nights…and days

It’s hot around here and after a long {and fun} day at the pool and park, nothing sounds better to the kids {and me} than a popsicle. Refreshing.

I’m going for the “one for you, one for me,” motto on this one. Below are yummy recipes for the kiddos and for sophisticated adults!

Berry Coconut, recipe via The TomKat Studio

Ingredients
1 cup strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 can light coconut milk
1 cups water
1 cup apple juice
1/2 cup honey
5 ounce Dixie cups
20-30 Popsicle sticks

How To
Add strawberries, blueberries, coconut milk, water, apple juice and honey in a blender. Carefully pour mixture into your 5 ounce Dixie cups, filling 2/3 of the way.
Place in the freezer for 30 minutes (set your timer), insert your wooden sticks, and continue to freeze until the popsicles are completely frozen, about 6 hours.
When you’re ready to devour, cut and tear the Dixie cups off of the popsicle.

Honeydew Lime Popsicle, The TomKat Studio

For the complete recipe, {created by one of our faves, Lisa, With Style and Grace visit here.}

Strawberry Shortcake Popsicle, recipe via Bakers Royale

Ingredients
1 ½ cup puree of strawberries 
½ cup crushed vanilla Oreos
2 cups vanilla yogurt

How To
Puree strawberries
Place Oreos in a food processor and pulse until cookies become fine crumbs {or place Oreos in a Ziploc and use a rolling-pin to crush cookies}.
Add crushed Oreos to the yogurt and mix until combined. 
Layer the yogurt portion first and let freeze for 30 minutes before adding the strawberry layer.
Let the second layer freeze for 30 minutes, and then add the last yogurt layer.

For more notes and tips on this recipe, visit Bakers Royale.

Root Beer Float on a Stick, recipe via Smile Monster

Ingredients
1 12oz. root beer or 1 1/2 cups
1/3 cup whole milk
1 Tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

How To
Pour into your cups or molds about 1/3 of the way and freeze for about an hour.
For the cream layer mix together: 1/3 cup whole milk, 1 Tablespoon sweetened condensed milk and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Pour the creamy mixture in even amounts into your molds and freeze another hour. Then top off with remaining root beer mixture.
Freeze again but don’t forget to insert your sticks once that top layer has gotten firm.

For more notes and tips on this recipe, visit Smile Monsters.

Watermelon Mojito Pops, Sugar and Charm

Find the delicious Watermelon Mojito recipe, visit here.

Strawberry Peach Vodka Collins, Endless Simmer 

For the Strawberry Peach Collins recipe, visit here.

{images via Design Sponge, The TomKat Studio, Bakers Royale, Smile Monsters, Sugar and Charm and Endless Simmer}