Nov

18

Milk & Cookies Baby Shower

 i hosted a baby shower last weekend for my sister in law, who is due in January.  (our first local cousin!  we are pretty excited!)  she is not finding out what she is having, so we knew that we needed to throw a cute and simple gender neutral shower.  A Milk & Cookies Shower was the perfect theme!

my mother in law, other sister in law, and i all made some of our tried and true cookie recipes, and even bought a few varieties from the grocery store, so it made for the easiest shower menu:

we gathered glass jars…some of which we already owned, and we bought a few others, like this Large Glass Jar and this Medium Glass Jar, and used them as cookie jars.  i bought coordinating scrapbook paper from Hobby Lobby in greens and greys, and cut them to fit into the bottom of each jar.  i then wrapped each jar in burlap ribbon, and used a chalkboard label (from World Market) to label the jars.  i bought this Chalk Marker and LOVE how crisp it makes everything look.  and i didn’t have to worry about smears or chalk dust.  i’m not sure that i’ll ever use regular chalk again:

we used punch bowls filled with ice to keep the milk cold:

we used a simple white cake, and created the personalized bunting out of leftover scrapbook paper, bakers twine, and wooden dowels as the cake topper:

these little milk glasses with striped straws pulled the whole theme together:

the best part is, they were super cost effective because they are just Starbucks Frappuccino glasses with the labels removed:

i love how they look like mini milk bottles:

we had a little tea and coffee station as well:

because the table was the main attraction, we kept the other decorations fairly simple by using more of the coordinating scrapbook paper that we used in the jars:

i made the gold circle bunting with leftovers from Berkeley’s DIY mobile (tutorial for mobile coming soon!)  i plan to use them for the holidays as well:

Simple white carnations added a special touch around the house:

guests were greeted with a chalkboard sign at the front door, letting them know that they were in the right place!

we played a few games…baby Scattergories, Mad Libs, and this nursery rhyme fill in the blank:  (free printables here and here)

this might’ve been the easiest party i’ve thrown, and i hope to use the theme again someday…perhaps for a First Birthday Party?  wouldn’t that be cute???

PS:  i’m still working on December sponsorships, so let me know if you want in before i halt them for a bit! :)

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Nov

12

Rock, Paper, Scissors

i loved hearing all of the trio Halloween costume ideas that you guys sent my way.  i’ve pocketed some of them for another time, although i’ve been informed by Canaan that this was the last year that he is participating in the coordinating costumes.  he said that once he turns double digits (which happens in April :( ), he is dressing as a soccer player every year.  hmmm…we’ll see if i can’t bribe him next year, but if not, i’ve already got a pretty adorable idea for my two girls.  and i just might need to come to terms with the reality that my little boy is growing up!

with our new addition this year, which not only brought another little body to outfit, but also much less time to work on costumes, i had to go with something super simple.  so these costumes did not take much time nor energy, and barely cost anything to make:

read on to see the how to.

once we decided on our trio, i started to get a little bit sad that Baby B’s first Halloween costume was going to be a Rock.  so i attempted to make her the cutest little rock that i could.  i’m pretty happy with the result, and when i look back 20 years from now to her First Halloween pictures, i don’t think i’ll be all that sad :)

Rock:

i found some grey glittery tulle at Hobby Lobby, and made her a quick and simple tutu (tutorial here).  she had a grey onesie already, and i used this felt monogramming technique to label her as a Rock.  you can’t see, but she’s wearing adorable grey polka dotted tights that i found on clearance at Target.

Paper:

i bought a piece of white foam board, cut it in half, and used a yard stick to measure out lines and drew them on with a hot pink and a blue paint pen.  (the paint pens were a bit more expensive than regular paint, but it was MUCH easier and faster, and yielded cleaner lines, than trying to paint lines with a brush, so in my opinion, totally worth the few extra dollars.)  i drew and colored in the holes with a sharpie.  i repeated this on the second half of foam board, so that her costume could be seen from the front and the back.  it also made it easy to wear, as i just attached the two boards together with some canvas straps that i already had in my craft supply.  (i used hot glue to attach the straps to the back of the boards.)  the straps hung over her shoulders, and the boards fell nicely in front and in back.  i found a black beanie for a few dollars at Target, and used the felt monogramming technique again to label the beanie.  the beanies were an afterthought, but i think they tied the costumes together nicely.

Scissors:

the scissors were a tad bit more complicated, but still very easy to do.  i used foam board again and drew out the shape of scissors.  i actually drew each arm of the scissors separately and attached them together later.  you can’t tell in the picture, because the handles are all one piece, but the body and the arms of the scissors are actually two pieces, just mirror imaged.  does that make sense?  so i basically had 4 pieces of scissors…2 for the front, and 2 for the back.  using hot glue, i glued the scissors pieces together to form the shape.  i wrapped the blades in aluminum foil, and then traced the handle portion of the scissors onto red poster board, and cut that out as a single piece.  using a glue stick (hot glue would’ve shown through) i glued the red handles onto the foam board, securing it all together as one piece.  i did the same thing all over again for the back of the costume.  i used the canvas straps to secure the two pieces together to hang over Canaan’s shoulders.  i initially tried to hang the scissors sideways but could not get the front piece to line up with the back piece while still getting the straps to fit without sliding off, so i would suggest hanging the scissors up and down and saving yourself the headache of trying to figure out how to hang them sideways.  i finished off the costume again with a labeled beanie.

originally, Jake and i were going to go as “Shoot” with t-shirts and water guns, but decided against it because there was some discretion about whether or not everyone would get the Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot, because apparently not everyone says “Shoot” when playing the game.  i didn’t argue much, cause it just meant one less costume i had to make :)  but because Jake can’t miss an opportunity to wear that awful wig that he has, he decided to go as Carlos, the 1989 Rock, Paper, Scissors World Champion:

so all in all, these were some of the easiest costumes to pull together, and i think our first year as a trio was successful!

ps:  i’m still accepting sponsors for the month of December before i take a break for a bit, so email me at asmallsnippet{at}gmail{dot}com if interested.

6 Comments

Nov

02

:: November Sponsors ::

if you’ve been around for a while, then you know that the beginning of the month brings about my monthly sponsor post!  please take a second to check them out and to read my thoughts on the products (my thoughts are the red text.)

a quick FYI on my sponsorships…things are getting ready to change with my sponsorship program.  i will be accepting new sponsors at a special Christmas rate just for the month of December, so if you’ve got a great product or service that you want people to know about in time for Christmas, let me know!  but after December, i will be taking a break from sponsorships for a bit, to focus back on just blogging for fun!  i have SO many many things to share with you, that are just sitting on my computer waiting to be posted, so i’m excited to simplify things and get to all the things i want to post!  so if you’ve been contemplating becoming a sponsor, now is your opportunity before i take a break!  email me at asmallsnippet{at}gmail{dot}com.

as always, you can click on the sponsor’s name or on their picture to be taken to their site or shop.

:: Wendolina ::

All “Wendolina” rag quilts are reversible.  One side is finished and the other side has exposed seams that are snipped and fray to create the shabby chic look.  Both sides are made using designer 100% cotton fabrics so they can be displayed on either side.  Each square is sewn with a lightweight, natural cotton batting in the middle.  Every quilt is washed once to start the ragging process.  They can be machine washed in cold water and machine dried. The more you wash and dry them, the raggier and softer they will become.  Use the code SNIPPET10 for a 10% discount, just for A Small Snippet readers.

** i am kinda obsessed with these quilts.  i love just checking out Wendy’s website to see what new products she is offering!  she just recently added a bunch of new kids quilts, and i am dying over the “Little Matryoshka” one.  i have a thing for Matryoshka nesting dolls, and have begun to collect them, so when i saw that quilt, i got giddy!  go check it out! **

:: Hupernikao ::

Hupernikao® (hoop-er-nik-ah’-o) is a new fitness apparel brand with one purpose: to inspire people to get out of survival mode, take up their shield of faith, and conquer their battles. The word “hupernikao” (a Greek verb) literally means “defeat soundly, prevail mightily, more than conquer.” It comes straight from Romans 8:37: Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

Your battle – whatever it may be – may feel like it’s crushing you. But the truth is, there’s a conqueror inside you…and that’s a promise from God :) .

Shipping charges are such a bummer, so for a limited time, get free shipping with orders over $30 with promo code “asmallsnippet”!

Where can you get more info on hupernikao® fitness apparel?
Browse the store: hupernikaoinc.com
Watch the story of hupernikao®: youtube.com/hupernikaoclothing
Get the latest on our clothing (and a little inspiration): facebook.com/hupernikaoinc

** i absolutely love love love the vision behind Hupernikao.  if anything, just go read their story or watch their video.  i get so encouraged when i see examples like this…leveraging the individual and unique talents and gifts that God has given for a Greater Purpose.  and it certainly doesn’t hurt that their products are THE most comfortable things i own! **

:: Nana’s  Nuzzles ::

Nana’s Nuzzles specializes in home sewn items that keep people cozy.  Whimsical quilts (all sizes), discreet nursing covers for mommas, matching baby carrier covers, and creative notebook or journal covers are just some of the products available.  Quilts vary in size from baby quilts to lap quilts and larger quilts for beds.  All work is carried out with TLC and a lot of heart.  Shop from our small inventory or order a custom-made piece with or without your own fabric.  Custom orders are always welcome. Follow the link to see my store, and thank you for taking the time to look.

As an early Christmas special, Bobbi is offering a 10% discount just for A Small Snippet readers.  use code “asmallsnippet” at checkout.

** if you’ve got any new mommas on your Christmas list, make sure to check out Bobbi’s nursing covers and grocery cart covers.  and she is now selling fabric covered notebooks, which i know if you’ve got a little girl in your house that is anything like mine, then she would love to use one as a diary/journal!  and for my fellow Chi O’s, she’s got some adorable owl fabric!   her prices are great too, and she’s offering a discount for this month, so be sure to check her out! **

:: Beautycounter ::

Beautycounter provides safe, chic and effective products. Our social mission is inseparable from our brand: We educate families about the need for safer chemicals and products, and work to bring about much needed change to the beauty industry—and to our lives.

What’s sets us apart is the fact that we are 100% transparent, no hidden secrets or ingredients. We pride ourselves on our strict ingredient screening and our honest message. All of our products are gluten free and vegan!
www.heatherjadus.beautycounter.com

check out this video to learn more:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYKw1c6M3iQ

**I have the Routine Cream Cleanser, the Every Night PM Hydrating Cream, and the Lustro Face Oil # 3 – Ylang Ylang and Wild Chamomile. Heather was just explaining to me that using non-oil products or products for oily skin can cause your skin to think it’s dry which makes your body overcompensate so more oil is created…that’s why breakouts occur.  fascinating, huh?  so i’m excited to see how the face oil can help my skin!  the products smell great and feel great.  you know how you can feel the quality of a beauty product the second it hits your skin?  these products just feel differently than your run of the mill drugstore products.  and its such a HUGE bonus that they are made without all the chemicals you find in other products. check them out.  they’ve got tons of products to choose from! ** 

be sure to let me know if you want to be apart of my December Sponsors.

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