Laylas First Birthday Party: Shes A GEM

As promised, im sharing all of Layla's "SHES A GEM" themed FIRST birthday party details on the blog today. I know ive been super MIA lately, life is busy as a family of four in the best way and im soaking up all the time i have with these babies while theyre little and home with me.  We are going from one adventure to the next and its been the best year ever.  Her party was so special and so much fun. We wanted it to be really feminine and sweet just like she is! Florals, and purple, and a little sparkle, and of course gems and geodes! It was whimsical meets bohemian and everyone knows i love to party plan, but i swear after their first bday i cool it down and do simple for a few years until theyre old enough to even know its their birthday and what that means. lol.  So Cashs birthday next month is going to be simple mellow and minimal but Still special of course.  Anyhow, i went all out for my son and his first bday so i knew i had to for her as well, and what mama doesnt love any excuse to go all out on girly stuff when its their first year with their first baby girl!? right?!

Have fun checking out the details below, i tried to link most of the places we found things or how i made things for you guys. If you have questions write me below in the comments section!

My bestie made the cakes and my sister made the cupcakes. Its always nice to have helping hands when youre hosting a party and have a zillion things to do! Both sets of parents were so awesome to help out as well and pick up balloons and bring cookies and help set up! SO thankful for family that loves my little girly!

^^^Gem crown was custom made by The Unicorns Princess & i just added some flowers to it (which in hindsight i probably wouldnt have now looking back because she looked a little bit like Julius Caesar lol! I think if you cant have the flowers wrap all the way around its a no go! So if you purchase a gem crown from this shop make sure you leave it as is (:  ^^^

Alot of you asked about this dress! The back is even cuter, its open back! ive linked here (its the first one):

I also added some other options that i tried on or actually purchased but ended up going with this cute free people rose colored maxi dress. The front slits are so cute, i love the cap see through sleeves and the open back cut out V is so so cute! its on sale for $99!!Im wearing an XS for reference. Im also loving that Lucy Paris blush romper and bought it but it was a little too long on me (im 5'4) and they didnt have XS so someone needs to scoop that up asap.

For those who have asked in the past how to get my big loose curls, i use the NUME MAGIC curling wand in 32mm (its my favorite for big curls): You can use my link to shop it for this current steal:  NUME, ALL WANDS 70% off + FREE SHIPPING in US/CANADA USE CODE CURLS70 

"Shes A Gem" and "ONE" banner were custom made c/o: Hooray Everyday  IG: @hoorayeveryday
GIANT White Balloons c/o Confetti Crown Party Designs IG: Confetticrown and their packaging is so adorable!

Paperly Press cupcake toppers and ONE topper

^^^The boys got to paint their own wooden snakes, and the girls made star wands, they also painted diamonds as you can see here. we had a little bounce house and all the kids were in the pool. Having plenty of activities to occupy the kiddos is always a must.  The pinata was a hit too (of course)!

^^^some of the littlest party goers^^^

^^^DIY ombre dip dyed gauze backdrop made by me.. not exactly how i pictured it but worked out well (: ^^^

^^^Susie Cakes made theeee cutest and yummiest sugar cookies! ^^^

Cake Topper "ONE" and diamond silver and gold cupcake toppers c/o: Paperly Press

Hand made these tassels and dip dyed them

This adorable air filled Layla sign is still going strong a month later! It was the cutest extra touch of decor above all the kids swimming in the pool/jacuzzi.  You can find it here c/o: Dsign Paper Shop IG: Dsignpapershop

I bought a ton of flowers from trader joes and put together these floral arrangements to dress up the party and make it really feminine and whimsical but still have a bohemian feel.  My MIL was so sweet and found me eucalyptus from her florist because i couldnt track it down anywhere.

I I made these tablecloths using Gauze and dip dyed them mixing different colors of dye. I also DIY tthese gold geometric shapes using wood sticks from michaels craft store and also cake pops and spray painted them. I also spray painted rocks and bought amethyst clusters on amazon.

Its Been A Minute..

 

It has been fooooorever since ive sat down to write. I feel like I needed a little break from blogging because life was just going by so quickly and i wanted to enjoy and soak up more time being present with my family, not thinking at all about when i would have time to sit down and type out my thoughts/feelings etc because i already have so much on my plate.  I battle having enough time daily to spend intentional time with my kids, spend time alone with God, clean, spend time with my husband, me time, cook, work, etc. I feel like i will never have enough time in the day to do everything id like to do, and its just about accepting that and knowing what i get done is enough & putting my focus on whats really important, i showed up and loved on my family. So anyhow, a break was needed and appreciated and always helps me refocus on why I have this tiny space here. I never want this blog to ever be about anything other than these few things: community, encouragement, support, fun, and a place for me to process and share because thats healing and good for the soul. There were many times i missed writing and wanted to hop back on here. So thats what this will be like now that i have 2 littles at home, theres much less me time to get on a computer and share. SO, ill be hopping on here when i can, and that'll be enough. (:  

Thats all i wanted to share today, as i hadnt shared where i went the past couple months, and i know some of you were wondering if I was going to continue with this blog.  Love this mama community and I am grateful for all of the relationships i've made with you ladies.

Xo

Tess

Thanksgiving & Black Friday DEALS + NUME Discount

Thanksgiving & Black Friday DEALS + NUME Discount 

I hope everyone had an amazing thanksgiving with your families/friends and the people you hold dear. We had an amazing day with family and it was extra celebrating Laylas first Thanksgiving this year. We are so grateful for our growing family, our big extended family, all of our healthy bodies and minds, and the love God has given us for each other and others. Those are the things i've been focused on this year. We are making traditions with our little ones and it warms my heart to think about how excited Cash is about Christmas and the holidays this year. We got to watch my parents light up their Christmas lights last night and all the little cousins were in awe. It was so cute to see their excitement and how they all ran up to touch the lights.  Having children gives the word Joy new meaning, i know kids age you because of worry, and lack of sleep and running around crazily after them....but they at the same time they have this beautiful ability to make you younger, to see things through their eyes and re-experience life and the little things like Christmas lights in a whole new way. Lights, Santa, hot cocoa, and the beginning of learning to give to a child who doesnt have toys or shoes or a family, its all so beautiful and such a blessing to watch Cash explore the world for the very first time.  So with all that said, im so grateful for my family. Im beyond grateful.  Words just do not convey my heart today.

I wanted to share some of my favvvvorite shops that have Black Friday deals online today! Because if you're like me and have two littles, you are avoiding the mall and the crazies out.  I also wanted to share all the NUME product deals right now! I know some of you missed out on the last Nume curling wand sale that i posted and if you're shopping around for styling tools these are the way to go as far as quality and price (when they have deals going on).  So here are some snippets of my hair (when mommy has time to style it) using the Magic 32mm Curling wand! I  LOVE it.

 

BIG loose curls are a girls best friend. ((disclaimer..sorry for the lame selfie, just wanted to show you the curls)) 

^out with my lady friends^ 

 

^^Day 3 after i curled it, slept on it twice, and wore it up numerous times (5 month old sticky baby fingers are no bueno with long hair)

 

^^Day 4 (where the cover my eyes emoji?) up in a pony looks super cute too^^

 

^^and lastly a quick thanksgiving shot of all 4 us, we barely fit in a selfie anymore! And i love that!^^ 

Here are the best Nume deals today and the first one is throughout the month:

ALL WANDS $28!!!!! expires 12/31/15 code: GOTTACURL

MEGASTAR straightener only $49! code: SANTA -----just for today!!!

(this is my fav straightener, i use it to curl my hair for smaller curls)

60% OFF entire site + FREE shipping code: BF60 ----Just Black friday! 

(excludes holiday collection)

The Titan 3 wand SET is just $69 with code: BFTITAN---Just Black Friday!

Also some other shops with Black Friday deals:

Lululemon: Tons of markdowns

J Crew: 50% off everything

Nordstrom: up to 40% off select styles

Anthropologie: 25% off everything (use code SHOPTOIT)

Gap: 50% off everything

 

Urban Outfitters: extra 30% off sale

ASOS: 20% off everything (use code CYBER)

Nordstrom's SALE, Yasss please

 Nordstrom's SALE, Yasss please

Im so glad so many of you will have a chance to try out Nume's curling wands, they will not disappoint! I'll have more coupon codes for you guys soon if you werent able to scoop one up this past week, the previous sale is over but there will be other opportunities so stay tuned.  For now, i wanted to share Nordstrom is having a sale, at first i went online to check out their Nike sale (which you can browse below, sooo good) but then i got caught up looking at all of the other items on sale, with those prices for quality items they're too good to pass up. Im a bargain shopper so i though i'd share the love!  Check out those Nordies prices!

*Right click the arrow for more*

 Okay first lets talk active wear, everything i purchase from low end brands ends up falling apart. Nike and Lulu Lemon are where its at (: . I wear active wear daily running around chasing my littles, as well as for workouts 3 days a week (if im lucky), so a couple quality pieces are important for me if i want them to last a long time. I also love the bright colorful shirts, and usually pair them with a gray or black workout pant.  I threw in some boyfriend jeans, you really cant beat $39 for a good pair! That $13 wide brim hat is perfect for winter and fall and adds a lot of character to an outfit.  Loving those two long sleeves and the cardigan that hits right at the knee.  And i could live in those gray nike sweatpants, with a simple white tee or even a long sweater those would be so cute.

Happy Sales shopping!!