a paris party.

we had a sweet little party for my two year old bella a few weeks ago. just a little shindig with family and a few close friends to celebrate my little pumpkin who exudes sweetness and all things girly.

it was so fun.

around christmastime, i was browsing through babygap when i stumbled upon this dress:

i know, riiiiight? adorable. my mom, sister and my sister's mother-in-law were with me and we all ooohed and ahhhed over how precious this dress was when i had the thought: how cute would it be for bella to wear this dress for her birthday and throw a paris-themed party to match? and there, a party theme was born.

i was super crunched for both time and energy this year planning her party with caring for a month old emmy and very little sleep. but i still wanted to make it special. the backdrop to the food table was the hugest time consumer. holy cow. for the main focal point of the party, i used decorative scrapbook paper to make several paper medallions (i used this tutorial to make these suckers). using scotch tape and yarn, i created this garland on our dining room hutch with the "ooh la la" swag to make it super paris-y. i love how it turned out!

i love displaying pictures at bella's birthday parties (and in about eleven months, emmy's!). i just love photographs, period, but also showing them throughout a year's span is so special to see just how much she's grown... and displaying special memories from the past twelve months. i printed several of my favorites and used them to create these garlands that i hung over each doorway into our dining room and living room. paired with eiffel tower playing cards and paper doilies, i loved this paris-y photo bunting!

i also found this paris plate at tj maxx for around five bucks. it used it to add to the decor on our dining room hutch since it served as the backdrop to the food table. i loved the simple black&white design.

my sister's mother-in-law (i really need a shorter name for her as she is like family to us!) lent me her cricut complete with a paris-themed cartridge, which was a huge lifesaver. i used it to create tiny paris-themed icons such as eiffel towers, poodles, high heeled shoes, purfume bottles, to make toppers for bella's chocolate cupcakes.

food for our guests included fruit trays, crackers and cheese and chocolate cupcakes. i also loaded up a pink basket with croissants and made a homemade honey butter that i served alongside strawberry jam.

one of bella's fav treats are chocolate donut holes from tim hortons. to make them look a bit more elegant, i stuck lollipop sticks in each one, and tied a knot from white ribbon on the end of each stick. the kids loved these; donuts as lollipops? what's not to love? i think bella and jude had about seven each before the party even started.

to label each of the foods, i created these food cards out of the scrapbook paper. using the cricut, i cut luggage tag shapes out of white cardstock and then glued a ribbon on the end of each (after all, paris requires traveling!)

nick's parents were in town which made bella's party *extra* special. i was so thankful for my sweet mother-in-law who helped me all morning pull things together. she helped glue cupcake toppers, tied lots of ribbon-knots and even made and frosted the cake for me! the cake mix was store bought chocolate, but i found this recipe which made the most scrumptious buttercream frosting! it was the talk of the party. i topped the cake with a doily, paper medallion and eiffel tower card that i glued to lollipop sticks. my cousin rachel (who photographed the party for me!) also lent me a gold eiffel tower figurine that i used as well.

bella had a great time at her party. the minute we put her dress on, she kept twirling and saying "look at my princess dress!" told you. such a girl. she got some great gifts; pajamas, cute dresses and skirts, books, a cash register toy, play pots, pans and dishes...

nick&i bought her this sweet vintage kitchen set that i'd been eyeing for almost a year! it's been a huge hit.

and meme got her this awesome playhouse that is perfect on our back deck. bella loves it! so do her friends...

it was such a special day for our little girl. i was exhausted when it was over, but my heart felt so *full*. bella is already blessed with so many people that love her and will forever be a part of her life.

happy birthday, bella grace! we love you so, so much.

(check out bella's vintage garden party from last year here)

this post was linked to these *lovely* blogs:

dyi by design

southern lovely

my girlish whims

shabby nest

love notes by lauryn

tatertots&jello

homemaker in heels

at the picket fence

shaken together
liz marie

multitude monday.

383. evening walks. the world is quieting down and the sun is setting low.
384. easy, chatty conversation with nick.
385. gala apples.
386. watching bella and nick play in the yard, bella squealing with excitement.
387. rocking emmy, all bundled up, in the crisp evening air.
388. painted toenails.
389. fingers and faces sticky with drips of chocolate ice cream.
390. emmy's squinty-eyed smiles when she sees me in the morning.
391. being married to a lawn perfectionist. our yard always looks amazing because of him.
392. warm chocolate chip cookies + a glass of cold milk.
393. dancing with my girls.
394. bella's giggles as she pulls my face in for kisses before bed.

what i'm loving.

a few things i'm loving these days...

- the colors turquoise and coral. especially when paired together. i'm obsessed.
- the red geraniums hanging in baskets on our front porch.

- emmy's sweet smiles.
- lip butter lipstick from revlon. love. this. stuff. i've bought three tubes: peach parfait, candy apple and cherry tart. again. another obsession.

- bella asking me for butterfly kisses before bed. absolutely ah-dorable.
- urban outfitters rugs. i ordered one for bella's bedroom (in the process of decorating) and one for our living room. love them both. and very reasonably priced. bonus.
- moscato wine. especially when consumed with my handsome husband on our front porch. it's become our new favorite place.
- my coral colored slippers from target. they are cute and oh-so-comfy. i wish it were fashion forward to wear them in public..

- the song 10,000 reasons by matt redman. it's constantly playing in my head. in a good way, not an annoying way.
- my yellow dahlia plant. some of my *favorite* flowers, dahlias are.

- nick&i's newest netflix show: brothers&sisters. i don't endorse the show's morals, but it's entertaining nonetheless.
- ann voskamp's book one thousand gifts. i recently spoke at a women's conference on gratitude, based on this book. it is life changing. go read it.

- my tube top maxi dress from old navy. perfectly hides all my post-babyness. and i ordered it in tall. which means it's long enough. awesome.
- listening to bella "talk" on the phone. "hewwwo? i have a question. uh huh. okay. bye." little social butterfly, that one.

anniversary number four.

last week, nick&i celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary. it's hard to believe it's only been four years, because its difficult to remember my life without my sweet husband by my side. he is truly my best friend, the man that inspires me to become greater, and the greatest teammate i could ask for.

i am better with him.

and i love that. he compliments me in so many ways, challenges me in countless areas and balances me where i need balancing.

this past year has been the hardest of my life. while it has overflowed with abundant blessing, it has also been full of trials and heartache. we moved across the country and left the safe and familiar. we worried about jobs, had to adjust to new ones once we got them, and the hardest thing of all; watching my father transform before our very eyes. we were mourning the loss of him before he was ever really gone... and then were left to grieve and process and heal once he was. all while learning to love and support each other in the midst of some of the worst pain we had ever felt.

not such an easy task.

and yet, god remained faithful. as i look back over the four years of our married life, it has been the hard times that have pruned our relationship and grown it to something far greater than i could've ever imagined. god has used the pain and hardship to cement our bond to each other and more importantly to him.

nick, i don't know what i would do without you. you are--in so many ways--my strength, my anchor, my rock. you calm and settle me when i'm fearful, you push me when i'm timid and you encourage me when i'm down. the way you serve those around you is such a tangible example of the hands and feet of jesus. sitting back and watching you interact with people is one of my most *favorite* things. you have such a kind and gentle spirit that draws people to you. hearing your coworkers, friends and family talk about how wonderful you are makes my heart swell with pride. i am so thankful for your incredible work ethic, your tender heart, your drive to provide for your family, and most of all your humble ways.

you are one of god's greatest gifts to me and i love this life god has blessed us with. so thankful you chose me to walk through this life by your side.

happy anniversary.

{then}

{now}

(you can read about our story here).

bless the lord, o my soul.

i have a new fav song. it's "ten thousand reasons" by matt redman. i play it over and over throughout my day as i tend to the girls, clean the kitchen, gather up laundry. and it's literally on repeat in my head when it's not playing on our house. i just love it. it's words are so powerful. see for yourself (and give it a listen here):

"bless the lord, o my soul, o my soul
worship his holy name
sing like never before, o my soul
i'll worship his holy name.

the sun comes up, it's a new day dawning
it's time to sing your song again
whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me
let me be singing when the evening comes.

you're rich in love and you're slow to anger
your name is great and your heart is kind
for all your goodness i will keep on singing
ten thousand reasons for my heart to find.

and on that day when my strength is failing
the end draws near and my time has come
still my soul will sing your praise unending
ten thousand years and then forevermore.

bless the lord, o my soul, o my soul
worship his holy name
sing like never before, o my soul
worship his holy name."

a couple of weeks ago, i wanted to get the girls out of the house and try to get some exercise. i know it sounds strange, but there is a big, beautiful cemetery across the river that is the perfect place for walking. it's always busy with joggers, people on rollerblades or pushing strollers. it's actually the place my father will be buried now that it's warm and the ground is no longer frozen, which only makes me want to go there more. the land is hilly and full of huge, green trees and a quiet stream runs through it. as we pulled into the cemetery that morning, this song played on the radio so it was in my head (as usual) as i pushed the girls and hiked along the rolling paths. it was the perfect time--and setting--for thinking and reflecting.

these words played in my head as i hummed and walked. they played in my head as i searched for my father's family headstone, where he will soon be buried. they played in my head as the tears burned in my eyes and ran down my cheeks as i stared at a cold stone with my dad's last name engraved on it's face. they played in my head as i pondered this life and just how fragile it is.

my family has experienced quite a lot of loss this year. it's been six months since my dad has passed away. and just last week a friend of our family's was taken from this earth at the young age of 27. dj was best friends with my sister and brother. because he fought health problems all his life, i always knew it would be so hard for them when he one day went home to be with jesus. i keep thinking about them. and about his sweet, sweet mother mary who lost not just her only child, but also her husband when she was pregnant with dj.

such heartbreak. such loss.

i'm reminded more and more over the past few months just how temporary this life is. and as i walked through the cemetery that morning with my girls, i found myself praying. with a huge lump in my throat. praying that i would treasure each day as if it were my last. praying that i would not spend my energy worrying, but rather thanking god for all the things--big and small--that he has so graciously blessed me with. praying that if i am taken from this earth too soon that my husband and my girls would know just how MUCH i love them.

i can't even type that without tears coming to my eyes.

my favorite part of this song is the last verse:

"and on that day when my strength is failing, the end draws near and my time has come...still my soul will sing your praise unending; ten thousand years and then forevermore."

i think it's my favorite because it reminds me of what comes next. it reminds me that for ten thousand years and forevermore we will be in the presence of jesus, singing his praises, perfected in all the ways that were im-perfect here on earth. it reminds me of my father, whose soul truly sang the praise of his god as his end was drawing near... and i see his face in my mind, beaming with inexplicable joy as he sings before his father for all eternity.

for all of us who have lost loved ones. for all of us who feel tired, weary in this life. may that be what pushes us on.

sing like never before, o my soul. worship his holy name.

shabby apple.

ever heard of it?

shabby apple is one of my *favorite* online stores. i frequent their site regularly, drooling over pretty much everything they sell.

they have the most beautiful and unique dresses that you won't find anywhere else. and who can find cute maternity clothes when you're with child? well look no further. they've got a fab maternity line as well. vintage inspired swimwear (hello, cute one pieces... i've been looking for you), sweet accessories and even a collection for little girls. shabby apple also has people available to help you find the perfect styles for your body type, fashion preference and needs. it's like having a personal shopper right on your computer. how amazing is that?

have i convinced you to check it out?

seriously. take a look at some of my favs...

joyride
how cute is this summery dress? a perfect blend of something a bit more casual, yet full of style.

champs elysees
i am in love with this navy dress and it's pleats and cinched waist. so nineteen fifties secretary.

primavera
this bright, pretty dress would be perfect to wear to a spring or summer wedding. love the vintage detail and cheery colors!

wildberry pie
looking for the perfect gift? who doesn't want a fun apron! this one's my fav...

maraschino
as a mama of two, i'm always on the hunt for cute and stylish one pieces. i'm a huge fan of this red one and it's ruffle detail!

love knot
love the simplicity of this vintage inspired necklace. perfect accessory for casual or dressy attire.

absolutely adorable stuff, i tell you. when i was contacted to be an affiliate of theirs, i jumped at the chance because i am in love with their stuff. click on the shabby apple icon on the right side of my blog and it will direct you to their site.

and the best part? shabby apple donates five percent of their net dress sales to help women worldwide.

so go ahead... shop til you drop :)

i want to remember.

it's a rainy sunday afternoon. bella is napping. nick just went to lay down. so it's just me and my ems sitting on the couch with a big, thick blanket, listening to the cars drive by, swishing in the rain.

i love this little girl so much.

i hear her cooing and look down to find her big, blue-grey eyes looking back at me. her sweet face breaks into a big smile, as she gurgles gleefully. i trace her soft little cheeks and chin, feeling my eyes stinging with the burn of tears.

because i know this moment is a fleeting one.

all too soon, she won't want to sit still. she won't just lay here, warm in my arms. we won't get to sit listening to the rain, or rock in the sunshine to the chirping of birds. we won't just stare and study each other's faces until her eyelids grow heavy and she falls asleep on my chest.

i want to remember everything.

i want to remember the sound of emmy's breath, and watching her tiny chest slowly rise and fall. how her soft hair tickles my nose when i kiss her head. i want to remember how she raises her tiny arm when i burp her, or how her legs curl up under her bum when she nestles into me. i want to remember the sight of her asleep in her swing, or how she stretches when i unwrap her from her swaddle blanket. how her tiny fists clutch near her chest as she sleeps, and how her face lights up at the sound of her sister's voice. i want to remember how my heart bursts as i watch her curl into her daddy's arms, or how she gazes at me in the wee hours of the morning. i want to remember the perfumed smell of her baby diapers, and holding her--bundled in a towel--after her bath.

i want to remember watching bella, twirling around in the living room, dancing in such wonder and innocence. i want to remember the sight of her when i crack open her bedroom door at night and see my tiny little girl asleep in a sea of blankets and stuffed animals. or how she asks me to snuggle with her before bed and "sing a couple songs?" i want to remember the feel of her head on my shoulder when she's sleepy, or the sound of her excited giggle as we chase each other and play. i want to remember how she follows nick; they traipse through the yard... her just one step behind him everywhere he goes. i want to remember watching her play with her toys and hearing her read her books. i want to remember how she sweetly asks me how my day is, or how she says "mama". and most of all hearing her sweet little voice talking to jesus. how he must love that sound.

i'm reminded over and over again of how temporary this life is. we are here today and gone tomorrow. in the blink of an eye. i work so hard to treasure all of these moments and i still feel as though it's not enough. like i can't still quite fully grasp them... i can't stop them from slipping through my fingers. time passes all too quickly.

my life is made far richer by these things. these things that i want to remember. it's all of these little moments that are worth far more than anything of worldly value. my love, my babies, my family... god has blessed me abundantly. and these are my *greatest* treasures.

matthew 6:21 says "for where your treasure is, there may your heart be also."

may my heart be focused on these moments that make my life so full. when we leave this world, nothing else will matter but these things that i want to remember.