{Made it Monday} Olivia's birthday album

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeey internets!

I'm so glad to be back in action!

My sweet lil' computer is back on track and we're ready to roll!

I finally got around to making Olivia's 6th birthday album right before my computer went away.

Let's keep it real here and understand that this is the *ONE and ONLY* birthday album I've ever made for her (or anyone else, for that matter). Don't get all judgemental on me and tell me about how you've never made even. one. album. for your child because up until now, I was in THE SAME BOAT, OKAY???

Anyhoo.

I like it. I think it turned out cute.

I used all the Instax pictures we took on the trip. The Instax camera was one of O's birthday gifts. She loves it. I love it even more. I love how cute and tiny the pictures are (the size of a credit card) and how you snap the picture and out it pops.

Instant gratification?!

I'm a fan.

So, here are a few pictures of the album. (Click each picture to make it larger.)




















While I was working on the album, Olivia glanced over at me at one point and asked, "Mommy, why are you spending time making a scrapbook for me? I know what my birthday was like."

I sat there for a few minutes wondering this myself. Why DO I spend tons of time putting together an album full of little memories of this, that and everything else during that one little trip??

Then it hit me. The answer.

It's because I have *NO* idea what I did for my 6th birthday. Or what I was like as a 6 year old girl or what toys I was "into." I remember my favorite friends (who are still some of my faves, by the way) and who my teacher was that year, but other than that, nothing. (Am I alone here? My memory is reeeeeeally bad.)

And, that's a little sad to me.

Am I okay despite the fact? Absolutely.

(Mom - stop tearing up. I'm okay. Really. Hey! By the way - do you remember what we did for my 6th birthday? Just wondering.)

So, that's why I do all this crazy scrapping for my kids (when I can). So they can remember. When they are older with families and children of their own, they can remember.

We can remember.

All the little details.

Not just pictures in a box, but the details of the good times. The details that are so quickly forgotten in every day life.

Will they still need therapy? I'm almost certain they will.

I'm okay with that.

What they won't need help with is remembering the details that are so often lost for me.

Hopefully, they won't need help with that.

{Par-taaay Wednesday} Ice Cream Party

As the weather turns warmer and the kids get an extra spring in their step, why not give them an extra sugar boost. (Because we all know they need more sugar, right?)

Seriously, this ice cream party is A. DORABLE.

Best of all, there are free printables and helpful tutorials offered by the awesome Sara and Brittany of One Charming Party. Yay for free! Yay for awesome!

If you like parties, you're going to looooooooove One Charming Party.

For real.

Check out some of the pics from their ice cream party:

The invitations, which you can download for free! FREE!

The "birthday hat." To. Die. For.



The party favors (*alert* the container toppers are free printables).

The guests made ice cream/sweets charm bracelets. Cute overload.

Of course: ice cream.

And the pièce de résistance: the cake.

Seriously, if you don't think that's cute, there's something wrong with you. Seriously.

Now, come on. Get in the party mood and host your own ice cream party!! What are you waiting for? Summer is just around the corner!

Be sure to head over to One Charming Party and leave them some love for their ice cream party (especially if you download any of the printables)!

Party on, people.

Party on.

{Things I Love Thursday} Birthday Gifts

I love birthdays.

I double love birthday gifts.

And, I triple love birthday gifts that are thoughtful, quirky and awesome.

So, as you might've guessed, I BIG PUFFY HEART LOVE this birthday party in a box from You Are My Fave.





Everyone deserves a gift like this at some point in their lifetime.

It contains:
- a birthday crown (the classic Burger King one covered with paper)
- big round balloons
- felt ball garland
- yellow polka dot mini plates (found at Target last year)
- wooden forks
- party invites from Rifle Paper Company
- beeswax candles
- handmade cupcake toppers
- cupcake liners
- jimmies
- repackaged cake mix
- felt number flags
- glassine bags of confetti
- muslin favor bags

OH. MY. GOSH. The cuteness is killing me.

Head over to You Are My Fave and leave her some love for her original and wonderful birthday gift idea.

And, in her own words: Boomshakalaka my friends. Boomshakalaka.

{Par-taaay Wednesday} Ava's Birthday Bake Shop

Since I looooooove parties, I thought I'd start a regular feature here on ye ole' blogaroo of my favorite parties around the web.

It's a sickness, really. I'd have a party everyday if I could only manage the stress!! (Oh, and the cost.)

This one caught my attention right away. I loooooooove the colors and everything put together is just perfection!

To get all the juicy details, you have to visit our daily obsessions. Seriously, this girl is awesome! She even made little aprons for all the guests!
















Isn't that just lovely?? I am in awe! If I hadn't already hosted a baking party, I'd totally be re-working this little number into our plans (minus the sewing because...well...we can't be well-versed in *all* areas of craftiness and sewing is the one area I sort of forgot to learn).

And, again with the flower bakers hats??? KILLING. ME. Seriously.

Go! Run! Check it out and leave her some love about her wonderful event!

Until tomorrow, peeps!

{Trendy Tuesday} Cupcake Liners: They're Not Just for Baking

So, since we're already on the topic of cupcakes, I figure we might as well discuss the award-winning best supporting role: The Cupcake Liner.

Betcha didn't know cupcake liners could be trendy, did ya?

Mmmmhmmm. They are, people! THEY POSITIVELY ARE!

Take a look at all the ways you can transform these little lovelies!

Martha uses them as gift toppers! She's so crafty, that Martha. Love her.


Apparently Sweet Paul had the same idea, but with TEENY TINY TASSELS! (Squeeeeee).

Urban Comfort uses them to dress up homemade cards. Love that!


Baker's Royale made them into Oreo's on a stick! (Oh my...the cuteness!)


The How Does She Gals made them into cuuuuuuuuute pom poms (and even made a tutorial to go along with it)!


Domestifluff shaped them into classy trees.


My Creative Departure whipped up this incredibly fun and festive wreath.


happy: blissful! made a simple and sweet cupcake garland.


How about a sweet little bouquet? I found this one on The Cupcake Blog.


And, this one on anna and blue paperie (with a tutorial).


I think topping your fluffy cupcakes with liners is just genious! Apparently Icing Designs thinks so too!


And, finally, my very favorite idea of all...flower baking hats. OH SWEET MERCY! The preciousness makes words escape me.


Okay, that's it for this Trendy Tuesday! I mean, really, that's just about all the cuteness I can stand.

The next time you see festive cupcake liners, pick them up, whip up something cute and be proud, people. Because now you're all trendy like that! And, that alone, just makes me smile BIG way down deep in my heart.

Big hugs and happy cupcake liners!