Hadley's Magical Unicorn Birthday Party

Hi!  Every year in January, once the hoopla of the holidays has past, I ask the girls what kind of birthday parties they would like that year.  My favorite part of this annual ritual is hearing their initial response and all of their crazy ideas.  I also love that it gives me plenty of time to plan, research and buy things, and it gives all something to look forward throughout the long winter.

This year Hadley requested a unicorn party - you might remember her love of unicorns from this post so I wasn't surprised at all.  Her sweet party went off without a hitch last weekend - we had great weather, friends and family here to celebrate with her and a big yummy chocolate cake!  Below are lots (and lots) of photos from her big day!

I used a lot from Oh Joy's Target line again, but this time I mixed in a few others like the spring flower plates and added the party hats (unicorn horns) and noise makers.

 

The ceramic horse, which served as a centerpiece for the kids' table, was a Goodwill find that I transformed into a unicorn by adding a little paper horn (made with scrapbook  paper and glue)!

 

Lunch was simple, hot dogs, mac and cheese, Asian chicken salad and P&J on mini bagels.
 

 

 The biggest hit of the party, with the kids and adults alike, was the popcorn cones.  They were exciting enough to keep to the kids occupied until everyone arrived and tasted pretty good too!!

To make them I just wrapped up and glued sheets of scrapbook paper into cone-like shapes and filled them with this good and good for you popcorn!!

 After everyone was finished eating lunch we headed to the family room for a little Pin the Horn on the Unicorn - Hadley won!

Then, after a bit more playing and running around it was time for cake.  Four layers of different chocolate varieties, vanilla icing and a unicorn.  The unicorn was a plastic figurine that we found in Scott's childhood toy boxes when we visited his parents last summer.  The girls have been playing with ever since and it was perfect for the top of the cake.  I added some cotton candy clouds and made the little Hadley bunting and dots out of fondant.

 

 The birthday girl!

 

 A few  details...lots of flowers....bubbles (wrapping removed and flower added!) and on the back of Hadley's chair I hung two of the party hats and added a tissue flower to each - something special for the birthday girl.

 

 

I bought a bunch of wood necklace sets from Michaels for the kiddos to make.



 

And we filled goodies bags with unicorn coloring sets, spiral lollipops and mini pinwheels.

 

It was a great day filled with the people I love - especially this brand new three year old!

 

 

 Can't wait to start planning next year's parties!!

 

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A MINTy Wednesday

I am really getting hooked on the color mint ~ so bright (and soothing) with black, hot pink, and even by itself.
Today I decided to post some marvelous minty items that I truly love. 

 

 

minty elephants

 

a two-toned minty chair

 

minty latte bowls

 

minty chocolate chip cookies

 

 

 

and finally, a minty quote that I totally agree with (:

 

 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

 

 

 

 

 

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Happy Almost Mother's Day 2014

Hi!!  We had a lot going on last week - like getting ready for Hadley's big third birthday party (more on that later this week) and having family visiting/staying with us.  Since Hadley's birthday is usually close to Mother's Day I try to have the grandmothers' (Noni and Grandma) gifts ready so the girls can give it to them in person.   Last year, Hadley and Layla made special boxes that we filled with photos and other handmade gifts. This year we stayed on the handmade track but with a slightly bigger undertaking - painted pillows!!!

I had seen a watercolored pillow somewhere on Pinterest awhile ago and thought it would be a fun activity for the girls to try.  It didn't take much prep, just a few Martha Stewart craft paints (in colors I thought would best coordinate with both decors), paintbrushes, two 20" Ikea pillow covers and lots of drying time!

 

I had the girls start out painting with foam brushes (I thought it would distribute the paint better on the fabric) but Layla quickly asked for a regular paint brush.  So they used both.

Layla created a color-block design, while Hadley opted for a more color-washed look: ) 

 

I had them each paint one side of each pillow that way Noni and Grandma would have piece of artwork from both of them! 

Layla's sides!

After about 24 hours of drying time, per side, I threw the pillows into the washer on the gentle cycle with cold water.  And then they both went into the dryer on low heat.  A quick once-over with the iron (low steam) and they were ready to go!

 

Hadley's sides!

I love how they turned out and can't wait for them to make one for our house!!

Noni and Grandma loved their gifts and now have a functional piece of art from both of their girls!!
xxoo!
Kendra Pin It

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Chocolate Chip & Cranberry Biscotti

Loving biscotti! 
I have posted a recipe for Coconut Biscotti ~ today is it a perfect combination of chocolate and dried fruit ~ DELICIOUS!!

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
In a mixing bowl, cream together 6 tablespoons softened unsalted butter and 1 cup sugar.
Add 1 egg + 1 egg yolk, and beat until combined.  Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Slowly incorporate the flour mixture until a soft dough is formed.
Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips and 1/2 cup dried cranberries; mix by hand.

Form the dough into a rectangle on a Silpat covered baking sheet. 
Brush on a mixture of 1 egg and 1 tablespoon water.  Sprinkle with raw sugar (or white sugar).

Bake for 50 minutes.

Remove from oven, and allow to sit for 5 minutes.

 

Cut 1 inch diagonal slices.  Return to oven for 10 minutes.  Flip slices, and allow to bake for an additional 10 minutes until lightly brown on both sides.

Cool, and enjoy!  ♥

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Happy Birthday to Miss Hadley Boo

Today is my little (not so little) Hadley's third birthday!! We are getting ready to celebrate with a few friends and lots of family tomorrow...but today, for her real birthday, we've already watched Frozen (twice) eaten chicken burritos and brownies and are planning to swing on the swings until we get dizzy later - yay for birthday requests that I like too : )

 

Happy Birthday My Hadley!

 

 

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Wishlist Wednesday - Colorful Etsy Finds

Hi there!  So my love of Etsy is no secret - I buy and I sell and I covet about a million gorgeous things I see on their everyday...here are some of my recent faves!

Floral Doodle 2 - love the name and all the colors!

Pretty Lucite Tray with a happy message.



A mix of Vintage Cloth Napkins - I would make these into pillows!

Obsessed with this Moroccan Rug - now if I just had a big bag of $ laying around: )

Cutest Plate ever!

Have a great Wednesday all!!
xo!
Kendra
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Gearing Up for "The Grind" with Bonobos

Hi there and happy Monday!  So we usually don't do many guy-related posts 'round here, but when I was contacted by Jason at Bonobos to promote their "The Grind" Giveaway - a chance to win a whole week’s worth of clothing to spice up your man's office style - I thought it would be a pretty good time to start. 

Bonobos philosophy is that style shouldn’t be complicated. Looking your best doesn’t need to be hard. It’s really about being yourself and finding what fits. Amen!  Both my brother and sister's boyfriend are avid Bonobos fans so I've seen the clothes in action and they are seriously nice.

The giveaway prizes are pretty spectacular - a Foundation Suit, five Weekday Warrior pants, and five Daily Grind dress shirts- with a total retail prize value of $1,665.

The "Grind" Giveaway is going on now and will run until 5/4.

Now I just need to get Scott to jump on the Bonobos train!! 

xo!
Kendra Pin It

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