Bonjour mes chéris! How are you? The sun is shining here, the crocuses are popping their little heads above ground, and so it is finally feeling a bit spring-like around here, hooray! Around this time each year I get the organizing/planning bug, do you too? It is at times like these I find myself proclaiming things like, “I will finally get everyone’s birthday recorded in a little book and never send a late card again!!” ha ha. But before all of my good intentions fall by the wayside, allow me to share one resource that I will certainly be referring to when it comes time to plan the one birthday I will never forget…my own little Bixby’s :)
Sara Westbrook and Brittany Egbert are the two creative ladies behind the venture One Charming Party, a DIY children’s party planning blog and shop. But guess what? Many of their fabulous + simple DIY tutorials and creative ideas are perfect for grown-up parties, too. Some of my personal favs are the Strawberry Party ideas created by Melanie Blodgett of You Are My Fav & photographed by Leslie Tippets. Strawberries will be fresh and juicy when my little one turns the big-oh-one this summer, so perhaps I will use some of these ideas myself! The smoothies in glass bottles with old fashioned paper straws look delicious.
And who could resist a rainbow layer cake? Wow, right? This was for the Art Gallery Party with a color spectrum theme, photographed by Nicole Hill Gerulat. The floral arrangement is pretty spectacular, too.
You can purchase party plan pdfs, including printables, tutorials, recipes, and party instructions, all with gorgeous photos right here. And for free inspiration and ideas, be sure to visit the One Charming Party blog, it certainly has my creative juices flowing!
(images: One Charming Party; photography by Leslie Tippets and Nicole Hill Gerulat)
What’s new? Stood up all by himself for a few seconds! Eating rice cereal, lentils, and sips of daddy’s smoothie.
Loves: Chasing Ziggy kitty. “Reading” Nana’s romance novels. Trying to eat carpet fuzz when Mama is not looking. Picking grass and touching dirt. Bath time.
Does NOT like: Putting on/taking off pants, shirts, or diapers. Long airplane rides.
(I will be taking a photo of Bixby in the white armchair with his lambie each month until his second birthday)
So far… One Month Old :: Two Months Old :: Three Months Old :: Four Months Old :: Five Months Old :: Six Months Old :: Seven Months Old :: Eight Months Old
(images: Laura Gaskill)
Hello sweet friends! It has been a while, hasn’t it? How have you been these past weeks? I am back from California and just barely easing back into my life here – the trip was quite exhausting, to be honest. Rich and full and fun, but exhausting.
We had our own little challenges, from getting by without our usual gear in other people’s homes, to Bixby catching a cold, to being on my own with Bixby after Ben had to return home to work – but watching and listening as the stories unfolded from the tragedies in Japan really struck me at a vulnerable moment with my babe and I thousands of miles away from home. This world really is so small, with all of us connected in some way. My heart goes out especially to all of the Mamas and all of the little ones in Japan who have suffered and who are suffering still.
I feel so lucky to have my baby safe with me back in our cozy home. I appreciate even more all of my dear friends who treated me so well while I was visiting, and my sweet husband who welcomed us home with love and tulips and a hot dinner.
My Mom came back with me to stay and visit for a while, so I will be gradually shifting into a regular routine while also making time for special day trips with Bixby and his “Nana” :) I would love to hear what you have been up to while I have been away! What has been inspiring you? I know I have been enjoying the Spring-like feel of Yvonne’s lovely home, in fact I wish I could pop by for a cup of tea! Enjoy your Monday, dear ones, xo Laura
(all images: Yvonne Eijkenduijn for Yvestown)
{this moment} – Joining Soule Mama in a Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.
Happy weekend, sweet ones! And p.s. I really do want to see your “moment” too, so please link to your blog/flickr/etc. if you have one. xo Laura
(image: Laura Gaskill)
Good morning! Thank you all so much for participating in the Shabby Apple giveaway, it was such fun to host. The time has come to announce the winner, so without further ado…Congratulations Denise L! I will be emailing you shortly to collect your info. In other news, we arrived in California yesterday and enjoyed a gorgeous afternoon in the sunshine :) Now we are all trying to catch up on sleep (ahem, Bixby decided 3 a.m. was “morning”) and ease into a routine here. Good pastries help. And lots of coffee.
Now we are off to visit our dear, dear friend and her new little baby and plan the rest of our visit. If we get a chance to go in to San Francisco, one must-see on my list is the Lost Art Salon, pictured above. I was just reading about it this morning in Issue No. 2 of Anthology Magazine (which arrived in my mailbox the day before leaving on this trip, hurrah!) and it sounds magnificent. The owner/curators specialize in sourcing and reviving the work of once-highly regarded artists who have been overlooked in recent years. Many pieces are affordable and all framing is done on-site with vintage and antique frames. Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?
Well, that’s all for now friends! Enjoy the rest of your day, xo Laura
(image: Lost Art Salon)
