Fortieth Fiesta Fun

On Saturday I hosted a Fiesta party in honor of Alain's 40th birthday.  Full Disclosure: his birthday was actually back in December but we were inundated with caring for Clara back then ~ the reflux was bad and we were barely sleeping.  Therefore I postponed the party and held it at the 40 1/2 point mark.  Everything turned out great and we had a wonderful time.  As is usual for me, I took almost no pictures.  Note to self: ask a friend to help take pictures or hire a photographer.  Luckily, Elizabeth reminded me to take pictures of some of my work before the party started. Thanks to her I can share this little glimpse of just a few party details....

Those cacti that I planted in the vintage pots were displayed around the house.

A glimpse of the dessert table.  I need to work on my dessert table skills....clearly.  They always seem fine in person but then look so skimpy in pictures.  Noted.  I ended up making a little garland with those Fiesta Flowers I'd posted about.

As always, Elizabeth made the cake.  I told her exactly what I wanted and she NAILED IT.  Just a nice simple white cake with the mini-pinata on top.  Hmmmm.....

Fruit kabobs displayed on palm leaves and a lovely flan.

Note: If you ever choose to use palm leaves for display, please be aware that they have crazy spines which hurt when they get stuck in your fingers.  Really hurt.  Before using them on the table, I donned some rubber gloves and pulled all the spines out. I'd have to think twice before doing this again....

Favor bags....filled with an assortment of yummy Mexican candies.

Self-explanatory.

A close-up of the vintage fiesta fabric that I purchased a year and a half ago at the Atlanta Country Living Fair.  This fabric is what inspired me to choose a fiesta theme for the party.

I tried my first Jarritos on Saturday and it was so much better than I thought it would be. I'm sure it won't be my last!

Yet one more idea found and saved via Pinterest.

One of my favorite party details was the collection of Mexican postcards.  Guests could choose a card and write a message to Alain.  Sophie's was my favorite ~ it said, "I Love You, Birthday Boy".  She chose the words.  Too cute.

Another of my favorite details.  I borrowed my Dad's Crib Spring and made this sign using old letters I'd purchased at a Collectibles & Antiques Show.

Now you must've known I wouldn't ask for a very simple and plain white cake!!!  The cake was so gorgeous....the colors were perfection....one of the prettiest cakes I've had the pleasure of eating.

A little display for the guest restroom.

And a few lovely flowers tucked in here and there!

I can't believe the party's over. I think I'll rest a few days and move on to the next one.....

PS ~ My Fortieth Fiesta Pinterest Board is where I saved all of these ideas and inspiration.

My First Bento Box

Sophie's first day of Summer Camp is tomorrow.  She is anxious, curious and excited.  As am I.  To make her feel special, I created a Bento Box for her morning snack.  I don't think it's too bad for my first attempt.  And you should have seen Sophie's face when I showed it to her.  A huge grin slowly spread from ear to ear.  Mission accomplished.  

Note #1: Those delicious looking cherry tomatoes are straight out of my Garden of Happiness.

Note #2: All of my Bento Box inspiration comes straight from Meet the Dubiens.

My New Favorite Photo

There are no words.

Fiesta Flowers

Inspired by this pin, I've been busy creating tissue paper flowers over the past week or so.  It's excruciatingly slow-going.  This pile of crafting supplies has been sitting on my chair-side table for a while now.  Every day or so, you'll see a new flower added to the flower pile. 

Finally I've made enough to make an impression.  Yesterday they were all piled up on the table and they were so pretty that I had to run and grab the camera.  

I was inspired.  I realized my little rainbow chaser would LOVE these flowers.....and, I couldn't help myself, I had to start arranging them and taking some photos for Sophie.  They're so pretty.....

And then I realized there is no end to the ways you can style and use these very simple and inexpensive decorations.  Inspired by this post, I created this little display.  For the record, I liked it so much that it's still there on our mantle.....making me smile each time I see it!

Have I mentioned how much I love party planning?

The Pollinators' Paradise

So, as I mentioned yesterday, we headed over to Freedom Park this weekend.  We all love Freedom Park but none more so than Alain.  With good reason.  Little Clara was sleeping when we arrived so I enjoyed a few nice & quiet moments to head into the Charlotte Garden of Love and Forgiveness.  Swoon.  I loved the little sign that said "Pollinators' Paradise"......it truly was and I had to borrow it for my title today.  Hope you enjoy the photos...

 

While tiptoeing around the little garden, I almost stumbled right over this little creature.  How adorable is this bird?  He/she was perfectly camouflaged in the dirt and as quiet as a mouse.  Seemingly, he/she also didn't mind posing for a shot!

Signs Of Love Are Everywhere

You just have to know where to look....

We visited the park today.  It's amazing how a couple of hours in the park can provide enough inspiration for a week's worth of blogging.  More to come on that....

It Doesn't Make Me Feel Bad!

I've always had a thing for what I will call Pothole Art.  I've been saving images of Pothole Art for a couple of years now.  Here are a few....

Duckies enjoying a city puddle via Color Me Katie

Yarnbombing Parisian Potholes found via CupofJo.

In early 2010, I pinned this image also via CupofJo.....

Then today the above image came back onto my radar when this video came across my desk....

It's called Holes of Happiness and it's made by the same guy who created that last image above.  In the video he captures people's reactions when they come across one of his pothole gardens for the first time.  My favorite reaction was the guy who said, "It doesn't make me feel bad.".  Hysterical.  Anyway, it's such a great project that makes people stop and smile and think.  What could be wrong with that?  "It's a positive feeling."

Too fun.  

This one reminds me of a fairy garden....

You can see more via The Pothole Gardener.