Valentines Day Family Party (2014)

Well I couldn't help but start this blog post with that picture because seriously, those faces.  See these little baby munchkins?  These are the kind of pictures that grab at a mama's heart and never let go.  This was our Valentine 2 years ago (yep, I'm that kind of blogger - late!) when H was just a few months old and our Davis was 2.  BABES.  Chris and I got this picture and knew we'd better stop while we were ahead because this was just too perfect.  I found this free 'LOVE' PSD overlay on Pinterest and the simplicity of it was too much to resist.  

The same year as we did this picture, Davis hosted a Valentines party.  He was just old enough to kind of grasp the idea and he was ALL IN.  At the last minute he even put on a sport jacket on his own free will.  I can't make this stuff up people.  This kid was born with the hospitality gene because he loves to have people and arrange parties and stuff.  It's adorable and hilarious. 

We basically decided about a week before Valentines day to host this party so we didn't do invites and it was all pretty basic.  Which is just about all you need for a little family stuff Valentines party.  We cut up some paper hearts and I think we made a simple banner.  We decided on some minute-to-win-it games that were really fun (men get into competition no matter what the game).  

These pics are pretty rough - I will never paint a room yellow again.  This was the first room Chris and I ever decorated and we chose the paint at the store (mistake).  I don't think it read bad in person but it did make the room a lot harder to photograph.  Of course not using some sort of external light while photographing at night in a yellow room *probably* isn't a recipe for success anyways, today I'm going to blame the yellow paint.  ;)

Pretty basic set up - a light dessert bar with a chocolate fountain.  The dining table was set for games.  We did a few games with conversation hearts, including one that seemed to be a hit where you were paired together and had a minute to stack as many hearts together as you could.  The other fan favorite was trying to fly an airplane into the heart 'target'.  Sarah got a pretty great action shot of that one below from her phone.  I love how serious all of the men are!

I kind of remember thinking right before people walked in the room that I should take a few pictures of the set up.  Oops.  So this is what I have to show for my efforts.  (Yes I know I photograph details for a living.  You can totally tell in these pictures can't you?!)

That's my main mister there in the middle.  Love that guy.

My little mister was such a great little host that night!  After the party his dad made sure to take some pictures of the two of us (Happy Valentines to me!).  I adore these, he looks so proud!

What are your Valentine plans?  Do you ever do silly things like this with your family?

A Mustache Valentine - Repost

For a short time I briefly started a family blog.  Then I realized I really wanted to come back to this blog.  From time to time I pop in and repost something I wrote at the other blog.  (Confused yet?!)  This was my oldest Mister's 2nd Valentines day and I felt inspired to decorate the house up for the day of love.  Since Valentines Day is just a few weeks away maybe you'll be inspired to dig out all your red too!

Little Valentine

I don't know what got into me this year but out of the blue I decided to decorate for Valentines Day.  I've never done it before, in fact I can't remember ever decorating for any holiday other than in the fall/winter.  Mom and I were out at Good JuJu and I found the funniest little pillow cover.  It was sitting around the house taunting me with it's cuteness.  So I packed up the little dude, bought fabric, came home and sewed a few coordinating pillows.  Then I shopped the house and pulled together a few more items and suddenly we were in the Valentine spirit!  The polka dots, bunting, and pops of red have been so fun peeking out at us.  I am going to be sad when it has to be packed up!

I had been wanting to take some photos of D wearing a mustache for Valentine's Day to send out to our family members.  Luckily Sarah and I caught him in a good mood - we got the cutest pictures of him.  Though the mustache wasn't much of a hit we did get lots of good smiles - especially when Auntie tickled and bribed with cookies!

Oh man I love this kid! 

 Happy Valentines Day!

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Seriously how has this been almost 3 years ago?!  Where has my baby went?!?!

Halloween Table Setting

I popped over to the blog today thinking I'd post something else but found this sitting in draft with no text.  Go figure!

This is a halloween themed table scape from a few years ago that I did on the fly for fun.  To me it reads a bit like 'Dracula'.  :)  I used a red damask table cloth with black candlesticks.  To add some gore I dripped red wax on top of some white candles.  A sharpie turned some tin cans into ominous vases for seasonal mums.  For the place settings I used my great-great grandparents anniversary china that is black and white transfer wear with lots of wear.  The white pebble napkin rings remind me of teeth/bone in this context.  

All in all I think it works pretty well for Halloween!

I prefer to keep Halloween specific decor to a minimum, though my husband would definitely take it up a notch if I was into it (I'm not).  What does your Halloween decorating look like?

Simple St. Patrick's Day Decor

I love celebrating all the little holidays, especially now that I have small kids.  They get such a kick out of anything out of the ordinary, adorable.  I also have a soft spot for Paddy's day since finding out we were pregnant with our 2nd son while in Ireland over St. Patrick's Day.  (Ironically he looks Irish, complete with pale skin and red hair.)  So I decided to mix up the gallery in our formal living room for just a touch of festivity.

Since I'd only have these decorations up for about 2 weeks I kept it very minimal.  I draped a green bunting banner (found here), added a 4 leaf clover to the the floral frame, and placed a journal card on the shelf.  I also tossed a (new to me) pillow from the thrift store in an adjoining chair because the colors worked perfectly.

The shelf in the gallery is the perfect spot for mixing up seasonal decor.  I generally switch out the pictures for the season, but you can tell I didn't do that this time. The 'LOVE' print of the boys is their Valentine from last year.  I could eat those two up.  The small picture on the left is my Howie baby at 1 month through the Christmas tree.  

Isn't that little vintage pillow adorable?  I couldn't pass it up.  But as a major 'take-me-home' bonus it had no tag so they let me have it for $0.50!  I think this is the perfect amount of dressing up for this little day.  

Do you decorate for any of the small holidays?  

Thanksgiving Place Settings

Today is double dose day on Junebug!  I've had these pictures from our Thanksgiving table on my camera for a month and just now downloaded them to share.  Sorry for the out of season post, but sometimes late is better than never!

This year we spent Thanksgiving day with my dad's family. My step mom had purchased some really adorable autumn items to dress the table with. At the last minute I found myself putting the table together. Here's how it turned out:

These two pics are of the 'kids' table (Note the paper napkins).  This is just a simple card table that was transformed with a fall tablecloth and some simple accessories.

These two pictures are of the adult table.  The placecard holders are some of my old favorites of Martha's.  My dad and I literally made these Thanksgiving morning in less than half an hour from sticks in our backyard and a glue gun!

Thankful Edition

I really hate when I follow blogs and they don't keep up to date with posting.  I mean how else am I suppose to pass my time if others don't entertain me?  Apparently I have become one of the millions of bloggers who bore others by their lack of posting.  Please accept the following blog post as my apology.

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Things I’m thankful for in 2009:

• I’m blessed with really wonderful people in my life, namely my husband Chris, who despite his many complaints about my housekeeping & laundry loves me unconditionally and without restraint. He also makes me look good in photographs.

• Other people I’m SO happy to be in my life:
• My new nephew Jay. He has the world’s best smile when he is being dressed up and photographed, and he is pretty good for snuggling too.

• My best friend, Sarah, who is so crazy and fun and unbelievably good.

• So many relatives and other friends that it seems unfair that I should be surrounded by such a large number of awesome people.
• I’m also thankful for my job. I talk with people every single day who are without jobs because of the economy and thankfully neither Chris nor I have been overly negatively impacted by the things going on in America.
• I’m thankful for my house and the fact that I’m able to live in such a nice home in a country where I have so many freedoms.
• I’m thankful for God and the fact that He lives with me each and every day and I have the opportunity to worship him with a community of awesome people who diligently strive to live life to the fullest with Him. I’m SO thankful that He meets me where I am daily and still loves me the same no matter how bad I mess things up.
• Lastly, I'm thankful for the many occassions that are coming up in 2010 where I will have reason to throw some pretty awesome parties!

Happy Thanksgiving blog-world!

Halloween Tabletop

As most of you know I like to keep my dining room table set according to the season/holiday. Recently I put together this Halloween inspired tabletop with black, red, and grey elements. (Sorry about the pictures - I had to take them myself!)

Summer Solstice

Summer is now well under way and that means that one day is quickly approaching - my BIRTHDAY! I have the good fortune of being born on the summer solstice, which also coincides with the official start of summer. (The first day of summer is always June 20th or the 21st depending on where you live.)




In celebration of the impending solstice (the longest day of the year) I thought I would send out some summer solstice party love.

Summer events require a light/fresh menu. Fruits, vegetables & William Sonoma Mojitos are a MUST for a summer solstice party:

A party in celebration of the longest day of the year will strectch in to the wee hours of the night/morning - so lighting is very important!

I love these outdoor globes & these colorful tiki torches!

Keep the decor relaxed and casual - keep the focus of this long day on good drinks and great friends!

I hope you're enjoying your summer!

Paper-Source Love

I received my Paper-Source {www.paper-source.com} Holiday 2008 Catalog yesterday, and can I say L-O-V-E? So many fabulous ideas for the holidays & for entertaining. Here are just a few of my favorites:

I'm really into these "I am thankful for" cards. Perfect for sitting around the Thanksgiving table.





These are just a few of the really fun Christmas cards. These are some of the personalized letterpress cards, but they also have boxed sets.

I love these address labels! What a fun way to spruce up (already adorable) Christmas cards!

I love this gift! A wine tasting party kit - how fun!


And of course what holidays would be complete without penguins, clockwise from top left, penguin tree topper, penguin envelope seals, penguin gift book, and lastly penguin wrapping paper (these are for you babe!):

Just a quick pic....

I was browsing around online and came across this bit of country love via Country Living {www.countryliving.com}. It is so simple and feels so homey! (Okay, so I'm from the country too!)

Etsy Unveil!

It's happened - I've opened a shop on Etsy! Make sure to go and check it out {www.gingerkay.etsy.com}. Right now I've only got 2 items up, but more are sure to come. The shop will have entertaining kits and accessories, especially vintage & estate linen finds.

With help from my good friend Sarah we spent Saturday setting up and shooting photos of the 2 entertaining kits posted. For a sneak peek, here's what's currently being featured:

Here is the Holiday Package:
and here's the fall dinner package: