Superhero Birthday Party #Favors

Party favors are something that moms take very seriously. You want them to be fun, but not a bag of junk {wow, did I ever fail with that last year!! Everything was edible!}.

I so so so badly want to do capes and masks this year. I think it's such a fun idea to be able to give the kids something like this at the beginning of the party so they can all play superheros in the backyard together.

Check out these masks!

While we won't have those exact ones, we've sourced out mask sets locally at a party supply store ($.99 for each fabric eye mask!) and the capes will be handmade, but simple. Just basic cotton fabric rectangles with velcro closures. Easy peasy, but coordinated with the theme and fun for the kids!

Superhero Birthday Party #decor

When it comes to party decor, in my eyes everything needs to be coordinated and pulled together seamlessly.

So when it comes to this Superhero Party, there will be lots of graphic BOOM, POW, POP type signs and balloons a-freaking-galore!

Source

I really like the idea of a standout entrance for this party. It's unlike any other birthday party that we've thrown for Owen before...and now that he's a little older, he is just SO excited about playing superheros with his friends.

This should be decently easy to pull together too; just string the balloons on rope or heavy fishing line, and then zip tie to the pillars at the front of our house. We did something similar for FlyDIY at BlogHer'13, and it's certainly something that my husband and I could get going on a few days prior to the party (ahem...tomorrow...party is Saturday!).

While he wants superheros, I always like to draw inspiration from the colors and symbols rather than plaster the actual characters every where. So, for this party, think lots of red, yellow, blue and green!

Superhero Birthday Party Ideas #boy #birthday

Well out little dude has chosen Superheros for his birthday party and boy oh boy, does he have some specific requests!!

While I've been pinning away on my Superhero Birthday Party board for a few months now (I mean...hello...4th birthday party...due date 2 weeks later. You do the math on my stress level!), there are a few things that Owen has been very vocal on wanting at his party.

His first request...Superman Cupcakes.

Yep...Superman.

So off to Pinterest I trotted to see what I could find.

Cupcakes with Capes, Glitter Superman Cupcakes, Light Blue Frosting

I am actually really thankful that he chose cupcakes over a cake for this year, and likely it will develop into a whole Superhero Sweet Bar. I'm going to keep the cupcakes simple - chocolate and vanilla with blue buttercream, and these plastic ring toppers. 

The sweet bar will also have Kryptonite (rock candy sticks), and sugar cookies from Windells Chocolates like we had last year (they are SO yummy!! Then maybe some sixlets Pop Rock candy. 

Next up is decor!

Printable Birthday Organizer #organization

Are you the type of person who gets super overwhelmed with the amount of birthdays and parties on your list? Have trouble keeping them all straight?

This months organization printable is a birthday organizer. Simply print it out, mark down whose birthday is in what month {I suggest in chronological order}, and mark them off as they pass throughout the year.

Download HERE for free!

The Hubs Turns 30, 30th #birthday ideas for him

So...I tabled the Grumpy Old Men party and he didn't like it. In fact, I think he may have been a little insulted by it. I've sat and pondered and I think I have come up with a plan.

He's a simple guy. He likes good scotch, his good friends and good food.

What easier way to celebrate him than with those exact things? I think the best party for him is to have over our good friends, have good food and drink, and keep it low key.

In terms of food, I'm thinking about doing an upscale appetizer bar, featuring these recipes

 

Proscuitto wrapped grilled asparagus from Master in Cooking 

Pesto roasted red pepper cream cheese crescents from Two Peas & Their Pod 

Thai turkey meatballs with peanut sauce from The Dish @ Plated 

And I cannot forget about this amazing recipe from Steph at A Grande Life.

  

While Hubs loves good food, he's a bit of a health nut, so when I found these recipes that are both upscale and healthy, I was really happy. They will be perfect and certainly the stars of our upscale appetizer bar.

 

The bar will be pregatini's for me, and good scotch for the boys.

Easy peasy.

Tomorrow...the cake!

Grumpy Old Men: The Bucket List

So I'm really digging this Grumpy Old Men party idea. I saw this idea on Pinterest for a Bucket List

and think it would make for a unique guest book of sorts.

Basically what you have your guests do is write down something to create the ultimate guest list for the birthday boy.

Hubs has laughed a few times when I've talked about my own bucket list, but I don't think he's ever really considered doing one for himself. Now here's our chance to create one for him, and for all of those closest to him to maybe even do the activities with him.

Life is about making memories, right?

Grumpy Old Men: The Hubs Turns 30

Hubs and I often joke that he's definitely going to be that grumpy old man who sits on the porch in a rocking chair, yelling at the neighbour kids to get off our lawn. He laughs...then agrees that I'm right.

So when I saw this party idea on Pinterest, I knew that it would hit the nail on the head, and be right in like with my husband's sense of humour.

Grumpy
Old
Men

Necessary attributes for the party:

Caps
Suspenders
Fedoras
Thick glasses
Cigars
Pipes
Sports coats
Dress shoes
High waisted pants

I think it's pretty creative, and pretty perfect!

Planning a 30th Birthday Party for a Man

I have to say, when I party plan I tend to go all out. Alot of women do. But when it comes to planning for milestones for my husband...I get a little stumped!

In April, mine will be turning 30. He's said that he doesn't want a party. He's said that just a few friends will go to Vegas. But really...what fun is that?

Possible themes

My first thought was to get a bus, a group of friends and family and head to the Rogers Centre to a box to watch the Blue Jays home opener. He definitely would like that, but when I tabled the idea he was pretty hesitant.

Then when he mentioned Vegas, I thought maybe we could centre the theme around that. We've done that before for a friend - rented the blackjack tables and the whole deal and I even made a cake that looked like stacked poker chips.

We are pretty big Mad Men fans and Hubs is into drinking scotch {good, expensive scotch...yikes!} so maybe that could be the theme??

I'm sort of stuck on this, so whatever 30th party inspiration you can send my way...please do!

New Year New Me...Oasis Zoo Run

In one month today, on my 31st birthday, my two very best friends and I will be partaking in a 5km run at the Toronto Zoo.

We have been training for months, and all of our hard work will certainly pay off. We have trained in the grossest of humid conditions in Southwestern Ontario...in the wind, in the rain, in the hot hot summer. We have trained on cool summer night with the wind at our back and big smile on our face.

We have kept one another motivated through our Facebook chats and celebrated one anothers victories and boosting each other up when we feel like failures.

I cannot think of any better way to spend my birthday than with these girls...women...my chosen family.

Stay tuned on September 21st - I'll be tweeting and instagramming about the Oasis Zoo Run!

The Bear Turns Three

On Sunday, it will be exactly three years since this little ball of energy that I so affectionately call my Bear came into our lives.

Three.

It seems like forever ago and sometimes I wonder where the time went, then all at the same time I look at him, with his curly hair and dimples, and think that he is so little still.

Each and every day, he amazes me. Whether he giving all of his car, trucks and trains different voices, and making up stories, or he is cheering me on while I am working out, he is absolutely this inspiration behind everything that I do.

A few of his favourite things...

Charlie and Alfred, his stuffed elephants
Snuggle and Song with Mama every night {I still sing to him every night, and his favourite tune is Yesterday by the Beatles}
Everything and anything that is Thomas
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Doing pushups with Daddy
Going to the Playground
Frozen Yogurt dates with Mommy







We are so thankful and fortunate to be your parents, Little Bear. Thank you for the most amazing 3 years of our lives.

A Pirates Life for Me

It seems like forever ago that we decided on the theme for our toddlers birthday party. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be revealing elements of the party and talking about how to set up some fun activities for your little swashbucklers!

Today is all about the invitation. Immediately, I went to my super talented graphic designer bloggy BFF Shannon of Baby Shmizz. She started a shop on Etsy, The Baby Noogle, and it is absolutely amazing the thing that she can do with digital design!

How amazing is that?! I threw out piratey term like Swashbuckler, first mate, avast and matey...then she took care of the rest!

Stay tuned! I'll be showing cake inspiration, food table labels and some activities over the next couple of weeks!

Turning the Big 3-0

After months and months of planning, all of my husband {and lovely mother-in-law}'s hard work paid off on Friday night when I was treated to simply the most heartwarming and beautiful party and girl could ask for.

I could go on and on gushing over the details of the endless supply of food {including mini grilled cheeses!!} and bottles of my favourite Kim Crawford Sav. Blanc...but really, pictures will tell the story so much better.

Me - dress: Kristine Cook Designs, cuff: Ostlund Custom Works, earrings: Amber Bryce Luxe Bohemian, shoes: Sam&Libby/ Hubs: sweater: Joe, jeans: Kenneth Cole, shoes: Steve Madden/ Bear: shirt and pants: Joe, shoes:

Hubs got crafty!! My life at 30, in pictures. Clockwise from Top Left: montage, the day my life changed, Fairy Godmother and my bff's, my Dad <3

Insanely beautiful purple ombre ruffle cake!!!

I am abolutely blown away, and was so happy to celebrate with old friends I hadn't seen in a few years...new friends who have become truly incredible...best friends who have known me since I was very young...and family. Really, they're all family to me.

Thank you all for your well wishes, the plentiful bottles of wine, the lovely cards...and for the time spent with me. That was the most precious gift of all!

Cheers to another 30 years!

 
 

Birthday Drinks

When I got married a few years ago, aside from the declious cupcake, signature drinks were starting to become insanely popular.

While we didn't have one at my wedding, that doesn't mean that we can't have one at my birthday party!

Take your favourite flavours, and come up with something unique!

What do I love?

Tequila {seriously!}
Pink Lemonade
Strawberries

The perfect combination of sweet and sour! And, it's pink!

Party Wrap Up

Whew! What a whirlwind of a weekend!

Party set up started at around 10am on Saturday and I couldn't be happier about the results!

Little Bear, you are one very loved little dude!!!

And yes...to answer your next question, I have started planning his 3rd birthday...it's a circus, turning three!! ;)

Mama Moments...on a Friday?

Going to get a little sentimental today.

Tomorrow, my son turns 2.

Two

T-W-O

Deux

No matter which way you put it, it's emotional for mama.

I remember it all so clearly...the water breaking, the epidural, the 10hours of LOST that we watched...the aftermath.

I remember your Daddy walking in with you in his arms, and the biggest smile on his face {anyone crying yet, because I sure am as I write this!}. I remember snuggling you for the very very first time, and how in that one moment, I knew that I would be mush everytime you came to me for a snuggle from that day forward.

Tomorrow, you're two, little Bear.

My sweet sweet Bear...

Oh, how time flies.

I want to never forget how you say peas, tank-too, and welcome. I want to never forget how you say wuv-you and blow kisses to everyone, even from your carseat to people in the next car when we're stuck in traffic.

I will never ever ever forget the kisses you give first thing in the morning, or how you still like to have  All My Loving sung to you when you`re upset.

Happy birthday, Bear.

Party Tips Tuesday: Menu Planning

Part of party planning that I really really love is planning out the menu {anyone remember that elaborate spread from Easter?}

For Owen's party, I started brainstorming food early on. S'mores obviously were on top of the list, but I got thinking about traditional campfire foods...just like when I was a Girl Guide!

Chili
Corn bread
Banana boats
Veggies
BBQ Potatoes

Then a few new favourites...

Pizza cones
Hobo bread
Melon kabobs
Choco-apple slices (like a chocolate-caramel apple, but just slices! Thank you, Pinterest!)
Trail mix
Jiffy pop


And what's a party without coordinated buffet tent cards??

I'm particularly excited about how I'm incorporating S'mores into the menu. There will be S'mores Pops {marshmallows dipped in chocolate and rolled in crushed graham crackers} and S'mores Krispy Treats {a hint from my pal Shizz from Baby Shmizz}.

Stay tuned next week for the Favours!

SWH4T$: Spice Rubs

Welcome back to SWH4T$!

Shizz and I have been chatting recently, and while we love sharing our time management and money saving tips and tricks, we're thinking of changing the format slightly.

We're still going to share our tips and tricks, crafty DIY's and recipes, but we're going to do away with the linky tool at the end. Sadly, it doesn't seem that many are hopping along with us, though many of you are enjoying our posts and we're enjoying sharing them with you all.

Want the blog-hop back? Let us know, and link up with us!


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DIY Spice Rubs

My Hubster's birthday was a week ago, and I was wracking my brain as to what to get for him. He's one of those guy-who-has-everything type guys.

Then it dawned on me.

He's also the guy-who-loves-to-bbq guy!!

So...I created six spice rubs and packaged them in spice jars from the dollarstore.

What you'll need:

• spices (garlic,oregano,onion, lemon pepper, pepper, coarse salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, Hungarian paprika, cocoa powder, finely ground coffee, onion flakes)
• jars from the dollarstore
• tags or labels

Using these recipes (which you can download for free!), I created six different spice rubs

Pick-Me-Up is a cocoa and coffee steak rub

Greek Me is a lemon-pepper based rub inspired from our honeymoon in Greece

Spicy Mama Szem is a spicy Hungarian paprika rub

Hot Tamale is just that...hot hot hot!

Wild Onion is sort of salty, be absolutely delicious and full of onion flakes

Mr. Mustard is a medium spiced mustard based rub

Hubs was REALLY impressed and they literally took maybe 20 minutes to put them all together!

Enjoy!