Color Inspiration

I was at Crazy 8 today (First time there for me...I love clothing shopping for Kira), and I was INSPIRED!!  They had a collection of clothing in the color palette of navy blue, light blue, fuschia, and light green.  Check out some of the adorable items and the colors:

I am in love!  I CANNOT wait to do a party in this color scheme.  I am definitely considering this for Kira's 3rd birthday (6 months away - a little early, aren't I?!).  What theme might work along with this color palette?  Please comment below with your ideas.

{Monday's Great Find} An New Bakery Business

Monday's Great Find has been revived today!  As I am in the busiest time of year in my day job, I cannot guarantee a regular appearance of Monday's Great Find, but I will keep it returning as time permits!

Today, I would like to introduce a business that is in it's very beginning stages. This is a very special feature to me, because it is my mom's bakery business: A Sweet Deal!!!

A Sweet Deal's creator, my mother Jeanette, is a homemaker extraordinaire, an amazing cook and baker, a cook book author (North Meets South), etc.  It is her dream to start a bakery of her own.  She has recently been taking cake baking and decorating classes in order to move closer to her dream.  A Sweet Deal will begin as a small business offering a variety of cake and cupcake delights in the Bradenton/Sarasota region of FL.  As Jeanette's daughter, I can attest to the perfection of her baked goods!  She is famous amongst our family and friends for her yearly gourmet Christmas cookies assortment (she bakes hundreds every year).  And, I am lucky to be the guinea pig who gets to taste many of the cake and frosting flavors that A Sweet Deal will be offering.  Here are a few photos of recent works of baking art from Jeanette of A Sweet Deal:

Oreo Cookie Cake

(Dark chocolate cake with butter cream icing and Oreo cookie crumbles)

Red Velvet Cupcakes

(with the best cream cheese frosting I have ever tasted!)

Valentine's Cake Pops

Please stay tuned for further information about A Sweet Deal (menu, contact info, website, etc).  If you are interested in ordering something now, you are welcome to make a contact through me or e-mail Jeanette at jconiglio52@gmail.com.

An {Under the Sea} Party!

Last weekend, my family and I attended our next door neighbors' son's highly adorable 2nd birthday party.  I knew it was going to be great because Mara is one creative and resourceful mama!

The birthday party theme was based on "Finding Nemo."  The color scheme was a few different shades of blue, orange, and white/clear (e.g., clear balloons).  Being the next door neighbor, I got to see a sneak peek of the set up prior to the start of the party at 3pm.   From the moment my daughter and I woke up the morning of the party, we observed the happenings in their backyard, including the creation of several "activity stations" for the children!  Mara also kindly invited us over to see the indoor decor.  After the preview, Kira and I could barely contain ourselves and talked about going to the party all day!

When it was time to head over to the party, we decided to arrive at their front door.  Normally, because we are such friendly neighbors, we use each other's back sliding doors.  But, this day, I wanted to get the full experience of walking into the party through the front door.

As soon as I walked in, I was immediately struck by Mara's unique ideas!

The entry hallway was lined with blue paper to mimic the sea and to allow the children a fun place to color.

Blue crepe paper streamers were waving from the ceiling.

Blue cellophane (over the windows and doors and draped from the ceiling) added to the ocean-y feel.

Here are a few more of the interior party photos:

Outdoors, the children were able to "fish" at a table with fishing poles and bowls of plastic fish and sea creatures.

They also played at sand tables, collecting sea shells, making sand castles, etc.

The ultimate fun was the "Finding Nemo" themed bounce house, which pleased the children and adults alike.  This was probably Kira's favorite activity.  Of the four hours we were at the party, I would guess she spent about three of those hours in the bounce house.  My wild and crazy girl!  :)

There was, of course, a cute (and yummy) "Finding Nemo" cake.

The children looked adorable sitting around the table, engrossed in devouring their cake slice!

My favorite part of the party was the party favors because they were so different and fun!  Each child took home a fish bag filled with water and two plastic fish bath toys "swimming" within.