Teddy Bear Picnic Birthday Party

Yes it's true, last weekend we celebrated my little Sophia's 2nd birthday party! Saying that "time flies" is a bit redundant for me now, but the fact is, it is so true!

I am both happy and sad that she is growing up so fast and I know you know what I mean since I have been sharing her with you ever since she was inside my belly (Sniff, sniff)!

Anyway, since I finished with her Flamingle Birthday Party last year (which you can btw, check out HERE), I have already decided on this year's theme. I know you must be thinking, 'why must mommy decide?'. Well, I know that somehow I can only get to decide the first 2 or 3 years of her birthday themes and then SHE will be making the decisions, so why not right?!

And as with any party, it all starts with the right invitation, which I am happy to find again on ETSY!

Creative Lime from ETSY

I edited the photo thru Picmonkey and added all the roses, since I thought the white was just too plain.

Ok, so on with the show!

Let's start with the BEVERAGE STATION..

Since the weather was sunny and warm, I thought a SLUSHIE MACHINE & lots of water was perfect for the day, and I was right since it was a Huge hit!

Got the water bottle labels form etsy too

I also had a red cooler filled with soda at the bottom of the table and coffee for the grown-ups (who made up majority of the guests).

And now for the TENT..

We bought this tent last year and knew it was more practical to buy than rent since we were gonna use it at least once a year !  I added the window walls on one side to block out the sun  and hung inflatable teddy bear heads, Gingham flower fans, string lights and gingham pennants all around .

Red Gingham Table Covers are a must!

Table centerpiece that doubles as giveaways to the kiddos

I filled the basket with a Bear M&M apple, a sunflower and of course, a small Teddy Bear!

Cake Table minus the cake on this shot

I decided to have a TRAILER MIX BAR for the party! I think it was a cute and perfect idea instead of the usual candies only on the cake table, and I am glad I did this! The kids went crazy for them!

My helper Teddy held out the sign for the Trailer Mix Bar

I had bear M & M's and butterfly stickers all around as well as real apples to add for the festive display... oh, and Pinwheels too!

Got the Chalkboard Banner from Walmart and I just wrote away!

The Celebrant with her cake - my friends made and gave this beautiful and yummy cake

I also added this "welcome committee"...

Bears on a picnic!

Welcome poster from Printaposters on ETSY about our celebrant

I also rented a huge inflatable double slide! Sophia loves slides and absolutely had a blast, with or without us on this one!

Gift table

And for the Food. We had a small separate Dessert Table ....

Notice my food labels? Chalkboard too from Party City

Aside from the Strawberry Shortcakes, and Watermelon Macaroons, we also had Watermelon pops, leche flan and Buko Pandan ( A sweet Filipino coconut salad with jelly)

The main food table was on the outside of the tent ...

We had Siopao ( Dumplings inside white fluffy bread), Beef & Chicken Wanton Soup, Baked Spaghetti, Mashed potatoes, Buttered Corn, Fried Chicken, Palabok (Filipino-style thin noodles in mushroom sauce), Honey bakers Hot rolls and a lot more brought in by my friends!

And in the midst of all these details we prepared for, is this sweet little girls who had fun with the bubbles and the slides. We hope she will know how much we love her!

Happy 2nd birthday little one!

VEL

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Tuesdays at our home, Show & Share, Julie's creative lifestyle

Fall Dining Room Details

Thank you all for your wonderful comments about my recent FALL HOME TOUR. I think Fall is starting to be another decorating season for me from now on. So today, I wanted to share with you some details about my Fall Dining room decor. And also I'd like to share some changes that will be happening in this room soon...

Like I mentioned before, the 2 gigantic Avian Canvases were 'stolen' from my basement. They were scores from KIRKLAND years ago, and always loved them but thought they didn't really go well with my design in the living room at all. But with Fall, these bird beauties are just right!

I used my old Target Table runner and just added my capiz candle holders for my table centerpiece. I used the Salad Plates on my Jonathan Adler set as base for my pillar candles. Easy switcheroo that works every time to match my table.

I used these floral coasters for the very first time. They are gifts to me from my 98 year old dear friend and I will treasure them always. I again used mini picture frames as place cards, a favorite trick I use for my table.

I added these wood THE SAK beaded pillows I've had for years to add texture to my otherwise seemingly cold acrylic ghost chairs.

And although I know that "FAUX IS A NO-NO", I still think my sunflowers from the Dollar store looks really pretty especially when I added real leaf and flower clippings from outside! ;-)

My bench is truly a mess right now in terms of stains, so I added this table runner to cover it up!

Like in the living room, displaying my growing Brass Candlestick collection in the Dining room is always a good idea.

Now for some news regarding this room. I'm finally getting this room zhushed up. Starting with changing the Dining table!

I will share with you more plans and choices that I need to decide on for this room, and yes, although I think it is pretty still, I think, it can be even more beautiful  & functional once I change things up a bit. Wish me good luck!

Have a Great Weekend!

P.S. I will be super busy tomorrow for my daughter's 2nd birthday party!!!!! I can't wait to share the details with you!

VEL

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Linking back to...

Cooking and Crafting with JJ, Tuesdays at our home

Mirror Source

Don't laugh, but I just recently discovered AT HOME, and I visited the store last weekend and was just overwhelmed by the many things they have - a lot of beautiful things.

And today I wanna share with you some of the Great deals and finds to be had at that store, starting with one of my favorite decorative pieces, MIRRORS!

I'll let the pictures do the talking...

PAGODA MIRROR

Wisteria HERE
At Home HERE
Lamps Plus HERE

GREEK KEY MIRROR

Zgallerie HERE
At home HERE

BABY PEACOCK MIRROR

RH Here
Wisteria HERE
At Home HERE

And lastly...

QUEEN ANN MIRROR

Jonathan Adler HERE
At Home HERE

I haven't seen the mirror up close yet, but for sure next time I go to the store I will, to check for the details. But for the prices, I think they are very good deals!

Happy Mirror Shopping!

VEL 

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Contemporary Fall Home Tour

Welcome!!!!!!

To all my blogger friends and readers, Yes I am back, and hopefully will not be M-I-A again for awhile. No excuses at all, just plain old life happening, and of course a lot of things going on around the house which I hope to share here again after this Fall Home tour.

Actually, I wasn't sure I would be finished decorating for Fall in time for the tour, since aside from being busy like crazy both at work and at home, I have never actually decorated for Fall! This is a first for me.

Why the first time? Well, I usually go and jump on right ahead to my Halloween decorating, which most of you are familiar with and know about me by now.

Just like this one from Last year

If your coming from the fabulous cozy tour by Brooke from Nesting with Grace, your in for a bit of change here, So, without further adieu, I share with you my FALL HOME TOUR

Welcome to our home!

I love this eclectic rectangular wreath I got from AT HOME!

As you can see, I got my mums just today from my son's school fundraising and they
are obviously not in bloom yet!

Now, let's go on inside in our LIVING ROOM...

Contemporary Fall Decor

The Peridot pillow covers were made by my MIL for me. I scored them from Serena & Lily on clearance last summer!
The "Practically Perfect" pillow is from Disneyworld which comes out every Fall/Halloween

I thought of displaying my growing Acrylic grapes collection en masse along with my "Savage Beauty" Coffee table book
It's hard with a toddler lurking about, I have to minimize my coffee table vignette to a big and less cluttered one ;-)

I temporarily switched out my Gina Julian Abstract collection for my black mirrors

I love displaying my Homegoods lamps on top of the piano along with some of my brass collection.
The 2 Chinese figures are clearance scores from Hobby Lobby

The inspiration for my Fall Decor came from this Hobby Lobby Abstract art I recently scored

I mixed patterns on the chair and I think with the colors, it still somehow works!
Also moved my Federal mirror from the breakfast area to this window.

Now let's head off to the Dining Room...

I added these two Aviary Canvas prints that I normally display in the basement in the Dining Room for Fall

I got the sunflower inspiration from Kris @ Driven by Decor 

Kept my setting simple and used these Brass Chargers I recently got from a nearby Antique Store.

I did not decorate the bedrooms but I did add some touches in the Kitchen...

Come to think of it, I haven't shown my kitchen in a while...

I took this picture on one of it's good days ;-)

There you have it folks! I really want to thank Marty @A Stroll Thru Life for including me in this fabulous line up of homes! I am truly very honored.

I hope you join me sometime as I share details about my home at later posts! Also, DO NOT FORGET to check out all the inspiration-filled home tours below! Enjoy!

Have a Great Weekend!

2016 Fall Home Tour

Monday - Sept 12

A Stroll Thru Life - Marty

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia -Kristin 

Remodelando La Casa - Christina 

Cuckoo4Design - Julia 

21 Rosemary Lane -Barbara 

Decor To Adore - Laura

Tuesday - Sept 13

Haneens Haven -Haneen 

Pink Peppermint Design - Tammy 

Lynzy & Co. - Lindsay 

Thrifty and Chic - Alicia 

The House of Silver Lining - Shauna 

Hymns & Verses - Doreen 

Wednesday - Sept 14

Life on Virginia Street - Sarah 

  Decorating Delirium - Jennifer 

Bliss @ Home - Kristin

Simple Details - Pam 

Duke Manor Farms - Laura 

A Thoughtful Place - Courtney 

Thursday - Sept 15

Rain On A Tin Roof -Jenna 

Setting For Four - Heather 

Dimples & Tangles - Jennifer 

Nesting With Grace - Brooke 

Life and Home @ 2102 - Vel 

 Refresh Restyle -Debbie

Fri - Sept 16

Simple Stylings - Summer  

Our Fifth House - Carmel 

Making Home Base -Chelsea 

 It All Started With Paint -Linda 

The Chronicles of Home - Jennifer

Our Southern Home - Christy 

VEL 

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Linking back to these fabulous parties...

Coastal Charm, Our Home Away From Home, Savvy Southern Style, Amaze Me Monday