It's a BABY... Baby Shower 101

You saw a sneak peek last night but today, Johnny and Katie's baby shower was so adorable and sweet.

After an evening shopping spree at Joann last night, I'm so pleased with how everything turned out. 

The baby's gender is unknown so it made the shower planning a little more challenging... But I have to say that I think we proved to be up for the challenge. 

Scentsy buddies really softened up the area and created a fun personality for the table of decorations! These little guys were the 'life' of the party!

This little personal touch was ooo'ed and aah'ed on today too. It was actually a last second (like leaving the house and I made Joel wait so I could print the photo!) detail I knew would make the whole shower just a little more personal for Johnny and Katie. I found the piece of wood (purchased at.... Joann!) in my basement craft stash and the plate stand down there too. It just clicked that this combination would be an adorable way to display the honorary parents-to-be. I printed off the photo (from the photo session Alyn and I did with J+K a couple weeks ago) on regular computer paper and attached it to the wood piece with a few pieces of my growing stash of washi tape. Oh I love that stuff!

Adriana, Nicole, Morgan and Ariell made the cute diaper cake. They simply folded diapers in half for three tiers (gradually increasing in diameter), stuffed with wash cloths and wrapped with color coordinating ribbon. They added a few toys and to top off the 'cake' was Sunny the Squirrel... an exclusive Scentsy baby buddy - PERFECT for the Woodland shower theme.

Nicole made the absolutely adorable 'Mushroom Cupcakes.' They were DELICIOUS! She had a cinnamon/sugar flavored cake and peanut butter/chocolate cake. Topped with red cream cheese frosting and dotted with white cream cheese frosting - the perfect touch. (I think those made the whole theme come together!)

I borrowed the tree ring cupcake stands from my friend Missy. They received so many compliments and now I really need Joel to make me a set! (I'm already planning Avin's 1st birthday and those would be the 'icing on the cake' if you know what I mean!)

The banner was SO EASY to make. Simply cut random triangles (I'm not a measure-it-out-and-sew-it kind of a girl) of your favorite fabrics. Today we went with corals, turquoise, navy and red in the sweetest patterns. I hot glued the top edge of the triangles to a string of jute... or twine. It was so simple to make and you could do this for any.. or every... room in your house. Or for all holidays!

The mason jars were stuffed with real moss purchased by the bagful at Joann's. We attached butterflies on some and put little mushrooms in all. We wrapped burlap (love me some burlap in the fall!) around the outside and just used a dot of hot glue to secure the wrap. No harm done to our everyday drinkware :) Some of the jars we added an extra touch with fabric scraps.

Look! We even did little mini banners for the cupcake stands! (That was Arly and Alyn's idea so they made them! Melt a mama's heart... and finger tips! Gluing those little triangles to a skinny piece of yard proved quite blistering!)

And there you have it!

We also had a photo booth set up for the guest book. The kiddos loved that. Ok ok, so did the moms!

We had some diapers left over from the cake so the shower guests used some permanent markers to write little notes to the new mom and dad to encourage them during late night (or early morning) diaper changes.... or just to make them laugh :)

Everyone has the chance to write down baby wishes for the new bundle of love. 

A few shower games and some gifts. Now that's a 'wrap!'

Working together and getting stuff done for the benefit of others is a great way to show how good relationships work. We're blessed to have such friends in our lives and show that love to a 'new' friend.

We are so happy for you John and Katie. And Katie, please know that you fit right in with our little crazy group! So excited to meet Baby Sanford!

XO.
Jari

My Pinteresting Life

I live a fairly Pinteresting life. No seriously. I do. 

I have the best hair styles and the cutest shoes! Have you seen the way I make my own work out clothes? (Yes, the ones I never wear!)

I have about 97 work out routines and the best fitness quotes--- I'm sure to be well on my way to a 6 pack and rock body!

Did you see my girls' room makeovers? Talk about CUTE! Their closets (well ALL the closets in our home) are perfectly organized with the cutest baskets and the most adorable labels! 

Did you know that our home as 784 rooms?! We have each room styled in the most trendy, eclectic, beautiful way! 

I didn't want to toot my own horn, but most of the projects in our home we DIY'd!  (Ok... TOOT TOOT!!! I had to!)

We throw the best parties!!!! You should join us! I mean, I seriously sit down for days and work on the paper lanterns and the labels for all the drinks. 

We haven't eaten the same thing twice in the past year and we eat dessert at least twice a day. Who doesn't?

We have the most luscious garden you've ever seen. Our deck is to die for! I'm talking comfy furniture, built in kitchen and even a pergola that shades our in-ground hot tub!

I've become the best homeschool teacher at Spry Academy. No really... I am. We do a morning routine where give weather reports, raise money for the less fortunate and all of our books are color coordinated. 

We eat Velata at every meal! 

Did I show you how organized my office? Not one paperclip is out of place. 

I have chalkboards galore! Weekly menus put in just the right place. And we even have an extension cord that tucks in neatly right into our wall! 

Every holiday we go way over board with the decorations and I wouldn't have it any other way. My goodness! Autumn is almost here and 'Fall is my Favorite!'

If you haven't already guessed, I'm totally living in my Pinterest world. 

I've been pinning for probably almost 3 years. I didn't really 'get it' for the first year. Then I spent about a year suffering from Pinsomnia. Now it's like my go to bed time story. 

But when is enough... Well... Enough?

When is it a good time to stop pinning and start planning? Maybe not planning. But doing. 

It's time for me to decide if its time for me to let go of this fantasy world OR start making it a reality. (Well some of it... I don't think I have a green thumb. Just ask my flowers sitting at my entrance.)

I can't give it up.

I MUST start executing some of the ideas and start turning our house into a home. 

I will organize my boards so I can easily choose at least ONE project each week and git 'er done! (I never thought I would say 'git 'er done' on my blog. Ever.)

I will be sharing with you the projects as I complete them. 

Want to follow me on Pinterest? Search for JariSpry and you'll find me!

XO

Jari