25 things

i turned 25 today (eek!) and i have a lot to be thankful for and happy about. i thought i'd share a few things that make me ridiculously happy (in no particular order)....

1. spontaneous dance sessions with my little goose
2. discovering new shops
3. the smell and sound of a pouring rain
4. my family
5. getting a new magazine in the mail
6. and then getting uninterupted time to read it
7. random notecards in the mail just to say hello
8. driving around to look at interesting/cool/gorgeous houses
9. going on walks with my little family
10. spring buds on the trees
11. scoring something awesome at the thrift store
12. waking up to the adorable babbling of goose
13. french fries
14. laughing so hard it hurts
15. getting an A on a test i studied hard for
16. buying a new pair of shoes that are actually comfortable AND cute
17. when the morning sun streams through the window(s)
18. a cloudless sky
19. the feeling you get before a rollercoaster hits it's first peak and then drops
20. the anticipation of flying somewhere, anywhere
21. knowing i'll be with my husband and kid(s) forever
22. getting a sweet email from a friend
23. watching goose learn and grow
24. finishing a really good book
25. tulips

of course i could add a lot more to the list but i won't bore you. i'm off to spend the day with my family.  i'd love to hear what makes you happy...please share!! have a lovely day.

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hello, baby!

my friend Roxie recently emailed me asking for some help with a baby and bridal shower. i figured everyone has to host a shower at least once so i thought i'd share.

 "I'm throwing a baby shower at my house (it's a boy), then that night I'm throwing a bridal shower for a different friend. Both are going to be casual open houses but I wanted some good inspired decorations. I'm down with making whatever and I don't want to spend much mula..so any help would be appreciated. I want a vintage type for the bridal shower and modern for the baby shower."

i'm not sure how she got lucky enough to host two showers in one day but i was up for the challenge. here is the baby shower "inspiration board" that i pulled together and sent to Roxie...

i came across these elephant baby shower downloads (bunting, cupcake toppers, and invites) a while back and had them saved in my files. i think they are perfect for a modern baby shower. since it will be an open house, simple cupcakes fit the bill perfectly for both showers. easy and statement making are tissue pompoms, which could be made in any color, but i suggested white as they could be used later for the bridal shower. lastly i included the hair/hare and bare/bear posters from ohbrooke that could be framed and used for decor, then given to the expectant mom. of course you could add or subtract any detail of this party but it's a good start that is easy on the mula and time.

speaking of party planning, here are a few of my favorite go-to party blogs for more ideas. if you have any others i'd love to hear them.

Party Perfect

Martha Stewart

Hostess with the Mostess

The TomKat Studio

Blonde Designs

Inchmark Journal

Sweet Designs (Amy Atlas)

looks i'm loving...

from J.CREW

right now i'm in the mood for cute skirts and spring! what are you in the mood for?

how perfect is this kids room? the stripes, the zigzag pillow, that rug, the jonathan adler animals. i'd move in!

joy is...

shop talk : apostrophy designs

i happened upon Tori's cute shop, apostrophy designs, and i thought i'd share. she's featuring two different products right now but plans to add a variety of handmade items every couple of weeks. you'll want to check back for sure. the head cozy's (in adult and baby sizes) are adorable and would be a perfect baby shower gift.

shop : blog

currently loving...

neutral, light-filled rooms.

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dreaming of...

a greek getaway

where are you dreaming of?

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hip hip...

i was going through my paper downloads file and came across this cute little number from up up creative. i've been saving it thinking i'd use it for a party but such an occasion just hasn't come up yet. so instead i thought it'd be a welcome addition to our bare bones rental space by my little's crib. who doesn't want a little hooray in their day?

colorful details...

like this almost make me want to get married again (to the cute same boy of course ; )  so pretty!

     

headboards

(could that title be any more boring?)

i've had headboards on my mind lately. we don't have one and i've been wanting to make one for quite some time. it just hasn't happened and i don't know if it will anytime soon but i love collecting photos for ideas. i came across a headboard flip book on Country Living and found two that i especially liked. both are totally different looks that i love. one is a little funky and fun, the other sexy and a little traditional.

a pardon...

if you please. somehow i took a blogging break and though it wasn't intentional, i must say it was kind of nice. my family recently relocated to Texas for my husband to attend graduate school so it has been a crazy couple of weeks trying to get packed, unpacked, and settled. therefore, i haven't been very inspired as of late but i'm starting to feel differently and hope to be back into the swing of things tomorrow. thanks for being such awesome readers (all two of you!), i appreciate that you take time to read olive & a.

currently loving...

the second issue of lonny magazine. especially the article about kate spade's flagship recieving a pop of color in it's revamp.

i'm working on incorporating more color and interest into my home so i love the tips they included.

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