My Beautiful Mess

Our girl turned TWO! I still can’t believe it.

If you know me at all, you know I love a good party theme. And for Ella’s second birthday, we went with an art party — bright colors, painting, and creative fun for all the little ones.

The Setup

We kept it simple but colorful. I used a white tablecloth and splattered it with washable paint (this was honestly one of my favorite DIY projects ever — it looked like a real splatter painting). We set up little easels at each place setting with mini canvases, and each kiddo had a paint cup with their name on it.

The color scheme was rainbow — because when you’re two, why pick just one color?

Activities

The main event was painting, obviously. We set up a painting station with washable tempera paints and let the kids go wild. At that age, most of the paint ends up on the kids rather than the canvas, and that is perfectly fine.

We also had:

• A big roll of butcher paper on the ground for collaborative art
• Stamp stations with foam shapes
• Coloring pages for the bigger kids

The Cake

I made a three-tier cake (okay, it was a little ambitious for a two-year-old’s party, but I couldn’t help myself). White buttercream with rainbow paint drips down the sides, topped with a little “2” candle. Ella’s face when we sang happy birthday was everything.

The Takeaway (Literally)

Each kid went home with their mini canvas masterpiece and a little bag of crayons. Simple, useful, and connected to the theme.

What I’d Do Differently

Honestly? Not much. This party was a blast. The only thing I’d change is that I’d buy more smocks — we ran out, and a few parents had some colorful toddlers going home. Oops!

Ella had the best time, and that’s all that matters. Here’s to our creative, sparkly, wonderful girl. We love you so much, sweet pea.

Happy birthday, Ella!

There are many apps that I delete from time to time but ones that stay on my phone are the apps that save me money. Here are a few of my favorites. Here are my top 3 that I couldn’t live without. Go get them at the app store.

Cartwheel Target app

A very simple app that allows you to save on things you were already planning on buying. Discounts range from 5% off to 30% off. My favorite part is that they aren’t one and done. You can use them as many times before they expire. Your discounts are all attached to one barcode that you scan when you check out. Savings applied right then.  Sign up here.

Crazy Koupon lady made a video to explain how to best use this app. Check it out.

Shopkick

Shopkick rewards you with “kicks” (reward points) for visiting participating retailers like Macy’s, Target, Crate & Barrel, Best Buy, Old Navy, etc.

You can also earn “bonus kicks” for scanning specific items within the store

Connect your credit or debit card to your account to earn points when you spend money at stores such as The disney store, old navy etc.

I absolutely love this app. The best part is that you get gift cards for your favorite retailers. Earn kicks for walking into stores and get coupons to use along with kicks that go toward your gift cards.

Don’t like carrying around coupons then this is the app for you. Take pictures of them and add them to this app. Don’t have any coupons to scan. That is ok. In a store and want to save some money. Do a search and find out if the store has any saved from other friends you follow. I can’t tell you how many times I have left a coupon at home and I was able to pull up another just like it while I was out. This app is great. I don’t buy anything without first checking to see if there is a coupon available with this app.

Have you heard of the term Glamping? Basically it is glamorous camping. I loved camping as a kid. As a child I had several camping experiences. They were always with my grandparents who had a motor home or my Aunt Debbie who had a pop up camper. I loved it. I have so many sweet memories camping. I can’t wait to one day take Ella and Jad camping. A small vintage camper like this one is exactly what I want. Twinkle lights, bunting, fun decor, friends/family around a campfire, lightning bugs, marshmallows, cards, etc. My friend Jilland I talked about our glamping dream today. Maybe one day.

You can follow my glamping board on Pinterest

I love going to thrift stores, yard sales, junk stores, antique stores etc. My mom is one of my favorite people to do this with. Some people might call it Junking. Is that word even in the dictionary? Ok. I didn’t find it in the dictionary but it is in the urban dictionary. Here you go…

	junking
	The art of searching or shopping for bargains, anitques, collectibles, or any concievable kind of dust collector or garbage.

Well…Google and selfie were added to the dictionary…maybe junking will one day be to.

Don’t you just love this booth? Yes. That is a mannikin in a hammock reading. I have no clue what that is about but I got some funny pics of my mama posing with our new friend.

My favorite new place to junk and antique is in Monroe, GA. There are so many great stores. My absolute favorite store in Monroe is Cotton Depot. Here are a few of the treasures that I found while there

Can’t wait to hang this little dessert plate- $4.00

Whenever I see embroidery art work or cross-stitched pieces, I think about the time that went into making it. My mom used to cross-stitch. I remember her rocking in the rocking chair at night before bed and cross-stitching. She made them for friends, newlyweds, family members, etc. Some were even auctioned off at my school. This piece caught my eye because of my love for theatre. I remember my first broadway play at the Fox. My sister Natalie took me to see My Fair Lady for my graduation present.  I believe the things that you have in your home should tell a story and be pieces that mean something to you. I have so many great memories at the Fox theatre- My most recent on was when my mom and I took my daughter Ella to see Beauty and the Beast. So with that I couldn’t pass it up. Did I mention it was $9.00.

I have been on the hunt for a syrup bottle. I wanted a turquoise top and slid back with the slide of your finger. This one was a little different. I liked that about it though. It was much taller as well. It was $4.00.

Who doesn’t love lace? Vintage lace at that…. I have several ideas for this. The mint green looks like bunting. The pink was absolutely gorgeous and the white had a lot of character to it. So…yes All three came home with me. The most expensive one was 3.50 for 3 yards.

I loved this vintage hymnal. It had all the classics. Price-$3.00

Pg 152-He Lives- Just hearing the title takes me back to hometown church.

This last find was something that has been on my list for a while. I have had big plans for this giant toolbox.It is a very multi-functional piece. They usually run between $40.00-$60.00. I paid $25.00. This was one of those finds I tried not to make a big deal about out of fear someone would realize what I had just found. :) 

The Cotton Depot didn’t disappoint. Grand total 60.00