The Great Gatsby 1st Birthday

So I've decided to incorporate my love of party decor into a regular routine on the blog so I will be highlighting parties that I see on the web and some that I may have done myself. Also I will be giving you party planning tips and tricks. Partying on a budget is my specialty and boy am I good at it. But for now here is some party inspiration. In the spirit of the new film opening this weekend, The Great Gatsby, I have stumbled upon one of the cutest most adorable 1st birthday party decor ever. I so happened to read one of my fave blogs, Project Nursery, and I saw this Great Gatsby themed party by Layla Grace's co-founder, Tiffany Harris and her husband Tom. I fell all the way in love with this theme and the way it was executed. Take a look at the pics and be inspired.

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Isn't this the most amazing theme for a 1 year old birthday party? Everything was just right. Not too over the top. I loved the little touches like the personalized cakes and party hats. Guests dressed in appropriate attire and even wore pearls. Oh how I love the 1920's era. Do you have any cute 1st Birthday themes?

Oh, Motherhood!

I have been a mommy for a whole year now and this will be my second Mother's Day that I will be celebrating. If I began to tell you what motherhood means to me it will quickly become a novel. So much has happened in this first year and I would not change any of it. I'll try my hardest to keep my meaning of motherhood simple and clear. So here goes.

When I think of Motherhood and what it means to me a few words come to mind that describe it and the things one goes through:

MIGHTY

ONE-STEP AHEAD

THRIFTY

HUMOROUS

EMPATHETIC

REASONABLE

HUMAN

OPEN-MINDED

OVERFLOW OF LOVE

DISCIPLINE

To see what these words mean to me and my true definition of motherhood hop on over to The Little Style File!

Met Gala 2013: Punk, Chaos to Couture

Death to Prison, Freedom to Protest 

by Pussy Riot

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Paloma Faith

The joyful science of occupying squares

The will to everyone’s power, without damn leaders

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Allison Williams in Altuzarra

Direct action—the future of mankind!

LGBT, feminists, defend the nation!

Death to prison, freedom to protest!

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Anne Hathaway in Valentino

Make the cops serve freedom,

Protests bring on good weather

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Cameron Diaz in Stella McCartney

Occupy the square, do a peaceful takeover

Take the guns from all the cops

Death to prison, freedom to protest!

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Cara Delvingne in Burberry

Fill the city, all the squares and streets,

There are many in Russia, beat it,

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Chanel Iman

 Open all the doors, take off the epaulettes

Come taste freedom together with us

Death to prison, freedom to protest!

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Doutzen Kroes

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Julianne Hough in TopShop

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Amar'e and Alexis Stoudemire

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Eve

Top Picks of the Night

Drum Roll Please….

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Who were your fave's for the night?

Dearest Baby Rhyan: You Are Turning 1

Dearest Baby Rhyan,
OMG (Oh My God-just in case you guys aren't using this when you get old enough to read this)!!!! You are turning 1. What a year it has been. You are the most amazing little lady ever and so happy. There are so many things that I can say, but I'll go all day. So I think its more fitting to tell you of this very day one year ago. The day our lives changed.

It was 11 am on May 4th, 2012, I was walking into what was to become my last doctor's appointment to check on you and make sure you were progressing. While being weighed the nurse asked if I had felt you move at all that day. I then realized that I hadn't and I began to get alarmed. After telling her, she quickly placed me on the monitor so that we can hear your heartbeat. There it was just as strong as ever, but you still were not moving. We tried everything to wake you, but you would not budge. After about 2 hours or so the doctor came in and told me I had to go to the hospital and get an ultrasound so we can see what you were doing in mommy's tummy.

Nina and I headed over to St. Peters hospital in New Brunswick, NJ at around 1:30 pm. The ultrasound tech came in and began the ultrasound. She was not much of a talker, but I saw your heartbeat and you. So I knew all was well. I began to calm down. The tech left the room and then came back with another doctor. She told me that during the ultrasound they noticed that the fluid that was around you had gotten too low and they needed to induce me to get you out.

So off to the delivery room we went. Daddy soon came after that and was ready to see you. After daddy arrived Mama and GGMa Linda came. We were all excited and anxious to see you. They induced me at 4:30 pm and then the nervousness kicked in. Contractions started coming and I knew you would be here soon. I'm going to spare you the rest of the details until a later date. At around 1:00 am I felt the most immense amount of pressure and you were ready to come.

I thought I was going to have this long drawn out labor as I have been told that first pregnancies have longer labors. But no buddy you were ready and not playing. At 1:41 am on May 5, 2012 at 7lbs and 4oz. 20 in long, my beautiful baby girl was born. You came out screaming and letting the world know you were here. They placed you on me and ever since then I haven't let you go. My pride and joy you are growing so fast and if you can please stop lol (laugh out loud-just in case). If I could I would keep you as a baby, but I can't and I know you will grow up healthy and strong. You will always remain Mommy's Baby.

Love Always,

Mommy

Mod Podge Table

I'm in the process of decorating my home office on a budget. Therefore there is a lot of diy'ing going on. I needed a desk and I was not trying to spend too much money on it so I waited until my neighborhood thrift store had their 50% off everything sale to look for one. I snagged this lovely white table that was $14.99, but with 50% off it came to $7.49. Talk about a deal!



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I refinished it with some fabric and mod podge and my amazing fab desk was born. I can't wait to fully finish my office, but judging from this desk I'm not going to want to leave this place.