My friend, Colleen, planned the cutest pink and brown baby shower for her sister. From hand dipped pink and white chocolate pretzels to umbrella cookies and gold confetti, no details were missed! I know who to call for help with planning my next soiree.

Baby Michael is finally here! I just got back from visiting the little bambino in Baltimore and I'm so excited about his Nautical themed room!

This cute little easel welcomes you to the room. I’m sure he’ll have a great time practicing his artistic skills on it. Maybe he’ll even take after his aunt and become a graphic designer...

(easel available at Ikea)

Michael spends his nights in this classic Jenny Lind Crib, complete with nautical themed bedding. (no longer available at Pottery Barn Kids)

Here’s his new bookshelf from his Grandma Beth. I’m sure it will be filled with books at some point, but right now he has plenty of the oh-so-cute Melissa and Doug wooden toys thrown in for pops of classic colors. He’s even started saving away for visits to Grandma and Grandpa’s in his U of I piggy.

It’s always nice to add personal touches to a child’s room. My sister's fave stuffed basset hound is proudly displayed along with books and a wooden shoe she has had since she was a baby.

I hung these little white shelves to make Michael a mini library in the corner of the room. He will be able to reach for his favorite reads when he is big enough. (shelves from Ikea)

My favorite part of the room is the wall above his changing table. His room wouldn't have been complete without a few CWD posters to jazz things up!

The first poster, The Rules to being a Gentleman , is available on Etsy from the shop, Good South. The small square poster is his mom's favorite Harry Potter quote. The top right is the classic children's saying, "Frogs and tails and puppy dog tails. That's what little boys are made of," with a few little illustrations featured. I also made the bottom Michael print, which was inspired by Made by Girl.

And of course his room wouldn’t be complete without the addition of the simple man poster.  

 I think his room turned out pretty cute.

He gave me his look of approval.... I think. 

I recently had the pleasure of designing these wedding invitations for a couple living down under!

They knew they wanted classic wedding stationery with a POP of fun. The golden 'roo did just that. He is the perfect embellishment for their their big day which will take place at the St. Louis Zoo.

More details to come on their stationery package!

I was beyond excited to hear the news that my sister was having a baby. Not only was I thinking that I would make a great aunt but that I needed to prepare for the best baby shower extravaganza ever!  I LOVE to throw parties and I didn't want to spare any details for my one and only sister, Casey Jo.

I found out the nursery theme was going to be nautical (it's a boy and they love to sail), so I went ahead and jumped on board! Sorry, can't help it.... The festivities started by sending out these little lovelies:

 Shades of red, white and blue along with fun patterns completed these round, grommeted invites.

Thank you notes: 

I knew that jumbo balloons and tassels were a must. I was totally inspired by Geronimo Balloons. Google them now. Trust me, who knew balloons and a little tissue paper could be so amazing? I also included some custom welcome signage to direct everyone to the party.

Here is the oh-so-fabulous cake and cookies that my Aunt Dawn made. (by made, I mean ordered them here) They were the stars of the show!

I ordered appliques from Seed Stitches and had my mom iron them on some simple, little onesies. Never trust me with an iron. They were strung up along the railing with the Honest Company's Anchors & Stripes diapers. Simple touches are always the best!

The tabletops were my favorite part! Beautiful napkins (more below), mason jars with chalk labels, white flowers and silverware wrapped in nautical rope gave the shower something a little extra.

The fun napkins were designed by my friend Tracy Sachs! I couldn't wait to use her designs at a party. Check out all of her items here.

Here's the guest of honor, Casey Jo, herself. Her friend Lynn knitted this sailboat throw for her. Impressive!

Here I am posing away with the nautical themed remake of my Simple Man poster and another jumbo balloon. I was totally prepared for winning the best dressed award....

......until SHE showed up and stole the show! I thought I was down with the nautical theme in my red, white and blue. I guess you can't go wrong in a mini sailor suit! Lesson learned. Little Gracie was the perfect addition to the nautical shower!

A HUGE thank you goes out to my mom and best friend Emily for helping me throw this shower.

AND of course to the other hostess with the mostess, Dawnie and her beautiful cake.....that couldn't handle the heat! I don't think we will ever forget that moment....

Now to prepare for the first birthday party that's just a little over a year away! Ships Ahoy!

When my Dad turned 60 in December, he specifically said that he did NOT want a birthday party. With his birthday being so close to the holidays (Dec.29), it's always hard to get people together anyways. Little did he know that we had been planning him a surprise 60.5 birthday party for months. He is a HUGE University of Illinois fan, so that was the basis for the whole party. Orange and blue everywhere- and it turned out pretty cute! It was a great day, exactly six months after his real birthday, for a huge surprise! 

Invites:

Thank you's:

Posters:

Here is a little video with a few other decorations that we displayed: