wallpaper trends: April 2011

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Shopping Saturday!

Today is Dollar Tree heavy - but DANG I love me some dollar store! heehee...

Today's local finds (at national chains) that may help you stock up for your next event!

Planning a Monster or Dinosaur theme? Hurry up and catch these on Easter clearance!!!

Found: WalMart
Section: Easter Clearance
Price: ?!

For a Luau or Tiki party pick these up - not just for drinks - glue plastic serving plate on top (minus the lids), use a vases, put flame-less lights in for cute lighting...

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Seasonal
Price: $1.00

...Same with these guys! These you could carefully drill holes thru top, string and put the flame-less candles in! If you are really brave, drill a huge hole in the bottom and slide up and over your table legs for a unique touch!

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Seasonal
Price: $1.00

Too scared to drill!? Adorable Luau, Tiki or Alice in Wonderland (pink flamingo) lanterns were there too!

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Seasonal
Price: $1.00

I am not usually big on kitschy... but these were too dang cute not to share for your Tropical, Luau, Tiki or Monkey themed parties!

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Seasonal
Price: $1.00

If you planning an Alice in Wonderland party, stock up on pink flamingos during Luau season!

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Seasonal
Price: $1.00

You know how I love matching food! Gummies for you Under the Sea or Safari parties! For the under the sea ones, throw in blue jello when you make it, serve in a clear bowl!

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Seasonal
Price: $1.00

We all love the little boxes of animal crackers... but for a Farm/Barn themed party, these adorable boxes are SO much cooler! Carefully open and you could use them to stuff even more favors in!

Found: Dollar Tree
Section: Food
Price: $1.00

Having a Cars party? 9 pack of cars on clearance!

Found: Target
Section: Toy Clearance
Price: $14.98

Having a Sock Monkey theme? pick up these cute little guys! (I know you'll be loving these, Hillary Jo!)

Found: Target
Section: Toys
Price: $5.99?

Harry Potter party planning? Silly bands make great favors! On clearance... run!

Found: Target
Section: Toy clearance
Price: $0.49

Planning a Bird themed party or baby shower? Adorable sizes in purples!

Found: Target
Section: Housewares
Price: $10-15

Where I Have Been....

Hello friends!

I just can't apologize enough for my absence this week and previous weeks. I have debated on whether or not I should share a little about what has been going on lately. I certainly do not want to sound like I am complaining or whining and I want this to be a happy place; and most importantly, a place for parties and fun! But I also do not want people to wonder why I have not posted often and even worse, lost my passion for this blog. That is not the case at all!

First of all, there is nothing life threatening going on, thank heavens. I just have been battling some health issues lately, mainly terrible headaches. I have suffered from mild to severe headaches for about 10 years. I seem to always find a way to control them, but this year, I have been to the ER 3 times for treatment and I realized that I can't keep going on this way and that I need to get to the bottom of the problem. I visited with a neurologist this week and we have a few things scheduled for the upcoming weeks. I will have a MRI on Tuesday. I am definitely anxious about that, but I am not worried because no one thinks this is a severe issue...just an issue we need to figure out.

So, my sincere apologies for not blogging much these last few weeks. I really miss you and diving into party posts! I just have had several appointments that have taken a toll on my daily life (emotionally, physically and a lot of time and effort). On top of that, my rambunctious boys are 4 and 2 and that right there does not lend time to much else.

My sweet husband realized that I needed some complete me time. He took the boys AND new puppy to our farm for the ENTIRE weekend. People...I have not had a weekend ALONE in years! Of course, we as a couple have left the boys, but it has always been on a trip where we are going, going, going. Or I have been on girls' weekends with full schedules. But this weekend I am alone and have zero obligations. I can't tell you how excited I am (although I woke up with another splitting headache; finally under control now). I have been on the couch ALL morning watching reality TV (thank you Bethenny ever After for lots of laughs!) and countless royal wedding documentaries off of Apple TV (I can't shake the royal wedding fever). Although I miss the boys (all 3) tremendously, I am loving and appreciating my weekend of no obligations. Even sitting here writing this post, at this time of the day, in peace, is unusual. I'm off to get a deep tissue massage in a bit and can't wait. The feeling of not having to rush home afterwards to the kids is a relaxing feeling. And tonight, I think I'm going to go to dinner and a movie with a friend and just chill. I'll be waking up whenever I want tomorrow as well. Then, I'm off to the West U Home Tour and can't wait. Ahhh...I'm just going to enjoy these hours and I know I will be a better mom when everyone comes home tomorrow.

Thank you all for your loyalty and patience. I am truly blessed to be in touch with so many of you and I can't wait to feel normal (my normal) again! I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

XOXO,

Christi

Friday, April 29, 2011

Bug theme party ideas/inspiration!

We are planning a full weekend outside to get the yard all ready for a season of food and fun! I think we'll beat the full wave of bugs right now... but we all know they are coming!

Here are some ideas so Frost your Bug themed party! (my stepson would SO vote for this theme!)

THE perfect invite!!! I love the bite marks!!! Source

Make sure you put "bugs" everywhere! you could even do a bug bingo where the kids have to run around and find each kind on their sheet! Source and tutorial