Woodland Bohemian Outdoor Party Inspiration

I have totally been crushing on all things bohemian lately. I may not dress like a boho chick, but I completely appreciate the look in all its feminine, throw-back glory.  I've been planning a special little intimate party, the details of which I will keep on the down-low for now. These are some of the images that have helped me come up with my overall plan and I couldn't wait to share them with you. If you would like more details for each photo, just click the link below each one.

Overall Aesthetic:
Flower crowns, feminine and flowing fabrics, and a nod to yesteryear. What's not to love?

|| Via ||

|| Via ||

|| Via ||

 

 

The Details:

What could go better with flower crowns than moss and ferns and flowers? And the setting? Outside amongst the beauty God has created.



|| Via ||

 



|| Via ||

 

The Color Scheme:

Mint green, coral, and blush pink. Such a beautiful combo. Needing color inspiration for a party or even a room re-do? Look at the latest wedding trends to get inspiration.





|| Via ||



 



|| Via ||

 

I really, really, really hope that the weather cooperates so that I can have this little shindig outside like I have planned. It just won't feel the same if I have to do it indoors, but I'll make it work if that happens.

 

I looked to a lot of wedding trends and photos for my inspiration for this upcoming party. Where do you look to get inspiration?



Throwback Thursday: Mermaid Party

 

 

A couple of years ago, before I started blogging, I threw a Mermaid themed birthday party for my daughter's fifth birthday. I've never shared this party, partly because the photos aren't that great....I was just starting to figure out my camera and hadn't gotten the hang of it yet. I was not quite in blogger mindset, and didn't get a lot of detail shots that now I would try to get when posting. With that being said, I still think that this worthy of a Throwback Thursday. This post may not contain the best Pinterest-worthy photos, but maybe you can get some inspiration if you little one is excited for all things mermaid.



 

 



 

I started with a backdrop. The rest of the party theme was built around this. I thought that this scalloped, fish scale backdrop was perfect for a mermaid party. I made a template out of cardstock, then traced it onto tissue paper, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, and cardstock in various colors of blue with pops of pearly white and sparkly purple-pink. 

 

 

 

 

When we had this party, we had only been in our current home a year, and hadn't completed a lot of our projects yet. I set up the food table in what is now our office, and the rest of the party was set up in the dining room, but what is now our living area. 

I had cute names for all of the food, but I can't remember now what those were. The round tortilla chips were sandollars, but I still can't recall the rest.

I set this table up at kid height so that they could sit around it on the floor.

The rest of the party was set up in the dining room (before we made it our living room). I made an orb out of vines and spray painted it blue. We didn't have any lighting in this room, so I had to hang temporary lighting. The pink things hanging with it are glass tea light holders.

I hung a light we made out of a basket above the party favors. I used and Ikea light kit and had my hubby drill a hole in the bottom of the basket so we could run the cord for the light.

 



 

On the desert buffet, we served lots of blue sweets. Candies, cookies, and cake! My sister-in-law decorated the cake with ombre waves. It was topped with a DIY cake topper I made.

 

The kids, all wearing their favorite shade of ocean blue, enjoyed mermaid makeovers by my sweet nieces.  The got shimmery mermaid eye makeup and a whimsical mermaid hair clip that I made for each child. This was set up in the foyer before we painted the parquet.

 

 

After blowing out the candles on the cake, we served it up to some eager girls. They had fun sitting at their little table!

 

 

They look like they are in some deep conversation!

I think the kiddos had a great time and I had a blast planning this fun mermaid party! Hope you enjoyed this Throwback Thursday!



Purium 10 Day Transformation: Video Blogs

Last Monday, I started a challenge called the Purium 10 Day Transformation. I hadn't been sleeping well for months, my weight loss was at a standstill, and I just haven't felt well in general. I decided to try Purium to cleanse my body, jump start my weight loss again, and hopefully to feel better.

This was the day before I started the challenge. I was weighed in, measured, and had before photos taken by my friend, and our fearless fitness leader. Rachel. (She teaches all of the classes at my gym...Zumba, Body Pump and PiYo.)

Today is my day 9 of the challenge and I feel great! I'm sleeping better and have more energy and I have lost weight. I've documented this challenge thus far and you can see those vlogs over on my Youtube channel.

View these entries:
The Purium 10 Day Transformation Challenge: Days 1, 2, 3
The Purium 10 Day Transformation Challenge: Days 4-7

I've tried to give an honest opinion of the products, process, and how I've felt in these videos. I'm not one to jump on every weight loss bandwagon, but I felt that it was a much needed thing for me at the time. Also, the fact the shake is non-GMO and organic helped me decide it was a safe and healthy thing to try.

I'm not trying to sell a product and this isn't a sponsored post. Just my journey, experience, and opinion of Purium. I've always been really open with you guys about my weight loss journey, and this is part of it.

I get weighed in and measured tomorrow, so I will post the end results by the end of the week! I'm so excited!

Month in Review: April 2015

Just in case you missed a post in April, here's a quick recap of the highlights from this wonderful spring month! 

 

I Do BBQ

Dressing Your NOW Body

Southern Holiday Life

I started a YouTube channel to supplement the blog! Yay! Please go subscribe!

DIY Burnout



Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo Recap 2015

This is a couple of weeks late, but I'm just now getting around to sharing about this year's Rattlesnake Rodeo. The Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo is a weekend filled with vendors, activities, and music. This year, Gary Allen played on Saturday night, and The Newsboys headlined on Sunday night. (For info or the rodeo, click here.) 

 

My daughters and my niece enjoying some snacks while listening to some live music.

 

 

With my nephew.

 



 

My friend, Bethany, and I sang Sunday afternoon. And a big thanks to JC for playing for us and singing with us!

 

 



 

 

Later that afternoon, we got to meeet the Newsboys. They were so nice. It was an honor to meet them.

Then, we got to enjoy the concert!

 

I forgot to mention that this day was an icky, rainy Sunday. It sputtered on and off all afternoon, and by the time the concert was in full swing, it was a steady downpour. We sat under a covered area in the stadium, but lots of people were out in the rain. You can see the rain coming down in this photo.

Michael Tate finally got an umbrella so he could venture out on the catwalk without soaking his mic. Throughout the concert, they ended up put an umbrella and plastic over the monitors and in front of the keyboard player because the rain was getting onto the stage. They were troopers playing in the crazy weather and all of those people close to the stage were, too. It was definitely a memorable night.

This part was cool. The drummer's platform raised up in the air.....

...then tilted sideways and started spinning. The drummer never missed a beat. I was impressed.

 

I'm so glad that the Rodeo started doing family days on Sunday and featuring Christian bands. (Last year was the first year they did that. You can see that post HERE.) It was such a fun day and I'm definitely looking forward to next year. 



I Do BBQ Couples Shower

 

 

When I was asked to help plan a couples shower, specifically an "I Do BBQ," I couldn't have been more excited. My sweet client wanted a casual couples shower that was stylish yet laid back.

 

The first thing I like to decide on when planning a party or shower is usually the invitation. A well-made invitation can be a jumping off point for the design for the entire party. That was the case for this party. We found this adorable invite from Mols Designs and I took the inspiration from that to set the tone for the entire party.

You can order your own I Do BBQ from Mols Designs HERE.

 

The elements that inspired us from the invite were red and white gingham, sunflowers, and mason jars. We ordered fresh sunflowers and baby's breath for arrangements for all of the tables. I am a firm believer that fresh flowers can go a long way at a party (or even just having a jar or vase of them in your home.) I used mason jars to put the arrangements in, and the guests also drank sweet tea and lemonade from mason jars, as well.

 

Four tables were set up outside on the beautiful porches. We used white tablecloths and chair covers, then we kept things simple with a red and white gingham runner, party packet place settings, and beautiful sunflower arrangements. 

To dress up the mason jars, I glued gingham ribbon directly to the jar, then affixed a scalloped craft tag to the ribbon with a mini clothespin.  I used a stamp set to embellish the tag with the engaged couple's initials.

The Red Gingham Table Roll was actually cut in half to make the runner. It was a really wide roll and could be used as a tablecloth if preferred. For our purposes, this worked the best. The Striped Favor Bags and Red Stripey Straws were just the things we needed for the adorable party packets.

To download this free printable file, click HERE. For personal use only. Copyright Cultivate Create 2015.

Also, I filmed a short tutorial on making the party packets. Head to my YouTube page to view! If you like it, give me a thumbs up and please subscribe to my channel! Watch the tutorial HERE. (And yes, I have a strong Southern accent, and am a complete goofball as evident in the outtakes at the end. HA!)

Guests were sent home with sunflower seed favors with the sentiment "Let love grow" on the tag. How sweet!

And what would a party be without a fun photo booth? The backdrop is just red tablecloths attached to foam board and propped against the wall. I made the giant sunflowers out of tissue paper. (Tutorial to come soon.)

I blacked out the hashtag, but you get the gist!

 

Thanks, MA, for modeling for us!

 



 

 

I didn't get to snap any photos of the food all set up, but I did snap this photo of the sugar cookies that were made for the party. Aren't they adorable? There were also sunflower cupcakes that everyone got to enjoy after eating some yummy barbecue!

 

I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed working on this party! Be sure to like Cultivate Create on FB, follow along on Instagram or Twitter, or join this site to be sure to see future party posts like this one!

 

Linking up to:

Create and Share

SITS Girls Craft and Recipe Linkup

Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House