HAPPY CAFE, GRAND OPENING - 6.25.14

Hi guys, it’s me, that girl katie, Happy Café is OPEN for business and reservations are quickly filling up.

It took some time to pull together but it has been so rewarding watching my kids and their friends outside playing cafe.

I have such awesome memories of playing cafe with my Grandmother in her real kitchen.

happycafemenu
happycafemenu

Happy Café to do list:

1. Varnish play kitchen and move outside 2. Stain play structure 3. Have kids design custom MakIt plates 4. Scalloped curtains 5. Paint Can to Floral Arrangement 6. Laminate placemats from Oil Cloth Fabric 7. Design a menu 8. Paint Open/Closed sign 9. Paint Happy Café sign 10. Purchase items.

Items purchased:

1. Oil Cloth By The Yard 2. Fake Food 3. Plates, Cups & Trays 4. Chef & Waitress Outfits.

Items already had:

1. Play Kitchen 2. Cooking Utensils / Pots and Pans

TIPS – I laminated the menus and I have a plastic container outside for the uniforms so they don’t get soaked when it rains.

I really hope you are having a Happy Summer! 

MY KIDS & ME - 5.30.14

Hi guys, it's me, that girl katie,

I wanted to do something special to remember my birthday this year so I decided to have pictures taken of my kids and me. My husband doesn’t like having his picture taken so, I saw no point in forcing the idea on him. Plus, he thought I was nuts when I was preplanning our vineyard vines outfits.

Some of you might know that my sister recently died and I have given myself a personal quote for the year “It’s Better To Look Up”. I imagine the more I say and think it, the more I will start to feel and believe in it. I knew these pictures would help remind me to look up.

So, when thinking about the photo shoot, I thought giant balloons would be fun for the kids, goes with my personal quote while also adding a pop of color. Or at least, that is what I was hoping for but I am learning things don't always turn out as planned.

By the time the photo session took place, you would of thought my kids had taken a 4 hour nap and I had pumped them up with sugar. Not the case! They went nuts for these balloons, the outdoor space and the fresh air.

These pictures turned out great and that speaks volumes for the photographer, mandy & me.

I often feel like a lioness with her cubs. I would do anything to PROTECT my kids and I know I am so lucky to be here watching and playing with them as they grow up.

My Photographing Tips:

- Coordinate and plan your outfits. - Have back up outfits. - Have 1-2 props for the kids to play with that adds to the picture. - Let kids be kids. - Shoot during the peak hours of 4:30-6:00pm when the sun is setting. - If all else fails, bring out some candy.

HAPPY CAFE....coming soon 5.23.14

Hey guys, it's me, that girl katie, So, last summer I wanted to make a café in my kids play structure but before I knew it summer was over.

I am committed to following through with my idea this year. Here are a few before pictures, my "to do" list and my inspiration board.

Stay Tuned for the GRAND OPENING and my kids reaction.

FORT CENTRAL - 5.6.14

Hey guys, it's me, that girl katie, My kids love forts!

All winter I have been meaning to put together this fort under a built in desk in my daughter’s room and this week I pulled it off. I had to buy some supplies but then I styled it with items she already had such as, her dolls and doll clothes.

Steps:

1. Purchase plain white fabric & hem to fit space 2. Sketch design and paint 3. Style fort: curtains, doll clothes string, lights, wall decal and other fort items.

Supplies:

Online Fabric Store - Curtains Amazon - Shower rod The Land of Nod - Puff and box Dash & Albert - Rug Wallstickz - Chalkboard Decal Cost Plus World Market - Lights Amazon - Hooks

Tips:

I used graphics from Mini Boden to help inspire my drawing on the curtains. Saving a catalog was very helpful.

Time:

It took 3 evenings once kids were asleep to sketch and paint plus a morning to style the fort.

And the best part is, they LOVE it!

DIY LOLLIPOP ROAD PARTY FAVOR

Hey, it's me, that girl katie, I never shared the details on how I made the Lollipop Road Party Favor. It's so easy and makes for a fun birthday decoration.

Incase you missed the post on the Dirt Bike Themed Birthday click here.

RdLollypop
RdLollypop