Winter Wonderland Birthday Party

Given the weather this past week, this winter wonderland birthday party is the perfect excuse to stay indoors.  I love all the pastel colors, the soft ambiance, the delicious treats and the festiveness of the party.  The goodies included: chocolate covered pretzels, Oreo pops, sugar cookies, marshmallow flakes, choclate mini balls, wonderland cake, and of course hot cocoa and milk.  So festive and perfect for a girly winter birthday party.

{photos via Kara's Party Ideas}

Baby, It's Cold Outside Baby Shower

I love this bundle up baby, it's cold outside baby shower theme.  The cozy color pallet of blue, yellow, and green are great for a gender neutral shower.  And all the textures from the yarn balls, to the wood pieces, to the fuzzy cotton robe and onesies, really bring together the winter woodland theme. Playing off the bundled up baby, the shower featured woodland creatures in cute sweaters, stork bundled boxed lunches, and the party favors which were bundled socks.  Instead of a dessert bar, this shower featured a hot cocoa bar, perfect for the season, with all the fixings you'd need.  You can download all the printables free till the end of the month from Huggies & Hostess with the Mostess, here.

{photos via Hostess Blog}

Winter Wonderland Wedding Inspiration

I love snow from the texture to the color to the way it softly blankets everything in its path.  And the idea of a white winter wedding is just dreamy.  With white on white decor, white lights, silver accents, and gorgeous winter jewelry.  The perfect inspiration for your winter wonderland wedding, enjoy!

{Photos Via: Top Row: Couple, Bouquet, Ornaments; Second Row: Invitation, Cakes; Third Row: Shoes, Bride, Cocktails}

Friday Favs

Love the look of Chicago in the snow, so pretty & peaceful.  Looking forward to hibernating and catching up on our errands on this long holiday weekend.  Happy Friday!


{via}



~ On the hunt for a new black bag, and I'm loving these options.
~ Obsessed with Wendy's look book and her layering for the winter guide.
~ Making these egg boats for brunch this weekend.
~ Blush & Black wedding inspiration is classic, modern, romance.
~ My idea of camping, luxury and all the modern conveniences.

Winterwonderland Dinner Party

This soft wintry white dinner party is glamorously festive.  Everything from the reindeer details, billowy centerpieces, glitter and silver touches, and soft candles exudes holiday elegance.  The white on white color palate makes for a festive and intimate dinner party to pamper your guests with this holiday season.

{photos via Hostess Blog}

From the host:
‘Dreaming of a White Christmas’ was my inspiration. Here in southern France, snow is rare at Christmas, so the idea of styling a complete white party seemed very appropriate to bring the snow inside at any cost!  By mixing different textures, from fabrics, to paper, glass and ceramic, wool and fleece; you can create a monochrome white look without making it look too clinical.  The addition of candles and mirrored tiles on the table, helped to bounce light around and add warmth to the whole set up.

A Cozy White Winter

Nothing warms the winter chill like a cozy fireplace on a snowy winter day.  My favorite thing besides playing in the snow is watching it fall.  Whether it's by the window with some hot coco and a good book, snuggled up in front of the fireplace wrapped up in a warm blanket, or snacking on smores while rocking an adult onsie. Some cozy fireside inspiration! 

{Tow Row: Chair, Hot Coco, Blanket; Second Row: Tea Cup & Books, Firewood; Third Row: Room, Smores, Boots, Snowflakes}

Winter Skin Savers

Winter always does a number on our skin, and in Chicago where it's winter 6 months out of the year, I always need products that can counteract the harsh winter weather.  Meet my winter skin savers..

Face wash- "we come into this world with all the right instincts. we are full of joy, laughter and wonderment. we grow sunflowers in sunlight, make the wind our friend by flying kites, see dirt as tasty mud pies and celebrate the flames on our birthday cakes by making secret wishes that we know will come true. but there is no greater joy than water and suds. our nature is to be clean from the outside in and the inside out. we are water creatures that aspire to an instant renewal, restoration and revival we feel when we wash away what is old and outmoded to prepare ourselves for our next new brilliant experience. godliness is cleanliness, and cleanliness gives us wings to fly."  
Amen, meet my new face wash- Philosophy Purity Made Simple (the foaming kind).  Smells delicious, removes the make up, and doesn't leave my skin painfully dry, it's a keeper!

Bag Balm  yes it's original use was for animals but this lanolin based lotion is the perfect thing to banish dry, cracked feet.  Slather on liberally, throw on some socks and call it a night, in the morning your feet will thank you.  Not to worry you don't have to hit up your local veterinarian, Bag Balm can be purchased at Walgreen's or your local drugstore.

Kheil's lip balm - Soothes and protects winter lips, add cranberry flavor and you've got a winner.

Look Ma No Hands hand lotion- No more dry winter hands. Formulated with paraffin; olive, avocado and apricot oils; plus antioxidant Vitamin E- this high intensity lotion, absorbs fast and leaves my hands soft all day.  There's one in my purse, one on my desk, and one on my bedside table.

Johnson's Lavender Baby Oil- the perfect thing after a bath, and you'll be drifting off to a peaceful slumber in no time.  Enriched with lavender and chamomile, not only relaxs you, but help replenish your dry winter skin.