Happy Halloween

To most people, this could be the most important and exciting holiday of the year.  I've seen some over the top decors online and after much thought.  I decided to go cheap this year and will wait for the post Halloween sale for next year.  So I made the Happy Halloween banner using paper rosettes and purchased a couple of ribbons at Walmart and this is what I came up with:

Just grabbed my orange pillows from the living room and patio furniture

Thought I'd make use of my daughter's pre-school art work

The hanging bat was also my daughter's art work

Assorted candy corn from Walmart

 

Cute Pumpkins also from Walmart

Happy Halloween. Enjoy your kid's treat. :) and stay safe!!

Kidz Block Party

That's where we will be this Halloween. And look who I found on their website (under pictures) when I checked to confirm the date and start of the block party.

Courtesy of the Kidz Block Party website,  taken Halloween last year

What are your plans this Halloween?  I'm still working on my decors and hopefully make it in time.  I am looking forward to the post Halloween sale.

Versace for H&M

This one got me really excited and can't wait for November 17 when Versace launches it's line at H&M worldwide.  Too bad I have to work that day but was wondering if there'll be enough pieces by the time I get to the store.  After missing Missoni for Target and Lanvin for H&M (although I don't think they launched this here in the West Coast), I knew I have to get my hands on this one.  Hehe.

I read that most of the items were from the Versace archives and recent collection.  Donatella really did a great job on this one.  Here are my few favorites:  (Photos courtesy of Forbes.com)

Disco Diva

My Favorite Fuschia Gold Studded Dress

Versace's trademark in leopard print and Greek patterns

The accessories are stunning as well..  Love love the studded belts and purses.  I'm sure there will be a long line on this one.  I'm hoping it won't be the same incident as Target's with launching their Missoni line last month..  I'm counting the days..

Knotts Berry Farm

We took the kids Trick or Treating at Knotts Berry Farm today. It's my first time back since almost 20 years ago.  I can't help but notice all of the Halloween Decorations around the theme park.  It is Camp Spooky for kids during the day on weekends and Knotts Scary Farm in the evenings during Halloween Season.  Here are some inspiring photos I took and could be probably us it to design our fireplace in time for Halloween.  I'm hoping I still have enough time with it being one week away.

We ate at the Spurs Chop HOuse which was a Barbecue Buffet included in our admission so I was mostly able to take pictures only during lunch.  Wish I could've taken more pictures outdoors as there were a lot of Halloween decor inspiration outdoors.

Family Room Update

I am sharing a before and after pictures of our Family Room Make over. The husband wasn't too keen on the yellow painted walls but I am happy with it as it brings a splash of sunshine and cheer  into my day every single time I enter our Family Room.  Kelly of Porter House Designs designed a whimsical fun yellow and lime green pallette for this room to complement our lifestyle and current furniture we already have.

As you can see the toys are stuffed by the fireplace and once the kids played with their toys, you can see it all over the place.  But now, that we have our playroom/guestroom almost done, we were able to keep all their toys in one room (more on that on another post)

 

 

 

 

 

Before Photo taken over the Summer

The After Photo

Front View

Finally the Media Cabinets are put in with contrasting green paint on the walls

DIY Halloween Ghost Decorations

When I found this DIY Halloween Ghosts Decorations on Pizzazzerie website, I just thought this would be perfect to hang outside the house by the man gate.  I got the white wedding bells from Michael's for $4.99 but got it only for $2.99 because I have the 50% coupon (tip: sign up at their website and you always get it in your email - they have one almost every week.  This is great for me as I can get their expensive craft tools at half the price because of the coupon).

Anyway, here is the finished product.  My toddler enjoyed helping me out with this as this was a very easy project.

I had to do a smile on this one as she wanted to have a smiling ghost

Hanging above our front tree

Halloween

Now that Halloween is around the corner and we're gonna miss decorating Christmas this year- I thought of Sprucing up our Driveway, Front Door and Gate with Halloween Decorations with Budget Friendly Pieces. 


I got excited last week, when we got booed by one of our neighbors and received some early halloween treats for the kids.  So I printed this out fromThe Tom Kat Studio and put it in our front door and booed 2 of our neighbors to pass on this tradition around the neighborhood.  This is what it looks like:

We got Booed Sign at the Front Door

Our Front Door with Scarecrow and Pumpkin Baskets from Walmart

I will be posting a couple more projects for Halloween Decorations around the house that I'll be posting in the next couple of days.

Knobs, Knobs, Knobs!

I have been meaning to change the knobs on my daughter's dresser for the longest time and update the look of her White Ikea drawers .  So last Friday, I finally gave in and purchased a couple at Pottery Barn Kids.  Here is what it looks like.

Almost half way done

Finished product

What d'ya think?

A Barbie in Paris Party

I got this tshirt from Oh FiddleSticks inspired by The Tom Kat Studio

After months of dreaming up and planning this party,  we celebrated my daughter's second birthday party last saturday with our family and a few close friends - Parisian Style.  This was a smaller party compared to my older one's Ballerina Party.  In the end, I preferred it this way as it was easier to manage and I still got to enjoy the party and mingle with people I haven't seen and talked to in a long time.  It was a bit hectic and we ended setting up late but all's well that ends well as they say.


 First and foremost, I want to thank my co- party planner and best sister in the whole wide world, Alyssa - who always give me honest opinions if my party ideas are too crazy and impossible or doable.  Helping me run errands right before the party and of course setting up and clean up.  What will I do without her.  My Dad, my brother and his kids for always being there to help me out with any event.  I'm so proud of nieces.  At a young age, they are very helpful, always asking me if there's anything else they can do to help out during the party.  My brother who never fails to take great pictures as well.  My daughter's Ninang Roan and Ninong Saul, who came in early to help set up  and pick up our delicious petit fours and sumptous Pan Au Chocolaut.  Thank you so much.


Now on to the details (my Favorite Part).  A little background...  I've always dreamed of visiting Paris as a little girl and when it came true last Spring.  I couldn't be more excited to throw a Parisian Soiree for my little one this Fall for her second birthday party.  I picked up Parisian Post Cards (in Hot Pink and Black of course the at the Monoprix Supermarket (at their Famous Champs Elyssee Store) while in Paris.  I put the post cards in  black Ikea Picture frame and decorated it in our Family Room Fire place and as a center piece on the adult tables and drinks table

The Post card right next to party hats I made

Post Cards in our party colors. Party hats designed by Paper Glitter

I also purchased these Silver Eiffel Tower keychains in bulk from Paris (during our trip) somewhere along Rue Cambon, I couldn't even remember the exact street.  I think I got a good deal of 8 euros for 50 pieces of keychains from this chinese guy who sells Parisian souvenirs by bulk.  So if you're in Paris, don't buy them from the guys who sell them at the different Tour Sites.  They sell them either 3 for 1 euro or 1 euro each, depending where you're at.  So I turned these keychains into necklaces so the girls can wear them during the party.  I just attached it to a leather tie (I got this in Manila years ago) and accented it with pink glass beads to put an elegant touch to it.  I will be posting this in my Etsy Shop soon since I still have tons left.

Eiffel Tower Necklaces

All Paper goods were purchased from Paper Glitter from their Hot Pink Paris Kit in pdf file so I printed out tons of invitations, party hats, menu cards, buffet table labels, favor tags, paper decors such as Banners, Eiffel tower, etc.

Favor Tags, Lotion purchased from Bath and Body Works

Le Menu, a combination of French and Filipino Food

Mini Poodle Toys as Favors from Oriental Trading

A Sample of Printed Invite with Passports, Boarding Pass, and RSVP card

Sample of Personalized Favor Bags I handmade for the little girls with Marabou Furs,  Fabric Hairclips I also handmade and the Eiffel Tower Cups from Celebrate Express

A Welcome Signage in French

A great find at my happy place, Home Goods

Favor Table, we forgot to hide the shower door, haha!

Fire Place Set Up

My Sister with the Dessert Table

Dining Room

Our Version of A's Mini Patisserie

Buffet Table and Dessert Table

Petit Fours and Pan Au Chocolat from Union Bakery in Pasadena

More desserts and veggie tier

I spray painted our old Chandelier in Pink and accented the Lamp Shades in dark pink pom trims (from Joann's and Black Satin Ribbon

Pink Chandelier over the Fir Pit

Tarpaulin of Famous Parisian Sites as Photo Back Drops in the Back Yard

Pink and White Roses and Green Pom Flowers I picked out at Fresh and Easy

The Tent Set Up




  








 I will have to post details of the dessert table soon once I have the other pictures.  Hope you enjoyed viewing the pictures as much as I enjoyed planning this party for my little one!