gender reveal

I went back and forth on whether to do a Gender Reveal Party.  It's something I've seen on Pinterest and always been intrigued by.  The having to wait a couple weeks after our ultrasound to find out the gender didn't bother me.  I just didn't want people to think it was tacky and I was concerned about planning if all didn't go as planned... and I was only beginning to get my energy back so it had been daunting to think about until the second trimester.

I had my monthly appointment in mid-March and our ultrasound was scheduled for  a little over a week later on 3/29.  I talked to Jay and my sister about it - I basically had to decide that week if I wanted to do the Reveal Party.  Jay was all for it and Kara thought it was a great idea too.  My mom said we always love to throw get-togethers so it wouldn't be weird at all - just another excuse to party!

Basically what we would do is have the ultrasound tech determine the gender and write it down and put it in a sealed envelope. We wouldn't know.  Then we would give the envelope to a baker and have a cake that was gender neutral on the outside but pink or blue (cake or icing) on the inside.  We'd have our closest friends and family over for a get-together and all find out together. Fun right?

I decided no official invites until after the ultrasound in case Baby Lee didn't "cooperate."  I was looking at Etsy for some fun printables and my sister convinced me we could make our own.  I got some inspiration from Etsy but came up with my own theme - Mickey silhouette with a bowtie and Minnie silhouette with a bow... then I themed it out from there.  I love a theme.  From the return labels on the invitations, to the invites, to food tent labels, to cupcake toppers, etc.  I really liked how it turned out! I didn't print anything until after the ultrasound though.

My mom came with us to the ultrasound.  It seemed like the tech was uncomfortable writing down the gender.  Before she even checked it, she was telling us how it wasn't 100% certain and so on.  We gave her the option of telling my mom or writing it down.  She told my mom.  I do NOT know how my mom did such a good job keeping it a secret.  It did make me feel better about the cake though because my mom was able to order it and be pretty specific.  Good thing we were both busy with work and we only had 2 weeks to keep it under wraps!  Easter was the following weekend and the party after that.

Some people still didn't get that WE (Jay and I) didn't know the gender either until the party.  It was a blast!

Now for the fun party - the pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wait a minute, what do you mean I have to share my room with a baby SISTER?!?!

PS - I've also labeled this under 35 by 35 for the "printables." They are just clip art, fun fonts, and Microsoft office but I figure they count and I came up with them myself :-)

First Annual Cookie Exchange 2012

In June, Kara and I decided to make a Facebook group for Pinterest Projects where we could post Pinterest successes, failures, and inspiration.  It's a great place for crafts, recipes, and product reviews without filling up our friends news feeds who don't really care.  On 12/15/12 we hosted the First Annual Cookie Exchange at my house.  Kara and I really look forward to doing this every year.

Here's the gist of our invitation:

Please bring 4 dozen cookies... Some to sample and some to share!

Don't forget to wear your favorite apron! And bring the recipe(s) too!

Eat, drink, and be Merry!

Prizes will be given for the best tasting, most creative, best looking, and most unique.

Beverages will be provided. Be sure to bring a container to bring your cookies home in.

 

What a great way to get a wide variety of festive cookies, try out some new recipes or your favorite tried and true, and maybe even win a prize! 

 

I made some cookies from my Very Vegan Christmas Cookies: 125 Festive and Flavorful Treats and Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar cookbooks. I even won most unique with my Pina Colada Cookies!

 

 

Sabra House Party 11-10-12

www.houseparty.com is an awesome site!  You can sign up to try to host a promotional party for items.  If you get chosen, you get a package for free with various items depending on the House Party.

Earlier this year I had won a Huggies Potty Dance (pull-ups) House Party and a Lego House Party.  My friend won a Fisher-Price House Party and got over $300 in toys sent to her (cool, right?!).  I've had three other parties before this year too I think....

For the Sabra Hummus House Party, I got three coupons for free items up to $5.99 each, 13 dollar off coupons and also cards to go online and print up recipe books for the guests, an e-reader holder, a stylus pen, a bamboo serving spoon, and an apron. 

I got three HUGE tubs of hummus free from BJ's ($5.99 each so with the coupons, free). I also put out a bunch of other snack items and offered a pinterest inspired craft.

We made yarn wreaths. I supplied styrofoam wreath forms that Target had in their Dollar Days section (but I got 50-70% off!), a bunch of different yarn, and some embellishments.