This COUNTRY PICNIC THIRD BIRTHDAY PARTY submitted by Paula of Blog Holamamá is absolutely precious. I love the lace and brown paper everywhere. The sandwich wraps and cake toppers couldn’t be cuter, too.

Here is what Paula had to say about the party- “I would like to share with you my daughter’s birthday party. Clara was turning 3 and we created a great party with the theme “country picnic”. Cristina form Nice Party prepared it all for us with lovely details like a fruit metal basket and a liberty flowers garland.”

Kara’s Party Ideas

How to create this magical sea of lanterns…

While searching for magical lighting options for Alice&Clark’s “it sparkles in the woods” wedding on May 26 in an outside restaurant under big old trees I found these cute lanterns and DIY ideas.

Whimsical lace

Moroccan passion on Paperblog

 Paper lanterns make overs, so sweet.

 Santa Fe’s Farolitos re-invented

 Make your own at pixel occasions.

String heaven at Veryirie

 Mason jars are still on, just modify them a little.

Tea tins At Eco Elsie

Or go super rustic for the wire mesh, it will look amazing when in trees… happy hunting or DIYing…

Green Weddings

Weddings from the Heart

I can’t help but posting these for any bohemian, avantgardist bride: aren’t these a m a z i n g?

Eve Anders is from Tallinn, Estonia. 
Tallinn is a medieval Finnish town, which one can feel in her extravagant fashion pieces.

Green Weddings

Weddings from the Heart

In a recent article on AZCentral.com, the article mentions certain school districts taking away the Valedictorian title and no longer honoring it.

One of the main reasons being:
“Many students now take classes online, or transfer from other districts or states, he said, making it increasingly difficult to decide how to weight grades to determine a fair class rank.”

While the article does make many good points about the valedictorian status, and instead honoring the top 1 %, 2% or 10% of class, it seems to be a touchy subject for many parents (who commented on the article).

One of the top voted comments reads:
“Not honoring the top student is a nutty idea that was probably thought of by the parents of students near the top of the class.”

What are your thoughts on the situation? Do you feel the top student should be honored or just the top percentage of graduating students?

Also, if you’re graduating in June, it’s not too late to order your graduation stoles. Order soon and save on shipping costs.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thirty30photography/2541302013/

The Super Senior (Musings About Fun, Graduation & The Real World)

I thought I would share this lovely MOTHER’S DAY GARDEN PARTY submitted by Sharon Pardon in honor of Mother’s day tomorrow!

This dessert table is absolutely gorgeous! I love the vintage and rustic touches, as well as the old photographs. And you just can’t beat the setting!

Here is what Sharon said about her lovely party- “I was lucky to be inspired by another Mother’s Day event put together by a talented cake baker. From there I wanted to do something for my own mum who is no longer with us, but always enjoyed a cup of tea or coffee, always enjoyed a good chat, and who I know in my heart would have loved this.”

Kara’s Party Ideas

Cute for escort cards, a cookie with a tag. From Mimpimurni.

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Weddings from the Heart

I am so incredibly excited to announce that the very first episode of Kara’s Party Ideas, THE SHOW for all things PARTY is now LIVE! Watch the first episode, an introduction to the show & Kara’s Party Ideas, as well as highlights & a pom pom cake topper DIY tutorial from my Hot Air Balloon / Up Up & Away 1st Birthday Party {which is included in my upcoming book}, HERE!

You can definitely tell that this was the very first episode….lol. But you have to start somewhere, right :]. This has been an awesome new experience for me, and oh so fun. I have learned so much already and am so excited to be a part of the My Craft Channel Online TV Network!

You can now tune in every Thursday to My Craft Channel to watch my show. Each week I will be showcasing a different party theme, presenting the party from start to finish. So fun, right! Kara’s Party Ideas will literally be “The Show for ALL Things PARTY!”

“My Craft Channel is the first of its kind online TV Craft Network. It delivers broadcast quality programming. With over 20 shows each week there is something for everyone. Top experts, bloggers and craft celebrities in various niches from sewing, painting, scrapbooking, DIY projects, photography, mixed media & more have joined together to bring education to the web with TV formatted shows.”

Here I am on set getting ready to film the first episode :]….

The below photographs {Valerie Hart Photography} were taken at my son’s 1st birthday party- the hot air balloon/up up & away themed party being featured on this week’s episode. I show a DIY tutorial on how to make the cute pom pom cake topper on the show. See the tutorial here.

Credits/Vendors:

Show- My Craft Channel

Book- Kara’s Party Ideas, The Book

Photography- Valerie Hart Photography

Printables- Printastic Designs

Cake {inspired by the beautiful cake done by Jessi Cakes HERE}- Jennifer Hanna / Sweeten Your Day Cakes

Cookies- All Things Exquisite

Cake Pops- Autumn Lynn’s Chocolate Sins

Cupcakes- Dippidee

Chevron Cookie Toppers- Parkers Flour Patch

Bakers Twine, Paper Straws, Miniature Plastic Parfait Cups/Mugs/Glasses, Miniature Clear Plastic Spoons, Linen Favor Bags, Wooden Utensils, Food Picks, Water Balloons, Pillow Boxes, Balloons, Chinese Lanters, Stamps, Napkins, Plates, Two-Sided Upright Party Frame, Glass Milk Bottles- Kara’s Party Ideas Shop

WATCH THE FIRST EPISODE HERE!

Kara’s Party Ideas

For those who missed it, did you know today, May 8th was National Teachers Day?

If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to send a quick letter, email, tweet or facebook message to some of the teachers who made the biggest impact in your lives. Whether it was the subject you hated, or the subject you loved, these teachers likely made an impact on your life that has brought you that much closer to graduation date.

Here’s more background about the day.

http://www.good.is/post/national-teacher-day-gives-us-a-chance-to-say-thanks/

And even if you’re reading this long after the date, what’s stopping you from sending a letter?

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/watchsmart/463555953/

The Super Senior (Musings About Fun, Graduation & The Real World)

Today’s post comes from PicktheBrain.com. It’s about building self-confidence. If you haven’t already read the post, we’d recommend checking it out. http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/7-smart-ways-to-build-self-confidence/

The post provides a handfull of tips on how to build your self-confidence. Of those, #1 stuck out to us the most as it related to travelling.

“I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth. Then I ask myself the same question.” – Harun Yahya

Traveling is one of those big things that often times college grads just don’t do. Whether it was a decision to NOT study abroad to graduate on time, or join the work force the week right after graduation, often times travel plans get postponed, and never happen.

One of our biggest tips on building self confidence would be to travel, and travel by yourself. Do it at least once in your life. You’ll feel a sense of freedom and relieve.

Ways to travel on a budget? Check out Contiki.com or Airbnb.com.

Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uggboy/5566283661/

The Super Senior (Musings About Fun, Graduation & The Real World)

Green Weddings

Weddings from the Heart