A Little of This & That… Renovating, Decorating, DIY Projects & Family
A Little of This & That… Renovating, Decorating, DIY Projects & Family

An Update on Taylor Rose

You know what’s amazing? Little hands, little toes. A little face that lights up with the most brilliant little grin when you shine a smile in her direction.

Taylor's First 7 Months | PepperDesignBlog.com

We are beginning to manage a stretch of sleep that is longer than five hours these days. Five hours isn’t horrible, it’s way better than two. But by three months old (let alone seven) Liv was sleeping for 13 hours straight and I was happy as a sleeping clam. Oh man, those were the days.

We followed BabyWise and Secrets of a Baby Whisperer (loved both, I’m leaning on the latter at the moment) to a t with Liv from when she was 2-3 weeks old. I sort of forgot all about it when Taylor came around. I remembered the steps but wasn’t diligent about employing them, and, obviously, that is the secret. So we’re back on track now but it will take a bit of time.

The above pics chronicle T’s first seven months! I have this big, fuzzy white blanket that I keep in the living room for snuggling on the couch and it was a perfect prop for her newborn photos, I love how cozy it looks and plan on using it in her regular photo updates just like I did with Liv’s giant bear.

Taylor's Monthly Photos | 7 Months | PepperDesignBlog.com

Taylor is the best baby. She may not sleep as much as I’d like, but everything else about her little personality, coos, scoots and hand clapping is addictive. I’m trying to get her out of my bed, but in reality falling asleep with her on my chest (Kev constantly lets her fall asleep wrapped up against him, and he’s always reminding me that that is truly the best feeling in the world) is my kind of cuddling. She’s sweet and energetic and perfect.

PS I pulled together all of  my favorite baby product posts into one easy to find spot.

Liv’s 3rd Camping Birthday: Wax Paper Pouch Favors

This is one of those off-the-cuff projects that sort of slipped into Liv’s party incredibly last minute. I thought I would share it today because it’s a quick way to put together any sort of favor, snack bag, Valentine’s Day treat (is that that holiday that’s just around the corner?) with just a few supplies on hand.

Wax Paper Bags/Favors | Liv's Camping 3rd Birthday | PepperDesignBlog.com

I didn’t think about favors for Liv’s camping birthday until the day before the party when a mom texted me to RSVP and noted: ‘don’t worry about a favor for us, I know we’re a late add’. Oops. Party favors were never at the top of my mind (especially since we’ve only hosted baby and toddler birthdays up until now, not preschooler birthdays where these sorts of things are totally normal).

It wouldn’t be the end of the world if we didn’t have one, but I figured that if we did have time, I’d come up with something with what we already had around. I put my thinking cap on and found some supplies from around the house and already purchase for the party, and then recruited family to help me assemble a batch of wax paper favor pouches.

Wax Paper Bags/Favors | Liv's Camping 3rd Birthday | PepperDesignBlog.com

Super simple process. Materials include wax paper, washi tape, scissors or a paper cutter, s’mores ingredients, printed label and two-sided tape.

Cut wax paper into ~4×10″ strips and fold three quarters or so of the way up so that you’re creating a pocket with a fold over top. Run washi tape along each side of the pocket so that the edges are sealed. Use scissors to trim the washi tape at the bottom of each side for a clean finish. **Post-party we realized that the some of the washi tape was beginning to peel. I recommend using thin scotch tape under the decorative washi tape for pouches that are more durable (not pictured). Fill each treat bag with s’mores filling (or candy hearts or chocolates or whatever you’d like) and fold top of pouch over. Seal with tape. Option to wrap a label around the bag and secure with two-sided tape.

Wax Paper Bags/Favors | Liv's Camping 3rd Birthday | PepperDesignBlog.com

My printer broke the day of and my favors went into a basket sans labels, but I recreated the pouch to photograph and added the labels so that you can see my intention :-). You can download a pdf of the labels for printing here (right click and download saved link as, or open link and save to your computer).

Liv's 3rd Camping Birthday | PepperDesignBlog.com

The washi tape I used for the party pouches was slightly different as well with little leaves and berries on them (very girly camping – totally awesome that I had the roll on hand). Having that roll on hand made me definitely feel like I have ‘too much craft stuff’!

The washi tape is not a permanent adhesive so my bags were starting to lose their shape by end of night. If you’re looking for a wax paper pouch solution that’s slightly more durable, consider lining the sides of the bag with scotch tape before applying the pretty washi tape. The great thing about wax paper is that you can make any size bag! It’s very quick, very custom.

PS more pics from Liv’s little 3rd birthday here. More Valentine’s ideas here.

Wicker & Rattan

My living room is calling for some wicker. Or maybe rattan. I’m not sure what the attraction is at the moment, can’t exactly put my finger on it, but I know this space wants it soooo badly. There’s something warm, inviting, old school about that look…

Wicker & Rattan Inspiration | PepperDesignBlog.com

Emily Henderson | Unknown | Ingrid Jansan

Wicker & Rattan Inspiration | PepperDesignBlog.com

Deuce Cities Hen House | GallivantingGirls on Etsy
My Secondhand Life
 | Cup of Jo

I think maybe it’s because rattan and wicker seem to soften up a space. In general, the wood is slightly lighter, the shapes are curvier, the reeds and woven patterns are alive with texture. My word for my home has always been cozy. These images feel cozy, in part because of that bit of wicker.

Wicker & Rattan Inspiration | PepperDesignBlog.com

Unkown | Milk Magazine | The Brick House

I seem to keep coming back to one Franco Albini ottoman (that’s that round guy above). I love the round shape in a room of squares – the lack of edges (very baby friendly), and the spindly frame that makes it a piece of furniture, but not one that feels like it takes up much real estate.

New Rug for the Living Room | PepperDesignBlog.com

I think this room could use a bit of warm wicker or rattan? I’m officially on the look out.

PS More living room posts found here.

PPS As a momma of two little girls, this read hit my soft spot. It’s changed my approach in the way I quiz Liv about her day, or in the words I use to recognize what I love most about her (and I’ll do the same for T). A must on ‘how to talk to little girls’.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...