What I Heart Today: New Year's Resolution #2

My second new year's goal is to become a better photographer.  I have a great camera, the Nikon D40, that I've had for about 3 years and still barely know how to do more with it than point and click.  I saw this great tutorial on holiday bokeh (I didn't know what bokeh was either but go check it out, it's so pretty!), and next year I want to be able to shoot my own holiday bokeh.  I tried to do it this year but I don't know my camera well enough to know how to change the aperture.  I did look at the owner's manual and couldn't even understand the directions it gave on controlling aperture, so I've decided to start with page one.

What about you, do you have any new year's goals?

What I Heart Today: New Year's Resolution #1

That's right, I have resolved to complete the task I'm about to tell you about!

I would like to fill the Etsy shop I just opened, partiesiheart, with party printables (I do the design, you do the printing) paired with these great favor bags I designed for my daughter's birthday party.  And today I'm going to give you a sneak peak into the first party I'll be listing in my Etsy store.

The party all started with this fabric by Ann Kelle which I made into my daughter's first birthday dress.

From here I designed a butterfly invite.

And then I made these great reusable snack bags that the kids will use as favor bags and fill them with candy from the dessert bar.  Butterflies are for the girls and whales are for the boys.

A butterfly birthday will be the first theme I add to the store, the reusable snack bags are available now with free shipping!  I'm just waiting for my daughter's birthday party to get photos of all the printables I designed.  So what do you think?

What I Heart Today: Gracie's First Santa Visit

Today we took Gracie for her first visit with Santa, we waited in line for two hours.

 I even let Gracie wear her new birthday shoes (even though her birthday isn't until January, 6th).

Wondering how it went?

I just love the picture!

Luckily I was able to get a happier one in front of the tree a little later.

Happy holidays!

What I Heart Today: Jonathan Adler

I was first introduced to the world of Jonathan Adler a few years ago when I stayed at a hotel he decorated called The Parker in Palm Springs.  If you've never heard of The Parker you simply must check it out, it's a beautiful, design lovers oasis on the outskirts of downtown Palm Springs.  Just take a look at the pool side set-up below.  I'm constantly dreaming of a set-up like this at my house.

I immediately fell in love with Jonathan Adler's design style that he calls "happy chic" which was evident all over the grounds of this gorgeous, laid-back hotel.

 

There's a few of Jonathan's pieces that I've been drooling over for many year's.  Maybe if I'm really good santa will bring me one of them at some point in my life :)

1.  The first is the Richard Nixon throw:

2.  The second is this great zebra rug:

Is there anything on your decor list that you're hoping santa brings you this year?

What I Heart Today: Palm Springs

As the temperature dips here I've got my mind on a warm, sunny place that I'll be visiting in March.  One of my favorite quick getaways from Seattle, Palm Springs.

Join me over at deliciousbaby for photo Friday!

What I Heart Today: My Christmas Card

And the shutterfly winning card is...  #3!  This is a scan of our Christmas card, so sorry about the less than stellar quality.  This is the first time I used shutterfly and I have to say it was very easy and turned out great!  Their new premium card stock is beautiful and they had so many great designs it was hard to choose, so thank you for choosing for me.  If you're still in the market for cards they're now 20% off!  I suppose there's still time to get cards ordered and out!

I will definitely be using shutterfly again, I've already got my eye on this adorable ornament!

What I Heart Today: My White Christmas Tree

That's right, you heard me, I said a "white Christmas tree."  Two years ago during, one of the heaviest snowfalls I can remember, on the morning after Christmas at 7am my husband got up and drove me to Target to pick this bad boy up 50% off.  I love my white tree!  I think I'm still working on the decorations but for now it's up and I love it.  It's my daughter's first Christmas and she squeals every time I plug in the Christmas tree, it's so cute!  My husband and I are mid-century modern fans so this tree fits our household quite well.  I figure I'll only get to enjoy it for a few more years while my daughter is still too young to know to hate it and beg for a real tree :)