Acts of kindness for your Elf on a Shelf

If your tired of the regular Elf on the Shelf, this is a good alternative and teaches kids about kindness. I've made up one for each day after Thanksgiving until Christmas (and a few extra) appropriate for my kids and their ages. Feel free to print these and use them at your house. Can't wait to get started!

A Flowery-First Birthday party

I just can't get enough of this party. I love the reds, peaches, pinks and of course the sweet, little 1-year-old!

Little Clara's First Birthday Party

My baby girl turned 1. Oh, how sweet of a little baby girl I am blessed with.

Planning this party was quite an adventure. The very first thing I did was find a dress I liked. I purchased this dress from Tea. Then I started creating the graphics and buying items that matched. Banners, labels, treat cups, treat boxes. About 1 week before her party, whattayaknow.... I couldn't find the dress and several other items. I panicked. I searched the house high and low. I couldn't sleep. I retraced all of my steps.

Moving on, I reordered the dress and paid a hefty 2-day shipping fee.

I figured I'd find the items the day after the party but no, still nothing yet.

Anyways, I loved planning the party and everything that went with it. And best of all, Clara had a good time as well as her party guests.

Clara enjoying some cake.

The dress. From Tea.

Clara's month-by-month banner. Flowers by Angel & Co.

Big girl Clara ready to party.

A view from the doorway.

Her invitation. Minus the address. 

Treats & treat bags.

The dessert table. Loved the wrapping paper I ordered from Spoonflower http://www.spoonflower.com/welcome.

The cake was a bit of an issue. I made a 3-tier, vanilla cake from scratch the day before and it looked pretty good and tasted pretty good but the frosting was not white. So, the day of, my husband found this. Not very big, but definitely white.

The special cake pillow was created by my wonderfully-talented mother which will be cherished forever.

The raspberry slushies were one of my favorite things about the party.

Big brother Ethan blowing out Clara's candle. Love Clara's leg. She had it lifted like this a few times. Not sure what that was all about. :)

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.

All finished with her cake.

Other Special Credits:

Photography: Kellee Laser. It was so nice to sit back and enjoy every moment knowing that Kellee was there to take the pictures.

Cookies: Stephanie Bean of Sugar Bean.
Flowers: Angel & Co.
Cake pillow: Kathy Schmenk.
Invitation, banners, labels and event styling: Kristi Young Design.

Valentine's Day Cards

If you have gorgeous photos to show off, like these from the super-talented Kellee Laser, these valentine’s day mini-cards are for you.

25 cards with envelopes are available for $25.

Please email me at kristimyoung@gmail.com for more information.

Ethan's Star Wars Birthday Party

Time to party. Ethan just lives and breathes Star Wars. So, we decided to throw a Star Wars birthday party. I'm not a huge fan myself. But, I cheered it up a bit with the bright colors and the friendly little characters. It was so fun to plan, design & set up. And most importantly, he had a blast.

Here he is. Can you believe he is 6? My baby. Tear, tear.

 

Aren't these little Star Wars characters the cutest?

And some simple, yet fun treats.

 

Ethan's friends loved their Star Wars masks.

 

He also loves orange. Or could you tell already?

Don't forget a little treat for our guests.

 

And here was what started it all. The invitation.