Category: DIY

Happy First Birthday, Charlotte

June 2, 2018. After months of planning, the big day arrived so fast! I spent so much time and love setting up the house for our cat-themed birthday party for Charlotte. I had originally wanted to hire a party planner, caterer, send out 150 invitations and have pony rides for her birthday, but my husband talked me down off the ledge. Instead I opted for a smaller at-home gathering with close friends and family.

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Wearing the Fuchsia Rose Print Wrap Maternity Maxi Dress from Pink Blush in a size L. The fabric is super stretchy, so I sized down.

My maxi dress is one of my all-time favorite & most flattering silhouettes from Pink Blush. I wore a very similar dress for my baby shower and felt like a goddess. The 3/4 sleeve and wrap neckline was so easy to wear; I didn’t have to worry about tugging or pulling anything up. It’s vibrant print and flowy fabric kept me looking cool even though I was sweating from all the stress of throwing baby’s first birthday. It’s one of my new wardrobe staples and will look fantastic with a baby bump as a maternity dress, or post-baby as a nursing dress, or simply looking like a babe as an everyday maxi dress.

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The Birthday Girl herself in a onesie that says “I’m not kitten, I’m one.”

Like I said, it was a cat-theme for our Charlotte Adele Trottier (get it? C.A.T?) so I used ever pun I could think of…”let’s pawty,” “I’m not kitten, I’m one,” “Happy purrr-thday.” I also decorated with little cartoon cat faces, cat ears and pink and gold everywhere. I created a sweet table with a candy bar, cupcakes and a kitty cat cake and served pink lemonade.

They say it takes a village to raise and child and each person at the party had a big role to play in our lives during the last year. We’re so thankful for all the love and support. Charlotte is such a lucky girl to have so many wonderful people that love her so much!

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Kitty cat cake & cupckes. As delicious as it looks!

 

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Nothing beats a sweet table!
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Instead of traditional goodie bags, we did a “kitty adoption center” where kids could choose their own cat, name them & fill out details about them. Then, each kid got to take home their own stuffed kitty.
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The set-up for the cake smash where you can see the photobooth in the background.

All photos by Sandra Milioto. She is my fave Montreal family photog!

Decor: Amazon, DIY & Etsy (invites, kitty adoption center)

Charlotte’s headband is by Lily Love Creations, Tutu is by Bluish & shoes are Kate Spade for Keds

Thank you Julie Kelertas for the cake & cupcakes. They were delicious & adorable!

Thank you Keikanne & Kareem for the birthday onesie!

REAL TALK: What was your child’s first birthday like? Did you go all out or opt for something more low-key? Let me know in the comments below!

DIY Flower Initial

Welcome to crafting 101 with Just Jen! I’m no Martha Stewart, but I do enjoy DIYs, especially when they’re this easy.

When we set up the nursery, I knew we’d likely be moving in 3-6 months, so I didn’t want to create something too elaborate. I wanted unique touches that could easily be moved to new digs. This hanging DIY-flower initial is the perfect personal touch to your nursery. Here’s how to do it!

Materials:

  • Your choice of faux flowers
  • Corrugated cardboard
  • Hot glue gun
  • Initial stencil (I found mine here)
  • Ribbon
  • Acrylic paint & paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • Wood skewer

Instructions:

  1. Lay your initial stencil on the corrugated cardboard. Using a wood skewer, trace the outline by puncturing small holes. Cut out your initial with scissors. IMG_5892
  2. Paint your initial the color of your choice – or leave it blank if you prefer.IMG_5897
  3. Cut faux flowers from stem so only the bud remains.IMG_5895
  4. Using your wood skewer, puncture hole in corrugated cardboard and pop flower bud through.IMG_5900
  5. Hot glue the back of the hole and bud.IMG_5899

  6. Repeat until entire letter is covered with flowers. Add ribbon to hang.img_5905.jpgTah-dah! An easy and pretty DIY that perfect for any nursery, and beyond!

    Want to see more crafts? Let me know in the comments below!