Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is a very special day! My favorite man in the whole world is celebrating his birthday!

You can obviously tell from the picture above, my Dad has style! 

I truly don't know where I'd be without my Dad. He is the most wonderful, supportive and loving guy I could ever ask for. As an older brother to five younger sisters and father to two daughters, he sure does know how to deal with way more than his fair share of hormonal women {don't worry, he has a grandson now and is one heck of a 'Papa'}! My Dad has shown me that it is all the little things you can do in life to care for one another. He is the most hardworking and dedicated man I know.

Oh, and I guess he's pretty fun too... except when he used to ask my sister and I to "bond"... that was code for making us do yard work with him {which we hardly ever helped with... sorry, Pops!}.  I think he learned pretty early on when my sister nearly ran the lawnmower through the fence, he was probably better off doing it on his own! 

Love you, Dad! Thanks for all you continually give to our family.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!!! xoxoxo

And ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK, of course!

Happy Birthday, Molly!

Hi there all! Did you miss me yesterday? So sorry for the radio silence... that cold I mentioned earlier this week is really, really kicking my booty! Fingers crossed I can kick it before the holiday festivities commence with my gal pals this evening.

Well, anyway, you know I'm not usually a Saturday poster, but today was too special of a day to let it pass me by... today is my sisters birthday!!! {I won't mention the number... she's been a little sensitive about it ;)}

My sister, Molly, is one of the most important people in my life. She's the type of sister where even the sappiest of Hallmark birthday cards don't even do her justice {I'm serious... I went birthday card shopping twice this year and still wasn't happy with my selection!}. I look up to her {and always have} in every way... although I think the tables have turned on who is in charge in the fashion department. Please see Exhibit A:

That right there is a head-to-toe 90's fashion statement, folks! Flat billed baseball hats, air-brushed personalized outfits {our names were on the pocket of the shorts... and I wonder why I am obsessed with anything personalized these days?!?}, keds... Whoa.

Molly- should we break out those hats for our family trip to Disney in September?!? I would say the air-burshed get-ups, too, but unfortunately I think those are long gone. Hats are still in Mom and Dad's coat closet!

My sister is an amazing Mom to the sweetest little boy, a loving wife, a very impressive wannabe DIY-er, a caring nurse, a beautiful person inside and out, but most of all the bestest friend I could ever ask for. I don't know what I did to deserve such a great sister, but I thank God everyday for her.

Oh, and she's a pretty great secret-keeper, too. Exhibit B:

source

Happy birthday, Molly! I love you!

Let's Party!

I have something kind of odd to admit... I don't really like birthdays. I feel they are just added pressure to be the center of attention {not my bag!}. BUT I do love a good party! It makes me much happier to throw a party for someone else other than myself and lately I've been collecting lots of fun inspiration for a grown-up birthday party! 

First, I'd start with some fun and fringy decor:

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And then I would add some balloons and a bit more fringe for good measure:

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Of course there would have to be a fancy area for food and maybe a little DIY photo booth area {which I'm now seeing in fringy as well... I think I see a theme here!}

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At the party, we'll keep the festivities alive with a bit of champaign {how cute is that sparkly bottle?!?} and lovely polka dot napkins... I love my polka dots!

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My sister has a big birthday coming up... maybe I can talk her into having a grown-up party so I can put a few of these ideas work!

Happy Birthday Mama!

Today is a very special day! It's my wonderful Mom's birthday!!!

I don't even know where I'd begin to list all of the amazing things about her... she's a great Mom, awesome Mimi {her version of Grandma}, ultimate cheerleader, with my Dad an inspiring example of love and one heck-of-a shopping partner! She is the reason why I love fashion and why I write this blog. She always made sure my sister and I were dressed in the best of the best {I mean just check out the matching peter pan collars in the pic above, along with the white hair bows... a signature Mary move!}, even if that meant sneaking our mall finds in past our Dad. In fact, still to this day I feel guilty when my Dad catches me with a shopping bag, even if it's something I bought. Hello Catholic guilt! 

Thanks Mom for always being my biggest supporter and such a loving friend. You are truly the heart of our family... oh and the pups love you, too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! I love you!

{P.S. Does anyone else ever go through old pictures and realize how few your Mom or Dad are actually in?!? Always behind that camera! Good think I found that gem above.}