Yellow and Navy Wedding Centerpieces

A few weeks ago, Isaac and I made our way to Billings.  We were meeting my Baker Bride to look for bridesmaid dresses and so I could show her some mock up designs for her Yellow and Navy wedding.  She had told me she liked paper lanterns, the vases with lemons, and she had designed a monogram that she wanted tied into different aspects of the wedding. 

I came up with a square based design, a bubble vase design, and a cylinder design.  For some reason the cylinder vase photos didn't turn out.  Since this wasn't the final centerpiece, we put them together and she had to use her imagination a little, same way that you'll have to.

 

This is the square design.  Ignore the water bottle.  In the actual centerpiece that will be cut down to put bouquets in.  The flowers would be lower and close to the top of the vase...I just didn't want to cut the stem down and didn't fold it enough.  The flowers will be full enough that from the center they will cover the top of the vase pretty well.

  

She had found an embroidered table runner online that she liked so I used a navy curtain to show what color underneath would look like. She had also thought of navy table cloths but has decided on solid table runners. The lanterns simulate what they will look like at the venue.

This is the bubble or round vase.  You can see two different size votive holders,  I had found a "tealight" holder and a bigger actual votive holder so she could decide what size she wanted.  At her reception, she'll have 3 colors of lanterns (the third is hidden...but she didn't go with the third color in this anyways).  They will be spaced out all along the ceiling so they will also be higher.

  This is an idea of how far apart the lanterns will actually be.  Try to ignore the background...did the test measurements at the house.

The cylinder vase looked similar to these, just the different shape.  She chose to have the lemons submerged in water to bring out the color a little more and as it allowed her to purchase slightly smaller vases (she went with square).  I showed her the cut option, but the color isn't as bright so it didn't have the same look she was going for.

Slippery Socks

Isaac has big feet.  So his grandma got him some new socks, some that fit just right and some that are too big but that will fit better soon.  The only issue is that most of them didn't have the no-slip bottoms.  Our house is mostly carpet, except for the kitchen and Isaac's room.  When we started putting him in the socks, I noticed he would slip a little if he tried to pull himself up but not too bad.

Then, last week we went to visit family who had no carpet, just area rugs in their house.  He was in his socks and just kept slipping, then of course his leg would go under the furniture and he didn't know how to free himself.



 Isaac has started pulling himself up on furniture more and more and has started walking along the furniture. It seems as though he only crawls to get to the next piece, if it is too far away to transfer.

 So, I decided that the socks needed to have no-slip bottoms.  Rather than getting new socks, I came up with a way to do it myself.  I used puffy paint (98 cents at Wal-Mart) rather than hot glue (my original idea) because I don't have a hot glue gun and our tiny Wal-Mart didn't have one (at least that I could find.)

 

First, I gathered all the socks that needed sticky bottoms and my puffy paint.  I chose to use black, but whatever color you choose will work.

 

Then I flattened out the bottoms.  No worries if it isn't perfect, it is just easier to apply the paint this way.  If you tuck the heel of the sock in, they will flatten out nicely.

 

Then...I went to town!  I did zig-zags on most of them because it was easier.  I tried to keep to the middle of the sock, but as long as it is on the bottom it will be fine.

 

I tried dots on one pair, but they took longer and I didn't think one way would work better than the other.  The dots also tend to stick up more than the zig-zag so if you are worried about them drying quickly that will be something to consider.

 

My puffy paint would randomly send out a big glob...I just tried to spread it out a bit.  It is the bottom of the sock so it won't be seen much.  Sorry about the blurry photo, Isaac was trying to help and my camera wasn't very appreciative.

 

So far the socks are working out really well, but the true test will be when we visit relatives that have less carpeting than we do...or when he dares to take a step without the assistance of furniture.

Busy, Busy Boy

Isaac has been getting busier and busier as I'm attempting to work on 2 of the weddings I have planned for June 2013.  I've made the brides their binders but am always thinking of pages to add...the only road block...my 9 1/2 month old who likes to check out the laptop every time I sit down to work.  I guess I'll get those pages done eventually.  Most the added pages I have thought about are ones that aren't necessary at this stage of the planning.  I'm also always looking online and on Pinterest for what others have included in their wedding planning binders.  Once I feel that mine is complete, I'll put them out there for purchase. 

Before I can do that I'll have to purchase a new printer, mine is starting to get a little worn-down.  Gotta love those circles, selling binders to pay for a printer but need a printer to sell the binders.  It is all about timing and managing money.  Once the binders are up for sell, those who choose to purchase one can have it personalized it they'd like.  This means that if you want certain things to be taken off pages (depending on what it is due to formatting) I can make that happen, or if you'd like information on something that isn't included in the binder, I can make that happen as well.

The little Mister is ruling the house and gets into everything.  Luckily, we have a great daycare he attends once a week.  Unfortunately that day is usually one that I spend researching or cleaning...occasionally I attempt to catch up on some zzz's.  Isaac is crawling like a mad man and is starting to pull himself up on furniture to walk along it.  This just means that he burns lots of calories and has to get up during the night in order to eat enough to make up these burned calories.

Last weekend we got the little Mister all bundled up to go outside, thinking it would wear him about a bit and we could work on whatever we needed to while he was napping.

He wasted no time at all getting into the flowerbeds in order to talk to the neighbor.  Luckily he likes being outside, but unfortunately now that winter is setting in there are days that it is just too cold to take him outside to play.



I figured I would rake some leaves since he was playing in the yard, and yes he had a ball he was playing with.  It didn't take long for Isaac to decide he liked playing in mama's pile of leaves better.  He then proceeded to empty the bag of leaves so he could play in them.  Luckily once I tied up the bag he decided that he liked the sound a it distracted him long enough for me to finish bagging up the few piles of leaves I had.

Guess I'll have to buckle down during his short naps, or stay up a little later to get things finished with the little going everywhere.  I'm always open to ideas for binder pages or ways to help the little one sleep better!

Growing Boy

While I was out of town, Isaac had some more firsts.  He had been threatening to start crawling and he perfected his crawl while I was on the beach. He also has gotten better at using furniture to get himself standing. He is getting sooo big!
He is a wild man. Eli was gone last week so I had a week alone with the little turkey. Trying to work on a wedding for June 2013 while the little turkey is running around and trying to use the computer is a little tougher than you would think.  Once Eli got home, I thought it'd be easier but the little guy is everywhere.
Here are videos of the turkey perfecting his crawl, standing, and sticking his tongue out. Not sure what that is all about but when I got back I noticed it and it seems like he just can't keep it in his mouth anymore.

Hopefully he doesn't start walking soon. I'm sure it'll take a while, but other think he'll be walking by the holidays. 

Guess I'll have to figure out some more work solutions when he does. 

A little update on the biz...so far I am planning 2 weddings for June 2013, one in Baker and one in Helena. I am also offering advice on a family wedding in Washington that is next June as well. If others have events that they'll need help with next June, better book soon cause it is filling up fast!

I'm still offering $10 off for the month of October for all consultations, no matter when the event is.

Updated Chair and a Little Bit Extra

This chair is one that my grandparents had at their house for all of us grandchildren. Grandpa would redo it when it needed to be repainted and it got A LOT of use. There are 7 of us that it survived through, and when grandpa moved it got passed onto me for Isaac.

 

 

As you can see, it wasn't in horrible condition.  I just needed a new coat of paint and a few stickers removed.

 

 

I gave it a new coat of paint and chose a lighter yellow.  Why yes it was left over paint...from Isaac's bedroom to be exact.  I added a little pizazz but using paint pens we have to mark his growth chart and just did some random swirls and stars.

 

 

Of course I had to add his name to it!  When we have more little ones (sometime in the not-so-near future) his name will get painted over so they have to share, or if he has grown out of it a new name will be written in.

 

Now for a little bit of extra news.  Isaac is growing like crazy and I have my first big trip without him coming up.  It is sure to be fun, but I will miss him like crazy!!  I leave in 2 weeks for 10 days in Hawaii.  Isaac will get to spend some time at daycare, which he loves cause there are other kids there to watch, and lots of time with dad.  They'll get to go visit Oma and Great Grandma.  On the way they even get to stop and watch relative in a football game.  He will be kept busy without me, as I'm sure I'll be kept busy without him. 

 

What does that mean for the business? Not too much.  I will be able to periodically check my email while I'm gone and Eli can let me know if there are any calls I need to return before I get back.  It only cuts into a few of the discount days of October, which is good for customers.  Hopefully most of the appointments get booked before I leave so that I can do that prep work before I leave and be ahead of the game when I get back, but if not it will be fine.  I can't wait to spend time with friends and it will be nice to have some me time.  Give me a shout out if there is something I just have to do while in Hawaii!

 

October Giveaway!!!

I just wanted to announce that in the month of October, I'm discounting my single consultation rates!
 

If you book an appointment to meet with me for a single consultation, I'll take $10 off the price.  If you choose to switch to a package, the savings will transfer.  All you need to do is call me to set up the consultation, or go to my website For You, By Me Events and fill out the Contact Sheet to get started.
 

What goes into a single consultation? Great question!!  I gather some basic information about the event you are looking to plan and what you need help with.  I ask what you are expecting from me and if there is any information in particular that I need supply you with.  I then use that information to come up with some ideas and all the other information you need.  I research the theme, ideas, and find the answers you are looking for.  If you have a facebook or pinterest account, I look to those to see what you like, or to the account of the person the event/party is for.  I will spend up to an hour researching and getting ready for our meeting.  Then we will sit down and discuss everything.  The consultation will last up to 1 hour. 
 

A not-so-bad photo of the little man and myself. 
It was a lounge around the house day.


Where do we meet? Is anyone welcome? More great questions!! We meet at a location chosen by you.  I work out of my home office, so I meet for consultations where ever it is convient for you to meet.  If you are wanting a lunch hour meeting and need to eat, pick the restaurant and we'll meet there.  I also have a few slots available after hours for those who work during the day and just can't get away.  I have a son who is just under 8 months old who will attend most of the consultations with me.  If you prefer that he wasn't there, there is one day a week that he goes to daycare and depending on my schedule as well as the daycare availablity, I can schedule for him to be there a little more often.  If you are scheduling the appointment for your child's party, then they are welcome to come.  Anyone that is helping you with your event is welcome to join, I understand some events are big undertakings and it takes more than one person to tackle.
 
Don't live in Havre and still want a consultation? Depending on where you live, I can make that happen.  Give me a call or fill out the form and I can look into it.  If you live near, I can come to you, or if you are somewhere I am unable to make it to, we can look into video conferences.  Keep in mind that these may have extra costs and it will be more likely that my son will have to join...or be in the background if it is a video conference.  Don't let that deter you though, I would love to help in any way possible and after finding out the basic information, we can discuss if there is a travel charge.
 
Any questions I didn't answer, just let me know!! You can call my home office at 406-262-7150 or email me at hayley.yost@foryoubymeevents.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!!!!