minnie mouse party

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I am not usually one to embrace Disney character-themed parties, but I think this Minnie Mouse party just might change my mind. Mom Jessica did a wonderful job of incorporating appropriate Minnie elements, while keeping it classy- very strong red, white and black color palette, tasteful and CUTE birthday cake, and I'm certainly loving all the graphic dot backgrounds! Check out more of Sadie's party right here.

reader question of the week #2

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reader question of the week #2:

"I am planning my son's first birthday party for late September. Since our family has spent a lot of time in France (we lived there for 7 months of my pregnancy and went back for a visit with baby this summer), I wanted to have a party loosely themed around Albert Lamorisse's 1956 film "The Red Balloon." I thought something as simple as a red balloon would be age-appropriate, but am having trouble coming up with activity/food/decor ideas! As for decor, I plan on using ball-shaped red paper lanterns, but do any other readers have other ideas inspired by the film or Paris? What about age-appropriate food ideas? I want to make this a fun opportunity for our baby to celebrate with the new friends we'll be inviting from his daycare class. Thanks! -Rachel"

reader question of the week #1

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reader question of the week #1:

"I recently realized that I have only 2 short weeks to plan a 30th birthday party for my girlfriend! It will be outside, I would like to serve a meal, my girlfriend is pregnant (so no booze at this shindig), and the budget is somewhat limited, since there will be at least 25-30 guests. Any help would be great- thanks! -Rhonda"

weekend randomness: chinese apple juice?

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I've admitted before that I am a Whole Foods devotee (I know, I know). Of course I venture to Publix and Target for other grocery staples, but most of my weekly food shopping is done at WF. This past week I was out of apple juice, and found myself in Target and picked up a bottle. As I was pouring the juice, I noticed a black stamp across the side of the juice carton and was a bit floored. My son's apple juice was MADE IN CHINA! I am cool with MIC clothes and other items- but my toddler's apple juice coming from the land of tainted baby formula and lead-laced toys? I was not happy. So I began thoroughly examining each and every label of just about everything in our house. I had been fooled by labels that state 'distributed by...' and normally lists a U.S. location. However, it is the black stamp printed on the side of cans and bottles which will tell you where the item was actually made. 

In my continuing research, I went to Publix to check out what their organic apple juice listed. It too, was 'distributed in the U.S.A.', but the stamp said it was made in Turkey (much preferable to China, I must admit). Then I went to WF, where the apple juice listed that it was made in the U.S. Which I guess left me feeling justified in spending the extra money I spend there, but still, this whole thing has got me examining the label of everything. It makes me a bit angry that I have to be such a vigilant consumer to ensure I'm eating food that I feel good about, but I suppose it's worth the extra effort in the end. Does it bother you to eat food products from China?

And on another aside- is anyone else bothered by the number of magazines closing? Just got word that Southern Accents has bit the dust. It wasn't necessarily my cup of tea, but I could appreciate a lot of the beautiful southern design it showcased.