*Malachi's First Birthday Party* Austin Photography

I normally don't blog about my family too much so this will actually be my son, Malachi's, first visit on the blog.  This day was so fun! I threw our little guy a milkaholic themed bday. After many questions were made about the theme it was brought to my attention that most people (okay, most men) don't know that babies finally get to drink cows milk when they turn one. So incase you are in that uniformed population, hopefully, that will help you understand the theme a little more. :)

This party had months of planning leading up to it, mostly because we had to drink a lot of the Starbucks' frappaccinos to get all the cute milk bottles you will see. My husband and I are not huge caffeine people so it was a battle to get 24 finished within 3 months (we actually only got to 18 so we still have a few). I hope you enjoy all of our hard work in the DIY decorations!

Here is a picture of the whole set up. I didn't get a picture of the tables but they were not anything fancy.

Here is a closer look at the dessert table. Big thank you to my in laws for helping make the garland (lots of hole punching), and to my sister and Laura for help with making cookies! 

 These cake balls almost didn't make it to the party. My dog, Azzi snuck in the room where we were keeping everything before it went outside and he managed to get is greedy snout up to the table and eat 5 chocolate and 3 white chocolate cake balls!! Good thing I had some back ups!

Below are the beloved milk bottles and center of the party (except Malachi of course!!). The name tags are just cardboard with chalkboard paint on them and the lables and lid toppers were both made by me in photoshop. 

I had a grand idea of a two tier Oreo cake, which came out pretty cute, however, no one really ate any and they all fell off the plate as my dad was carrying them inside. Luckily that was after the party :)

Malachi hung out at the kids table pretty much the entire time stuffing his face with gold fish and watermelon. Below is the picture to prove it. Notice the orange hanging out of his mouth. And yes his head is that big!!! Also, notice the adorable onesie I found at Children's Place! Perfect for the theme!!

Below is the picture of the cereal/non-dessert table. Again, a big thanks to my hubby and in-laws for the help with the bunting!

 Here is the before of Malachi's smash cake experience along with the bib and burp (wipe) cloth I made him.

 ...And here is the after. He was not too into his smash cake and my family was all blaming it on the fact that I made it vegan and naturally sweetened. I gave into the peer pressure and gave him a cake ball. He didn't want that either. He did however have a another slice of watermelon... that's my boy! At least he got messy. That is the whole point, right?

Here are the photos that were on the tables..

Well, I hope you enjoyed seeing the celebration of our cute little man turning one!! 

Ps. I am going to try and sell most of the things from the party (bottles with toppers, milk carafes, metal tins, bunting, garland, the photoshop documents- including invitation) so if any of you are interested in the party package please let me know!!

Buying Beauty, Giving Hope. Noonday Collection

I am so excited to share the exciting news that I have become an ambassador for an amazing company called Noonday Collection. Noonday is a company with purpose.  A company who's desire is to offer you fashion forward, quality pieces to help you feel beautiful, while creating a pathway out of poverty for artisans all over the world. All the wonderful jewelry, accessories and home goods are handmade by people in Uganda, Ethiopia, India, Peru, Guatemala, Ecuador, Madagascar, and even by refugees here in the USA. The opportunity to sell their products in the United States offers so much hope for the artisans and those around them.  I just love that women here (and men who love their ladies and buy them jewelry) an opportunity to use their accessorizing for more than making the rich richer. You can now buy an awesome pair of jewelry knowing that your money is going to someone who poured their heart and soul into making it.  I like to say it's getting the Athropologie look while practicing philanthropy.  So there is the heart behind Noonday, now take a look at the goods! 

Pictured above is the Minted Necklace made in Uganda (click here to view on website), the Stacked Arrows necklace made in India (click here to view on website), the Guapa Wrap bracelet made from a seed in Ecuador (click here), and the Filigree handmade stationary made in the slums of Juipur, India (click here). 

Pictured here are the D'orsay Bangle and the Louvr Bangle both made in India (Click here or here), and the Inca Steps necklace made from nuts in Ecuador (Click here).

Above is one of the coolest crafted items in my mind: the Rewind Clutch that is made with upcylced cassette tapes by adults with disabilities in New Delhi (click here) and the Cubist Cuff handmade in India (click here)

Featured in the picture on the left is the Violet Horn bracelet made out of paper beads and horn in Uganda (click here), again the Stacked Arrows necklace made in India (click here to view on website), and the D'orsay Bangle and the Louvr Bangle both made in India (Click here or here) which are sitting on top of a Nahuala Rectangle Tray (one of three) handmade in Guatemala (click here to view on website). The photo on the right features the Tuga Seed bracelet which is made from seeds that each take 3 months to make into a bead in Ecuador (click here) and the Beaded Statement bracelet made with paper beads in Uganda (click here).

Above you see the Violet Horn bracelet made out of paper beads and horn in Uganda (click here), and (my current favorite) the Crocheted Juxtoposition earrings hand-crocheted here in Austin by refugees who fled Burma (click here to view on website).

This picture includes the Bone Carved Leaf earrings made from a cow bone in India (click here) and the Tuga Seed bracelet which is made from seeds that each take 3 months to make into a bead in Ecuador (click here).

On the left you will again see the Crocheted Juxtoposition earrings hand-crocheted here in Austin by refugees who fled Burma (click here to view on website). On the right is the Crocheted bracelet which is also made here in Austin by the refugees who fled Burma (click here to view on website) and the Cleopatra earrings which are no longer on the website (sad, but it's okay because there are soo many more great earrings to choose from!)


These are just a few of the beautiful pieces. Please check out more at http://www.shanynwills.noondaycollection.com/

Are you now inspired to look as beautiful in such jewelry that provides hope? Are you excited about this opportunity to help others with your purchases? Well, there is even more you can do. First of all you can purchase. Second, you can tell your friends about it. And third, to REALLY help out, you can throw a trunk show at your house!! What is a trunk show? It's an opportunity to have your friends over to shop the Noonday Collection while hearing stories about the artisans you are impacting. Even if you are not in Austin, please contact me and I will find an ambassador close to you! And don't you worry, there are some definite perks for you in throwing a trunk show (read about them here).

I also want to give a special thank you to Chelsea who modeled the jewelry so well for me!

*Hannah Newborn* Austin Newborn Photography

Today is a perfect day to blog about this little sweetie because she is exactly 2 weeks old today! Last week I had the opportunity to photograph this beautiful babe and enjoyed every second. One of my favorite things is Hannah wrapped in Burberry. Watch out dad, she has a love for expensive things already :) I hope you enjoy these sweet photos of precious Hannah.