Simple and personalized kids cake

Children's birthday parties are just not the cake, punch and simple parties they used to be.  It is typical to see themed or color themed, full scale dessert tables with party printables, awesome take home thank you gifts, fun photo props and even outside entertainers brought in to bring the happy to the party.

I totally understand and am certainly not knocking these type of parties as I have done a few like these for my own children.  However, as they grow older,   my children seem more interested in having a say in their party.

I came across this cake and immediately knew it was something my kids would enjoy.  They both love to write and draw so I know my budding artists would find this idea fun!

Source: sweetapolita.com via Amy on Pinterest

The cake is covered in fondant and the artwork was made using edible food markers.  I have worked with fondant several times and it is really not to hard to use once you get the hang of it.  There are several great tutorials online.

For fondant, I prefer to use the Satin Ice brand (I find it has a better consistency and taste and easier to work with) but you could also use the fondant brands sold at Michael's or Hobby Lobby.  I bought my food markers from a specialty cake store in Arizona but you can find them here or at your local cake supply store.

When we make sugar cookies my kids always ask to use the markers to add their own personal touch to the cookies.  As long as they do not press too hard, the marker tips should remain fine and intact.

Happy decorating!

Pottery Barn Kids...not just for the kids!

I always knew Pottery Barn Teen had some serious swag that grown up folks like myself could use for decorating.  However, when I recently received the summer 2013 Pottery Barn Kids catalog, I knew that the youngest Pottery Barn sibling had come along to play as well.

Here are just some of the items that I would seriously consider using outside of my kids' bedrooms and into other areas of our home.

Curtains

Harper Blackout Panel

These come in several colors (light pink, bright pink, lavender, green, gray, light blue, aqua and navy).  In addition to all the available color options they are also blackout panels which I love.  I have tried to trick my mind in the early morning when the sun begins to shine though by covering my head with my covers.  However, these panels would probably easily solve my problem as well as looking stylish at the same time.

Also available in the Harper collection is the blackout roman shade.

Harper Roman Shade

I can envision these looking great in a kitchen, laundry room or bathroom.

Chevron Blackout Panel

Available in gray, navy and pink and they are also blackout panels as well.

Nautical Map Swag

Swags are popular in nursery and children's room decor and this one is very cute and perfect for a nautical room.  Plus, is it on sale for only $79 right now.

Mia chandelier

This is beautiful whether in a girl's home, a mom's closet, or even better my bedroom closet.

Medallion stencil

This stencil is multi-functional and could be used almost anywhere in the home.

A little shopping for the kids, a little shopping for me and everyone is a winner with these items from Pottery Barn Kids.

Ten random things about me

I tell you, I have no idea why these months keep flying by so quickly.  April already?!

I enjoy reading blogs where bloggers share fun and random details about themselves.  It is such a fun way of playing 'getting to know you.'

So since it is April 10th I thought I would share ten random things about me.

1) I was almost named Ursula.  My dad wanted to name me after the 1960's bombshell actress, Ursula Andress.  While I have to admit the Bond girl is gorgeous, I just do not think Ursula would have fit me.  

I am so glad I ended up being named Annette. 

2)  I won an Oreo stacking contest in elementary school.  The local Kroger grocery store was holding a promotion and my mom and I just happened to be shopping that day.  My mom came home with groceries, I came home with a new bike.

3)  I come from a LARGE extended family.  I have just two brothers but both my mom and and come from families with eight total siblings on each side.

I only have two children and I specifically remember during labor with my first child uttering "I have no idea how my grandmothers did this eight times."  God bless them and their strong selves.  They are my heroes for not only going through childbirth eight times but then raising those children.

4)  I played little league baseball with the boys while I was very young.  This was shortly before softball was officially made into a sport for us little girls.  After that, softball was my sport of my choice for quite some time - about 8-9 years.

5)  I love hearing and reading all about celebrity buzz.  I used to buy US magazine all the time, or as my husband commonly referred to as "your porn".   

While I no longer read it as much as I used to, I do still keep up with all the news via tmz.com, people.com and perez hilton.com.

6)  If there are multiple food items on a plate (imagine a Mexican restaurant plate) I tend to eat one item and finish it before moving on to the next.  For example, usually it is the rice, the enchiladas and then the beans.

7)  Also, I tend not to eat things that have a weird texture to them.  I do not like mushrooms (no fungi for me please!), olives, mussels or any kind of melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, etc.).  However, I can eat the heck out of sushi as it is one of my favorite foods.  Go figure!

8)  In elementary school my hair was very long and pretty much reached to my bum area.  All of my other girl cousins my age had the same long hair so it just seemed normal to me.  You can only rock that look once in your life!

9)  Anyone remember Sun in?  In high school a couple of friends and I were hanging out by the pool and decided to use Sun in to lighten our locks.  Only problem is that my hair is very dark so it ended up being more brassy than golden.  I even tried to play it off with my parents saying that my hair just turned colors with the sun and chlorine.  I know they did not buy it but luckily enough my parents are cool enough to just let it be.

However, I did like my hair lighter but that was the last time I used Sun In rather than a professional hair colorist.  I wonder if they even sell Sun In any more?

10)  My first concert I ever attended was Neil Diamond with my parents, but my first concert with friends was in high school to see Vanilla Ice.  I know, I know!  Please do not judge.  In all fairness though, this was during his heydays when 'Ice Ice Baby' was everywhere.

So there you have it - ten crazy, random things about me.  I hope you got a chuckle out of it as much as I did recalling all these little tidbits.

April Pin-spired outfit

I had so much fun the last time I participated in the February Get Pin-spired linky party that I had to do it again.  I wish I had done the March one, but we were in NYC at the time and I was just lucky enough to get us out of the house on time, bags packed.

So being the good student that I am, I decided to do two outfits this time instead of one.

Pin-spired outfit #1

Source: gochicorgohome.com via Annette {One Perfect Room} on Pinterest

And my take on the outfit.

Blazer - Target (old) / Boyfriend tee - Target / Jeans - Old Navy / Heels - Jessica Simpson via TJ Maxx / Necklace - Lou Lou

Pin-spired outfit #2

Source: in-my-closet.polyvore.com via Annette {One Perfect Room} on Pinterest

And my spin on the outfit.

Cardigan - Down East (old) / Boyfriend tee - Target / Jeans - Forever 21 / Scarf - Sea salt from an England trip my husband took in January / Shoes - Jessica Simpson

How many more days until the May pin-spired party?  This link party is just way too much!

March book list

I absolutely love getting lost in a book.  I look forward to night time, after my kids and husband have gone to bed, when I can snuggle under my covers with a book in hand and the book light overhead.  I should be going to sleep since I certainly do not get enough but instead I love the quiet 'me' time - just me and a book.

I have previously shared some of the books I have read, but plan to do so on a monthly basis.  See here and here for some of the previous lists I mentioned on the blog.  I am always on the look out for good books to read and usually find them via magazines, other lists or just word of mouth.  So hopefully this helps you out if you are a bookworm like I am!

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

I love Nicholas Sparks books as they never fail to disappoint.  Like many of his other novels this one was also turned into a major motion picture.  I have not seen it yet but hope to soon.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

You know a book is really sought after when you are the six hundred and something person on the wait list.  While normally I like touchy feel books this one is intriguing and suspenseful.

Where we Belong by Emily Giffin 

I have pretty much have read all of Emily's books with the exception of one I just received today.  Remember the movie Something Borrowed that stars Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin?  Well that one was based on Emily's book aptly titled Something Borrowed.

Ten Years Later by Hoda Kotb

This is an inspiring book about six individuals who faced various struggles, their trying times and where they are now.  Hence the name, Ten Years Later.  It made my realize that all the minute stuff I think is 'big stuff' in my everyday life is nothing compared to what these people went through.

Happy reading my friends!  I am already starting on new books to include in the April list and look forward to sharing those soon.

Jonathan Adler and JC Penney

We were at the the mall this past weekend and happened to make our way into JC Penney to look at something for the kids.  While there I noticed a big sign along with construction announcing Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler coming Spring 2013 to a section of the store.

So while I can not check out the goodies in store yet, I did the next best thing and went online to see what will be offered in the line.  The items are at a less expensive price point than what you usually associate with typical Jonathan Adler. This is good news for all of us Jonathan Adler fans.

Here is a round up of my favorites from the JC Penney website.

Spring just officially came last Wednesday but I hope 'coming Spring 2013' means sooner rather than later.

Visit here to check out more of the Happy Chic by Jonathan Adler at JC Penney.

Baublebar purchases

As I mentioned, we recently went to New York City.  I was thankful that while we were there, we were able to squeeze in a trip to the pop up Baublebar store.  I love Baublebar and have purchased from them online but wanted to see the goods in person.

As luck would have it, the day we went was the last day they were operating the pop up store.  However, now they have opened the bar at baublebar which you can visit by appointment only.

Want to see what I came home with?

I immediately fell in love with this pink and gold necklace when I saw it at the store.

Cones and spikes are so on trend right so I could not pass up this bracelet.

Some faux diamond triangle earrings never hurt anyone.

And, as a special promotion they were running at the store I scored an extra free bonus necklace.  It is the cutest mini pennant necklace that can go with just about anything. 

I adore all of Baublebar's jewelry items.  They jewelry is fresh and very affordable.  It is probably a good thing I do not live in NYC or I would be in serious danger visiting the bar at baublebar way too often.