Read Me Inspired {The Very Fairy Princess}... The Fairy Garden

And as promised, here is more about our Fairy Garden from our "The Very Fairy Princess" day.

There are tons of inspirations out there for creating a fairy garden.  I originally got the idea from HGTV's Family Gardening Club (it was their July project).  Then I came across The Magic Onion who apparently hosts a Fairy Garden Competition with tons of fun ideas.  I recommend both if you want to create your own.

Garden #1
Here's how we tackled it.  After a little shopping trip and some quick "shopping" around the house and yard, we surveyed our materials and came up with somewhat of a plan (or at least as much of a plan as a 4-year-old can have).

We then filled our bowl with soil and planted our fern "tree" and our little "bush".

And then we just played until we had what we wanted... a beach, water, a little walking path...

flowers along the picket fence...

birds "hiding" in our tree...

and even some butterflies flitting about.

Garden #2
And this leads us to garden #2.  After finishing the above, Little Princess realized that there was no place for the fairies to eat.  So, we found an empty pod in the shed, found some herbs that needed to be planted anyways (leftover from a summer preschool gardening program she was in), and began a "dining garden."

This really became fun.  We glued rocks into chairs and tables and even glued beads into shell "bowls".

After we added shell "planters," the only thing missing was a bridge to connect the two gardens.  Popsicle sticks and floral wire remedied that problem, and the garden was ready for its Open House.  (Actually, Little Princess has decided that we are still missing a house and a bed, but Mommy said that will have to wait for another day.)

Enter Tinker Bell, stage right...
First, Tinker Bell has to scope things out.  She starts down by the beach, and after playing in the water, is ready to explore.

I think I'll rest for a moment.

Where does this bridge lead?

What a perfect spot for a snack.

(You might notice that at this point Tinker Bell apparently got tired of her wings ;) )

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Read Me Inspired {The Very Fairy Princess}

"I know that I'm a fairy princess because I FEEL it inside - 

a sparkly feeling of just KNOWING in my heart."

The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton

My little princess and I have been very overdue for some Mommy-Daughter time, so today seemed like the perfect day to embrace a little Fairy Princess time.

I was originally curious about this book because of the authors... Julie Andrews and her daughter.  Really... the Julie Andrews.  I consider her to be one of the classiest women around.  So despite my mistrust of children's books written by celebrities, I read this one and really enjoyed it.  I'm all for a fairy princess who may love pink, sparkles, and glitter but also embraces scabby knees, frogs, and dirty fingernails.

"For breakfast I have Fairy Pancakes, with extra fairy dust on top.  YUM!

(Fairy princesses have very refined taste.)"

"My favorite classes are art and music.

That's when I can REALLY let my sparkle out!"

"The Very Fairy Princess" Coloring Pages and Games

"Then it's into the garden I go,

to attend to my royal duties...

building little houses for my fellow fairies," 

(This was the focus of the day, and I'll share more about the fairy garden in my next post.)

"and exercising my unicorn."

We didn't end up making our "sugar cookies with extra sprinkles," but that's okay because we were having too much fun with the fairy garden.  I have a feeling we will be spending a lot of time playing there.

Any books inspiring you lately?

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Color Me Inspired {pink + navy}

This color scheme became the inspiration for my daughter's fourth birthday party, which I will share soon.  However, here are just a few sneak shots of this wonderful color combo.  Seriously... how can you not love it?

(Please forgive my bad applique job here.  It was my first try.  I promise to improve.)

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Read Me Inspired {Pinkalicious Tea Party}

"Let's make cupcakes!  Pink!" I said.  "Pink, pink, pink!"

We love to read Pinkalicious in our house, so what better excuse as a get-together for some of my little princess' friends and their dear mothers than a Pinkalicious Tea Party.

Of course a tea party requires invitations (even if they are sent to the Mom's via facebook messages).

And then it needs cute little jam sandwiches (pink strawberry jam, of course).

And the signature pink cupcakes, complete with pink icing, sprinkles, and a cherry on top.

And maybe a few other "cupcake" treats

And a little green just in case anyone gets a case of pinkititis.

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Celebrations: Pink M&M Sweetness

So, during my blogging break, our family had a number of celebrations, including the first birthday of my niece, our own little M&M.  So what better than a pink M&M party full of all the sweetness that she brings to our lives.  I was honored to help her mother with the party.

As a warning, my "detail photos" were not great since I wasn't blogging at the time.  But here's what I captured.

Painted wooden letters with two Easter M&M canisters spell out the birthday girl's name.

I created little m&m toppers for the cupcakes that my sister-in-law created.

The splat cake created by the birthday girl's proud mama.

Assorted M&Ms were a must, and easy to find in pastels since this was around Easter.  My favorites... peanut butter M&Ms.

I wish I had gotten better pictures of the circle garland.  Sewing paper... who knew.  This may become one of my favorite party decorations.  It takes a little time but is fantastically cheap.

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Color Me Inspired {navy + yellow}

I am officially beginning a new series called "Color Me Inspired" where I will share color combos that I love, and I'd love to hear some of yours as well.  To kick it off... one of my favorite combos of the Spring/Summer.

It feels so classic.  A yellow umbrella, yellow and navy wellies, and a fun navy and yellow skirt... what a perfect ensemble to brighten a rainy day (or a sunny one if the weather isn't cooperating with your photo shoot)

I love this skirt.  I used Prudent Baby's Layer Cake Skirt pattern, and it has become an absolute "go to" one for me.  I love the volume of it... perfect for swirling and dancing.  Just add a simple cotton t-shirt and you have a fantastic summer ensemble.

What are your favorite patterns?

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Inspired Again

If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.  ~Japanese Proverb

I'm back!  The big work project that has consumed my life since last Fall has finally completed and my family is enjoying a much needed beach vacation.  I will share more about what has happened since February, but for the moment, I am finding inspiration and beauty in the world around me...

... be it a little boy who has left his baby days behind and now charges forth to explore the wonders of the world around him

... or a thoughtful little princess growing up faster than her Mommy is ready for.

And I just sit and watch, and treasure those moments when they still climb into Mommy's arms for a hug, a cuddle, and a story.

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