Baptism Celebration - The Results!

The event was beautiful!!  The highlight - My little guy who was so cute and so into the ceremony for a 3 month old.  I couldn't stop watching his gaze and how focused he was on the priest.  Truly priceless!

All the other details I worked on turned out exactly as I wanted them.  I was truly pleased with the results.

I have Irina Shainski of Sweet Song Cake to thank for the amazing cake.  Not only did it look flawless, it was delicious and an absolute hit with all, even the pickiest ones that usually have a say about the cake.  Isn't the sheep adorable?!  I can't bring myself to throw it out!

The favours were also a hit.  Everyone loved the idea of receiving something useful that would remind them of my little man's special day every time they use it.  Here is how the cutting boards turned out. I loved dealing with Rob at Westboro Signs for the engraving of my son's initials and baptism date on the boards.  And I loved how the thank you cards turned out.  Thank you Concertina Press,

Finally, I had fun putting together the simple centerpieces and I am happy with the end result.

Now that the baptism is over, I feel I have so much time on my hands - hmmm - what to plan next?

Gift for Grandparents - Priceless Memories

Our neighbours are the proud grandparents of a beautiful little girl.  We wanted to get them a little something to congratulate them but their grand daughter lives away so I didn't want to give them something for her not knowing when they will see her next.  I had forgotten about the Memories For My Grandchild book and was glad to see it last week when I was in Chapters. So I picked it up for them.  Yesterday, my neighbour stopped me while I was leaving the house just to tell me how wonderful the gift idea was.  He is so excited to begin filling the book - it was one of the best feedback I have received on a gift.

Basically this book enables grandparents to tell their grandchildren and great-grandchildren to come all about their life, childhood, education, love, marriage, family life, grandparenthood, etc.  I love my grandparents so much, I wish I had a keepsake like this to go through when I miss them!

This is a must gift for every grandparent which will eventually be a priceless gift for the grandchildren.

Via Indigo

Via Indigo

Via Indigo

Baptism Celebration To Do List (continued)

Because I wasn't really looking for a special Godparent gift, it was the easiest thing to find in my baptism celebration preparations. Go figure! Isn't that always the case?  I saw this bookmark on Etsy and it was a "look no more" moment.  I absolutely love it and I will definitely order it for the Godparents, even the ones of my eldest son who got baptized last year.

Via Etsy

I also had the easiest time finding the thank you cards I would like to attach to my favours.  I fell in love with the font and again it was a "look no more" moment.  Seriously though, who finds the tags before deciding on the gift.  The printable was only $0.99 and if I don't use them now, I will find another use for them.

Via Concertina Press

I finally decided on a favour gift to give my guests and I am very excited about my idea.  I wanted a gift that can be used and something meaningful as well.  I decided to go with a small bamboo cutting board engraved with my son's initials and baptism date.   I like the idea of using wood for a religious ceremony...sort of has a humble connotation...plus everyone can use a cutting board, especially a small one and finally the engraving gives it a personal touch and makes it a nice keepsake.

I bought the following cutting boards from Home Sense and Winners:

Via Simply Bamboo

Via Simply Bamboo

This weekend I dropped them off at Westboro Signs in Ottawa and Rob was great.  He really seems to know what he is doing and I can't wait to see the results.  I hope they work out and that he is able to engrave on bamboo.  Once I have the cutting boards back, I will package them nicely with the thank you notes above.  Will share pictures of the final result when ready.  Keeping my fingers crossed that this idea will work out!

For the decor, I'm using this picture to inspire me.  Will post pictures of the final result.

Via Something Borrowed Wedding Blog

It's all coming together!

Discount for Fall shopping at H&M for the kids!

My 3 year old seems to be growing before our eyes and this will mean new duds for Fall! It already seems to be cooling down earlier in the day and so Fall fashion is on my mind. H&M always has great choices for kids. Here are some of my favourites for all ages for boys and girls this season:

Great news for all you mamas out there! 20% on your ENTIRE H&M buy when shopping for the kiddies! Here's the coupon below and the link if you prefer. 

Happy Shopping!

A pillowcase for your sweetheart (or for yourself)!

Our anniversary has come and gone already but I had to post about these adorable and fun pillow cases! They are the sweetest reminder of a couple's love for each other...I think these would make a great budget friendly yet thoughtful anniversary gift!

via Artsy Modern

via Artsy Modern

via Artsy Modern

For the single ladies out there this is very cute & funny! Why not treat yourself! (p.s. this one is on sale for $18!)

via Artsy Modern

The Honest Company - Discount

While Mrs. P was browsing the Style Me Pretty blog (as she regularly does) she came across a discount for the Honest Company products and sent me the link right away.  If you have never browsed the Style Me Pretty blog, you should! (click here) Even if you are not planning your own wedding, the site has some great ideas suitable for other events and hosting.

Getting back to the discount.  A little while back I posted about the eco-friendly, non-toxic products by The Honest Company.   I've had the chance to try most of the products I ordered and I really like them.  I'm even placing another order today.  Style Me Pretty is introducing The Honest Company as one of their advertisers and is offering its readers $10 off a minimum purchase of $40 in Honest products.  Click here for a link to the discount code and its terms.  Hurry...this offer expires August 16, 2013.

Via Style Me Pretty

Baptism Celebration To Do List (continued)

I'm loving the online world for dresses.  It is the best option for a mom of two with limited time to shop in malls from one store to the other.  I mean there are really hundreds of them on sites like Nordstrom, ShopBop, Neiman Marcus, Revolve Clothing, etc.  I found three on Neiman Marcus' site and they should arrive next week for me to try them on.  I'm hoping one of these will work out.  I love wearing white dresses and my son's baptism is the perfect reason to do so.

French Connection via Neiman Marcus

Free People via Neiman Marcus

Erin by Erin Fetherston via Neiman Marcus

They are all very different styles so I am hoping one style will work.  If all fails I found a beige skirt and beige top at BCBG I can purchase instead.

Unfortunately I haven't had much luck with my son's baptismal outfit or both my sons' church outfits. I'm not sure how I would be if I had a girl, but right now I feel it would be so much easier finding nice outfits for girls instead of boys.  The search continues...I should look online for them too.

At least I have booked the photographer.  Of course it will be Eduardo Reyes again.

By the end of the weekend I am hoping to have come up with a final idea for the party favours, the decor and the gift for the Godparents.

To be continued...

Baptism Celebration To Do List

Lately I have felt like I have been running around in circles and not accomplishing anything.  This is what happens to me when I don't have "good" ideas and this is what was happening with the planning of my son's baptism.  The baptism is coming up soon and I haven't accomplished much.  I kept hitting walls until recently.

The baptism will be small, only parents (grandparents) and siblings and each of their family so we will be around 40 people.

We picked and booked the venue - Kalisto Greek Restaurant.  Cute little place, perfect for a group of 40, with great food and wonderful service.  I wanted somewhere small enough so that we can fill it and almost have it exclusively to ourselves.  Eli, the owner, has been so pleasant to deal with. I am sure our guests will enjoy it.

Via Kalisto Greek Restaurant

I also ordered the cake from Irina at Sweet Song Cake.  I tasted her cake recently at a baptism and it was delicious.  The design will be similar to this, but without the cross on top and the rosary around the bottom tier. Instead the rosary will be falling from the top tier and instead of the cross on top there will be one of the following sheep. I also want the cake to be white and silver with a little bit of blue.  I can`t wait to see how it turns out.

Via Cake Central

 There are a ton of cake ideas on the website ww.cakecentral.com.

Via FlickRiver

Aren't they cute!!

Now I am on the hunt for a baptismal outfit for my son, a church outfit for each of my sons, a white dress for me, favours for our guests and ideas for simple decor.

To be continued ...