Oh no…the star wars party!!

I just realized I was going to post my son’s Star Wars party and never did. So sorry. I know you’ve been lying in bed at night wondering…waiting…hoping…wishing you could wake up to my post on this party.  Well. Let me start by saying….me…not so excited about doing a Star Wars party…but I ended up having a great time planning it and an even better time watching my little Jedi beam all day.  He was so happy and full of pure joy the entire time.  His friends also had a great time.

My goal was to make it super fun, creative and NOT canned….and trust me…that is exactly what you’ll find out there when trying to throw a Star Wars party….it’s mostly a bunch of …pardon me…crap! There are yoda erasers and plastic disks with a stickers on them that don’t actually work…and other mindless ….ahem…crap!  Soooooo cut to…Ryan Larson cutting, sewing, sweating, gluing, yawning…..and voila! Take a look:

Also, here is the wording we used for the mission bags in case you are interested…feel free to copy!!!

Jedi Training Challenges

Do or do not. There is no try. – Yoda

ð  Adorn the proper Jedi attire. (I made Jedi robes…I found the idea for how to make them on a moms blog somewhere on the internet but I havnt found it again…however it was brown felt, no sewing..and yarn belt)

ð  Make a true light saber. (I found cardboard tubes at a fabric store from fabric rolls and taped the “handles” with grey duct tape and let them put their choice color of construction paper on the tubes)

ð  Fly Han’s Solos spaceship with C3P0 & R2D2 (cockpit window/photo backdrop)

ð  Form your battle plan. (coloring pages)

ð  Learn the Jedi way from a Jedi Master. (we had a Jedi come for an hour)

ð  Destroy the death star. (they had to use a water gun on a paper death star I made with a spot of paint that ran down the page when hit)

Jedi Training is complete. But the real test is yet to come. Young Jedi, your mission is to destroy darth vader. (this was a Darth Vader head pinata)

ð  Vader has been defeated.

THE JEDI ARE VICTORIOUS.

GO CELEBRATE WITH CAKE!

One Good Year: Our latest Designing Moms post….

Story: One Good Year

From my Wed. January 27th post on Designing Moms

I’m a bit late on posting my holiday card. I know you have seen many and are well on your way into the new year, so thank you for allowing me one last New Year hurrah.

Our card sums up best as titled; One Good Year. A year filled with so many contradictory emotions…Happiness (new baby)…Fear (my husbands kidneys were failing from a genetic disease)….Frustration (trying to sort through the process of testing donors)….Amazement (at all the family and friends who offered a kidney as well as their love and support)….Gratitude (for his darling cousin Alison who came to Los Angeles and underwent surgery for us…we are forever grateful)…Relief (that this daunting time of our lives was over)…and finally…Joy (life actually did become normal again; we are healthy; we are all together; we are a family).

The photo on our card was shot by Laura Grier at Beautiful Day Photography in Los Angeles. We shot it in our 50’s kitchen. I don’t want to explain it away. I think you can get the meaning behind the photo. The “recipe” was the back of the card. Happy New Year! Here’s to wishing all of us a healthy, happy and blessed new year.

Another creative outlet for the girls at Tin Parade

We are SO excited to announce that Kristen and I have been invited to be new contributing writers for the fabulous blog Designingmoms/blogspot.com Below is the first post, which is the introduction of Tin Parade to their readers.  SO exciting. (all photos shot by the amazing Laura Kleinhenz at Docuvitae in Los Angeles)

My Mondays have been revived ever since this blog started…and mainly because the Designing Moms that I get to introduce are so incredibly talented and inspiring I find myself oooing and ahhhing over their stories and photos the rest of the week. Today I am so happy to introduce new Designing Mom “Decorate” Contributors, Ryan and Kristen of Tin Parade Vintage Party Goods. Ryan’s event planning company Savoir Flair Weddings creates one of a kind, dream weddings so it’s no surprise that she and Kristen would expand into expert party planning for little ones! You’ll see below that they have a wonderful sense of detail…something we will all look forward to as they lend their decorating expertise here! Click here to visit Tin Parade and please help me give a big welcome to Ryan and Kristen!

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I am constantly moving. Even when I’m at “rest” my mind just seems to never stop working. I sometimes would love to flip a switch and turn my mind off…but then….there’s an idea…some creative idea that needs my attention…it’s actually quite exhausting to be a creative person…because if you don’t create..and express yourself…you’ll be stifled and boxed in. That’s my fear. I can’t stand the thought of not expressing myself.

I have been a wedding and event designer for over 8 years in Los Angeles. I love it. I’m lucky to do it. Last year my good friend and now business partner, Kristen Gara and I launched our Labor of Love, Tin Parade Vintage Party Goods. We design many of the items…as many as we can..and have them handcrafted by artisans. We also piece together darling goods that we find like a needle in a haystack by scouring the internet and the Gifts Shows. Kristen has a fabulously creative background as well. She was an Art Director in the advertising field for years. Our skills together are making for a dream design duo and we are loving this time in our lives. Kristen doesn’t consider herself so much the writer…so that’s my job…which is why you’ll mostly hear from me…but I’ll occasionally pull her ideas to blog here because she’s got fabulous taste and we’ll all benefit from a little Kristen Gara.

How did you and your husband meet?

It’s a typical Hollywood story I guess. We were both actors all through our twenties. We met while doing a play at a local theater and of course had to somehow drag ourselves through the kissing scene. We decided it needed a bit of rehearsal. You know, just to be sure it was believable. The rest is Hollywood history.

How did Tin Parade start?

Kristen and I were on our morning run…talking a mile a minute as usual, when I told her that my husband said it was really too bad I spent so much energy designing events that were one day… and then poof they were gone…and wouldn’t it be amazing if I could somehow box up the events to sell across the country…that was it! By the end of that 5 mile run we had decided that not only did I need to absolutely do that..but that we needed to do it together…we had to marry our talents…and we needed to speak to our mutual love of all things vintage…there began Tin Parade Vintage Party Goods.

What inspires you?

I am inspired at the most random moments…nearly like a crazy person…bad design inspires me to make the world a prettier place actually…so sometimes I’ll be driving through the city trying not to look at gaudy billboards and bright pink houses and ideas will hit me…I think my mind responds to a need out there to beautify things. But I’m also so inspired by history. I have a love of history and I am constantly intrigued by the idea of myself in another era. Thus the art deco and speak easy weddings I’ve designed. I’m inspired by nature…rustling leaves with a cool breeze makes me want to create like crazy…something about the fall gets me going. I want to sit at home and make things all day in a cable knit sweater…because that’s the way you are supposed to do crafts in the fall…I think my creative enthusiasm is a bit contagious…I’ll start projects in the office with my interns and call it arts and crafts time. Fun for all.

What projects, activities do you love doing with your children? Are they creative like their mom?

I love cooking with my son. He’s really into tasting different flavors and spices and loves the smells. We have a good time in the kitchen and we both LOVE to eat. He’s definitely creative. We let him have the front porch for Halloween. He makes everything. I’m not into the store-bought Halloween decorations so much…and yes, it’s a bit messy when a 4 year old takes over your front porch..but I guess I figure it’s for a short amount of time and I love the art in him. I love how proud he is of the witch he drew and how he wants me to help him hang it really high so it’s even scarier when people come to our door. We have let him decorate the Thanksgiving table as well…that’s a little harder for me to give up control on…but he took it very seriously and made sure there was a cornucopia..fitting..oh and fake flowers…he must know I love those…kidding…but fake flowers there were…Of course I designed his room but…there is a nook…an artful nook just for his artwork…and the occasional transformers poster…but it’s all kept in the nook (space behind his door)…everyone’s happy…again, I love fostering the art in him. It’s an artful home that’s for sure. My baby girl is at the moment just a fabulous bundle of pudgy love but I am watching her…waiting for her first artistic expression…I have a feeling it’ll be there.

What are the greatest rewards and challenges of being both a mom and also a business owner?

Rewards. Yes. Challenges. Yes Yes. It’s tough. But oh so wonderful. Being your own boss means you can take a vacation when you want to..most of the time…or a day off…some of the time…but being a business owner and working from home is, for me the best thing about owning my own business…I am home when my baby takes her first steps. I am home when my son is sick. I can put a load of laundry in while on a conference call. I can fill a crock pot with a baby on my hip while giving direction to my intern. Pretty crazy at times, but so much better than the 9-5 life. I’ve always felt that If I didn’t’ have Savoir Flair Weddings (my wedding business) or Tin Parade Vintage Party Goods..that I’d have a different business…something…anything to be able to have the family life I want to have. I think almost anyone can do it…it’s daunting to start but so worth every step and every effort to get to the point of quitting your job and being your own boss. Of course loving what you do is important too. It’s so cliché, but…find what you love to do and then find a way to make a living at it…yes…so so true…and I don’t think you have to have a business degree …creative personalities are many times the opposite type of personality of a typical, old school business owner…we do thing s our own way…but there is a way. I love the idea of inspiring other women to create their own career.

Tell us a little bit about a typical-day-in-your-life.

On a good day I wake up and run with Kristen Gara (my Tin Parade business partner)…sadly…with our two babies being born this year our runs have been too few…I get coffee…I answer all questions about Star Wars and what I think Chewbacca’s middle name is, after…and only after….my cup of coffee. Then, the day begins.

I have to get my son ready for school…his Dad takes him and I pick up. I have to get the baby changed and fed…sometimes I’ll admit she MIGHT go to pick up at the preschool in her pajama’s….maybe…sometimes…rarely…once a week.

Then, I get the office unlocked, lights on etc so the interns can get started upon their arrival. I then go inside with the baby till our amazing babysitter arrives. Get through a few simple emails on my blackberry. And then the phone rings. It’s Kristen Gara with her morning call. Every morning. “What are we doing today? Playdate? Work? Can you pick up at preschool for us both? Can I borrow your dress? Etc.” (Kristen and I say we Co-Parent…. definitely taking a village over here) Then, I go out to the office…10 second commute…and try to blog… try to get through the bazillion emails..then execute the latest event or party design by….needle in a haystack…scouring the internet for some random idea in my head that day.

Return to Sender: Chevy Chase doesn’t live here.

Okay.   So.   I’ve decided that I am living in a Chevy Chase movie.  A good one too.  One that you would have a VHS copy of and then later a DVD.   I think when I was a kid watching those movies I thought ….first of all…that they were …you know…old.  I realize now that they WERE…you know…older…than….ahem…THEY used to be.  But THEY clearly aren’t as young as I am at their age….okay I digress….anyhow…yes…I have found myself living a Chevy Chase life…..it all started when….

swirly swirly swirly screen with the sound “didly didly didly didly didly didly”

I was at my girlfriends house when I heard her husband say “I’m gonna get that gopher! That gopher is back…its out there…and I”m gonna get it!”  As he’s muttering that…I’m sitting on her couch with a glass of wine telling her that I realize now that we have a house and two kids…we are….we have …arrived… to that point in our life that I think of as …my parents life…circa 1977…that life.  You know…the one that from the outside looks boring…dry…mundane…orange meets brown plaid couch kind of life…that one.

And just as I’m telling her this I see her husband walking across the plate glass window with a shovel over his shoulder going to …get the gopher….And it occured to me…I’ve woken up in a Chevy Chase movie and I can’t get out.   Not that I want to…I like my life…love it actually…but I didn’t realize when I was at the mall in 1985 with my Madonna perm laughing at European Vacation that I was actually….laughing at myself…at the future me.  You’re all in essence…laughing at me…that’s what I’ve decided…and that’s okay with me.  I am entering this time of my life somewhat gracefully…with my hipster short boot heel dug deep in the dirt…that kind of gracefully.  I’m just trying to figure out which role I am…there’s of course the obvious one…the mom…her son kept changing each movie and she didn’t even realize it…remember?  No, that’s not me…I’m too much of a control freak to let that happen….there was the german bimbo at the bier tent in munich….well…maybe 10 years ago but no…grandma on the roof of the car?  I guess I’m a little of all of them…my own little version of Ryan Larson has kids…Ryan does the mom thing…yeah…it’s casual.

Why am I telling you this…this realization of my current state of ..dare i say it…MOMhood?  Because I want…NEED you to relate…to me…I am in the need of being relate-able.  MOM doesn’t need to be a dirty word…a…you’ve actually up and moved out of your former self and into MOMhood kind of word…it doesn’t….I’m here to tell you that…why do you think I can still pull off the hipster short boots with the heel.  I am in love with being a mother…a mother to my darling darling children…but I just can’t be the roll of MOM….just…MOM…you know what I mean.

It’s casual.

If you’ve followed my Quest for the Holy Chair…..

You’ll be happy….relieved..overjoyed I’m sure…to know that I have FINALLY found the perfect chair!   Don’t relax too long….I’m sure I’ll become completely obsessed with choosing the right fabric.   It’s a Spoonback chair….I’ve had fun learning about different classic styles.  I bought this chair from an interior designer…he’d already had it stripped and refinished and now I have to have it reupolsterd… Kristen (my Tin Parade better half) and I seemed to  hone in on the same fabric choices….We do have similar styles…makes us good business partners and great friends…still…we couldn’t totally decide…I’m thinking the blue/tan fabric with the diamond shapes and maybe putting a tan or blue on the back of the chair…or I could go totally crazy and do stripes on the back….whoa!  But seriously….  Any thoughts on these?

Tate’s First Birthday….so sweet.

Yes, it IS my daughters party…Yes, I think she’s the cutest baby girl I’ve ever seen.  Yes, I did decorate the table…Yes, I am proud of it.  This is a quick apology for any tooting of any horn here….but How DARLING is this first birthday?!?!?

When guests arrived to the front door there  was a sign that said, “Tatum Rose turns one”.  Then, as you walked in, guests saw another sign saying “Tate’s Sweet Shop”.   Sweet it was.   Every kind of cookie and candy you can imagine…all in whites with a touch of blush pink.

The glass apothocary jars had hanging ribbons with labels that said things like “gingerbread”,  “shortbread” and “meringues.”  I made them using plain old Microsoft Word.  I just chose a shape to put around the words by clicking on Insert…then…Shapes…then it allows you to choose your colors and borders and such.  No fancy software needed.  I then used craft scissors to cut out construction paper for the scalloped border and, of course, what goes better with scallops but…grossgrain ribbon.

One of my favorite parts of the decor was a banner of photos of Tate herself (the Tater as we call her).   I used scrapbooking paper from Michaels Craft Store that I bought in a pad instead of by the sheet – - much more economical – - and just cut out a window for the photos…now I can’t bear to part with it so I’m hanging it in her room.

She wore a tutu from Janie and Jack and a headbow from an Esty store called Snugars.  Who doesn’t love Etsy? Normally I’m not in love with the garter belt type headband…but this  headbow is certainly darling and much prettier than those garters.

Happy Birthday Tater Tot!

“Cool Mom” Picks Us

Read our review below by coolmompicks.com

The fancier way to say Happy Birthday Braden

We’ve seen quite a few “party in a box” type services. A few are good, but most of them seem like you’re paying for someone else to go down to Target and grab a bunch of matching paper plates and streamers. I feel like if you’re going to shell out for the help, you might as well picks someone with awesome taste, who can track down some really special items that you might not have the time to do yourself.

That’s pretty much why I love having discovered Tin Parade vintage party goods. This LA-based mom-and-mom run service is the brainchild of a former ad agency art director and a former high-end wedding and event designer, so you have to assume that great taste is a given. Sure enough, themes like a Green Party (no relation to Ralph Nader) are done beautifully, and even tried and true themes like a Baseball Party or a Circus Party are made fresh enough with vintage-inspired goodies that they won’t look like your next-door-neighbor’s circus party. (Even though you planned yours first. Hmph.) The baby shower themes look absolutely lovely as well.

The focus here is on design and decor, including custom invitations and matching thank you notes, centerpieces and party favors. You can also order a la carte items which are so beautifully selected, I hope that Tin Parade considers adding some more functional items like cake servers and candles to the list.

This is not a frugalista pick. This is about creating a fancypants, fabulous party that impresses the hard-to-impress on your list. Although it may still be cheaper to bring this stuff into your own home than to rent out the local Gymboree. Just remember to add in the cost of a clean-up crew.

Unless your kid agrees to throwing a Housekeeper Themed Party with dustpans and bottles of Windex for all the guests.  Or wait a minute…that’s good. -Liz

I’m on a quest for a chair and it’s killing me!

Okay everyone calm down! There are too too many choices for me. I am trying to find the perfect chair for my living room…. An addition that really says….I’m all grown up. You know that chair..the one that says everything you are trying to say with the entire living room and just ties everything together in one fell swoop..that chair exists right?

This is like when I go shoe shopping and try to find a pair of black shoes that will work with jeans, skirts, shorts, pants….If you have found that pair of black shoes by the way, please let me know.

However, because I know you all love vintage as much as I do, I have to tell you about this store I happened upon in my quest for the holy chair..it’s in Los Angeles and is called Tini.

It’s not tini..it’s a good size actually, enough room for many great finds…Tini stands for This Is Not Ikea.  No ma’am it’s not!

It’s all about showing some love to the old forgotten 1963 salt and pepper shaker that you know your great aunt had…or that plug in percolating coffee pot pre starbucks days.  The idea that everything old is new again makes me feel like at least some in this crazy, overly consumer, filling landfills by the month society, does actually appreciate the; work, creativity, energy and history that went into much of these kitchy items.  I like to think that someday someone will go to a place just like this and pay an ungodly amount of money for….that ikea chair you just bought last week. ????

Will our kids love things then that we hate now? That’s a ponder for another day…today I have GOT to find a chair. I would love love love to order one from Anthropologie. I think they are classic but with a daring great fabric.  Perfect!  But have you seen the price.  Ouch!  I am trying to be patient…I think the chair will find me…somehow…things always do.   For now tho…you must give some love with a little click click to see Tini

Tags: anthropologie, chair, decorate, interior design, los angeles, this is not ikea, tini, vintage, vintage chair

Fun sodas as favor or at your drink station.

My brother came to visit and told me about this great soda shop in Los Angeles.  Isn’t it amazing that you can live in a city for years and it takes a visitor to show you around?  Galco’s Soda Pop Shop is so neat.  They have TONS of hard to find sodas and old classics.  I thought they would make a darling favor at a shower or wedding. Can’t you picture an escort card tied around the neck telling you what table you sit at? Or a galvanized bin of them on ice as all your girlfriends arrive to a baby shower?  There’s one called Plantation Style Mint Julep and another called Sweet Blossom Soda Rose (yes, rose petal soda).  I haven’t had soda for years but I love these so much I’ve got to try some.  (My brother walked away with a box of them!) Check them out at:    http://www.sodapopstop.com/home.cfm

I love creative people.

Can you imagine the work involved in this hand made book?  And the sheer creativity of it?  So impressive.  You can see why Anthropologie is selling it for  $1200. GORG!!!!

monster book from anthropologie