Rock of Love Play Party!

February 1, 2011

Are you ready for a 'Rockin' good time? A day filled with Savvy Stylings that we hope 'Makes your heart Sing'. Everything is this play party was created for the EveryDay Mom. We are thrilled to share with you our "Rock of Love" Play Party.

For this Play Party we wanted to take the traditional Valentine's colors and theme and incorporate a bit of edgy rock and funky fashion from The Tiny Hiney and Sweet Things Kids. We were able to use records that we had from home and accent with leopard scrapbook paper to create that Rock of Love look we were going for.

We have been seeing glass bottles used in many photo shoots, parties and dessert tables lately. We love the look. So we had no problem buying a case of Starbucks Frappucinos and using the re-purposed bottles for the kids Strawberry milk. We added some leopard scrapbook paper from Jo-Anns and glitter heart stickers from the Target Dollar bins to create a sweet treat for the kids to enjoy. And the best part is we will use these bottles again and again!

We like to always include some sort of healthy snack for the kids that is fun and compliments the theme. So we cut up fruit and used a heart shape cookie cutter and placed them in fun plastic cups we found at the Dollar Tree and accented them with leopard ribbon.

Another Signature 'Savvy Moms' idea are Place mats. We think it is a great way for the kids to get excited about what they are doing if they have something in front of them that is personalized and themed. To create these place mats, and usually all of our Play Party place mats, we use 12x12 sheets of scrapbook paper, usually found in the Target Dollar bins or what we may have laying around. We used our Silhouette to cut out each kiddos initials, place onto a doilie and covered with contact paper.

We found these Valentine Trees at Jo-Anns and used them as our Rock Candy Tree, hanging Ring Pops off of them.

Our cupcake topper printables were created for us by our talented photographer Donella, of Ella B Photography

These were a 'rockin' touch to our yummy cupcakes made by our good friend Jamie of Kolby Kakes .

Kolby Kakes also made 'Rock Of Love Records' or Ding Dongs and fun and funky hot pink microphone cookies that the kids really enjoyed.

The cupcake stand was also a DIY idea inspired by Skip to My Lou. We followed the tutorial on how to make a cupcake stand, replaced the plates with records and added a touch of leopard and glitter heart stickers from the Target Dollar bins creating one Savvy cupcake stand.

We also used records and turned them into serving trays for the cookies, clever and creative!

The kids craft for the day were these adorable wooden guitars and hearts also found at Jo-Anns in the Dollar Bins.

No Valentine's Celebration is complete without a Valentine exchange. When we saw these Adorable Heart Pockets on One Charming Party we knew they were perfect. Savvy and Simple just the way we like it!

Happy Valentine's Day......'I pick you'.

Each of our Play Parties also includes a coordinating story. So we read 'The Night Before Valentine's Day' while they ate their Valentine treats.

We found a great recipe over at Parenting.com for Cupcake Microphones that fit the theme perfectly!! Some serious faces, but they truly made their 'Hearts Sing'!

The kids got to rock out with their Conversation Heart microphones that were also a great DIY idea we shared as a sneak peek earlier in the month. These microphones can also be turned into Valentine topiaries. Just get yourself a metal bucket (found in Target Dollar bins most of the time) or a planters pot and stick into foam, rocks or sand and use for decor for your home or next party.

Rock On Friends........

And keep Making the EveryDay Savvy!

Smiles~

Amy & Bri

Total Cost of this Play Party: $65 (for 6 kids)

Funky Fashions by:

The Tiny Hiney

Sweet Things Kids

Conversation Heart Microphone......Makes our Heart Sing!

January 13, 2011

This project really makes 'Our Heart Sing'.

Every Rocker needs a Microphone, Right?

Of course, but just any Mic would not do for our Savvy Singers.

So we decided to create one that would be a real Conversation Piece!

You will need a thick Dowel, Styrofoam Ball, Conversation Hearts and Glitter.

All of which we purchased at our local Dollar Store.

Hot Glue your Conversation Hearts to the Styrofoam Ball.

Then Glitter your Dowel.
We Prefer to use Martha Stewart glitter because it is so fine and covers nicely.


Now insert your glittered Dowel into your Heart covered Ball.
We recommend Hot Gluing the dowel into the ball, but that is optional

And your ready to sing!!!

And sing we did at our 'Rock of Love' Play Party.
Stay tuned.......

Smiles~
Amy & Bri

Savvy Valentine Mobile

January 13, 2011

Oh how we Love Valentine's Day.

The Hearts, the Colors (we are kindof obsessed with red), and the fact that you can say LOVE 100 times a day.

And then there is the decor.......

Don't even get us started on our love for all things Valentine's.

Nothing elicits heart palpitations like a great Dollar Bin Raid.

And an even greater project from that shopping spree.

Here is our latest Savvy Style Project. Inspired by Pottery Barn Heart Strings Mobile and Pam at Party Starters Snowflake Hearts!

Get 2 packs of Large Heart Doilies and 2 packs of Smaller Doilies

$1 each from the Target Dollar Bin

(or you could create your own in varying sizes like Pam did)

You will need 3 for each 3D hanging Heart

Fold the Doilies in Half

Put ample glue in the center of each Doilie

And attach to a mirrored 2nd (and 3rd) heart.

When all 3 are glued together you will have your 3D Heart

Attach the Large and Small 3D hearts with Fishing Line

Sorry for the dark picture the space has very little light

And hang.....

There it is. Your hearts a float 3D mobile.

Super Savvy, Easy and Sweet.

Total Cost $4.

Smiles~

Amy & Bri

Valentine Place Mat and Sneak Peek

In preparing for Valentines Day we wanted to share a Savvy Project that comes from the Heart.

We always like to incorporate place mats for our Play Parties.

When the kids are involved in making them they are that much Sweeter.

Here is an easy and Heart Felt Place Mat idea.

Pick up some 12x12 scrapbook paper and Doilies (we of course raided the dollar bin at Target)

Paint your loved ones hand and firmly press onto the Heart.

Cover with contact paper or laminate and there you have it. The perfect addition to your Valentine table.

And the best part is that it adds excitement to kiddos meal when they can sit down to eat and look at their own creation!

We also wanted to share a little sneak peek of our next Play Party.

Our very first Valentine's Party which was a Rockin good time!

Check out these Adorable Shirts from The Tiny Hiney


We can't wait to share with you our 'Rock Of Love' Play Party inspired by our own Ella B on February 1st!!! Until then enjoy our sneak peek of what's to come....there just might be something in it for you!

Rock On!!!!
Amy & Bri

A Whoot of Thanks

November 1, 2010

November is a time of Giving Thanks. We have so much to be thankful for this year and wanted this Play Date to be nothing more than a "Whoot of Thanks". We try and instill in our kids that each day is a day to give thanks. And "Welcome" hearts that are Thankful!

For the "Whoot of Thanks" Play Date theme, our inspirations came from a collaboration of fall, Thanksgiving, and Owls. We wanted to feature natural elements such as woods, moss and leaves to compliment this inspiration. In planning we knew we needed to create a unique outdoor play date that was whimsical yet natural. We started by contacting Anders Ruff Custom Designs to create the printable collection around our “Whoot of Thanks” theme. We then provided them our patterns and colors which included oranges, browns, reds, and greens.

All design elements for each play date are usually purchased or created in a “Savvy” way. When it comes to the dollar bins at Target or our local Dollar Store we try and see more than just the value of an item.The tree stumps that were made into toad stools were covered in plastic tablecloths which came from the Target dollar bins along with scrapbook paper that was laminated with a leaf for the kids to use as placemats.The table the kids sat at was also made with 3 hay barrels and a piece of plywood covered with a piece of burlap. With the left over burlap we made pennants to hang our “Whoot of Thanks” banner from.

We wanted to keep with the natural feeling and create owls made from pine cones that also served as décor for the table. This idea came to life with the help of a tutorial from Bristol Moms. We then added our own Savvy touches.

For each play date we like to incorporate a snack that is kid created with easy to make steps. In this case we turned to Amy Locurto of Living Locurto who came up with an “Owl Smore” recipe that made this possible.

The moss boxes were created from left over scrap 2X4’s and pieces of sheet moss purchased from the Dollar Tree. These were perfect for showcasing our “Whoot Corn” popcorn cones made from scrapbook paper, and as a platform for the “Cheese Pies” to be displayed on. Our centerpiece, our version of a "thankful tree", was also created with the natural elements of our own backyard. We simply placed a tree branch into a tree stump and dressed it with our Anders Ruff printables and colorful leaves.

We alway include a healthy snack that compliments the theme or season. For this play date we selected a full meal for the kids to enjoy. First, an adorable turkey made from fruit, cheese and vegetables. And second “Cheese Pies” made from biscuits and cheese baked on a stick. These choices made the meal kid friendly, nutritious and delicious.

We encourage and support reading. So every Play Date has a story that pertains to the Holiday or Theme. For our "Whoot of Thanks" we chose Twas the Night before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey. A fun read that made the kiddos laugh... A Lot!

We usually end the play date with something sweet for the kids to remember the day. Kolby Kakes edible creations baked the yummiest cupcakes, cake balls and owl cookie pops that coordinated with the colors and theme perfectly. She is a Baking genius.

The day was captured by the one and only Christine Racz of Racz Photography. She did an amazing job capturing all elements of the day. Including the Priceless faces of the kids.

We hope you enjoyed our Play Party......We give a "Whoot of Thanks" for YOU!!!

Smiles~

Amy & Bri

Big Sister A

What Do you do when Your Best Friend Becomes a Big sister????

You Make her a Lucky Charms Frame of course........

And Lucky Charms Cupcakes........

Congratulations Big Sister A. Baby A is very lucky to have such a wonderful Sister to teach him all about life....And Lucky Charms(She loves them).

To make the Frame You will need

Michaels $1 Frame
Glue
Spray Adhesive
Polyurethane Spray
Your filler of choice (Lucky Charms)


1. Cover the frame with glue.

2. Apply the material of Choice to fill the frame

3. Spray 2 coats of Spray Glue (I use Craft Bond)

4. Spray 2 Coats of Polyurethane

Smiles~

Amy & Bri