Hannah's 17th Birthday!

Note:  there are pics to follow this entry.  Click the blog title to view entire post.

This year has been an especially busy one with Gary graduating, celebrating with him only 2 weeks ago and now...Hannah is 17!  We opted for a fun night with some of her cousins in her age group and of course her brother and soon to be wife, Samantha.  This was the fastest party I have ever put together.  I had no plans to decorate.  We decided on just having a nice cake and make one of our family favorite menus for the food.

The cake was from HEB, chocolate with cream cheese icing and white chocolate shavings.  We used one of Hannah's creations of a collection of her wardrobe designs, making a collage for the top of the cake.  The Menu:  New Orleans Creole Gumbo, Steamed Rice and French Bread.

Thank you all for coming.  We had a great time.  Now for the pics:

This was our last minute decor inprompto for a "fashion design" themed party.  These are props from Hannah's room.

OK...we called this "Cousins Game Night".  In attendance:  Kaylie, Sophie and her boyfriend, Fabian, Samantha, Aaron, Abbey, Felicia and ...the birthday girl, Hannah!

Pitt got so intense, Fabian got "corner on Barclay"!  lol

Abbey modeling Aunt Judy's shoes brought over for who ever can walk in them.

Sorry, I did not know how to work Hannah's new 4GS I Phone.

The Cake, pics are all designs from Hannah's sketch book.

This looks like it was taken in about 1955.

Coming home in the bug with the balloons.

A little photo shoot from the bug sun roof.

Blowing out the candles.

Opening her cards.  Thank you all!!

Birthdays are so special because it is "your" special day...a day that is celebrated because "you" have been born into this world.  What a joy "you" bring to so many lives.  Hannah the world has been blessed because of this special day, 17 years ago, when "you" were born.  Our family above all others are indeed blessed and celebrate this day with you.  Happy Birthday Hannah, May 31!  We love you!

Pantry Facelift!

Now...I am being super transparent to show you my "before" pics, but...I can guarantee that many of you have similar spaces.  Maybe you will be encouraged to know how a forgotten space can be turned into a space that is an extension of who you are and reflects your inner person to express yourself in full color.

Once done, omg!  I am in love with this room.  It is so full of energy.  Hannah and I were ready to spend the night in there that night or sit in there with a cup of coffee. Enjoy this transformation:

OK!!  Would you believe I have read every book on organization.  I think I could write the book.  What I have  learned is, you have to actually DO what you have read in the books. lol

A clean slate, ready for the transformation. 

I thought this was going to be the most time consuming, but surprisingly, not.   Taped all very tightly as to not allow the color to bleed through to the cream and white colors.

The color...I wanted a color I love but normally do not use much....the color of my mixer.  I found on the mark down section at Lowe's for a fraction of the cost.  Total project cost:  $11. with all supplies.

This did not take near the time I expected.

Complete...now to the the grocery store and restock some things.