Whimsically Bright Vintage Inspired Wedding, March 2014

In a week of blogging firsts, this is my first of two things: first wedding post and first non Miss Party Mom feature! It's that good, I promise.

When I saw these photos pop up in my Facebook feed from my old high school bestie Elena, I knew I had to feature her wedding... It's fun, fab and funky... All things this blog stands for!

These photos bring a huge smile to my face, not only to see my friend happy in love, but to see the amazingly styled wedding she and her now husband Paul, put together. I am just in love with every little handcrafted detail.

Although I married in 19 days- my reception was, like this one- FULL of color and quirkiness. I knew Elena and I were high school buds for a reason! In a total twist of coincidence... After I left Mattel Toys, Elena went on to work for them- we've been two ships passing in the night but our style has remained similar... Gotta love it!

Starting off this post is their fantastic engagement pics... I MEAN!! Insert emoji with heart eyes riiiight [here]...

xo Party or Die xo

kenna

Paul & Elena Wilson

March 8th, 2014

Portofino Hotel, Redondo Beach Ca

An Open Letter to the "No-Santa Christians"

This last week I'm bursting at the seems with things to complain about during the 2014 Christmas season. I know, I know, there's irony in that sentence. Noted. 

There's a chance I bum a lot of people out in the process of blogging this particular "Christmas annoyance" and after pondering that thought for a while today- I came to the conclusion that it's worth it. In case you don't know... This is always the fine line we bloggers walk... "Who will I bum out?" followed by, "How much will I bum them out?" followed by, "Is it still worth it to make a point?"

........................................

Here's the deal, some of you out there are big time on my nerves. In my head I've labeled you the "No-Santa Christians". And the truth is, I know that I too have bummed you out with my decision to go deep in to the satanic Santa lifestyle- and so yes, it's a mutual bum-out fest between Christians that I am keen to: To believe in Santa... Or not. 

I have felt the tension for two years now. Prior to that my oldest was just a toddler and we weren't "tuned in" to the Jesus vs. Santa issue yet. While I could get in to all of the reasons why I feel believing in Santa is a childhood right of passage and that NEWSFLASH a lot of people have been raised on Santa and SHOCKINGLY still love the Lord (hand raised)... I am not going to touch on too much of that because we will probably never agree and I'm kind of half-ass writing this as I watch The Voice and hope Matt McAndrews gets through anyway.

My point in writing this is to ask you this: Can you possibly talk to your child about NOT RUINING SANTA for those who DO BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC OF SANTA? I feel like it's crazy I'm having to even blog this... but seriously people- this is a common courtesy! The number of children who've said to my son in some form or another this year, "Santa isn't real- Jesus is the reason for the season!" is making my want to throw a bible at a child.

Here it is: If you want to get all sorts of real with your toddler/small child and tell them Santa isn't real and you're the ones buying the gifts, then fine- I'll respect that enough to not tell you or your child to your/their face I think it's weird. But can you kindly offer me and my family the same respect and communicate with your kid it is NOT their responsibility to then kill Santa for every child?

Let's do some role play...

Mom or Dad, better yet- both: "Hey Tommy... I know that you know there's no such thing as Santa because that's just not something we believe in" (You see how respectful I'm being here?) "But Tommy, it's important that you don't try and convince other children there isn't a Santa because some kids do believe and it wouldn't be right to spoil it for them... So this stays in our family, okay buddy?"

Side note: If you don't refer to Santa as "Santa" (I've heard a lot of "His name is Saint Nick, so stop calling him Santa!" this year) I think it's also important to tell your kids that others DO USE THE NAME SANTA. It's not a bad word and I do not want my child or myself to be reprimanded for it.

Now, to every Christian shaking their head that Santa exists in our God-fearing home... I assure you that my 5 year old can tell you everything that happened that day in the manger. He probably knows the story better than I do. He is about to be a shepherd in a Christmas play and he GETS IT as much as any 5 year old can possibly get it.  He also gets a twinkle in his eye when he thinks of a big ol' jolly fat guy named Santa shoving himself through our chimney to leave us presents.

Do I think in a few years he will figure it out? Yes, of course. I'm not saying in 2nd grade a kid won't "present the facts" but he's in Kindergarden for now and I'm cherishing the time he does believe, because I cherish those memories myself.

All I'm asking for is a little mutual respect and a teachable moment for your child that not everyone shares the same beliefs and in the same way we as Christians (hopefully) don't walk around telling people they're going to hell upon meeting them... We don't tell kids who believe in Santa that he isn't real.

Please note, my husband is a pastor and our family believes in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit as well as the birth AND resurrection of our Lord and Savior. But so help me God if another kid plays the "God card" on my Santa-loving son, I just might have to tell them that there's a BIG chance Jesus WASN'T EVEN BORN IN DECEMBER!!!

Merry Christmas.

Jesus Loves You,

Kenna

Christmas Trends 2014: Black, White & Mixed Metals!

When I was contacted by Tiny Prints to collaborate on their social media holiday campaign #tinyprintsholiday, I was truly thrilled. In my opinion MPM and Tiny Prints are an absolute perfect match! Having just received their Holiday Catalog days earlier I was drooling over their Christmas card line- SO many designs I was in love with!

When the opportunity arose for me to choose my families Christmas cards and other holiday decor- I was seriously in heaven! I decided to go with a "theme"... as any good party planner would. Because I love black, white and gold in our home decor- mixing it in to this year's holiday decor was a no brainer! (I also love that this color palette makes the perfect transition from Christmas to New Years Eve!)

While creating my Tiny Prints order I came up with the idea for an edgy-yet-classic Black, White and Mixed Metals Christmas Mantel. We have a fabulous mantel in our little Santa Barbara bungalow and I could see this mantel played out in my head and I was pumped to create it!

In front of the mantel I styled a "Christmas card and gift wrap station" (I mean, every woman has one of these, right??) which included an area for addressing all of my Tiny Prints Christmas cards- complete with coffee and treats... Hello... Necessities!! The other end of the table was devoted to wrapping presents with style and flair, my two favorite words.

I'm really pleased to show you all of my Tiny Prints picks, including two versions of the 2014 O'Brien Christmas card, our new personalized pillow, a family pic photo block and SO. MUCH. MORE. Also note that today and tomorrow (December 1st & 2nd) Tiny Prints is having some crazy Cyber Chic Sales... 40% off Christmas cards... Don't miss out!

As well as working with Tiny Prints, I have included some AMAZING Miss Party Mom approved items from some of my favorite vendors in the biz which collaborated with me to bring this little in-home photo shoot to life.

Get ready to swoon and drool... All at once. I promise I won't judge.

Here are a couple photos from my Instagram to start us off, search the hashtag #tinyprintsholiday on IG & Twitter for more!

Below I have called out all of the Christmas trends I used in the shoot. I'm seeing these trends in everything from Christmas cards, to stockings to ornaments and more. Thank you to Elena from World Wide Party for this awesome Christmas Trends 2014 graphic below... Show it some love and Pin it, will ya?!

HOLIDAY 2014

• Mixed Metals
• Black & White
• Faux Fur
• Sequins
• Deer, Buck & Antlers
• Polka Dots/Gold Dots
• Subway Art
• Personalized everything! 
• Glitter & Foil accents
• Words: "Gold", "Golden", "Happy", "Merry Merry"
• Bracket Shaped Christmas Cards

Look for these simple DIY touches I used as well... Perfect for you to try this season... In all that spare time of yours!

• Framed wrapping aper
• Fringed tissue tree
• Gold dots on fireplace
• Christmas cards tucked inside of sweet bags instead of envelopes (see IG photo above!)

ENJOY! 

Vendor Info:

Styling & Photography: Miss Party Mom Event Planning

Christmas Cards & Envelopes, O'Brien Family Pillow, Acrylic Photo Block, Photo Postage Stamps, Wrap Around Address Labels, Gift Labels: Tiny Prints
Mixed Metals Christmas Bulb Garland: Party a la Mo
Gold Glitter "Merry Merry" Banner: Pink Elephant & Co.
Black & White Pom Pom Garland: Cupcake Wishes and Birthday Dreams
"The O'Briens" Felt Name Banner: String Dearie
Subway Art: "Have a Golden Xmas" & B/W "Christmas" print: World Wide Party by Elena
Gold Glitter Votive Candles and Mini Gold Glitter and Gold Polka Dot Gift Boxes: Kate Aspen
Gold Dot Stickers on fireplace: Polka Dot Wall Stickers
Black & White Gold Glitter Deer Plate & Coffee Cup: The Pink Poppy Party Shoppe
Custom Name Cookies: Creating Awesomenessity
Mini Gold Glittered Donuts and Biscotti: Autumn Lynn's Chocolate Sins
"The O'Brien Family" Gold Glitter Ornament & Black/White Striped Sweets Bags (with Christmas cards slid inside): Celebration Lane

 

How great is my O'Brien felt banner?! This would be perfect for Christmas photos!

Loving my Tiny Prints Favorite Memory Acrylic Photo Block... Such a perfect gift! 

This super fun tissue fringe tree was handmade by ME! 

Start out by making a cone out of poster board. Get a few different colors of tissue and cut 2" strips. Then fringe them and layer about 1/4" apart starting at the bottom and moving to the top... It takes time and dedication... But boy is it cute!

These garlands hanging from the buck's antlers are just amazing! I love the glitter and the glam in both of them!

My new Tiny Prints Bold Crossing Pillow... I LOVE the personalization with our last name! 

I adore my striped and polka dot envelope liners that perfectly match my Christmas cards- they really add that extra bit of detail I love. 

{Please note that I have TWO Christmas cards... The one shown above is a purely CANDID shot of me and the husband arguing during photos... I thought "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" was a fitting greeting for this shot... Can I get an amen?!}

Who can address 100 cards without some adorable mini-donuts and custom sugar cookies to keep them fueled... Well obviously not me! Personalized sweets are SO Christmas 2014!

My Tiny Prints Personalized Postage Stamps with Cormac & Birdie on them looking adorable topped off my Christmas card envelopes perfectly!

Check out my personalized Tiny Prints Gift Tag Stickers... How easy is that!

And seriously... This personalized gold glitter ornament by Celebration Lane... I'm in love! What a perfect gift! 

And lastly... A polka dot fireplace- well why the heck not?! I may keep it all year.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year...
Thank you for your support this year!

xo Party or Die xo
kenna

This was a paid post and I did receive product and compensation from Tiny Prints... DUH!