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2013/Baby Gray/invitation/party/party planning

You’re Invited!

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

I have had a few people ask me about the invitations we did for Baby Gray’s party.

Basically, we took the happy mail ideas we’ve done in the past and did it en masse.

To make the invitation information fit, we used three-inch brushes; I put the text in a business card template in Word and trimmed the edges after printing. We did the same for each of the addresses.

We made sure the entire paper portion was wrapped in packing tape to prevent tearing or losing the paper.

Originally, I thought the brushes would only need four stamps, which would have fit perfectly on the handle. They were a few cents over, though, so it was best to do them parcel post.

A huge thanks to Chet at the post office for helping me make the best decision to get them where they were going! None were returned or lost!

2013/Baby Gray/birthday/cake/cookies/cupcakes/family/friends/memories/party/party planning

Third Time’s a Charm

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

Part of my bargaining for last year’s infamous football party was that it would be the last BIG party for a while.

This year, we did a super low-key, but way-fun, painting party for Baby Gray and his friends. We banned ourselves from Pinterest and went to work!

Mr. Gray came up with awesome paintbrush invitations (blurred to protect the addresses of the innocent). I loved every bit of them! The kids enjoyed getting them in the mail, too!

A friend of ours makes the most delicious cookies ever, so I enlisted her for some paint palette cookies (you better believe I ordered enough to have leftovers). All the while, I ransacked T-Paw’s cake recipe (I made the cake; I win at life) and a chocolate buttercream I worked through on my own to recreate Baby Gray’s favorite cupcakes from a little place we go sometimes. Mine weren’t as cute as the originals, but Baby Gray thought they were the same. Plus, they were just as tasty (that’s not even a humblebrag, y’all; it’s a flat out brag on how good they were). Artistic food isn’t really my forte.

I ordered little aprons for favors, and Nonna appliqued the kiddos’ first initials on them for me (huge THANK YOU). They turned out so cute! As the kids walked in, I adorned them each with an apron as they set off to pick their masterpiece.

They did such a great job! I can’t wait to see all the finished products!

Baby Gray loved it when it was time to sing Happy Birthday. It always makes me think of his first birthday party when he danced as everyone sang. Sweet boy. Where does the time go?

Love that action shot! Blow those candles out!

Such a fun party. It was much simpler than anything we’ve done in the past, but Baby Gray and his friends had so much fun!

I still can’t believe he’ll be three on Thursday!

2013/Baby Gray/fashion/Fashion Friday/four wheeler/iPhone/photos/tailgate

Pscyh!

Posted on September 20, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Friday is more fun when I remember to take fashion photos throughout the week.

Thank goodness Annie saved the day with this great shot of Baby Gray’s racing helmet!

Speaking of photos, I have too many on my phone. So many, in fact, that I will have to delete hundreds in order to get iOS7 on my phone. I can’t wait for the update, but I hate the process. Oh, #firstworldproblems, you get me every single time.

Did I mention that we’ve had this four wheeler for almost a year, and Baby Gray has only ridden it about five times? I told him we would take it to tailgate this weekend (I hoped that seeing the other kids on it would coerce him to ride it). He went straight to Annie’s, got on, and rode like he’d been riding since the day we got it. Toddler psychology can’t be beat!

2013/fall/favorites/The Splendor Shop/TOMS

Favorites to Fall For

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 2 Comments

South Texas weather doesn’t always allow for an actual fall experience, but you know what they say, “Fake it ’til you make it!” I start applying that to my life this time of year. It might not feel like autumn, but i always seem to believe I can will the cooler weather to come if I’m prepared (it’s the ol’ “If you build it they will come.” phenomenon).

I wanted to share a few essentials I’m using to help this transition:

TOMS Desert Wedges: yes, I have both colors shown. I wore the heck out of the chestnut last year, and I’m excited to have the burgundy this year.

The Splendor Shop’s Jacquelin Necklace: I love this piece from The Splendor Shop! It’s bright enough for summer with dark enough shades to transition into fall. I wear it with everything! (Laura has some better photos on Instagram.)

Nivea Mint & Minerals: It wouldn’t be fall without slightly cooler weather and dry lips, right? While Burt’s is still my go-to, this is making its way up the line!

What are your must-haves for fall?

No advertisements here, just shouting out some of my favorites.

2013/Baby Gray/cowboy/mutton bustin/rodeo

Wordless Wednesday: Mutton Bustin’ Photos Were Rescued from the Abyss that is my SD Card Edition

Posted on September 18, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

Thanks to Pops & Nonna for coming after their long day; sorry I didn’t grab a photo!

2013/Rooster/vet

Neurosis of the Worst Kind

Posted on September 17, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

You know those times you’re really worried about your dog because his behavior is strange, you take him to the vet, and the vet says all the tests are clear and it’s psychological? Yeah, it’s a good thing he’s cute.

(Or fluffy, or something…)

2013/baking/cookies/Recipes/tailgate

De-licious

Posted on September 16, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

As I was catchin’ up on Bloglovin‘ last week, I came across these cookies that looked perfect for this weekend’s tailgate.

I grabbed some candy corn and white chocolate morsels while I was out and about then whipped them right up! They were super easy, and I could tell by the dough they were going to be good (and I don’t really love candy corn).

The only thing I would change is to bake on parchment paper. The candy corn turned to sappy, syrup-y, sugar juice while baking and nearly got the best of my good baking sheets. I was able to rescue them, but I’ll save that step next time with the parchment paper.

2013/Aggies/Baby Gray/Bama/Fashion Friday/football/tailgate/toddler

Fashion Friday Hijack

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

So, you might not have heard, but it’s Bama week. Matter of fact, it’s now Bama weekend. As in, almost game day. Are you pumped? I am. He is.

So what if it’s in the form of a baseball shirt and a cup leash? BTHObama. A. Whoop!

(Not so sure I’m making good on my non-obnoxious promise. Expect my Twitter to be going crazy–assuming College Station has any signal this weekend.)

2013/New York/NYC

Have You Forgotten?

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 1 Comment

I didn’t even realize the date yesterday when I sat down to write.

New York City is one of my favorite cities–eh, it’s actually my favorite city–and in August, on our way back from Montreal, we flew into Newark. Flying into Newark is always on of my favorite things because there is a full view of the New York skyline. I immediately noticed it was different, but I didn’t know why. Our group got to talking and realized it was the 9-11 memorial.

My typical airport shot.

I have never been to a pre-2001 New York City. I’ve only seen photos of the skyline. I’ve only heard stories of the destruction. I’ve only seen second-hand the country band together to help. I had no idea the impact the crashes into the towers would have on the rest of my life. On the way we lives our lives, collectively, in America. As I reflect as an adult, it makes me proud to be from such a country.

2013/running/yoga

Get the Flow

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Mrs Gray / 0 Comment

When we were in College Station, there was a yoga class on Friday mornings on campus that I loved. I haven’t been able to be consistent since then because I can rarely make the class times or some other excuse. Sometimes I flat out don’t like the class or instructor.

Part of yoga for me is the quiet and the music, so I was hesitant to try to do it at home. However, I’ve had enough time after my runs to incorporate some stretching (I won’t do it for as long if I just call it stretching) and I found this little jewel on YouTube that’s enough stretch in just enough time to finish my cool down.

She uses more yoga terms than other instructors I’ve had, and her voice has a strange inflection sometimes, but it’s a quick little flow that helps me stretch out and cool down before I go on about my day. (I also like that it’s brief enough to do when I have a few minutes on any morning.)

Do you have a yoga or Pilates video you like?