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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: mommy to be

A Baby Shower Luncheon

19 Tuesday Nov 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Decor Ideas, Events & Parties

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Tags

baby shower, baby shower invitations, celebrations, events, family, friends, invitations, its a girl, mommy to be, parties, pastels, pink bow

This past Saturday, family and friends gathered at my aunt’s house to celebrate the arrival of my cousin’s first child. Her and her husband are having a little girl and everyone is so excited. They are expecting her January 2, what a nice gift for the new year!

The invitations were a nice mix of pastels and modern touches. I was so happy she came to me to design them for her. It was fun creating a custom piece with her ideas and bringing them to life. I also designed her thank you’s which reflected the same style. You can find both in my shop!

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

The shower was coordinated by my aunt Debbie, who did such an amazing job. From the delicious food and desserts to all the small details, the event was beautiful from every angle. Purple, pink, and teal were the inspirational colors and each were sprinkled around the house for an overall modern and pretty style. The little hand cut paper bows I made were scattered throughout as well.

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Pink chevron table runners adorned the tables in the tented area along with a mix of fresh spring flowers and candles.

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

They received so many gorgeous gifts! It’s safe to say they will have all the baby products they need and more. I always enjoy seeing how people wrap their presents and what kinds of paper they use. There were an interesting array of different colors, patterns, and boxes used which brought so much life to the space.

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

I created little signs that reflected the design of the invitations to describe all the sandwiches and other food options. Some were attached to pastel paper straws and others were tented.

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

There were an array of desserts from homemade cookies, fruit, tiny donuts, and the cutest cake ever. All were delicious!

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

Everyone left with a bath bomb all packaged up and tied with thank you tags I designed and of course another sign. I can’t wait to use mine!

A Baby Shower Luncheon - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

All in all, it was such a nice day with all the lovely ladies in my cousin’s life. I am extremely happy for her and her husband and wish them only the best future as new parents.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Celebrations

15 Friday Nov 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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Tags

baby shower, celebrations, cousins, events, family, having a baby, inspiration photo friday, life, mom, mommy to be, new mom, parties, time

Tomorrow is my cousin’s baby shower and I am so excited for her and her husband on their new arrival. Just last year we were celebrating their wedding and now a little girl is on the way. The event is being held at my aunt’s house and I have helped her with some of the items for the party. From the invites and thank you’s to the favor tags and signs, it has been such a pleasure to design everything and be a part of this special day. I will be sure to write up a post on the event soon!

There are so many things to celebrate in a person’s life. Having a baby is definitely one of them. I have watched my cousin grow up and become such a beautiful woman and now I soon get to watch her become a mom. They also just bought their first house so it has been quite busy over there on the Nicholson home front. And with the little one expected early January, busy will be an understatement. But tomorrow, we all get to have fun and kick back with all the lovely women in her life. Such a great day to shower Diana with love.

You know, seeing how all we’ve all changed and grown up over the years, really puts you in a nostalgic place. It shows you how time truly passes by so quickly. Being able to celebrate all the great and exciting things in our lives just makes it so much more memorable. Creating memories that will last forever and showing each other love and support is so important. It’s how our lives become richer and our bonds grow stronger.

This photo was taken 4 years ago during the holidays. It will always be one of my all time favorites of me and my cousin. I love you Di ♥ Wishing you the most fulfilling experience as a new mother and years of happiness as a family. Now let’s celebrate!

Inspiration Photo Friday: Celebrations

Inspiration Photo Friday: Babies Galore

16 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Inspiration Photo Friday

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Tags

american dream, baby, chapter, children, journey, kids, life, mommy to be, stress

We all know the routine of growing up. You get married, buy a home, and then have kids. The American dream, right? These past few years have been a whirlwind of weddings and new mommy’s. It’s all good and happy, but at the same time a little overwhelming.

I just turned 34 and I know I’m not getting any younger. But having kids right now just isn’t on my to do list. Since the year of our wedding and buying our first home, my husband and I have had it a little rough. Life has thrown us a handful of obstacles and it seems we are always fighting to get by. I started Gray Star Design in hopes to finally be successful on my end, while he works for less money than he deserves. The hardships of being an artist. So I would say, this is not a time to bring a child into the world. I mean, we don’t even have health insurance.

Growing up with a single mom who worked numerous jobs and having a Grandmother who raised four kids on nothing, I understand what it means to struggle. I, too, have struggled all my life financially. Being stressed for all these years about the one thing I don’t care about has surely taken its toll. Sadly, you need it to survive and all I know is the feeling of getting by. I certainly don’t want to raise a child in that kind of atmosphere, they deserve more than what I had. I am crossing my fingers that one day my husband and I can live a comfortable life without always dealing with financial stress. Then maybe, we can start a family.

So, with all these new babies and little kids running around, it does put a little pressure on me to have a child of our own. However, I am smart enough to know what is good for me, and my marriage and career is my focus at the moment. Just not ready to make my life all about someone else yet. And I know it doesn’t end when you have a baby, but in reality, it sort of does. It’s closing a chapter and starting a new one. I just have too much I still need to do.

Right now, I will embrace the little munchkins in my life and give them tons of love. I am lucky to have friends and family who have healthy children and I am very happy for the new chapter they have started. I wish them all the best on their journey as parents and will be there every step of the way to support them. Besides, I already have two furry kids of my own to take care of. They may not be the real thing, but they are mine and I love them with all my heart. It may be babies galore on the other side of rainbow but here on my side, the possibilities are endless.

Inspiration Photo Friday: Babies Galore - © Melissa O'Connor-Arena

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