Fiesta Printable

This printable seemed appropriate to post on a Friday.  While I created this specifically for Cinco de Mayo, "fiesta like there's no manana" is appropriate on a number of other occasions. Hand-lettered by me this is only for personal use. Enjoy your Fiesta Friday!

A San Diego Wedding

A few weeks ago I shared this picture on Instagram (@katiecarranza) with the caption: "I'm heading to San Diego for my mom's wedding! Packing everything up is getting me excited to see it all come together."  I love planning parties and this is my 3rd wedding I've been able to be such a big part of the planning and it is always so much fun! So I though I'd share just a few details from the wedding.

I worked with the amazing Wendy of Stem & Leaf to create these beautiful custom invitations and both my mom & I were thrilled and impressed with how well they turned out. And guess what, they're not printed on kraft paper...Wendy just worked her magic to make it appear that way to keep the printing cost down for us!

Here's a quick picture I snapped of the addressed envelopes before I sent them out. (Addresses blurred to obviously protect the innocent.)

My super awesome talented sister-in-law helped me put together this incredible "naked" cake and I am in love with how it turned out. I hand cut the cake topper out of gold glitter paper and attached it to wooden skewers and pressed into the cake.

For the send-off, I last minute saw the idea of using glow sticks, kind of like a safer sparkler alternative. And they turned out to be a big hit! People even snuck them before it was time for the send-off and had fun with them, I just wish I had ordered more big ones!

The guest book was a big piece of navy card stock  that I hand-lettered 

Elaine & Stephen 

est. March 21, 2015

Then had everyone sign so that it can later be framed and hung up.

The favors were another favorite of mine. I wish I could take credit, but my mom had the idea to have my OTHER talented sister in law watercolor a painting and put it in frames. And through the power of technology she painted one and then we scanned and printed out multiple copies of the San Diego skyline looking across the bay. I printed out a page of the flowers that coordinated with the invitation and hand-lettered e & s 3-21-2015 on them and tied it around the frames with twine.

And for your viewing enjoyment, here are some pictures of the beautiful bride! I was asked to be the maid of honor and I stood up with my mother's husbands daughter during the ceremony.

Metallic Easter Egg DIY

 A few days ago I shared the above picture on Instagram (@katiecarranza), and if you're a fellow procrasinator like me, this tutorial is for you! These eggs (or eggies as my 3 year old calls them), are made by applying metallic temporary tattoos. So easy and fun to group together. My tattoos were found at the 99cent store of all places! (I have a budding love affair with that place). Here's a quick, picture by picture video tutorial for you! Make sure you're gentle and careful when remove the paper, and use your fingers and wet paper towel to smooth it out.  Now go cur-a-zay!

Super Simple Subtle Easter Decorations

What's that? You want some poorly lit photos of my super simple subtle Easter decorations?! Well today is YOUR lucky day, my friend! That's exactly what this post is! Happy Tuesday!

Mint Chocolate Chip Protein Shake

Here's a fun festive twist on the original protein shake!

Ingredients:  

1-2 Tablespoons Powdered Peanut Butter (or regular peanut butter)

1 scoop chocolate protein powder

1 & 1/2 sliced & frozen bananas

enough Dark Chocolate Almond Milk to make smooth

1-2 Teaspoon Mint extract

Add ingredients in blender and gradually add Almond Milk to desired shake thickness. Enjoy!

Rainbow Tassel Garland

I love re-sharing this fun idea for St Patrick's Day because it's so easy but so fun! Add 2 of each color or more "clouds" on the end, you can't go wrong with this rainbow!

 How to make your tassels:

1. Lay out 1 sheet of tissue paper.

2. Fold "hamburger" style. 

3. Fold it the same way again.

4. And one more time the same way.

5. Now fold in half the other way.

6. Pin the top folded side with 2 clothes pins to help keep things in place and cut the side folds 1 1/2" from the top.

7. Cut/fringe- only up 1 1/2" from the top. 

8. Un-fold once, then roll up.

9. Twist tight until it curls up on itself and makes a "loop."

& repeat!

10. String onto ribbon or bakers twine.

Happenings Lately

Obviously life has been a little crazy...how is it MARCH?! I'm stretching back into February with these photos. Most of which were shared on my instagram (follow @katiecarranza)

Lots of exciting things happening...my brother coming home from his 2-year LDS mission, the start of baseball spring training, being part of a Girls With Glasses video, wedding planning for my mom, slicing my finger open & getting my first stitches and getting my very first ticket.  (full caption for these photos on instagram or twitter). I hope your March is a little bit more lucky than mine has been!