Think Pink - A Pink Panther Birthday Party Adventure

My daughter is like her mom - she loves all things retro.  Well, maybe not really.  But she does love Pink Panther - which is about as retro as it gets!  When she declared, several months ago, that she wanted a Pink Panther themed birthday party, I decided to get busy making her dream come true!  As you may imagine, there are no Pink Panther party goods available.  Nothing.  So what's a mom to do?  Look no further than Etsy & Ebay - and beg, barter, and plead with crafters around the world to Think Pink!  I am forever indebted to all of these wonderful folks and wanted to share some of their amazing work and talent!!!  Be sure to stop by the shops of these talented people!  If they don't have exactly what you need, send them a message and I am sure they will be happy to work with you!  That is exactly what I did with each and every one of them and I just could not be happier with the results!

First up...the outfit - and the birthday shoot!  I found this super cute pink panther fabric on Ebay and ordered a couple of yards.  My friend, Sharon created these adorable ruffle pants!  She makes all kinds of adorable outfits for little ones!  The matching birthday hat was made by my friend, Jen!  She loves custom orders - so if you've got something in mind, send her a note!  I made the appliqued birthday shirt.  Although I am not selling many items these days, I still take a few custom orders!

I made these custom birthday invitations and had so much fun doing so!  I borrowed the pink panther image from a google search and then made the paw prints and the 4 in Photoshop.  The purple envelopes were from Target for less than a dollar!  I LOVE the stickers on the envelopes!  These were created by my favorite Etsy Party Shop - DesignerFavors.  I sent her a few images I found on a Google search and she did the rest!  She creates cupcake toppers, hang tags, stickers and more.  Her designs are just adorable and she is so sweet and easy to work with!

Oh my goodness, look at those Hershey Kisses!  My daughter LOVES kisses and I found the best seller on Ebay, Marla, who makes candy and water bottle labels!  I sent her the images and she did the rest!  The results were fabulous!  My kids actually put the stickers on all the candy and water bottles!  I spread them around the party area as decorations with a purpose!  The gift bags are full of party favors.  They are simple brown bags from Michaels with festive pink tissue paper.  I used the stickers from DesignerFavors again to spruce up the bags!

We had a very small party and all of the attendees have been lifelong (or practically) friends of Cam's.  I love these kiddos and decided they should all join in on bringing back Pink Panther!!  Cam helped me create custom initial shirts for each of them using the fabric from her outfit.  I also made these little pink kitty hair clips.  I could not find anything remotely similar to the panther - so the cats had to stand in!  The hang tags on the bags are by DesignerFavors.

Cam is a huge fan of Mexican food - just like the rest of her family!  Our sweet neighbors taught me how to make 100% fresh and delicious salsa awhile back.  It is a family fave at our house and we could seriously just drink it with a straw!  Our other neighbors brought over a pot of barracho beans, a pot of black beans, pico de gallo, and more salsa!  Cam's daddy worked hard grilling steak and chicken for our fajitas and Cam's grammy made cheese quesadillas for all the little ones!  The food was so good, I almost cried.  Thanks to everyone who helped!!!

Let's talk cake.  OH MY GOODNESS....  I've written about The Cake Fairy here before.  This woman, aka Suzanne, needs a medal.  I told her several months ago that Cam wanted a pink panther party and asked her to start brainstorming on a cake idea.  Once I made the invitations, I sent her one via email just to show her because I was so excited about how they turned out.  She told me the cake would be a surprise...and man ... was it ever!  She used the image from the invitation and created the most perfect cake any four year old could imagine!!!  I LOVED it!!  Cam was so excited when she saw it, she could hardly contain the giggles and squeals!  The cake tasted absolutely delicious!!  The little cupcakes were the perfect added touch and Suzanne created the little paw print discs to match the theme!  LOVE!  If you need a cake and you are near Houston - CALL SUZANNE!!!!

These are some fun shots from the bounce house!  Our son, bottom right photo, was one of the best entertainers!  A huge thanks to sweet Alex for getting out there and playing with these adoring fans! These girls chased that boy all over the yard and through the house and he really had them giggling like crazy!

Cam's Papaw was another great entertainer!  Somehow, the story of the Three Little Pigs and The Big Bad Wolf came up among the kids while playing in the bounce house.  My father-in-law remembered a gift set he had given Cam for Christmas and asked where it was.  When he emerged from the house wearing a big bad wolf mask, the kids went crazy!!!  Laughing and running and laughing some more!  Way too funny - and I love all of these running shots!

No party is complete at our house without a pinata!  We, of course, could not find anything resembling a pink panther - so we settled for this princess pinata!  It was the most difficult pinata to break I have ever seen!  After the kids all had turns, we called in the Big Bro to help release the candy!!!

....And that just about wraps up the fourth birthday celebration!  Our poor puppy stayed right in this position throughout most of the party...pouting because she wanted to be a bigger part of the fun!!!  Sweet pup!  So...thanks for sharing Cam's party fun with us and be sure to check out the shops I've shared with you!  I love supporting regular folks who are putting their talent out there for others to enjoy!!  I will keep sharing names with you as I come across them!!!  Also, I would like to say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to my friends Dan & Lindsey!  Without them, most of these photos would not exist!  They were such a huge help photographing the party!  Love those guys!!!!

IMAX Experience

Are you an Mission Impossible fan? How about an IMAX fan?
I am a little embarrassed to admit that until last week, I had never seen a movie on an IMAX screen! I love MI films and was thrilled to have the opportunity to see Ghost Protocol on the HUGE screen! It was a pretty amazing experience!

Starting December 16th, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol began playing in over 300 IMAX theaters in North America, a full five days earlier than its traditional release. There were 30-minutes of scenes shot with IMAX cameras, ensuring enjoyment for fans who were able to view certain sequences of the movie in larger than life, full-screen proportions. As an added bonus, IMAX offered the first previews of the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, prior to Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol.

Now that I've seen an IMAX movie, I will definitely be returning for more! Especially the intense, action-packed flicks! If you have not yet seen MI4, I suggest checking it out when you get a chance. If you have access to an IMAX theater, even better! You can find more information here! A special thanks to IMAX who provided me with tickets to see MI4, as well as information through MyBlogSpark.

Houston Family Photographyer - {Andy + Shelly}

Another beautiful day...another beautiful family!
Thanks to Mom & Dad for letting me spend the day with you and your sweet girls!
Enjoy your sneak peeks!

Houston Family Photographer - {Terry + Marin}

I worked with the sweetest family this weekend.  We planned to meet at a great park with a fountain and a man made river - surprisingly, it was drained on the day of our shoot!  We decided to meet at a nature center instead.  It was a beautiful location; HOWEVER,  it was hot (yes, in December), there were tons of mosquitos literally swarming us, and the tree pollen got to all of the adults within minutes!  You would never know anyone was uncomfortable by looking at these photos - they remained poised and beautiful!  A huge thanks to each of you for allowing me to spend the day with you - capturing a fleeting moment in time!  I hope you enjoy your sneak peeks! 

Houston Family Photographer - {Meli + Laila}

Have you ever heard a photographer say, "My camera just loved her!" and wonder what they meant? Well, take a look! I had an amazing time working with a beautiful momma and her sweet daughter tonight! My camera L O V E D both of them!!! Enjoy your sneak peek, Melissa! More will follow in the coming days!

Houston Children Photographer - {Kyle}

This weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the most photogenic kids ever - and his adorable mom! Kyle is almost nine years old and his personality is just as sweet as his photos! Thanks to Cheryl for letting me spend the afernoon with you and your son! I hope you love your sneak peek!

Houston Baby Photographer - {James: 6 Months Old}

It's been a few months since I've seen this sweet little boy! He has grown so much since my last session when he was ten weeks old! Baby James is just getting cuter with age (if that is even possible) and he is FULL of personality! Thanks to Elizabeth & Jim for the chance to share in your joy for the day!!! Here is a sneak peek at his photos!

Houston Child Photographer {Micayla's Third Birthday}

Sweet little Micayla was so much fun to work with! She completely relished the role of "model for the day!" She had so many fun expressions and her laughter was completely contageous! A huge thanks to Jennifer for allowing me to share the day with you and your precious daughter! I hope you love her photos!

Houston Child Photographer - {Cameron's Third Birthday}

My daughter turned three... eight months ago.
I am so far behind on doing her third birthday photos!
I take tons of snapshots all the time - but I am not so great at organizing a "real" photo shoot for her. On top of that, she is not the most willing participant when it comes to modeling for MOM!
It was such a beautiful day today - so my husband and I took Cam out to a nature center and snapped some shots. We are going to another park this evening to finish the shoot! Here are a few of our faves from this morning!
We love you, Cameron!!!!!



A special thanks to all of the creative talent behind Cam's outfits!
Jackie made the crocheted hat and they are available at TotzHatz.
Jennifer made the 3rd birthday party hat and they are available at Sweet 'n Sassy Baby.
Sharon made the twirly zebra skirt and they are available at Pinkie Twink.
Dina made the tutu and they are available at Little Fortune Cookie.
Jill (thats me) made the 3'rd birthday shirts and they are available at Zingo Tots.

Houston Newborn Photographer - {Sofie: Two Weeks Old}

I had the most amazing time photographing this little two week old wonder!
Sofie is such a sweet little girl!
Thanks to Larissa for letting me share the day with you and your sweetie!

Katy Child Photographer - {Abby + Wyatt}

I had the best time photographing two absolutely adorable children tonight! They were so much fun and I loved their energy!
Here is a sneak preview of their session!
A huge thanks to Brandi for allowing me to spend time with your little ones & to Grammy Sharon for helping out!

Houston Headshot Photographer - {Cris}

I love meeting creative & artistic people. ESPECIALLY when those creative people use their talents to help others in need. I was recently contacted by a children's author, Cris, who needed headshots for her website. I had the pleasure of meeting her, and several members of her family, on Tuesday. Cris is a beautiful person with a bright future ahead of her! I can't wait to read her new book which is set to release soon! I look forward to sharing more with you about her project in the near future!

Houston Child Photographer - {Layla: 3 Years Old}

Girls just wanna have fun!
And Layla was no exception!
This sweet little munchkin grabbed my heart the second I saw her climb out of her mom's car! Look at how adorable she is!
This was my FOURTH scheduled shoot with Layla.
The three previous shoots were rained out.
Yes.
All three!
Shoot four was, sadly, no different! As soon as Layla's mom pulled up to meet me - rain began pouring all around!
We all decided to be brave and I shot a handful of photos under an awning in about three feet of space!
I know moms love to see their kiddos smiling in pictures - but sometimes, my favorite photos are the pouty shots. Little Layla has the pout perfected... and it is just too cute. (You'd pout too if you were all dressed up for your third birthday shoot and it started pouring!)
Layla soon warmed up - with water splashing all around her - and enjoyed her birthday cake and photo shoot!
Looks like we will be meeting again for a fifth try at this shoot in September! Can't wait to see you guys again!
{Tutu & headband by BuggyBooCreations
Birthday Shirt by Zingo Tots
Delicious Cake from The Cake Fairy}

Houston Baby Photographer - {James: Ten Weeks Old}

A friend of mine recently had the most adorable baby boy.
Little James has the sweetest disposition. He was ten weeks old at the time of this session - extremely alert and laid back.
A huge thanks to Mom & Dad for allowing me to share time with your growing family! I am looking forward to working with you all again when James is older!!!

Blue October {Houston Concert at House of Blues}

Lead singer, Justin Furstenfeld, and drummer Jeremy Furstenfeld, are from Houston!  They attended HSPVA (High School for Performing & Visual Arts).  This weekend, they were at the House of Blues!  My awesome husband surprised my son & I with tickets to see them!
YAY!!!!

My son started listening to Blue October a few years ago and I found myself singing along every time he blasted their cd in the car.  The band is great.  I'm sure the majority of you are familiar with Blue October - but just in case, this is their most popular & most-played song on the radio.  I will admit that many of their songs are quite dark - dealing with broken relationships, depression, etc...

My husband surprised me this weekend by presenting me with tickets to see Blue October at the House of Blues in Houston.   We took our son to the show on Saturday and had a great time.  I was surprised to hear so many HAPPY & upbeat songs.  Usually I dont like going to concerts and hearing all the new stuff that I dont know...but this was a completely different experience!

Over the weekend, I spent some time researching the band and learned that the lead singer, Justin Furstenfeld now has a three year old daughter, Blue, who is greatly influencing his new music.  I love this! My favorite song was called Blue Skies however, Jump Rope was a close second.  Another thing I learned is that Furstenfeld has suffered from Bi-Polar Disorder most of his life and severe depression.  He said he would like to get information out there and put a face to depression, so to speak, so that others will not feel so alone.  You can see that interview here.

Bottom line is... Blue October is a great band with meaningful messages.

They put on a great performance.

I am purchasing their new cd this week!

I highly suggest you check them out!

Here are a few snapshots I was able to take with my phone!

Oh how I wish I had my camera with me!