Happy 1st Birthday Annie!

It's tough to believe that it's been a year since this beautiful face came into this world - but she did & Annie is 1! She's been bringing smiles to faces & stealing hearts since day 1. She's even walking already, clearly a genius.

I'm so lucky to be her auntie. These are some snaps from her first birthday party this weekend that was filled with laughs, food, everything Minnie Mouse (including a custom cake - scroll down to check out that confection) & family (including tons of COUSINS)!

Happy Birthday Annie! I love you!

2014 Thanks for Teaching Me to Choose Joy

Annie just 5 days old, smiling.

Today is the last day of 2014 & let me (be one of the many to) say, THANK GOD! To say that this past year was a challenging one would be a dramatic understatement. In lieu of “oversharing*” what downright sucked about 2014, I’m choosing this day to highlight an amazing part about it. I became an aunt officially for the 20th time this past September. That’s right Chris & I have 6 nieces & 14 nephews (plus a ton of baby cousins & friend babies). Each single one of their faces serves as a reminder of how magical life is & how we can all begin again.  As 2014 comes to a close I will honor it because it a sacred part of me but I will also willingly choose joy because life is just too short not to.

Huge thank you to my little niece Annie whose smiles remind me that there is always something to smile about. (Keep reading to see some more of the photos I took of little Annie. She's a super cute baby & that in itself should make you smile today (or everyday).)

Stay positive & be the sparkle you want to see in the world. I will try my best to do the same. Cheers & happy new year! May 2015 be my & your most spectacular year yet!

*PS: Did you know overshare is the word of the year? Pretty crazy but not huh?

The More Things Change, The More They Stay the Same

Rose & Douggie

Hely & Jack

It’s Friday, yay! I’m taking a break from my usual foodie posts to let a little light in & share with you two of my beautiful friends who have become even more gorgeous as mothers.  Yesterday two of my girlfriends, Hely & Rose, stopped by my office to say hi & to share smiles, stories & giggles with their little boys. It made my day & I’m still smiling about it.

It reminded me that every time things changes it’s comforting to know that they also stay the same, there's just more to talk about! Please remember to cherish the moments & people in a life full of things.

Click through to see more photos ;)

Ladybug 1st Birthday Party Inspiration

This past weekend we celebrated my little niece, Claire's 1st birthday.  So far it seems Claire's lot in life is to be surrounded by lots of love & amazingly themed parties (remember Marie's baby shower before Claire was born? - refresh your memory here).  Claire's party was chockfull of every little lady bug detail you can imagine thanks to the imagination of her mom (Marie!) & labors of love by both of her grandmothers.  Take a peek there's a table cloth with hand cut felt lady bug spots (over 300 of them!), a ladybug cake, ladybug cupcakes & even ladybug deviled eggs plus all the other accessories that coordinated perfectly like cutlery & party hats.

If you're planning a lady bug first birthday party this is a great place to be inspired!

PS: Happy birthday to my fabulous sister-in-law, Truly! I love you girl :)
PPS: Thanks for sharing Claire's special day with my blogosphere, Marie & Greg :)

Happy 1st Birthday Claire!

 Yep, this little beauty turns one year old today.  (Remember how little she was in these photos?!) She was born right after Sandy hit & was that little bit (or more like A LOT ) of sunshine we all needed & now don't know how we lived without.

Looking at her smiling face reminds me that perspective is everything. I'm so grateful for this little face & the smiles we share because no matter the weather or where I am, I will always have my memories of watching Claire grow up.  

Happy Birthday Claire! I love you!

PS: In the spirit of perspective, here's a great short film worth watching featuring my high school classmate & friend (that I posted about here).  Tim really offers a moving perspective on life. It's definitely worth a watch - so go watch it!

Sunshine in My Life

This little perfect person is my newest niece, the perfect bit of sunshine in my life after a "stormy" (pun intended) two weeks. Little Claire Elizabeth came into this world November 1st & I've been in love with her ever since.  Super huge congrats (& thanks for letting me share her with the blogosphere) to Marie & Greg,  Claire is amazing!!!!!

Clearly I couldn't wait to take some photos of her (especially in this hat!) in her precious nursery. Click through for more photos of my newest member of our family.

Baby Photo Shoot With Little Mr. Douggie

Exactly 2 weeks ago today this perfect little guy came into the world.  Happy 2 week birthday Douggie! 

Clearly Douggie is beyond precious & I couldn't wait to snap some photos of this little prince.  Click through to see some of my fave photos of this handsome little man.

P.S: Super huge thanks (& congrats again) to Rose & Conor for sharing him with me (& the HeatherOMade bloggersphere).

P.P.S: Dear Douggie, I know it's only been 14 days Douggie but I'm so in love with your little face!xx Auntie Heather

P.P.S.S. Happy Birthday Lindsey :)