Tripp’s Third Birthday Party

June 6, 2019June 6, 2019 GabbingGinger

I feel like I just wrote Tripp’s birth story just last week but low and behold the little boy that made me a mommy has turned 3. I absolutely love planning parties and have found with each year they are more and more fun to plan! With that being said, check out what I put together for Tripp’s Third birthday party below!

Visiting the Fire Station

First of all, this was the first party we hosted that was not at our house. Tripp loves firetrucks so I reached out to our local fire department for a tour and they were happy to oblige. They allowed us to hang in the different types of firetrucks, press buttons and see their bunks. It was actually a ton of fun and really educational to see everything that goes into a successful forestation!

After a great time at the Fire Department we headed to our favorite pizza joint Mama’s pizza… it’s a favorite here in Fort Worth if you have never been go now!

Pizza time

For party favors I made this little sign and purchased these little Dalmatians! PS Here is a free download of the puppy sign. I edited so it can be used universally!

For decor I just did simple balloons and this big fire truck; it was a HUGE hit! This was the most fun birthday and it was seriously so simple to plan. Most importantly Tripp had a blast!

Here is to year three! Can’t wait to see my little guy grow.

What is the best birthday you have thrown or attended?

XOXO, Gabbing Ginger

Family

McDonald’s Lunch Bunch

May 17, 2019May 17, 2019 GabbingGinger

I am so excited to be partnering with McDonald’s and to get the opportunity to attend some of the wonderful community events that they put together.

Last week my family headed to McDonald’s for our first Lunch Bunch event! We had such a fabulous time with the staff and other families! Check out what Lunch Bunch is all about below!

What is McDonald’s Lunch Bunch?

Lunch Bunch is a time where you can gather with friends and network of parents to learn more about McDonald’s and its commitment to education, food and giving back in local communities. These events happen quarterly!

The fun family vibes filled the air and we loved getting to chat with the other families there and the staff was phenomenal.

Fun for the kids

Lunch Bunch isn’t just for parents. Tripp had so much fun with crafts, balloons and faceprinting. Of course he loved getting to munch on food and play in the play area. McDonald’s is just the perfect family lunch environment.

We have a bit of a shark obsession if you can’t tell! The face painter was SO amazing with Tripp he wasn’t sure how he felt about it but wanted to do it [toddler life right?]. After a few tears and the artist demonstrating the brush and letting him pick colors she created the masterpiece on his face. I was blown away by her patience, understanding and kindness towards us.

Don’t you worry Annabelle didn’t get left out… She enjoyed a few little French fries as a treat for behaving so well!

We had a blast getting to celebrate teachers, spend time with our family, and munch on yummy food. Thank you so much to McDonalds for having us and we can’t wait for the next event.

I will be at several McDonald’s events this year so make sure to follow me on Instagram so you know when you can join! Next up, I will be in Dallas for Coffee with Cops! Stay tuned for a recap!

XOXO, Gabbing Ginger

Family, Favorite Things

Holiday Cards made easy with Basic Invite

December 12, 2018 GabbingGinger

The holidays are upon us and that means it is time for Holiday Christmas Cards and updating business stationary.

Basic Invite makes designing your custom stationary and cards so easy. I know I love personally writing and receiving notes and cards in the mail. I wanted to add some that were specific to my blog because I work with so many wonderful people and love dropping random notes to them when I have the chance. It was so much fun going through all of the different color, font and design elements to find the perfect look for my cards.

While I was designing my business stationary I feel in love with all of their Holiday Cards! Basic Invite has streamlined the process and have some great functions that very few stationary sites have! Here are some of the features that made me love using their website for my business thank you notes:

Almost Unlimited Colors – Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. This is what we feel sets us apart from almost any other online stationery company and is what we feel is our biggest draw.

I know I am very particular about colors because I want my brand to be consistent. The instant preview was easy to use and made designing super simple!

Custom Samples – Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers the ability to order a printed sample of their actual invitation so they can see exactly how it will print as well as feel the paper quality before they ever have to place their final order.

I think this makes the perfectionist in me so happy! You can make sure everything looks and feels right in person!

Address Capturing Service – Basic Invite offers an address capturing service that allows customers to simply share a link on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or any other form of social media to request their friends and family’s addresses which will be stored in the customer’s account and can then be selected during the design process. Basic Invite offers recipient address printing at no cost on all Christmas card orders.

THIS IS LIKE THE ULTIMATE MOM HACK. How much easier are Holiday cards when you don’t have to deal with addresses?!?!

PS They have Over 500 Christmas card and holiday card designs!

Right now Basic Invite is offering 30% off with coupon code: holi30

Make sure to also check out Basic Invite on their social media channels! A big Thank you to Basic Invite for gifting me the amazing stationary.

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Do you like classic or creative holiday cards?

XOXO, Gabbing Ginger

Family, Fashion, Favorite Things

Ultimate Amazon Gift Guide

November 19, 2018November 21, 2018 GabbingGinger

The Ultimate Amazon Gift Guide

Please note this post may contain affiliate links.

I know gift guides are super helpful for everyone and I know how helpful Amazon is for gifts so I thought why not combine the two?! Here is a gift guide that includes something anyone will love! Your one stop shop if you will! Also, make sure to ask friends/family if they have their own Amazon Wish List! I know most moms continually keep a list going!

As a busy new mom of two I need easy and convent! I hope this gift guide provides that and will help you fill up Santa’s sleigh with all of the perfect gifts!

Newborn

Baby

Toddler

*Bonus ideas for smaller children: Zoo and museum passes!

Young Children

Teen

College Student/ Young Adult

Mom

Dad

Husband & Wife

Grandma & Grandpa

Bestie

Clean Freak

Cook

Baker

Techie

Book Lover

Fashionista

Outdoor Lover

Music Lover

Traveler

Gift for All

What is on your must have list?

XOXO, Gabbing Ginger

baby, Family, Favorite Things, pregnant

Wee Baby Stella Doll

October 25, 2018 GabbingGinger

Wee Baby Stella Doll For Big Brother

We are so excited for Tripp to become a big brother. I have been researching ways to help kiddos with the transition of a new baby. One thing that resonated with me was having a “baby” for the big sibling to “help” do things with when you need to tend to the baby. Tripp is ALL about helping and having responsibilities these days so I thought a baby of his own would be perfect.

The perfect gift

He has been playing with the baby and practicing with him. He has loved his baby and when baby came home he definitely had a better understanding of being gentle and how to help mom with baby.

What I love about the Manhattan Toy Company is that they recognize that we are profoundly influenced by the toys we play with.

That in every little pair of hands lies not a marketing opportunity, but a chance to positively affect the future.

That having a sense of humor means the difference between enduring life, and enjoying it. If it doesn’t contain a wink and smile, it isn’t worth making.

We remember every day that every invention on this earth was dreamed into existence.

We remember that the most powerful thing any of us play with in this life is our imagination.

Now you create your custom wee baby Stella doll.

I think as adults we forget how important it is to use our imaginations. I have loved watch Tripp playing “pretend” with his baby. It amazes me how much he knows to do without me teaching him. Kids really do watch us more closely than we realize.

These dolls are adorable, durable and a great size. They make great gifts and the fact they can be customized just takes it to the next level. It is seriously a great first baby doll – that can look just like your child! Check out how you can customize one for a special kiddo in your life today!

XOXO Gabbing Ginger

baby, Family, Favorite Things, Uncategorized

My perfect Baby Sprinkle

September 13, 2018September 13, 2018 GabbingGinger

Cactus Baby Sprinkle

Baby showers and sprinkles are so much fun! I am lucky to have a friend who LOVES to party plan and has a business that helps plan events, design interiors and even does gift giving. Needless to say when she plans something it becomes something perfect and wonderful.

Taylor has helped me put together home decor around my house and has helped me plan baby girls cactus nursery (reveal coming soon). She knew how much I loved the nursery theme so she transitioned that into a theme for the baby sprinkle.

I will link everything possible below. Taylor and one of her long time friends run Southern Reflections, LLC.

You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram. So if you are in the DFW area (or even further) they can help you with interior design, event planning and even gift giving!

I really do feel that every baby should be celebrated and it was so fun that my sprinkle was small and intimate compared to my baby shower with Tripp (which by the way Taylor planned too)! I loved getting to chat and of course opening all of the girly gifts was a plus too!

The Dessert

The shower theme was cactus and we enjoyed brunch and these super yummy cupcakes and cookies from GC Cakes. She did such an amazing job they not only looked fantastic but tasted amazing too!

The Decor

Seriously, pictures don’t do the balloon/floral centerpiece justice. It was so beautiful and fun! The flowers are from Trader Joe’s and the Balloon Centerpiece is from Party Warehouse.

Everything was seriously so stunning and perfect for a cactus baby sprinkle! I loved the pinks, greens and creams. It was perfect in every way!

The Thank You’s

My hostesses all did such a fabulous job so I wanted to give them something useful, cute and of course pink! My friend Meg over at Gingy Love made the vinyl monograms for me, I purchased these cups and made this printable (you can download it for free here: Sprinkle Thank You.)! I just cut and glued to plain white gift bags and added a pop of pink tissue paper.

For the thank you gifts for attendees we did small succulent plants from Lowe’s and I printed the same graphic a bit smaller. I I got small wood sticks and glued mini clothes pins and stuff them in! Super easy and affordable!

I seriously had the most perfect sprinkled loved getting to spend time with my friends and family! Baby girl is sure lucky to have so many wonderful women in her life! I want to thank everyone who was a part of it and especially my friend Taylor who made it truly magical!

Thanks to these beautiful hostesses!

XOXO Gabbing Ginger

Family, Favorite Things, football, fort worth

I ❤ MY TEAM NFL Football #Kickoff2018

September 6, 2018September 6, 2018 GabbingGinger

A LITTLE SOMETHING SWEET TO CELEBRATE NFL KICKOFF

Please note this is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

Football season is here and we are so excited in our house for fall! Now if the Texas temps could just follow suite! I love that crisp football air and the enjoyment that comes from everyone gathering together and watching some football!

Football Fans

If you don’t know my husband grew up in Fort Worth so he is a HUGE Dallas Cowboys fan. We love NFL Sundays! In addition to spending time as a family and watching football we love hosting football watch parties at our house. The time spent unwinding with friends and family is so fun and makes for memories that last a lifetime.

Mom Hack #ForTheWin

One of my favorite #MomHacks in getting ready for a fun football watch party is heading to my local grocery store to pick up an easy and themed dessert option and it is affordable! When I saw these adorable officially licensed NFL cakes I just knew I needed to try one out! The reaction in this photo was about how excited I was when I saw our cake in the store! #pregnancycravings I also loved how easy it was to pickup while I was out grocery shopping. I LOVE a one stop shop for dessert! Since I’m almost nine months pregnant and lugging a toddler around I definitely love easy solutions for when I am entertaining guests

As a toddler mom I am really enjoying teaching Tripp tricks in the kitchen and my little helper makes setting up for the party even more fun! Tripp loves to help put snacks in bowls and REALLY likes helping cut up desserts or cake!

I would say that Tripp definitely approved with the how the cake look AND tasted! I can also agree that the buttercream frosting was incredibly yummy!

So moms, friends and family: if you are looking to make a touchdown this football season head to your local bakery and find the officially licensed cakes for every game.

We really enjoyed getting to try out these amazing officially licensed NFL cakes with our friends and family. We are looking forward to having more at our Sunday watch parties!

XOXO, Gabbing Ginger

Decor, Family, Favorite Things

Laundry Room Revamp & Organization

August 29, 2018 GabbingGinger

Please note this post may contain affiliate link.

Laundry Room Revamp

I don’t know about y’all but our laundry room quickly becomes our “catch all” room. It was desperate for some organization. The room is right when you come into the garage so it is a drop zone on top of a laundry zone 24/7. One of my biggest “mom hacks” is just to always be thinking about how to keep things organized and flowing well. This helps make sure there is less stress in the home. I wanted to get things in better order so that when things are dropped there is still some organization and so that the “drop zone” doesn’t start overflowing into other rooms in our house.

I knew getting baskets to help organize all the laundry (dirty and clean) would help tremendously. We have a two story house so we have a bin that I throw things in that need to go up and at the end of the day or at nap time I run it upstairs when we are going up anyway. I knew these baskets would help from the piles being put all over the place and would help keep the locker areas open for bags/personal belongings.

I love the baskets under the locker seat to use for shoes, diaper storage, cord storage and so on. It helps keep the area clean but organized but still gives us a space to put miscellaneous items. Keeping this are from becoming the “pile zone” is important to me. I hate walking into a disaster but want it to serve its purpose for storage and function. I found a lot of this decor at my local home goods and At home but I have linked similar items below!

Woven Blue Storage Bins

Similar Baskets with Linen Inserts

Seersucker Backpacks

Louis Vuitton

What are you favorite ways to organize your laundry room?

XOXO Gabbing Ginger

baby, Family, Favorite Things, FItness, pregnant

Fit Pregnancy

August 15, 2018August 15, 2018 GabbingGinger

Fitness is one of my favorite ways to implement self care into my life especially during pregnancy. I also have a little obsession with workout clothes. When I saw this tank from Fit & Flirty I knew I needed it in my life. Thanks to Fit & Flirty for gifting me such a fun product!

I really love this shirt because while I know I can’t enjoy rosé right now but yoga and wine on Sundays are some of my favorite way to unwind and get ready for the week. Also, check out this awesome article of 8 reasons to include champagne into your life because it explains how a little bit of bubbles can benefit your health! I really am looking forward to being able to enjoy a glass of wine and some yoga… I know it is still a bit a way but it is something that I really do enjoy and can’t wait to start getting back into getting my body into shape and enjoying a little treat every once in awhile!

Fit&Flirty has so many great merchandise options! They were so kind to give me a code for 15% off it is SWEATPINK6. Seriously SO many cute tops with fun sayings!

For those of you who have been following my pregnancy I wanted to let you know some of my favorite you tubers for at home pregnancy workouts! Perfect for some namaste on your Sunday or any day of the week! Seriously, these workouts are perfect for busy moms because they are short and sweet but keep you moving!

I love that they have so many options from yoga, to cardio to kickboxing! It helps keep things interesting which I for sure need during my workouts! Check out my two favorites below:

@bodyfitbyamy

Body Fit by Amy Pregnancy Playlist

@moretonic

TonicPregnancy Yoga Playlist

What are some of your favorite fitness clothes and what are your favorite online workout programs?

XOXO Gabbing Ginger

baby, Family, Favorite Things, pregnant, Uncategorized

3D Ultrasound| Little Brother sees sister for the first time in 3D!

August 7, 2018August 7, 2018 GabbingGinger

A couple weeks ago Mark, Tripp, my in-laws and myself went to have a 3D Ultrasound of baby Annabelle (name reveal video here). This was my first time ever experiencing a 3D ultrasound and I want to thank Hello Baby for hosting my family to this wonderful experience.

Family of 4 — HelloBaby First Family Photo

My first pregnancy I didn’t think I “needed” a 3D ultrasound. This pregnancy I wanted to do a few special things because so many things are different the second time around (like I totally forget to do weekly belly shots). That’s where the 3D ultrasound came in. After this experience though I would recommend anyone to do this during pregnancy. You get SO much more time to see your little one then in the typical doctors office ultrasound. All in all we were there for almost an hour and the majority of the time we were getting to see baby!

I loved that if the baby wasn’t cooperating that they build in time for you to walk around and drink some juice. If that still doesn’t work you can reschedule once for free! Another thing I absolutely loved is how family friendly they were. They engaged with the whole gamily and let Tripp get up close and personal!

Everyone was welcome and they were SO accommodating to my two year old. They had a play basket, let him sit with me and even let him press buttons on the ultrasound machine (I mean that is every two year olds dream, right?!).

Future doctor? — Tripp Playing on the Ultrasound Machine

Some odds and ends if you are local to Fort Worth Area and want to visit Hello Baby.

Pricing:

Heartbeat Experience: $50
Gender Experience: $75
3D/4D Bonding Experience: $130
3D/4D Total Experience: $190

Add on’s:

CD with all images from Ultrasound $10
USB with all images from Ultrasound $15
Small Heartbeat Bear $25
Large Heartbeat Bear $35

Regular vs. 3D ultrasound — Sweet Annabelle

I absolutely loved visiting Hello Baby and they were so sweet during the whole experience. It is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life and would tell anyone it is a must do during pregnancy!

Did you have a 3D ultrasound during pregnancy?

XOXO Gabbing Ginger