1 Sofia the First Inspired Dress

If you follow me on Facebook you know I've been really excited because Willow Bean Studio, the same place that created my daughters Pinkalicious inspired dress, has been working on a Sofia the First dress for my daughters 4th birthday party (it's today!).   Jenni, the amazing talent behind Willow Bean Studio, sent me a conceptual drawing and a photo of the swatches. I shared them with Olivia and she had a bit of input on the design/style of her dress, which I thought was terrific. Although Sofia has a true princess ballgown, we decided to go with a shorter knee-length dress that was poufy and could TWIRL. Originally Jenni was going to include an embroidery of Sofia on the bodice, but Olivia nixed that because "Sofia's dress doesn't have that!". Jenni's concept came to life beautifully and I love that this dress can be worn any day of the week, or it can be dressed up and worn for special occasions. It really is the perfect dress! The detail on the dress is amazing. I love the lace and rosettes that outline the bodice and top piece and the purple ribbon around the waist adds such a fun feel. I like that the front center panel has the flower shape and that Jenni was able to get the scallop bottom just like Sofia's dress. And the crown jewel is the big bow on the back!

After the dress came in I decided to surprise Olivia with a tea party on our front lawn, which is where I shot the photos you see in this post. Spring has finally arrived and it was 68 degrees with sunny skies so I laid out a blanket, grabbed a few stuffed animals, a tea set and some cookies. After I set everything up I called Olivia and her big sister Cassidy and told them to get pretty dresses on because Olivia's friends were here for a tea party. She couldn't figure out what "friends" had come for a tea party but she said, "OK, Mama! Let's get me dressed in my Sofia dress!" When we went outside she started to giggle when she saw who the friends were and set to work pouring everyone tea and handing out the cookies. We all drank our tea the proper way, with our pinkies up, and the girls (Olivia informed me I had to call her Sofia and Cassidy, Amber) practiced dancing the waltz and curtsying. Afterwards she told me that the "surprise tea party was the best ever" and thanked me profusely ending with a huge hug.    The Sofia inspired dress pattern will be available via Willow Bean Studio, so make sure to follow her on Facebook so you will be the first to know when it comes out! And if your children have a Baptism or Communion coming up, keep Willow Bean Studio in mind. She creates amazing one-of-a-kind heirloom outfits utilizing your Wedding Dress or other special fabric. Seriously beautiful creations.    DISCLAIMER: I received this dress in exchange for this post. All opinions are 100% mine.   Kim is a Marketing Director by day and Crafter/Blogger/Blog Designer by night. She lives with her husband, three beautiful children, and shih-tzu, Mushu. You can also visit her design site, seven thirty three – – – creative blog design.  For even more seven thirty three fun, like her on Facebook or follow along via Twitter!

1 Gilded Seashells {Home Decor}

I'm Amy from the blog Atta Girl Says, and I'm thrilled to be a contributor at seven thirty three.

Each month, I'll be sharing a new home decor idea, project or tutorial. This gig is right up my alley because I'm always changing things up at my home. And the focus of my blog is sharing ideas to make your home brighter and your heart lighter.

2 Let's Hear it for the Boy 4

  It's Let's Hear it for the Boy Thursday! A link party all for boys! Each week myself and 3 other Bloggers pick our favorite projects to highlight from the previous weeks party. If you have a blog, feel free to link up. If you don't, click around to find tons of inspiration for the boys (and men) in your life!   On to last week's top picks:

 

6 Sugar & Spice #163

Welcome to Sugar & Spice Wednesday!

<center> <a href="http://www.733blog.com/"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_yA_6K7ea4aE/S6130M3H_II/AAAAAAAABuI/Sl7dtOkX0C4/s320/SugarSpice.png" /></a></center>

The party guidelines are:
1) please link to your blog post (not your blog main page)
so people can go directly to your project
2) Don't forget, these should be GIRL RELATED
(can be for us grown up girls too)
3) PLEASE grab my button, or add a text link, to your post
(thanks for sharing the love)
4) Click around for inspiration. Make sure to leave comments,
because that's what makes this fun!

2 Superhero Flip T-shirt Tutorial {Kids Craft}

Hi everyone!  My name is Heather and I blog over at Twin Dragonfly Designs. 

I am beyond excited to be here!  Kim is pretty awesome right?!  She is my go to girl when it comes to anything blog related so when she asked me to share a few boy projects on her blog I was thrilled.  

0 Pinterest: Must Follows

I've been a pinning maniac lately. There is just so many eye catching things that can inspire the creative side. Home decor, crafts, kids activities, parties, you name it, I've pinned it.

I love following others to see what they are pinning, and of course it just puts more of the goods in front of my eyes. Serenity Now recently featured her top favorite Pinners (I made the list!) and I thought it was a great idea!   Below is a list of my top 5 favorite people to follow, because they have a similar style to mine and always find the best projects to pin. Stop on by and follow them too, you'll be happy you did!  

Kristyn from Lil' Luna 

0 Easter Egg Necklace {Kids Craft}

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mama's out there!

My son came downstairs this morning with his very own creation, so I asked him to share how he made it. He decided he wanted to do a video tutorial, so for your viewing pleasure, here is Mason:

1 10 Fun Projects Using a Silhouette

I am so excited! I should be getting a Silhouette Cameo in the mail ANY day now!

I've had my Cricut Personal Cutter for a few years now, but it is small and I'm not a fan of their design software. The Silhouette just seems so much more versatile, you have more control of what you are cutting, sketching, etc. AND I love their online shape library and the great prices that go with it.

Also, don't forget, I'M GIVING AWAY A SILHOUETTE PORTRAIT!
Giveaway ends tomorrow so make sure you get your entry in!
And if you already have a Silhouette, there are some great promo bundles available to seven thirty three readers.

In honor of my incoming Silhouette, I've rounded up 10 fun projects that were created using a Silhouette.

0 Curling Dandelion Stems {Kids Craft}

Summertime is coming and along with it, the lovely weeds known to mothers and children everywhere, Dandelions. This past weekend while camping my children kept bringing me these wonderful weeds. At the playground my mom showed them "Mommy had a baby and it's head popped off" and I showed them that they all liked butter. And then I was slammed with the memory from my childhood - CURLING DANDELION STEMS! It was something I LOVED to do. It is so cool watching them curl up, and then you can play with them, craft with them, use them in dandelion crowns. It's an overall fun kids craft. After posting to Instagram I quickly came to realize not everyone knew about this so I just have to share!

3 Mother's Day Party Pack {Free Printables}

 I'm super excited to announce that I am the newest Printable Contributor over at Today's Creative Blog!  And for my first printable I am offering up a Mother's Day Party Pack Printables! Kim over at Today's Creative Blog has been SUPER busy and asked me to post them here this month, though in the future, you'll have to go over there to grab them.

1 Let's Hear it for the Boy #3

Welcome to Let's Hear it for the Boy Thursday! Each week myself and 3 other Bloggers pick our favorites to highlight from the previous weeks party. If you have a blog, feel free to link up. If you don't, click around to find tons of inspiration for the boys (and men) in your life!   With that, let's get this party started!