The Little Style File is here! Follow @lilstylefile on twitter or like us on facebook for the latest updates!

July 16, 2010

Madeline's Island - party planning part 1


First Birthday Party planning is in full swing.  Decorations are being purchased, invitations ordered and activities planned.  Here is some of the inspirations for Madeline's Island Luau...



Maybe no one else helping plan this party knows, but this is my Ode to Jimmy.  I've missed his concerts the last few years but this party will make up for it.  We will be forgoing traditional island music for Buffett on repeat.


I first saw these molds on the CoolKids blog and then saw Tovolo's great idea for a Popsicle Buffet.  What could be more fun?!  Especially when there will be an adult bucket and kid bucket. {wink wink}



If I knew who these people were, they would be invited to the party.  Don't they look so fun?  I can only hope that our guests get as much enjoyment out of a round of Limbo!


A girl's gotta have a party dress!  This is from Janie & Jack.  Madeline will have the matching bathing suit and Ellie has the coordinating bikini and top/skirt outfit.  Madeline will also have a birthday shirt and matching hat.  There will be many wardrobe changes for our Island Girl!


And then there will be the traditional leis, grass skirts and hibiscus hair clips with beach comber hats, inner tubes and tiki torches mixed in.  Banners, a baby pool {to go along with the 'real' pool} and delicious food will round out a perfect way to say Aloha to the unofficial end of summer.


If you need an instant party fix, you can revisit Ellie's Circus Extravaganza!


July 15, 2010

What is...

What is a stranger?

What is orange?

What is a house?

What is a friend?

What is a bed?

What is a toy?

What is what?

Insert HAIRPULL!

What is it going to take to get my child to stop asking 'what is...?'  ?!!!!

I have no problem answering questions.  I love that Ellie has a million questions and learns a million things each day.  If she didn't ask so many questions she wouldn't be able to explain gravity, tell you every musical instrument she wants to learn or be able to show you every state she has been to on a map. 

But.

The asking questions for things she already knows the answer to is driving me bonkers.  {unfortunately for me the drive is not as long as it used to be either!}

How do you get it to stop?

In the beginning - this has been going on for weeks if not longer! - I answered all of the questions.  Then that led to more questions.  For example, 'what is a big girl bed?' 'A big girl bed is where you sleep since you are too big for a baby crib.'  'What's a baby crib?'  'A baby crib is where you used to sleep, where Madeline sleeps now.'  'What is sleep?'

Yeah, you get the point.

So now what I get asked 'what is {anything that I already know the answer to and has been in my vocabulary for probably two years}?'  I say 'you know what {enter a simple concept like a color, person or piece of furniture} is.'

Maybe not the best solution so if you've got any alternatives please let me know!

July 14, 2010

In honor of what came in the mail today... {wordless wednesday}










The Halloween catalogs are here!  We already know what Ellie is going to be, now we just have to pick out something perfectly adorable for our little Maddie.

PS  The most drool worthy costumes can be found at Chasing Fireflies

Linked up @