Grayce Lane's first party!

It's been awhile since I've planned, coordinated & executed a party/event.  We're hoping to have our big, official Housewarming Party this summer, but I felt I needed a little practice before jumping into such a detailed event.

My older daughter, Miss M, is finishing Kindergarten next week and since the school didn't plan any end-of-year parties, Mr. GLD and I decided "Hey, let's host a big End-of-School Family Picnic!"  These kids have had an awesome, first year of school.  If it were up to me, I'd have the entire class stay together throughout elementary school.  All of these kids are smart, fun, helpful & sweet to each other...I love that they've had such a fun experience this year.  It definitely deserves a celebration!

It started as a simple plan...just send a simple Evite out to the families of Miss M's class, grill some burgers & hot dogs and do it 'pot-luck' style!

This is where my inner party-lover comes in...and it is evident that I have been spending a lot of time hanging out with the sweet Nicolle of Libby Lane Press.

I'm now working off of a master list...things to do, buy, create (ok, so that part I totally left to the expert)...I'm obsessed with the details...oh, all of those little details!

And I've realized in the past couple of weeks, that Miss M's class & families are absolutely amazing!

One of the Dad's has graciously donated tables, chairs and a moon-bounce!  All of the families are bringing food & goodies.  Nicolle, well, what can I say...she's just awesome & donated her precious time to create some printables & labels for me.  She also introduced me to a super talented baker who is located nearby in Virginia.  

I am so excited for these cuties to be delivered on Saturday!

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So...here's the 'BEFORE'...stay tuned for some 'AFTER' photos & details!

(and yes, this stash is currently occupying a corner in my pantry)

 

Yippee! I'm baaaack!

Whoa!  Where did this spring go!?  Has it really been 5 months since I posted?

I have to admit, this school year really did me in and I am SO ready for summer.

We've been crazy busy around Grayce Lane.  As always, we had many, many projects (which I will post about soon) and I stayed extra busy by throwing in a few personal projects as well.

Some of you have visited me here in blog-land inquiring about the now popular, ruffled tablecloth I made for my sweet friend, Nicolle.  I was overwhelmed by the amazing compliments and interest in that fun little creation.

Nicolle and I have had a lot of fun this spring.  We've done some brainstorming about future projects, crafts, wine 'tasting', and of course, shopping trips.  I'm pretty sure our husbands are going to put us on 'project hiatus', but we'll deal with them later.

We actually enlisted my husband, Mr. GLD, to help us with the latest project.  Here's a little sneak peek...the finished product will be revealed next weekend over at Libby Lane Press.  Nicolle's adorable daughter, Miss S, is turning 4 and wait 'til you see the sweet little party she has planned to celebrate!

Libby Lane Press is also celebrating a birthday!  A HUGE congratulations to Nicolle for her amazing accomplishments this year.  I know she has some big dreams for this next year, and have no doubt that she will make every single one of them come true!  

She is celebrating with the biggest giveaway I've ever seen...25 vendors...yes, that's right 25!

All of these ladies are super talented, so I'm very honored to be a part of it.

I'll be listing many of these cuties in my own Etsy shop throughout the week...but you just may be lucky enough to snag the one in this giveaway!

Ok, lovelies!  I'm in dire need of another cup of coffee and then I'm off to tackle my 'to-do' list for this week!  Got a BIG party we're hosting this weekend!  Can't wait to share the details!

My Favorite Things: Skin Care

I'm going to start sharing a few of my favorite things.  I haven't completely decided if it will be weekly or monthly...but it will be fun stuff!

So, for the first installment of 'My Favorite Things', I give to you, skincare products.

Clarisonic

The first time I was introduced to this, was last spring.  During a facial, the esthetician used this on my face and recommended it.  The price-tag at the spa was outrageous and I ignored it.  But then I started researching it and found it online for a more reasonable price, and decided to give it a try.

This thing is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!

You can use it everyday....twice a day.

Your skin will be super clean, without damage.

Clarisonic

I have actually tried other cleansers with the Clarisonic, and really like their product for everyday cleansing.  I prefer the Gentle Hydro Cleanser.

Clarisonic Gentle Hydro Cleanser

Chanel Sublimage Eye Essential Regenerating Eye Cream

I dreaded the day I would need an eye cream.  And that day came A LOT sooner than I thought it should.  Luckily, I found THIS eye cream.

I will admit, the price-tag is intimidating, BUT, it lasts forever!

As with any eye cream, a little dab goes a looooong way.

You will see a huge difference within a week.

Chanel

LaMer Moisturizing Cream (Creme de la Mer)

Yes, you should believe the hype about this moisturizer.  All of the celebrities use it, it's expensive, and it's wonderful.  Again, lasts forever, and a little goes a long way.  

I do have sensitive skin, and this is perfect.  Non-greasy and balancing.  And quite honestly, the only other product that I like ALMOST as much as this, is Clinique Dramatically Different lotion.

LaMer Moisturizing Cream

Personal Microderm

This is a new product for me.  I've done chemical peels & micro-dermabrasion treatments (too much sun without sunscreen in my teens...and I'm paying for it now!) at my dermatologist's office, and decided to try this out.

It's a once-per-week treatment and you will notice a difference after ONE use.

So far, I love it.  If you decide to purchase, be sure to follow ALL of the recommendations...use once per week, be gentle, pull skin taught during use...

Personal Microderm

So, there you have it...a few of My Favorite Things.

I LOVE sharing 'favorites'...that is, after all, how I 'found' my favorites.  Share some of yours!

*Note, I have NOT been compensated to review or recommend any of these products.  These are my personal opinions based off of personal use & experience.

Happy New Year!!!

I hope that the new year has found you well, so far.  I spent all of Monday packing away Christmas and cleaning for the New Year.  And today, it's back to the everyday routines...school, errands...life.

I've never been one to make resolutions...This year, I'm keeping my expectations realistic...

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Get Organized...Stay Organized.
Hubby says we need to implement the 'touch it once' policy...which means, filing bills away as soon as they're paid (instead of piling them in the 'to be filed' box), putting shoes away in the mudroom or closets (instead of leaving them around the house or on the stairs), putting laundry away when it's finished (instead of wearing it out of the dryer laundry basket)...You get the idea...basically, just eliminate the clutter from the beginning.

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Get Creative.
With the holidays behind us, I can focus on growing my creative side and get Grayce Lane Designs really moving!  I have lots of ideas and plans for this year...and cannot wait to share them with you!

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Get Connected.
This means A LOT of things...
Blog frequently.
Be involved in my kids schools frequently.
Visit with friends frequently.
Travel frequently.

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Get Focused.
I think this is the most important.  I want to focus on my family...my husband, kids, parents, sister.  I feel like I got 'lost' a bit in 2011.  We had a lot of change and adjustments and I tried too hard to make everything 'right' and lost sight of just enjoying it all.  We have an immensely blessed life and I don't want to miss a single second of it.

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So, there you have it...my 'resolutions'...or as I'm going to refer to them, my 'To Get's' (I have always been a list-maker, so this works for me!).

Here's to a fabulous New Year!

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Here's to a wonderful day full of blessings!

Ready or not...the HOLIDAYS are here!!

This is my favorite time of year.  The changing colors outside are a reminder of changes to come in the new year ahead.  Spending these last 6 weeks of the year with family & friends (and lots & lots of yummy food & drink).

I have always found myself in a frenzied scramble preparing for Thanksgiving and then for Christmas & New Years.  Last year, I sort of got a ‘year off’ from the craziness...we were between homes...living at the beach...everything was simple & relaxed.

Then...we moved.  And the craziness resumed.  Unpacking, decorating, school, work...all of the everyday ‘stuff’ that defines CRAZY.

Fortunately, I’ve had the past several weeks to really get myself organized.

We decided to host Thanksgiving here at Grayce Lane this year.

I finished the menu...

Shopping is finished...with the exception of the ‘fresh items’, which I will purchase on Tuesday, in hopes of avoiding the masses at the grocery store (BTW...I’m really annoyed that grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving.  Come on people...get your shopping finished on/before Wednesday and let those employees spend the day with THEIR families!)

I have actually made an agenda for myself for the week as well.  Since Miss M only has school Monday & Tuesday...and half-day on Wednesday...I needed to maximize my time to the fullest.  Hopefully, I can stick to it!

So that gets me through Thanksgiving...

Now, let’s see how well I do with Christmas & New Years!

Blessings...

This is our first fall here at Grayce Lane.  One year ago, our daughters & I were living 160 miles away, while hubby remained here and built this amazing home for us.

Recently, I’ve had a few inquiries of what the name means.  So, here is an explanation of how ‘Grayce Lane’ came to be...

Very simply...Our daughters’ middle names.

Miss M’s middle name is Grace.  Miss L’s middle name is Layne.

Since we built this home for them to grow up in...we thought it was perfect to name it for them.
To play on their names, we changed the spellings...to make it more ‘address-like’, of course.

Grayce (pronounced GRACE) Lane.

Now, here’s the fascinating part...
Grayce as a girl's name is a variant of Grace (Latin), and the meaning of Grayce is "blessing".

Everyday, I am reminded of how very blessed we are.