funny face party

last saturday we had annie's funny face party!  this little delight turned five this year!!  

we had so much fun decorating funny face cupcakes, taking silly pictures in our funny face photo booth, and ripping it up with a little freeze dance!  oh, and i can't forget the piñata!

the best was when sam got behind the lens.  what a fun daddy!!

i found this darling photo booth kit at walmart in their party section.  it came with the backdrop and an assortment of silly accessories i.e. mustaches, glasses, lips, hats, etc.

thank you friends for making her day special!  

and a big thank you to pétra for all your prep help and my sweet sister-in-laws for helping with crowd control ;)

xoxo

©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

Christmas Bells are Ringing

here's a special Christmas treat for you! 

this is my little brother (right) and my cousin's rendition of Christmas Bells are Ringing.

my kids can't stop watching.  either can i.  we're laughing our guts out!  i don't know if it's funny because we know them... or if it's just plain hilarious to all!  i'd say the latter.

enjoy!

hale - o

so i dusted my camera off and ventured outdoors with these awesome peeps.  this is my darling sister-in-law and her adorable family! aren't they the cutest? they're all so funny and exude oodles of personality, making them extra fun to capture :)  and best of all, my little nephews were so well behaved.  love that.

i prayed hard for good weather.  being in utah, you never know!  thankfully, it turned out to be a beautiful, mild afternoon with gorgeous lighting.  

and doesn't their pretty black lab just make these pics complete?  he's like the icing on top of a delicious gingerbread cookie! yumm

merry christmas hale family!  i had a blast with you! love you guys ♥ xoxo

©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

cyber monday sale!

fa la la la la i'm extending our 50% off sale for cyber monday!!  yay!  happy holidays!  pass it on!

©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

black friday sale!!!

happy thanksgiving

happy thanksgiving friends!  may we all take a moment to reflect on all the bounteous blessings we've been given.  there is much to be grateful for.

i would personally like to thank you for your love & support!  brightsides designs will celebrate our first anniversary this month!!  i never could have dreamed we'd fill over 600 orders during that time!  thank you so much for your business!

 i also wish you all a wonderful holiday filled with all of your favorite people & foods!  we'll be going to two dinners today.  i keep telling myself to eat light at both places, hoping i'll remember once each glorious feast is before me.  what are your plans?

be sure to check back later tonight for details on my big BLACK FRIDAY brightsides designs sale!!!

cheers,

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©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

home for the holidays

happy monday friends!  it's thanksgiving week!  i can't even believe it... the days are cruising by and christmas will be here before we know it!  

today i'm introducing two new prints just in time for decorating & gift giving!  

stock up on christmas gifts for everyone on your list & take advantage of free shipping!!!  use coupon code: HOLIDAYship

**all orders must be made by monday, december 10th 5 pm MST to guarantee christmas delivery.

home for the holidays (above) is a festive, cozy little print that can be displayed year after year!  go here to purchase.

for like ever - family is a fun, trendy print that brightens any room and makes a hip, fabulous gift for any family :)  
this print is color customizable at no additional charge!  go here to purchase.

and christmas wouldn't be the same without a little diet coke, no?  purchase my downloadable gift tag here.  
for personal use only.

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©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

sweet potato

the other day we ate a yam together.  just him and i.  

he sat on my lap and gave me kisses after each bite.  like, literally after each bite.  it was pure bliss.  now this is love. 

i'm posting this now in hopes i will never forget. #foodbonding

oh, ya like the snowflake plate you say?  yeah, i never put them away from last winter.  

we dine snowflake style all year round ;) #letitsnow

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©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

the neighborhood

have you heard of the neighborhood yet?  i'm smitten.   check out all the coolness.

i can definitely be more neighborly!  and heading into winter... i'm amazed at how little we see our neighbors once it gets cold.  love all these fun ideas!  go check 'em out! 

pictures courtesy via

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happy haunting

last night the kids had fun!  they all scurried out the door as fast as humanly possible with their friends to go trick-or-treating; leaving me no time to get a group picture.  

i did however snag these.

wouldn't he make the cutest little benihana cook?!  he actually dressed up as two things this year- first a jack-o-lantern and then the ninja.  he creamed his orange & black striped pumpkin tights with vanilla frosting at marmie's traditional doughnut party and i totally forgot to wash them.  luckily, sam brought this cute black suit back from china town when he was in san fran last.  we laughed so hard when we slapped on the hat and discovered this funny little braid that dangles down!  he actually kept it on most of the night!!  funny little man.

wigs really make a costume, don't they?  we think she makes a gorgeous red head!  this year she was most excited about wearing blue eye shadow and black mascara.    

lol she did not want that pencil in her pocket.  she couldn't be too nerdy!  hmmm, these pics may come in handy with the boyfriends someday :)

[in a bruno tonioli voice] she wanted to be strong, sleek and scary!  whipping her sword around in her dark black cloak, she would take on the demons of the night!!!  oohhahhaaw

we lucked out big time this year with the weather last night!  it was so warm.  there was no need for even a jacket!  haha, i predicted snow this year... 
it never felt so good to be so wrong!  

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©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

holiday pillow cover roundup

it's been cold today.  rainy and cold.  wet and fallish.  ahhh, the holidays are close!

here are some SWEET pillow covers i found that i thought i'd share.  they're a fun way to spice up your home for the holidays!

1. 2.3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

have a great weekend!

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©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.

the sprouted kitchen: blog review

food blogger sara forte and photographer husband hugh forte never disappoint.  their every post is insanely delicious.  

focused on creating tasty whole foods, sara explains, "...eating seasonally will change your take on everyday cooking. My intention is to make food taste good through using healthy ingredients: whole grains, unsaturated fats, natural sugar alternatives and the like." 

 i've been a smitten follower for a many years now.  you can imagine my delight to learn they just rolled out a cookbook! i think i need a copy to keep under my pillow. 

  

i'm obsessed with hugh's photography & sara's stunning styling combinations.  it oozes class.  take a look.

lemon pancakes with yogurt + berries

 doesn't this food look amazing?  shitake mushroom + lentil asian tacos

read all about the sprouted kitchen here.  bon appétit!

and don't forget, today is the last day to receive 25% off in my shop!  use code: falling25 ♥

images courtesy of the sprouted kitchen

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©2012 brightsides, all rights reserved.