LARKIE LU BOWS DRAWING FOR FREE ITEM!

Okay friends...Here is the skinny!  August is SMA Awareness Month and I/Larkie Lu Bows will be doing a drawing for a free item of your choice. Each Friday for the entire month of August one lucky winner will be drawn.  It's so super easy to enter and here's how ya do it!
1.  Go to www.larkielubows.com and choose an item...any item of your choice and comment under that item telling me why you like/LOVE it so much!
2.  Go to my Larkie Lu Bows Facebook page and on my page tell me the item you chose!
3.  If you haven't LIKED Larkie Lu Bows yet on Facebook then just LIKE me and you are then entered into the AWESOME drawing. 

Please tell your friends and have them tell their friends...etc...etc...and so forth! 

We can bring so much attention to SMA by things like this.  My drawing just might get into the hands of someone that just wants a bow but then they will see it's WAY more than just a FREE bow..  It's our kiddo's we are doing this for, to get the WORD out and be HEARD, to raise money for RESEARCH and to FIND A CURE FOR THIS HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE disease that has taken over our lives.

Mandy's 25th Birthday "Puppy" Party

I have had one birthday party after the next it seems like but I LOVE parties so I was totally up to this fun party for my daughter in law Mandy.  I saw this "puppy" theme party on a party blog so I decided to do my own version of the party.  I wanted to give a fun little treat bag that looked like dog food...oh yum, right?  I actually used Cocoa Puffs cereal and my creative friend Summer made the "Doggie Treat" bones for the bag closure, I put these on the dinner plates.

I really had fun setting the table.  My mom had this kraft color wrapping paper so I wrapped the table in that and taped it down.  I set the table with all my goodies and at the very end I stamped paw prints randomly on the table.  It was so much fun stamping and it added dimension to the table.  Skylar bought the flowers for his lovely wife and the table was PERFECT!  (Sugar Britches Company....Summer Crook.....made the place cards too)

Here I am.....very proud of Mandy's little goodie table.  I took small kraft color bags and I actually did paw print tags and tied them on with brown dog bone ribbon.  The bags were for filling with the candy and cookies on the table. 

The dog bowls were the reason for the pink and brown theme.  I found these darling bowls at Tuesday Morning and it took off from there.  I knew I was going to do the puppy theme so I had my eyes peeled for cute dog bowls.  I really like these and especially the colors.   I made sure I put some of Mandy's favorite candy in the bowls.  M&M's and Swedish Fish.....lucky for me those are some of my fave's too:)

This is the delicious doggie dessert table and Skylar helped decorate it with the balloons he bought for Mandy.

AND HERE SHE IS.....MANDY HENSON!  SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER IN LAW!

Mandy and Skylar

ME, MANDY & GRAMMY (my mommy)

Larkin is all dressed up in her pink and brown dress wearing of course a Larkie Lu  rolled fabric flower band with hot pink puff 

Mandy had lots of gifts but I love this picture because she truly was THRILLED with the black sparklely TOMS that Sky had ordered for her.

Clayton and Tatum

Dinner.....the request was Greek Grilled Chicken Pitas so that's what I made.  Recipe follows.

GREEK GRILLED CHICKEN PITAS

5-6 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts

salt and pepper

8 pita breads, I buy the pocket ones that are already cut in half

1 lemon, zested and juiced

3 T red wine vinegar

1/2 c olive oil

2 T fresh chopped oregano

3 cloves garlic, chopped

romaine lettuce, chopped

1/2 c kalamata olives, coarsely chopped

8 oz crumbled feta cheese

2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped

cucumber, seeded and chopped

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced and cute into bite sized pieces

              (I learned a new trick...soak the onion in ice cold water and they won't taste so strong...about 10 minuites)

1/2 c flat leaf parsley, chopped - optional ( I didn't use it the last time I made this)

Place chicken in shallow dish and season with salt and pepper.

Combine lemon zest, juice, vinegar in  a bowl and whisk in oil. Add oregano, garlic and whisk again to combine into a dressing.  (I actually at least double this if not triple the marinade) 

Pour 1/2 over the chicken and reserve the other half for the salad.

Turn the chicken to coat and let marinate for a couple of hours.  ( I use a huge ziploc freezer bag and marinate them that way)

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.  Wrap the pita in foil. Place in warm oven and heat until dinner is served.

Grill chicken until done.

Meanwhile, combine the remaining salad ingredients in a bowl. Pour remaining dressing over salad and toss well.  The salad should be very "lightly" dressed.  Season with salt and pepper.

Serve chicken in pita halves with salad and dill sauce (recipe follows)

DILL SAUCE

8 oz sour cream

1 t onion powder

1 t garlic powder

fresh dill to taste ( about 1/2 package)

1 t lemon juice

milk to desired consistency

I also buy hummus and Stacy's pita chips to complete the meal.

ENJOY!!!

Fourth of July Fun.... Starting on the THIRD!

Every year Colton looks forward to the 4th of July!  I think its playing with fire that floats his boat...lol 

He begs and begs us to buy fireworks as soon as he see's the tents being put up and before the fireworks are ever even in the tents.  Silly boy!

\

After about $70.00 in fireworks we were on our way home when Colton tells me that the place we just bought the fireworks wasn't the GOOD place.  Are you kidding me?  I can't even stand to BUY the fireworks because I feels like I'm burning dollar bills with a lighter. I just told him that the ones we just bought were in all the tents and everyone sold the same ones and he would have fun with the ones in the bag:) 

Colton starts popping his fireworks as soon as he can so we usually start our festivities a bit earlier than the fourth.

Here's Miss Lucy Lu in her adorable little tank that of course I purchased on Etsy.  She is sporting the same bow from last year but I so loved this one that I figured she could wear it one more time.

LOVE THAT LITTLE PROFILE!

Colton wanted to take a picture with the flag.  I was wondering if that was okay to be drapped over his shoulders and he said that it just couldn't touch the ground.  We were all good then because it didn't touch the ground!!

(p.s.  I'm really wanting him to get a haircut but he says NO! It's an experiment at this point....)

Love the fireworks in the background

Giving his mommy some love! 

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!

Supporting SMA Research One Bow At A Time

Okay...I just wanted to let everyone know that I am passionate about Sophia's Cure!  This organization cares about children and adults with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy).  My daughter Larkin has SMA type 1...the most severe type of SMA.  She was given 2-4 years to live and she has made it to 5 years old.  She is a fighter but we can all make a difference to these kiddos by just donating for research.We are on the way to finding a cure but important research still needs to be funded.  There are several ways SCF is trying to raise money.  One is the contest on Facebook called Vivent Gives Back Project.  You can vote once a day from June 14th to August 27th. The winner is awarded $250,000 for their charity.  This is such an easy thing to do so why not vote?!  The other way is the 200 Commitments.  Hoping that 200 people would pledge to raise $5000 each we would raise a million dollars.  This is what Sophia's Cure had to say about the Commitment Challenge.

"We were recently contacted by someone who took notice of The 200 Commitments, inspired by the families working so hard to make a difference in this disease. It was your blogs and stories that have made a lasting impact. This person wanted to help change this disease. This donor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has donated…………. $400,000 to The Sophia’s Cure Foundation in recognition of your efforts. This money, in its entirety, will be donated to the Kaspar Labs for Gene Therapy. This $400,000 will be added to the $100,000 The Sophia’s Cure Foundation has in hand and has already pledged to commit, for a NEW $500,000 grant. This grant will be used to pay for Critical studies required by the Food and Drug Administration prior to a program moving into human clinical trials."

This is awesome news for SCF and the SMA community!  You can also just go to the the Sophia's Cure Foundation website and donate there. 

http://www.larkielubows.com/

This is the Sophia's Cure Bow that I designed especially for them.  50% of every one of these bows is donated to SCF.  The cost of one of these beauties is $14.00 so that means that $7.00 is donated each time someone selects this bow.  August is SMA awareness month and I'm planning a SPECIAL for that month.  More details closer to then....It's gonna be good I promise!

As of  today LARKIE LU BOWS has donated a little over $3000.00 to SMA charities. Now though I will only donate to the Sophia's Cure Foundation! I have been making bows for the last few years and this is a big deal to me!  I feel so good knowing that every little penny that I donate goes directly to research.  I am able to donate due to my wonderful customers and loyal followers.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your support! 
http://www.sophiascure.org/donate

Custom Party Bow by LARKIE LU BOWS!!

Isn't this baby absolutely GORGEOUS?!!  Her sweet Aunt called me and ordered a custom bow for her 1st birthday party!  She wanted it BIG!! I love seeing kiddo's in my bows, it makes me happy!  I got a picture of the outfit on my cell phone and this is what I came up with.  It's that easy to order a CUSTOM bow.  You can also go to my website http://www.larkielubows.com/ and order from there or contact me that way....which ever way you choose it's fine with me.  I usually get orders done within a few business days.  I try not to work on the weekend so I can spend time with my hubby and little ones, other than that please give me a call and order away:)

CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!!!

Fabulous Fathers Day 2011

I just love this picture of Greg and the kiddos.  I think he had an awesome day just hanging out at home.  I sort of think it's funny that he planned his Father's Day meal.  Greg wanted steaks, baked potatoes and corn on the cob.  Last night Greg started preparing "his" meal.  First, the steaks got marinated in lots of yummy things, he washed the potatoes so they would be ready to throw into the oven this morning then he burnt the bacon!  I walked into the kitchen asking what was going on and told him he burnt the bacon.  He looked surprised and said that was how he always had it.  (Cheryl....do you burn the bacon?) lol  I took Colton to church so while we were there the cooking began. The potatoes went into the oven and the steaks were then ready to go on the grill as soon as we got home.  (well...after he ran to get a new propane tank and a cheesecake)

The homemade card that Colton made for his dad.  Greg proceeded to tell Colton that he spelled "number" wrong.  I looked at Greg and said..."REALLY"?  I think I know what Greg needs next year for a gift...spellling lessons! ha ha

My two boys! No open mouth smile from Colton because he just pulled a tooth and his mouth was bleeding! yuk!!

Daddy's favorite girl, LARKIN!

Okay, I had so much fun Picniking this photo.  Notice the fake tattoo on Greg's arm.  Oh yeah did you notice the mustache's?  Just kidding!

Now Colton and I are off to my mom and dad's for dessert.  Homemade vanilla ice cream and I'm sure some chocolate sheet cake.  That is alway our favorite thing to celebrate with.

Hoping you all had a wonderful time with your Daddy's and loved ones today.

Tatum's 21st Birthday! March 13, 2011

My beautiful daughter Tatum Noel turned 21!  Her favorite color is pink so that's the theme I was going for PINK!

What's a 21st birthday party without some alcohol?!  I really went overboard on these darling labels and Corona.  I think just the drinks alone cost me almost $100.00.  Shhh....don't tell my hubby!

Just a simple table scape. I used fabric for the table runner and pink lemonade in the wine glasses.  I couldn't think of  a loaded pink drink and with the amount of money I spent on the beer I totally went cheap on this drink.

My friend Summer made the adorable wine glass for Tatum and also made the cute little embellished purses.  I wanted our guests to fill these purses with the goodies from the all pink treat table.

Again Summer printed the names and I put them on card stock with rhinestones and stickers.  On the back was a "secret" little ditty about Tatum.  Once everyone was seated at the table to eat I had them turn their card over and we took turns reading what was on the back.  They were things like her birth stats and just funny things she said or did as she was growing up.  This was an excellent conversation starter and we laughed SO hard.

Mexican was the food theme to go along with those Corona's!

I love this picture of us!  Tatum is SO striking!  I made my silk flower headband to stay with the pink theme.

The pink ruffle cake.  It was so delicious!!!  A local baker made this for me and it was the centerpiece of the pink treat table.  Sweet Treats by Jodie. You can find her on facebook.

SugarBritches Designs made the one of a kind name banner.  Notice the black jewels on the points of the triangles. 

I found lots of pink glass items at TJ Maxx, it is one of my favorite stores to shop at.  I also found the pink picture frames there that I put on the table as well.

YUM!  White chocolate dipped strawberries with pink sparkles.  The mini banner was made by SugarBritches Designs.

White Chocolate dipped marshmallows rolled in pink coconut.  Probably not the most tasty thing on the table but hey...It was pink and it was ALL about the pinkness!

So much fun when I found this pink rock candy at a local candy shop.

I made the ribbon topiary which took me hours.  It was really fun though.  I sat with Larkin and we made it together.  Well, she watched as I worked.

HAPPY 21ST BIRTHDAY TATER TOT!

I LOVE YOU!

Larkin's Fancy 5th Birthday Tea Party!

This is by far the fanciest party that little Larkin has had to date and the fanciest party that I have given yet!  I had so much fun planning this party which started with ordering Larkin's invitations in September for her January party!  I figured why not start early because I wanted to do so much and with Christmas being close to her birthday it gets hectic.  Next I ordered the cupcake toppers from two different shops on Etsy...my favorite place to be on the internet!!!  Closer to the party I started making the tissue paper flower balls that I hung from the ceiling fan above the table.  I remembered that I had purchased fabric to make a headboard for Larkin but then decided against it so I used those yards and yards of dotted fabric for the table cloth.  I also already had Larkin's birthday outfit which I bought at TJ Maxx during the summer.  I knew I wanted that to be special so I only used the skirt and had the shirt made by another fun shop on Etsy.  I made her bows and I LOVE them....lots of ribbons with one being leopard velvety trim, birthday ribbon and jewels to top them off.  Of course she wore piggie tails:) 

Here is the FABULOUS cake made by an outstanding lady named Rebecca Sutterby from Sugar Creations.  She was contacted by Icing Smiles an organization that gives children with medical issues cakes for their birthdays.  This was a gift from all of them and I couldn't have been happier.  To our surprise Rebecca is an award winning cake baker with lots of accomplishments under her belt (or apron....lol)  She won Bride Magazines best cake in 2010 and also competed in TLC's Cake Wars.  I really felt special when she emailed me the sketch of the cake she designed. The cake turned out exactly the way she had sketched it but better in person!!  Here is her website if you want to take a look at her amazing cakes. http://www.sugarcreations.com/

 I decided we all needed to dress fancy and over the top so here is my headband that I made.  I actually put it on my website http://www.larkielubows.com/ because I got so many compliments on it.

Here is the moment when my baby girl could actually see her cake up close and personal.  We let her touch it and she LOVED it.  She got to lick it as well once we cut into it.

I wanted to do treat bags so I ordered Fancy Nancy stickers from Birthday Express and stuck them on the front of the hot pink bag.  I added a butterfly wand because Fancy Nancy loves butterflies.  Also in the bag were Fancy Nancy lotion and lip balm that I picked up at the dollar bin of Target.  I was super excited when I found them in October before her party.  I added a few more goodies as well. Also on the table I made place cards with foam hearts with lots of feathers, buttons and pearls.  I glued the hearts to a card stock paper scalloped circle and made a slit on the top of the heart to stick the name card into.  I really wanted it to look gaudy and over the top like Fancy Nancy, infact I wanted the whole table to be over the top!

Of course we "pretended" to have a tea party with Larkin.  Everyone else got to nibble on tea cookies, cucumber cream cheese sandwiches and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  We cut into the cake after the tea party was done and also had cupcakes.

My beautiful family!  Look closely, Larkin is in the picture too.  My fancy boa is almost covering her. The men wore suits or very nice clothing and the ladies wore their Sunday best!

from left to right  (Daddy, Mommy, Larkin, Tatum, Colton, Stratton...sitting low, Skylar and his wife Mandy)

I really love this picture. It captures Larkin's precious little tongue tasting the sugar rose!

Larkin's tea table and banner in the background which was made by my good friend Summer from Sugar Britches Designs here is her info. 

I made the cupcakes because I wanted to use these fun cupcake papers and the cupcake toppers that I had bought earlier. Honestly I bought things so early that I really didn't know the whole Icing Smiles thing was even a posibitlity but I think everything was amazing and the party turned out great!

Larkin loved seeing her little girlfriends and all of her family, nurses and friends at the party.  It was so overwhelming she insisted by way of some tears that I needed to sit next to her the WHOLE time!  And you know that was just where I wanted to be!