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Baby Bear’s DIY First Birthday

BY SHR

Teddy Bear is officially ONE and I can’t even believe it! This was seriously the fastest year of my LIFE. Is it just me or do second babies age faster? I swear he was born like… yesterday! 😭

Amazon Links: Hand Lettering 101 Book, Fabric eucalyptus leaves, chalk markers , 16″ number balloon, similar chalk board.

Life has been absolutely insane the past few months and while I didn’t want that to get in the way of celebrating our Baby Bear, it meant I had to be realistic about my plans and expectations from the start. The vibe we were going for was simple, cute and homemade. Bear’s birthday was the first real party we’ve thrown since moving into #CasaRice a year and three months ago so we were all super excited to host our friends and family, Chickie included.

Bear’s outfit is from H&M: Pants (Chickie has them, too!) and bear sweater. My sweater is from H&M, too. My pants are J.Crew and currently on super sale.

The Bear theme was a given because well, duh.. 🤪 and the greenery was my way of keeping it masculine; something I’ve had trouble with ever since the doctor told us we were having a boy! 🙈 With the bear theme and greenery in mind, I began Pinning- my first step with any party, especially when working with a decorator or event planner (not that we used either for Bear’s party).

Happy Rices! Except Peter.. He’s just STRESSED THE EFF OUT lol..
Including a carrousel with all out outfits below. #HandsomeHubbs SWEARS by Bonobo’s travel jeans, they are soft and stretchy.

Early into the idea-gathering late night Pinning, I came across a picture of a baby in front of a small macrame hanging for a photoshoot. It got me thinking… could we somehow use that as a backdrop for the dessert table? It checked every box: simple, easy, cheap and cute although it didn’t exactly scream Bear… I initially got this $16 macrame hanging from Amazon but ended up returning and getting this $36 longer one instead. The hanging greenery and one balloon are also from Amazon, by additions to “Bearify” the look. I took down our curtains for the day and tied the macrame hanging from the curtain rods. I then draped the faux eucalyptus leaves at the top using the macrame itself and tied the one balloon with burlap twine (no helium) to the top of the macrame wall hanging. Voila! Dessert table backdrop in 20 mins or less.

The cutie Bear balloon is from this DIY kit from Amazon. $14 for a set of 12. We only used 4 because helium is expensive lol. They are BIG, 18″ balloons. Assembly took less than 3 mins per balloon.
Work in progress..

For the cakes, the Bear/woodland-y theme SCREAMED naked cake to me. If you’re local to Boston, I get ALL of my cakes from Sweet Tooth in South Boston. You can’t beat their flavor + decor combo. If you go see them, tell them I sent you! 😍The day before the event, I brought the baker Glenn some of the same faux eucalyptus I used on the chalk board and two wood slices. I was very happy with the end result!

I found these cute (and terrifying) bears on Amazon (family of 3 for $13) and fell IN LOVE with their cute (and terrifying) faces. My plan was to make mini party hats for each bear but in keeping with the very cute VERY SIMPLE vibe, I decided to skip it. I still think it could be super cute though! Etsy sells some tiny party hats, if you’re into the idea but want to skip the work.

I added two distressed wooden cake toppers- an 8 inch one and a 5 inch one, each $18- to the bear topped cakes. When planning an event, I love adding personalized details from Etsy, but they can get expensive REAL quick. I usually try to stick a couple of items that will get me the most decorating bang for my buck. Sugar cookies are a good example. I love ordering these personalized sugar cookies because they are BIG so you can use them for decorations and they come individually wrapped so party goers can take them home- that’s worth the “splurge” in my opinion ($36 for a dozen.) Cake toppers are another biggie. I was very happy with the wooden cake toppers we used- they shipped SUPER fast and are really good quality. The Etsy seller offers them in different colors and sizes, too.

Sugar Cookies from Etsy: I always message the seller Dawn and send her lots of pictures of what I want and she sends me a custom invoice.

The Bear cups were another Pinterest inspired idea. Amazon sells them for $13 a dozen. They come with a yellow top that is big enough for a traditional plastic straw, but too small for paper straws. We opted for filling them with apple cider because Teddy is an autumn baby and nothing screams FALL more than apple cider. We presented them with birch paper straws and no top– hence why they are outside. I was scared of cider all over my living room rug 🙃

I’m SUPER into this chalk table runner and will DEF be re-using for our Thanksgiving table!

For food, we kept it really simple and cute- sense a theme here? I REALLY did not want to overwhelm us with to-do’s on day of the party so we focused on stuff we could buy or make ahead of time like Trader Joe’s Maple popcorn, bear shaped sandwiches and pigs in a blanket. For the pigs in a blanket, we cooked the sausages the day before, wrapped them in the (pre-made) dough and just popped them in the oven for 13 minutes at 375 degrees the morning of the party.

$16 “tree trunks” from Amazon worked like a charm!

We used these cute cookie cutters to make the bear shapes on the sandwiches. It was easy and fun! For the adults, we did a bagel bar with mini bagels, different types of cream cheese and toppings like capers and onions, and salmon lox AKA all stuff we could cut and prep on Saturday and quickly serve on Sunday. I used these cute $16 “tree trunks” from Amazon to label the food.

These wooden fall leaves will DEF be making an appearance at our thanksgiving table, too. They are big enough you can actually see them from afar, unlike annoying confetti alternatives.

Another quick and easy DIY that took exactly 20 minutes to make were the “acorns” on the dessert table. All you need is donut holes/munchkins, your favorite chocolate bar, chocolate sprinkles and pretzel sticks. You can enlist the kiddos for this DIY, too! Just melt the chocolate in the microwave (start with 30 seconds, although you might need more..), dip the top third of the munchkins into the melted chocolate and then dip that same third into the sprinkles. Top with a pretzel and that’s IT!

Last but not least, we did a little trail mix bar for folks to take home some goodies. We ordered these personalized paper bags (about .70 cents a piece) and set up a bar of our favorite trail mix ingredients- pretzels, yogurt covered raisins, granola, gummy bears, peanut butter cups, white chocolate, shaved almonds, etc.. I added more of the greenery to the table and finished it off with a rustic happy birthday sign. I used the most RANDOM containers to house the trail mix makings- from small vases to mason jars, you name it and it’s in there 😆..

Cute, personalized paper bags and small clips (a camp wedding leftover!!)

I can’t end this post without thanking my #handsomehubbs for ALL his help putting Bear’s birthday party together! 🥰My friends Kristin and Loretta were also instrumental in the making of Bear Day. Kristin is a wonderful photographer (and my best friend) who graciously agreed to arrive to the party a little early and snap some pictures. Thank you, Kree! You can find her photography here. Loretta recently got married and had a rustic camp theme. When Lo found out Teddy’s bday was similarly themed she unloaded ALL her leftovers on us and we could not be more thankful she did! Finally, special thanks to my cousin Bea for making the 5plus hour trip with her two toddlers to celebrate with us! We love you!

I am happy to say we succeeded in our goal of making the day stress free and FUN! Bear day was a good day ❤️

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  @ALittleTooLoud
It’s Opening Day in America’s (and my husband’s) most beloved ballpark this week ⚾️🎟️🔥👏🏽 Planning on taking the kids this spring or summer? Don’t worry - I got chuuu Mama! 🥰❤️ Tips and tricks for a successful trip to Fenway Park with your littles: 

⚾️ Sign your kids up for Red Sox Kid Nation to score them a free ticket! The first tier (rookie) membership is free and also gets them some @redsox swag 👏🏽 Sign up for the newsletter while you’re at it to be notified of kid/family friendly ballpark events or special games 🔥

⚾️ Enter through Gate K (for kids!) to access @fenwaypark ‘s Kids Concourse where you’ll find fun games and activities for your littles! Think face painting, balloon art, more kid friendly concession stands, etc.. 

⚾️ Wally’s Clubhouse is a great spot for little humans to stretch their legs and partake in some ballpark fun of their own: Lego blocks, a toddler playground, magic shoes and in inning 3, photo ops with Wally himself 🥰 

⚾️ Although game goers are limited in what size bag they can bring in, diaper bags get a free pass so don’t fret about the size (just leave pocket knifes at home.. 😅😅). Small, umbrella type strollers are also allowed in the stadium 👏🏽 

⚾️ Family bathrooms are located near the Customer Service booth at Gate E and next to the elevator in the Big Concourse, on the Pavilion Level under Pavilion Box 14 and on top of Pavilion Box 2 🔥🔥 @fenwaypark also features clean and private pumping/nursing stations 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Note: every bathroom (not just family bathrooms and regardless of gender) has changing tables 🫰🏽 

⚾️ If you are worried about drinking, purchase tickets in the CVS Family Section located in grandstands sections 32 + 33. No alcohol is allowed here and this is strictly enforced. 

⚾️ HAVE FUN!! 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽 

What’s your happiest Fenway memory?! Mine might be the snapshots compiled in this video — the kids’ first time in a place that means so much to my #handsomehubbs and family 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
.. and if that doesn’t call for a @badbunnypr ba .. and if that doesn’t call for a @badbunnypr bathroom dance party, I don’t know what does 😜😂💃🏽 Click the link in bio to shop @harperwilde 15% off 👏🏽🔥 

🎥 Items shown: 

☝🏽 the BLISS bralette in the “take up space” edit in size S 🫰🏽

✌🏽 the LOUNGE RIBBED TRIANGLE bralette in size S 

👌🏽 the BLISS TRIANGLE BRALETTE in color beige, size S 

And not pictured 🩲, to spare my dad 🤣: 

🫰🏽 no show high waste brief in size S 
🫰🏽no show bikini in size S 

code GOWILDESTEPHANIE gets you 15% off 🥰❤️ What’s your fave?!?
🐰 PSA 🐰 Easter is two weeks away 💓 🥚🌷 Swipe for cutie, unique Easter basket ideas that will make it your 🐇 on time 👏🏽 and click the link in bio to shop 🫰🏽✨ HAPPY SPRING, friends! 🌷💫
🚿 Showering in #CasaRice will never be the same 🚿 Showering in #CasaRice will never be the same again thanks to @tooletries_hq 🔥🙌🏽 #gifted 

Products shown: 

🫰🏽 The Harvey & Oliver Set (mirror + caddy) 

🫰🏽 The Arnold (2 pack of hook tiles that can hold up to 4 pounds - we were SHOOK when we realized our heavy towels stay up, even when wet!!) 

🫰🏽Silicone body scrubber 🧽 

Thank you @tooletries_hq for upgrading our shower game, BIG TIME 👏🏽🔥😋
Best $70 we’ve spent in a WHILE 🔥 See the sid Best $70 we’ve spent in a WHILE 🔥 See the side straps?! The bag can also hold skis, too, if you can believe it 😱 I LOVE that it’s a 🎒 because we need hands free to carry the little’s bags ($30, also linked in bio!) and other gear 🙌🏽 We’ve used these for our last 2 ski trips and they are a game changer ✅ 

I keep all 4 ski bags packed with: boots, socks, waterproof layers, head/face coverings, helmet, goggles + mittens - essentially everything but base + inner layers. When we get back from a 🎿 trip, I immediately wash (regular), dry (air, no dryer) and repack 💥🫰🏽 It’s so beyond helpful to be able to grab and go knowing we’re not leaving anything behind. 🙌🏽🙌🏽 See you next year, babies 🎒🎒❤️‍🔥
One last 🎿 weekend before welcoming in the🌷🌸🌺🌼 ✨ In like a lion, out like a lamb 🫰🏽 Peace out #skiszn ✌🏽- we *really* gave it our ALL this year 🙌🏽🔥🎿✅
A little recap of Mr. and Mrs. Williamson’s ✨D A little recap of Mr. and Mrs. Williamson’s ✨D R E A M Y ✨ happily ever after 👰🏼‍♀️🤵🏼‍♂️💍🌴💓 We love you guys!!!! 💫💫💫💫
A weekend away from the kids.. but not their GERMS A weekend away from the kids.. but not their GERMS 🦠🤮🙃💚 Made the best of 72 hours in San Diego with the stomach bug, fina cortesía de mi Chickie Lou ☠️☠️ Bug or no bug, so thankful to be a part of your forever - ain’t no thang gonna keep us from celebrating our best guy finding his forever gal, @hayhaywilliamson 💓🙏🏽✨ Que vivan los novios!!! 👰🏼🤵🏼‍♂️🫶🏽
It’s a snowstorm eve miracle! 😂❄️💓 @sw It’s a snowstorm eve miracle! 😂❄️💓 @sweatybetty sure knows how to make ‘em! Click the in bio (or visit the blog and click to shop my Instagram) to shop my favorite base layers at 50% off! 🎿🔥


Stay updated on all things A Little Too Loud without getting your inbox inundated! We're squarely on #teamnospam

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It’s Opening Day in America’s (and my husband’s) most beloved ballpark this week ⚾️🎟️🔥👏🏽 Planning on taking the kids this spring or summer? Don’t worry - I got chuuu Mama! 🥰❤️ Tips and tricks for a successful trip to Fenway Park with your littles: 

⚾️ Sign your kids up for Red Sox Kid Nation to score them a free ticket! The first tier (rookie) membership is free and also gets them some @redsox swag 👏🏽 Sign up for the newsletter while you’re at it to be notified of kid/family friendly ballpark events or special games 🔥

⚾️ Enter through Gate K (for kids!) to access @fenwaypark ‘s Kids Concourse where you’ll find fun games and activities for your littles! Think face painting, balloon art, more kid friendly concession stands, etc.. 

⚾️ Wally’s Clubhouse is a great spot for little humans to stretch their legs and partake in some ballpark fun of their own: Lego blocks, a toddler playground, magic shoes and in inning 3, photo ops with Wally himself 🥰 

⚾️ Although game goers are limited in what size bag they can bring in, diaper bags get a free pass so don’t fret about the size (just leave pocket knifes at home.. 😅😅). Small, umbrella type strollers are also allowed in the stadium 👏🏽 

⚾️ Family bathrooms are located near the Customer Service booth at Gate E and next to the elevator in the Big Concourse, on the Pavilion Level under Pavilion Box 14 and on top of Pavilion Box 2 🔥🔥 @fenwaypark also features clean and private pumping/nursing stations 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Note: every bathroom (not just family bathrooms and regardless of gender) has changing tables 🫰🏽 

⚾️ If you are worried about drinking, purchase tickets in the CVS Family Section located in grandstands sections 32 + 33. No alcohol is allowed here and this is strictly enforced. 

⚾️ HAVE FUN!! 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽 

What’s your happiest Fenway memory?! Mine might be the snapshots compiled in this video — the kids’ first time in a place that means so much to my #handsomehubbs and family 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽
.. and if that doesn’t call for a @badbunnypr ba .. and if that doesn’t call for a @badbunnypr bathroom dance party, I don’t know what does 😜😂💃🏽 Click the link in bio to shop @harperwilde 15% off 👏🏽🔥 

🎥 Items shown: 

☝🏽 the BLISS bralette in the “take up space” edit in size S 🫰🏽

✌🏽 the LOUNGE RIBBED TRIANGLE bralette in size S 

👌🏽 the BLISS TRIANGLE BRALETTE in color beige, size S 

And not pictured 🩲, to spare my dad 🤣: 

🫰🏽 no show high waste brief in size S 
🫰🏽no show bikini in size S 

code GOWILDESTEPHANIE gets you 15% off 🥰❤️ What’s your fave?!?
🐰 PSA 🐰 Easter is two weeks away 💓 🥚🌷 Swipe for cutie, unique Easter basket ideas that will make it your 🐇 on time 👏🏽 and click the link in bio to shop 🫰🏽✨ HAPPY SPRING, friends! 🌷💫
🚿 Showering in #CasaRice will never be the same 🚿 Showering in #CasaRice will never be the same again thanks to @tooletries_hq 🔥🙌🏽 #gifted 

Products shown: 

🫰🏽 The Harvey & Oliver Set (mirror + caddy) 

🫰🏽 The Arnold (2 pack of hook tiles that can hold up to 4 pounds - we were SHOOK when we realized our heavy towels stay up, even when wet!!) 

🫰🏽Silicone body scrubber 🧽 

Thank you @tooletries_hq for upgrading our shower game, BIG TIME 👏🏽🔥😋
Best $70 we’ve spent in a WHILE 🔥 See the sid Best $70 we’ve spent in a WHILE 🔥 See the side straps?! The bag can also hold skis, too, if you can believe it 😱 I LOVE that it’s a 🎒 because we need hands free to carry the little’s bags ($30, also linked in bio!) and other gear 🙌🏽 We’ve used these for our last 2 ski trips and they are a game changer ✅ 

I keep all 4 ski bags packed with: boots, socks, waterproof layers, head/face coverings, helmet, goggles + mittens - essentially everything but base + inner layers. When we get back from a 🎿 trip, I immediately wash (regular), dry (air, no dryer) and repack 💥🫰🏽 It’s so beyond helpful to be able to grab and go knowing we’re not leaving anything behind. 🙌🏽🙌🏽 See you next year, babies 🎒🎒❤️‍🔥
One last 🎿 weekend before welcoming in the🌷🌸🌺🌼 ✨ In like a lion, out like a lamb 🫰🏽 Peace out #skiszn ✌🏽- we *really* gave it our ALL this year 🙌🏽🔥🎿✅
A little recap of Mr. and Mrs. Williamson’s ✨D A little recap of Mr. and Mrs. Williamson’s ✨D R E A M Y ✨ happily ever after 👰🏼‍♀️🤵🏼‍♂️💍🌴💓 We love you guys!!!! 💫💫💫💫
A weekend away from the kids.. but not their GERMS A weekend away from the kids.. but not their GERMS 🦠🤮🙃💚 Made the best of 72 hours in San Diego with the stomach bug, fina cortesía de mi Chickie Lou ☠️☠️ Bug or no bug, so thankful to be a part of your forever - ain’t no thang gonna keep us from celebrating our best guy finding his forever gal, @hayhaywilliamson 💓🙏🏽✨ Que vivan los novios!!! 👰🏼🤵🏼‍♂️🫶🏽
It’s a snowstorm eve miracle! 😂❄️💓 @sw It’s a snowstorm eve miracle! 😂❄️💓 @sweatybetty sure knows how to make ‘em! Click the in bio (or visit the blog and click to shop my Instagram) to shop my favorite base layers at 50% off! 🎿🔥
Another week, another library trip 🫶🏽Really Another week, another library trip 🫶🏽Really excited about this week’s picks! 

🔥 Stella Never Gives Up by @andominguezzzz ft. a Latinx girl who wants to save the ocean while on vacation — sound like anyone you know? 😂❤️‍🔥 Chick is bound to love this series 🤞🏽🤞🏽 

🔥 Anisa’s International Day by @reemfaruqi centers Pakistani culture 🙌🏽 as we follow Anisa’s adventures introducing her culture to her classmates! 

🔥 The Lemonade Series grabbed Chick immediately! It humorously covers themes of sibling rivalry and conflict resolution. She was laughing out loud while reading this morning 😂😍

🔥 The Invincible Girls Series are shorter chapter books geared towards the 7-10 age group. Chick devours them in *literally* one sitting 🥲 

🔥 Say it Out Loud by @allisonvarnes is one we will try to read together as it’s more advanced (and longer!). The main theme is bullying and the consequences of staying silent. It looks really interesting and has great reviews ❤️‍🔥 

She likely won’t read all of them - I never know what will grab her attention! — but I loaded UP this week because most books are on the shorter side ❤️

Links in bio!! 🫶🏽🫶🏽
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