Yesterday was a fun day.

I woke up early and started preparing to celebrate the start of school with Emory.

Ever since I saw this post last year, I was inspired to start a tradition in our home. Every year before school starts, we are going to have a fun back to school meal.

Since Emory is still young and Zack is spending 80+ hours/week in the hospital these days (ugh!), I decided to stick with a lunch. It was just me and her and totally fun.

 I used mostly items we have around the house and only had to buy a couple of things.

I kept the menu super simple. 

I served:

+ Peanut butter sandwiches shaped in hearts

+ Grapes (in paper bag)

+ Chocolate covered Oreo cookies

+ White milk with cookies & cream magic straws

I was super excited to use my new plates from Villeroy & Boch. They are the prettiest little dishes I own. I love the pattern and colors.

I found the glass milk jars at Target. I purchased a 4-pack of Archer Farms Vanilla Caramel Latte costing $4.99 and replaced the drink with milk. The labels came off easily and the jars are really nice.

I placed grapes in a small paper bag that I cut in half. I then attached these cute free printables to the front.

The best part, all of the printables were free!

I found the Back to School chalkboard banner and the Back to School Lunch chalkboard printable on Tatertots & Jello. They were designed by Dimple Prints and are so so cute! They also printed out great.

The Always Be a Little Kinder Than Necessary chalkboard print came from here.

Isn’t it adorable?!

I simply added a globe and some pencils. 

Em loved it.

All in all, it was a success and Emory totally loved every minute of it.

She was a little disappointed that there was no music and dancing…I guess I’ll have to add that to the itinerary for next year!

Links to items in the post:

+ Plates

+ Back to School banner printable

+ Back to School Lunch printable

+ Always be a Little Kinder than Necessary printable

+ Paper bag printables

Do you have any back to school traditions?

Blogger and Interior Designer Erica Cook’s home is featured in the latest issue of Rue Magazine.

She is a single mom to 5 boys, insanely talented, and did I mention totally gorgeous?

I am loving all the black and white.

So classic yet on trend.

Her kitchen is incredible.

And that sofa? Wow.

I love how her bedroom feels like a little retreat.

It is just so pretty.

Love love this little patio.

A total dream space really.

{ all images via Rue Magazine}

Erica lives in Calgary Alberta, my hometown!

I am hoping I can convince her into giving me a little tour next time I am visiting family.

Also, make sure you head on over to Erica’s blog and follow along!

Do you ever have one of those days where you end up doing something completley different than you originally planned?

That was yesterday for me. I headed out to JoAnn’s to buy some fabric for Emory’s room, and 1-hour later I was gluing silk flowers onto a cardboard E. Fast forward 30 more minutes and I am printing, framing, and hanging a full on gallery wall. Oh my.

Every time I visit JoAnn’s fabric I run across these awesome cardboard letters. I used my 50% off coupon and finally bought one for $2.50!

It must of been my lucky day, because World Market had a basket of silk flowers on sale for 75% off. I snagged a few stems for under $3.00 total. No complaining here.

This project was SO easy and such a fun way to spend the afternoon with Emory. She was able to help from start to finish and is quite proud of her pretty E.

For a $5.00 project, I would say it is a success!

 As soon as I finished the letter, I couldn’t wait to print off the Free Printables Kirsten from 6th Street Design school shared on her blog. They printed out beautifully and quickly found there way into some white IKEA frames that had yet to be hung.

As I was looking for the picture frames, I ran across my DIY animal plates that were still in a box.

A few minutes later everything was hung…it’s a slippery slope I tell ya.

I grabbed a few accessories and the picture taking began.

How cute are the prints by the way?

Before I knew it, Theo’s nap was over and I had completed nothing on my to-do list!

But…she does have a cute (and very inexpensive!) gallery wall in her room now.

That’s got to count for something right?!;

I almost can’t believe it, it is about time for the kids to go back to school.

This is a BIG year for me. Emory is headed to Kindergarten and I am a mess just thinking about it.

Yes, we did pre-school, but this feels so much different.

It will be fine…tell me it will be fine!

One of the best things about back to school is the sales!

Not just school supplies are on sale, but home decor items too…yippee!

In no particular order, here are my top 5 back to school finds….

1. This pink striped pillow from World Market for $11.48!

I will be snagging 2 for Emory’s bedroom.

2. This x-slat desk from Target for $99.47.

White, clean lines, and storage…no brainer.

3. This grey linen upholstered headboard from Walmart for $149.00.

You can’t make it for the price. STEAL!

4.  This Donetta pillow from Kirklands from $12.99.

Cute color and pattern.

5.  This blue counter stool from Target for $49.99.

Love the color and simple lines!

Are you ready for the kids to go back to school?