Etsy – Snapshots & My Thoughts by Ailee Petrovic

Events January 7, 2016

Merry Serbian Christmas & Our 2015 Cards

Merry Serbian Christmas! Serbia uses the Julian calendar (as opposed to the Gregorian calendar that most of the world uses). Therefore, Serbian Christmas Day falls on the 7th of January, alas, today our family celebrates too! I’m glad I get to keep our tree up an extra week (and dread taking it down tomorrow!). We went to the Serbian church in Galveston last night for a service and will exchange gifts and eat dinner at Sasha’s aunt’s house tonight.

I meant to share our Christmas cards in December, but I was very busy and never got around to it. I published a blog post (here) with most of our family photos (taken by Paige Budde of Awake Photography), and I couldn’t decide on just one or two photos, so I went with a collage card from Artifact Uprising (I’m obsessed with this company!). I made wrap around labels like last year’s card because they are relatively simple to create. I wanted to add a little something fun, as we’ve done a Christmas ornament card and gift label card in the past. I found these adorable ‘Naught or Nice’ scratch-offs by Sweet Potato Shop on Etsy and personalized them to say “Isla thinks you’ll find coal in your stocking!” and “Hooray! Isla’s vote is ‘Nice!'” We stuck pennies on the back of each scratch off, then strategically packed our envelopes, giving all families with kids the nice cards and mixing it up for couples. We got a lot of funny responses to “Isla’s decisions.”

Baby March 19, 2015

Nora’s First Birthday Party

A few weeks ago, I had a Saturday filled with kids birthday parties (three to be exact!). One of these celebrations was for Nora, my friend Danielle’s adorable daughter. Danielle owns Paper Therapy Shop, an Etsy store with the best invitations, cards, birth announcements (see Nora’s here), etc. Given Danielle’s creativity, I knew that the party was going to be perfect – and it was. A party filled with navy, gold and rose pink gold confetti, I was seriously lusting over every single detail. The invitation and ‘stats’ poster (made by Danielle) were gorgeous, as was the cake and ‘one’ script letter (from BHLDN) (although Nora was quite the hesitant eater!).

And then there was that cone backdrop. Let’s talk about that. Because Danielle handmade it (mom of the year award!). I’m pretty sure she could now sell it for $250, because it is so labor intensive. She got the tutorial from Noon Day Collection, and she obviously has more patience than I do! It did turn out great in the background of photos.

Danielle also designed a sign next to gold pipe cleaners that prompted guests to make their own ‘party gear.’ The males definitely won the award for most creativity (slightly shocking – no offense boys!)! You’ll see Nora’s gold pipe cleaner crown in the last set of photos – she was princess for the day!

I cannot believe that Nora is now almost 13 months and that Isla is almost 10. It looks like I need to get serious about planning her birthday party! I’m definitely taking notes from Nora’s colorful confetti celebration, as we had such a good time.
paper therapy shop first birthday party invitations cards confetti theme baby

Personal March 8, 2015

The Best of Snapshots & My Thoughts

Snapshots & My Thoughts has been my creative outlet for almost three years now, and I’ve loved coming up with new content on an almost-daily basis. I started the blog in 2012 while working as a management consultant (which is still my job – I’m just on a leave of absence!), as I felt I wasn’t being challenged creatively. My husband, Sasha, and I got engaged, and instead of pinning a bunch of wedding photos on Pinterest, I created posts with ideas for guestbooks, escort cards, bar menus, etc. The blog morphed into a platform for me to share personal anecdotes, healthy recipes, style and design inspiration, gorgeous stationery, and city travel guides. Ever since our daughter, Isla, was born in June 2014, there has also been quite a bit of baby loving on the blog!

My goal for Snapshots & My Thoughts is to help inspire my friends (which you are, if you’re reading) with designing their home, picking outfits for events, styling parties, choosing stationery, making delicious vegan desserts, or even planning a vacation. I want to motivate people to be active and enjoy the small things in life, whether that mean going out and adventuring in your own city or trying a baby product that I rave about.

In case you’re new around here, I wanted to share with you some of the highest viewed posts on Snapshots & My Thoughts. There’s quite a bit of food involved, as well as weddings and babies, and of course – travel (my favorite!). Five of my top 20 posts were various city guides, so I decided to bulk them all together. Click on each of the photos below if you want to read more!

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Baby January 13, 2015

The Best Baby Items on Etsy (Giveaway!)

I love Etsy. The fact that there is now a marketplace for entrepreneurial artisans all across the world to share their unique goods is just amazing to me. What did we do without it?

I have always been a big Etsy fan, but not necessarily an avid shopper. That is, until the moment I found out I was pregnant with Isla. Etsy is the mecca for adorable baby products – bows, leggings, blankets, teethers, birth announcements, baby shower decor, mobiles, etc. I’ve scoured the site over the last year and have ordered a number of baby products – some of which I love to pieces and want to share with you. And what’s even better is that my favorite seven shop owners (Les Petits Darlings, By George Baby Boutique, Nomad Floral Designs, Smiling Tree Toys, Baby Grace Houston, Max & Me, and Happiness Lives Here) have agreed to give away some of their amazing products to one lucky winner of the giveaway below (over a $200 value!). The giveaway ends at midnight on Sunday, January 18. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Colorful Leggings & Shirts from Les Petits Darlings

I first came across Les Petits Darlings (Etsy + website) on my favorite Instagram account – @kristygirl of The Benzer Bunch. Her daughter, Livi (Seriously? Could she be any cuter?) has lots of leggings from Les Petits Darlings, and I love them all. I decided to get Isla the cotton candy ones, because I am obsessed with how bright and whimsical they are. I can’t wait to order another pair – and I know I need the crowd pleaser t-shirt for Valentine’s Day. It is insanely cute.

I have to warn you – browsing this site is slightly dangerous, because if you’re like me, you’re going to want everything you see.

Sharon, the owner of Les Petits Darlings, is kindly giving away one of the brand new Valentine’s Day t-shirts to the giveaway winner!

Follow Les Petits Darlings on Facebook // Instagram

Baby October 2, 2014

Dream Playrooms

The dream home series continues! This week, I’m sharing dream playrooms (see previously posted dream kitchen, master bedroom, and living room). I seriously dislike bright colors, which is why Isla’s nursery is decorated with such neutral, cool colors. I feel similarly about the style of a playroom, but I know that kids like bright colors, so I may have to get over this disdain at some point in life.

I’ve put together a collection of my favorite playrooms – some which I would copy exactly and others which have elements I like. See my inspiration below!