It's OK Not To Be Perfect

I'm laughing hysterically as I create this post. Why? Because I poured hours and love into planning and preparing this birthday cake for one of my best friends and it was a disaster. I almost couldn't bring myself to post this. See I had this vision. I found this amazing piano cake on Pinterest I was sure I could replicate and couldn't wait to see the surprised look on the birthday girls face as I presented this remarkable mind-blowing cake. Well that didn't happen. Not even close. The layers slid out of place and the tower came crashing down. I was horrified. I only had a few hours until the party and didn't have time to re-bake so I did the only thing I could do and "fixed" it. Chopped off the tower {which we ate later}, re-frosted, drew on my music notes and VIOLA. 

What I realized, though it wasn't what I dreamed of it being, it was heartfelt and was told by many it was delicious. I didn't even share this story with her but occasionally she reads my blog so she'll probably find out and we'll laugh about it. That's what friends are for right?

Ingredients

• 2 boxes of white cake
• 2 tubs of cream cheese frosting
• 1 basket of strawberries
• 1 tube of white and 1 tube of black icing

DIY Music Note Banner

Lately I've been all about crafting. I just love the idea of giving someone a hand made gift. Don't get me wrong, I can be the first person to say that hand made gifts take time. Lots of time. That's time we don't always have. But I've been trying to pace myself and be more of a planner than a last-minute crazy woman. I'm actually thinking about Christmas gifts. Seriously. If you want to give something that someone will truly treasure, time is love, and the time to start is now.

This week we surprised one of my best friends for her birthday. She loves the piano and music notes so I decided to add a music flare into the banner.

Supplies

• Burlap flags cut to size
• Burlap rope
• Wooden letters needed to spell the persons name
• Music note scrapbooking paper
• Ribbon {I used teal since that's her favorite color and needed 6" per bow}
• Hot glue gun
• Elmer's Glue

I traced the wooden letters onto the sheet music and cut them out. Using Elmer's glue, I lightly glued them onto the face of the wooden letters.

Then with the hot glue gun, glued the wooden letters to the pre-cut burlap flag shapes. Using the rope, hot glued the top of each burlap flag by slightly folding the top over the rope to secure. Then I ended by tying a small petite bow between each letter. Viola. A super cute customized gift that will hold a special memory in her heart for years to come.

We love you Melisah! 

Christian band FORA here today with a Giveaway!

Today is VERY exciting for me. I would like to introduce to you FORA. An inspiring Christian Rock band. I know this is totally out of element but I couldn't resist the opportunity to share them with all you. These guys are like my adopted kids {even though they're only 10 years younger than me}. They are true roll models for our girls. 

First of all, they are like family. Seriously. I'm closer with these guys that actual blood family members. 

Secondly, their music is amazing. They are faith driven guys wanting to spread the word of Jesus through their music. Just this week there CD "The Gathering," was launched in iTunes. Now that's a reason to celebrate!

Here's a sample of their single, Breakdown. Take a moment to check it out.

What do you think? Awesome right!?

Here's a little about the band:

The band was formed in the beginning of 2011 in Salinas, California. FORA is comprised of three members who share the same passion for ministry, music, and the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their backgrounds and diverse influences allow each member to bring a unique edge to modern worship music and entertainment. The name FORA means "meeting place" and fits perfectly into the bands mission to bring people together in Christ. "When I first saw the definition of FORA I was immediately reminded of Jesus when he said 'where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.' {Matthew 18:20}" said Steven Lemos, lead vocals and guitar.

Ways to follow FORA

Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  iTunes 

To help celebrate their launch onto iTunes and the release of their new blog {in the same week}, I'm helping them spread the word with a giveaway! Today you have the chance to win a FORA CD and T-Shirt combo pack with an autographed poster! Woo hoo!  

 

Now you can enter below to win!

**Your must be a public follower of Our Reflection via GFC to enter our giveaways.**

Mandatory: 

The first FOUR entries below are MANDATORY.

All 4 must be completed in order for you to win this giveaway.

After you do that, you unlock more ways to get more entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Guest Post} Colleen @ Soundtrack To I Do

I can't believe it. Someone pinch me! I have Colleen from Soundtrack to I Do guest posting on my blog today. I'm so excited I could do a cartwheel. Really!

What girl doesn't dream about her wedding from the time she's dancing while standing on her daddy's shoes? And even after your married, {with Pinterest}, you can create your dream wedding even if its only on your pin boards. Colleen has this elegant blog that specializes in music. She can explain it much better. Take it away Colleen....

Hello there! I'm Colleen, I'm a friend of Laura's, and I write a wedding blog called Soundtrack To I Do. We focus on helping brides (and grooms!) choose the music for their wedding day, and also provide general wedding inspiration. I'm so happy to be here with you all today!

As a wedding blogger, one of my favorite things to do is make inspiration boards. I'm very excited that Spring is almost here! (I may be jumping the gun a little, but here in California the weather is already warming up!) So I created some inspiration boards representing the things I love best about spring. They are: spring weddings (well that was just a given, considering my blog), pastel colors, (so pretty!), Easter (Jesus rose from the dead, which is the best news ever... literally. Plus candy and treats!!), and... wait for it... baby animals! Because who doesn't love them?

I hope you guys enjoy these boards, and that they make you as excited as I am that Spring is just around the corner! Thanks for having me Laura!!

Spring wedding board: Top left: Style Me Pretty Top Right: Style Me Pretty Middle: Martha Stewart Weddings Bottom Left: Hey Gorgeous Events Bottom Right: Jodi Miller Photography

Pin It

She is so creative!

I was even blessed with the opportunity to be featured on her blog TWICE for my photography. One as a spotlight on my new photography business which you can read by clicking here. The other was my first engagement session. Check it out here.

Soundtrack To I Do

Blog   |   Facebook   |   Twitter   |   Pinterest

Colleen please come back and post anytime. You're fabulous!

7 Pretty Things Sunday

If you were asked to come up with 7 pretty things, what comes right to mind? That's what I was asked. My mind just started spinning with all the ideas. My list may seem simple, maybe even plain, but they're... me.


Today I'm linking up with Gussy Sews, Matchstick Molly, Much Love, Illy & The Letter 4 for 7 Pretty Things on Sunday.

Piano. My love for music. I do hope to learn how 

to play someday.You're never to old, right?

Tattoo. I have two of my own but this one reaches deep in my heart.   love never fails 1st Corinthians 13

Everything about this. I have a passion for chandeliers but this overall bathroom looks like a mommy's safe haven. 

Bike. If you know us, you know our passion for bikes. This photo is us. Bikes, love.... Our Reflection.

Hair. Oh how I wish I had long beautiful wavy hair like this. It seems so effortless. Where's my magic wand?  

Scarf. Especially infinity scarves. I could wear one everyday. They seem to complete any outfit.

Vows. Having your wedding vows on canvas in front of your wedding photo. I adore this.

All the photos I posted today were found from my Pinterest stream in case you want to check them out here. I'd love to hear where you found your inspiration. 


Blessings.

Pin It Follow my blog with Bloglovin