you are my sunshine

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away

My mom and I sing this to my kids all the time. My daughter particularly loves it ~ her eyes light up when she hears it, and when the song is over she always asks for more.

It’s a meaningful song to me, so I brought it to life with my inspiration board today. Hope it brings a little sunshine to your winter day…and I think it’s a sweet spin on Valentine’s Day for your loved one {make your Valentine feel like he/she is the sunshine of your life}.

I’ll leave you with a cupcake recipe that looks like it tastes as refreshing, yummy and sweet as sunshine. It makes me wish summer was here.

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes by Half Baked, The Cake Blog

images via:
Zappos Hunter Original High Gloss Rain Boot | Sugarboo Designs You Are My Sunshine Art Print |  Country Living Yellow Painted Bedroom | Yellow Centerpiece with Chevron Runner from Oh So Beautiful Paper | You Are My Sunshine Sign by Etsy seller Go Jump in the Lake | Flower Necklace by etsy seller RachelleD | Yellow and White Sailor Tote Bag found at Damsel in Dior and sold by Etsy seller Bayan Hippo | Jonathan Adler Grapefruit Pop Candle |  You are my Sunshine Cake found at P is for Party | Pinterest Hello Sunshine pillow | Mulberry Fashion Ad from Damsel in Dior | Half Baked, The Cake Blog | Sunflower Soiree Party by The Party Dress | Invitation by Fleur de Lis, a paperie

stars and stripes detail

I love the look of the vintage American-inspired picnic table above. I’m a sucker for all things worn and antique-looking, so I want to take a seat on that picnic bench right now, and then bring it home with me. Authentic. Simple. Love it.

Below are some ideas to add that extra special detail of red, white and blue to your party.  

Sparkler Favors, Twig and Thistle

Download the free printable for the sparklers here.

Download the Light It Up matchbox cover and straw tag here.

Pinwheel Bouquet, Good Housekeeping

DIY Vase with Patriotic Ribbon, Good Housekeeping

 I love all-white flowers, especially hydrangea. This standard glass vase gets a stars and stripes facelift with simple ribbon…a diy project that will be sure to get noticed. Just measure the vase’s circumference, then cut lengths of patriotic ribbon to size. Attach with double-sided tape to cover the vase.

Patriotic Table Runner, Good Housekeeping

This crepe paper runner {aka streamers} can be made in minutes. Cover a table with a white paper tablecloth. Cut lengths of blue and red crepe paper to the lengths of the cloth. Weave the colors, as shown. To keep the runner in place, use double-sided tape on the edges.

 Star Medallion, Martha Stewart

Make these fabric medallions and hang from your porch, above your table or as a backdrop to a dessert table. Adorable. For directions, go here.  

Nautical Napkin Rings, Martha Stewart

1. Bind 96 inches of off-white cord at 12-inch intervals with clear adhesive tape. Snip through tape and cord to create 8 lengths. Thread each length through a boat snap {Boat snaps, also known as eye snaps, can be found at boating-supply shops}.
2. Loop cord, aligning ends on a 2-inch piece of 3/4-inch-wide off-white twill tape smeared with white or fabric glue.
3. Pinch sides of cord together to create 2 smaller loops, securing with tape.

Lanterns on a String {Ribbon}, Hostess with the Mostess

Hang lanterns with red, white and blue ribbon and be sure to light a candle inside for a warm glow throughout the evening.

Striped Straws in Mason Jar with Name Tag, Celebrations at Home

Get the DIY name tag printable here.

DIY Fabric Flower, Celebrations at Home

I love this flower idea. It can be added to any basket, box or bucket. It’s that little extra something that makes the presentation special.

You’ll Need
Strips of fabric cut to size with pinking shears
A button
Needle & thread

How To
Begin layering your strips of fabric in criss-cross patterns until you have a full circle.
Then place your button in the center and sew a few stitches through it and the fabric to keep it all together.
Apply the ‘flower’ using glue dots

{images via Country Living, Twig and Thistle, Good Housekeeping, Martha Stewart, Hostess with the Mostess and Celebrations at Home}

sunshine and “potted” sweets

Sunflowers make me happy, and food makes me happy too, so both of them combined is pure bliss. I love this simple and adorable Sunflower Cupcake Cake idea from Martha Stewart Living magazine, March 2011.

And if your bringing “plants” in to your kitchen (and your belly), these Potted Chocolate Mint Puddings look delicious and fun for the kiddos too.

{images via Martha Stewart}