'Stache Bash

I have always been a party planner and birthdays are no exception. The past few years I have put a lot of thought into the themes of my birthday parties. It's a chance for me to get creative and show my friends a great time. Past birthday parties have included decades and gold(en birthday) themes. This year I have had a strange gravitation to all things mustache, so for my birthday I ran with it. I hosted a pink and gold themed 'Stache Bash to bring in the big 2-3!

After deciding on a mustache theme, I had to come up with a color palette. I ultimately went with pink because I had these ombre pink poms from a baby shower my mom and I hosted. I wanted to use them again in a different way. I hung them over the wet bar and a picnic table we set up for cards. The inspiration for the gold came from Pintrest.  I found these gold dipped white feathers someone had pinned and I had always wanted to make them but never had a reason. I decided to use them as a center piece on the table and create some sparkle (they are now displayed in vases throughout my bedroom!). 

To add to the theme I incorporated mustaches everywhere throughout the space. I framed pink and mustache scrapbooking paper on the mantle, displayed mustache confetti on the tables, framed funny mustache quotes and sayings on the picture wall and on end tables.  Even the deer sported different types of 'staches! By the end of the night we were all wearing our own 'staches and everyone was in theme.

For the food and drink portion of the evening I went with my favorite classic appetizers and champagne: triscut pizzas, weenies and wrap, chips and salsa, swedish bbq meat balls and a blood orange champagne punch! I served the punch in ball jars with pink striped paper straws and homemade gold tinsel swizzle sticks. Instead of cake, I did white cupcakes with white frosting and gold flake sprinkles. I also made milk and dark chocolate mustache lollipops for some added entertainment! 

When it comes to a birthday party you have to stay true to you, after all it is your day!  The people you invite know who you are and what you are about; they have more fun knowing it's you behind it all and that you had fun creating the night for them.

Cheers!

Persimmon Pairings

I know persimmon was last year's pantone color of the year but I am still loving it. It looks great on most people, hair colors and an after vacation tan! Here are a few ways to pair your persimmon for a fresh look this spring:

Day:

(Dress: Topshop, Necklace: J.Crew, Sandals: Mulberry)

Night:

(Peplum: Matches, Necklace: J.Crew, Leggings: Zara)

Lounge:

(Swimming Suit: Asos, Bag: Express, Bracelet: Swell)

What's your favorite persimmon pairing?

Book Club: Lean In

Not only do we love style over here at Birds of a Feather, but we also fancy ourselves major bookworms.  While I'm always a fan of a breezy beach read (looking at you, Emily Griffen novels), I recently picked up Lean In by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg.  I cannot recommend it enough!

It centers around both Sandeberg's professional, and personal life and the lessons learned along the way.  She is passionate about women advancing to leadership positions, and also passionate about men taking on a more integral role in the home.  Her candor is refreshing - and sometimes almost too relatable.

There are so many instances where I feel myself pulling back, rather than leaning in, when it comes to work and my career decisions.  One story she uses to illustrate how women aren't leaning in, was when she hosted a meeting with colleagues, some of whom brought assistants, and female employees.  As they began the meeting the women took seats along the side of the room, rather than at the table.  When Sandberg asked the girls to join them, the women politely refused. 

I know that I have been in that exact position, and I also had to be coaxed to sit at the table.  Why?  Why did I automatically discount myself?  I know I am intelligent, and I know I have good ideas to bring to discussions, so why didn't I take my seat? I felt as though I didn't belong at the table, I was intimidated.   The same feeling I get when I'm sitting in a lecture and don't raise my hand, even though I know the answer to the question.

Sandberg uses the book to tell women to get up from the back of the room and take a seat at the table (both literally, and figuratively), as she has had to learn to do throughout her career.  It's a truthful look at how the female mind works, and how sometimes we have tell our over-thinking brains to "shut-it", do some mental knuckle-cracking and grab that seat at the head of the table.  I mean, we've had men running our lives for long enough to realize they clearly aren't cut out to do the job alone. 


Get the book here and get ready to lead!

Loving: Vests

One totally under-appreciated piece of clothing, that we think deserves it's spot in the lime-light is the vest.  We are head-over-heels for this versatile piece.  There are so many different varieties, from the knit and fur vest from La Rue Marche JW wears to the faux fur Merona Target vest JC pairs with a striped long sleeve.  There are a million different ways to wear them, and they are so flattering, on every figure.  Currently debating whether or not I love the denim vest trend for Spring/Summer.  I may have to wait and see how they're being styled before I decide!

Loving this Bracelet right now

We loved these grey booties from Francescas they're the perfect shade and height. And this is coming from a girl who is a firm believer in the beauty of flats. 

 Couldn't believe how perfect this old Necklace from J.Crew matched my striped shirt, love when that happens.  

Two very happy blogging newbies.  We love to have a reason to get together every week and do something we love!  Thanks for taking the ride with us!

XX,

JW & JC

Packing 101

When it comes to packing don't wait until the last minute. It's important to plan according to weather and activities, so I always try to think ahead and do a little research. Here are some tips for packing the perfect suitcase for your next vacation!

1. Pre-pack: find a spot in your house or room to lay out all of your outfits including shoes and jewelry. This will help you see what you plan on bringing and help you eliminate when it doesn't all fit!

2. Weed it out: you know you will wear a swimming suit and maxi dress 85% of the time... try to get rid of items you will only wear once or not at all.

3. Keep a running list: there are always things that you can't pack until the last minute. I usually have a clothing list and a separate bathroom items list. I also keep a note of what I am putting in my carry-on, my plane outfit, errands to run beforehand and things to purchase.

4. Pack it up: making it all fit in under 50 pounds is the hardest part of packing for me. I find a mixture of rolling and laying items flat, depending on the size, works best! Don't forget to leave a little room to buy souvenirs... or pack them in your carry-on!

Happy travels!

Where is your next getaway? 

Wish List Wednesday: Geek Chic

In general I am not a very tech-obsessed person but I do currently have a few on my wish list. When you think of all things tech, you may not think of a Michael Kors gold watch but this is my tech day-to-day. I currently have a similar watch in sliver with gold accents. Confession, I may have copied Julie after I couldn't resist the versatility and style. 

Ever since Julie and I started the blog we have been wanting a professional camera to improve the quality of our pictures. I have been saving up for this Canon SLR for a while and in the mean time practicing with my sister's when I see her.  Using a nice camera makes me feel like a professional photographer who can take on the world! 

(Watch: Michael Kors, Camera: Canon SLR, Sound Machine: Marpac Dohm, Reader: Kindle Paperwhite)

I currently have a sound machine that I cannot sleep without but it's in need of an upgrade! Every person in my family has a sound machine that we each pack on vacations for comfortable sleeping during our time away from home (I also have an app on my phone when I can't bring it somewhere!). So, for a good nights sleep try this dohm machine.

After fighting the glare on my ipad for the past few years, I need a reader, and the Kindle sounds pretty perfect. I use the Kindle app on my iphone and ipad way too much not to own the real thing and finally stop straining my eyes! 

What gets your inner geek going?

Mini Adventures

Some of the best things in life come in small packages.  At times, I go through my day-to-day and feel like I'm doing the same old things. I try to branch out whenever possible and when my friend Hillary suggested mini golf I was all for it! The same old dinner and drinks gets tired so you have to find your own adventures. I recommend going back to the basics: mini golf, bowling, arcade, apple picking, laser tag or finding a place that has it all, like Pinstripes. Don't forget to be silly and have fun!

(Jenna- Vest: Ann Taylor Loft {sale}, T-Shirt: Ann Taylor Loft {old}, Jeans: The Limited, {sale} Flats: Target {old})

(Hillary- T-Shirt: Harley Davidson, Denim Shirt: Eddie Bauer {old}, Jeans: Heartbreaker, Shoe: Tommy Hilfiger {old}, Scarf: Gypsy Moon)

It's these small carefree adventures in life that us bring laughter and friendship!

What do you do to be adventurous?