Dunphy Love

Best of Valentines | Handmade + More

When it comes to parties and adorable kids, I consider myself a true expert.

One of my favorite things to do is push the envelope as far as events go. I like finding decor and clothing that will not only stand out at my parties and sparkle on my kids, but that I can also use when the balloons have popped and the cookies have crumbled.

Early on with my littles, I developed a love for handmade items; from tutu's to headbands I really learned to value the unique and disregard the mass produced.

I've created a fun compilation of decor, gifts + party supplies that will not only ROCK at your next cupid bash, but they will also be tiny treasures to hold onto for years to come.

On top of loving customized holiday decorations and wearables it's super important to me that items are quality as we like to turn our party favors into seasonal decor or vice versa.

Special Thanks to Burlap Blondie + Glitter.Me.Pretty for the ever adorable party supplies!

Emma (+ Weston) were both loving this black teething necklace from Mason + Birdie.. he held her down for quite sometime for a cuddle and to chew on it! I would highly recommend this for any new mama, or soon to be mama (or big sister who loves a good baby snuggle) ;)

One of my favorite pieces were undoubtedly the mommy + me necklace set from SteelRibbon Jewelry

Find out where all of these amazing pieces came from + hurry over to get your own fast.. Valentine's day is coming quick and I'd love to see your littles rocking these fun wearables or your home decorated in the best banners!

Heart Breaker Banner, Winged Heart Straws, Bundt Cake Toppers : Glitter.Me.Pretty
Love Banner, Be Mine Banner : Burlap Blondie
Red Hair Wrap : Diva Wraps

Red Heart Head Band, Gold, black and White Floral Crown : Upon a Star Bowtique
Personalized "Emma" Heart Shirt, "I love your stinkin' Guts" tees : J and D Gifts
I Heart My Tribe Tee : JaxonPaige Designs
Gold + Red Bow Cuff, White with Gold Crown Cuff : Petite Hero
Red Bow Tie/Hairbow, Black and Gold Bowtie/Hairbow + Earrings : AJ Assembly
Mommy + Me Heart Necklaces : SteelRibbon Jewelry
Red Suspenders : Bear & Boo
Black Teething Necklace : Mason & Birdie
Black and White Polka Dot Skirt : Daydream Believers Designs
Vintage Spoons : Nested Sparrow
Momarazzi Tee : Little Arrow
Red Moccasins : Sail East Co.
Red Toddler Beanie : Monkeyfeet

All photos were taken by me, Captured by Jes Photography & Design. To find out how to have your product(s) photographed or featured here, please contact me at the link above!

#theyearofemma | a royal bedroom makeover

I've never really had a "little girl". Granted I have a daughter, she was once an infant and toddler, she was never really a typical little girl. We've always joked she was an old soul, always 2 going on 20, 3 going in 30. She's been gifted and bought all the standard toys, and dolls that seem like a right of passage into girl world, but there was rarely ever play that happened. I know most people work really hard to keep their littles, little. To preserve that last bit of "baby" their children have. But our Emma just never really fell into that category. Her interests have always been more mature. While kids her age spend hours in fantasy land with Barbies + make believe, she's consistently been content on a gym mat, dance floor or in a book. I actually realized the other day, she doesn't color, that she's never even created art.. ART? Then, for the first time ever, she brought home something from an art class, and I was amazed.

Her soul, the one that's seemingly ancient, is a beautiful, wonderful, amazing little soul. I feel like too often she's not heard enough, not listened to like she should be. But, I was listening.. I listened to my girl whisper how she wants to be famous one day.. not Princess famous, but known for actually doing something. I took in all her tiny little desires and interests and tried to box that into a bedroom. She believes mermaids can be real (and secretly I hope that too) and loves her friends whole heartedly. She doesn't sit for hours, she needed space to move + grow.

In the middle of a move from one side of the country to the other, I decided to surprise her with a bedroom makeover. So, while she didn't complain or mention that her room was still in boxes compared to the rest of the house, I was plotting and collecting and crafting and painting. It was so worth it, to reveal this new special place to her after school one day, and she cried.

My sweet girl cried because she didn't expect it, didn't feel entitled to it. She cried because she loved it, because she had a mirror of her own, and brushes of her own - because someone was thinking of

her specifically - and I wanted to cry to.

I found inspiration for her little cove in a Pottery Barn Ad.

But instead of going online and simply clicking "order collection", I made it my own.

I took items already in her room and spray painted them gold + black. In fact, everything you see that's gold, was once another color. I think I went through 3 cans of gold :) My favorite however were the trophies.. Our pageant queen owns more than her share, and they always get shoved in the back of a closet somewhere - so I took a few and gave them that monochrome look!

It's an adorable space, for our tween - I wish I could live inside, too.

Floral Duvet + Hanging Stars : Pottery Barn Teen

Blush Quilt + Shams : Lauren Conrad - Kohls

Vanity Mirror + Giant E : Hobby Lobby

Wall Dot Decails : Miss Meliss Boutique

Photo frames + Vanity Stool : Ikea

Floral Head Crown : UponaStarBowtique

Weston Knox | Nursery re-do | Hush Little Bebe Designs

There's that bitter sweet realization, when you've lowered the crib mattress + packed away the crib bumpers that graduates your little from infant to toddler.

I had been wanting to re-do Weston's Infamous Pinterest Pinned nursery for what felt like ever, and really drew inspiration from a custom made quilt from Hush Little Bebe Designs.