Johanna Ackerman, Author at If I Ran The Party

Canvas Elephant and Giraffe Growth Chart with Bible Verse

July 11, 2015

Canvas Elephant and Giraffe Growth Chart with Bible Verse

I was working on a gender neutral baby room when I designed a growth chart. I decided to get it printed on canvas and hang it with a tree branch!

I didn’t have to go far to find a limb, we have had crazy storms lately and we had tree limbs down all over our yard. I decided to go with a straighter limb to keep the sign level.

Next came how in the world to hang the branch. I decided to take picture hanging wire and wrap it around the bark!

The growth chart starts at 1 foot off the floor. I measured with a tape measure to make sure that it was at the correct height.

I think it turned out pretty good! I decided that I was going to add this growth chart to my store! They are now available here!

Decor

Herb Garden Inspiration

July 9, 2015

Herb Garden Inspiration

Growing up, my Grandma always had this ladder leaning up against her house where the towels went to dry after we went swimming. This is something I will always remember. After my Grandma passed, I decided to use this Kiva Ladder in my own home.

I found these pails at Save-on-crafts.com for only $3.99 or 10 for $35. There was no way for the excess water to escape so I used a drill to drill 2 holes in each of the pails.

Then came the struggle of finding out how to hang the pots on the ladder. I looked for weeks for hooks big enough for the ladder. Then, by mistake, I realized the handles come off the pails and that I could just do that! DUH!

Here is the completed garden:

Herb Garden Inspiration

Travel

Allure of the Seas Mediterranean Cruise

July 9, 2015

Allure of the Seas Mediterranean Cruise

After 4 days in Rome, we headed to the port of Civitavecchia (about an hour outside of Rome) to get on the Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas ship. The ports of call on this cruise were Naples, Italy; Barcelona, Spain; Palma De Mallorca, Spain; Provence(marseilles), France; Florence/pisa(laspezia), Italy; and back to Rome (civitavecchia), Italy;

Naples, Italy:
Shore Excursion to: Sorrento, Positano, Pompeii

Bay of Sorrento

Enjoying the view of Sorrento, Italy

The Streets of Sorrento

Sorrento was this cute little town on the coast of Italy over the Naples Bay. It had a tiny beach, a lot of shops on narrow streets and home of the famous inlaid artwork. While in Sorrento, I stumbled upon a shop called Siniscalchi where these guys was crafting leather shoes. I had to take this chance to get my own handmade leather shoes!

Handmade Siniscalchi Sandals from Sorrento

Then, we traveled along to coast to a small town carved out of the hills along the Amalfi Coast, Positano. This is the city of the stairs! A lot of stairs to go down and climb but totally worth the beautiful beach and scenery!

Positano, Italy

Positano Beach in Italy

Beautiful flowers cover all houses in Positano, Italy

Family in Positano

Pompeii with Mt. Vesuvius in the background

When they discovered the remains of Pompeii they found these shapes in the ashes that were once humans and animals. They made a cast out of that and now they have humans and animals in their last moments

Crouching man or women of Pompeii

In Pompeii they had different shops set up. This was a bakery or bread shop.

Pompeii Room in House

This is a mosaic of a dog that was found in the doorway of a house. It says “beware of dog”

Pompeii Ruin

Barcelona, Spain:
We decided not to do a shore excursion in Barcelona and just decided to walk around the city! Barcelona was filled with beautiful architecture and a lot of sangria!

Barcelona, Sain

Barcelona Architect Guadi’s work

Barcelona, Spain

Palma De Mallorca, Spain
Shore Excursion: Drach Caves
The Drach caves hosts the largest underground lake. It was pretty incredible to see!

Hubby looking good in Spain

Drach Cave in Spain

I thought this looked like bacon! lol

Drach Caves

Provence(Marseilles), France
Shore Excursion: Panoramic Marseilles & Aix en Provence. Had a blast wondering the streets and shopping in Aix en Provence.

Family in Provence(Marseilles), France

Provence(Marseilles), France

France with my Sisters!

My sister Alexa is a wonderful photographer!

Paroisse Cathédrale Saint Sauveur Aix-en-Provenc

Marseille, France

old port of Marseille, France

Aix En Provence, France

Josh trying his first Crepe!

Aix En Provence, France

Pisa, Italy
We made our way to see the leaning tower of Pisa. It is still leaning. A lot of people where there as you could imagine but it was cool to see something you have always heard about!

Leaning tower of Pisa

Leaning sisters…

Florence, Italy
Home of the Statue of David. We just so happened to land in Florence on June 24th, Festival of San Giovanni. That was a busy day in Florence! TONS of people and streets closed. Next time I go to Florence, I will choose a different day.

Ponte Vecchio Bridge in Florence

Florence, Italy

Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence

One of my highlights of the entire trip was getting to see the real Statue of David!

I loved getting to see some of Michelangelo’s unfinished works. It is amazing how he could take a solid piece of marble and carve out his visions!

Around the Ship:
Here are a collection of some of our time enjoying what the Allure of the Seas has to offer! We absolutely love this ship! We were apart of the first sailing and then we came back when we heard the ship would be in the Mediterranean!

My sister Alexa on the Florider

My little sister Lauren wiping out!

Husband and I at dinner

My sister Nicole knocked off Karaoke on her bucket list! She always makes me cry when I hear her sing!

On the other hand… My other two sisters can’t keep a tune! But still are fun to watch!

Don’t be shy… leave a comment!

Pregnancy

Baby Bump – 35 Weeks

July 8, 2015

Baby Bump – 35 Weeks

Bump Day!! So last weekend’s to do list didn’t get accomplished lol so I’m gonna do it this weekend! So, car seat, hospital bag (suitcase), and there was something else but I forgot lol I will add setting up the baby monitor to that though! But basically, I’m counting down the days until my maternity leave – Jessica

Decor Pregnancy Uncategorized

Elephant Neutral Nursery Inspiration

July 6, 2015

Elephant Neutral Nursery Inspiration

Whenever my husband and I decide to have a kid we decided that we do not want to know the sex of the baby. Therefore that has caused me to start thinking about neutral nurseries. Here is the first one that I have come up with!

Crib: Fiona Crib from Pottery Barn Kids

Elephant Taylor Organic Nursery Betting Set by Pottery Barn Kids

Wool Felt Elephant Mobile by Restoration Hardware

Gray Elephant Wood Art from Pottery Barn Kids

Growth Chart designed by me!

Ceramic Elephant Table Lamp by Pottery Barn

Mercantile Stacking Bins by Restoration Hardware

Elephant Hamper from Home Decorators

Polar Shag Area Rug

Don’t be shy! Let me know what you think by leaving me a comment!

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What I'm Loving This Week

What I’m Loving This Week

July 5, 2015

What I’m Loving This Week

1. Jose Frakich Fitness
Voted the #1 trainer in the WORLD. I just signed up for the 12 weeks custom workout plan! The workout plan was $49 for 12 weeks. I am excited to see the transformation. Get more information here: http://josefrakichfitness.com/workout-program

2. Black and Cream Diamond Rug
I am loving this rug for the kitchen! It is from Magnolia Homes (AKA Fixer Up a HGTV show). This 2×3 rug is $85. You can buy this rug here: https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0207/8508/products/Diamond_Rug_Small_2_large.JPG?v=1424802453

3. Ashley Olsen’s beach wavy hair
I pretty much love anything Mary Kate and Ashley! This week I have been really loving this beachy hair. To get this look, get a spray bottle and fill it with a sea salt/water mixture (to mimic the ocean). This helps create those beachy waves without getting the crunchy curl. Or, you can try this product, Oribe to get the look! Here are another 25 ways to create this look: http://www.babble.com/beauty/25-unique-ways-to-create-beachy-waves-2/

4. Stylestalker Auspicious Shorts- Floral & The Fifth All Stars Top in Parchment from Esther Boutique
One of my favorite shops that never disappoints is Esther Boutique located in Australia. This week, I am loving this summer style shorts and top.
Shorts: http://www.esther.com.au/collections/new-arrivals/products/stylestalker-auspicious-shorts-floral
Top: http://www.esther.com.au/collections/new-arrivals/products/the-fifth-all-stars-top-parchment

5. West Elm’s Jute Wrapped Floor Mirror
I just bought this wall mirror this past week! It already has been delivered and is now apart of my Master Bedroom. This mirror is on Sale right now at West Elm here: http://www.westelm.com/products/jute-wrapped-floor-mirror-w1607/?pkey=cfloor-mirrors%7C%7C&cm_src=floor-mirrors||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-

6. West Elm’s John Vogel Teak Lounger
I am loving this lounger, also from West Elm. How perfect would this be by the pool and a margarita in your hand? It is on Sale right now at $599.99. You can check it out here: http://www.westelm.com/products/john-vogel-teak-lounger-h1322/?pkey=coutdoor-furnitures%7C%7C&cm_src=outdoor-furnitures||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-

7. Bananas!
I can’t stop eating them this week. I love to dip the bites in Peanut butter! This is my mid-morning snack!

8. NextDoor
This is a website that I stumbled upon. It is really neat if you live in a neighborhood in a city. You sign up and then you are connected to other people in the neighborhood. As well as with the local police department. You can post about classifieds, crime & safety, documents, free items, lost and found, general, and recommendations! I just posted some dog pens that I wanted to give away. Hopefully someone comes and picks them up today!

Decor

Pottery Barn Hack- Boy’s Sports Wall Art

July 3, 2015

Pottery Barn Hack- Boy’s Sports Wall Art

So my sister came to me when she was creating her son’s nursery. She went with a sports theme and she really loved these 4 Pottery Barn Football Sports wall art. However, they are $119 EACH! She asked me to design basically the same thing but to customize it with her son’s name – MJ.
She purchased this nursery bedding from Pottery Barn and she wanted me to match the colors of the bedding to the signs.

Here is how they turned out:

My sister decided to print these using Shutterfly and print them on metal. The 8×10 metal signs are regularly $59.99. However, there are TONS of promo codes that you can find online to make them cheaper.

Here’s how they look in the Nursery!

If you are interested in purchasing a digital photo of one of these designs they are $4.99 each. Just email me at [email protected] and I will start customizing it!

Pregnancy

Baby Bump- 34 Weeks

July 1, 2015

Baby Bump- 34 Weeks

Well my bump days are hopefully dwindling down!! But 1st off…I know I spelled “cantaloupe” wrong, but I was already finished with the board when I noticed it and said screw it hahah So what’s going on in pregnancy land…not much! Got a waterproof mattress pad just in case 🙂 going to pack our hospital bag (suitcase lol) this weekend and hopefully gonna install the car seat this weekend too! Getting more tired and lazy each and everyday but I’m trucking along! Until next week!

Travel

When in Rome….

June 30, 2015

When in Rome….

I was blessed to have spent this past week in Rome with my husband, 4 sisters, Dad & his girlfriend. Ate a lot of margarita pizza, wine and knocked items off the bucket list!

Here are a few highlights from ROMA:

Colosseum
Construction began in 70 AD
Construction ended in 80 AD
Built By: Vespasian, Titus

Colosseum at Night
We were blessed to have the opportunity to do a nighttime private tour of the Colosseum where we were allowed to go into the underground layers to see how the show was run.

Pantheon
Built in 126 AD
Built For: Roman Temple
Now used for: Catholic Church. Two Rome Kings are buried there as well as Raphael’s Tomb
• The best preserved Ancient Roman Building. It is also the World’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Altare della Patria
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The Altare della Patria also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II or “Il Vittoriano” is a monument built in honor of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy, located in Rome, Italy. Also hosts the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Sisters: Caroline, Nicole, Alexa, Lauren (Left to Right)

Palatine Hill
The Palatine Hill is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city. It stands 40 metres above the Forum Romanum, looking down upon it on one side, and upon the Circus Maximus on the other.

Old apartment buildings in Ancient Rome

Old tiles found in the Palatine Hill

Roman Forum
Once the center of Rome around which the city developed, the Roman Forum was for centuries the hub of activity for commercial affairs, public speeches, and the meting out of justice in the form of criminal trials.

Temple of Antoninus and Faustina in the Roman Forum

Temple of Saturn in the Roman Forum

Temple of Vespasian and Titus in the Roman Forum

Jewish Catacombs
The Jewish Catacombs are ancient catacombs, underground burial places of which there are at least forty, some discovered only in recent decades. The Jewish Catacombs date back to the 2nd & 3rd BC.

Jewish Catacombs in Rome

Exploring the Jewish Catacombs

The Streets of Rome
Exploring this romantic architectural ancient city.

Husband (Josh) and I

My sister Alexa

Falling in love more and more any day

Lauren, Nicole, Dad (John), Me and Alexa (From left to right)

Rooftop dinner in Rome

Enjoying some wine with my hubby

Via Condotti Street in Rome

St. Angelo Bridge

Spanish Steps
Widest Steps in all of Europe

Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps

Castel Sant’Angelo
Mausoleum of Hadrian
Built in 123-139 AD
Built by/for: Hadrian

Vatican
World’s Smallest Country
Founded: February 11, 1929

Family Private Tour of the Vatican After Hours. We were actually there with Reese Witherspoon!

St. Peter’s Basilica was designed by Michelangelo

Niccoline Chapel is tucked inside the Tower of Innocent III, on the second floor of the Palazzo Vaticano. It is especially notable for its fresco paintings by Fra Angelico (1447–1451)

Imperial Porphyry came from Egypt. This purple stone was a symbol of wealth and power in Ancient Rome. This purple shade is no longer found anywhere.

Room of Heliodorus by Raphael

Very Rare Red Marble Roman Statue

Behind The Scenes- The Pope did not want to have to climb the staircase so he had this ramp built that would allow him to be carried up this ramp.

I just couldn’t get enough of this tile on the ramp!

This is one of the views from the ramp at the Vatican

Modern Art at the Vatican

Pregnancy

Baby Bump- 33 Weeks

June 28, 2015

Baby Bump- 33 Weeks

Hump day bump day!! 33 weeks down…7 to go! While I love little man and I love feeling him all the time (and yes he moves all day long lol), I’m ready for him to be here! Heartburn/indigestion is my constant companion, I’m exhausted, and getting out of bed in the morning is about the hardest thing to do. I have no motivation to do anything. I just want to watch TV all day long and that’s it. Have a Dr appointment on Monday to check on little MJ, hopefully the doctor will see me, think I’m too big, and get me an ultrasound lol wishful thinking!! Have a great day!

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Johanna Ackerman

Canvas Elephant and Giraffe Growth Chart with Bible Verse

Herb Garden Inspiration

Allure of the Seas Mediterranean Cruise

Baby Bump – 35 Weeks

Elephant Neutral Nursery Inspiration

What I’m Loving This Week

Pottery Barn Hack- Boy’s Sports Wall Art

Baby Bump- 34 Weeks

When in Rome….

Baby Bump- 33 Weeks

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