NYE | A Joyful Riot

New Year Resolution Prints | Free Printable Friday

January 2, 2015 ·

I hope you all had absolutely wonderful New Year celebrations! Even if that celebration was just going to bed early and spending your day off getting things done, I hope you enjoyed it.

I’ve been thinking more about resolutions this year. I don’t typically make any. I mean, I usually have a kind of vision for my upcoming year but I don’t usually make a big change come January first or write down specific goals. This year I decided I really should. I’ve set several challenges for myself and I’m really excited about them! They’ll all take a ton of work and dedication but I know will be very rewarding.

On that subject, I made a bunch of prints featuring a few of my favorite sayings. They’re all inspirational, remind me of what’s really important to me and now they’re all pretty so I can hang them wherever I find I need a little oomph. Each of these sayings could be a resolution in itself because each of them is a reminder to better yourself or think about what really matters to you, whatever that is.

The quotes here are:

“Look Up More”
“Go Now and Live”
“Smile. You’re designed to.”
“Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity.”
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
“I’d rather have flowers in my hair than diamonds around my neck.”

Grab them all for free right here:

They’re 8 x 10 prints, feel free to resize to what works for you and then hang them in your room, office, inspiration board, locker, wherever! Whatever your resolution is, I hope its positive and something that makes you progress while also remembering to love yourself and your talents.

Now go live the life you have imagined.

Sprinkle Numbers

December 31, 2014 ·

Happy New Years EVE!! I cannot believe 2014 is over! It was such an eventful year and definitely one of the best yet! Watch out for a recap of A Joyful Riot’s highlights over this past year coming soon. For now – sprinkle numbers!

Yesterday we shared an ice cream themed NYE celebration and to go with that party post we are going to make these sprinkle numbers. Because of course you need giant numbers to herald in the new year and what better way for these to be decorated than with sprinkles?! Pair this with ice cream cones and you’ll have a screaming fun time!

I Scream for 2015! | NYE Ice Cream Party Inspiration

December 30, 2014 ·

New Year’s Eve parties are always full of gold and glitter and while we obviously love that with all our hearts I think there’s no reason to not incorporate more color and mix it up a bit!

While thinking back on 2014, ice cream cones made a huge presence on the party/diy/craft scene and it’s easy to see why, they’re delicious AND adorable! What better way to celebrate the leaving year than to pay homage to one of it’s most popular icons? And just because those of us in the U.S. will most likely have cold outdoor temperatures for the big night does’t mean we can’t heat it up inside (ahem, dancing…) and still enjoy a cold treat. Plus all these ideas are super easy so even if you’re running a little late in preparation, there is still time for this colorful party!

So bust out that pink sparkly dress instead of the typical black one and have a cheery, creamy NYE with these sweet ideas.

1. Honeycomb Ice Cream Cones 2. Paper Lantern Cones 3. Ice Cream Cone Balloons 4. Waffle Cone Garland 5. Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes 6. Ice Cream Cone Cake Pops 7. Ice Cream Cone Nutter Butter Cookies 8. Ice Cream Cone Waffles 9. Waffle Cone Party Hats 10. Ice Cream Buffet Table 11. Chocolate and Sprinkle Dipped Cones 12. Sprinkle Silhouette Signs 13. Colorful Paper Straws 14. Sprinkle Wood Utensils 15. Scalloped and Striped Napkins 16. Flowers in a Waffle Cone 17. Flowers in a Paper Cone 18. DIY Mini Party Blowouts 19. Ice Cream Thank You Cards

Vegas Casino Themed Party

December 29, 2014 ·

Hello again! Malissa and I kind of took a semi-unintentional break from the blog last week so we could enjoy each other’s, and the rest of our family’s, company :) It was so nice to try and just relax and spend time together. We baked lots of treats, played games, gave gifts and even saw the new Hobbit (amazing!). We had such a nice time and now I’m trying to deal with the fact that Christmas is over..and soon 2014 will be too! It’s been such a crazy, wonderful year and my life has had many big events, one of which was my one year wedding anniversary.

I knew when I was 16 that I would marry Nathanial. I obviously questioned, along with everyone else, if my 16 year old self really knew anything let alone who I’d eventually marry and there were even several years where my life went a completely different direction and I thought for sure he’d never be a part of it again. But two and a half years ago, we found each other again and things just immediately picked up where we left off!

I remember about 2 months into our rekindled relationship, marriage was brought up and Nathanial said we should just do it in Vegas. I think at the time he was just thinking he needed to lock me down as quickly as possible (ha!) and I was almost offended at the thought! A vegas wedding for my party-throwing-loving self and the love of my life???! Never.

For many reasons though, a little over a year later, it sounded just perfect for us. Funny how that happens.

It was tacky, it was quick, it was cheap, it was personal and we loved it!

This year at the last minute we decided to have our friends over for a housewarming party and since it was on our anniversary I thought it definitely needed to be Vegas themed.

I decided to pay homage to card games and slot machines and decorated with a lot of red, black and gold and I thought sharing it this week might give you some ideas for your upcoming NYE celebrations! Let the glitter, games, drinks and another awesome year commence!