Birthday gal

Hello splendid followers!

I’m sorry I haven’t posted this last week, it was spring break and I have been on vacation (be looking for a post soon!) and adventuring with the pals. The week before I left, I did a “Crafty creations” post that included a few knick knacks I made for my friend’s birthday, which we celebrated the Friday before I left. It was a scrumptious dinner with such a pretty set up, and it was a great night with the gals.

Olivia is my girl friend’s name, and she did all of the decorating for the dinner herself. She had homemade bath salts in the neatest little bottles, and tie-dye hair ties that she made herself as well for each of us to take home. There were other crafty little trinkets around the tables that were homemade too; I just loved the whole thing. If you want a party designer…Olivia’s your girl.

My birthday is coming up in a couple months and I’d like to do something that lives up to this beauty…If you have any suggestions or inspiration for me let me know!

Below are just a few fun pictures from throughout the night. Enjoy!

xo Ivy

MORE below!!

Balloon Man

Jolly soul!

On my stroll down State Street yesterday evening, I noticed myself much more aware of my surroundings. I was taking notice of all the strangers passing me by; people watching to the max. The “Balloon Man,” whom everyone has seen on State Street in Santa Barbara with all his balloon creations, caught my eye. Who is this random man, selling balloon animals, and how did he come about this business? I decided to talk him and find out his story.

I walked up to his cart filled with the brightest colored balloons, briefly told him about my blog, and asked if I could include him in the process. He was delighted to talk to me, telling me all he could squeeze in. As I talked to him I discovered a number of things, one being that The Balloon Man, otherwise known as Juan Barron, has been creating balloon creatures for the public for 30 years! His soles have taken him from Mexico City where he began, across the border to Santa Barbara where he has been for 18 years.

Although twisting balloons into the most exciting figures he can imagine is a big part of his life, the Balloon Man is also a toy designer, and a Salsa dance teacher as well! I thought it was so interesting; the diversity of things he is interested in represent the different parts of his soul. He journeys from festival to festival, farmer’s markets, to street corners, selling his toys and balloon creatures, and meeting new people along the way.

Balloon creations

Feet of a traveler

xo Ivy