Who Is

Jenna Hodges?

How I Got Here

I’m just like you, but I had a lightbulb moment when planning a baby shower. Here is my story...

As a kid...

Growing up I was the crafty kid who got excited about the little things. I spent every Sunday evening at my grandparents’ house having dinner with my extended family. This was my favorite part of the week! We celebrated birthdays and holidays together and often just incorporated them into our regularly scheduled Sunday gatherings. I never cared that my siblings and I hardly ever had birthday parties where our friends came. We celebrated at grandma’s house with our cousins, aunts and uncles and that was perfect. Cake, ice cream, a few gifts and family - what more did we need? It was simple and we were happy. This weekly tradition laid the foundation for how I approach celebrations today.

Then Pinterest happened...

A few years after college, Pinterest was born and, as someone who always had creative ideas running through this head, this was a gold mine. I would spend hours scrolling through endless ideas for crafts, weddings, parties, organizing tips and so much more. At the time I wasn’t married yet and didn’t have kids, but I already had a million ideas for a wedding and first birthday parties! I started envisioning all of the cute themed details I would incorporate and, without realizing it, started putting unrealistic expectations on myself.

Then I had kids and tried to be that mom ...

A few more years down the road and an infertility struggle later, my husband and I were finally parents! This was the moment I had been waiting for - I was going to be the mom who did cute monthly photos, made all his food, sent stylized Christmas cards and hosted the cutest first birthday party. Well, long story short the mom I thought I would be and the mom I am turned out to be very different. It’s not that I didn’t try though. I spent weeks planning his Wild One first birthday party and hours looking up food, recipes, decorations, invites, and all the details. I went overboard and spent so much time. By the day of the party I was overwhelmed and stressed. In the end it turned out great and I loved planning it, but I realized I put a lot of stress on myself that didn’t need to be there.

Four years later when my second son was born, I planned another themed first birthday party, but this time I got organized, scaled back, and kept my self-imposed expectations in check. That party ended up just as cute and more enjoyable!

Finally, I figured it out!

Shortly after throwing my youngest son’s first birthday party, I helped plan my sister’s baby shower. I put all the things I had learned planning the other parties to use and came up with a system. As a planner and list-maker by nature, I wrote it all down and documented everything in pictures on the day of the party. I wasn’t stressed or overwhelmed and my sister and guests loved it. Most importantly, as a host I got to soak up time with family and friends without being distracted.

A few months later one of my closest friends and I were planning a baby shower for another friend. We ended up doing the same theme as my sister’s baby shower and used the plans I had written down previously. It saved us hours of time and tons of stress. I also had a lightbulb moment when I realized my friend’s approach wasn't the same as mine when it came to planning. It turns out, she isn’t the one who likes to come up with the ideas. She’s not afraid of some DIY, but she likes to have instructions. Instantly I knew this was something I could share with other women to help them save time and sanity when planning parties.

Today, my digital party plans are helping busy moms just like you!

Today, my business is thriving and I’m passionate about helping busy moms straddle the line between making simple, lasting memories with their family and being the Pinterest mom they thought they’d be. I know it feels overwhelming at times because I’ve been there. My mission is to help you add a little sparkle to both the big and small moments in life and find reasons to celebrate often. Leave the details to me and enjoy the time with your family and friends.