Summer Theme Birthday Party

I can't believe my baby girl is now 6!  When planning this party I took into account that the wind here in the spring is crazy so I decided it had to be a morning party this time.  This decision made it obvious that a brunch was the best way to go.  Even in the morning it is really hot so Gwenna wanted to have water activities.  I suddenly knew the color scheme had to be blue and white with touches of yellow.  Very summery.  I envisioned elements like blue and white floral and Greek key, lemons, bumble bees, bubbles and sun flowers.  Somehow it all had to come together.  It wasn't a mega party with crazy amounts of things going on.  I've done that in the past but felt like keeping it simpler this time.  And I have to say, I'm really happy I did.

I the entryway, a painting created by me son greeted guests.

The cake table was my favorite part!  I found the plates and napkins first, then the fabric that I made into a table cloth next.  My mom purchased the gorgeous cake plate on ebay and I placed it on a beautiful mirrored tray.  This is all a bit sophisticated for a 6 year old so I had my mom make the cake with little bees as decoration and the bee pops were placed in an elephant planter stand. I think the bees and elephant make it more little fun and young.  

The "awning" is actually a shower curtain from Target.  I moved the dining room table under the mirror to create a buffet for foods like bagels, muffins, fruit, sandwiches, egg casserole, and doughnut holes.  I love the summery outdoor look this created!  Super fun.

For the kids, I created a little chocolate milk and lemonade center, of course.  

Last week I posted a tutorial here on these beehives for you.  I just love them.

A small candy bar made for a pretty display and the kids were able to take them home.  Also, Gwenna chose the book, "Grimm's Fairy Tales" to have her guests sign.  She wanted this book because it has a wolf on the cover and she loves wolfs right now.  Funny kid.

Matching blue pedis!

The mantel was very easy to pull together.  Just a few blue and white pieces with yellow flowers.  A glittery gold "G" with a few left over felt bees and lemons.  Perfect.  The banner reads "Gwenna" and I made it out of craft paper and ribbon.  I wish I had a detail shot, but the letters are attached to the ribbon with clothes pins.  That said summer to me.

Oh my but these kids had fun outside!  

This is such a great photo...look at little 2 year old Jackie also blowing out the candles!

Each child took home a bubble gun, cotton candy and a patch with their initial (to sew onto a beach bag, perhaps).

This was honestly one of the easiest and most enjoyable parties I have had the pleasure to create.  I loved watching my little lady and her friends have a blast.  

A special thank you to my mom for the cake and cake pops and for taking many photos for me as well as my good friend Kyungmoo Ryu for his lovely photos.  Also to my friends Kaley and Christine for the lend of items and some yummy treats.

I hope I gave you a bit of inspiration today.  So many of these ideas could be adapted to a variety of venues.  

Happy Birthday to my Gwenna!

Dress Up Box

I found this image on Pinterest and used it as inspiration.

At 3, my daughter is like many little girls: she likes to dress up and pretend to be her favorite characters in movies such as Sleeping Beauty, Tangled, Tinkerbell and Beauty and the Beast.  One exception to the princess generality is that my little girl typically likes to pretend to be the villain or the male lead.  For Christmas this year I wanted my husband to build her this little box/wardrobe to store all of her dress-up things, instead of having them crumpled up in a toy box.  I thought I would snatch up some good deals after Halloween to pre-stock her gift.  I assumed that because she liked princess movies, she would like princess dresses.  Gwenna cleared that up when she asked her Grandma if she could make her a Maleficent (from Sleeping Beauty) cape and head-dress.   She also asked Santa to bring her a "cruncher."  I was mystified by her request until I realized that she meant the staff that Maleficent uses.  One of her favorite scenes is when Maleficent electrocutes her little minions.  What can I say?  She is an odd little thing, and I love her.  I kept the princess dresses, though, because who knows...she may go through that phase, even though I don't care if she ever does.  

Here are the end pieces with recesses for the rod to rest, made out of MDF.

Side rails and rod.

We used an all- in- one- primer/paint but still needed two coats on
most of it.

It was a fairly easy, self-explanatory project.  I might like to add some hooks on the end, like the inspiration dress- up box.  It is great because it teaches her to hang up her clothes and keep things tidy.  It also allows her to see all of her things at once.  

I will post some pictures of Gwenna in her Maleficent costume as soon as the head-dress is completed!