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!

Summer Party: Beehive DIY

countryliving.com DIY beehive Pinata 

When I was planning my daughter's 6th birthday party I knew it was going to be a morning event (since it is getting so hot and windy in the afternoon) and I knew I wanted to do a blue and white scheme with accents of yellow.  I came across this beehive image--on Pinterest, of course-- and I decided to create my own version.  

First, I bought bags of medium sized black and yellow felt balls at the craft store along with sheets of stiff blue felt.  I made a tear-drop shaped template out of cardboard for the wings and cut them out.  I then hot glued a yellow and black ball together and then the wings on top.  Cute little fuzzy bees!  Simple.

I then purchased yellow lanterns at a local party supply store and hot glued the bees on in random patterns (focusing on the top and bottom of the lantern).  I think the effect is super cute!

This would be great for a baby shower as well.

I will post photos of the whole event very soon!

Hang in there, it's Wednesday!

Derby Time

I'm not sure what it is; maybe it's a backlash against all the football hoopla over the years but I am very tempted to make my family and friends sit through a Kentucky Derby party.  They will show up and dangit they will enjoy themselves!  What's not to love: drinking and a very short race.

Here is a little inspiration for my someday event.

rivernorthlove.blogspot.com

mythirtyspot.com

Mint julep cupcakes.  Yeah, these will be served.

streetscenevintage.blogspot.com

Minty ice cubes.  How can you have a Derby party without these?

streetscenevintage.blogspot.com

bonappetit.com

Instead of the traditional mint julep drink, I'm thinking sorbet.  Oh, yeah.

streetscenevintage.blogspot.com

I will get pictures of all the guys drinking from bow-tie julep cups because I'm a good friend like that.

This week has flown by for me!  I'm excited for the weekend and 90 degree weather.  I'm hoping to take the family out to see our hills of famous poppies this afternoon and just enjoy ourselves.  I'm thinking that a stop at In-N-Out burger is in order.  If you've never had the pleasure, you don't know what you're missing.

When I have my mint julep this weekend I will say a cheers to all of you!

Frozen Birthday Party

When  my good friend Christine asked what theme she should use for her soon to be 9 year old's birthday party it was a no-brainer..."Frozen!"  Of course every child in attendance would love it and the birthday girl, Francesca, was ecstatic.  We both got down to work.  All I did was lend her some of my white Christmas decorations: fake snow, mercury glass candle stands, apothecary jars, snowflake and icicle ornaments, wreath and my daughter's small Frozen dolls.  It really was easy to pull together.  Christine did a lot more work than I did and I got to have the fun of putting things together a few days before the party.

How sweet is the front door?!  I lent her my icy looking wreath and she embellished it with dye-cut snow flakes.  

Christine had just purchased a few Ikea lamb rugs and I was thrilled because they worked perfectly with the theme.  I made a few floral "snow balls" before the party out of white carnations and mums then I brushed on a bit of silver glitter glue at the tips of the petals.   

 I have made these mini apothecary jar scenes in parties past and I always think they are cute.

Christine did an amazing job with the baking!  All the treats were lovely and yummy.

I can't tell you how wonderful the food was!  You can't see much of it in this picture but let me assure you, this was no pizza and soda birthday.  There was even wine...(I love that about these friends;)

 The beautiful birthday cake.  This birthday girl doesn't go in for rich desserts so this light-as-a-feather confection fit the bill.

Christine wanted to have a candy bar for the kids and it was a huge hit!  

 There were all sorts of beautiful candies (my favorite visually were the rock candy suckers).  So perfect.

Christine made this lovely banner using dye-cuts and I had her print out photos of Francesca in the snow at different times that I added to a pretty garland.  I love this so much.

 Now this is amazing:  Christine found out which Frozen character each child liked best and ordered them t-shirts from the Disney store with their names on them!  Now the sad part...the order didn't arrive on time:(  That's okay, they will look forward to getting them.  Here are the awesome boxes they will eventually be going home in.  I think this is about the best party favor I have ever heard of.

 A few of the guests!  Can you spot my kiddos? (hint: they are bookends here)  My daughter didn't know all the guests and is going through a shy phase so that is why she looks a little sad.  Poor darlin'.

 The stairway was the perfect place to create a backdrop for the birthday girl to sit in front of to open gifts.

I'm so happy that Christine and I have the same taste and she didn't get her daughter the Frozen costume;  I like this so much better!  I think it's nice when little girls don't feel like they need to be the character but their own version.  I think it looks far classier too.  This dress is from American Girls available here.  Christine added the little cape in the back.

Happy birthday sweet Francesca!