May Pole Party Ideas

Add a traditional symbol to your Spring celebrations by incorporating a May Pole.  This is a fun and whimsical touch that can be used in children's parties as well as weddings.  Here are a few ideas to try: 

Errect an actual may pole outdoors for the children to dance around at a birthday party, or down the aisle at your wedding.  You can see a tutorial for making one on Mommy Blessings.

Desserts are made even prettier when displayed with a skewer & ribbon 'may pole' topper.

Ribbon wands mimic the may pole and are a fun favor for the kids, or an alternative for guests to wave to the bride and groom instead of throwing rice or blowing bubbles.  Find an easy tutorial on Polkadot Bride.

To carry out the theme even further, create ribbon chandeliers, tie the backs of chairs with ribbon, or hang a ribbon backdrop.  Happy May Day!

Photos:

May Poles: left, right

Cake, cupcake

Wands: left, right

chandelier, chairs, backdrop

A Sewing Themed Baby Shower

If you love handmade parties and are a DIY'er yourself, then you are going to love today's featured baby shower from Andi of Beautiful Ordinary Day.  Andi and a few friends put together this shower to honor the mom-to-be, and baby Lucy's impending arrival.  This was truly a group effort as the ladies did everything themselves, from the hoop art above (spelling Lucy's name) to the decorated cookies, mini pies, and "Lucy cakes"(cupcakes) in a jar seen below. 

You will notice the overall theme and activity of the day is sewing and fabric crafts, as they all made personalized onesies for baby Lucy.  I love the supplies table set up with an array of materials to choose from, not to mention the fabulous vintage window-turned-chalkboard. 

Another detail of this party that I love is the reaccuring use of the embroidery hoops in different sizes, used for decor.  This is such an easy idea really - just place some coordinating fabric in each one to add great decorative touches all around the space.  If you like, you can add mini buntings or embroidered words or letters as well.

These ideas can be incorporated into any 'vintage', or shabby chic theme.  Thanks Andi, for allowing me to share this sweet handmade shower!

Note: See what inspired Andi's shower on Swoon - it's an adorable "Picnic Birthday Party."

A Royal Wedding Viewing Party

We are only days away from the wedding of the decade, and I for one, can't wait to see how it all comes together! The wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton will be nothing short of amazing and I thought I'd share a few ideas with you in case you want to host a party and watch the nuptials in royal style.

Since this is primarily a "girly" event (weddings in general) I decided to use a feminine color palette of soft pink, rose, and cream for the decorative details. This is also reminiscent of the florals found on English china. This is the time to use your tiered serving stand, your best set of china, and your silver pieces.

You can set your DVR and record the event to watch later if you like, and host a brunch with scones, crumpets (English muffins), sliced ham, and fresh berries. For decor, make sure to use teapots and teacups and fill them with pretty flower arrangements. Place some hats, which you can get from a thrift store for little money, on various heights of hat stands or pillar candle holders. You can also have an array of hats for your guests to choose from and wear, or require them to wear their own. No proper royal event would be complete without them!

To add more interest to your food display, utilize the printable picks available from Bird's Party. This set incorporates our color scheme, gold crowns, and Union Jack. Another great printable resource, is Paper & Cake who has designed these fantastic photo props available in a top hat, a tiara, and of course, that gorgeous ring! Don't forget to toast the bride and groom with champagne. Set up a variety of juices to add to the glass - orange juice, peach nectar, and pear nectar are all great choices.

What's a wedding without wedding cake? I love these mini wedding cakes served instead of cupcakes. You can make these using a specially shaped baking pan, or by baking a sheet cake and cutting out different sized circles using a set of biscuit cutters. Just stack them, ice them, and add a few decorative touches with piping bags and decorating supplies. As a parting gift for your guests, place some "tea bag" cookies in a celephane bag and tie it up with a pretty ribbon. You could also add a couple of real tea bags to the gift if you like. These tea bag cookies are easy to make using a shortbread recipe and following the instructions found on Beurrista.

However you choose to celebrate, this Royal Wedding is sure to be a spectacular event!

Don't forget to visit me at the Blog Frog Coffee Talk community and discuss all things entertaining related!

Photos: teapot with flowers, hat on stand, tiered server(?), berries with printable picks, champagne, printable photo props, tea bag cookies, mini wedding cakes.

Beach Wedding Ideas {Styled Shoot}

Today's inspiration design has so many beautiful touches, you may need to take notes!  This is a styled shoot {see vendor list at bottom of post} for a beach wedding but you know my philosophy - take the ideas and incorporate them into your own celebration.  This would be beautiful for an engagement party for a couple having a destination wedding, a sophisticated backyard beach party, or any other occasion for those who love the seaside.  Inspiration begins now!

Great Tabletop Ideas:

• Use burlap to cover a low table {bring a coffee table outside}.
• Use old shutters as a table "runner".
• Use driftwood and colored glass bottles filled with tropical flowers as the centerpiece.
• Muted colors and surfboard motif adds a retro-kitschy feel.
• Fill small bottles with sand and use to hold food/drink markers.
• Use rafia and seashells to wrap napkins.

For dessert, a cookies and cream bar is set up.  This gives guests a variety of options: they can make an ice cream sundae, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream & soda floats, or simply enjoy them all separately.  I love the simplicity of this.

Dessert Table Ideas:

• Incorporate sea glass into your display - scatter along the table, fill bowls or bottles with it, or use it as a base layer to set other goodies on top of.
• Make a tiered stand by wrapping different sized boxes with wrapping paper and stacking them.
• Serve quarts of ice cream in buckets; provide dry toppings in small galvanized containers.

Another great idea is to set up an outdoor movie theater.  Use large pillows and blankets to sit on, and choose an old classic movie like Beach Blanket Bingo, an adventure drama like The Beach, or even the iconic Jaws.  Choose something your particular crowd will love. 

Vendor Credits:

Photography - Tinywater Photography

Design - Platinum Planning

Stationery - Alice Koswara

Florals - Botanica Floral Design

Cookies - The Cookie Drop

Mexican Fiesta Inspiration

{photos & styling by Celebrations At Home}

I can't believe it's nearly May!  Where has the first quarter gone?  Fortunately that means it's time for a Fiesta party to celebrate Cinco De Mayo!  You can see all my Fiesta design ideas in my latest contribution to Celebrations.com.  And find the recipe for delicious and refreshing Beer Margaritas here. 

I don't think you'll want to miss it!

Delicious Deviled Eggs With Bacon

{photos by Celebrations At Home}

I never met a deviled egg I didn't love, however, this is not your mama's recipe!  This incredible recipe I discovered years ago in the book Special Occasions by John Hadamuscin.  The addition of horseradish gives it a kick, while melted butter and bacon make it rich and indulgent.  Go ahead and try it.  Your friends & family will thank you!

Deviled Eggs with Bacon

1 dozen large eggs

8 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled

2 Tbsp mayonnaise

2 Tbsp butter, melted & cooled slightly

4 tsp prepared horseradish

1 tsp cider vinegar

1 tsp dry mustard

1/8 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped pimiento

Cooking hard boiled eggs:  Place eggs in cold water in a large sauce pan.  Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat and cover.  Let sit covered for 15 minutes.  Drain water and let cool until ready to handle.

Peel and cut eggs in half and scoop out yolks into a mixing bowl, mashing with a fork.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.

Spoon or pipe mixture into the egg halves and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Tip:  For more interesting presentation, you can cut the eggs across the width.  Cut a small slice off the bottom so they will stand upright on the dish. 
Garnish with a small slice of bacon, a sprinkling of parsley, or a slice of pickled jalapeno.