Woodland Fairy Birthday

This Woodland Fairy birthday party was created by Kate Landers Events, LLC.   It takes place in a wooded back yard which trandsends you to a magical fairy land!

The snacks buffet is a wonderful focal point with it's lush greenery, butterflies, toadstools, and fantastic parfait bar with toppings placed in homemade chocolate birds nests.  The nests are simple to make with shredded wheat cereal and melted chocolate.  You can find the complete instructions here.

The table setting displays more toad stools, and a fairy tutu and head garland for each little girl.  A special garland wreath hangs from ribbon, above.

More decorative details include fairy doors at the base of trees, felt banner hanging from tree limbs, and fairy dust and wands.  The fab duo at Paper & Pigtails designed the invitations and coordinating tags, and now have them available in their Etsy shop.

For lots more detailed shots and a complete report on activities, visit the post at Kate Landers Events, LLC.

Trend Alert - Bring The Inside, Out!

You know the term, "bring the outside in" when it comes to interior decorating...large open windows, lush greenery and flowers, even garden-style furniture pieces.  This trend is doing the opposite and bringing indoor pieces, outside for entertaining.  I love this idea because it really helps create a cozy atmosphere when you're in the midst of wide open space.  Here are some beautiful examples: 

Desk tables and decor mark the spot for writing well-wishes to the guest of honor, viewing photos, housing a welcome book, etc.  Chests (oh, how I love the open moss-filled drawers) can act as the dessert table or drink station.  You can even pull out some old drawers and display treats inside.

You can use shabby chic furniture styles, or sleek modern styles to incorporate this look.  It's unexpected and very cool!  

Photos:
desk 1, desk 2,
chest 1, chest 2,
drawers, desk
bar

SATC 2 Party Ideas

It's finally here!  The Sex And The City 2 movie opens this Friday and my girlfriends and I will be there, will you?!  If you're planning a pre- or post- movie get-together, Jen at Second City Soiree has some fantastic ideas for you.  Taking cues from the story line where the gals visit Abu Dhabi, decor takes on an exotic flair, with a few details giving a nod to some of the scenes in NY. 

Each of the ladies is represented in these whimsical food displays:  "Miranda's 60 hour work week Easy Hummus", Carrie's tuxedo cookies represent the tux she wears to Stanford's wedding, "Samantha's little secret" of age defying 'vitamins,' and the hilarious scene where Charlotte's white skirt meets daughter's red hands!  You can find all these ideas and More, as well as free downloads for the signs, at Second City Soiree.  Whether you display these ideas on opening night, or for the DVD release, they are sure to set the tone perfectly!

Sophisticated Baseball Theme

I think birthday inspiration for men may be one of the least represented genres in the party blogosphere.  Fortunately, I found one you can add to your ideas file if you happen to have a baseball lover.   Thanks to Amorology, who created this classy baseball themed wedding that is perfect for a gentleman's birthday celebration.

Create anticipation with "ticket" invitations, and decorate your party space with penants, baseballs, and peanuts!  Have bats and balls available for guests to write on{well-wishes to the birthday guy}.  Display treats in a vendor-style box/tray, and design a couple of coordinating centerpieces using baseballs.

I so love the idea of the "hey, batter, batter" favor box filled with pancake batter!  These ideas would also work well for Father's Day, coming up soon!

Pale Blue & Yellow Baby Shower {2 Parties, 1 Idea}

Today I've got 2 seperate parties that look great together!  The first, from Dooby Design Group, sets the scene perfectly for a Baby Shower (or Bridal) for a baby boy or unknown sex.  The color pallete is soft blue and yellow and uses monogram details and lovely flowers to create a classic design.

After a light luncheon, finish up with this yummy dessert spread from Pizzazzerie.  The colors are perfectly suited  for the design above and even incorporates more monogram detail!

Summer Style

I love this time of year when parties on the patio are the order of the day!  Here are a few fresh ideas from Good Housekeeping, to help you keep your cool.   

Don't have enought lawn furniture to accomidate everyone?  Bring some of your indoor furniture, out!  Small side chairs & tables can be easily transported.  Use coordinating table cloths and cushions to create a seamless look.

Set up a beverage station away from the food so traffic can move freely.  Provide a recycle bin for empty bottles.

Be sure to keep your food buffet at proper temperature.  Don't let dishes sit out for more than an hour, or create a 'cooler' by filling a larger container with ice and setting bowls of salads on top. 

Put your office supplies to work for you.  Use plastic stick-on flags for drink markers - just jot down your name with a marker. Secure napkin-wrapped cutlery with colorful rubber bands.

Finally, keep your guests comfortable by filling a basket with sunblock, bug spray, and even light throws for when the sun goes down.

A 'Tweet' Dessert Table

I saw this bright and cheerful dessert table by Blue Cupcake, yesterday, and thought it was another perfect example for Spring entertaining, 'Nesting' themed shower, or, as originally planned, a birthday party.
This was the sweets table for Julie Bowen's (Modern Family) twin boys 1st birthday party.  A fabulous display of cake/cupcakes, cookies, rice krispy treats on a stick, cake pops, candies, and macarons!

Ella's Fairy Birthday Party

I'd like to introduce you to Jennifer Birkhead Design.  Jennifer submitted pictures of her daughter's Woodland Fairy birthday party full of fun and fairy magic!  She designed the invitations and table signage, as well as crafted an incredible toadstool prop that I am obsessed with!  To set the scene, the ceiling was draped with cloth, and hanging poms butterflies.  A woodland 'scene setter' covered the walls!

Lots of fun activities were played such as 'finding the coins dropped by the tooth fairy,' musical 'toadstools,' and making special fairy wishes with fairy dust - the little girls would sit on the toadstool and say "Fairies, fairies I believe in you, please help make my wish come true," while being sprinkled with 'fairy dust.' Of course a sweet table was set up with lots of whimsical treats!

Spring Baby Shower {How 'Tweet' It is}

When Kaysi Fox from FABU Weddings & Events sent me these photos, I fell in love!  This Spring Baby Shower is filled with little "nesting" details and nature-inspired elegance.

(click photo to view larger)

The shower was held at a clubhouse and Kaysi took care of all the design & decor.  The table is layered with fabric, moss, and burlap to combine the rustic with the refined.   A combination of twigs, hydrangeas, and tulip vases lined the center of the table, filled in by rocks, and more moss.  Each place setting had coordinating paper accents, and a sweet place card with button detail, tied around the favor box.  The activities for the evening were baby shower bingo, playing pool, and sipping on mocktails!

Dinner was provided (from Olive Garden), and a beautiful dessert buffet followed.  The cookies, macarons, cupcakes, and cake were by Dippidee.  Color coordinated candies rounded out the display, along with a framed invitation to the event (see the invitation suite below-also created by Kaysi).

As I always say, if you bring your food in from a restaurant, display it in your own dishes!  Look how pretty the dinner buffet looks set in white dishes and surrounded by more themed decor.  Thanks for sharing this beautiful shower, Kaysi!

Free Customized Downloads

I just found these Free Customizable Downloads from The Wedding Chicks.   These are great because you can choose your primary color, your accent color, and specific text.  You just enter the information into the field, and send.  The Wedding Chicks will email you your customized printables FREE!  We Love Free!

There are many styles to choose from (mostly related to wedding, of course), but I chose here, some of the more general designs that you can use for Bridal Shower or Engagement party, Candy Table, Photo Booth area, and a Monogram that would work for ANY occasion!  Thank You Wedding Chicks! 

Ice Cream Cones And Cotton Candy

Two icons of childhood are making quite the presence these days.  Ice cream cones are being used to hold all sorts of treats, combining form with function in the tastiest way!  Fill the cone with candies for favors, such as m&m's, jelly beans, or gummies; serve a fruit parfait inside during a brunch or drinks on the patio; serve classic cupcakes or rice crispy balls inside for a birthday indulgence the kids will love!

Cotton candy, the mainstay of carnivals and fairs, is now a popular choice for dessert tables at any type of party.  Presented in paper cones (or ice cream cones!) they can be easily and stylishly transported...but that's not all.  They can also serve as a fun drink garnish!  A great way to add whimsy to an adult function!  There are so many colors available, you can match up almost any color scheme.  

Delight your guests at your next celebration with a new twist on a couple of old ideas.  Serve ice cream cones and cotton candy!

Photo:

m&m's cone (unknown), berry filled cones, cupcake cone, meringue cookie cones,

rice crispy cone 1, rice crispy cone 2

cotton candy cone 1, cotton candy cone 2

red drink, martini, cotton candy float (Martha Stewart), tea cup

cotton candy cup & cotton candy stick (Martha Stewart)

Carter's First Birthday

Today I wanted to share a party that's been in my 'to do' file for quite a while.  This is one of the finalists in the Creative Hostess Most Adorable Party Contest back in February!  It's an adorable first birthday created by Natalie Mann, for her daughter, Carter.

A fun and festive color scheme of pink and orange was used, along with a cute graphic of a little girl and the number "1".  Great ideas in the dessert table are skewered toffee candies, and individual snacks served in cupcake liners.  I also loved the various and personalized favors for the guests.   Great job, Natalie!

Vintage-Inspired Nesting Shower

I'm excited to finally share this gorgeous vintage-inspired Nesting Shower, designed by Morgan of Pepper Design blog.  Not only did she begin with an amazing outdoor setting, but she executed every detail superbly!

With thrift store and yard sale finds, and a little craftiness, Morgan nailed the vintage vibe!

Above is one of the dining tables inside the gazebo, and the dessert buffet.  Handmade paper flowers, hanging rosettes, and DIY cake pedestals were just some of the details (check out that hand-crafted chandelier!).   

There were also tea cups and hanging jars filled with rice and a candle, as well as hot cocoa favor packets to tie into the hot beverage bar being served. 

To enjoy with dessert, the hostesses served a hot beverage station with chai tea, cafe latte, hot cocoa, and delicious toppings.

This shower is so inspiring for any ladies luncheon....even Mother's Day!

For lots more photos and information about this party, visit Part 1, Part 2, and the tutorial for creating paper flowers (chandelier), and a tutorial on the linens and book art.