I'm having a hard time deciding on which invitation to go with for Ella's upcoming "Rainbow Unicorn" birthday party.
She's got her favorite and I've got mine.

Although I have never revealed the invitation pre-party before...
I'm thinking this is such a FUN idea to get you all involved in the voting process...
so if you have an opinion...let me know which version you prefer:

                             Chalkboard Background vs. White Background

Looking forward to your feedback and input!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
This whole "Rainbow Unicorn" theme Ella picked is totally cracking me up.
I remember everything being all rainbows and unicorns at one point when I was growing up!
I've still got a unicorn statue a friend of mine (Missy) gave me for my birthday in elementary school.
It was from the Hallmark store - back in the day when shopping for pens and stickers was totally THE shopping experience all girls craved!
I have no idea how the porcelain unicorn has survived without any chips or breaks all these years?
Ella has it in her room now and LOVES it!
Maybe I'll use it as the cake topper for her party? Ha!!

SHARE | Girly Music Birthday Party

The adorable details from this girly music themed birthday party...
almost didn't happen!

Despite having to cancel the party due to a blizzard
and then having another snow storm on the rescheduled party date...
the party ROCKED on!
The darling little elements from this super simple 2nd birthday party
will have you running to glam up your guitar...
adding sparkle to your tambourine...
and drumming away on your glitzy pink drum set.

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Party Host: Christie Cambio
Celebration Type: 2nd Birthday Party
Party Theme: Music
Inspiration: Guitar Themed Invitation from Pen N' Paperflowers
Color Palette: Pink, Orange and Gold
Party Style: Girly Glam
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Girly Music 2nd Birthday Party 

styling | Ella's "Pocket Full of Posies" 3rd Birthday

There's no better way I can think of than to start the weekend off with something to inspire you with...

And I'm hoping the details from Ella's 3rd birthday will do just that.

Remember the invitation I designed and shared with you...(see full post here)

...and the lovely flowers from Maisey's Daisey's Little Shop...(see full post here)

...along with the gorgeous aprons created by Made by Morgan...(see full post here)

Well if you take those three main elements and combine them with a few simple, charming details...
You've got yourself a
  "Pocket Full of Posies" Birthday Party...

I'll let the photos speak...
 and then I'll recap everything at the end.

 Psst...for all of you Pinterest lovers...
I kept almost all of the images large to make for a beautiful pinning experience!
So go ahead..."Pin away"...*wink*

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INSPIRATION: 
I pay especially close attention to the unique little mannerisms that define my children while preparing/deciding on their birthday theme. Ella’s theme this year was chosen after noticing the genuine excitement she had as she either tucked in or pulled out small treasures from her pockets. So although I knew pockets would somehow need to be incorporated into her party, it wasn’t until we were singing/participating in “Ring-Around-the-Rosie” together that the lightbulb went off:  “A Pocket Full of Posies” Party!!

I started putting together this Pinterest board of inspiration for her party and then designed the invitation. From there the ideas for the vintage aprons transpired and her vintage color scheme containing orange, yellow, blue, green and pink was chosen.

PARTY DECOR:
 I kept the party decor quite simple actually. It was Ella’s first party in which there were no extended family members or adult friends invited. This year she had three little girls from our neighborhood attend so I tried to focus more on what would seem magical to them. As the little guests arrived, the first thing they saw were the beautiful aprons awaiting them. There was a simple food/dessert table (just their height) and a table with some balloons tied to the chairs. The dessert table had charming denim pocket banners used as part of the backdrop. I created these using pockets I cut out from recycled toddler jeans and strung them together with some twine. There were yellow floral printed napkins I used on the dessert table for color. These same napkins were used by the girls while they were eating and some of the napkins were even mailed to Made by Morgan for her to incorporate them into the aprons and bags she made. (go back and look at the aprons closer now…you’d never know they were napkins). *wink*  The other party element I tied into almost every detail of the party were the paper maché flowers created by Maisey's Daisey's Little Shop. The flowers were incorporated into the backdrop, used as dessert toppers, adorned the punch bowl, topped off and added charm to The Pastry Pedestals™ displaying the cookies & mini cupcakes.

BIRTHDAY GIRL'S PARTY OUTFIT

The dress and pantaloons were designed by Made by Morgan. The dress was actually repurposed from Ella's Vintage Witch Halloween Costume made previously by Morgan . (see Ella wearing it here). 

FOOD/DESSERTS/BEVERAGES:
 Again, with only four little girls to feed, I chose to keep the menu simple and sweet. I made mini flower cupcakes (and a few regular sized cupcakes), and some "Posey Parfaits" topped off with the adorable flowers from Maisey's Daisey's Little Shop. The Flower Sugar Cookies and Mini Flower Cupcakes were displayed on The Pastry Pedestal™.  “Pocket Sandwiches” filled with peanut butter and jelly were also served to help balance out the sugary treats.  (see the credits below for the neat little gadget that helped me make those).

Drinks included a “Posey Punch” using a favorite slushy-type party punch recipe I’ve had for years. (I'll be sharing the recipe next week).  I also offered a dispenser with cold water containing sliced citrus. Both beverages had edible organic flowers floating in them for a splash of color as well to tie in the party theme.

ACTIVITIES:
 After the party guests picked out an apron and a flower hair clip to wear, they were sent on a small scavenger hunt outside. Using the denim pocket on their aprons, they filled their pockets as they located small wooden game pieces I’d hidden around the playset. Once all of the pieces were found they naturally turned to entertaining themselves on the playset for a bit. We then sung a few rounds of Ring-Around-the-Rosie before heading back inside for another surprise activity. Since Ella loves getting her toenails painted, with the help of my two older daughters, we set up a “Posies for your Toesies” pedicure station. Each party guest was able to select a “fast-drying” nail polish for their toes along with an adhesive nail art flower for each big toe. (they thought that was SO special).

PARTY FAVORS: The little girls were given a 12-piece “Pocket Full of Posies” matching game set. I created these by purchasing precut 1-inch round wooden circles from a local craft store. I designed coordinating paper printables that I punched out with a 1-inch circle cutter and then used Mod Podge to secure them to the wooden circles. The game pieces were bundled up in handmade fabric bags created by Made By Morgan – which coordinating perfectly with the aprons they were given to wear when the arrived at the party. Along with being able to pick out an apron when they arrived at the party, the girls also picked out a handmade flower hair clip to wear – created by Maisey’s Daiseys Little Shop.

VENDOR CREDITS/RESOURCES:

• Party Styling, Photography & Paper Printables: Pen N’ Paperflowers

• Aprons: Made by Morgan

• Cloth Game Piece Bags: Made by Morgan


• Wooden Game Pieces: Pen N’ Paperflowers 
– Cupcake and Cookies Holders: The Pastry Pedestal™


• Paper Maché Flowers: Maisey’s Daiseys Little Shop


• Baked Goods: Pen N’ Paperflowers


• Gadget for creating “Pocket Sandwiches”: KrustBuster


• Large Metal Hanging Flowers: Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores

• White Enamel Cupcake Stand: Pottery Barn Kids

• Ella's Birthday Dress & Pantaloons: Made by Morgan

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KEEPiNG iT REAL

I was sick on the weekend of Ella's Party.

I was feeling so badly...

I seriously wanted to cancel the party altogether.

I had to re-photograph a lot of the party details

because I was NOT into it on party day.

I ended up completely remaking the cookies. (which were originally gingerbread)

With Ella's birthday in November...

our calendar didn't allow for celebrating until early December.

So the gingerbread cookies were perfect for the season.

They looked exactly like the cookies you see posted here...

except that they were a gingerbread base - not sugar cookie.

So see...

Not everything always goes as planned. *wink* http://www.joann.com/

coming up | color inspiration

Since I took the day off yesterday to spend with my girls...
I'm working overtime to catch up on all my orders...

In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you some beautiful COLOR inspiration

I photographed this quilt as inspiration for a customized baptismal program I just designed...
The details are amazing!! One of the most beautiful quilts I've ever seen!!

I'll share the whole scoop on it later...

but it turned out A. dorable!!!

Have a great Tuesday!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL

We had the most wonderful Family Night last night...

A "pizza picnic" followed by a game of football...

finished up with roasting marshmallows and making s'mores.

I, of course, am sticking to my vegan "promise ME" goal...

which means I couldn't partake of the s'mores.

But...

it was still fun roasting them and just having good...quality...family time!!

It's time...almost

Time to get back into the swing of things...
My two older girls officially headed back to school this morning...
So now it's time for mom to get back to business! *wink*

The holidays were great.
The extra time with my girls through Winter Break is always nice.
It's also always nice to get back to some normalcy and routine.

Looking forward to sharing a variety of things with you.
And I will.
After I get caught up on some design work and orders.

I've still got my recap of the holidays to share with you...
Highlights of 2011...
Ella's birthday party details...
(want a peek right now)?

I knew you would say yes...
So here you go...
Cuz I love ya...
And I know you've been patiently waiting on "SOMETHING"

There you go...
The theme has finally been revealed!!
"A Pocket Full of Posies"...
Do you LOVE it!?
I hope you ADORE what you see so far!
Remember the surprise giveaway I did the other day...
They were the "Matching Game" pieces I made for party favors that you see pictured here.

I have to warn you though...
It still may be a few weeks before I get the final post together with ALL of the details.
The good news?
I'm also putting together some party-related DiY's to share with you...
to go along with the party post! Woo Hoo!!

I hope you all are having a wonderful New Year so far.
Excited to be getting back to regular posting!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I'm kickin' things into high gear...
February is fast-approaching and I still have MANY things to cross off my "promise ME" list.
(Why did I have to be such an over-achiever and choose to do over 40 different items??!!)
If you are one of the many "promise ME peeps" participating with me...
How are you doing?
Tell me! Tell me!!
I cannot WAiT to hear your stories all about your journey/adventure!!

in the studio | bead party invitation

Seems like forever since I've shared with you anything new I've been working on (as far as custom designs for the shoppe)...

So today I'm sharing this adorable "BEAD" party-themed invitation requested by a recent customer.

When the customer approached me with the design concept, she gave me some colors to work with as well as
letting me know the birthday party would be held at a bead store and would be centered around making jewelry...

I think it turned out adorable and is completely appropriate for a soon-to-be eight year old.

Camden, the birthday girl LOVES the invitation - as does her mom. I absolutely LOVE hearing that feedback!
We are still working on coordinating party accessories but I couldn't resist sharing with you the finished invitation.

Enjoy your Thursday everyone...
and be on the look out for a fabulous giveaway I'll be sharing tomorrow!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
Remember me mentioning the Popcorn Bar I created for our family reunion?
And remember how it didn't quite turn out the way I had envisioned due to part of the display being damaged in transport?
Well...
I'll be recreating it this weekend and photographing it for an upcoming magazine publication.
I can't wait to share the details with you because it's SUCH a simple and fun thing to put together for your next event!

Ella's Classic Red Ball Birthday

For those of you who may have missed the big news...

since I didn't officially post it here on my blog yet...

I'm excited to share with you that I am now a blog contributor for one of my very favorite entertaining/party sites on the web: 

Hostess with the Mostess®! 

*pinch me please*!!

I'm honored to be working alongside two other fabulous blog contributors:

Courtney from Pizzazzerie and Jessica from Modern Moments Designs.

My first official post was featured on Thursday.

I was so thrilled to finally be able to share the details from Ella's Classic Red Ball Birthday as my first official post for HWTM.

And....

within that post...

I was also able to share some photos of the party product I've been working on having patented.

Exciting stuff!!!

So that means the day has finally arrived here on the blog...

the day to finally be able to share all of the details from Ella's party I hosted back in November...

and the day for the "big reveal".

So here we go...

With my daughter Ella turning two, there were several different themes I could've chosen based on her interests.

I finally decided on the one recurring theme that continually excited her and happened to be the most simple: "play Balls".

With the knowledge the theme wasn't "unique" in the sense that there have been "Ball-themed" parties done before...

I was up for the challenge to make it my "own" and customize it for my own tastes.

I decided on a "Classic Red Ball" party focusing strictly on a red and white color palette.

I wanted it to be fun and feminine and I kept the invitation design clean and simple.

The dessert table is always my favorite part of any event.

It allows me to tie in the theme of the party through table decor and my favorite part of ANY gathering: 

the desserts.

I incorporated the red classic balls onto the table, used a white back drop flanked by red polka dot fabric and added splashes of red and white polka dots where I could.

Dessert table items included:

mini red velvet cupcakes topped with a red gumball...

displayed on clear acrylic personalized Pastry Pedestals™

(that's my new little creation I'm having patented)

mini cupcakes displayed on cake plates

giant jawbreakers set on the table (as decor only)

red cake balls from Michele at Crazy for Design

designer oreos from Sweeties by Kim

custom coordinating lollipops provided by Vintage Confections

custom designed sugar cookies lovingly baked by the Cookie Jar

dried cranberries and sunflower seeds (Ella's favorite snack)

cranberry jello

served in mini plastic shot glasses

peppermint marshmallows from Vintage Confections

red chocolate covered sunflower seeds

peppermint sticks

licorice sticks

The drink station included

Shirley Temple Sodas for the older crowd

and Fruit Punch flavored Juicy Juice for Ella and her peers

Although it's not pictured, there was also a mini meatBALL sub station in order to offer something savory to guests.

(a huge thanks to my Mom for making the meatballs).

Age-appropriate activities included:

"Ball" print-out coloring pages with RED crayons

RED playdough

Paddle Ball with RED balloons and homemade paddles 

(over-sized popsicle sticks attached to paper plates)

Bean bag toss game with RED polka dot bean bags

the custom wood cut out was designed by a neighbor and the bean bags were sewn by my mother.

RED badminton rackets for the older children

Assorted RED Playground Balls in the back yard

(these doubled as favors too)

Other favorite party details:

Mini spoons - perfect size for the birthday girl and other small guests

(Polka dot box provided by Party Starters)

Red balloon-filled ceiling over the dessert table

RED polka dot drinking straws

(from the Sugar Diva)

ROUND RED hat boxes used on the dessert table.

I filled paper pastry cups with white table sugar to display the jawbreakers.

Guests were sent home with

custom lollipops

along with RED balloons from the party decor, 

their choice of any RED playground BALL and any of their favorite leftover sweets.

Here's the birthday girl enjoying her day...decked out in a headband from

Tadpole and Lily

Wearing a tutu from Tiny Belles Boutique.

One of my fave pics of the day...

It may have been her 2nd birthday

but this was her FIRST cake pop. *wink*

The coordinating thank you cards sent out after the party were the perfect way to tie everything together...

And of course wallet size photos of the birthday girl from the actual birthday party 

were included in the thank you cards

I had a BALL  putting this together for Ella.

It really turned out to be the perfect theme for her and we had a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends.

A HUGE thank you to the vendors/businesses who contributed their time and talents to help make everything extra special...

Invitation, Party Printables, Thank You Cards • Pen N' Paperflowers

Pastry Pedestals (Pen N' Paperflowers) available for purchase in April 2011

Red & White Polka Dot Boxes • Party Starters

Red & White Cake "BALL" Pops • Crazy for Design 

Custom Sugar Cookies • The Cookie Jar 

Chocolate Covered Designer Oreos • Sweeties by Kim 

Mini Tasting Spoons • D&G Occasions 

Mini Red Velvet Cupcakes • Cupcake Delights

Custom Lollipops • Vintage Confections 

Peppermint Marshmallows • Vintage Confections 

Red & White Polka Dot Straws • the Sugar Diva 

Oversized Jaw Breakers • Cracker Barrel 

Round Red Hat Boxes • Ikea

Polka Dot Fabric used in Backdrop • Ikea 

White Panel Back Drop • Lowes  

Flower Headband • Tadpole & Lily

Red Tutu • Tiny Belles Boutique

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope you enjoyed your weekend.

KEEPING IT REAL

It's about time I posted this party...right!?

And I'll have more details posted on the Pastry Pedestals for you soon!!

Still working on finalizing packaging!

My heart goes out to those effected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.