Tuesday, September 17, 2013

A One Year Old's Birthday Party...over a year ago.

So...I've mentioned that I like to throw a party, right?  For me, throwing the party isn't necessarily all about the food and drink.  I prefer to dabble with the invitations, decorations and ambiance, if you will.

My youngest turned 2 at the end of August and we had a nice little get-together for her.  I loved her first birthday party and really wanted to make her second one as memorable (I'm currently in love with anything gold right now, so that was the direction I went in.  If you would have asked me a year ago if gold was on my color spectrum I would have laughed in your face, but I digress.)

Anyway, it got me to thinking about last years party and I wanted to share some of those details while I get my ducks in a row and upload all the pictures from this year's party (yes, it was almost a month ago at this point and no, I have yet to get the thank you notes written). 

I went with a shabby chic theme and fell completely in love with it.  I wanted to create an invitation using fabric to pull the theme in, so this is what I created and it became my jumping off point:


Once I started thinking about how I was going to decorate for the party, the ideas started flowing.  I am a girly girl and when it comes to pretty fabric and flowers I can't be stopped.  I decided to start with some lattice panels that my husband had made for our old house and used them as "walls" that could be decorated.  I made a tea stained coffee filter wreath that hung on the main one and decorated around it with tulle lights and tulle poofs.  Baby's Breath was the flower of choice (obviously!) and I stuck it in whatever vessel I could find...mostly mason jars which you will see in a minute.  


One of my favorite things that I did was create a guest book for everyone to sign.  I used chip board album pages that I covered with scrapbook paper and fabric and inserted one picture for each month of my daughter's first year.  Everyone at the party wrote a little note for her and I am so glad that I have this to treasure now.


The second lattice wall was used at the drink station.  I covered that one with tulle lights and poofs as well.  I also added a tied fabric banner and embroidery hoops using the leftover fabric from the invitations.  And it wouldn't be a shabby chic party without mason jar drink glasses and paper straws!


I had multiple tables set up across the yard and rather then have plain party tables sitting there, I dressed them up with a variety of curtain panels and sheets that I had laying around the house.  I didn't have any actual tablecloths, but I have used the shabby chic design in my house often enough that I had plenty of things to go around.  I also added a giant mason jar filled with Baby's Breath to the center of each table.  I utilized that leftover fabric again and wrapped a piece around each jar and accented it with lace and twine.  Simple and pretty!




And the cake...Oh. My. Goody. Goodness!  I can't take the credit for this one (shout out to Vito's Bakery).  We get all of our cakes from our local bakery and even though they are a classic Italian establishment, they are up-to-date with their designs and can basically create anything that you want them to.  I know this because I constantly take pictures/invitations/ideas in to them and they execute the cakes perfectly!  Every time!  I heart Vito's!  I told them the theme, colors and general idea and they created this beautiful cake.  It was so sweet and girly...just look at the sparkles on the flowers.

 
 
One other fun little thing I did was create a "kids corner" at the back of the yard.  I set-up a blanket and pillows, table and chairs, sand table, play tea set and a bowling game to give the kids something to do.  It helped give them a designated area to run around in.


And here are a few more random pics...

 

 

It was a lot of "work" (if you can even call it that) but oh so worth it!  This year's party wasn't as elaborate, but it was still sweet and fun for my little boogs!  I'll be sure to get my act together and share it soon:)