Shabby Chic Birthday Party

When our client (and one of my VERY best friends - KK) called (emailed, texted, and IM'd) about doing her daughter’s first birthday, she had some specific ideas, she was looking for a girly “Shabby Chic” party.

 

The color scheme was based off the fabric banner I did for an Easter Tablescape featuring pinks, yellows, light browns and pops of teal.

The invitations were die-cut and designed to be sweet and girly, just like the birthday girl. The client wanted her monogram to be a prominent feature – which we carried into several other components, including the oversized quilted monogram centerpiece that matched the shape of the die cut invitation.

KK knew what she wanted and had constant input. She wanted a rose cake, so we ordered a 10” cake from Aly B’s, along with cupcakes and cookies in shape of “1” for favors. The wafer flowers were purchased in three complimenting colors and gently placed on the cupcakes for a beautiful decorative touch. Cake plates and candlesticks displayed the cupcakes. Then teal blue tins of baby’s breath, tulips and daisies created the perfect pop of color.

 

Wooden spoons and forks were purchased and hand stamped with the birthday girl’s name and an additional fabric banner was created and then used to drape the high-chair and create the perfect pictures of Avery eating her first cake. Left over fabric scraps from the banner were used to wrap mason jars for flower arrangements. Finally the main table was draped in an eyelet lace fabric with a soft pink underlay and the fabric banner, then framed by giant pink and teal lanterns.

The centerpiece was created with an open back frame set into a planter with dowels and plaster. The monogram was printed and then hand-sewn with thin teal ribbon. The base was filled with baby's breath.

 

           Other details include: frozen water balloons used in the drink bucket, a “1” candle that was  bedazzled with stick on pearls and crown candleholders that were spray-painted white and used to hold flower arrangements. Fabric tulips form the Michael's dollar section were used liberally throughout the yard to continue the color scheme in a very fun way. The day was beautiful, the party was a huge success and that made for one happy, happy family.

Party Styling, Photography and party printables: Let's Geaux Party

Cake, Cookies and Cupcakes: Aly B’s Bakery

Wafer Flowers: Modern Luxe Events

Fabric Tulips: Michael's

Wooden Spoons: The Webstaurant Store

Adorable Birthday Girl: The Aldrich Family

Let's Geaux to the farm!

Have I mentioned that I have joined forces with Magnolia Creative to create a children's event planning service called Let's Geaux Party?  We started with a joint birthday party for my God-Children Elizabeth and Blanton, and their little sister Catherine (or Catty as we call her)

 

This was our first joint party and I feel so proud of it. The party was at their Grandparents house in Greenwood, LA. There was a petting zoo with chickens, goats and rabbits - and of course - PONIES.

The mom wanted a hand drawn illustration of the farm animals with a sort of "story book feel". We took the invitation a step farther by having the barn doors open to revel the invitation wording.

We set the very long dining table and lunch up inside the motor coach "barn". The cake and drinks were set up inside the actual barn complete with a stable right inside and behind the cake. It made for some very amused guests who were greeted by horses whenever they went to get a treat. I scoured the local thrift shops for cowboy boots for centerpieces, some I painted and some were left to their vintage feel (inspired by Orange Blossom and Stephanie Lynn). We set up small hay bales and sunflowers on the table with toppers made in the same style as the party invitation. Horse head bookends were also used to add to the western feel.

Lunch was served out of a "chuck wagon" packaged in kraft gable boxes and topped off with a delicious animal cookie from Frog Prince Cake and Cookie Design. Aly B's Bakery in Shreveport made the delicious farm cake topped off with fondant farm animals from Two Sugar Babies. We also added a hand maid denim, burlap and gingham cake bunting behind the animals. Cupcakes were purchased from Sam's and topped off with cupcake toppers to match the rest of the party collateral.

Each child received their own western cowboy hat hung on the fence (inspired by Hickey Pickety) and a chance to shop at the "General Store" for fun treats and toys. All the children got to ride on the donkeys and horses, pet goats, sheep and ducks and ride in a special barrel train owned by the grandparents. I think the kids had almost as much fun as we had putting this party together. We had a blast down on the farm!

VENDOR CREDITS

Party styling, concept, invitations and collateral: Let's Geaux Party

Amelia Chandler: Her Royal Heinous / Emily Welch: Magnolia Creative Co.

Cake: Aly B's Bakery, Shreveport, LA

Farm Animal Fondant Toppers: Two Sugar Babies

Cookies: Frog Prince Cake and Cookie Design

Party Favors in the General Store: Oriental Trading

Jack's Momma's Shower

When I scheduled my cousin's baby shower, I had no idea that baby Jack was going to make his appearance so early! He came five weeks ago, weighing in at 1lb 11oz. He is now up to 3lbs 4oz - and gaining quickly.

The bright side? Completely appropriate to throw a shower now with LOTS of champagne. So I did. (with some help from some uber talented gals)

With showers - I almost always base the color scheme on the nursery bedding. A) you KNOW they will like the colors B) hopefully they can take momentos home and use in the nursery.

Megan had a red chevron crib skirt - and the bedding with a beautiful blue and sweet little owls. Easily my favorite colors - despite being a little difficult to match throughout the party. But I tried my best.

Here are some more details:

The cake was made by a family friend - and then I bought the adorable topper from Cakes & Kids to put on top.

The cookies and cupcakes were also made by the family friend - sweet little feet.

I also purchased the cupcake toppers from Cakes & Kids

My cousin - the recipient's sister - made the precious painting

Party of the Champagne bar - orange slices, peach slices and strawberries to garnish you champagne concoction. People got Very creative. We had Peach Mango juice, Orange Juice, Cranberry Juice and Pineapple Juice.

All the Printables were done by Magnolia Creative. After my husband trimmed some trees at our house - I kept the logs to use for the display. All the gorgeous flowers were done by another family friend Barbara Choate.

My gorgeous cousin cutting into the cake.

Vendor List:
Styling: Her Royal Heinous
Printables: Magnolia Creative
Cupcake & Cake toppers: Cakes & Kids
Chevron Table Runner: Exclusive Elements