summer bridal shower

i figured it's time i start posting some of the parties i have hosted in the past. unfortunately, these all took place before my blog, so the pictures are lacking a little...basically i just took everything on a whim. how i regret that now. but moving on..i will start with my sister, melissa's, bridal shower last summer. i wanted to create the perfect summer afternoon...from the bright colors, pink and orange, to having it outside late in the afternoon into the evening. it really did turn out to be the perfect summer night.

i love pink and orange together..and had so much fun coordinating it all, from lanterns and parasols, to flowers and candles

every bride needs a bride-to-be crown, right?

i love sign in tables. unfortunately, i did not take any pictures of the pages i created for people to sign in on..oh well. i love that melissa could take with her a memento of well wishes from all of her friends and family that attended. to the left i glued parasols to clothes pins and attached them to ribbon. each guest put one on upon arrival..which was a game..you couldn't say the word "wedding." any person could steal your umbrella if they caught you. the person with the most at the end of the night won a prize.




melissa's throne. i wanted a special seating area for her to open her gifts. the rocker next to her was my (the matron of honor's) seat, because i had to write down all of her gifts for her :) it's hard to tell, but the floral bags hanging from the rockers were the prizes.

beverage table. i love bottled drinks, from pink and orange sodas to match the theme, to izze drinks (my personal fave) to basic coke. and we can't leave out the tasty punch and iced tea! and naturally pink polka dot straws were used.

the favors were at each place setting...they were a variety of pink and orange flowers i made into pens and placed them in a little terra cotta pot. and i threw in heart lollipops because they were too cute not to :)

first game.

nothing says summer like lanterns..i had several different lanterns dispersed throughout the outside.

i envisioned big cupcakes decorated..no two alike. the maid of honor, emily, with a little help, tackled this!

for dinner we decided to do a pasta bar...a couple of different sauces with all of the toppings you'd like! this was served with salad and bread. i also made fruit kabobs. and we had a chocolate fountain, with all of the treats too!

each of the guests also wore big pink jewel rings. towards the end everyone twisted their rings at the same time...they all lit up, but the ring that started blinking was the winner. it really was cute.

the girls hung out into the night. it really was a fun night.

great finds!

so over the weekend i did a little shopping at williams sonoma.  it was my first time in one, and they have some of the neatest things!

i found this book..and i instantly knew it had to be in my collection..it is packed with super cute ideas i can't wait to use!

and how could i pass this up?!  it's was calling my name.  i must host a tea party now!  tea, or should i say, pastry, anyone? haha! 

C*A*N*D*Y L*A*N*D

so, i have started the creation of my candy land letters for the upcoming festivities.  i am envisioning these letters hanging separately by different, whimsical ribbon from the patio..as you enter "candy land."  they are still a work in progress, as i still need to varnish and attach the ribbon, but i thought i would share my progress so far.  i bought some paper mache letters from Crafts, etc, the sweet stack scrabooking paper from Joann's, and decoupage supplies from Michaels.  i painted each letter first, and then attached different paper on both the front and back of each letter.  so fun and easy to do! :)

c is for canyland! :)

it's the "sweet" little girl we are celebrating! :)

i think she approves ;)

kelsie's 1st birthday!

we went to our friends, sarah and jason's, daughter's (kelsie's) first birthday last weekend.  and it was so cute and inspiring i had to post an entry! ;)  my motto has always been, "it's all about the details!" and there were so many cute details..it was like eye candy!

this cute chalkboard was set out upon arrival..loved it!...

i am planning on using chalkboards for ella's upcoming party..and was so inspired by chalkboard ink on aunt ruthie's sugar pie farmhouse's blog!  i have always wondered how starbuck's gets their chalkboards so bright!  so cute and creative..and the ideas are endless.  a perfect touch of bright and whimsical.  exactly the look i'm going for!  

the cutest banners were placed all around...sarah made the majority of them..so creative ;)

i have also been looking for banners for ella's party too..and etsy  is a great place to find them!  but after seeing how much fun sarah had making all of hers..i'm thinking i might actually attempt it too!  i was definitely inspired! :) 

there was a day where i used to make everything..and slowly it seemed like time for it became less and less...but i do remember how much i enjoyed doing it..and the feeling of accomplishment i had afterwards.  no more excuses..it's time to be creative again! haha!

to check out more cute pics from kelsie's cute party..click here.  again, great job sarah! :)

craft time!

so i was just recently introduced to this site, crafts, etc! (thank you melissa) as the next best thing to hobby lobby (since we unfortunately do not have one out here, nor do they have a website).  so...after checking out this website yesterday, i just about lost my marbles!  i wanted to buy some craft supplies for ella's upcoming candyland party..and a lot of times shopping online is easier and much more practical for me these days.  i have had yet to find a site that carried all the basic necessities..until now.  great selection, good prices, and as an added bonus..free shipping for orders over $25!!  you can't beat that!  so if anyone is need of some craft shopping from home..look no further. :)

some great finds!

i received the catalog, hearthsong,  the other day, and found some of the cutest things for parties!

i am currently planning my daughter, ella's, 3rd birthday party...i have decided on the theme candyland..and am so excited for it!  i saw a couple of these things that i thought i could make work because i am going for a whimsical look!  plus these items could be used again for another party..which is practical! :) 

omg..i love these treat bags.  i have to have them!  they're the cutest things! and will fit in perfectly with the party theme!

i love this tablecloth!  

and how cute are these?  i've seen this before..but i really think i need to invest in a pan like this!  kids absolutely love cupcakes..and i think it adds a neat twist to them.  and again..can be used time and time again!

if ella ever decides she wants a butterfly party..you better believe that each of her little friends will be receiving wings like this to flutter around the yard with! haha!  adorable!

you can find these, and a lot of other cute party ideas at hearthsong (under party and cooking).

balloons

let's start off with the simple basics.  balloons.  ♥.  there is something about the simple presence of them that just says party all over it.  i have always loved balloons.   very rarely will i have a party without them.  i love the impact they make.  and i love this picture i found. :)