party inspiration: a very sweet sixteen

I've had a vision of a 'sweets' sixteen party for quite some time, and I was inspired to complete it this weekend when I saw this modern sweet sixteen invitation from our new sponsor Paper Buzz. The playful red and pink colors blend perfectly with orange and yellow accents for a palette worthy of the sophisticated teenage girl. Hold the party between meals or after dinner and set up different stations with mouthwatering candies, sweets and mock-tails. Lively music for dancing is also recommended to help your guests down from their invertible sugar high.

Resources: invitation by Paper Buzz; candy boxes by Wonderful Graffitti; candy stand by Rebecca Thuss; party dress by BCBG; ice cream cones by Ici, sodas by Izze; other images from Martha Stewart.

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real parties: primp & pamper spa party

While searching for things to do in Atlanta last week, I came across a local event planning company called Posh Tot Events with some great birthday party themes! My favorite by far though is this spa party. They gear the party towards pre-teen girls, but let’s be honest... wouldn’t you love a birthday party like this too?

{images via posh tot events}

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birthday girl is back

It's good to be home! First I have to apologize. As it sometimes goes, all the best intentions of blogging went out out the window once I got that first taste of vacation freedom (and for the curious, freedom tastes like a cold beer). I have many things to share from my travels, but since I'm still trying to play catch up, it may be an abbreviated attempt.

While in Atlanta, I stayed with friends in the Virginia Highlands; a neighborhood that charmed my heart & wallet. I spent long afternoons exploring boutiques and shops for gift ideas and met with great success. Here were a few of my favorite stops along the way...

Bella Cucina: Delicious foods in artisan style packaging. Their products would make for a wonderful gourmet gift basket. I tasted dips, sweets and savories and all were excellent. The store itself is worth a visit, but if you're not in the Atlanta area you can also purchase their products online.

Aurora: Amazingly good coffee found in a unique coffeehouse with an alternative vibe. Friendly staff, plenty of tables and really cool art for sale all over the walls. I bought one of the small owl paintings below, but I was also partial to the "happy day" birds & cake.

Belly General Store: A feast for the eyes and lips. Every wall and display case is filled with delicacies that offer a visual expression of comfort food. Apothecary jars brimming with candy, walls of old fashioned soda and baskets of local snacks and chips make it fun to explore while you wait for your sandwich or morning bagel. They don't currently offer online ordering, so if you're in town be sure and stop by.

{all photos by me}

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real parties: sweet strawberries

This adorable strawberry themed party was dreamed up by Courtney of nesting instincts for her daughter’s 4th birthday.  The red, pink and green color palette was a perfect choice to pull all the details together, and would work equally well outside on a warm spring day.  Best of all, the menu was entirely focused on strawberry related foods like peanut butter & strawberry jelly sandwiches, strawberry lemonade, and chocolate covered strawberries.  Love it! 

{more details & photos at nesting instincts}  

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wonderful graffiti

Another fabulous site I was reminded of when cleaning up my computer!  Wonderful Graffiti lets you design your own custom removable wall transfers.  Let the written word be your guide, or look to their site for endless inspiration.  A clever message would certainly make for dramatic party decor, such as... “Age is merely the number of years the world has been enjoying you”.  

One of my favorite ideas however, is this “I wish” chalkboard graffiti design.  What a perfect place to capture your wildest birthday wishes!  How unfortunate that the framed chalkboard is not included... but maybe if I wish hard enough?

{image from wonderful graffiti}

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fun funky flasks

I’m always collecting links to websites that catch my eye, but I tend to forget about them for long periods of time.  Last night I did a little online spring cleaning and was reminded of some really cool gift ideas.  Like these...

{images from  The Life Imagined}

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robot party ideas at paper source

If you're planning a robot birthday party, start your search at Paper Source.  Over the weekend I spotted these friendly robot gift tags and party invitations.  They also carry several robot rubber stamps, and one of their creative suggestions online is how to turn them into cupcake toppers:  just stamp an image on heavy weight paper, cut around the outside of the design and adhere a toothpick to the back.  It's so easy, and your kids will have fun helping you stamp!

{images from paper source}

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brunch in honor of mom

This mother's day, instead of taking my mom out to brunch and fighting the crowds as usual, I decided to surprise her by doing the cooking myself. She doesn't eat cheese, so I prepared a special menu with her in mind. The results were delicious and I think she appreciated that extra effort. Here is the menu, which would work equally well as a spring or summer birthday brunch:

-Lemon Cornmeal Pancakes (see below for recipe)

-Chicken Apple Sausage

-Mixed Berry Fruit Salad

-Coffee & Fresh OJ

As a gift, I created a mini photo album which included pictures of the two of us from my wedding day last fall.

Lemon Cornmeal Pancakes (adapted from sweet charity pie)

Ingredients
1 c. stone-ground yellow cornmeal
1 c. white or wheat flour
1 3/4 t. baking powder
3/4 t. salt
1 2/3 c. milk
2 eggs
4 T. butter, melted
1/4 c. pure maple syrup
zest of two lemons

Directions
Preheat griddle or pancake pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, butter, maple syrup and lemon zest.
Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined.
Pour about 1/4 c. out for each pancake- since the batter is thin, they will spread out a lot, and you can expect your pancakes to be about 5" in diameter.
Additionally, these don't really puff up like other pancakes, so don't worry if yours are thin.
Wait until the top of the pancake is speckled with bubbles and some of the bubbles have popped. Flip it and briefly cook the other side.

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real parties: spring awakening

This party comes courtesy of photographer Jose Villa’s blog.  A bold spring theme... bright colors, fancy tutus, fresh grass and giant flowers.  I only wish I’d seen this party before I created my Alice in Wonderland post.  This decor would make a perfect compliment to the theme!

{photos by Jose Villa}

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it's my philosophy

How have I not posted on this sooner?  It’s got my name all over it... literally!  I’m already a devotee of philosophy products (especially the amazing grace lotion), but this adorable birthday girl travel set is just the icing on my cake.  Not surprisingly, it was actually the package design that drew me to the line initially - simple and clean, each containing an inspiring ‘philosophy’ like this one: 

‘be grateful to have been given one more day, let alone one more year. remember to dance in your nightgown, sing in the shower, ride a bike, fly a kite, and take an occasional "wind bath" in your bare skin. give those you love big kisses, huge hugs, and the words "i love you" often and always. nurture your body rather than starve yourself with fad dieting. spend time with the old and the weary to better appreciate your life. on your birthday, call your mother and father wherever they are to thank them for all that they have done for you. watch the movie "life is beautiful" at least once a year. remember that you are not guaranteed tomorrow and that today is as good as it gets. thank God for everything, every day, every moment’.

I couldn’t agree more.

{image from philosophy}

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birthday card kit for kids

Another clever idea from craft queen Martha Stewart.  Bring out your child’s inner graphic designer and let them create their own original birthday cards.  The kit below includes 6 blank cards & envelopes with colorful borders and a bunch of coordinated stickers.  The inside is blank for a personalized happy birthday greeting. 

{image from martha stewart crafts}

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wine, with a subtle hint of birthday

I don't know if it's because I live in Northern California or because it's such a welcome addition to a party, but a good bottle of wine has proven time and again to be a well appreciated birthday gift.  With so many innovative wines on the market however, I often find myself pacing the aisle in search of a reputable wine at a reasonable price point, that also boasts an attractive label worthy of the occasion.  Yes, perhaps the pacing is due to my picky-ness, but I recently discovered two wines that fit the bill perfectly:

Cupcake Chardonnay: A big, rich Chardonnay from California's desirable Central Coast, where the sun drenched grapes create full and elegantly-textured wines. Decadent layers of butter, cream, bright citrus and vanilla melt into a balance of oak and subtle spice. In other words: Sinful.

{image from the cupcakery blog}

Layer Cake Shiraz: A big red, the power-in-your-face wine that does not back away from anything; ripe fruit and oak conduct a battle royal between melding into one another.  Intense mocha undertones accentuate a weighty mid-palate and gorgeous mouthfeel, yet the wine is shockingly light on its feet and finishes clean and pure. 

{image from blog wine cellar}

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party inspiration: margarita fiesta

We went to a friend's place on Saturday to celebrate Cinco De Mayo a little early, and I got inspired to create a fiesta themed birthday board. We had such a relaxing afternoon... hanging out, drinking frozen margaritas and eating delicious homemade soft tacos & guacamole. They even had a silly (swine flu topical) pig pinata for the kids that held stuffed animals and games instead of candy. It made me think... even if your party is for 'grown ups', you could surprise your guests by loading a pinata with small (preferably indestructible) party favors, and let them have some fun! For dessert, try making key lime cupcakes as an alternative to cake, or check out the refreshingly delicious Margarita ice pops below. Feliz Cumplienos indeed!

Resources: red & white party via frolic!, margaritas & taco recipes from food network, chili pepper lights via evite, mariachi band via brides, popsicles from epicurious, margarita invitation by in ink papers, traditional banner cake & invites via martha stewart weddings, banners from plum party.

Margarita Ice Pops:

Ingredients
1/2 cup tequila
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup coarse kosher salt
6 frozen lime-flavored ice pops or fruit bars, unwrapped

Directions

Mix tequila and lime juice in 1-cup measuring cup. Place coarse salt in small bowl. Place all ice pops, sticks up, in deep bowl, or place 1 pop in each of 6 glasses. Pour tequila mixture over ice pops. Lightly dip 1 edge of each ice pop into coarse salt and serve.

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