{Real Parties} Ella's Tea Party

This party was originally hosted by Cindy at Cindy Scorsone's Family Blog.  I am in love with this party!  The toile ribbon and soft pink everywhere - oh my!  Cindy made much of the decor herself, including the banner, tissue poms, and the hanging centerpiece in the dining room - WOW!  A beautiful party for a beautiful little girl.  Cindy had her friend, Lacey of A Cherry on Top Photography there to document the festivities.  Enjoy the party, leave a comment and then visit their blogs, too!

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Tea Time!

 

I have a sweet baby girl and today we had her first tea party for her first birthday. I have been thinking about her first birthday party since I found out I was having a girl. It turned out just like I dreamed! I loved how everything went together so perfect. I don't really think I had a favorite thing about the party. I loved every bit of it! I look forward to having many tea parties with my little girl!

Thank you Lacey for taking these beautiful pictures of the party. It was so nice to be able to host without worrying about pictures. You did an amazing job!

Thank you Shannon for all your hard work getting ready for the party. I really would not of been able to do it without you!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Ella. My Uncle took it when she was 5 months old.

I love this picture of Ella! My sweet girl in her sweet satin dress.

Playgroup girls are really growing up!

Madison's hat was perfect for the tea party. I love that hat!

I think this is one of Ella's favorite gifts! She loves playing with it!

This babydoll is so cool! It sucks when you give it a bottle and blinks its eyes when it giggles. We named her baby Kate.

She loved every bite!

{Real Parties} Minnie Mouse & polka dots!

Cibella choose her 2nd birthday party theme shortly after a trip to Disney World.  She grew an attachment to Minnie Mouse, carrying her doll around and always wanting to wear her Minnie costume.

Her birthday is in September, so I began her invitations in July.  I wanted something different but still geared towards all the kids that would be invited.  That's when the idea came to me!  In Disney World, they have mousketeer ears so I would make mousketeer invitations complete with a red polka dot bow!

 

Since Cibella would be wearing her Minnie costume, everything was red with white polka dots!  All the partyware is pink to match the TV show so I opted for plain red and white napkins, plates, cups, etc.

I purchased terracotta pots at the craft store, and spray painted them red with white polka dots.  I placed red and white carnations in the pots and had them on all the tables.

  

All the children received either Minnie or Mickey ears when the arrived.

I couldn't find a Minnie pinata that I liked, so I purchased this one and put a bow on it.  Unfortunately, the kids pulled the bow off before I got was able to snap a pictures.
 

Of course, I stuffed so much stuff into the pinata that the toys were stuck!
 

Finally!  Inside was candy and various Disney play figures.

Since the kids were all under the age of 3, I didn't have any structured games or activities.  Instead they ran around, played with a giant bowling pin set, and other outdoor toys.

The cake

I had a beautiful inspiration picture that I found.  My cake didn't turn out so good.  It was humid and the fondant was sliding.  I was so ready to throw the entire cake away and get a store bought one instead. 
 

The best of our attempts to get a family picture.

Kids' favors

Red gable boxes with white 1" circular stickers placed on them.

 

Inside Contents (Mickey or Minnie cup, character shaped crayons, bouncy ball, silly straw, Mickey-shaped lollipop, and bubbles)

Adult Favors

custom M&M's in red and white with "Happy Birthday" and "Cibella is 2" printed on them

Invitations and matching party accessories can be found in my shop.

{Real Parties} Pink & Orange Parsasol Bridal Shower

Staring out my window this morning with lots of fluffy white snow covering everything, I began dreaming about summer.  Yes, I know it is February.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I am a warm weather girl.  Give me 90 degrees along with the 100% humidity and I'm happy.

Dreaming of warm weather, I was reminded that it was 3 years ago when my mom and I began planning my sister's August bridal shower.  Her shower was a suprise and we successfully pulled it off!  (Not an easy feat for those who know my sister!)

I used hot pink & orange as the color scheme, with parasols, gerbera daisies and kermits in the decorating.

First off, the invitations, menu and registry insert.

 

 The centerpieces alternated hot pink and orange parasols atop trumpet vases filled with orange and hot pink gerbera daisy blooms.  There was about 50-60 blooms per vase.  Falling from the parasols were kermit poms blooms attached with fishing wire.

 

3 small bouquets with votives circled the base of the trumpet vase.

 

 Watering cans filled with real gerberas on top.  I created the rain and paper petals shower.  The petals would contain messages from the guests for the bride-to-be.

  

 

 Seashell placecards in pink and orange writing.  The backside of the shell contained the guests' table number.

  

 My sister wanted a cupcake wedding cake since she isn't a huge sweet eater.  Her fiance didn't go for the idea.  She got her wish at her shower.  This was the first time I used fondant - ever.  We had a baker hired to make the cupcakes, but she cancelled only 3 days before the shower.  This began my obsesssion with fondant as I then made my daughter's 1st birthday cake just 6 weeks later.

  

 Favors were small hand lotions in 3 different scents from Bath & Body Works.

 

One surprised bride!