My 30th Birthday Seaside Party

{Real Parties}

Yes, I admit it, I am no longer a twenty-something. Well, actually, if you go by my dd's logic, "twenty ten" is what comes after "twenty nine," so maybe I will stick with that.  Regrettably, yes, I am aging, but at least I was able to celebrate this special milestone with my favorite family and friends in my favorite type of setting.

I live in land-locked Colorado, but grew up at the beach, so we pretended that my mom's clubhouse by her pool was actually a "beach house." And I think everyone had a ton of fun!

I found these white, wooden letters on sale at my local craft store and made my own "milk paint" mixture to paint them my current favorite color!

Yes, that's me.  I am standing behind my dessert table, more on that to follow below.

I scrapbooked some of my favorite seaside/beach themed quotes including this one by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

We had two tables set up, one as the food buffet and one as the dessert table.  

Food included SANDwich trays, Feta-strawberry and mint skewers, Caprese bites, Taboulleh salad, Bacon-wrapped jalapeños and Potato chips in stamped paper bags.

I knew that my guests would want to grab a plate and cup and then take it down with them to the pool, so we needed disposable wares but I chose to try to keep things as eco-friendly as possible.  The plates are made of bamboo, the utensils are wooden and the cups are fully compostable.  All are available for purchase through me, from Susty Party.  I purchased the handmade, burlap with ruffle table runner from an online seller, striped paper bowls from Shop Sweet Lulu, water-patterned napkins are from Target and I hand painted the wooden spoons (with nail polish!)

Table decor included starfish, seashells, a lighthouse, tealight lanterns and my favorite trend right now, blue mason jars!  Some of the jars I filled with sand and tealights, others I was lucky enough to re-use small, white floral arrangements in, borrowed from the wedding that I worked the night before!

I just wanted to throw a shot of this gorgeous piece of art on here.  My mom drew this for me.  She is pretty amazing!  

"Katie, you had delicious sounding food on your menu, but I am curious to know what you served for drinks."  Oh, that is a great question!  For the kiddos, we had blueberry lemonade and bottle waters but for the adults......

The European Fizz

2 parts Moscato

1 ½ parts St Germain

2 parts Club soda

Garnish with a lemon twist

Mojito Parisien

2 parts rum

1 part St. Germain

1 part Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice

10 Fresh Mint Leaves

Optional add club soda and sugar to taste

Blueberry Mojito

1 cup fresh blueberries

4 oz rum

10 fresh mint leaves

2 teaspoons sugar

juice of 2 limes

6 oz club soda

ice

Sparkling White Peach Sangria

2-3 white peaches sliced

¾ cup peach brandy

1 bottle moscato, chilled

1 liter white peach seltzer water, chilled

My kids' and probably some of the other kids' favorite part of the party was the candy bar.  I ordered all of the candy from Nuts.com, and highly recommend them.  There was 2 types of salt-water taffy, white rock candy sticks, sour gummies, white and blue gummy bears, and of course gummy sharks.  I found beach-themed, blue Oreos at Target.

And now, for the piece de resistance, my cake.  I had showed my husband photos of the popular ombre ruffle cake and then left him in charge.  He partnered with Romana's Cake House in Longmont and they produced a beautiful, buttercream creation!

I added a dozen mini cupcakes for some variety.  PS, check out the EDIBLE seashells made for me by Sweet Bouquet on Etsy!

Thank you to everyone who shared in celebrating my birthday with me!

Free Father's Day Printables

{Freebie}

from The Spotted Canary

from Denna's Ideas

from the mombot

from Sweet Memories

from Sweet Scarlett

from Papercraft Inspiration

from Dress My Cupcake

Happy Father's Day!

Popsicle Party!

{Real Parties}

I stumbled upon Party Box Design's School's Out for Summer FREE Printables and knew I wanted to have an end of the year party for my kids with this theme.

The kit included a door sign, labels for Ice Pops and Ice Cream and water bottle labels, to name a few.

I had this Cinco de Mayo fringe garland that I had made, left over and it fit the color scheme perfectly.  

The party gave me an excuse to brighten my porch with some colorful blooms as well.

We live in a townhouse community but have a nice green grass area in front where I thought we could all hang out with a wading pool, sprinkler, water table and some other activities.

I asked that each family bring an outside activity to share such as bubbles, squirt toys, sidewalk chalk or hula hoops.

I provided Ice Pops, individual ice cream cups and homemade push up pops as well as bottled water.

Might I add, just getting back from Disney, that this party was done on an EXTREME budget.  Here are the spending totals:

Ice Pops $2, Ice Cream $10, Bottled Water $6, Plastic Tub $5, Hula Hoops, Water guns, beach balls and chalk $8, and ice $4, Already had: wading pool, water table, sprinkler, adirondack chairs, beach towels, tissue garland, re-useable push up pop containers, bucket and cooler = $35 Total

What a fun way to spend a hot day, with friends and our first day of summer break!

Yellow and Gray Shower

{Pre Made Party Kit}

Actual Photos for Yellow and Gray Party Kit

Fine Print: Little Bird Celebrations does not claim to hand make all of the pictured items, our service is here merely to research and pull party supplies, party decorations and party ideas that look pretty together and package them as a theme design. 

Visit our Shop on Etsy to Purchase this Pre-Made Party Kit

More fine print: The pricing above is for us to acquire the listed items on your behalf and deliver them neatly to your door.  Please click on our "services" tab at the top of our page to learn about what other party planning, set up, decorating and coordination and custom design work that we can offer you.

Aqua and Yellow Wedding

Loving this color combo!  Thank you Pinterest!

Sunny and bright.  Perfect for a backyard party or reception by the pool or beach!

Source: blog.labodadetussuenos.com via KatieJames on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via KatieJames on Pinterest

Source: erin-artandgardens.blogspot.com via KatieJames on Pinterest

Source: weddingwire.com via KatieJames on Pinterest

Source: theperfectpalette.com via KatieJames on Pinterest

Source: karaspartyideas.com via KatieJames on Pinterest

Stars and Stripes

Happy Memorial Day!

Prepare early for the next Red, White and Blue event by ordering your Stars and Stripes Mini Party Kit now.  Contact me to order!

Fine Print: Please let us know if you see your photo being used in any of our inspiration boards so that we can be sure to give you the credit that you deserve.  Little Bird Celebrations does not claim to hand make all of the pictured items, our service is here merely to research and pull party supplies, party decorations and party ideas that look pretty together and package them as a theme design. 

More fine print: The pricing above is for us to acquire the listed items on your behalf and deliver them neatly to your door.  Please click on our "services' tab at the top of our page to learn about what other party planning, set up, decorating and coordination and custom design work that we can offer you.

It's finally time for POPSICLES!

I love popsicles (and ice cream,) but it is hard for me to indulge in these treats unless the sun is shining. Popsicles mark the official start of summer for me and to celebrate the first day of my kids' summer break from school, we have invited some friends over for a summer popsicle party today.  (More on that in another post.)
Popsicles are not just for eating though.  I hope that my Etsy Treasury inspires you in your summer fun.

Popsicles for Wearing:

Necklace by Pink Island

Ruffle Tee by Julianne Originals

Earrings by One Ugly Unicorn

Popsicles for Crafting:

Popsicle Sticks by Sucre Shop

Flat Back by Bling It 2

Popsicles for Playing:

Felt Popsicles by Katie Fish Designs

Wooden Play Food by BYOI

Popsicles for Partying:

Invitation by Petite Party Studio

Cupcake Picks by Sweete Steele

Favor Stickers by Bellezaeluce