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!

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

Graduation Party Hosting Tips

Whether hosting a high school, college or kindergarten graduation party, there are a few simple tips that I encourage you to follow for the most successful and stress-free event.

1. No Under-age Drinking- Other than just being a general no-no, this is an important time to enforce the law.  Kids and young adults that are of driving age typically travel from party to party, they will be on the road and should not be drinking and driving.  If you hold the party at a bar or venue where you are lucky enough to have a staffed bar, have IDs checked or wristband guests over 21 as they come in the door so it is easy to see who can be served.
2. Photographs- This may be the last time, until a reunion, that the group will all be together.  Take a lot of photos, either with disposable cameras set out all around the party room, or with iPhones and then upload to a group file-sharing site so that everyone will have copies.  *Gift tip- a photo album or frame is always a safe gift choice for a grad.
3. School Colors- Looking for a theme other than black, white and little graduation caps?  Use the guest of honor's school colors to choose your streamers, balloons, paper plates, napkins and cake decor.
4. Mark Your Entrance- You will, in all probability, have many guests that may have never visited your home, or other address before.  Make sure that you clearly mark the entrance to the front door, park pavilion, etc.  You can do this by hanging a banner with the graduate's name, put out balloons or yard signs.
5. Estimate High- Unfortunately, guests, especially kids, don't usually RSVP for parties.  That being said, when you are buying drinks and food for the party, estimate high.  You may end up with leftovers but it is better than running out of food.
6. Make It To Go- Usually, graduation parties are come and go events, have lunch or snacks easy to pick up and walk around with or take to go.
7. Sunny Days- At the end of May, the weather can still be fickle and people are not always back into the habit of putting on sunscreen, daily.  Be prepared with bottles of sunscreen, chapstick and cheap sunglasses for your guests to borrow, especially if you are holding the shindig at a park or pool.
8. Plan Some Activities- No, its probably not like a 5 year old's party with pin the tail on the donkey, but you should have a few options for your guests to keep busy and entertained.  Set up a horseshoe pit, Photo Booth or a build your own s'more station.
9. Get Creative with Treats- Pinterest is filled with easy DIY recipes that fit the bill.  Search for these Graduation Cap Pops or Pirouette Cookie Diplomas.

Congratulations to all of you 2013 graduates including you, Raven Gereaux and Sarah Bailly!

Graduation Party Supplies

Its that time of year again.  Celebrate your 2013 special graduate with cupcake wrappers, cupcake stands, washi tape, stamped wooden utensils, tissue pom poms, paper straws and more, available now from Little Bird Celebrations.  Order soon to receive your shipment in time for your graduation party!