Party Box Design

I was so glad when Jessica from Party Box Design got in touch with me! Browsing through her products, I can see how talented she is and that she has an eye for design. I think great boy parties are hard to come by, so I was so excited to find her take on the construction theme. I'm a sucker for houndstooth!

You may have already seen the next few pictures floating around the blogosphere. They are from a cupcake inspired baby shower that Jessica helped plan for a grandmother-to-be (love that idea!).

Be sure to check out Jessica's website and blog for more party inspiration and to learn more about her products and event planning services!

Real Parties: Nick's Sing-a-Long

Here are pictures from Nicklaus sing-a-long party! A good friend of mine, who teaches preschool choir and music classes, came over and led the kids in silly songs and games.

The door sign that greeted Nick's party guests. The party colors were navy and kelly green which I carried throughout the party along with his monogram.

Snack boxes for the kids upon arrival!

My sweet mom sewed the table runner for the two tables!

I put monogram stickers on all of the white plates to give the simple paper good some style.

Part of the snacks were kelly green macarons and Smashies (squeezable applesauce)...and of course the applesauce packaging matched the colors!!

Assorted sandwiches wrapped in coordinating paper.

For the cupcake display, I stacked white boxes to create a stand.

Microphones for the kids!

My friend, Kara, entertaining the kids!

The birthday boy loving parachute time!

My other little man, Conrad, who was a bit overwhelmed.

Nicklaus enjoying his macaron. The kids loved this sweet treat which pleasantly surprised me.

All photography by the very talented, Angela, of Bella Smile.

A few party details you might be interested in:

* Invitation, door sign, birthday boy chair sign, plate stickers, water bottle labels, "3" stickers, sandwich wraps & favor tags were all designed by my friend, Hayley Hardcastle.

* Navy table linens came from Distinctive Details.

* Tables and kid chairs were rented from A Finer Event.

* I ordered the cupcakes from Etsy via Orange1 who was WONDERFUL to work with! She has so many great papers to choose from.

* Cupcakes and flowers came from from Central Market.

* Maison Burdisso made the kelly green macarons. They were DELICIOUS and she has so many colors to work with!

* Custom tie shirts for my boys to match the party colors were handmade by my friend Amanda and her Etsy shop, Tiny Bit More!

Real Parties: California Dreamin'

Do you remember the California Dreamin' and Texas Hoedown party I was telling you about? Well, here are the pictures from the California style party that took place in Texas!

Party hats were displayed on a surfboard table that Sarah's husband constructed. I love this!

Beach bucket and pinwheel centerpieces...too cute and perfect for a kids party!

Beach towels were used as tablecloths.

Lanterns and pom poms seem to be the rage, but I love how she hung beach balls instead!

Aren't these cupcakes adorable?! Crushed graham crackers were used to make the "sand" topping.

The kids took home beach buckets that were filled with a flip flop sucker, beach ball, bubbles, sunglasses, noise maker and a squirt gun.

Everyone took home a beach themed cookie too!

Here is a look at the invitation again. I will share the Western pictures with you soon!

A few party details you might be interested in:

* Sarah, the hostess, made the pinwheels and hats!

* The favor, bubble and cookie tags came from who else, but The TomKat Studio.

* Invitation and water bottle labels were designed by Hayley Hardcastle.

* The cake came from Hot Chocolates in Hurst, Texas and a family member designed the fondant pieces.

Stay tuned for pictures from the Hoedown that took place in California!

It's Party Week!

I've been busy getting ready for Nicklaus' sing-a-long party tomorrow, so I am sorry my posts have been few and far between! I can't wait to share the party with you!

{image via pingg}

The party colors are navy and kelly green, so it was so fun to see this fabulous party put on by Sharnel in Australia!

{image via my life, my loves}

California Dreamin' & A Texas Hoedown

This is such a fun twist on two great themes! My friend Sarah is originally from California, but has lived in Texas since college. To celebrate her son's first birthday, they threw TWO parties...one back home in California and one in Texas with all of her Texas friends.

{invitations designed by Hayley Hardcastle}

The party in California had a Western theme to show her family and old friends how we do things here. =) Then, the party in Texas had a California beach theme for us Texans to enjoy.

Everyone received the two-sided invitation in the mail. One side had the Texas party details and the other stated the information for the California party guests.

I wasn't able to help her in person, but we went back and forth through e-mail to come up with some cute idea. Sarah did a fantastic job with the party decor which I will share very soon. Stay tuned for more!

Kids Centerpieces

I am always searching for unique centerpiece ideas for kids tables...or at least ways to revamp old ideas. Here are a few of my favorites...

{Rebecca Thuss}

{Martha Stewart}

{Rachael Ray}

{Rachael Ray}

{personal picture}

{Martha Stewart}

{Martha Stewart}

{Rachael Ray}

{personal picture}

{Garnish}

* Click on the photo credits to see sources and how-to's *