Pottery Barn, I Just Can't Quit You

So, I completely stole that line from my friend, Hayley's, blog. But it couldn't be more true! I always say I'm finished with Pottery Barn, but each time a new catalog lands in my mailbox, I ultimately always want like 10 things. Anyone else feel this way??

Of course I am loving their new party planning features! I just came across their Mojito & Taco Party and I love the new take on the backyard fiesta.

Visit potterybarn.com to read on about how to throw this chic mojito and taco party. The website includes tips, recipes, a playlist and even a invitation which you can download.

{Real Parties} One-Hundred Acre Woods

This cute party was sent to me by Tracy who planned a One-Hundred Acre Wood party for her son's first birthday. I love the play on words and even more, I love the nostalgia of Winnie the Pooh. {Did anyone else watch Welcome to Pooh Corner? The one that was narrated by a Englishman who would start off each episode surrounded by toys in a playroom and then read from a book which would lead to the story. Takes me back! Sorry to digress...}

Tracy went all out with the details for this special party. To start, some of the food she served were "piglets" in a blanket and vegetables fresh from rabbits garden. Then, for dessert, her mom made the stunning cake and she also served beehive cupcakes and chocolate dipped brownie bites.

Games included "drop the bee in the honeypot"with bees Tracy made out of clothespins and a terracotta pot she painted to look like a honey pot. They also hunted for Eyore's tail around the house.

The hobo sack favors are too cute! The favor tag read, "1 is a One-derful age to be". Adults did not leave empty handed either. Their favor was a bag filled with Reese's Piece's and a custom topper that said, "hope you had a honey of a time".

** The favor tags, bag toppers, invitation, the happy birthday banner and a custom photo banner were all made by Stylish Celebrations on Etsy.

{Real Parties} A New York State of Mind

Toni and her husband just celebrated their 40th birthdays...they are 14 days apart! They love NY...they just got back from the city for a getaway and Toni used pictures of NY at the party that she has taken over the years.

The menu sounds delicious too! I like how she kept it simple, but gave everyone choices. Toni cooked all of the food herself too!

Toni ordered custom made favor tags from Kim at The TomKat Studio (LOVE her!). She used Kim's designs on the vases too!

A very cute cake! The cake was purchased at Costco and was decorated by a friend.

Thank you Toni for sharing this special party with us!

You can read more on Toni's blog.

{Memorial Day Weekend} Host a Pie Swap

Here is a last minute party idea for your Memorial Day celebration this weekend. Host a pie swap! Or if you already have a casual get together planned, ask each guest to bring a pie for everyone to sample. What is more American than pie?!

If you're not a baker, but want to impress your guests, William Sonoma now offers pies from Bubby's in New York! And let me tell you, they are delicious. I was a frequent customer of Bubby's when I lived in New York. Or you can order divine pies from Royer's in Roundtop, Texas or the Goode Co. which is right here in Houston.

Fellow Houston party planner, Angela from Fantasy Celebrations, put together a gorgeous patriotic tablescape last year that was showcased on HWTM. Visit Angela's Facebook album to see many pictures of the table along with lots of DIY inspiration!

Image Credits:

pies (william sonoma), patriotic tablescape (fantasy celebrations), outdoor seating (pottery barn), rasberry tart on white cake plate (pottery barn)

Vintage Train Party Idea

Yesterday we went to the Houston Zoo and then rode the train around Herman Park. The boys had a blast! Of course that got me to thinking about possibly having a train party for one of them next year. I remember seeing this vintage train party from Joyful Weddings & Events. I love her take on the theme...

I love the kid tables! Courtney made the striped runners and then added a retro toy train as a centerpiece on one table and old train prints on the other. Both tables had vintage children's train books which she purchased on Etsy.

I really like the trunk Courtney found to place the silverware and plates in!

The drink station with classic sodas along with milk on old fashioned bottles.

Courtney made the Happy Birthday banner at the last minute. She said she is so glad she did because it completed the space. I agree! It looks great!

At each place setting was a knapsack party favor that included a conductor's hat, a train whistle, a wooden train and train "fare" for each child to ride the park train.

The birthday boy and his mom with a homemade cake!

You can see many more pictures here! If you are not familiar with Courtney's website and blog, Joyful Weddings & Events, you should be! She is a fantastic wedding and event planner and has been featured on many well known sites and magazines!

{Real Parties} Monkey See, Monkey Do. Miss Madeleine Just Turned Two!

We went to the cutest monkey themed birthday party this past weekend for a little girl that is in our playgroup! Her Mom did a fantastic job with all of the details!!

The children tables were precious! The tops were covered with butcher paper and there were custom crayons to match the party colors at each place setting. Then, bananas were set atop pink and green (the party colors) plastic cake plates which were found at Hobby Lobby.

I loved the different ribbon tied on each chair.

The sign that greeted guests at the door. It said "Swing on In!!"

Nesi served lots of yummy food. My favorite were the mini banana bread muffins! And I loved how she spread pink zebra print wrapping paper on the island!

A banana split station...perfect for the theme!

The party favors were too cute. The cookies were set on banana runts!

My friend Nesi with her little monkey, Madeleine.

A few details you might be interested in...

* The ribbon, butcher paper and cake plates came from Hobby Lobby & Michael's.

* The kid tables and chairs were rented from A Finer Event in Houston.

* The custom crayons were made at crayola.com and arrived in a custom box. Nesi grouped the crayons in bunches and tied them with ribbon.

* The banner, door sign, cupcake toppers & favor tags came from Burley Girl Designs on Etsy.

* The pink zebra wrapping paper was found at Target.

* The Cake Lady in Friendswood made the cake.

* Marble Slab catered the banana split station.

* The adorable cookies were made by a favorite of mine, Sue B Sweets!

* Nesi ordered the banana runts from sweetfactory.com

Nesi planned the cutest cupcake party last year for Madeleine's first birthday! See my post on the party HERE.

Sneak Peek: Olivia's Christening Celebration

Do you remember this absolutely stunning, pure girly, gorgeous Christening brunch that I shared with you not too long ago?? Well, my friend Christine was recently blessed with their second adopted daughter. To celebrate Olivia's Christening and adoption finalization, they held a Sunday brunch following church. I will share many more photos with you once they are ready, but I wanted to leave you with the sweetest words that accompanied the invitation...

Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but miraculously my own.

Never forget for a single minute,

You didn't grow under my heart, but in it.

~ Fleur Conkling Heylinger ~

{Real Parties} A Birthday Lunch: Simple & Sweet

A few of us helped celebrate the birthday of a good friend last weekend. We didn't do anything fancy, just had lunch at a favorite spot {Tiny Boxwood's} and brought in a few flowers to spruce up our table. It's always such a nice treat to visit with your girlfriends!

Favors from Chocolate Pizazz!

Happy Birthday Kristen!!! She's standing way in the back. =)

Real Parties: High Tea for a 30th Birthday

Last year, my friend Lindsay turned 30 and her SWEET husband planned a surprise high tea birthday party in her honor! {hubby, do you by chance read this little blog of mine??}

A handmade dress, hat and shoes for Lindsay's daughter, Hayden.

Special hats for the ladies to wear!

Lindsay's husband had a whole day planned which consisted of Lindsay opening envelopes for her to learn about their next destination. One of her treats was to get her makeup done and another envelope contained a gift card to Neiman's to buy the makeup she just had put on! Then, it was off to the St. Regis for a virgin tini...Lindsay was 7 months pregnant at the time. When she walked in and started hearing girls shouting "Happy Birthday!!", it still took a minute for her to realize the shouting was for her!

Little Miss Hayden and her grandmother awaiting the arrival of her mommy.

Lindsay and her sister who flew in from London for the special occasion!

Lindsay and her friends all wearing their hats. Lindsay's hat came from a specialty hat store in London!

What a fun way to celebrate a 30th birthday! It's still fun to play "dress up" at 30!

{Real Parties} Two by Two

Seriously, how cute is this take on the Noah's Ark theme??! My friend, Kristen (lullably lubbock) never ceases to amaze me in her creativity. Her twins just turned two and she thought they theme was so fitting.

Umbrellas and raindrops were found throughout the house on the day of the party. Each guest took home a screen printed white umbrella as their party favor!! LOVE!

Her husband made the Ark!

Can you see the cloud bunting in the background?!

Can you believe this cake?! Kristen's cousin made the cake with...11 boxes of cake, 12 cans of icing and it weighed 50 pounds!!

This party has handmade written all over it which makes it that more special. Visit lullably lubbock to see more party pictures (check out the twins birthday shirts!) and their other creative parties!

Real Parties: Princess Chic

It's inevitable. At some point, your little girl will probably ask you for a princess party. And of course you love all things girly too, but you may think to yourself...it's been done over and over. Leave it to Kelly from The Party Dress to put a new spin on the popular theme!

Morgan's mom contacted Kelly and told her she wanted a "pink" princess party, but with some "rocker chic" details. With that, a bubble gum pink and black color palette was born!

Not only did Kelly design the invitation, she created all of the paper goods along with the adorable ribbon chandeliers which she can custom create for your party too!

The dessert table is cute and chic! Kelly made the banner and cupcake toppers that adorned the table. They got creative with the names on the labels..."Cinderella's Candy Bracelets", "Snow White's Apples" & "Sleeping Beauty's Marshmallows".

I love this kid friendly centerpiece made out of a black urn and magic wand centerpiece sticks. Kelly also designed welcome signs that were sticking out of plants at the front door.

The girls decorated magic wands and did a crown craft, but they also had this fabulous princess dress up corner to play in!

Kelly is an amazing talent. You can see more pictures and read about more details from this party at The Party Dress!