Nick's Zoo Party - The Inspiration Board

Happy New Year everyone! A new year brings news goals and aspirations which I hope to share with you soon. But for now, it's party time! My oldest son, Nicklaus, turns four next week (can't believe that!) and his party is the following weekend. I have been working with Kelly from The Party Dress and WH Hostess over the last few weeks to create many custom items to make his party at the zoo a memorable afternoon. I love everything Kelly designs (and her sweet self as well!) and I can't wait to see how everything comes together and of course share with you in the end.

I adore each inspiration board Kelly creates. Seriously...I plan a new party in my head every time I see one of her designs! Here is a look at the board Kelly created for Nick's upcoming party at the Houston Zoo.

Next up, I will share with you the DARLING invitations and address labels Kelly created for the party! I am smitten!

{Inspiration} Calling All Superheroes!

I'm STILL trying to decide which theme to go with for Nick's 4th birthday party! The firetruck theme is still in the running, but Nick's new fascination with superheroes just might win. Here are some fun finds from around the web...

This invitation by Hicks Paper Goods gives the classic theme a fun twist and I love the cake with the tride and true superhero colors.

If I go with the superhero theme, the big decision will be whether or not to go with the classic primary color combo or make up my own??! The ladies of Scissors Paper Cake style the trendiest kids parties and I looove what they did with this modern superhero party.

A personalized superhero shirt would delight each little party guest I'm sure!

Last year I ordered a custom melamine plate to coordinate with Nick's party and we use it daily. It might be fun to add another into the mix!

Posh Tot Events ALWAYS styles their events perfectly and this superhero of course did not disappoint. The plate and napkin ring combination is so cute and the use of paper lanterns sitting (instead of hanging!) on the table is a great idea!

I would love to greet guests at the door with their own superhero cape! Another alternative would be to set up a "make your own cape" station.

I have such a sweet tooth, so it is always hard for me to decide on cake, cupcakes or cookies or serve them all! The cookies from the Posh Tots event are perfect and I always love the fondant toppers from Two Sugar Babies.

What do you think?? I love the theme and you can do an incredible amount with it, but is it too generic?? I would love to hear your ideas and see your pictures if you have any!

images:

invitation & cake (sara's party perfect), yellow & black superhero party (imprintables), red superhero shirt (made for you tees via etsy) melamine plate (rosie posie designs via etsy), individual placesetting, tablescape & cookies (posh tot events), capes (homemade heroes via etsy), cape kit (baby pop via etsy), fondant toppers (two sugar babies via etsy)

{Inspiration} A Fire Truck Party

It just occurred to me the other day that I have not chosen a theme for my two son's birthday parties which are just around the corner...at least in my mind (December & January)! I've come up with a handful of themes that mean something to each of them and have started to browse many (of YOUR) sites for inspiration. My oldest, Nicklaus, is enamored with firetrucks. Here are a few of my favorite fire truck party finds!

Paper & Pigtails has an adorable fire truck ensemble! The vintage fire truck used in the design gives it a retro feel that I just love.

The Party Dress & WH Hostess never disappoints. Kelly recently designed a fire truck invitation along with other party accessories (with a twist of course) in the trendy color combination of red and aqua.

I found this stylish fire truck table setting and DIY via Imprintables as well as the cardboard boxes made to look like fire trucks! The kids had races in their cars. How precious!

I always enjoy seeing the inspiration boards that Fine Stationery creates. Here is their fire truck party board that is full of cute ideas!

Have you planned a fire truck party?! I would love to see pictures and hear more!

images: red & yellow fire truck invitation, cupcake toppers, water bottles and snack cups (bella grace party designs); red & aqua fire truck board and paper collection (the party dress); vintage fire truck table setting (Scout); stylish fire truck table setting and cardboard box cars (imprintables); inspiration board (fine stationery)

{Inspiration Board}: Mad for Madras

I love the look of madras if it is done right. The cotton fabric serves as perfect inspiration for an outdoor summer gathering. You could even use the plaid as your July Fourth backdrop if you find the right color combination. Layer it over a burlap tablecloth and you'll have the perfect outdoor setting.

The perfect picnic setup deserves the perfect outfit as well! I love this madras shirt from J. Crew and these metallic white cuff shorts by Alice + Olivia will dress up the outfit just a bit. These suede taupe sandals from Victoria Secret complete the outfit. I actually have them in black and wear them often!

images: melamine plate {boatman gellar}, red tulip arrangement { jl designs}, bonfire & table setting {style me pretty}, madras shirt {j crew}, white shorts {shopbop}, suede sandals {victoria's secret}

July Fourth is Upon Us

July Fourth will be here before we know it! Besides the fact that Houston is pretty unbearable during the summer, I love this holiday because we always get together with family and friends at our ranch and consume lots of yummy food that blows my diet. Here is an inspiration board I put together to get you in the spirit.

Whether you are hosting friends at your house for an afternoon bbq or a weekend of guests, set the mood by sending out invitations. I love the modern touch of the navy and white trellis pattern on these cards found on finestationery.com.

Another way to get guests excited upon their arrival is to decorate your front door area. The ladies of Door Couture have some really fun ideas and offer DIY instructions.

William Sonoma always offers the neatest tools each holiday. I love their apple pie molds! Baking an apple pie has never been so easy...or cute!

Caspari is a go-to brand for me when I am looking for chic paper plates and accessories. I also often visit potterybarn.com for party decor inspiration. I love how they filled mason jars (which you can find at the grocery store) with simple blooms and tied coordinating ribbon around the top.

Have you seen Martha Stewart's patriotic collection at Grandin Road?! I love the dessert tablescape she created and the tubs and striped banner, especially, will add flare to your party.

Let the planning begin!

Celebrating My Birthday

It just occurred to me that I have not filled you in on the latest party that I am working on! Probably because the party is to celebrate my birthday and I do not like to make a fuss about myself. My husband and I are hosting a small dinner party next Friday and I am really looking forward to the delicious food and quality time with great friends. My parents gifted us with a private chef who will be preparing an amazing menu for us at our home along with a small staff to wine and dine us.

I really did not have a set theme or color scheme in mind. All I knew is that I wanted a formal evening to give us an excuse to get sitters and dress up! That's all I told my friend Hayley who quickly designed the most gorgeous invitation for me. Hayley hand wrote each invitation in her gorgeous calligraphy. Hayley was inspired by the butterflies that are on my Herend Queen Victoria China which we will use that evening. **The above image does not give the invitation justice as Hayley hand wrote each invite and the proof uses a computer font**

Like I said, I do not have a specific theme or color scheme going on; just an elegant evening with friends. If you have any thoughts or ideas, I would love to hear them!

Image credits: pie table setting, large banquet table and pink flowers (style me pretty), coffee & donuts (martha stewart)

Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner! If there is one type of food that we love here in Texas, it's Mexican Food! Will you be doing anything special to celebrate?? We do not have any set plans, but I'll be sure to visit one of my favorite Mexican restaurants for a margarita or make a yummy meal at home with friends.

Decorating for a Mexican Fiesta is so easy! All you need are bright accents, simple flowers (sunflowers are a good choice) and delicious food! I have been dying to rent the Armando's taco truck for a block party. Armando's is a swanky Mexican bistro here in Houston. They now offer a taco truck which will park in front of your house and your friends can order right from the window. How fun is that?! To further set the mood, hire a mariachi band or a Spanish guitarist!

I have a delicious fresh salsa recipe to share with you soon along with the recipes for my favorite Sangria and margarita! Stay tuned...

Images

invitation, mason jars, entry way lantern decor, sunflower boot centerpiece (St. Louis Entertains), bell pepper votives and aqua tablescape (Keely Thorne Events), white tablescape, swanky couch, pitcher vase, kids table (D Jones Photography), fans and sombrero napkin rings (Caplan Miller Events), mariachi band, lanterns, pinata (allison events), taco truck (Armando's)

Muffins & Mimosas

Invite friends and family to join you for Muffins & Mimosas! This charming party will work for a multitude of celebrations...a bridal luncheon, day of or day after wedding celebration, baby shower, birthday or even a graduation breakfast before the big event.

The party name implies what food will be served, but you can add more yummy breakfast items such as a bagels and interesting cheese spreads, assorted pastries and even an omelet or waffle station. You can serve traditional mimosas or spice things up with a make your own mimosa station. Blood Orange, Cranberry and Tangerine Mimosas are just a few of the many mimosa recipes available.

Any color palette will suit this party, but I am loving lemon yellow, marmalade orange and grey right now! Another great aspect of this party is that it can be held anywhere. An outdoor soiree in a backyard or park would be nice, but the weather does not always cooperate. You can make this party feel organic by hosting it outside or give it a more elegant vibe by having it at someone's home or even a country club.

images: tulip tablescape (theknot), fabric banner (can't remember??!), yellow heels (stylemepretty), apple flower arrangement (stylemepretty), ribbon chairs (stylemepretty), muffin basket (can't remember??!), outdoor food station (marthastewart), invitation suite (theknot)

Custom Inspiration Board: 70th Birthday Party Inspiration Created by Birthday Girl

Birthday Girl is a daily read of mine and I have always loved seeing the inspiration boards that Becca creates. So, I was thrilled to learn that she now offers custom inspiration boards! I knew I had to order one. Here is the board Becca designed for my Dad's upcoming SURPRISE party. If you know him....shhh!!!

I am so pleased with the outcome! Be sure to read below for the party ideas that she came up with. We chose a color scheme of olive green and sienna and this is her take.

Photo Credits

Row 1: table setting via elisabeth anne designs; bar via ariella chezar; antipasto; candy jars via rebecca thuss

Row 2: place card holders via the green bride; cake table via the cupcake company

Row 3: dessert buffet via amy atlas; olive wreath via the dirty shirt ; menu via style me pretty; olive oil via stonehouse

Row 4: wine table number via snippet & ink; centerpiece via style me pretty; chair garlands; mini olive trees via sur la table

Party Ideas

Colors: Olive green & sienna

Setting: Evening surprise party. Seated Italian dinner for 130.

Decorations: Incorporate olive branches and greenery into centerpieces of green, white, yellow lush flowers. Consider adding lemons to centerpieces or line in clear glass vases as they compliment nicely with olive green. Use wine bottles with labels as table numbers and insert seating cards into corks. I agree that a blackboard style menu would be perfect for this setting too.

Dessert: Set apart the cake table by using the cake as a centerpiece and have a few other desserts surrounding it. Drape the table with olive branch garland or add height by adding a few olive bushes or Meyer lemon trees at the back of the table.

Favors: Small bottles of olive oil, wine for each couple or create a take home dessert buffet in greens, browns and whites.

Other: Hang small copies of b/w family pictures from the branches of an olive wreath or olive tree, either at the cake table or in a separate area. Instead of a guestbook, have a glass wine carafe at the gift area with a sign instructing guests to drop notes and well wishes.

Here are two other great boards Becca designed...a classic carnival birthday and a fairy garden party for Kim at The Tomkat Studio.

A Party Up My Sleeve...

Here is an inspiration board I created for a little party I am putting together for a small group of friends.  I don't want to give the theme away just yet, because the invitations have not gone out and a few of them read this blog from time to time (thanks girls!).  It should be a fun time though and I will post the party details at a later time.  But for now...

• Hot pink envelope by calligrapher Laura Hooper
• Light pink drink with stirrer from Martha Stewart
• Cocktail buffet styled by Rebecca Thuss
• Queen Victoria China by Herend via Neiman Marcus
• Pink Peonies arrangement from The Knot via Project Wedding
• Cake Pops from Amy Atlas
• Chocolate chip cookies shot by photographer Loren Weltsch via Party Perfect Blog
• Spiked pink lemonade from Rachael Ray
• Pop champagne - personal picture

Red, White & Blue Decor

We'll be celebrating the Fourth of July at our ranch with family, friends, and KIDS of course!  Here are a few ideas for treats and festive decor to help complete your holiday weekend!

Top Row:  cinnamon candied apples, infant/toddler tableware, popsicles

Middle Row:  rustic tablescape, patriotic pj's, festive place setting

Bottom Row:  lollipops, DIY placemats, lanterns

Drink Flags

My eye has always been drawn to these little drink additions.  Lately, I have noticed them pop up everywhere...and for good reason.  They make a big statement in a small glass.  Now I need to find a reason to make some!

Top row:  Brides, Amy Atlas, Brides

Bottom Row:  Celebrations at Home, Miss Pickles, Brides

Lemons to Lemonade

A dear friend is moving to another city and a group of us want to throw her a farewell soiree.  Although the move will be good career wise, she is very sad to go.  So, the key is to make the party uplifting and not a somber goodbye.  She'll be back in two years!  I came up with the idea to base the party around the saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."  That statement could not be more fitting for her situation!  Although she is upset about the move, she will have to make the best out of the situation.  Here is an inspiration board to help my friends and I start planning...

Bright and sunny cocktail bar planned by Keely Thorne Events

Gorgeous yellow rose centerpiece by Bergner & Johnson

Lemonade picture from Martha Stewart

Ikat shirt from J. Crew

Lemon cake from Martha Stewart

Summer invitation found at Fine Stationery

More pictures to come from the actual party!

Script & Scribble: Personalized Goodies

Script and Scribble is one of my favorite go-to places for unique personalized children's items.  Here are four of my favorite things that they carry and get my mind going with party ideas!

Wouldn't it be fun to throw a painting party and have the birthday boy wear this royal blue smock?!  The chef's hat would be a great favor for a cooking party and the crayon apron is too cute for words.  The birthday number shirt is perfect for the little birthday boy or girl to wear during the festivities.  The shirt comes in several applique options and you can choose any number.  Check out Script and Scribble for many other irresistible items!