E’s First Birthday

Description

I wasn't planning on making a big deal for "the second's" birthday, but then I felt guilty, so at midnight, I crept into the basement to collect things I had laying around to decorate and make our small little gathering a little more special.

Design Inspiration

Our dining room is charcoal gray (my favorite), and I wanted the colors to lay off of it.  So, I gathered pale pink crepe paper, white tulle, and anything silver that was leftover from Christmas!  

Decorating Style

Simple, modern, and...gray!

Project Details

Crepe paper streamers-Party City.

 

I just cut these at varying lengths, and scotch taped them to the ceiling.  You couldn't even see the tape but you could use pretty pins or washi tape too.

 

http://www.partycity.com/product/pretty+pink+crepe+streamer+500ft.do?sortby=ourPicks&size=all&from=Search&navSet=crepe+streamers

 

White tulle-Party City.

 

http://www.partycity.com/product/white+tulle+spool+6in+x+65yds.do?sortby=ourPicks&size=all&from=Search&navSet=tulle

 

EDEN glitter sign-I got mine from Tinsel Trading, but if you had time and patience you could perhaps make these as well.

 

 Since Eden's name is only four letters, I splurged!  I hung the letters with simple white and silver yarn, then added extra knot ties to make it seem purposeful. 

 

http://www.tinseltrading.com/catalog/cat-misc/giftware/SNDGLIT.html

 

Silver tray for candy bar-West Elm.

 

I use this little gem for everything from holiday decorations to service for dinner to of course candy bar server!  It's large and super nice looking.

 

http://www.westelm.com/products/large-rectangle-lacquer-trays-c348/?pkey=e%7Csilver%2Btray%7C3%7Cbest%7C0%7Cviewall%7C24%7C%7C3&group=1&sku=5952353&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Spring%202012%20D1%20Billboards-_-

 

For the candy bar itself, which I tend to do for every kid party, I just got to my local grocery store, and load up on things in the color scheme.  

 

In this case I scored amazing peppermint malt balls (so yummy), vanilla meringues (which I love but no kids ate!), yogurt covered pretzels (the healthy treat?), black and white cookies, and the rock candy lollies were also from Party City--and they were super cheap.  I always have dum dums around, and so should any suitable parent.  Hee. I put all the candies in whatever glass vessels I had around the house.

 

Drink Bar glasses and straws-Specialty Bottle and Sweet Lulu respectively.

 

I use these bottles and striped straws at every party too, so I also had them on hand.  I serve water or mimosas in them.  They work better for guests if they are pre-filled.

 

Glasses: http://www.specialtybottle.com/sauce12ozroundbottlewcap.aspx

 

Straws: http://shopsweetlulu.com/category/Stripey-Straws/c1

 

Utensil Containers-IKEA.  

 

Again, use these babies for everything I ever do.  They are clean, white.  Can't go wrong. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60216101/

 

Chocolates with Eden's picture--Prints on Chocolates.  

 

I sent them a picture of her, and voila, they produced chocolates with her on them.  I put one in each kid's goodie bag.        

                                                           

http://www.prints-on-chocolate.com/products.php?cat=7

 

Then I made what I called fancy ham sandwiches.  I made a ham, sliced it, and served with various breads, avocado, edam cheese, radishes, and assorted greens so people could make their own.  It worked out really well, and there wasn't a piece of ham left.  What does everyone love ham?

 

I also served a roasted brussel sprout salad I got from Wegman's, traditional potato salad, and then some assorted apps like my Mom's shrimp salad mold made from the original tupperware back in the 60's.  It was a hit.

 

I made strawberry cupcakes a few nights before--again at about 1:30 a.m. I don't sleep.  I did ice them, but only half the pics have them iced. The recipe is here: 

 

http://craveindulgesatisfy.blogspot.com/2011/03/strawberry-cupcakes-with-strawberry.html

 

We also ordered 24 cupcakes from Goergetown Cupcake in Bethesda, MD.  I waited in line for 30 minutes while I was pregnant with Eden to get these, so they've always been close to my heart and my butt.  My favorite flavor from there is key lime, but I love them all. 

 

http://www.georgetowncupcake.com/

 

 

Favorite Items

I have a cupcake tower that isn't shown perfectly in the shots that I have used for every shower, party, diner party, outdoor BBQ we've ever had.  I bought it about seven years ago at Pottery Barn, and they still carry it!  It's perfect for cupcakes, desserts, drinks, favors, etc.

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/galvanized-metal-tiered-stand/

Advice

I have planned many parties.  My other daughter's first birthday took me four months to plan, and I had everything just so.  However, this time around, I had less time with the holidays close, so I just used my instincts and rolled with what I had around the house.  I also simplified the menu, and for the first time, I wasn't stuck in the kitchen cooking and prepping the whole time.  The meal was ready to go when people arrived, and didn't need perfect timing.