It's my party...1 week out and things are getting SWEET

Mistake #1 : Asking for "regrets only" on the RSVP.

Reasoning behind is that NO ONE RSVPs anymore. So I thought it would make it easier - just let me know if you are coming. But some people RSVPed No, others said "Yes" others.. nothing. So.. Hmm. I have no clue how many people are coming. Somewhere between 10 - 40. LaLaLa

This week is all about putting things together. I've picked up some fun items like these plate, napkins, table cloths and pink plastic trays from Target...

I think they will go perfectly with my theme... as will these..

A gift from my mom! Thanks, Mommy!

My friend Carol sent me a link to pictures from a black and white wedding photo shoot that I'm so totally going to steal from:

Photo from E. Leigh Photography

I'm going to get some oreos, merengines, and attempt to make Bakerella's cake pops and macarons... Additionally I'm going to get some cupcakes (whheeee!) and maybe some other delish little desserts. 

Wish me luck!

Please and Thank You

Have you ever gotten a Thank You card in the mail for no apparent reason? Something that you did for someone, that you didn't even realize was worthy of the time for a thought-out thank you? I love that. 

But even "expected" thank you cards can be special. The final note of a great party. 

After Zoe's birthday party, I wanted to use one of the special pictures from the party, but I wasn't sure how... I browsed a few sites like Shutterfly and Tiny Prints but after nothing really "grabbed me" I then wondered though the Paper Source (happy place) for inspiration. What I ended up with a simple card, with a heat embossed thank you "tag" on a ribbon holding a picture.

While normally I would keep with the theme of the party, this time I used the picture of Zoe to set the tone of the colors used. 

While simple looking, the heat embossing of the tags, then cutting them out, did take time. The effect looks simple and somewhat effortless, one of those things you think you can bam out, but in reality, it did take a few hours. Additionally, while there is something to be said about a "handwritten note", I personally can't stand my handwriting. I do include a personal note in Thank You cards, but I do them on the computer, print them out and glue them in. 

My favorite finishing touch of late is to line the insides of the envelopes with a beautiful paper...but since I ha close to 25 of these guys to get out, I opted for plain green envelopes. My biggest problem is over-doing it, then it becomes stressful and zaps the fun. Remember that simple can be elegant and just putting a little thought into the project is what makes it special!

Boo! Zoe is TWO!

I couldn't resist the Halloween birthday party. Last year I wanted to make sure that her 1st birthday was a seperate occasion from Halloween. First birthdays are big deal, and being a Nov. 1st baby will mean she will have a lot of celebrations that bleed into each other. Last year was one thing - but this year I just wanted to have FUN.

Personally, I love Halloween. I love the decorations. I love dressing up. I could not wait and started collecting decorations months before. Being a paper addict, I tapped Jess at Polka dots and Pirates to do the invites, banners and cupcake toppers again this year. Jess is amazingly talented and if you can plan far enough in advance - try and get on her 2010 wait list. Yes, she has a wait list - she is THAT good. 

The stamps are from the Martha Stewart line at Michaels and the skull stickers are from my happy place, The Paper Source. 

As always, I went a little overboard with the decorations. Using the "candy theme" that was popular this past year, and inspirations from various magazines and blogs, I chose basic Halloween colors and the Candy Corn as my main starting points. 

I like using cupcake toppers on more than just cupcakes. I use them all over as various decorations. Instead of renting the cupcake stands, I bought black cardboard ones from the Halloween section at Michael's. Since this was a 2 year old girls party, and I was trying to keep the macabre out of it, I added bows the skeleton's heads. I also did the same with Miss Party Bones in the corner...

Cupcakes came from Cupcake Love in Solana Beach. I'm such a sucker for cupcakes.. I always go a little overboard with them!

I made some foaming lemonade concoction for the kids that  I found online (it didn't really work out all that well!) but instead of boring cups, I served it to the kids in "adult" plastic martini glasses. Since they are used to only Mommies and Daddies getting the fancy glasses, they were very excited about them. 

For activities, I rented a bounce-house, had a decorate your own pumpkin craft, read a halloween story, and we played musical chairs to the monster mash. Hint for musical chairs - kids don't want to be out, so I offered a lollipop to each child as they were out, which then prompted the older kids to try and get out since all they wanted a sucker!

Book is "Shake dem Halloween Bones!"

the birthday girl, herself!

Lucas Kai-walker.. ;-)

It really was a wonderful day. 2 things I did differently this time is that I had someone else take pictures (one less thing to worry about during the party!) and I hired one of my babysitters to help. She was great at helping to organize things and also clean up. At the end of the party, all the trash was thrown out, dishes washed, kitchen wiped down.. and my sanity still in-tact! 

*Thank you Patty from Petula Pea Photography for some amazing shots!!