Inspiration Board: Brielle's Birthday Bash

I am 24 and without a husband or children, which is why I live for the kids of my best friends--it's so much fun to be an auntie, even when you're not related (all of my siblings are younger than me)! Well my very very best friend (since 3rd grade I might add) has been married since we were 18 and now has two beautiful children: Everett and Brielle. Well I got bored at work and started dreaming up little miss Bri's birthday board. She turns 1 this year, and of course you have to celebrate in style! So I already told her mom I'm volunteering to be her free party planner and make this event come true. Ready for the proposal?

As you can see from my inspiration board, the main color inspiration is lots of shades of pink (duh!) but I like the idea of including a few supplemental colors like you see in the beautiful cake (yellows, browns, a hint of light blue). And that cake is perfect btw! Add a big "B" or "1" at the top and it's ready to go for being the focal point of her dessert table. I really want an Amy Atlas style dessert table, complete with sugar cookies (maybe in the letter B or the number 1 or other princess-esque shapes), fun lollipops, marshmallows, cupcakes, and more for the kids and adults both to enjoy. Of course we have to add the tissue paper poms above it, with some sort of cute slogan...not sure what yet, but you know I'll come up with something creative. We'll also have fun favor boxes for the guests to take home their desserts in, like the photo above.

We'll also serve pink lemonade for the kids and maybe pink lemonade with a bit of punch (if you catch my drift) for the adults. Depending on what time you hold the event you may want to include some mini appetizers as well, like some mini burgers, mini hot dogs, or mini grilled cheese, etc. just to tide everyone over and prevent the kids from only eating sugar for hours.

For decor, we'll decorate the area outside with some giant pink balloons (you know those 36" ones!) to mark the spot, and some smaller pink balloons (with a few accent colored ones too) inside. If we have the time, we'll create some cool garland, or at least buy some fun pink streamers to decorate the ceiling with. I like the idea of purchasing a variety of pink flowers and having a few vases scattered around the room, just to make everything a little more playful. If we can get in gerbera daisies, they create that perfect baby fun mood. Somewhere in the room, or at least on the door outside, we might hang Bri's initials or her full name as well.

If we can find some cheap ones, I like the idea of buying cute pink or other colored tutu's for the guests to wear (the little girls, not adults) and maybe even some cute little tiaras or fairy wands. Not sure what we'd do for the little boys yet...maybe some gold crowns and a homemade king's cape--this might take a little more creativity. I think we can do some fun little pails of fun too for each guest to take home (maybe with coloring books and crayons, a few healthy snacks, and a few fun toys you can find at the dollar store).

Of course the main emphasis would be on doing most of this party on our own (DIY all the way) and being thrifty with our cash. There's no need to pay hundreds of dollars to throw a party like this. Use the talents of your friends (I'm sure they'd be happy to help you celebrate) and if they have no talent, use their hands. Put your friends to work for a few hours getting things ready. Add a glass of wine, and it's probably a great getaway from everyday life.

In the end, she may not remember this birthday, or the fact that she put her face in the cake, but you know that as a parent you'll never forget the day your daughter turned 1 and when she looks back at the pictures when she's older, I think you'll like the compliment you receive when she says "wow I had the coolest birthday ever, even though I don't remember it". If you have some ideas for Miss Brielle's birthday party, feel free to leave them in our comment section. Thanks!

~A

PS the photos in the inspiration board above come from the following sites: Jamie Hammond Photography (gerbera daisies photo), Martha Stewart Weddings (favor box, ice cream), Style Me Pretty (balloons, drinks), Sweet and Saucy Shop (marshmallows), Twig and Thistle (CD favors), Studio Cake Design (cake), and other sites. If you feel your site has not been properly attributed, please contact me and I will remedy it as soon as possible.