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In the Clutch of Time: Silky and fabulous. Roomy enough to keep all your baubles without toting along heavy luggage. {Murwati; $25}

The Edge of Ruffle: This reasonable cake plate will elevate the cake to a standing ovation. A simple ruffled edge adds class with flirty appeal. {Williams Sonoma; $53}

Fluffy Fleurs: Peonies are naturally ruffled and have layers of soft petals. The Parrot tulip is another flower that replicates the look of layered fabrics. {Brian Adams Photographics}

Flirty Femme: Allow your bridesmaids to look fabulously fresh in a layered look. Choose dresses that will flatter your girls’ figure and wallet. {J Crew; $70}

Bridal Bliss: Beaded lace bodice provides structure and contrast to the free flowing ruffled skirt. {Watters; $1350}

Pretty in Petals: Bedeck the backs of the chairs for added flair. A variety of textures and colors will sure to make your reception incredible. {Chameleon Chairs}

Step by Step: T-strap with sky high 5 inch heel is accented with a feathery flower. {Badgley Mischka; 215}

Layered Cake: White  chocolate layers the sides of the cake, creating a rough edge. The rolled chocolate flakes are bunched together to create a bouquet of ruffles. {Nicky Grant}

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Bundles of Joy: Buying bottles of pink juices (Trader Joe’s, World Market or your local grocer) will help keep with the monochromatic scheme. Wrapping the bottles in fun colorful print and sealing with oversized pink diaper pins will bring bring out the baby themed without being tacky.

Tree of Life: A simple DIY project will make a boring gift table come to life. Once the tree is painted and set in the foam, it is ready for decorations. If dried Manzanita branches are out of your price range, use Mitsumata branches instead, they are more affordable. Embellish with pink baby pacifiers ($1.99), pink safety pins ($1.99) and pink ribbon bows. All can be found at your local Joann Fabric.

Waterlogged: To keep things simple in this overloaded pink party, submerse your flowers in large glass vases. Scatter them through the party space to keep the table clear for your guests’ food plates and drinks.

Pillow Talk: Tossing a few throw pillows around the seating area, will really make it cozy with color. Lovely ruffles that accent the hot pink and baby pink pillows are a great way to incorporate color and feminine frills to the party. (Hettle; $17)

Banner: Etsy can be a non-stop stop for most events. This is the ultimate way to welcome your guests and Jami, your guest of honor. Frills, ribbons and pink colors are all featured in this customized banner. Send a personal request via Etsy convo, as her shop is currently away due to an influx in orders. (Burley Girl; $30)

Tabled: Using linens that are aligned with the party’s colors will really make the party over-the-top. Layering a hot pink table runner atop of a light pink or white table cloth is more dramatic than just a table cloth. If you really want to push the pink limit, only use linens in shades of pink (ie napkins, runners, table cloths etc). (Table Cloths Factory; $2.99)

Cuppy Cake: Cupcakes are delicious alone. But add a cupcake wrap to add more color to the delicious dessert. Cupcake wraps come in a variety of colors and designs. You will definitely find one that will fit your needs. (Paper Orchid; $13)

Shades of Pink: While you’re at Ikea, pick up some very affordable pink vases. The chubby round vase ($3.99) can be used to run down the table runner on the table, while the tall skinny vase ($1.99) can be used to flank the food table. Both come in your party’s colors. (Ikea)

Ring of Love: These lovely sparkalicous napkin rings can be found at an Etsy shop (surprise!). Tie your napkins in these rings to really add some drama to your tablescape. Wait, did I just use tablescape. Oh, Sandra Lee. (Divine Design; $12)

Floats Your Boat: Kari lives in Portland (love) and our local Ikea is having a 50% off on all Grodby candles. With a set of 10 floating candles (in various shades of pink), float the candles in vases of water. The party will be during the afternoon, there may be no need to light the candles. However, if it is a normal Portland afternoon, it could be cloudy and candles bring instant warmth and comfort to a space. (Ikea; $1.99)

Feather Your Nest: Feathers maybe over the top, but they do add a bit of fun to the setting. If feathers are not your thing, giant wooden letters (also found at Joann Fabric) can be used to welcome Jami’s newest addition. Using the baby’s last name or baby’s initials are a great way to personalize the event.

Menu
To keep things simple, I would suggest ordering from a local deli. My favorite is Elephants Delicatessen and there is a location close to you as well. Their menu includes party platters that make hosting a snap. It also helps that their food is made with local ingredients and kills your hunger immediately with their fresh and simple.
If you are want to cook and prepare the food. Here are a few ideas:

Antipasto platter
Cheese plate (3 types: goat, Gouda and blue)
Seasonal fruit tray
Quesadillas de Camarones
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños
Puff Pastry Paneer Wheels (Sub paneer with cheddar or Swiss for the mama-to-be)
Olive Cheese Bread

Dessert
Cupcakes from St Cupcake
Lemon bars (or something not too sweet)

Drinks
Frozen Grapes for a splash of color (use raspberries as well)
Melon Cooler (sub watermelon for the cantaloupe)
Various pink drinks

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Don’t forget to enter to win cupcake note cards, cupcake toppers and tissue poms for your next party. Cheers!

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Colors: pink, orange and pops of lime
Theme: youthful, modern and fun

Top Row: Fluffy Pink Ranunculus Boutonniere; Personalized Jones Soda; Short Silk Bridesmaid Dresses
Middle Row: Rock Candy Decor; Tiered Cake, Groomsmen Ties
Bottom Row: Low key centerpieces; Balloons; Poppies and Grass

Does the rock candy bring you back to your childhood? How about the giant balloons? To create a “ceiling” for the outdoor space, adding balloons will help make an outdoor space feel more intimate. The personalized soda labels are a great way to add a peronal touch to a favor. This can also serve as a escort card. If you don’t want to pay for the customized price, create your own labels, print and adhere with Zots.

These options are a fresh way to bring back elements of your childhood without making it look like a birthday party.

Cheers!

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As mentioned before, the weather was HOT. We invested in a covered cabana in a neutral hue so it can be used for future events. Originally, I was planning on making my own cabana, but I couldn’t stand being outside for more than a few minutes (car to house, house to car etc). Pink chiffon curtains were strung in the background to create a whimsical environment. The curtains fluttered in the cool breeze. Pink, lime green and zebra print paper lanterns were hung around the cabana.

Mmmm. Cake. Vegan Chocolate cupcakes (mini and regular) were featured on my favorite cake plate. A giant round pastry tip help create the perfect mounds of cream cheese frosting. Zebra print cupcake wrappers were used.

The food menu was simple and fresh.

Roasted Vegetable Paninis with goat cheese
Wild Mushroom Crostini
Mini Caprese skewers
Crudite platter: carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, cucumbers
hummus and pan fried onion dip
Spinach Salad in frico cups

Local cherries and strawberries

Cupcake pops (not picture, since they were not as pretty as Bakerella).

A diaper cake made of natural and organic fibers was placed on the gift table. More lanterns flanked the table. Giant wooden letters spelled the baby’s name. Ribbon was tied on the back, so the letters could be used in the bedroom if the parents wished. A zebra onsie for newborns (purchased from Etsy) was a cute reminder of how big Mia will be when she is born. Awww.

Side note: A DIY diaper cake tutorial will be coming soon!

There were laughs all around. We only played one game, which was appreciated by everyone. The game was Famous Babies. Match the famous baby (Brad Pitt, Princess Diana, the new parents, etc) to the picture. Before the shower, I did a test run on my husband and he guested the dad was Kate Hudson. Too cute. The last picture is the mother-to-be and me.

Money Saving Tips: Renting tables and chairs can be costly. Since most rental companies let you rent from Thursday-Monday, share the resources. Weddings are held on all days. Find a local bride and split the costs.

Cheers to the new parents!! Mia should be coming any day now. For everyone else, I hope you enjoyed the recap. Now on to the next event! A wedding in October in Omaha, Nebraska.

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If you don’t remember the original post, be sure to click here for my party inspiration and mood board. This post kept me on track with my ideas and guided me through the process. If you want a free mood board or detailed mood board: Head here! The next few posts will reflect on the party and go through the details as I originally planned.

The party was held outside in the backyard. The weather in Portland (a few days earlier) almost beat our record (of 107 degrees). It was 106 degrees. It was unbelievably hot. All I could do is pray and do a cool weather dance in hopes the weather would cool down, so our guests wouldn’t cook in the sun. I made sure the drink station was continuously stocked with ice cold beverages and ice.

Paper lanterns are from Luna Bazaar and the mini pom pom garland is from my Etsy shop.

Watermelon Cooler (1 whole seedless watermelon, 1/2 cup of water, juice of 2 limes, blend until frothy), stir before serving.

The Beverage Dispenser (Amazon) housed the ice water with sliced limes, ready to quench the guests thirst.

Stemless wine glasses were from World Market and the beverage tubs were from Target. The two tubs held color coordinated drinks (Pink drinks: Juice Squeeze and Fuzes; Green Drinks: green tea, Jamaican ginger beer and Peregrino).

Chocolate kisses and hugs were placed in mini favor boxes with shredded lime paper and wrapped with zebra wrapping paper and finished with monogram tags. Thanks for my Cricut for the letters and circles.

Freshly dyed DIY cloth napkins in Fuchsia #12 worked well with the lime green napkins from Jessica’s Wedding were perfect on the table.

A few months a go, my husband and I bought 25 plates from Ikea, so we can avoid buy paper and throw away products for our parties. We entertain so often, it was worth the cost. Plus, at .79 cents a plate AND being green, who can beat that?

Diana, the mother-in-law, wanted to contribute by donating 18 boxes of Double Chocolate Espresso and Chewy Nut Chocolate chip favor boxes. I couldn’t say no! Each box had 4 cookies! Oh my. Send A Cookie Card is her business and she bakes these scrumptious cookies and sends them in the mail. I rather get this in the mail than a Thank you. What a sweeter way to say thank you? Needless to say, I inhaled two cookies as soon as the last guest left.

Trader Joe’s Pink Lemonade served as prizes and sat on the gift table. If you plan on doing prizes for games. I suggest getting edible gifts. Unlike personalized items (shot glasses), strong candles or bath products, edible gifts are affordable and can be enjoyed by most people. Tied with ribbon and zebra print curling ribbon tie the gifts with the theme.

Fresh cut locals dahlias from Swan Island (Gitt’s Attention, White Lightning, Tiny Treasures, Sugar Lips and Herbert Smith) created pops of pink in the wire hurricanes.

Zebra print fabric were cut into customized table runners. They were a snap to make and no sewing was needed! A little bit of pressing from a hot iron and an even fold made this table runner simple and snazzy.

Come back soon! More details to come!

(Updated – See the 2nd posting for more details)

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2) Grab Bag: Baby Chloe is sitting on a foam tile surface made by Skip Hop.This versatile and child friendly flooring option can be used after the party, in the playroom. Notice the items placed in front of the birthday girl. It is Korean Tradition to place specific items as it symbolizes the future of the child based on the object she grabs. In front of the Chloe, (from left to right): money – wealth; golf ball – success in sports (maybe take after her parents); some fabric – longevity; a bowl of rice – prosperity and a book – a scholarly life.

3) Hats Off: Using your family’s skills is one way to cut the budget (even though this bash did not seem to have a budget). Chloe’s uncle designed the visors and matching invitations. Repetition is key to holding a theme throughout an event. Using the same design throughout ties everything together.

4) Bonkers for Balloons: This balloon background is jaw-dropping. It really adds so much to the table. Balloons are often forgotten and labeled as a cheap trick, but for children birthday parties it is absolutely perfect.

5) Fabulous Foursome: Matching polos and visors in the party’s color scheme is almost too much, but this gorgeous family pulls it off very nicely. It also makes fora  great photo opportunity they won’t soon forget.

6) Invitational Only: As mentioned above, this is another creation by the Uncle. Using a play on words such as par-tee and invitational

7) 18th Hole: At the last hole, party favors were features. Favor labels were created using the argyle pattern and the golf club design.

(Photos by Minmi Photography)

What do you think?

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1) Invite Only: The style of the invite creates the first impression for any event. An invitation with pockets will contain party details and directions. In addition, it will help guests on theme of the party and the level of formality. Use zebra print scrapbook paper or wrapping paper (cut to fit the pocket) to provide a nice background for the invite.

2) Fabric of our lives: Zebra print fabric from our local fabric store can create a runner for your tables. If you do not want to sew the hems, just folding over the edges and using an iron can create a nice crease. Layer several layers of fabric can create a more dramatic pop of color than just one runner. Do what is best for the budget

3) Paint by Letter: The craft store will have large wooden letters, paint and coordinating ribbon to do this project. If the name of the baby is not known, use the last name. Once the baby’s name is known, paint the first name to give as a home welcoming gift. Or if you are strapped for time and prefer to just order your customized set. Here is a store offers customized names. Check around etsy.com and ebay for similar options.

4)Hug a Bunch: A gift box tied with colorful pink and green ribbon is pretty enough. However, when it it is filled with hugs, it is a sweet thank you for your guests. Too bad you can’t package real hugs, I guess chocolate is somewhat of a good substitute.

5) Bright Idea: Using the paper lanterns can really bring the theme together. Check out your local World Market and Luna Bazaar for the zebra, pink and green paper lanterns. Hang them around the area with pink and green ribbon or tring them across the room with white string lights.

6) Pop your Top: Izze Natural fruit drinks is a great way to have the bubbly without the alcohol. Create a bar with various fresh puree, club soda and Izze.

7) Dye Hard: It was hard to find hot pink/magenta/fushia/raspberry colored fabric napkins that did not break the bank. A easy and cheap way to remedy the situation is to use Rit Dye. Fabulous Fuschia 12 is only $2.35 a box and will create the color I need. If you are looking for other colors besides the standard 26, there is a list of color equations for creating “that” color. The dye will transform plain white cotton napkins into my perfect palette. Be sure to follow the instructions!

Flower of Youth: How lovely are you!? Using your local flower farm is more affordable than ordering fresh flowers or buying them at the store. Luckily, the shower is during dahlia season and Swan Island Dahlias is a close and ridiculously affordable place. You can choose your choice of colors and/or specific flower. This is the “Cha Cha Cha” that blooms to 4-6 inches across and boldly displays bright magenta pinks.

9) Pretty, Pretty Cupcake: You can find anything on the internet. I didn’t even know that zebra cupcake papers even existed. Lo and behold, I found them. Thanks to Bake it Pretty, I will now have black and white zebra papers and pink and white for all my cupcake needs.

10) Monogram Me: If the baby’s name is known, you can use the first letter of the baby’s name throughout the party. The monogram tags can be used to top the cupcakes, the party favors, around the vases of the flowers. Anything you want! Be creative

You don’t have to stick with zebra print, use any animal you want. Bear in mind that certain animal prints are more common, thus easier to find. For example, World Market has leopard and cheetah print lanterns, but they do not have snake skin patterns. What do you think? Do you have any “wild” ideas?

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