Friday's Fancies: Party Planning

Party planning is in full force this week. My baby girl officially turned One last week but we decided to postpone her party till this weekend. I've been busy making all the decorations while my sister is baking up a storm and my mother, preparing dishes upon dishes of delicious food. Meanwhile my dad is busy organizing his wine cellar and cleaning up after us. It's all hands on deck in this household. Suffice to say the guests will all be going home bloated and hopefully slightly disgusted of themselves (sign of a good party, right?). I only wish my husband was around for his little girl's first birthday. I guess it's only fair since he had to miss out on her sister's first birthday last year too. Poor hubby, it must be so hard to always miss out on key events. These are the times when Skype just doesn't cut it. But enough about that, here's a sneak peeks of what's in store for her party. More photos to come.

A sneak peek at the dessert table. Note the countless hours spent catching up on my favourite shows while completing that gold fish scale wall. Although tedious, I love the overall effect.

 

A sweet little birthday wreath for my sweet little girl. There was really no design process behind this wreath, it was merely me using up whatever materials I had on hand. Surprisingly it all came together really nicely. Don't you love it when that happens? 

 

Happy first birthday to this little one. 

Stringing up garland with her name and making gold glittered accent letters.

  

150 macaron shells, 10 minutes in the oven, two eager ladies (being my sister + me)... and now only 50 left for the party. Big fat Oops with a capital O. 

Bows, Blooms and Balloons

I still cannot believe my baby girl is turning the big One in two weeks time. Soon I'm going to have two full grown toddlers running around the house, *faints.  I've posted before about throwing a Red Balloon themed party for her. I just love the images a simple red balloon conjures up. A feeling of hope, of love, of childhood and dreams. It's the perfect theme for a first birthday. 

Aside from the red balloon, I'm also picturing lots of ivory, gold and pastels, with a pop of red. Think Marie Antoinette meets shabby chic. Here's a look at what I've got planned for her big day. Most of these images can be found on my Pinterest. Make sure to follow me there if you're anywhere as obsessed with food and party planning as I am. 

 

Party Food

One of the main features of any party is always the food. Here, I am envisioning an opulent dessert table, think Marie Antoinette "Let Them Eat Cake" with decadent cupcakes, pastel macarons, candy covered popcorn and stenciled sugar cookies. As for savory foods I'm leaning towards more casual fair with paper wrapped sandwiches, bite sized appetizers and a fruit and veg buffet. 

Party Decor

If I had to come up with a name to describe my vision for the decor I'd have to call it shabby glam. Although those two words combined seem like a contradiction of each other. I'm feeling inspired by sequin filled glass vases, favors in stamped muslin bags, ombre garlands, chandeliers as cupcake holders, and lots and lots of pastels with gold accents.

Birthday Cake

I love the idea of a smash cake alongside a regular sized cake for guests. We had one when my older child turned one and it was a huge success. I'm really loving all the mini cakes popping up all over Pinterest. Right now I'm leaning towards a pink ombre smash cake with buttercream frosting topped with a gold leaf bow. And for the guest cake, a delicate two tiered white ruffle cake with mini birthday bunting and an asymmetric red felt balloon. 

Birthday Wishes

For the main event I'm thinking of having each guest write a message on a red balloon and then fill it with helium. As soon as my little girl blows out her birthday candle, all the balloons will be released into the air filling the sky with a red cloud of well wishes.