Wednesday, November 13, 2013

{Parties} Drew Rebecca's First Birthday


On Sunday, November 10th, we threw our little girl a first birthday party. I was going for simple, feminine details with a rustic flare. To start, I lined the mirror on my buffet table with burlap and lace and added a large print of Drew at her cake smash with Karen Carpenter Photography. I also added a shimmery beaded lantern and kept the branches with hanging crystals that usually sits atop my buffet. Lastly, Karen lent me the doily banner attached to the front of my buffet.


Next, I hung a branch from my backyard above the buffet and used rustic/natural looking ornaments and a mason jar lantern to adorn the branch. I still haven't taken it down because it transitioned nicely to compliment my Thanksgiving decor.


I love this chalkboard and use it constantly to decorate and add appeal to the buffet. It changes monthly depending on the season and/or holiday. I saw this first birthday idea on Pinterest and made it my own with Drew's stats and favorites.


On the 13th of every month, I take Drew's picture with the same little chalkboard and a white onesie. I will take her last picture in a few hours :-((( I love seeing how she changes every month and made a banner with the pictures to display for the party. You can't tell from the picture, but I used mini clothespins to hold the pictures in place that I glittered using pink shimmer dust/glitter. They looked so cute!


I made Drew's birthday cake. It was a vanilla cake with vanilla frosting. I used a cake mix right out of a box, and you know what? It was darn good! Ha! I used a heart shaped cake pan for my little "love's" cake. Mmmm. The simple burlap heart toppers and the pink glittered number 1 were also crafted by mommy.


My little girlfriend ate every little drop of her cupcake. She licked her fingers too! The burlap topper I made for her cake smash with Karen and just reused it for her party. No use reinventing the wheel ;-}


The Occasional Cookie made the yummy cookies that sat on either side of the cake. There were hearts and #1's, and they were delicious.


I wish this picture wasn't blurry because these favor bags were adorable. The TomKat Studio's mini muslin bags were the perfect little treat sack that I filled with pink shimmery gumballs {also from TomKat}. I cut out a heart and used the pattern to make the glittered heart on each bag. These would be adorable for Valentine's Day too.


My mantle was also all about Drew. I decorated with a burlap wreath and banner I made and added some other little details like her homemade party hat {made with scrapbook paper, elastic, feathers, and a good hot glue gun ;-}. Karen also made the cutest little collage of Drew's cake smash that now sits on a shelf in her bedroom.


Another Pinterest knockoff here ;-} I used a wooden dowel, an empty wrapping paper tube, kraft paper, and ribbon to construct and hang "A Year of Firsts." I printed pictures of all Drew's "firsts" from her first year of life and displayed them for the party guests to view.


My kitchen island was filled to the brim with yummy sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit salad, chips, pickles, and all kinds of drinks. I've thrown parties where I've served dinner, breakfast/brunch and now lunch. Lunch is the easiest!


You can't go wrong with veggies and dip. I put my dip inside a hollowed out half head of red cabbage {as seen on Pinterest}. Sidenote: I used the leftover cabbage to make a very simple, yummy, and healthy side dish for my family the other night. Even Drew liked it! I may post it soon.


My sweet sweet birthday girl. I just cherish this little one. Happy Birthday, baby girl. XOXOXOX.