Just recently, my baby girl celebrated her very first birthday. I can't believe it's been an entire year since I was lying there in that hospital bed, delirious from lack of sleep and all the pain killers (note to self...tell the nurses no next time), holding my beautiful new baby girl. I still can't believe that I did that! It was so incredible...She was born on May 19th, 2013. On her actual due date...and she was perfect. We fell in love at first sight and since then, it has been a year full of learning, loving and living.
For her first birthday, I knew I had free reign over all the decor decisions...all my pretty little girl had to do was show up! I knew this would be about the only birthday that this would happen too. The years to come will be filled with Princess Sofia the First, or Minnie Mouse, or Doc McStuffins paper plates and napkins from Party City. And that's all she will want, so I knew I had better make my mark now...while I still had a say. So I chose an amazingly girly, pink, shabby chic princess theme. I had always dreamed of throwing one of those super awesome "Pinterest" style parties; complete with mason jars and paper straws and DIY all day! Oh MY!
My mission: to complete this amazing party, but to spend less than $300 dollars...hmmm. The second part would be challenging.
I first started my planning about two months in advance (I know...but I am a bit OCD...OK maybe a lot OCD) with no other than a Pinterest Board (Click Here) During my search; amongst all the pinning and oohing and ahhing...I found this (Click Here) awesome downloadable and customizable file from Etsy; complete with Birthday invite, decor, cake topper, flags and signs for only 18 bucks! Score! I printed everything I needed and made pretty much everything else.
The location was a bit trickier...every place that I looked into wanted an astronomical amount to rent the space and also wanted me to pay for catering...not good when you are watching your bucks. My mind was set on having it at the McMennamins Kennedy School, but they also wanted to charge me upwards of 500 dollars for room rental plus catering! Hello!?! It's a FIRST birthday party for goodness sakes. But that location was the perfect mix of vintage and class, so a sweet friend offered a gem bit of information and recommended that I go through the neighborhood community association instead. If you live in the area, and are interested in this location, google search "Concordia Neighborhood Association". They have a classroom at the Kennedy School that acts as a sort of community room, that can be rented by the hour and can be catered yourself. YAY!
So without further adieu...here is how it all turned out!
Vintage high chair spray painted gold.
Fabric bunting and wood letters O N E spray painted with gold glitter.
Lylah's "monthly pictures" printed onto wallet sized pictures and held onto frame with tiny clothes pins and baker's twine.
My husband made fun that this was the "Lylah Shrine"
Table cloths and lace doilys were a mix of family heirlooms, vintage store finds, and thrift purchases.
The "classroom" created the perfect classy vintage feel.
Here's my mason jars and paper straws! Mission accomplished!
Probably one of my FAVORITES! Donut kabobs! Yum!
We did a brunch theme, and had the party from 11am-1pm.
Another fabric garland to decorate the "favor table", which housed DIY party hats (dollar store party hats covered with scrapbook paper and embellished with odds and ends) and "thank you" bags filled with gold Rolos and Twix candy.
The cupcake tower! (all of the paper goods seen here and above were from the Etsy file download!) The tower was actually used for my mother's wedding cake in the 80's...Score!
Bunting flag and glitter paper "1" sign.
The Birthday girl and "yours truly"...Lylah actually wore an outfit from the "Kardashian Kids" line (normally I wouldn't go there, but it was too cute to pass up)
Tutu, Bomber Jacket, and Onsie (Headband made from tulle and gold glitter stretch elastic)
She was so cute, and it all fit perfectly with the "Vintage, shabby chic princess" theme.
The Birthday Girl herself :)
So all in all, I think that I accomplished my mission of designing a pretty sweet first birthday party on a dime. It was A LOT of work, but I couldn't be happier with the result. Happy first birthday baby girl! And as for next year... I look forward to the Party City themed paper plates and napkins! LOL!!
And... here's a super cute little video courtesy of TheJarfly.com
Until next time,
Britt.
