Violet's 1st Birthday

My daughter, Violet, just turned one.  I couldn't resist making a blog post about her special day.  She loves books so it was easy picking a theme for her first party.  I asked friends to bring a favorite book they had growing up.  My dear friend and graphic designer,  Frida Clements, made the most darling invite with a drawing of Violet holding a book siting in a cluster of violet flowers.

 I chose a color palette of brown, red, and cream that was inspired by an outfit she received at her shower that I had saved knowing I wanted it to be her birthday outfit.  I popped these colors with a little bright moss green, pink and sky blue.  I made this diorama with a little woodsy motif as a centerpiece.

I bought bulk crepe paper and cut strips and then ran them through the sewing machine to give them a little ruffle effect.  I also found some pretty decorative papers that I made a custom birthday banner in the color scheme.  For her name I used pages from an old book to bring in the book theme.  Little red bird clips held up the sign.

 I lucked out and found these cute polka dot plates and wood-grain napkins that matched both the color story and theme. Out of the left over crepe paper I made little tissue flowers using a pinking shears and thread.  I nestled them throughout the house to add bits of color.

Suzanne Rosellini of Rosellini Sweets made a delicious chocolate cake for the occasion.  I couldn't resist making a special cake topper.  I found some wood-grain paper, moss, decorative vintage mushrooms, and some flocked deer and went to town creating this whimsical piece.  Vintage birdie candle holders worked great holding these long red candles I found.  I also spruced up the white cake stand with bits of ric rac, pom poms and a paper doily.

 When I found this mushroom candle I knew Violet needed her own miniature cake.  So she also got a fun topper with little plastic deer, moss and a very special candle.

Here is one more view of the cake before it was gobbled up.

Violet enjoyed her first sugar rush thanks to Rosellini Sweets.  She wasted no time diving in to devour her special cake.  Thanks for letting me share a more personal post.  I loved making these little decorations on a smaller level for our little gathering.  xoxoTes

Cake- Rosellini Sweets

Invite Design- Frida Clements

Photography- Tes de Luna for Crinoline & Tweed

Flirty Forties Birthday Party

What better party idea for two friends turning 40 than a 1940's themed get together?  We picked red, brown, orange, and jade green as our color scheme as those were popular shades of the 40's.   With the invitation we conjured up an image of ladies dressing up and going out for a glamorous night on the town.

 We had our favorite baker, Rosellini Sweets, whip up a couple of cakes for the occasion.  We thought about what might have been traditional favorites cake varieties in the 1940's and decided on fluffy white coconut and smooth buttermilk with butter cream frosting.  We were so pleased when we happened upon these reproduction jadite cake stands.  We created the cake topper using images from vintage sewing patterns as well as other decorative papers and vintage buttons.

For table tops we used these cute rose themed vintage tablecloths.  Our collections of antique McCoy vases provided the perfect choices for lush bouquets of red roses and orange ranunculus.

 Isn't this little deer vase perfect for a small floral arrangement?  For a larger event it might be fun to find different animal vases for each table.

Later in the evening everyone gathered around while the cakes were served.  We're always amazed at how perfectly delicious Suzanne's cakes are.  They taste like the cakes of your dreams.  Tables were embellished with punched paper flower confetti and cute vintage photo signage.  All of our favorite ladies brought their fellows for an evening of music, dancing, cake, and great conversation.

Cakes- Rosellini Sweets

Invitation & Sign Design- Michelle Stewart

Photography- Rich Casey

Venue- Copper Gate