Family Reunion

Family Reunion, originally uploaded by findingcalminchaos.

Row 1: Party Sign from Cox and Cox, Lanterns (the knot), Croquet (BHG)
Row 2: Flag Bunting from Etsy Seller, Cookie Jars image by Amor*ology via Oh Happy Blog, Bottle Tops
Row 3: Photo Booth from {frolic!}, Crayons (the knot), Sandwich (BHG)

Now, my sisters will probably just about die when they see what I have posted here, as this event is supposed to be Simple! Easy! and Informal! (You see, I have a habit of making these things too complicated) Never fear, my dears. This is just for fun. Although, I did try to keep this board real, as in we ARE hoping to incorporate quite a few of the elements. (Photo booth, Croquet, Cookies) I'll try to post a few pics of the real event in a few weeks.

The {B}old and the Beautiful

For this event, I am going for a look that I call "classy and sassy". For a lady who was brought up in the time when manners and grace were all the rage, yet carries with her a bit of spunk. I wanted to get away from the pastels and go more toward the jewel tones. So that translated into the following: pink became wine, peach became dark apricot or rust, yellow to gold.


I think of this location, only during the afternoon, say a 2pm event.



The invites: simple and straight-forward. Tucked inside a peach envelope for a bit of unexpected.


Arrangements, above and below, that pull these colors together. I like the black urn, below, over the glass vase.



I really like the idea of a wishing tree. Where guests could write their sentiments and well-wishes and so forth.

The best birthdays of all are those that haven't arrived yet.
- Robert Orben

Oh, to be seventy again.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., upon seeing an attractive woman on his 90th birthday

Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative.
- Maurice Chevalier
For a fun twist on the program fan, why not print fun facts or trivia about the guest of honor? or
share stories about her life.
And then- time for cake. 80 candles not recommended.



Serve up the cake with delicious steaming hot cups of java. or tea. if you insist.


And, finally, a sweet little favor to end the afternoon. Adorable little baskets filled here with chocolate covered cherries. Could be fresh cherries as well. Or, chocolate covered chocolate. Just 'cuz I think she would be that kind of gal.

So. Tell me. Are you looking forward to turning 80?

P.S. As always, click on picture for link back to source.

Sweet -n- Whimsy

Next up is an all-out party for a little girl. This was definitely more difficult to pull together, as I found it much more difficult to find images online that matched the ones in my head. There just doesn't seem to be as much of this sort of thing out there, I guess.


While the picture I have in my head is a bit pared down from the above image, it gives the idea. I see a patch of lawn beneath a grove of oak trees, in early summer. Simple round tables and chairs, in more of an ivory hue.
Fabric bunting like this strung from limb to limb. Invitations here.


Napkins- click on picture for template from Martha- could be done in advance, or as a project for the attendees.

Handmade paper tops scattered in the center of the tables, again from Martha (click on pic), to be used as centerpieces and also sent home as favors.



Hmmm. Difficult to see the detail here, but I love the monogram on the sleeve. So subtle and, well, detailed!

The perfect gift for your little princess. Click on pic for link to Etsy seller. How fun to have a locket! Also- keep this in mind for later when we talk favors.

Since an actual playhouse just seemed extravagant (unless your little girl is lucky enough to already have one!), this seemed to be a more affordable option, especially if you have the skills to do it yourself. A couple of these in the yard, and the wee ones can make-believe for the afternoon.
Especially when her other gift is a tea set, like this one. This is actually a vintage one found on e-bay (click on pic), but is too adorable not to note here.



This fun little chalkboard (maybe you already have one on hand?) could be used to welcome guests as they arrive, or the party-goers could write their well-wishes for the guest-of-honor.


This would be so, so, so fun. To rent a vintage-styled photo booth, or create your own. Some prints have the option to get two duplicate rows of four different shots- one to keep and one for your guest to take home as a favor. To up the fun factor, have an assortment of props on hand- tiaras, wide-brimmed hats, glasses, etc.

How about cake and sorbet to top off the day?


Along with ice cold milk- but only if you serve it up in these awesome bottles!



I like these as favors for the image of the by-gone era they evoke.


And every girl's gotta have lip balm! (Again, picture has clicky link to Etsy seller.)

Now. Remember up above when I told you to keep the image of that darling pearl necklace in mind? I looked all over for a kit to make something along the same lines, and this is the closest I could find. (Clicky, clicky on pic.) I wanted to find a kit, suitable for younger girls, that was more elegant- ivory pearls and silver seed beads on a thin pink cord. I think I would just go out and buy the materials, and make the "kits" myself. Tuck the supplies into clear cellophane with a fold-over card. This could also be party entertainment as well, and they would take home the finished product.

Ah. That's it for this one, folks.

Love this.

I would love to host a party like this for my daughters 8th birthday. Too bad she was born in January and we live where it snows.

Picture courtesy of http://hookedonhouses.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/bake-me-a-cake/#more-1257

And are these cupcakes not the perfect compliment to this party? Check out the fabulous story behind their creator, found over at mix, mingle, glow.