OK, so this isn’t technically a BABY shower or in any way baby related – at least I don’t think it is, unless the bride Has Something to Tell Us – but I’m still SUPER excited about all the cute stuff I found in planning the decorations and favors for my friend Erin’s bridal shower. If I was at all capable of sticking to a budget I would seriously consider going to event planner school (is that a thing?) or just printing up a bunch of business cards and begging people to let me plan their parties. But, alas, I am incapable of not going WILDLY OVERBOARD with adorable things I find on Etsy and would get fired immediately when I spent twice what I was allowed.

Man, I love Etsy. Hardcore love. I think I’ll marry it and get it pregnant.

P.S. Erin, if you want to be surprised on Saturday, LOOK AWAY! Although if you secretly hate the color pink and think butterflies are tacky and break out in hives when in the same room as tiny soap, it would probably be best to check out the post below and prepare yourself.

Clockwise from top left:
1. Shower invites from Tiny Prints
2. Two yards of fabric from JoAnn’s that I’m going to hem for a tablecloth (although this still isn’t done as of 11 pm on Thursday)
3. LESS THAN HALF of my milkglass collection I’m going to fill with pink/blue flowers as a centerpiece
4. Thank you notes (that match my colors!) from Target

Clockwise from top left:
1. ABSOFREAKINLUTELY ADORABLE print from Hugs & Kisses Designs (done by my friend Becca). She usually makes those with baby info but I forced convinced her to make a wedding one! Part decor, part gift. Uh, that WAS supposed to be a surprise. Oh well.
2. Prizes for the guests who win the shower games (which will NOT include wrapping anyone in toilet paper) – wrapping paper from Target, actual gifts are from Bath & Body Works
3. Mini soaps to be given out as favors from BLCBodyShop. She custom wrapped them in my colors and printed “A sunny future starts with a shower” without even once laughing at my corniness. They are coconut lime scented. I did not eat any. Yet.
4. Tiny paper butterflies to perch on the edges of all the guests’ glasses from byemma. I saw these and spent at least 30 minutes looking for a tutorial on how to make my own before I realized they were so inexpensive I couldn’t even buy the paper cheaply enough to make it worthwhile to do-it-myself. I LURVE THEM.

P.S. Do YOU have an Etsy shop? Please let me know. Unless you are Emily, because I have already called dibs on everything in her shop, so don’t even THINK about buying any of those clippies or dresses.

I am super-duper, totally, ridiculously, unbelievably thrilled that Ohdeedoh is featuring Baby Evan’s Carnival birthday party today! The creative, modern, brilliant ideas on their website always inspire me, even if I’m not creative, modern or brilliant enough to actually use any of them. I live in Connecticut, which invented  flea-markets-masquerading-as-antique-dealers.  I am totally not cool enough for pale wood furniture, minimalist design and funky colors. I’m really more of an antiquey, junky, cluttery kind of decorator, as evidence by my crowded bookcases, mismatched furniture and collection of chicken shaped candy dishes (come back Friday to see them). I am no where near stylish enough for any legitimate publication, unless someone publishes Useless Collections of Candleholders and Mirrors Monthly.

So when I submitted Evan’s first birthday to Ohdeedoh I had almost no hope of being selected. Most of the parties I’ve seen featured have been done by moms who just HAPPEN to be party planners or professional photographers or Etsy craft sellers too (check out this Fairy Garden Party or this Lego Party) – but I’m honored the editors liked my ideas! I’m so proud of myself and my friends who helped make such an amazing party possible, especially Amanda and her fantastic cake.

If you missed my birthday posts the first time, you can find them here.

Evan’s First Birthday: Photo Booth
Evan’s First Birthday: Friends
Evan’s First Birthday: Decorations
Evan’s First Birthday: Food

The photographs I used for the party were taken by Nina Benjamin of Nina Benjamin Photography here in Connecticut. She’s also the photographer partnered with Papoose, my favorite baby store so you can check out more of her work there if you happen to be in the area.

And check out these photos my BFF Erin took. She’s just started her own photography business in the Philadelphia area and did a fantastic job catching all the little details of my party. You can contact her at openshutterpa@gmail.com

I don’t even know how many people came for the party but it was AMAZING. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends and family! I’ve never had such a successful party before, including all my own childhood birthdays. I wasn’t the most popular child. Maybe this is a good sign for his elementary school status, although if I have to throw a party this elaborate every year for the next decade I’m going to need access to a much larger budget. And also some high quality pharmaceuticals.

p.s. If you want a copy of your picture let me know!

I spent so much time painstakingly cutting out paper triangles, sewing yards of banner and hunting down just exactly the right font for my invitations that I completely forgot about providing food for Evan’s circus birthday party until the last minute. All I had planned was cake and candy and – although those are two of MY favorite food groups – I don’t think most people consider Pixie Stix and fondant a balanced meal. Also, I thought maybe giving all the kids an option besides SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUGAR SUUUUUUUGAAAAAAAAAAAAAR would be a wise choice. I’m all about the wise choices.

I tried to stick with my circus/carnival theme, which made munchy, snacky food a good option. Here’s what we ended up with:

Popcorn
Hot dogs
Soft pretzels
Cotton candy
Nachos
Animal crackers
Fruit
Salt water taffy
Rita’s Italian Ice
Cake
Jones Soda
Pink and Yellow Lemonade
…and a whole bunch of random candy I used as decoration rather than food.

Circus cake by Amanda, covered in homemade fondant, top layer is rice krispie treat, second layer vanilla, bottom is chocolate. Delicious AND gorgeous!

Dining room table buffet. The empty bowl is for the giant soft pretzels. Also missing: nacho dip.

My mom cut up GALLONS of fruit because she loves me and would like to let me keep all my fingers

$10 popcorn machine from Craigslist, boxes from party store online

Mini-cotton candy bags bought in bulk from BJ’s (Circus tray from Goodwill)

Hot dog trays from iParty, old-fashioned ketchup & mustard from grocery store

Jar from a flea market, animal crackers from Target, candy stand from TJMaxx, taffy from Christmas Tree Shops

The lemonade has lemons floating in it, the pink lemonade has pink ice cubes with cherries in them. Cups from Celebrate Express online, straws from grocery store, milkglass vase from flea market, drink pitches from Target.

Rita’s Ice! I got a 2.5 gallon party bucket, which was MORE than enough and they let me borrow a scoop and gave me free cups. Loooooove Rita’s!

Vanilla smash cake with buttercream frosting for Baby Evan – the pictures are FANTASTIC. It was a GREAT idea thought of and baked by Amanda. Cake stand is mine from a flea market.

Check out more party posts including circus party decorations and our circus party photo booth.

I think Baby Evan's...

...first birthday party...

...was a...

...SMASHING success!

More pictures & details coming soon. Thanks to the amazing Amanda for the smash cake!