We All Live In A Yellow Submarine

Wow... two years already!?
We celebrated our little man's entry into true toddlerhood with a magical mystery party at the splash pad! Technicolor cupcakes, a cardboard submarine with cutout portholes, and goodies from under the sea completed the look. It truly felt like our own little octopus's garden in the shade.
While everybody took turns splashing and noshing, our fabulous friend Mike managed to capture our guests' likenesses with caricatures!
What's all that stuff about the "terrible twos?" Bring it on!
Happy Birthday, H-Man!!!

Pat The Bunny Baby Shower

The playgroup feted Julia and Erinn with a party inspired by a childhood fave: Pat The Bunny.
Who new such a simple book could inspire so many ideas for food, decor, activities and more!
Event:
Pat the Bunny Baby Shower
Menu:
(Rabbit Food!)
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Veggie Eggrolls and Dumplings
Crudite of arrots, jicama, celery and more with Garden Veggie Dip
Carrot Cupcakes
Activities:
"How Big is Bunny? and "Hear the Tick-Tick Bunny?" Guessing Games
See Mommy's Shiny Nails Pedicures
The expectant mamas took home gift baskets full of PTB books and puzzles, PTB onesies (created from Iron-on transfers) and some other fun girlie stuff. Plus, "Feel Daddy's Scratchy Face" portraits of the daddies!

Eco-Friendly Baby Shower Invite

This adorable little invite wasn't fit to print! The new parents wanted an eco-friendly baby shower, which included an email-only invite. A hand-painted image gave a soft edge to the digital medium. Even though I'm a big fan of paper stationery, going green is lots of fun!

Beachy Keen Baby Shower Invite

My sister-in law-hosted a baby shower for her friends in DC. She asked me to create an invite that would reflect the laid-back, beach-y vibe for this gender-neutral shower. The invite was printed on textured paper. A fun, modern coastal design!

Shower Time!

A few inspirational images for a future bridal shower for my future sister-in-law...
So pretty... I love it when people get married! Or have babies! Or just have parties!
Images via Hostess with the Mostess. Whenever you're stuck in a party-planning rut, give them a visit!

Body of Art: Gala Benefiting WTW Gallery

The gallery that I volunteer for, Women and Their Work, is celebrating spring with a gala event on Friday, April 23rd at the home of art collector Deborah Green.
The house is built around her amazing collection of work... and is simply gorgeous. The event will be an evening of art and spectacle, with performers, a dj, fabulous food and drink.
Tickets are available now online!

Oh, Dear...

They're heeeee-reee....

http://www.austincakeball.com/

September Showers Bring November Babies

Okay, so there's no real logic to this post title. In fact, it's just darn silly.

But I am so excited to share about Liz's baby shower!

Event: Cute as a Bug, Busy as a Bee Baby Shower Brunch


Hosts: Me, Romy, Jennifer, Kasey, Holly, and Summer


Invites: (See previous post) One guest re-used the invite's paper and ribbon band on her card to Liz. Too cute!


Decor: Butterfly Madness in Pink, Chocolate, Lavender, and White (See previous post)
I also had a ball arranging daisies and mums. Mark and H picked up a ton of flowers and I got creative with these otherwise plain jane floral staples. The hostesses went in together and bought a pack 'n play, which held (most of) the gifts. Fun dragonflies flitted from the ceiling in the living room, over our, quite difficult, guessing game. Tables were decked out in hot pink and chocolate fabric table runners. Strands of white butterflies dangled from the ceiling, with mylar sequins catching the light. Giant tissue paper poms were festive and fun. 


Menu:
Brunch Buffet
Mini Quiches- Romy
Pasta Salad- Romy
Turkey and BLT Wraps- Jennifer
Fruit Plate- Jennifer
Hatch Chile Breakfast Casserole- Kasey
Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette-Holly
Mini-Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing- Holly
Mimosas, Mint Iced Tea, and Coffee

Cute as a bug. Busy as a bee.

I am so excited to plan and host my sister-in-law's baby shower! She is expecting a little girl at the end of November. And we'll be showering her with gifts at the end of September.

Theme: Cute as a bug. Busy as a bee.

Colors: lavender, white, hot pink, chocolate brown

Decor: Neiman Marcus-esque butterflies dangling from the ceiling and springing from the flower arrangements. (Materials: fishing line and cardstock butterfly die-cuts) Fabulous dragonflies from a little boutique fluttering near the front door.

Invite: Long and lean in chocolate, lavender, and hot pink. Lainie Day and Book Antiqua fonts. Dragonflies flit about. Pearlescent lavender card stock band with pink ribbon accent. Brilliant pink envelope with fun, printed address label.

More details to come!

Outback Outback

I'll go back to the past later, but, before Henry wakes up and we get going for the day, I have to talk about what we're doing tonight.

My family has a faux-sarcastic love/hate relationship with the Outback Steakhouse. For a while there, it was our celebration station for birthdays and other events. Then there were some bad experiences... hair in the food, cold steaks, tray carrying disasters (two in a row) that led to "comped" meals. So, Mom and Kyle started boycotting the Outback. And we started pushing for it even more...

Well, this year we've created a compromise. OUTBACK outback.

Tonight, in honor of my belated birthday, we will replicate Outbacks most revered menu items, dress in ridiculous Aussie clothes, drink Fosters and Yellowtail, and probably say "Bonzer!" a few too many times. And eat, not in a restaurant with cheesy waiters and ridiculously low hanging chandeliers, but on our back porch.

Menu: Bloomin' Onion, Pumpernickel bread with butter, Outback Specials with side salads all around

Decor: Hmm... maybe I'll have some time to make some boomerangs and hang some random sheep farming equipment around?

Dress: Aussie Scavenger (Just whatever Khaki/denim/plaid we have)

Invite: Call/Text

Oh! Hen's awake. I'll be back later... well, probably tomorrow, with photos of this momentous occasion.

Under the Big Top

The first year of parenthood is a trying time. It's rewarding as heck, but it's definitely the most work you'll ever do in your life. And so, what better way to close out that first year, but to throw a giant extravaganza with all the people who helped you out along the way. The fun part- you're throwing a party for the most amazing little person in the world. So it's gotta be no holds barred, all out fun land. Plenty of activities for the kiddos, plenty of food and beverages for the grown-ups.

Event: H's first birthday... Le Cirque du Bebe

Decor: Vintage French Circus

I made flag runners out of an old Dr. Spock (circa 1954) book. Red and yellow butcher paper. Three EZ up tents in the backyard. Printed circus posters featuring the little dude at various ages. Top hat centerpieces with the number "1." Cardboard box circus train. Plastic tablecloth curtains. "Admit One" ticket garland. Tumbling mats, balls, wading pools, hula hoops, cozy coupe clown car, even a bouncy castle- brought by a friend! Hand-painted strongman and elephant backdrops... with a hole cut out for fun photos.

Menu: Upscale Circus Food with a French twist

Shrimp Corn Dogs with French's mustard, Pigs in a Croissant, Homemade Soft Pretzels, Chocolate Dipped Bananas with Crushed Hazelnuts, Popcorn served in red and white cones, apples with caramel dip (Ack, I think I forgot to put out the caramel dip!) Ooohs! for the little ones. Asian Veggie confetti with hoisin-peanut dip. (The French were fascinated with Asia and the Orient in the late 1800s.) Lemonade, Lonestar, Fat Tire Skinny Dip, Reisling, Sparkling Rose.

Invite: Circus Tent with opening flaps to reveal information. (Ladies and Gentlemen sign seal to be opened by guests) Ringmaster and Savoye fonts. Color printing. White envelopes.

We had so much fun playing under the big top with all of our friends and family. Henry decided utensils (and hands) were not necessary when approaching a big slice of birthday cake. I know he won't remember it... but we won't let him forget it!

Crawfish Boil

Mark's Law School Graduation Party

We celebrated three years of hard work and endless hours in the library with a raucous bash.

Event: Crawfish and kegs at the Peters' house in Dallas. Laissez le bon temps rouler!

Decor: Backyard chic (Christmas lights and checkered tablecloths)

Menu: Crawfish boil with all the traditional trimmings, plus garlic bulbs and artichokes.

French Bread

Salad

Invite: Fun artwork and font on white cardstock. A printed and email version went out to guests.

Halloween 2001

I thought I'd share some pics and stories of our past get-togethers with friends, family, and other folks.

Halloween is my favorite holiday. And we get pretty serious about it around here. These pics were from our first big ole Halloween party, down at the Avenue D house. Crooked paintings and spiderwebs are a must. (Note: our lack of smiles is not for lack of a good time... We were in character. Does Margot Tennenbaum smile? I don't think so.)