Finally having a moment to share the photos from the Paper Airplane Birthday Party! This party was for my sweet son who turned two, and like many little boys he’s in love with any type of transportation – especially planes! I wanted the theme to be youthful but still fun for the kids and adults, which is why I combined the idea of “vintage airplanes” with “paper airplanes” for this party – a fun throwback for adults and something the toddlers got a kick out of, too! If you didn’t see the invitations yet, check them out here. Enjoy the photos and as always, all the paper products are available on my Etsy Shop.



A paper airplane garland soared above the main food table, made up of over 100 little paper planes! The blue and red color scheme was incorporated into the food table through the food signs, banner and star confetti. The main food table was home to lots of easy-to-eat brunch food items including quiches, mini-muffins and mini-scones, baked doughnuts, bagel + lox sandwiches, gingerbread shortstacks, fresh fruit – plus star pb+j sandwiches and bunny grahams just for the kids. The theme and free-spirited tone of the invite was carried through all the little signage pieces. The food cards were categorized by “in-flight bites” or “in-flight sweets”, with canny little remarks about the food items.





“Hudson’s Hangar” was the spot for all the beverages and favors – water, hot coffee, milk and of course bloody mary’s and mimosas for the adults. The flags for the red stripey straws and toothpicks said “paper / forces”, “air shark / for life”, “party / party” and “happy / birthday”.




There was a little paper airplane station encouraging the “paper forces to unite”. The station was set-up with pre-cut paper, custom-made star crayons and instructions on how to make their own Model #HJP-1212 DIY Paper Plane. Once the kids (and adults) colored their planes they could take them for a test flight in the Test Flight Zone and try to make it inside the blue and red rings. I loved how the adults and little ones got into this activity, and was very impressed with some of the adults’ paper plane models they remembered making from their childhood!




For sweets we had vanilla and chocolate babycakes, with red and blue stars indicating the flavor, a delicious black and white cake with raspberry filling, and adorable custom-made paper airplane sugar cookies – a paper plane, radar with plane and star – from Sugar Lane Bake Shop (shop is out of New York but ships anywhere in the US).





Given his first birthday party was a much larger affair, I wanted to keep his second birthday a small but special celebration with his closest buddies and family. It was not only much easier to plan and manage, but the birthday boy was comfortable and happy to play with everyone there…which can always be questionable with a two year old!  His fellow little paper forces pilots went home with red suitcases filled with star crayons, paper to make their own DIY Paper Plane at home, a toy tin plane and paper plane themed sugar cookies.





{Resources} :: Cake and Babycakes :: Red and Blue Cupcake Star Toppers :: Star Crayons :: Custom Sugar Cookies :: Invitations and Paper Products

If you’re looking to add a little bling, bling to your next soirée look no further than Over The Top Studios for some super fabulous party hats. These are not your standard birthday crowns, these hand-crafted beauties are meticulously designed using “found” materials and vintage millinery and paper. A client introduced me to these over the top sensations, and I’ve since used them at several parties for adults and kids – I really don’t know who had more fun wearing them! Great for birthdays, photo booths at parties or weddings and a classy, yet fun accessory for a bride-to-be during a shower or bachelorette party! Over the Top Studios does beautiful wedding cake toppers and custom orders as well, so visit her Etsy shop to see her existing designs or to dream up something truly one-of-a-kind. Below are a few photos of some my favorites – and my birthday is coming in October…just saying…



{Resource} 1. Marie Antoinette Crown | 2. Happy Birthday Floral Crown | 3. Happy Birthday Glitter Crown | 4. Kid’s Party Hats | 5. Fit For a King Boy’s Crown {Photos are used with permission, copyright Over The Top Studios}

A couple things happened recently, culminating in this inspiration board…first my Serena and Lily catalog arrived last week, and second I came across the adorable Lobster Sugar Cookies from Sugar Lane Bake Shop on Etsy and immediately fell in love! So after dreaming of a Summer Lobster Bake Party all night, I put together this party inspiration board. The bold red, aqua and navy color theme give a nod to the nautical nature of this bash, complimented with neutral touches of natural wood and burlap. Eating lobster is notoriously messy, so use the nautical-stamped burlap bags {2} to store the “lobster bib” and toilettes and place on each person’s plate (or in a basket if keeping it casual). And how cute are those mason jar lidded cups {6}…yes, please! If you’re feeling inspired, check out the resource links below – fun ideas for a wedding shower, rehearsal dinner or just-because dinner party!



Resources | {1} Piazza Outdoor String Lights, serena & lily | {2} Hand-Stenciled Burlap Bags, etsy | {3} Lobster Sugar Cookies, etsy | {4} Lobster Napkins, caspari | {5} Fresco Beverage Bowl, serena & lily | {6} Mason Jar Tumbler, etsy | {7} Riviera Arm Chair, serena & lily | {8} Poppy Awning Stripe Throw, serena & lily | {9} Woven Rattan Lanterns, serena & lily |

Since we live in a city space is limited, and all our china and crystal are still in boxes. Our “everyday-ware” is no longer a complete set due to garbage disposal casualties (I think we have 6 spoons left) and slippery hands when washing (the years before we had a dishwasher). So when entertaining for the holidays, we no longer have a complete set of 10 or more plates, flatware or glasses – which is why I love the Caterer’s 12-Piece Box Set from Pottery Barn. It’s an inexpensive way to set the table for larger parties, and includes classic porcelain pieces that come in a reusable storage box…so you can easily store away deep in a closet when not in use!

If you’re into entertaining it’s definitely worth the investment, as it would come in handy not only for the upcoming holidays but for bridal showers, baby showers or birthday parties as opposed to renting pieces every time. Plus, everything is dishwasher and microwave safe (which isn’t always the case with fine china and crystal). Pottery Barn has 12-piece sets starting at $39 for dinner plates, salad plates, champagne flutes, water goblets, water tumblers, wine glasses, and a classic 36-piece flatware set which includes a fork, knife and spoon. Affordable enough to buy a couple boxes and serve parties of 24 or more!



{Photo Credit: Pottery Barn}

With Thanksgiving only 10 days away, I guess it’s about time I shared the printable Thanksgiving Dinner Partie Kit available on my Etsy shop. The kit is customizable for your menu and guests, and since it’s printable it can be ordered up until the day before! And in the spirit of giving, don’t forget to send your guests home with some delicious Thanksgiving leftovers in these kraft to-go boxes. Complete list of items included in the kit below the photos.

The Thanksgiving Partie Kit includes:

- 5″ x 7″ Dinner Menu Card, customized with your dinner items

- 5″ x 7″ Drink Menu Card, customized with your drink items

- 2″ Circle “Happy Thanksgiving” Topper, perfect for cupcakes, pies or favor tags

- 2″ Circle Leftover Tag, customized with guest’s first name

- 1.5″ Initial Drink Tag Circle, customized with guest’s first initial

- 3″ x 2″ Food Labels, customized with your Appetizer and/or Dessert items {can also be used as placecards for table}

- Three Water Bottle Label Wraps

All items are available on my Etsy Shop as part of the kit or a la carte. Happy Thanksgiving!

I’ve had this bookmarked for a couple weeks now, and have been waiting to share this adorable DIY candle holder idea from Jenny over at Hank + Hunt. She provides a very easy-to-follow tutorial on the amazing Sweetest Occasion. It’s the perfect touch for a kid’s birthday party, baby shower or even for a grown-up party…it’s pretty amazing how spray-painting something gold makes it instantly chic!

All photos copyright Hank + Hunt.

This project does require the use of a power tool (a drill) but it’s super do-able! You’ll also need the below items, and detailed instructions are over at Sweetest Occasion.

• Small plastic animals (I’ve also seen these on Amazon and in random bins at craft stores, like Michael’s)
• Plastic birthday candle holders
• Spray Paint (a metallic works best, available at any home improvement store)
• Spray Paint Primer, if using a non-metallic paint
• Pliers

Good luck!