DOC McSTUFFINS BIRTHDAY PARTY

This charming Doc McStuffins party would make any three year old feel extra good! Designed by Jennifer Lynn Events, there was a candy buffet against a background made up of purple, pink and black–colors that even the little guest of honor wore. Baskets filled with fun toys and treats served as party favors and activities to do while at the party. A big dose of thanks to Antonio Rocho Photography in Connecticut for taking and sharing the photos!

Additional vendors:
Cake Designer: A Little Something Bakery
Venue: Hop Meadow Country Club
Apparel: Atutudes
Plush Animals and Doc McStuffins: Target
Candy: Oriental Trading
Party Printables: Dreamlike Magic Designs
Heart Shaped Baskets: Party City
Birthday Board: That's So Cute
Paper Straws: Michaels
Bandage Crayons: Extra Money for Mommy
Candy Boxes: Jennifer Lynn Events
Peg Dolls: Craft That Party
Flower Clip: Sweet Dahlia Shop
Handmade Big Book of Boo Boos: Just a Little Favor

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY: LANTERN ICE CREAM CONES

Did you catch the Ice Cream Shoppe Party on Kara's Party Ideas last week?  So cute! I loved these ice cream cones made with lanterns.  I've seen them made plenty of times with balloons, but using lanterns will eliminate the concern of them airing out before your party. Plus, you can make the cones way ahead of time.  Enjoy the rest of the party photos here.

FIRST BIRTHDAY SMASH CAKE SESSION

Next to the actual party, a portrait session for a child's first birthday is high on the list of memories.  The smash cake is a very fun tradition--and probably the only time we'll ever let our little ones dive into all that frosting!  I love the colors of this session photographed by Tracy Gabbard Photography in Florida. The colors and cake offer great inspiration for an actual party. Tracy did a great job capturing all of the little girl's different expressions–and don't you love those cute handprints at the end??

CORK HEART SOUVENIR

My husband and I don't go crazy with the Valentine's Day gifts. I would rather give him something sentimental or meaningful than a gift card for a massage.  I love this idea I came across by Sand & Sisal. She saved wine corks from the bottles she and her husband shared and turned them into a heart.  Filling a decorated mason jar or vase with the special dates on each cork would be great, too.  Find the full post here.

WALMART SMART TIPS TO HOSTING THE BIG GAME!

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #CollectiveBias

I have a Super Walmart on the way to my girl's school, so you can imagine that I am always in there! It is certainly my go-to when I'm hosting a party.  If you're hosting a party for the big game this weekend, or any big sports party, use these tips so you can sit and enjoy your guests and the game.

MAKE SHOPPING EASY: When it's time to get your #GameTimeGoodies, choose Walmart where you can get everything you need in one place.  I was able to get streamers, paper cups, plates, and grocery items all at Walmart. You'll save yourself plenty of time!  

DECORATE WITH SPORTS STYLE: Even if your favorite team isn't playing, make it fun for guests. If you #shop Walmart, you don't have to pay a ton of money to do it.  I purchased black and white streamers for a referee striped look as my backdrop; black and yellow plastic tablecovers, black cups and plates–all at Walmart.  I scoured the Internet for free printables to accent the table.  (Please make sure to refer to the listings at the bottom to find out which generous bloggers are sharing these fabulous printables.)

Give foods fun themed names. 

CHOOSE EASY TO PREPARE AND EASY TO EAT FOODS: Choose a variety of items that will appeal to your crowd and are easy to prepare. We're Italian, so pepperoni, pizza and lasagna are definitely crowd pleasers in our house! No one wants to be slaving over the stove with company over and an exciting game on, so choose items you can easily slip into the oven and forget about until the timer goes off.  Because the Stouffer's lasagna and DiGiorno pizza required the same temperature, I was able to have them in the oven at the same time, letting me save time.  All of these items were purchased at Walmart.

Hot Pockets are the perfect size to turn into individual portions.  Their liners make eating easy and easy to decorate! I just wrapped my printables around the liners.

Turn the lasagna into personal portions by putting them into ramekins or half pint mason jars.

I re-arranged the pepperoni on the pizza to make it look like a football, and added mozzarella "laces" the last 5 minutes of baking time.

Even if your team loses, ice cream always makes it a happy ending!

The Dreyer's Limited Edition Touchdown Sundae Ice Cream has little chocolate footballs in it. So cute!

Remember: It's not if you win or lose, but how much fun you have!

Sources for printables:
It's Game Time sign:  Hostess with the Mostess
Foam fingers and B/W stripes: Three Little Monkeys Studio
Football laces sandwich wraps: Pizzazzerie
Food labels: Second Chance to Dream
Field placemat: Celebration Shoppe
Go Team banner: Catch My Party

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY: TWIG LETTERS

Many times in the midst of all the party perfection it's the imperfect details that catch my eye. That's exactly what happened when I was looking at this beautiful woodsy and magical butterfly party on Hostess with the Mostess.  I love the organic look of the letters hanging in the tree.  The twig letters would even look great sitting on a cake.  Perfect for a bird, little red riding hood or any woodsy themed party–sometimes it's the most imperfect details that are perfect!

Hope you have a perfectly imperfect weekend!

VINTAGE INSPIRED FIRST YEAR BIRTHDAY LUNCH

Mom and photographer Rachel, of Brilliant Imagery in Nevada, made sure her daughter was surrounded by loved ones for her first birthday.  Rachel invited her babysitters and family to commemorate the occasion with a vintage inspired lunch.  Soft colors, bottled lemonade–and my favorite–a wooden rocking horse helped bring it all together.  Thank you Rachel for sharing this special day with us!

Participating vendors:
Audree's Cakes & Sweets
Wild Herb
Bamberoos Boutique
Back to Zero

STYROFOAM PARTY HAT GARLAND

Here's a super adorable garland that may take some time to make, but could be used for many parties to come! Unlike paper or cardboard, the hats are made using styrofoam cones and balls so the garland won't get ruined in storage.  Find the full tutorial at Under the Table and Dreaming.

MONKEY THEMED FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY

Mom and photographer, Erin Leigh of Erin Leigh Studio Photography & Design certainly had a vision for her son, Luca's, first birthday party.  That vision included a green and blue color palette and a lot of DIY projects that she did herself: banner, signs, cupcake toppers and lots more!  I think my favorite elements are the cookies and cake.  They not only look super delicious, but their cute perfection add to the decor.  It's amazing that she was able to prepare everything and get it all on camera!
You'll go bananas for all the details.

Additional Information:
Invitation Designer: Erin Leigh Designs