Kick off to Holiday

Good Morning! Did everyone survive the time change? My kids were up at 6:15, which wasn't AWFUL...the upside was they were both asleep by 7:30 and I was not far behind them. We had a fun,but crazy weekend. I felt like we didn't stop for one minute to relax.

Yesterday I hosted a WH Hostess trunk show. Kelly, the brains and talent behind the company (and popular party blog, The Party Dress) is a good friend and former co-worker of mine from Chicago. Her line of personalized Social Stationery, Cards and gifts are just adorable. We had such a great time admiring all of her goodies. 

She has a fantastic range of gift items all under $25! A lot of my friends stocked up on Teacher's gifts and gifts for family members.

The personalized mugs are too cute and only $16!

Love the personalized ornaments for $12. 

The chunky notepads are perfect for the kids teachers $18

Personalized paper coasters come in a pack of 36 for $12. What a great hostess gift! 

I am so excited about Kelly's newest product, the Cake Plate Cling. These decorative liners are washable, reusable, non-adhesive, slide-free, residue-free and printed with environmentally friendly ink and material. 

For those of you who have a collection of all white cake plates, these are a great way to add some pizzazz to your table! 

On my wish list is the Lucite Tray...maybe a Christmas gift to myself? 

It's my party...

I have stumbled across some of the cutest party supplies on Etsy recently, it makes me want to throw an adorable kids soiree!

Party Hats by Baby Darling $18 for 8

immaculate crowns by Taurbabe Design $18 (Thanks Karen for the introducing me to this line!)

Polka Dot Straws $4 for 25 by Hey Yo Yo (tons of CUTE party stuff on this site)

Fondant cupcake toppers and fondant cake bunting by Two Sugar Babies 

Fabric bunting $16.95 by Lemon Tree Studio

The Party Dress table challenge: Belles and Bows Party

I am so thrilled to be featured on The Party Dress' Holiday Table Challenge today! To see the entire party, click HERE

And thanks to Kelly for letting an "amateur" party planner participate, I had the BEST time. I am slowly learning that this whole party planning thing can be kind of addicting!

It's a 3 alarm fire!

image via The Party Dress

Julian recently attended his very first kids birthday party. His buddy Gavin had the most FABULOUS 3rd birthday, centered around a Fire truck theme. Gavin's Mom and Dad have fabulous taste and there was no stone unturned in making this the perfect "americana"/firetruck birthday party! Julian is still talking about it...that is just how great it was!

invites by RSVP in the village

The party started off with a tour of the local fire station. The kids were in awe, most of them had never seen a Firetruck in person!

Gavin and his mom Katie

Gavin meeting the firefighters...

The Mr. and Jules with the firefighters

Then it was off to the park for a fabulous picnic...

How precious is this table? Kelly from WH Hostess did the stickers on the kids food bags, as well as the cupcake toppers.  The food and table styling were by The Mixx Kansas City, the flowers were from Trapp and Company

The Mixx made amazing Steak Sandwiches, that were a huge hit with the adults!

cupcakes were by Smallcakes. The kids THOROUGHLY enjoyed them...

aren't they adorable?

Julian had the BEST time. He was obsessed with the fire station. And all the kids got to bring home their personalized fire hats. A perfect memento from the fun party!

If you are interested in doing a fire truck theme party, head on over to WH Hostess to view her vintage fire truck theme products

Having a party?

If you are planning a shower, party, or birthday affair, you would be crazy not to head over to Stem and enter their $100 Invitation Consultants giveaway. Invitation Consultants is an amazing source for invitations and anything party related. They have SO MUCH to choose from, you would have no problem spending that sweet hundred on something you love!

I wasn't going to do a Birthday party for my son's 2nd, but after browsing through all of the cute invitations, I got inspired! I am thinking a nautical theme...

both available HERE

Love Bug

Bugs aren't just for boys...in fact, the lady bug might be the cutest one I know!  Kelly from WH Hostess and the Party Dress put together the most darling Lady Bug soiree you have ever seen. Instead of the traditional black and white, she threw in some green which makes for such a cheerful color palette. I am  head over heels for her pots with grass as part of the sweets table, and the green and white stripe tablecloth is perfection.

And I actually got to join in the fun too...I supplied the Mel-Belles hair bows, in the Lady Bug theme as the party favors. What little girl wouldn't love bubbles and bows?

Hair bow party pack available  HERE...If you need more than 6 favors, email me and I can do a custom order for you.

If you want to make this party your own, just visit WH Hostess for all of the invites, stickers and favor tags.

Who wants to Party?

I do, I do! I wish I had a party to throw, it's been a while. After Julian's 1st (race car themed) Birthday (see pics above), I was pretty much wiped out. BUT, if I was planning something, I know where I would go for inspiration! I recently came across 3 great Party Planning/Inspiration sites that have all the tools you could possibly need for your next soiree. 2 of the girls are also Project Nursery contributors, so you know they are good.

THE PARTY DRESS

images via The Party Dress "fabric ball centerpiece" post

Kelly...the well-heeled hostess (and believe me, this girl HAS SHOES!) and I go way back. Actually, about 8 years to be exact. Kelly and I were clothing buyers together in Chicago. We always teased her and called her "Martha" because she was such a mini Martha Stewart. She always had great party ideas, was creating her own invites,  and the girl owned almost a full china setting before she was married...you get the drift. It came to no surprise that she would start a wonderful website with great party ideas. She covers everything from holiday affairs, kids birthdays, great centerpieces and invitation ideas. She contributes on Project Nursery, and just recently started her own line of paper products which you can find on Etsy.

TOMKAT STUDIO

image via Tomkat studio "lollipop cupcake" post

Kim is a mom and a "craft enthusiast" who also just happens to have an incredible eye for Parties! She has her own Etsy shop with cupcake banners and other cute party perfect items. She does wonderful inspiration boards with everything from the cake (or sweet treats), invites, centerpieces and more...You can find her on Project Nursery as well!

P is for Party!

image via P is for Party: Christi's son's First Birthday Post

Christi was a full time event and wedding planner before she decided to become a Mom. Her blog showcases parties she plans, and let me tell you, they are spectacular! You should see her son's sophisticated first birthday affair! The blog doesn't stop just there, she also gives great theme, centerpiece and invite ideas as well.