Leap Year Birthday Celebration

I just finished a party for a lady who is truly one of my favorite clients.  She is wonderful in every way!  She is stylish and loves pretty things but she is also decisive and makes quick decisions which makes my job so much easier!

The calligraphy on the place cards was done in the mitty script by Nicole Black, otherwise known as The Left Handed Calligrapher.  She is wonderful!  She also wrote out a few facts about leap years that we put in a frame by the front door.

One clever guest brought her a hula hoop as a gift!  Perfect for a "13" year old!

Her birthday celebration was so special.  She was born on Feb 29th and only has a birthday every four years so we helped her pull together a 13th birthday celebration on this leap year!  She requested a leaping animal so we commissioned the amazing Bernard Maisner to create a beautiful frog for her.  Bernard put the frog on place cards and on guest cards that each guest filled out and placed in a beautiful mercury glass dish.  The tops of the cards had "My wish for Paula's next big leap is..." and the guests filled out the rest!  Bernard printed the cards in grey and we had purple pens for the guests to write in. 

We took simple white hemstitch napkins to the monogram shop and had both the number 13 and the birthday girl's monogram, designed by Rhonda Warren of Color Box Designs, embroidered on them in a light silvery grey.  They were so pretty and she can use them for years to come....well, maybe not the 13!

The dinner was held at Lucia, an intimate restaurant that is very special to the birthday girl and her charming husband.  The tables and chairs are all a bit different and they space is tight so we had to be a bit careful not to overwhelm with flowers!  We chose various shades of purples as the birthday girl's birthday stone is amethyst.  Debby Jewesson of Branching Out did an amazing job of adding just the perfect touch of sparkle with mercury glass containers and votive holders.

Gorgeous red velvet cakes were brought in from RUSH Patisserie.  Debby provided the flowers and RUSH added them to the top the delicious cakes!  The birthday girl had 13 candles in hers!

 

The wonderful photographer, Jason Wynn, snapped photos of each of the guests with the birthday girl as they arrived and then ran out and had them printed while the guests were eating.  By the time they were ready to leave, Jason and I had them framed and ready for them to take home.  The frames were engraved with Leap Year 2012 on the bottom right.

All photos by Jason Wynn.

Special thanks to Mary Wright-Shah!

And the Winner Is....

Debbie MacDonnell who wrote.....

I so want this for my daughter! She is the ultimate planner...and a wedding diva too! I actually wanted her to get to do one of your internships...you would love her! Anyway...I hope I win this!

I am so happy for you!  Please email Tricia Manzanero to claim your Southern Living Wedding Planner and Keepsake.

Happy Wedding Planning with your daughter!

Win a Southern Living Wedding Planner and Keepsake!

I love the new Southern Living Wedding Planner and Keepsake.  It is spiral bound and full of great tips and ideas!  Leave a comment here for a chance to win your copy!

You need to know about this:

I am constantly looking for ways to save my precious four year old son's masterpieces of art.  He brings a new one home from school almost every day so I have to get creative!

When the amazing Sharyn Blond launched her new linen featuring your child's artwork appliquéd on to one of her fine linens, I about fainted because I adore her linens and I adore my son's art! This is the perfect gift for my mom, who is impossible to buy for, for Mother's Day!

Here's the deal:

There are three simples steps to make it happen but you must do it quickly!  The deadline for Mother's Day orders is Friday, Feb. 10th.

Three simple steps:

1. Email, Fax or Mail your child's artwork to
Sharyn Blond Linens
2718 W. 53rd Street
Fairway, Kansas  66205
913-362-4420
courtney@sharynblondlinens.com

2. Specify the product you want:
-cocktail napkins
-fingertip or guest towels
-bedding

3. Pick from your favorite linen color.  There are 40 colors to choose from!

Tablescape Tuesday: A Valentine Built for Two

I often turn to Anders Ruff to add the finishing touches to my party plans.  They create the most adorable printables that are perfect for any party.  You might remember them from my son's Astronaut Birthday Party post and I have plans for them in an upcoming issue of Southern Living as well!

When they sent me information about their adorable Valentine's Day Parlor Party I couldn't wait to share them with you.  They are so cute!  To order your printables from Anders Ruff, click here.

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?  Do you celebrate with your kids and in a romantic fashion as well?  I'd love to know!

VENDOR CREDITS:
– Production & Event Styling: Anders Ruff
– Printable Graphic Decor Collection: Anders Ruff
– Photography: Becca Bond Photography
– Handmade Dress, Pants & Tie: Made by Morgan
– Bracelet: Maggie Kate– Ice Cream Containers: Polka Dot Market
– Glass Beverage Bottles: Shop Sweet Lulu
– Red & White Paper Straws: My Little Love– Label Material for Printables: OnlineLabels.com– Tissue Paper and Trims: Nashville Wraps
– Cake, Ice Cream Cone Cake Pops, Cruffles: Got What It Cakes
– Cupcake Sundaes & Mini Cupcakes: Cupcrazed Cakery
– Cupcake Cake Pops: Pop-a-razzi– Sugar Cookies & Chocolate Heart Lollis: Firefly Confections
– Lollipops: Candy Warehouse