{Funky & Fun "Welcome to the World" Baby Shower} November 2014

I had the honor last weekend of collaborating on a Baby Shower for my friend Mimi and her soon-to-be 3rd baby boy. In terms of making close friends since I've moved to Santa Barbara... Mimi is my girl! Her son's Axel and Kaj have become Cormac and Birdie's little besties... So we hang out quite a bit.

{Coming Up With A Theme}

When Mimi and her husband Ethan found out they were having another boy I let them have a set of my BOY mylar balloons for their announcement photo... (I sell these in my Gender Reveal Box on Etsy)... When I saw the fabric Mimi used for the background photo I knew it was going to drive a baby shower theme somehow- it was just THAT good.

One thing I always like to take in to consideration when I'm doing a shower for a friend is what other party themes am I trying to shop for around the same time so that I can try and kill two birds with one stone. My son's party is in January and we're doing a pirate theme for him which I'm ready to cry about  SO excited about. I'd been planning on a heavy "map theme" to distract from add to the pirate theme ...And so I started brainstorming... Maps... Globes... Paired with that amazing mod atlas fabric and the fact that Mimi is from Sweden... (accent and all) and wa-lah!... "Welcome to the World".... A PERFECT baby shower theme for her that remarkably hasn't been totally played out yet. I was stoked by how organically the theme came together.

We wanted an outdoor shower because the theme just seemed to lend itself to that. I knew the beautiful outdoor area we were having it at was going to be heavy on trees but true to always I failed to take in to consideration how horribly the table would photograph due to the tree shadows. They were inescapable and I had to just be ok with it or else I was going to be dwelling on that instead of a fun shower... So I snapped a few shadow-y pics and moved on...

{Designing the Dessert Table}

One thing I've always loved is mixing prints. I've been mastering the art of print-mixing since my high school days and at this point if I see a dessert table without a couple of prints- I'm usually bored. I hate shabby chic... I hate all white... I like a lot of color, a little funk and tons of fun and detail. The more dessert tables I do, I learn to claim my own style and not whatever the current "dessert table trend" is... It's very liberating actually!

For the graphics on this shower I partnered up with Cara from One Swell Studio... She definitely took the theme to the next level with her "Welcome to the World" printables... I was so in love with everything she came up with and she totally got my vision.

Andrea from Paper + Pop was able to take the graphics and create a custom cake topper for me that matched perfectly with the table and graphics... It turned out awesome and I am so happy to know that I have someone who can make custom cake toppers and other party decor to match my party printables.

When I mentioned earlier I "collaborated" I actually stuck to decor only on this shower and asked a few of Mimi's other friends to bring the sweets to fill the dessert table... My main strength is being a party stylist so when throwing a shower for a friend (ie: not a paid project) I'm learning to give up more and more control so that my bank account doesn't scream, "WE THREW A SHOWER THIS MONTH"... Can I get an amen?

{DIY Favors}

I searched Pinterest high and low for some "Welcome to the World" favors that I could make but there was nothing I loved enough to recreate... Then one day I came across a bubblegum machine party favor and it sparked this idea: The Sixlet Globe Favor! I used glass 55mm ornaments (I'd recommend plastic) and filled them with green and blue Sixlets and then punched the top of the ornament in to a small ketchup cup... I was pretty proud of these, I must admit!

{Game Time}

One thing I did differently with this shower is I didn't do games... What I did instead was have guests fill out a sweet little "Wishes for Baby" page where they finished sentences like, "I hope you LOVE..._________" One Swell Studio designed these for me and they turned out adorable. Then I asked whoever wanted to share to do so. I've been seeing this trend more and more with different shower themes and I just love it- it adds the perfect touch of sentiment. It's also really fun to hear what guests wrote, for instance, Cormac filled in, "I hope you GROW...__________" with "plants". Classic.

Enjoy!

xo Party or Die xo

kenna

{The Shower...}

Custom Cake Topper by Paper + Pop

The Art of Attending an Event Planner's Party {Part Two}

If you are here by chance and didn't read PART ONE of this post, please hault your reading. I have a big ol' intro over in the opening post that is a must read. You shouldn't have even read that last line-you should be over at Part One by now!

Okay, good- you're back.

Shall we continue? Maybe you should grab a glass of wine...
It's 10am? A shot will do.

Custom Wine Glasses by Vinyl Eloquence

Let me set the stage... You're arriving at the party- on time because you now know how important this is. As a fellow party planner/friend so keenly brought to my attention- "Lateness is not some 'quirk', drinking wine with a straw is a 'quirk'... Lateness is just rude."

You put your bags and gift down and head over to where the party is happening. You're impressed. You can't imagine why on earth anyone would want to put this much effort in to a single day. At this point, we might be wondering that very same thing.

You notice someone. She's probably dressed in black and seems to be taking her job very seriously. It's...

 

THE PHOTOGRAPHER.

 

Guests either love or hate seeing a professional photographer at a party. If you love it- great! Go photobomb some pics (except the close ups on my dessert table, I'll kill you). If you hate it- please remind yourself that the hostess is also a party planner who has worked endless hours getting the party to look a certain way. There's a chance she didn't sleep the night before, or if she did- that she woke up at 6am to set up. In a nut shell, this is months of hard work coming to fruition. We NEED great photos, without them- our work is nothing.

San Diego photographer Maria Healy capturing Tania Fischer Designs dessert table.

So if you have to wait a minute before biting in to that shimmery chocolate covered Oreo- wait two minutes. If you have to be a stealth ninja about getting that handmade felt flower in to your daughter's hair so that a pic can be taken of all of the girls wearing their adorable party favors... BE THAT NINJA. And please don't complain about it.

Look on the bright side- you're probably going to see some pretty adorable photos of your kid with their close friends floating around social media in a few weeks- high res and everything! (You're welcome.)

Photo by my girl Christina at Moments Captured Photography located on the Central Coast of CA

DESTROYING THE DESSERT TABLE.

Help me out here... When does one eat dessert? Is it before a meal, or after- I'm forgetting? NO, I'M NOT.

Do not show up to a party that happens to have a dessert bar and start raiding it upon entrance. Usually, if there's a table specifically for desserts, you can safely assume there's some food being served as well. Look for it. Stuff a hot dog in your face- have a soda. Wait until the hostess announces that the dessert table is open- which isn't usually very long in to the party. If you have a toddler and they're losing it at the sight of cake pops, (I have this child) ask the hostess if there are any extra hidden ones he/she can sneak in to the bathroom or something.

While I don't want guests to feel like they have to watch their child the entire party, please make sure they are not doing things like hiding under the dessert table playing hide and seek. Because if that cake falls over, I will stand behind the old adage, "It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to."

Part of the fun for a party planner is showing off the beauty of her work. In an ideal world for us- every guest would get to admire and Instagram (with a proper hashtag) the custom cookies you had made or the Jello cups you so carefully layered. All we ask for is about 30 minutes (give or take a few) for those inevitable late arrivers to get in a peak at the dessert table. It takes months to design and just under 2 minutes to devour. Just give us our half hour.

"O.M.G.- THAT IS SO PINTEREST!"

Really? Because that is so annoying. Do party planners love and get inspired by Pinterest? Of course we do! And sometimes (gasp!) we even use an idea or two- I do for sure! However- that doesn't mean that every cute idea at a party planner's party is a "Pinterest idea". We're creative ladies- promise! We have ideas too! I for one was EVEN creative before Pinterest (I even wrote a post on it)!

Unless totally sincere and interested in how "Pinterest idea" was made- we really don't wan't to hear the ever popular, "I SO saw that idea on Pinterest!" yelled from across the party. Please remember, the idea still took time and effort to make- and if you've ever seen a Pinterest Fail- probably a small amount of talent.

Other sayings like, "I WISH I had spare time in my hectic life to throw my kid a party like this!" are equally annoying... and with the right tone... I don't know, condescending? We don't just have 3 extra hours a day to hang out and craft. We're moms as well- which is kind of a full time job! We stay up late and wake up early to do something we love. So please avoid being passive aggressive because I can read between the lines. I don't walk in to your Book Club and say, "I really wish I had time to sit around and read books all day!" DO I?

DON'T SHOW UP WITH AN ENTOURAGE.

Unless you are Lady Gaga and trying to see if you want to hire me to throw your 30th Birthday Extravaganza- do not show up with groupies.

If your 9 year old child's name was the only one on the invite- do not send your 4 year with him. Do not bring your neighbor's kid who, "really wanted to come too"... Or some random cousins. Chances are the party is limited on space, favors, food and desserts.

If you feel like it was an oversight your other child wasn't invited: it wasn't. But if you insist it was, then kindly ask the hostess and be prepared to hear, "Sorry- we're only having 10 children for this party". Do not just drop off extra kids.

There is a loop hole here- because to be honest, I am actually ok with an extra child coming in the event of something necessary/helpful/you have out-of-town visitors. When I was on bed rest with my daughter, my son went to random birthday parties with other moms who's kids happened to be invited and I have no doubt my friends asked first, explaining the situation. All we ask is that you ask the hostess in advance if, "little Jonny can come because I've already committed to watching him this day." While we may not be able to bust out a custom made favor- we'd love to be given the opportunity to scrounge up something!


"MY KID DIDN'T GET A FAVOR!"

On the super off chance that we've done some majorly terrible calculating (I can't even imagine- seriously) please don't make a huge deal about it. As in, kindly ask the hostess in private if there might be any other favors because your child didn't get one. Don't start yelling, "Where's _________'s favor?! I don't see it with the rest!" Just....... don't.

And if you must be angry about that missing favor, have your kid go snatch it out of that uninvited cousin's hand.

Also ask yourself, "Did I RSVP?"

In conclusion... We really do enjoy throwing parties. Maybe too much you're thinking! May-be. But we caaaan't stop... And we woooon't stop. We love to entertain guests and show off our skill just like a runner loves to run in a marathon. We've spent a lot of time getting ready for the party in hopes of sharing a great day of celebration with you- because we love what we do and hope you will enjoy it too.

xo Party or Die xo

kenna

 

 

Miss Party Mom's: Five For Friday {7.12.13}

Happy Friday YOU! I'm here again to start your Friday off with 5 really fun items in the following categories- Party Planning, Home Decor, Kids, My Style & The Husband (which is the order in which I like to shop for them- most days anyway...)

I've been in the coming down stages of Birdie's Puppy Parlor Party all week.. and to ease my post-party blues I headed down to LA to cuddle my new niece and TWO good friend's new babies! It's like baby nation in LA- I better stay outta here!

As usual, if you love it- PIN it!

Let's get it started!

xo Party or Die xo

kenna

Some of the products in this post have been sponsored. That doesn't mean I don't still LOVE them!

1.) Party Planning

I'm loving this trend in party planning: yarn poufs. I've seen yarn garland before but I've just stumbled upon these yarn wands by Cupcake Wishes and Birthday Dreams and I'm so in love! I'm even having some at my Favorite Things birthday party coming up in a few weeks- I mean what 30 something woman doesn't need a yarn pouf fairy wand?! Exactly. 

2.) Home Decor

How absolutely adorable is this idea from the emag Sweet Paul? I just stocked up on a nesting set of 3 of these embroidery hoops for less than $10.00 at my local craft store. I can't wait to put some of my favorite fabrics to use and hang them on my wall- I'm thinking Birdie's room is the perfect fit! I love that these ones are displaying Liberty of London prints- only my favorite floral ever!

I'm pretty sure it's a decor match made in Birdie Room Heaven!

3.) Kids

This one is inspired from a real purchase I made- TODAY! I've been looking for a pair of shorter style trunks for Cormac for over a year with no luck! My kids both love the water and we always have wet swim suits laying around our house all day every day- so we can never have enough swimwear in my opinion. My husband has been rocking shorter trunks since forever and I really wanted Cormac to have some as well. I stumbled across these in the H&M Kids department and for $12.95 and might have let out a little squeal... I mean- I couldn't have hand designed them better myself! The only sad thing about them is H&M STILL doesn't sell online. What gives?? (Side Note: When my bestie sees these she's going to kick herself for not going in to H&M with me...)

Ya, this kid is gorg.

4.) Myself

Sole Society was sweet enough to offer me a blog sponsor this week and good thing because after looking around on their incredibly tempting site I am dying over this pink striped purse! It has Kenna's "Favorite Things" Birthday Party 2013 written all over it- helll-o! Have I mentioned I have a birthday coming up? And that I have no problem throwing myself a party? Yes and yes... all true... the 28th of July... don't forget it. I'm attaching a little sneaky peeky of the printables inspiration Party On! Designs is creating for me... are you dying yet?! Do I need this purse or what?!

5.) The Husband

Don't even ask me how I came across this idea. Ok, go ahead- ask. Somehow ebay suggested a bunch of VW Westfalia CampMobiles to me via email this week... which is pretty freaky (like it knows my families inner wants and desires freaky) because I swear I don't think I've ever even looked for a camper on ebay... UNLESS, unless some husband of mine is snooping around ebay on my account... hmmm... Anyway for those of you who don't know Shawn and I love to hit the road with our family. We've taken quite a few lengthy road trips (I have an entire category on the blog about our trips) and we even own an old run down (literally) motor home that used to work and now doesn't. Now it just sits in our drive way and bums us out on a daily basis reminding us that we used to camp. (I will say it makes an awesome Party Cave backup). But this? THIS Shawn would love. POP TOP!

Miss Party Mom's: Five for Friday {6.14.12}

Welcome to my first ever Five For Friday post! I'm starting a weekly Friday round-up because I come across a ton of great stuff all week while blogging and party planning and I figured- hey, why not share my faves? I mean... people want to know what I like, I can just sort of feel it...

I decided on 5 things because, well- it sounds good AND when I grouped the things I like to shop for the most it happened to be limited to 5 categories stealing all of my money... um, kind of perfect? So here they are- my favorite things to shop for- in this order...

1.) Parties

I am always looking for unique party favors- especially for my own children's parties. I hate taking a bag full of crap home from a party that I'm going to absolutely throw away the minute my kid releases their grip on it... I mean, who's idea were bubbles for party favors anyway?!

I came across these Puppy Party Buttons by Gemma Cornell for Badge Bomb on well it only makes sense... Pinterest (how could I resist?) and yes- I'm pretty much dying over their cuteness. I mean if you would throw one of these away you have no soul and don't belong at a child's party in the first place. I am totally getting a box of these (they're sold in a box that says "Puppy Party"! Fate?! I think so) for my daughter's Puppy Party coming up in July. This is so the style I'm going for and ya so what, a 2-year-old shouldn't have a pin party favor... your point? Did I mention they come in a ton of different themes?

2.) Home Decor

I totally have black & white stripes on the brain because I had the idea months ago I was doing this as a "theme" for my 33rd birthday party... and then, well all of America also decided they would fall in love with black and white stripes. Really America? I've totally been black and white stripes' #1 fan for like, always? My kitchen has them hand painted by yours truly on the walls as of 2.5 years ago- so in your trendy face! Oh and did I mention if I didn't have them on the walls I would SO be hanging these curtains in my living room... Like it's actually killing me that I don't already have these in at least one room in my home...

Well... I had to show it off if I was going to write about it?? Photo credit: Moments Captured Photography

3.) Kids

I love shopping for my kids, both the boy and the girl. Equally. Somehow if they manage to look stylish, I feel like I am totally OK to wear sweats out of the house. That ain't right! My son has just entered the dressing himself stage and let me just tell you... KILL-ING me. I am not a "dress yourself" type of Mom... I am a lay-your-outfit-out-the-morning-before Momma, but lately I've just plain given up. I mean, if the kid wants to wear light up shoes... NO! I will NOT go there! What do you think, I've completely lost it? I draw the line at light up wearables... it's bad enough he's wearing licensed tees. 

I saw this picture on Pinterest this week and it's just that- an image, I can't even direct you where to buy this outfit because the link went nowhere, sorry! It's more the idea of how cute dressing a baby boy can be. I melted because Cormac actually pretty much looked like this as a baby and it totally brought me back to the days when I dressed him so awesome... the pre- Lighting McQueen days...  Baby boy clothing is as fun as you make it- you don't have to settle for monkeys and dinos!

Uh...told ya so.

4.) Myself

Just when I thought I was over the whole color blocking thing I stumbled across this adorable line of cross body purses from Shiraleah Handbags and Accessories on MyHabit.com at the crazy great price of $20.00 a pop... I mean, I'd own all 3 if that wasn't a total and absolute no-no in my book. I love all of the color choices but this first one is so Summer 2013- am I right, or am I right? I don't shop for myself like I used to pre-kids days (thank God or we'd really be broke) but $20.00 on a new Summer purse that won't be stocked with diapers and butt cream... um, yes please! Maybe it will even give me a reason for a GNO? Who knows what magical powers this purse will give me... hopefully I'll put it on and want to be stylish on a daily basis again... now that would be magical! Did I mention it has a gold chain?!

5.) Husband

Ok, you must be thinking I'm a jerk that my husband is last on my list... but hear me out- the guy doesn't like to be shopped for! Most of the clothes I pick out for him go unworn and he hates knick-knacky type stuff. However, Father's Day is SO this weekend and so I needed to get him something... obvs! Of course I had some great ideas I was going to make... but then life got away from me and I came across this wooden plank wall hanging (for the garage- duh!) again from MyHabit.com- (my new favorite online shopping site- link at end of post) and the ease of the ol' one-click order won me over. I thought $45.00 for a nice big piece like this was pretty good! I'll trace the kids' hands for a card and write something extra sweet so don't judge me. My husband loves old cars in case you haven't read my blog series "Two Kids: One Road Trip" about our travels in a 1959 Chevy wagon from CA to TX for a huge car show this last April... I thought this gift would be a nice reminder of all of the fun we had... Plus- it's wood- how manly! Seriously, how sweet am I?

Our wagon in the car show... read from the beginning of the trip here.

I hope you enjoyed my first ever FFF (Remember Five For Friday??) I'll be back next week with another list of  my faves in these same categories... and the week after... and the week after that... are you seeing a pattern here?
                                                                       
                                                                     xo Party or Die xo

                                                                               kenna