Remember when I wrote a few weeks ago about my thoughts on Pinterest? Well, I really tried to not go overboard for Ellie’s 1st birthday party and I think I succeeded! I had a vision of a plethora of different things for a theme, so I’m calling hers a vintage shabby chic ballerina tutu and pink party. How’s that? While not going overboard, the dessert table was still very pretty I thought.
The rosette cake though–that would make a toilet look pretty if it was sitting on top of one. It’s that pretty.
I didn’t buy much at all for the party as far as decorations go. The tablecloth is my moms. And I didn’t go all out and make a ton of different desserts or sweet treats like I was tempted to do. We just stuck with the cake and cupcakes. I made the cupcake stand with white dollar store plates and dollar store candlesticks and hot glued it.
I brought the dress form down from her nursery, and also the vintage scale and I set Emma’s ballerina slippers that she doesn’t use anymore on it.
I did buy a drop cloth for $9 at Home Depot and hung it up against the windows so I could have a backdrop for the party instead of getting terrible pictures since the breakfast room is essentially all windows. It worked great!
I ordered the banner from Rockalilies on Etsy and it’s one of my favorite things about the party. The banner is SO pretty and detailed I just love it. And since the “Ellie” banner is separate I’ll be able to use that to hang in her room somewhere.
And that dang chandelier couldn’t have been more in the way so it made photos very difficult. I know, tough times.
Oh and the punch bowl is empty in those pics but we did serve punch I promise.
It was just a simple ginger ale and raspberry sherbert punch.
I ordered the ballerina plates, cups and napkins from Birthdayexpress.com.
So cute!
For the birthday girl herself, well she had a hay day eating her cupcake. And no, my mom didn’t make her own smash cake. See, we did good! :)
Then a few weeks ago we had Gabby take some photos of the girls for their 1 year old and 4 year old shots. Here are a few of Ellie.
So stinkin’ cute.
And I can’t resist showing you both of them. Forgive me.
Okay, now back to my multi-themed party…
It went great and I was happy for not doing too much, but just enough. We did serve dinner and kept that as simple and cheap as possible too. We had a BBQ baked potato bar. I baked a ton of potatoes, put a brisket in the crockpot with a jar of BBQ sauce on top and let that cook all day, then we chopped it up and put that on top of the potatoes along with the regular potato fixin’s. And I heated up a can of ranch style beans and called it a day. Ballerinas totally eat BBQ baked potatoes and beans right?
So that was that. And now I get to do it all over again in about a week for Emma. Although I am highly against combined birthdays for little kids (I think because my mom always and still does make it a point to celebrate our birthdays on our actual birth-day), I’m beginning to think it might not be such a bad idea after all. Ha!
And I guess consider this post the 12 month baby update. Sniffles. Time for another? Well I’m not so sure about me, but I am a new Aunt as of yesterday to a sweet little baby girl. Congratulations to my brother and sister-in-law. :-)
So are you proud I didn’t get too pinteresty for the party? I am, even though it sure as heck doesn’t mean I was any less tired!
xxoo,
Decorchick!
Let’s Connect!
This is just adorable! Great job, Em!
You did an awesome job decorating! Love the banner, dress form, all the pink, everything about it. Truly fit for a princess!
Wow, I love it! So sweet and simple but gorgeous!! I’m sharing this on my FB page this morning ;)
Jamie @ Better With Age
It looks beautiful and I am sure everyone had a great time!!!
The party was beautiful! Love the cake. And Ellie looked adorable. ;-) Thanks for sharing all the pictures! I would love to have a baby girl- after all my favorite color is pink. ha But, we are expecting our third baby boy in the next 6-9 weeks, and I’m not so sure I’m willing to go through another pregnancy to try and get a girl. haha
Your girls are beautiful! I’m a parent that thinks less is more when it comes to kids’ birthday parties. We always have ours at home, and the boys get to invite as many friends as they are years old (I think I will limit to 10 soon though!). Keep it simple, so the focus is on the gathering, not the presents or the trimmings is what I say!
You did a beautiful job!
That photo with the balloons is stunning!
I think it turned out great and it all ties together so well. Nicely done!
Great job on the cake.
Adorable! Perfect and not over the top. Looks like the birthday girl enjoyed her day. Love the new photos of the girls…so cute!!
Beautiful party, the banner is beautiful and I love the pics of her in the high chair.
Love the cake! Where did you get the lace romper from?
Looks lovely!! Love the pics of both girls (individual & together)! It’s so hard not to get caught up in every idea on Pinterest & I think the way you went was a perfect balance :)
Beautiful! You did great – just the right amount for a 1st birthday. I need to reread your post several times so I don’t go overboard on my little one’s upcoming 1st birthday. Going be hard given the theme – Nightmare before Christmas. That’s what she gets for being an almost Halloween baby and Halloween is my husband’s favorite holiday.
Wow Emily!! As you know I love that cake and think your mom is amazing! LOVE the way you did the dessert table, it was exactly – enough! Beautiful job! Your girls are so adorable absolutely loved their photos way too cute!
I hate to tell you this – but it is very cute & perfect & “pin-able”. That banner alone is pinterest worthy. You are too talented! Love it!
Ha you’re too sweet thank you Holly!
Adorable. Just enough but not too much. Perfect for your precious one year old.
Very very cute. It’s definitely pinterest worthy though.
LOVE IT!!!!
Hi!! Love this idea. I would love to get that banner but I clicked on the link and it’s not working. Help!
This is GORGEOUS! I love how elegant everything is. It’s perfect for a 1st birthday since after the first birthday they will most likely be cartoon themed. Perfect party for ‘mom’ I mean baby ;)
Almost makes me want another one… :)