Polka Dot First Birthday Party: Details

About darn time, right? I wanted to share a couple of details from Baby E's Polka Dot First Birthday Party.  Remember how I said I was all about balance with this party?  Part of not driving myself crazy is knowing what my weaknesses are and then passing those projects along to someone better able to handle them.  There were 3 things I "hired out" for the party.

First, let's take a look at the invite:

Don't you love it??  Sarah from Supermom Saves the Date did an excellent job!  I got so many compliments on this invitation and Sarah's prices were very reasonable!

Next up is the cake.  I pretty much suck at baking, so we might as well just put that out there now.  This cake was delicious and I loved how well it went with the theme.

Stephanie from The Sweetest Day even created a little smash cake (no fondant for the baby - she's a smart one!).  She did our wedding cake 7 years ago and her cakes are beautiful and SO GOOD!

Last, the favors.  When my friend, Annie went into business, I was SO excited because the world NEEDS to know about her cookies!  She does an amazing job decorating them, but more importantly, they are yummy and not all cute cookies taste good!

Cookie favors from Tennessee Sugar.  Don't lick the screen, okay?  :)

Polka Dot First Birthday Party - The Decorations

When I was coming up with party ideas for Baby E's first birthday, I knew that I wanted to keep it pretty simple.  I wanted it to be something cute and girly and fun, but I also did not want to stress myself out trying to match a specific party theme.  

I settled on polka dots!  A polka dot theme is pretty easy to stick to since most party places carry party goods in a polka dot pattern and polka dot fabric is generally easy to come by.  To keep it bright and fun, I chose the colors hot pink, purple and lime green with orange and turquoise.

I made a "Happy Birthday" banner to hang over the food table and included a couple bunches of balloons - pretty simple!

I used a white tablecloth and skirt so as not to make it overwhelming with all the other colors we had going on.  I made a scrap rag bunting out of polka dot and solid fabric in the party theme colors.  That sucker was HEAVY!  After trying to keep it up with tape, I threw in the towel and hot glued the thing to the tablecloth. 

Remember this table?  I put it out to hold the gifts and added another bunch of balloons to make it more obvious.  I also made a picture collage for each month of Baby E's life.  I stuck the pics directly onto the wall with gift wrap tape so it wouldn't pull the paint off when removed (don't take my word for it - test an inconspicuous area first).

I replaced the red bow on my book page pom wreath with a hot pink polka dot bow.  I also made a picture banner with Baby E's monthly pics.

At the last minute, I realized I had nothing on the front door - whoops!  I threw this paper "wreath" together using supplies left over from other projects.  It took me about 10 minutes and cost me $0!

Most of the projects for this party weren't time consuming and could be done in 30 minutes to an hour.  I had grand ideas for the party after seeing all these amazing parties on Pinterest.  However...I had a little epiphany in the midst of planning this party.  I could spend every spare minute making sure every last detail was just perfect and be a anxious wreck by the time the party rolled around OR I could cross some things off the list, focus on the projects that were important to me and took little time and ENJOY my daughter's first birthday party.  So, I let go of living up to Pinterest Perfection (I'm coining that phrase right here & now!) and had the best time at the best first birthday party for the best little girl. :)  And for me, that was the right choice!

Linking up to: Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek CottageHookin' Up with HOH at House of HepworthsFriday Favorites at Simply Sweet HomeTickled Pink at 504 MainFrugal Friday at The Shabby NestFriday Favs Party at Naptime CraftersWhatcha Got Weekend at Lolly Jane BoutiqueWeekend Wrap up Party at Tatertots and JelloSaturday Seven at Positively SplendidSundae Scoop at I Heart Nap TimeThink Pink Sunday at Flamingo ToesMarket Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet StuffMade With Love at Sew ChattyJust Something I Whipped Up at The Girl CreativeTake-A-Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee CraftsWill See It Wednesday at Fabric Bows & More

First Birthday Hangover

We're slowly getting our house back in order and I just threw out the last of the birthday cake!  Baby E's polka dot first birthday party went off without a hitch!  I'm taking a day or two to catch up on laundry and my DVR and then I'll be back to post all about it!

First Birthday Plans?

We have been through the ringer this week with a stomach bug, thus the lack of posts.  No crafting has been done, but there has been plenty of down time for pinning!

Now, my baby is NOT going to be 1 YEAR OLD in three months.  She is not.  But if she were, I would be considering themes for her party.  I would want something simple and cute and easy to do.

And PoLkA dOtS would be it!

Now, I may or may not have started a polka dot themed board on Pinterest.

First, you'll need a cute tablecloth:

Source: ohhappyday.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Some polka dotted straws and favor bags:

Source: thesugardiva.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Add in fun decorations:

Source: iheartnaptime.net via Jessica on Pinterest

What's a girl's first birthday without a polka dot tutu?

Source: etsy.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Can't forget the cake and balloons!

Source: pizzazzerie.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Check out my board for more polka dot ideas!

I'd Pin That!

Man, oh man, do I lose myself in Pinterest! It has become an obsession. I find myself seeing things out and about and thinking "I'd pin that!" I thought I'd share with you a few of my recent favorite pins!

I really love the simplicity of this cinder block bench.  It has definitely found its way on my to-do list, now I just have to figure out where to put it!

Source: bhg.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I think this Frankenstein door is so silly and we just so happen to have a green front door.  Do you think my husband will mind?

Source: google.com via Jessica on Pinterest

This color just screams fall to me.  I'm always down for glitter on my nails.  I'ma be sippin' some hot chocolate with these fo' sho'. This would also make a fun gift or stocking stuffer.

Source: tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I love, love, love this photo op!  We will without a doubt be doing this when the tiny turns 1.  I mean, seriously, I'm radiating sunshine & rainbows just looking at this photo sequence.

Source: ontobaby.com via Jessica on Pinterest

So, partly my house is a mess because I have a baby and partly it's because I'm pinning crap to my boards, in case you were wondering. What have you pinned lately?