etsy round up [party accessories]

etsy has been my go-to source for a lot of things. it provides some hard to find one-of-a-kind items for gift-giving, home decorating, kids clothing - pretty much everything really!

you will also find numerous party suppliers and bakers that are excellent and i have round-up a few of some of my favorites.

i love these vintage looking gift bags ideal as party favor bags for a spa party, bridal shower etc.
{mini gift bags image from nolan}

this adorable handmade cake stand is stamped with "happy birthday". too cute!
the shop accepts custom orders too!
{photo from vessels and wares}

i can think of a ton of ways on how to use this chalkboard picks.
this is perfect as party food label, name place card, cake topper and more!
{pic from etsy vendor lemontree77}

planning for a yo gabba gabba party? check this banner out. too cool!
the vendor also features coordinating party loot bags!
{photo source from etsy vendor the crafting artist}

believe me when i say that i can do ALL my holiday shopping on etsy!
that's exactly what im planning to do!

swanky sesame street [2nd birthday party]

i discovered this little girl's party while browsing over one of my new fave blogs, chic mother and baby and i must say this has got to be one of my favorite birthday parties featuring the sesame street theme. the event was orchestrated by atlanta-based lemiga events and they did it fabulously. from the invites to the balloon display i think the design elements appeal to everyone, young and adults alike.

with most party facilities not allowing stickers or hanging of anything on the walls, i love the use of decals which can easily be peeled off after the event. such a great idea - they even got fancier by having it personalized!

to check out more amazing details and pictures of the party, visit lemiga events!

dessert display by greeneyed susan [birthday party]

i met susan when we ordered her super yummy macarons for a dear friend's baby shower me and my girlfriends hosted last june. recently she threw her mom a birthday party and she lovingly created and setup this beautiful dessert display. she baked homemade cookies, assorted pastries and she also made the cutest scottie cupcakes. but i think everyone can agree that the star of the display is the macaron topiary susan herself put together!

see susan's blog post here and for more info on how to order her delicious macarons, visit her website greeneyed susan!

cupcake bands [paper menu]

how can your cupcakes be more delectable and sweeter? wrap them in personalized cupcake bands by the paper menu. the wrappers absolutely dressed them up!

{images swiped from magnolias marriages and manhattan and paper menu's facebook page}

:: :: ::

DONT' MISS A FAB GIVEAWAY TO WIN THESE PERSONALIZED WRAPPERS, pls head on quick to magnolias, marriages and manhattan for more than one ways to win!

pattern explosion [jules reid sale]

i am so in love with all these patterns and i know summer is almost over but i can wear these stuff all year long! jules reid is having a huge summer sale with most items going for 50% off!

i am already imagining myself lounging at st. barts or partying at some exotic island garbed in these divine outfits (but clearly im just in a quiet texas 'burb)!

click here to shop her summer sale!

green plate kids and bento boxes [boxed lunch ideas]

for the fall, my son's school has partnered with green plates kids to provide healthy nutritious snacks and meals for the children. you have no idea how glad i am that i dont have to worry about plating and packing his meals this time, im sure they'll do a better job than me!

i have a very picky-eater of a son and i am running out of ideas what to prepare for him. on the other hand, selecting goodies for a party boxed meal could be a little easier. other than it should be age-appropriate, the food has to be colorful, flavorful and healthy of course. a few sites i linked here offer different ideas and tips on how to whip up kid-friendly daily meals and also creatively packed small snack boxes (or paperbags or bento boxes) for any party!

from healthy lunch ideas, this rainbow lunch
is so pretty and no child is not gonna want to try this. such a treat!

wendolonia has a full blog entry on back to school lunch ideas showcasing very impressive presentations in a tiny box!

cooking for monkeys created this lunch box fit for a safari/zoo party. i'm sure every kid's face will lit up upon opening this box - i can spot an alligator carrot!

this is so cute! interesting two-tone sandwiches how-to guide found here in disney family fun site!

:: :: ::

our little boy still love his happy meals from mcdonalds, but our visit there will be less frequent now that we will get to try green plate kids. AND i almost forgot to mention, they cater parties too!

summer's last hurrah [summer sale finds]

the end of summer is here (although it does not feel like it where i live) and that means tons of great bargains and deals for summer items. when most stores stock up on their autumn/fall products (i spotted christmas stuff already!), their summer goods are in the back piled up in the clearance racks.

this weekend, while the rest of texas are in the shopping malls to take advantage of the tax-free weekend, i avoided the crowd and stayed at home doing online "window" shopping!

and here's what i found :

i found the cutest cookie wreath on sale at williams-sonoma.
isn't it gorgeous hanging on your dessert table for a butterfly or garden themed parties? it'll be a great idea to get two, one for display and the other to actually serve at your party!

also from williams-sonoma, these biodegradable and fully compostable gelato bowls and spoons
are a must for your next summer soiree. now only $ 4.99 for a set of 50 spoons and 48 bowls in variety of hues!

these attractive stoneware ice cream bowls are made to look like waffles, also on sale at williams-sonoma. kids would love eating scoops and scoops of ice cream in these!

these fun tableware with polkadot design are on sale at sur la table. these ceramic tabletop wares are perfect for your next party with the polkadot theme. i love the multiple vibrant colors!

lastly, this charming vintage-inspired bottle caddy will be an ingenious party tool as a napkin/utensil caddy for an informal outdoor dinner or to hold milk bottles for a cute cookies and milk-themed birthday party for your little one. made of galvanized steel and with a wood handle, it's now on sale at ballard designs!

pink and green [preppy turtle]

the summer always brings out the pastels and color palettes reminiscent of days in the beach. the preppy pink and green combination brings to mind summer destination palm beach and the famous lilly. here are two parties incorporating that color theme with an addition of a little friend, the turtle! adorably cute!

:: :: ::

kori of paper and pigtails created this preppy turtle party for her daughter's 3 year old party. read up on her post for all the cutest party details which includes DIY streamers, pinwheels and cupcakes with fondant turtle topppers!

i am loving the lily pulitzer take on all the party papergoods and banners. check out the dessert table and adorable cake!

{photography by courtney vickers}

:: :: ::

next up is another party featuring this preppy pink and green turtle this time for a baby shower. check out eisele family news for another version on this theme clearly suitable for a baby shower too!

the backdrop of the dessert buffet has this lovely pink and green paisley pattern. the delicious spread is making me crave for those turtle pops! check out the cake - love the argyle!

{all photos from eisele family news}

:: :: ::

i know summer is almost over and im hanging on to every bit of it. i am so ready for the cooler weather though and im sure our little guy is excited to go back to school!

printed tape [gift wrap idea]

the weekend is here and that means a few parties to go to. and no party is complete without gifts and here's a really cool inexpensive tip in wrapping (or should i say, taping) your gifts. all you need is a printed packing tape and a box! take a look :

BEFORE

AFTER

i am so excited to finally use these printed packing tape from michaels ($1.00/roll)!

here are a few more rolls of lovely printed masking tapes that can be used endlessly for any project. hop on to happy tape for more creative ideas and tons of colorful pictures.

{photos from happy tape}

a few etsy shops sell these tapes too! click here, here and here! have a great weekend everyone!

paperless post [chic evites]

a few months ago a cousin sent me an email linking to this lovely site offering online evites and stationaries. dont get me wrong - handwritten notes or printed invitations are still the best way to set the initial tone for your party but if time is an issue, this site is a chic alternative to send out your evites in no time!

there's a myriad of elegant and stylish invitation designs offered for every occasion as well as tons of fonts, graphic images, wording choices for your cards and custom stationaries. see the sample custom cards and invites featured here and keep in mind, the options are endless once you play around the site. to set up a free account, click HERE

check out the site PAPERLESS POST

cupcake bar [dessert buffet idea]

seriously? this is such a great idea!

similar to an ice cream bar with a variety of topping choices, this DIY cupcake bar was created for a cocktail party coordinated by poppies & posies together with merci new york.

the event was photographed by the talented jen huang and featured here in style me pretty.

{all photos by jen huang}

when you have guests who have diverse tastes and likes different flavors, this DIY cupcake bar is perfect for them to have endless combination options with their frosting and cake mixes. that way you don't limit the choices to the more popular cupcake flavors everyone has already tried!