4 - oh celebration [a birthday brunch]

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

i hardly ever celebrate my birthday in a big way but i guess turning 40 warrants a small party with a few close friends. i thought of having a fun casual brunch and since i'm still in big denial, i made it informal and laid back. like i was only turning 28. ha!

i first saw Kelly's (of WH Hostess and the party dress) missoni-inspired collection while browsing on her site last year and that set the tone of the party. this past november, i enlisted her to create our holiday card and she came up with an incredible semi-custom Thanksgiving card which i was really happy about since i was disappointed with our son's Christmas portraits then. we finally decided to go with the Thanksgiving photo cards instead and i was glad it worked out great! but i digress....

 i LOVE all of Kelly's modern patterns incorporated in all her party packages and papergoods collections. this missoni-inspired pattern is perfect for the Mexican brunch venue and i was inspired by it. i even created a mood board for the occasion, seen here. i love the vibrant colors of orange, yellows and lime green mixed with cobalt blue which are mainly the restaurant's colors as well. she printed invites, wraparound address labels, menu cards and tin can labels with this pattern. it all came together beautifully and i decorated the long tables with flowers i arranged in matching custom paperwrapped vases, also created by Kelly. i think they came out lovely!

  

 

 
we feasted on assorted huevos and other breakfast delicacies served the mexican way. my favorite was the their version of french toast called caballeros pobres served with fruits. the french toast's edges were crunchy and the rest of the bread were sweet and creamy and melts in your mouth. dessert selection were churros with dulce de leche filling served with chocolate ice cream, mango sorbet and the birthday cake.

a birthday gift from my dear friend Rae (whose wedding i featured here), the gorgeous cake flavors were buttercream with raspberry filling and chocolate with dulce de leche filling (cake was baked by Rae's talented friend Irma). note that it had the same missoni-pattern fondant on it and they were so yummy!

guests party favors were boxed dulce de leche flavored french macarons and tin cans each filled with my favorite nail polish, Lollia mini soap and shea butter hand creme. those tin cans are so versatile ~ they can be filled with bubble bottles for kids parties or girly accessories/stuff for a grown-up soiree!




last saturday was such a perfect day with the sun out and mild temperatures.
 it was a pretty day to celebrate with my best gal pals and i was happy they spent it with me.

turning 40 is not bad at all. if this is what 40 feels like, then i'll take it. 


{party sources}

venue : HUGO's
party paper accessories and tin can party favors : WH Hostess 
french macarons : Greeneyed Susan
plastic clear boxes : Garnish
"happy birthday" stickers on clear boxes : Paper Source
flowers : Krogers
cakestand : Homegoods
doilies macaron liners and rock candy : Michaels
photography : my bestfriend's hubby and dear friend Loven. thank you!

37 comments :

The Lenz Family said...

What an absolutely gorgeous party for a fabulous lady!!! I love all the wonderful and fun colors. Brings alot of cheer!!!

Julie Leah said...

How beautiful!!! Those flower arrangements are unbelievable! Oh, how I would love to take home one of those little boxes of colorful macarons! A perfect party for such a sweet lady :)

Happy Wednesday, Lili! XoXo

Kelly - WH Hostess said...

Your party turned out beautifully! Thank you so much for your sweet words...and happy birthday!

Rachie @ A Chi Chi Affair said...

Ohh this is so gorgeous! You did such a nice job!! I just love all the bright colours and cute touches!

Do you mind if i feature this on my blog?

Rachie xo

Anonymous said...

Oh Lili, this is beautiful!! I just love it! Mind if I share with my "peeps" :) Huuum the macarons look so yummy!

Anonymous said...

Oh Lili, this is beautiful!! I just love it! Mind if I share with my "peeps" :) Huuum the macarons look so yummy!

janice a. gimenez said...

happy birthday, paz! wish i had your optimism with this turning 40 thing. i just might change my mind. you are fab at 40, indeed!

The Cabby Crafter said...

So beautiful! I love all the happy colors and designs. Oh, and the cakes look delish!

emily said...

Happy birthday to you today! The brunch looked amazing! Hugo's is so good! I loved how everything turned out -- beautiful!

Rachel said...

Happy birthday! What a beautiful party. :o)

The Weekend Gourmet said...

Happy birthday Paz! What an amazing party :)

Annette {One Perfect Room} said...

Beautiful party Lili! It looks like you had a great time and it makes me miss all those great restuarants back home in Houston even more. Here is to 40 being the new 30!

Sandi said...

This is beautiful! love all the colors and details!

Rae said...

Beautiful pictures of a beautiful party. Wonderfully done. Happy Birthday!

Christine {Pure Joy} said...

The colors are so you -- bright and cheery. This has to be my most favorite party of yours. Happy Fab 40th Birthday!

Hamptontoes said...

Happy, happy birthday! What a stunning celebration to celebrate fabulous you!

Susan said...

This party just has Happy all over it. That French Toast description made me drool. Happy Birthday to you my dear. You look so young.

McDreamer said...

Happy Birthday P!!! I super love the Missoni pattern prints on everything!!! You are so good at this, you never cease to amaze me! And honestly, it really feels great to be 40!

Iris {Sweet Metel Moments} said...

Absolutely beautiful!! I love all of the colors and the birthday girl looks fabulous! Happy Birthday!

JC's Loft said...

Happy Birthday! I hope your boys are spoiling you today!

Love the colors of your party, they are so vibrant and fun!

Paula

Cocktails and Cupcakes said...

Stunning. Simply Stunning. Looks like you all had a great time and your friend did a wonderful job on the cake!
Happy Happy Birthday!

jackie fo said...

Gorgeous - love that Missoni pattern. Also love the pop of blue glass you used - goes perfectly!

Leslie said...

Lili, this is just gorgeous. It seems to compliment your vibrant personality quite well. What a wonderful way to celebrate your special day. Thank you so much for sharing such a personal day with us!

(...and I am now dying to try a dulce de leche macaron...YUMMMMMM)

ContessaLaville said...

Very nice! Fab party indeed:-)

Gwynn @ Gwynn Wasson Designs said...

Absolute perfection!!! So beautiful. I love the colors! Those flower arrangements are gorgeous and the cake is lovely. Happy Birthday!!

PearlsAndGreenTea said...

Everything looks lovely! I love all the paper goods!!

Brittany Schwaigert said...

LOVE! I adore Missoni--what a fun inspiration for a party!

Lili said...

thank you everyone for your warm greetings! i appreciate it so much!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! What a beautiful party :)

xo,
joAnn

Michaela said...

Ah! I always love all the colors your posts have. Beautiful pictures and flowers and everything!

Cassie {Hi Sugarplum} said...

What a gorgeous party...the decor is amazing! and you look so happy and beautiful!

Melissa C said...

WOW! This looks fantastic. What a great way to celebrate your Birthday. The color combo is great!
Much Love from
Trulychicinspirations.blogspot.com

Save the Date for Cupcakes said...

What a stunning celebration! Happy late b~day;o)

parties i heart said...

Love, love, love!

Paiges of Style said...

Lili, your party is gorgeous!!! The cake is genius, I am such a sucker for chevron stripes. Happy Birthday!

Black is the New Black said...

what a wonderful party! you look absolutely radiant. cheers to a fabulous year ahead!

milk tea + polkadots said...

Happy belated birthday!

What a great idea to coordinate your colors w/ that of the restaurant's. The decorations looked fabulous w/ those blue glasses! Love the cake too!