a paris party.

we had a sweet little party for my two year old bella a few weeks ago. just a little shindig with family and a few close friends to celebrate my little pumpkin who exudes sweetness and all things girly.

it was so fun.

around christmastime, i was browsing through babygap when i stumbled upon this dress:

i know, riiiiight? adorable. my mom, sister and my sister's mother-in-law were with me and we all ooohed and ahhhed over how precious this dress was when i had the thought: how cute would it be for bella to wear this dress for her birthday and throw a paris-themed party to match? and there, a party theme was born.

i was super crunched for both time and energy this year planning her party with caring for a month old emmy and very little sleep. but i still wanted to make it special. the backdrop to the food table was the hugest time consumer. holy cow. for the main focal point of the party, i used decorative scrapbook paper to make several paper medallions (i used this tutorial to make these suckers). using scotch tape and yarn, i created this garland on our dining room hutch with the "ooh la la" swag to make it super paris-y. i love how it turned out!

i love displaying pictures at bella's birthday parties (and in about eleven months, emmy's!). i just love photographs, period, but also showing them throughout a year's span is so special to see just how much she's grown... and displaying special memories from the past twelve months. i printed several of my favorites and used them to create these garlands that i hung over each doorway into our dining room and living room. paired with eiffel tower playing cards and paper doilies, i loved this paris-y photo bunting!

i also found this paris plate at tj maxx for around five bucks. it used it to add to the decor on our dining room hutch since it served as the backdrop to the food table. i loved the simple black&white design.

my sister's mother-in-law (i really need a shorter name for her as she is like family to us!) lent me her cricut complete with a paris-themed cartridge, which was a huge lifesaver. i used it to create tiny paris-themed icons such as eiffel towers, poodles, high heeled shoes, purfume bottles, to make toppers for bella's chocolate cupcakes.

food for our guests included fruit trays, crackers and cheese and chocolate cupcakes. i also loaded up a pink basket with croissants and made a homemade honey butter that i served alongside strawberry jam.

one of bella's fav treats are chocolate donut holes from tim hortons. to make them look a bit more elegant, i stuck lollipop sticks in each one, and tied a knot from white ribbon on the end of each stick. the kids loved these; donuts as lollipops? what's not to love? i think bella and jude had about seven each before the party even started.

to label each of the foods, i created these food cards out of the scrapbook paper. using the cricut, i cut luggage tag shapes out of white cardstock and then glued a ribbon on the end of each (after all, paris requires traveling!)

nick's parents were in town which made bella's party *extra* special. i was so thankful for my sweet mother-in-law who helped me all morning pull things together. she helped glue cupcake toppers, tied lots of ribbon-knots and even made and frosted the cake for me! the cake mix was store bought chocolate, but i found this recipe which made the most scrumptious buttercream frosting! it was the talk of the party. i topped the cake with a doily, paper medallion and eiffel tower card that i glued to lollipop sticks. my cousin rachel (who photographed the party for me!) also lent me a gold eiffel tower figurine that i used as well.

bella had a great time at her party. the minute we put her dress on, she kept twirling and saying "look at my princess dress!" told you. such a girl. she got some great gifts; pajamas, cute dresses and skirts, books, a cash register toy, play pots, pans and dishes...

nick&i bought her this sweet vintage kitchen set that i'd been eyeing for almost a year! it's been a huge hit.

and meme got her this awesome playhouse that is perfect on our back deck. bella loves it! so do her friends...

it was such a special day for our little girl. i was exhausted when it was over, but my heart felt so *full*. bella is already blessed with so many people that love her and will forever be a part of her life.

happy birthday, bella grace! we love you so, so much.

(check out bella's vintage garden party from last year here)

this post was linked to these *lovely* blogs:

dyi by design

southern lovely

my girlish whims

shabby nest

love notes by lauryn

tatertots&jello

homemaker in heels

at the picket fence

shaken together
liz marie