Here at long last are the details of Aurora's 5th birthday party.
The theme: peaches and cream
The location: a farm
The activities: peach picking, eating ice cream, and much more.
I'm happy to report that we were blessed with gorgeous, sunny (if somewhat windy) weather. That's the totally stressful part of planning an outdoor party away from home. I had all of 1 1/2 hours to decorate the tent. Not pretty. Thankfully I had some helpful family around. The tent had giant peach paper lanterns strung up with felt leaves.
I also made some fabric garlands that ran across the support bars with mini peach lanterns hanging down. Totally didn't anticipate the amount of wind so it was hard to get a decent picture, by my friend Christianne did it again.
The yellow jackets dug all the sweets I made: cupcakes, fruit bouquet, peach shaped cake pops (a la Bakerella), and take home candies.
The tables were covered with plastic (stapled because of the wind) and then fabric runners. I love all the different peachy fabric I was able to collect for this party. I used them for the runners, for garlands, for the buffet tablecloths and to line the baskets. I wanted it all to have a patchwork-y feel so I used a lot of different prints. I think I could cut up the tablecloths and made an adorable quilt someday.
The centerpieces were wooden boxes (my dad made them) that I painted and put chunks of wheat grass in. I originally saw the idea here. I love that they were fresh and green but not floral arrangements that would be expensive and have to be made the day before. The flowers are made from Raffia with little looms that I first saw from Cathy of Cal.
The peach picking meant everyone got to go home with their own fabric-lined basket full of peaches.
And since my daughter loves it so much, we had an ice cream cart (a whole issue, read part 2) with cone wraps to match the color scheme.
I designed the invitations and all the signage myself.
Please tune in soon for Part 2, run down of the events of the day...
JT
All photos are by Christianne Ebel.
wow! you certainly deserve a party planning mom of the year award. this is incredible! i think i am in awe of the details and how much time you must have put into this!
Posted by: Nichole | February 09, 2010 at 08:11 AM
Oh. my. goodness. I want a peaches and cream party!! Seriously. That is just absolutely delightful. How many metres of scalloped bunting did you make?
Posted by: Catherine | February 09, 2010 at 08:14 AM
Those cupcakes and cake pops are to die for. I can only dream of being able to afford to use that much fabric for my daughter's birthday party. Everything looks beautiful. You certainly know how to master a theme.
Posted by: Courtney | February 09, 2010 at 08:16 AM
Wow if I show this post to my daughter I know what she will ask for her next birthday party..;)This is absolutely gorgeous!
Posted by: Sandra | February 09, 2010 at 08:40 AM
How completely fabulous! I love each of the details - and who wouldn't love that color palette as a girl???
Posted by: Susan | February 09, 2010 at 09:45 AM
Wow! Fabulous party! I LOVE all the details. I was just putting together an ispiration board for a peaches and cream party myself, and your party came up. I'm so glad I stumbled upon it!
Posted by: jenin | February 09, 2010 at 10:42 AM
Wow! You throw the BEST parties! I'm completely in awe! Great job!
Posted by: Jenean | February 09, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Gorgeous party! I love the fabric lined baskets!
Posted by: amylouwho | February 09, 2010 at 02:32 PM
I have no words! This is unbelievably amazing. Just trying to think of how much work and how many hours went into the planning and execution of this.... What a great mom you are as well as an out of this world party planner. This should seriously be in a magazine. I hope that is in the works for you! When I look at these pictures, I can truly see how much you love your kids, and I'm sure they feel pretty special having the best parties around!!
Posted by: Lori Porten | February 09, 2010 at 04:53 PM
Aurora is one lucky princess. May all her wishes come through. This is the best decorated party I've ever seen. You are just amazingly talented. Want to adore another child? My birthday is coming up in April LOL.
Posted by: Sarah | February 09, 2010 at 10:00 PM
DUDE... I would be scared to have you come to one of my kids parties... you are setting the bar sky high with your parties! It all looks amazing! At first it was all so fancy I thought it was for a wedding!!
Hope they enjoyed it!
Posted by: amy | February 10, 2010 at 01:17 AM
This party is gorgeous. You have such great ideas. I love all the details. It seems you're all ready for next year's party contest.
Posted by: Amnah | February 10, 2010 at 01:43 PM
oh MY! i am dying here. this party is incredible!!!!
Posted by: kara's party ideas | February 10, 2010 at 06:21 PM
Wow, do I feel inadequate, as I don't think I'd ever be able to plan even a wedding this fabulous, much less a 5th birthday party! Are you sure you're not a professional event planner? (And that's got me thinking, how fabulous was your wedding?)
Posted by: Erin Compton | February 11, 2010 at 02:51 AM
Jessica, that was a spectacular party. Everything so beautiful. I'm surprised you don't loose your mind, with everything that goes into making it so perfect. You're pretty impressive. It's so fun to be able to be a part of it through this blog. Love and kisses to you all, from Aunt Karen
Posted by: karen thauer | February 11, 2010 at 08:41 AM
Theme is amazing! I am so craving peach season now! The fabric covered bushels were my fav!
Kim @
http://frostmeblog.blogspot.com
Posted by: Kim | February 11, 2010 at 05:51 PM
I love this party! so super cute and creative! I featured your party and I linked this post to my blog. I love it all!
http://kamibuchanan.blogspot.com/2010/02/so-cute-peaches-and-cream-party.html
Kami Buchanan
Posted by: kami Buchanan | February 14, 2010 at 07:00 PM
What precious details. This would also make a wonderful baby shower theme. Stunning!
Posted by: HostessTori | February 22, 2010 at 07:05 PM
This is an AMAZING party! I always wonder if the kids these parties are being thrown for realize how kick a@@ these shindigs are! All I got was a cake and the big bag of mnm's to celebrate my bday! lol
Posted by: jennifer | March 01, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Wow! You put so much work into this, everything looks adorable!
Posted by: Natasha | March 02, 2010 at 04:48 AM
I love it all!! Super cute ideas and it all turned out so beautifully! What program did you use to design your invites?
Posted by: Lauran Klute | March 02, 2010 at 07:20 PM
This really is one of the cutest parties I have ever seen and the theme is fabulous. Great job!
Posted by: Alexis | March 06, 2010 at 09:03 PM
THose are amazing!! I would love to hear how you made the peach ice cream cone cake pops.
I am going to be featuring them on my blog!!
Posted by: Lorie | March 06, 2010 at 09:32 PM
love love love those peach baskets with the liners- did you make the liners yourself? too very cute!!
Posted by: susanne | March 07, 2010 at 09:53 PM
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Posted by: Kids Parties NJ | March 23, 2010 at 05:16 AM