Superhero Birthday Party #Favors

Party favors are something that moms take very seriously. You want them to be fun, but not a bag of junk {wow, did I ever fail with that last year!! Everything was edible!}.

I so so so badly want to do capes and masks this year. I think it's such a fun idea to be able to give the kids something like this at the beginning of the party so they can all play superheros in the backyard together.

Check out these masks!

While we won't have those exact ones, we've sourced out mask sets locally at a party supply store ($.99 for each fabric eye mask!) and the capes will be handmade, but simple. Just basic cotton fabric rectangles with velcro closures. Easy peasy, but coordinated with the theme and fun for the kids!

Superhero Birthday Party #decor

When it comes to party decor, in my eyes everything needs to be coordinated and pulled together seamlessly.

So when it comes to this Superhero Party, there will be lots of graphic BOOM, POW, POP type signs and balloons a-freaking-galore!

Source

I really like the idea of a standout entrance for this party. It's unlike any other birthday party that we've thrown for Owen before...and now that he's a little older, he is just SO excited about playing superheros with his friends.

This should be decently easy to pull together too; just string the balloons on rope or heavy fishing line, and then zip tie to the pillars at the front of our house. We did something similar for FlyDIY at BlogHer'13, and it's certainly something that my husband and I could get going on a few days prior to the party (ahem...tomorrow...party is Saturday!).

While he wants superheros, I always like to draw inspiration from the colors and symbols rather than plaster the actual characters every where. So, for this party, think lots of red, yellow, blue and green!

Superhero Birthday Party Ideas #boy #birthday

Well out little dude has chosen Superheros for his birthday party and boy oh boy, does he have some specific requests!!

While I've been pinning away on my Superhero Birthday Party board for a few months now (I mean...hello...4th birthday party...due date 2 weeks later. You do the math on my stress level!), there are a few things that Owen has been very vocal on wanting at his party.

His first request...Superman Cupcakes.

Yep...Superman.

So off to Pinterest I trotted to see what I could find.

Cupcakes with Capes, Glitter Superman Cupcakes, Light Blue Frosting

I am actually really thankful that he chose cupcakes over a cake for this year, and likely it will develop into a whole Superhero Sweet Bar. I'm going to keep the cupcakes simple - chocolate and vanilla with blue buttercream, and these plastic ring toppers. 

The sweet bar will also have Kryptonite (rock candy sticks), and sugar cookies from Windells Chocolates like we had last year (they are SO yummy!! Then maybe some sixlets Pop Rock candy. 

Next up is decor!

The Hubs Turns 30, 30th #birthday ideas for him

So...I tabled the Grumpy Old Men party and he didn't like it. In fact, I think he may have been a little insulted by it. I've sat and pondered and I think I have come up with a plan.

He's a simple guy. He likes good scotch, his good friends and good food.

What easier way to celebrate him than with those exact things? I think the best party for him is to have over our good friends, have good food and drink, and keep it low key.

In terms of food, I'm thinking about doing an upscale appetizer bar, featuring these recipes

 

Proscuitto wrapped grilled asparagus from Master in Cooking 

Pesto roasted red pepper cream cheese crescents from Two Peas & Their Pod 

Thai turkey meatballs with peanut sauce from The Dish @ Plated 

And I cannot forget about this amazing recipe from Steph at A Grande Life.

  

While Hubs loves good food, he's a bit of a health nut, so when I found these recipes that are both upscale and healthy, I was really happy. They will be perfect and certainly the stars of our upscale appetizer bar.

 

The bar will be pregatini's for me, and good scotch for the boys.

Easy peasy.

Tomorrow...the cake!

A Pirates Life for Me

It seems like forever ago that we decided on the theme for our toddlers birthday party. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be revealing elements of the party and talking about how to set up some fun activities for your little swashbucklers!

Today is all about the invitation. Immediately, I went to my super talented graphic designer bloggy BFF Shannon of Baby Shmizz. She started a shop on Etsy, The Baby Noogle, and it is absolutely amazing the thing that she can do with digital design!

How amazing is that?! I threw out piratey term like Swashbuckler, first mate, avast and matey...then she took care of the rest!

Stay tuned! I'll be showing cake inspiration, food table labels and some activities over the next couple of weeks!

Last Call for Parties!

It's almost February, and my custom party calendar is already almost full!! If you're in need of party supplies for your little ones' special day, let me know ASAP!

Cupcake flags, mustache photo props, banners, glitter props, garlands

February - FULL
March - FULL
April - 3 party spots available
May - 2 party spots available
June - FULL
July - FULL
August - 1 party spots available
September - 3 party spots available
October - 2 party spots available
November - 3 party spots available
December - 1 party spot available

The parties that I have booked for this year are going to be amazing. Mod trains, Tangled, Brave, Cupcakes, Pirates, Baseball, a romantic and chic Wedding, and a slew of other parties with themes still to be determined.

Cupcake favour tags, Yellow Submarine banner, invitations, VHC banner, garlands

Garlands
Banners
Crowns
Hanging Lanterns

Whatever you need for your party, we will make it perfect!

To book, please comment on this post or email me at shannon@sweetstellas.com

Turning the Big 3-0

After months and months of planning, all of my husband {and lovely mother-in-law}'s hard work paid off on Friday night when I was treated to simply the most heartwarming and beautiful party and girl could ask for.

I could go on and on gushing over the details of the endless supply of food {including mini grilled cheeses!!} and bottles of my favourite Kim Crawford Sav. Blanc...but really, pictures will tell the story so much better.

Me - dress: Kristine Cook Designs, cuff: Ostlund Custom Works, earrings: Amber Bryce Luxe Bohemian, shoes: Sam&Libby/ Hubs: sweater: Joe, jeans: Kenneth Cole, shoes: Steve Madden/ Bear: shirt and pants: Joe, shoes:

Hubs got crafty!! My life at 30, in pictures. Clockwise from Top Left: montage, the day my life changed, Fairy Godmother and my bff's, my Dad <3

Insanely beautiful purple ombre ruffle cake!!!

I am abolutely blown away, and was so happy to celebrate with old friends I hadn't seen in a few years...new friends who have become truly incredible...best friends who have known me since I was very young...and family. Really, they're all family to me.

Thank you all for your well wishes, the plentiful bottles of wine, the lovely cards...and for the time spent with me. That was the most precious gift of all!

Cheers to another 30 years!

 
 

Birthday Drinks

When I got married a few years ago, aside from the declious cupcake, signature drinks were starting to become insanely popular.

While we didn't have one at my wedding, that doesn't mean that we can't have one at my birthday party!

Take your favourite flavours, and come up with something unique!

What do I love?

Tequila {seriously!}
Pink Lemonade
Strawberries

The perfect combination of sweet and sour! And, it's pink!

30th Birthday Planning

In just a couple of weeks, I'll be turning 30.

Thirty.

The big 3-0.

To me, it's an excuse to have a realy fabulous party with all of my nearest and dearest. It's not a reason to wallow or be sad. It's not a reason to sulk and hide in bed all day.

It's a reason to get dressed up and have a great time!

I've been planning what I'm wearing for a long while now, a fabulous dress from Kristine Cook Designs, but I think what i've been planning for even longer is the cake!

As the girl who makes everyone elses birthday cakes and throws parties for everyone else, I think it's high time that I get a fabulous cake all to myself!

Here are my top 3 favourites {from Pinterest}

Adore the purple ombre!

Love the three different patterns on these layers, and chevron...hello!

Pretty much the perfect cake for an artist...handpainted petals

So...I want something amazing and fabulous, girly and bright, with the perfect pop of detail and ruffle. Hopefully, the Hubs has taken notice of my Pinterest board!!