The Sweetest Occasion » Real Celebrations

La Cosa Blanca Party

cyd — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:31:25 +0000

For the second time this week, I’m excited to share with you an event brought to us by Sitting in a Tree Events! Not only do Tori and Myka plan amazing doggie birthday parties, but this summer they’ve also planned a series of fun events at Casa Artelexia, a Mexican artisan boutique in San Diego. You may have seen the first in the series, a bright and colorful summer celebration on Oh Joy earlier in the summer and today I’m happy to share their recent La Cosa Blanca party. There are so many cute ideas here and I love the white, gold and silver color palette. It’s sophisticated and elegant and yet there are a lot of fun, unexpected details I think you’ll find incredibly inspiring.

Isn’t this just so fun? Thanks for sharing, Tori and Myka!

Vendors -
Styling: Sitting in a Tree Events
Venue: Casa Artelexia
Food: MIHO Gastrotruck
DJ and movie projection: DJ Austin Hendrix

{Photos by Maryanne McGuire.}

Briar, Lola + Grover’s Doggie Birthday Party

cyd — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:45 +0000

When Tori and Myka of Sitting in a Tree Events sent over this adorable doggie birthday party it was love at first sight. I’m a dog lover of epic proportions and seeing the cute way they celebrate their beloved furkids has me thinking up lots of ways to spoil our Nina for her birthday later this fall. From sweet doggie cupcake treats to a bucket for bobbing for bones and loads of favorite games like fetch and frisbee, this is any doggie’s dream birthday celebration.

Thanks so much for sharing, Tori and Myka – I hope the kids enjoyed their awesome party!

{Photos from Sitting in a Tree Events.}

Karina + Ed Celebrate 40 Years

cyd — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:42:27 +0000

When Sophie of Shine Little Light got in touch last week to share a link to a 40th anniversary party she thought I’d love, I knew instantly that I just had to share it with you. Karina and Ed recently celebrated 40 years of marriage with a party filled with so much love and so many sweet personal details I found myself dreaming of all the cool memories I hope my husband and I can share with our loved ones in another 39 years. The party showcased their love of family and travel with vintage globes and maps, tin cans stuffed with dahlias and a framed photo for guests to sign. This is the kind of celebration I just love.

For more details, visit Steep Street. Thanks for the tip, Sophie!

{Photos by Steep Street.}

David’s 25th Birthday Fiesta

cyd — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:00:27 +0000

Today I am delighted to share this 25th birthday party fiesta sent over by Kallie of Kallie Brynn Photography. Kallie planned this fun, colorful celebration in honor of her husband David’s birthday and I just love all of the vibrant Mexican fiesta details. (Kallie is also the mastermind behind this owl birthday party that everyone loved, which she planned for her daughter Tova’s first birthday.)
Kallie designed the invitations herself drawing inspiration from Mexican papel picado and then used her Gocco to screenprint them. I love how they look paired with kraft paper envelopes and Roy Rogers stamps.
Their favorite local taco truck catered and for drinks Kallie put out a selection of sodas and sangria served in stout mason jars. Festive striped paper straws were the perfect finishing touch.Centerpieces were simple and colorful – miniature potted cacti, clusters of hot pink flowers and a handful of mangoes and limes provided the perfect amount of color and interest.
Of course, the adorable Tova had to make an appearance at her dad’s big birthday celebration. She showed up wearing a dress with a dash of Latin flavor and took a few whacks at the pinata.

From the papel picado to the sombrero to the fun Mexican masks, I just love everything about this celebration. For even more photos of David’s birthday fiesta, check out Kallie’s blog. Thanks so much for sharing, Kallie!

{Photos by Kallie Brynn Photography.}

Sweet and Elegant Baby Shower

cyd — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:00:30 +0000

Today I am delighted to share the sweetest baby shower designed by the lovely Emilia of Sweet Emilia Jane. I just love everything Emilia does and this beautiful baby shower is no exception. It’s elegant and pretty with sweet little details that make it incredibly fun. I love the diaper pins and striped straws so guests could sip daintily from baby bottles. The long table lined with milk glass centerpieces and rows of chivari chairs make it feel sophisticated and feminine, a refreshing feel for a baby shower. With pretty paper goods from Erin of Erin ever After, all of the details are just perfect. First up, check out Emilia’s fabulous inspiration board and then get a load of all the pretty…

Thanks so much for sharing, Emilia! I just love everything about this shower.

Vendors:
Event design, planning and cupcakes – Sweet Emilia Jane
Stationery and paper goods – Erin ever After
Rentals – Classic Party Rentals
Catering – Giuseppe Catering

{Photos by Captured by Aimee.}

Noa’s Owl Themed First Birthday Party

cyd — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 19:00:40 +0000

Today I’m happy to share this owl themed first birthday party that Brie and Karon of Sugarcoated Events planned for Brie’s son Noa’s first birthday. I love all of the sweet little details from the owl cake to the owl cookies to the owl cupcakes to the candy buffet. Sweet lovers beware! This party will have you on cuteness and sweetness overload. I just adore all of the cute party ideas Brie and Karon came up with here – thanks so much for sharing!

{Photos from Sugarcoated Events.}

A Backyard Baby Shower

cyd — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:00:56 +0000

I’m excited today to share this pretty backyard baby shower, hosted by photographer Ashley Campbell of Ashley Ann Photography for her sister. Ashley planned an evening celebration with drinks and dessert and wrapped the big sycamore tree in the backyard with white twinkle lights. She included little ruffles of fabric on the invitations and sweet little fabric details throughout. Guests were asked to pen bits of advice onto cute shipping tags, which were decorated with ribbon and colorful masking tape. All of the details are so pretty and summery and just perfect for celebrating the arrival of Ashley’s first niece, Paisley.

For all the details visit Ashley’s blog and check out her DIY tutorial for the decorated note jar. Thanks for sharing, Ashley!

{Photos by Ashley Ann Photography.}

Real Entertaining – A Pool Party

cyd — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:06 +0000

Good morning, friends! I thought I’d kick start the week by sharing a few photos from the pool party my husband and I hosted at our new home over the weekend. I love entertaining and usually take a casual approach when throwing parties. We had about fifteen friends over and I wanted to make sure everyone was comfortable and had lots to eat and drink, but I didn’t want to have to play hostess all day long. Fussy details or complicated food prep wasn’t what I was going for so I set up a big table full of snacks and drinks so people could munch as they chose.

I mixed up big decanters of lemonade and white sangria, and sliced up citrus fruit so guests could pick and choose fruit for their drinks. I arranged mason jars on a tray and set out a big bucket of ice to chill wine and use for cocktails. A cooler under the table held bottled water, soda and beer. Pretty striped paper straws have become a mainstay in our house so I tossed a handful in a crystal jar for sipping sangria.

Later in the day after everyone had swam up an appetite, we fired up the grill. Hot dogs, rolls and all the toppings made cooking and serving quick and simple. We also had a couple of great salads made the night before and deviled eggs made with fresh dill from the garden. For dessert I set up a make your own shortcake station with different kinds of biscuits, berries and toppings.

For us I try to keep entertaining easy and fun. I mixed drinks, prepped salads, sliced fruit and baked biscuits the evening before. When guests arrived I was already sipping sangria and had chips with dip, cheese and crackers ready for munching. It was the perfect hot and humid summer day for a pool party and we spent hours floating and splashing around. I think this will definitely become a new tradition for us and our friends.

{Photos by Cyd Converse for The Sweetest Occasion.}

Lemonade + Sunshine Birthday Party

cyd — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:45:29 +0000

In celebration of the first week of summer, I couldn’t resist sharing this Lemonade + Sunshine themed birthday party. It is loaded with the prettiest, summer details that will just bright your day. A big jug of pink lemonade, tin cans filled with pink and yellow flowers, vintage dishware and linens, aqua mason jars and a whole bunch of dainty sweets and treats. This is so perfect for a girly birthday party, but it would also make great inspiration for a bridal shower, too!

{Photos from Pen & Paper Flowers.}

Sherbet + Spice Birthday Party

cyd — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:45:55 +0000

I thought I’d take a little break from the flood of amazing Inspired Creations Contest entries today in order to share this sweet sherbet colored birthday party with you. (Although I’ll be back with a really incredible entry on Monday I know you’ll love so don’t miss it!) This party just feels so fresh and summery, I couldn’t resist it’s sweet youthful charm. With a pretty pink, lavender and orange chandelier made from dozens of felt circles to set the tone, this backyard celebration is infused with excitement and loads of child-like personality.

Get all of the amazing details here and here.

{Photos by Jackie Wonders from The City Cradle.}