That Rainbow Cake

Surely you have seen it. I had come across images all over bloghood and I was wondering if someone with my feeble culinary skills and general lack of patience could attempt to make the rainbow cake.

Thanks to this tutorial on Angry Julie Monday, I was actually able to pull it off! I would definitely recommend giving it a try for your next party- the oohs and aahs will brighten the guest of honor's day as much as this colorful dessert does....well, almost :).

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good grief....

....these arrangements are gorgeous.



All images courtesy of Saipua
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spring shower

I think that nowadays there is an awful lot of the styling of life going on and less of the enjoying being in the moment. Sometimes it seems the quest for the perfectly contrived wedding shot or party theme has taken over....
That said, I still admire beautifully orchestrated gatherings- I can't help it.


This baby shower I swooned over is found at simplybloomphotography (spotted via say YES! to hoboken) ) and I like that it is full of ideas I would use for various parties. The invites with teeny, tiny paper flag bunting, the floating kites cake topper, and the hot air balloon garland- all fantastic.


Images courtesy of simplybloomphotography
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an easy pretty

Having just wrapped up a small summer gathering this weekend, I wish I had found this idea a little earlier. Over at decor8, Leslie from the Color Me Pretty column was brainstorming some party ideas and came up with this beauty.

She suggests spray painting various glass bottles white and decorating them with that snazzy Japanese washi tape (and other bits of paper craft if it suits your fancy) for an instant centerpiece or windowsill display. Just add flowers from the garden or farmer's market and the result is lovely!

I might simplify even more and hunt around for inexpensive mismatched white vases and bottles, because then the tape could be removed and you could use another color scheme depending on your mood and the event. Either way, I love this idea....


Images courtesy of decor8
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Thursday, a Valentine's Birthday, and Etsy

This much courtesy of sarahjanestudios


This year I have truly hit the party circuit......the toddler/pre-k party circuit. We have been to quite a few fantastic soirees. It got me thinking about a Valentine-themed party for the girls with February birthdays. I started looking around on Etsy (of course) and put together a party for those maybe slightly older than the pre-k set, but still little, those gals who could appreciate a tea party filled with hearts and sugar.

This invitation is the perfect combination of Valentine and Birthday....


Queen/King of Hearts- Luxe Birthday Invitation courtesy of NikkiPlott


Some simple, but plentiful, tissue heart streamers would be all that you need to decorate for the tea party.


Tissue Heart Garland courtesy of pipsqueakandbean


A fancy crown for the lady of the hour.....


Heart Crown courtesy of LittleIslandCompany


and some dainty party hats for all of the honored guests.



Love is in the air Party Hats- set of six courtesy of PrettyPaperFactory

Cupcakes are a must and these holders/wrappers couldn't be any sweeter (or more girly).



Valentine's Day Cupcake Wrappers/Holders- Set of 12 courtesy of KidsAtHeartDesigns


Beautiful heart-shaped cookies and molded sugars for the table-


Pretty Pink Heart Valentine's Day Sugar cookies with special added bonus of Pink Molded Sugars for your coffee or tea courtesy of LeChicBakeryBoutique


And some variety in the cookie choices, so you can be sure to please all of your guests.


Mad Hatter Tea Party Variety- Hand Decorated Cookies courtesy of crumblescookies


For those who may pass on the tea, some drink tags for their pink lemonade.


Drink tags from printable doll-themed party pack courtesy of chatchkedesigns


It seems for any party to be successful you need some great activities. What a perfect time for DIY Valentines and pinwheels!



DIY Valentine Kit courtesy of brixtonlane


DIY Pinwheel Peony Kit- Large Handheld choose from over 200 papers- courtesy of crossroadscottage

To keep things festive-ruby, magenta, and pink colored eggs filled with confetti for the party goers to toss and crack.


Fancy Pantsy Princess Confetti Eggs (5 Dozen) courtesy of JokeyYokey


Tiny bags to hold the parting gift of sweets or stickers and the perfect "Thank you"s for the birthday girl to send out when the celebration is over.



Vintage Style Valentine Glassine Candy/Treat Bag Kit with Handmade stickers- set of 20- courtesy of ifiwerecards


White Rabbit Thank You cards- Alice in Wonderland Themed Vintage Inspired- bundle of 10 courtesy of AnistaDesigns

That is my Valentine Birthday brainstorm....now if I only had a child with a birthday near the 14th!Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/party
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Vivi's Tea

As we all know, Miss. Vivi is getting hitched- this very autumn in fact- so all of the stress and all the festivity that goes along with that has commenced. I thought I would share a bit of the hoopla part (not the stress part...too many curse words) right here.

This August Vivi's sister and I threw her a little outdoor tea party. It had the pretty china, tasty finger sandwiches, and even some bubbly. The day was, thankfully, so beautiful- blue skies and drama-free. I love when the mix of family and friends from all parts of a person's life come together. It was an afternoon to celebrate Vivi and how important she is to all of us.


The thing about a wedding is, the planning stress can sometimes trample on the excitement. It is important to remember that no matter the craziness that surrounds putting together a ceremony and reception, the end result is two very happy people.
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living favors

Image courtesy of project wedding

The post on Project Wedding about DIY Little Pots of Moss was the best idea for a summer shower (or wedding) favor I had seen in awhile. There are a couple of favor ideas I....favor, actually, and this is definitely one of them.
For my sister's shower I am painting small terra cotta pots in a pewter color and planting whatever tiny flower is available in beds from the nursery inside it. I'll finish it off with a bow and either a flag or tag- have not decided yet. Basically, it is the Project Wedding craft with some slight modifications.
In my hunt for ideas using terra cotta planters I came across quite a few great versions....



Seedling Kit Favor photo courtesy of etsy

Potted plant favor/place marker courtesy of my DIY wedding day

Potted Thyme Favor courtesy of elephantine

Potted Succulent Favor courtesy of saltlakedesignergal
I will post photos of the project when it is wrapped up. Keep your fingers crossed the results are as lovely as these examples!
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Thursday, July 4th Cook Out, and Esty

Fireworks For the Fourth of July Print of Original Oil Painting via ArtByMarilyn

I am not a giant fan of the 4th of July holiday hoopla- the parades are always too crowded, hot, and sticky and the fireworks, though festive, have awakened one too many babies in my care for me to truly enjoy them. I do, however, LOVE cookouts....the food, drink, and feeling of a backyard party are just the best, so for this Thursday and Etsy entry I am throwing a July 4th barbecue!

Some invitations to the folks who will come in the afternoon and stay until the sky lights up:

Stripes party invitation via lukecommasara

Having chairs with comfortable pillows not only on the deck, but in the yard too, is so welcoming:

Adirondack Chair courtesy of gardenfurnituremill

Indoor/Outdoor Pillow Covers courtesy of thislittlehome


Some mason jar lanterns in the trees will keep the backyard from getting too dark, with a votive lending the perfect amount of night light:

Blue Pint-Sized Ball Mason Jar Lantern courtesy of seasonables



Perfect picnic tablecloth, made from a vintage feedsack courtesy of oodles


The tables will be covered in colorful stripes and later illuminated with candles in tiny glass holders:

glass votive containers courtesy of oldgoatsmitten


In addition to all the hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and watermelon the crowd can handle...some cupcakes dressed for the occasion:
cupcake wrappers- red marching band courtesy of thecupcakewrapperco


And because it will undoubtedly be quite hot - a whole slew of these vintage pitchers filled with lemonade - classic and the pink variety:


lemonade pitcher/carafe courtesy of LePinkChandelier


A few of these tubs will be scattered about as well, filled with ice and drinks for the guests:

Red and White Quarter Dot Large Round Galvanized Party Tub courtesy of brodyandma


As I have said before, I can get caught up in dressing the little ones for celebrations- charming cook out ensembles:

A Day At The Zoo pillowcase dress courtesy of ohsewsweetboutique

lets go fly a kite courtesy of bchildrenswear


To keep the kids occupied while they wait anxiously for the fireworks, a backyard scavenger hunt and some sparklers!

Decks of Playground Scavenger Hunt Cards courtesy of blynkenandnod

Printable Sparkler Holder Set courtesy of printyourparty


Maybe this is the year I become a bona fide fan of the 4th- who knows, next year it could be sticky parades and crowded fireworks displays all the way!
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lemons into lemonade

Glass spigot jar courtesy of kitchendinner.com


Image courtesy of google

Beehive Beverage Jar from Sur la table


This summer I am going to get one of those fancy schmancy beverage jars with a spigot. They just add an extra something to your run of the mill cook out, don't you think? I particularly love the look of them with those chalkboard signs....



I plan to fill it with delicious lemonade every chance I get!
Mint Lemonade from MarthaStewart.com
• 1/4 cup sugar for simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• 1 2/3 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons julienned mint, plus leaves for garnish
• 1 lemon, sliced 1/4-inch thick, plus more for garnish


Directions
1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1/4 cup water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat. Let stand until completely cool.
2. In a large pitcher half-filled with ice, add 2 cups water, lemon juice, simple syrup, mint, and lemon slices. Stir to combine. Serve over ice. Garnish with mint leaves and lemon slices.
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Thursday, a bridal shower tea party, and Etsy

little teapot necklace courtesy of CapriciousTraveler

I love the idea of a bridal shower tea party. It could be classic and beautiful, fun and girly, all at once. 
I would start with an invitation like this-


The Dress- Bridal Shower Invitation- Digital or Printed courtesy of BeanSproutStudio



The next order of business would be the table. It would be set with an elegant tea service, fine china and linens, and charming place cards. 


Vintage 6-piece Silverplate Tea Service courtesy of calloohcallay

Asiatic Pheasants Cup and Saucer courtesy of modowl


Sky Blue Tailored Dinner Napkins courtesy of evelynwhite



Paper Flower Kit- 12 Rose Place Cards- Pick your own colors courtesy of paperplatypus



I think these flowered sugar cubes and sparkling champagne glasses will suit the occasion perfectly....


Decorated Sugar Cubes by PinkInk



Vintage Crystal Champagne or Sherbet Glasses courtesy of FalconandFinch



There has to be sweets- and this trio of cake stands will make an ideal display for cupcakes decked out in the best wrappers. 



Set of 3 cake plates in aqua-made to order- courtesy of vesselsandwares

Elegant White Cupcake Wrappers courtesy of sugarcatstudio


I imagine these delicate paper lanterns, with their folded butterflies, hanging at different lengths over the table.



Flutter Paper Lanterns courtesy of SimpleSweetDesign 


This branch sculpture will be an amazing addition and could serve as a wishing tree- plus it would be a wonderful gift for the guest of honor. 
 

Custom wedding centerpiece-organic branch sculpture courtesy of koniver


Guests would be asked to jot down their well wishes and advice for the bride-to-be on these bird tags that can hang from the tree and be gathered after the celebration.  


30 Bird Hang Tags courtesy of YourAngil



Favors for the guests? Tea, of course! These monogrammed tins make the prettiest presentation....

Monogram Organic Tea Tin courtesy of SarahShannonDesigns
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