'Just make it pretty' Birthday Party

When one of my close friends asked me to help plan her birthday (shhhh dirty thirty heheh) I was so excited. Her only request was that I make it pretty. I couldn't wait to begin and already had a few inspirational pictures from Pinterest.

The Fresh Exchange Blog

 This beautiful farm dinner party was my original inspiration, I love how comfortable yet elegant and beautiful it is. We have an amazing local antique rental business, The Attic that has farm tables for rent. I decided to put in the investment and have my husband make our own. We gathered some old barn wood from my cousin Marcie's farm (big thank you) and you would think that I would say we got to work. Well, in all reality he waited until the day of and a group of three men finished this table in 5 hours or less. It is beautiful and HUGE. So here it comes, the unveiling of this amazingly beautiful party.

Ashley Ennis Photography

Me standing next to the amazing table. I was so happy with the finished product. The bright fuchsia and gold color scheme really stood out in the backyard.

Ashley Ennis Photography

A couple of the items I already had like the huge hurricane candle holders but most I found at thrift stores or the dollar store.

Ashley Ennis Photography

Ashley Ennis Photography

The smaller fuchsia vases were purchased at a deep discount at Hobby Lobby. The mismatching crystal glasses were found at the thrift store.

Ashley Ennis Photography

All of these beautiful flowers were picked that morning from a backyard of the birthday girl's mother's. I love using whatever sources you can to save you money. Another option for flowers is your local farmers market.

Ashley Ennis Photography

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On most posts I really don't talk about the recipes that I use but I loved this menu, it was so fresh and fun. Above is the drink for the evening Smirnoff Sorbet Light Lemon Cucumber Martini it was very refreshing and light.

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This picture does not do justice to these amazing little morsels. For an appetizer I made Crostini with Peaches, Blue Cheese, and Honey. They were amazing, the flavors were so complex and worked so well together.

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I don't have a photo of the entree but it was Baked Lemon Pasta which was a nice lower fat entree. I must say it tasted best the day after. For dessert I made Raspberry Coconut Cream Trifle in champagne glasses (from the dollar store) This was spiked with some malibu rum and was an amazing sweet treat ending.

kayleighbrickeydesigns Instagram

kayleighbrickeydesigns Instagram

 
kayleighbrickeydesigns Instagram

The place settings were a lot of fun. I used butcher paper purchased in the packing section of your local grocery store and then I used a rubber stamp with gold ink to add a little something to the side. The plates were purchased white at the dollar store and I used a gold permanent marker to put the design on the edges. The silverware was purchased 3/$1 and I then taped them off and painted the bottoms to add to the color scheme. Last but not least I made a tissue paper flower to add the the middle of the plate.

kayleighbrickeydesigns Instagram

It ended up being a great night enjoyed with great friends. The weather was perfect and the atmosphere only got better with the evening when the twinkling lights above and the candles came to life!

Do you have a birthday party that you will never forget? I would love to hear about them! Share below I love to read your comments.

Until next time. 

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."

-Oprah Winfrey

Rustic Country Wedding

Two months before her wedding I met with Kaysie and had her bring me her ideas for her wedding. We were in crunch time but I knew we could pull together what she had. I think she under estimated herself because she had some really great ideas. The end product was beautiful and I believe authentic to her taste. The day of the wedding was perfect weather, more than you could ask for in June. Here are a few snippets from her wedding.

Photos by: Kelly Cottier Photography

I loved their homemade arch the contrast with the lace and the rustic wood was amazing.

Her favors were homemade salsa and beer cozies.

We made this effect on the jars by painting the inside with just cheap acrylic paint and tied on the burlap.

 Kaysie created these amazing kid bags including these coloring books and water bottles and more.

 Label, label, label it makes everything a bit more special.

 Little details we did on the arch

 The pie table was so fun. I love that it gave variety to dessert.

 Sitting on hay bales and looking at the majestic view was my favorite parts of this wedding.

To have and to hold and to keep your beers cold.

More than anything I can not express how much I took from this experience. I feel like I have an idea of the expectations that others have for me and my limitations. I am so thankful for the help that I received from Carly Wamsley without her I would not have gotten this all pulled together.

Until next time. 

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."

-Oprah Winfrey

21 Run Mini Party

I realize there are times when throwing a huge party just won't work out. You may not have the space, the time, or the funds. I have come up with what I like to refer to as a Mini Party. This mini party was held in a hotel room and so I really had to work with my surroundings. I wanted to have this party on a lower budget but I didn't want to skimp much. What better color scheme for a 21st than hot pink and silver glitter. My house has glitter in every crevice and corner (which I'm quite fond of)! I really hope you enjoy what I came up with.

Here is the main setup. There is no mistaking what this party is celebrating! The big 21 is a huge statement piece at a low cost!

Even the food was '21' themed we had whipped cream vodka soaked strawberries that were then dipped in chocolate. And of course you should never leave out Jello shots! I used a bright pink jello to keep with the color scheme and used a hot pink icing to drizzle on top of the strawberries. The cake was a lemon cream cake that I got the recipe from Jam Hands. It turned out really good but obviously not pink. So I used the beautiful flat sparkle sprinkles that I bought at Micheals.

 A glittered champagne bottle next to sugar rimmed champagne glasses with handmade swizzle sticks and a hot pink liqueur in the bottom. I took regular plastic forks and glittered the bottom.

  

The bottom of the serving trays is another way to add to the theme. I glittered them so that they would show through but not interfere with the food. This could be done with basic paint or even a tinted color. 

I hand glittered these martini glasses and they turned out so great. One way to glitter glassware is to use Mod Podge and glitter and just paint it on. A word of warning though. I did not put a glaze or a sealant after I glittered these and I will be sure to do that next time. That is what would make these glasses easily washable. I wanted to have a pink drink but I wanted to keep it cost efficient so I just used Lemonade and Strawberry Vodka and then just used some icing coloring to make it pink. Who says things have to be authentically pink! 

The decor really up'ed the atmosphere for the evening. I would love to hear from you. What other occasions would a "Mini-Party" be appropriate? 

Fun and Affordable Party Food

So, I have indeed been missing for awhile but for good reason. I have been working VERY hard to finish my coursework to get my certification with Lovegevity for Wedding and Event Planning.

There is a new trend showing up on tables all over different types of events lately. The salad bar has had a makeover and it is taking over the party and wedding scene. The reasons I love these 'food bars' are numerous. I love that a food bar can be used as part of your event decor. You can use your food to add to the theme of your event (remember my chili bar at my husbands western party?). I really love how cost effective they are, the presentation is big and the out of the pocket isn't. They also give your guests the ability to customize their meals. I really love adding a couple unexpected items that will really add to the flavor of your meal. If you are doing a taco bar you could add a fun salsa with pineapples or chunks of rich chocolate to a chili bar. By putting these items out you also get your guests talking and who knows, someone may find a new favorite.

I have put together a couple different types of 'food bars' just to get your creative juices flowing...

Kayleigh Brickey Designs

Yes, this was the chili bar from the Western Roundup, we went really basic but it still was so much fun. I loved adding avocado and lime to mine.

http://greenweddingshoes.com/a-wedding-inspired-by-500-days-of-summer-part-2/

A pancake bar would be great for a baby shower or bridal shower or even a brunch wedding. Adding different flavored syrups and fruit toppings and don't forget those chocolate chips. 

http://www.tonyastaab.com/2011/02/a-pasta-bar.html

A pasta bar!!! How great is this? The options are endless here, different cheeses, proteins, vegetables, and sauces. 

http://www.pnpflowersinc.com/2011/10/styling-rustic-popcorn-bar.html

I did this for my youngest's birthday last year and it was a big hit, play around with sweet and savory toppings there are so many options, lime and garlic salt, cinnamon and sugar, cocoa powder and cayenne.

Kayleigh Brickey Designs

This pie buffet was on the smaller scale but it was perfect for our little get together. 

http://www.weddingwindow.com/blog/smores-bar/

This would be so much fun. Add homemade marshmallows of many different flavors and different chocolates or even diced chocolate bars such as snickers or reeses for something unique. 

http://www.hwtm.com/themes/everyday_parties/memorial_day_summer_bbq

The all American hot dog can be a fun addition to any get together. Have some fun with the toppings there is no limits, I've even seen a peanut butter and jelly hotdog!

http://www.creative-baby-shower-ideas.com/christmas-baby-shower.html

A hot chocolate bar would be great for a winter wedding. Think how the adults will react if you added a liquor or two to enjoy in their drink. This could also be used at an ice skating birthday party to warm everyone up after being on the ice.

http://itsabrideslife.com/category/food/

This would be a so much fun for birthday party but don't limit yourself. I am all about stepping out of the traditional box. What if you had this cupcake buffet at your wedding as a cake alternative!

http://www.justluxe.com/lifestyle/dining/feature-1776696.php

I love how this Milk and Cookies bar is given such a grown up look. By adding the different cookies and different flavored milks this turns something that could be ordinary into something extraordinarily unique!

http://swanky-chic-fete.blogspot.com/2011/04/cute-as-button-pink-and-gray-birthday.html

Burger bars are so much fun, I really have a problem with being able to stop myself from adding too many toppings.

http://www.justluxe.com/lifestyle/dining/feature-1776696.php

This Bloody Mary bar would be great for a brunch wedding or an adults birthday party.

http://www.weddingsillustrated.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=news.details&ArticleId=2607&returnTo=inspiration#.UX3AjcXA_L8

A Mimosa or Bellini bar is a great addition to a bridal shower or even an addition to the bridal party room the morning of a wedding.

So, who is hungry now, because I sure am! But why stop there, there are SO many options for this new trend. What kind of 'food bars' have you seen? Can you think of any unique toppings? Feel free to leave me some comments below!

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Not Your Ordinary Bouquet

You spend a good amount on your bridal bouquet and it's beautiful. You can't wait to do one of those amazing things you saw on Pinterest to preserve it. After the wedding you leave it for your family to put away and head off on your dream honeymoon. You get home and start unpacking everything from the wedding and come across your bouquet. It has been shoved into a box but you still think it can be salvaged. You begin to pull it out and you notice that the entire thing has mold all over it!

So maybe this exact situation hasn't happened to you. Maybe you have seen some people with old dried bouquets hanging somewhere in there house with a big pile of dried petals falling off. For me the possibilities of what I can do with this amazing bouquet I spent so much on are limited and it will never look as amazing as it did on your wedding day. 

So you have had the same thoughts, or possibly you just want to add something a little unique to your wedding day. There are so many amazing options for a bridal bouquet now-a-days that all range in price, size, and extravagance. I wanted to share a couple options that I love but remember there are so so so many more!

www.100layercake.com

 I wanted to start with something fun and this is it! These bridesmaids carried balloons down the aisle.What a surprise and it looked amazing while they were standing at the front.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ATouchofSucculents?ref=ss_profile

What can I say? I love succulents! They are just so beautiful yet so unique and they come in such fun colors.

www.handmadepaperflowers.com

This is so hard to believe but these are PAPER flowers. Aren't they just amazingly beautiful. I love this company, if you live near me then its a local business (Shop Local!)! There were so many amazing bouquets I had such a hard time just picking one. You can also find them on facebook 'aNeMonE'. They have so many other options even home decor or a special gift *hint*hint* 

blue petyl bouquets            Kayleigh Brickey Designs       www.ritzyrose.com

Brooch bouquets are beautiful! They range in colors and size making options endless. These beautiful eye candies can be found on Etsy and many other websites. You might remember Miranda Lambert had one for her wedding. The one in the middle was created by Kayleigh Brickey Designs and the brooches were given by the important women in the brides life making the bouquet even more special. 

CherubinoCrafts                 DecoraMood                  MomoRadRose all on etsy

I love these different options. Feathers are inexpensive and an easy DIY. In the first I like that the feathers are miced with some berries and browns. Any of these would be great for a winter wedding but the middle feather bouquet can be used any time of year. 

               www.seattlepremierevents.com               www.cdn.indulgy.com

An amazing way to set the mood for an evening wedding. The bridesmaids carry lanterns or candles down the aisle. You could even kick this up a notch and have small candles for all of the guests to hold. Can you imagine the beautiful pictures?

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CuriousFloralCrafts?ref=ss_profile         http://www.etsy.com/shop/thefoxglovefinery

Fabric flowers are another option for a DIY but going to a professional is great because they have perfected their technique. Foxglove Finery is another (kind of) local business that has beautiful fabric bouquets.

I hope this gives you a couple ideas but don't just so here go research some other amazing options and know that there really isn't much that is out of the question. Imagine having a lot of these options as a forever keepsake.

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