Barbie Party Decorations - A Year Too Late

My older daughter's 7th birthday is coming up in September, so the planning (at least thinking) has begun! She thinks about her birthday all year round. She is definitely miss party girl. This year she is torn between a Justin Bieber themed party or having it at a gymnastics place. If it's going to be Justin Bieber, I really have my work cut out for me. The research begins!!

Last year she had a Barbie themed party. I looked everywhere for Barbie party decorations and there were none to be had...ANYWHERE! I improvised by just getting girlie stuff, making a Barbie themed cake, made Barbie personalized chocolate bars, and got miscellaneous Barbie items to try and theme it as a "Barbie" party.

So, this week, while waiting for my family to arrive at the movie theater to see Toy Story 3, I decided to stroll through the neighboring Party City.

Wasn't I surprised when I came across this...

It seems as though Barbie has finally jumped on the party bandwagon. It sure took them long enough! There were so many options now - tattoos, party bags, centerpieces, plates, napkins - you name it!

Only a year too late.

We're moved on to Justin.

HELP!! Would love any ideas you may have for a Justin Bieber party. Was thinking of using posters as decorations. I love planning the food, decorations and party favors. When it comes to the activities though is where my mind completely shuts down.

Would love (and appreciate) your suggestions!

A Happy Birthday Boy

Recently my friend Pam asked if I could help her out with her little guy's 3rd birthday party. Of course I can! She wanted me to design the cupcakes and party favors. Two things I love to do!!

The party was at Chuck E. Cheese's in Harlem.

My dilemma was how I was going to deliver the cupcakes because it was a really hot day and I didn't want the icing to melt. Also, I had my little one with me so I had to coordinate her, the cupcakes and the party favors. I had 2 choices - to either ice the cupcakes when I got there, or drive in (instead of taking the subway). I actually came up with a third and even better option. I asked my sister to drive us down! That way, I wouldn't have to worry about parking and walking with the cupcakes. (and my daughter) Genius!!

For the cupcakes, I was told he likes the color red and sports balls - specifically baseballs and basketballs. So, I started designing. We also thought it would be cute to have his face on the cupcake topper so I made 2 different designs.

Sports balls...

and the others with his cute little face.

This one got both designs. It must have been the birthday boy's.

I used red icing with blue and yellow cupcake liners.

When it was time to sing the Happy Birthday song, they brought out the Chuck E. Cheese's mascot.

I think it freaked out the kids. (do you blame them?) He was politely asked to leave.

Time to blow out the candles,

and eat the cupcakes. Looks like he liked them!

Apparently, so did my daughter.

For the favors, Pam already bought some of the items but she also wanted personalized mini chocolate bars and lollipops and have them all wrapped up together in one package.

For the chocolate bars, I put his face on the front with a birthday message on the back, and the lollipops just had his face.

I designed a card to match the cupcake toppers that was used as the top of the favor bag.

Sometimes designing for boys is a bit harder than for girls but I think these came out pretty cute!

Since I've been getting requests for party designs, I thought I would add them to my Etsy Shop. What themes do you like for boys parties? Anything special for girls?

What about adults? (we like to have parties too!)

I'll let you know when they're available.

Spongebob Party Details

Early this month was my daughter's 4th birthday. I already told you about a few of her celebratios, but this past weekend was the big one - her Spongebob birthday party!!

Personally, I am NOT a big Spongebob fan. I don't even know how they started watching it because at one time we did have a "no Spongebob" rule. That obviously went out the window.

There was lots of planning involved but it all seemed to come together.

Here are a few shots of the treats table, decorated with some Spongebob accessories I found at Party City.

I did create some of my own however. This is the part I really get excited about!!

Personalized chocolate bars - I love these!! I do them for all of the birthdays.

I designed coordiating persoanlized water bottles as well with all of Spongebob's friends. You can't see them all from the picture but they wrap around the bottle. My daughter did inform me though that I left out two of them. Here I was thinking I did so well!!

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Spongebob of course! Gotta have at least one healthy item at a party.

Then of course the cake!! What's a Spongebob party without a Spongebob cake??

Since time was running out, this Spongebob ended up not having any legs. No matter though - they would have been eaten up anyway.

This is all that matters - she seemed to like it!

We set up the dining area to be a picnic at the beach - even had the infamous Spongebob flowers in the background.

There was no way I was going to have table room and chairs for 16 (yes you heard me right - SIXTEEN!!) kids!! We layed down blue mats and when they were ready to eat their pizza, covered it with...you guessed it... a Spongebob tablecloth.

Besides a cake, my daughter wanted to have cupcakes. She's a little demanding but I guess you can be when it's your 4th birthday.

I had a bunch of toppings so the kids were able to decorate their own cupcakes. Makes for a great activity!

I designed 5 different cupcake toppers as well for each kid to choose from.

Guess my daughter thought she was entitled to all of them!

After some Spongebob games, freeze dancing, pizza and cake, the party was winding down - which only means one thing - GOODIE BAGS!!!

This took me back to my gift basket days.

All complete with personalzied Spongebob tags

The party is over! Unfortunately the cleanup isn't.

What's your favorite part of planning a party? Decorating? Food? Activities?

By the way, I am currently working on adding a new shopping cart to my website so chocolate bar wrappers will be available online soon. I'll keep you updated!!