Erika’s 30th Birthday!

The first weekend of May, I got to help with a party for a very lovely lady. She is known to the blogger world as the Artsy Fartsy Shopaholic, but in my world she is none as a sweet, fun, fabulous friend!! The Knight is her hubby, and he was planning a throw down to celebrate Erika surviving her 30s. He enlisted the help of me and another party planner type, and we got to work on decorations. That is all we can take credit for; The Knight did the invites, catering, beverages, and keeping it a surprise. We have found the best men around :)  I will say, though, that planning decorations for a Party Fashionista is a little intimidating...but I think we made her happy!!
This is The Knight’s Mama. Yep, he even got family in town to help celebrate! She is one fun lady! We weren’t exactly sure what time the AFS was going to pull up in the driveway, so the setup crew was waiting in the front yard for her arrival.

Here is the Cutest Boy in the World and Aidan, my party planning friend. I kinda miss her daily emails re:Erika’s 30th because she is a freakin riot. And doesnt even know it. Oh yea, and she’s pretty cute too. We also worked together on the AFS baby shower last May.
 
Waiting on any sign of her vehicle. I was getting nervous!

My cute lil man, ready to partay!

Also ready to partay:

More excited guests starting arriving!

We werent sure of her whereabouts because the Knight had told her their babysitter had canceled, their reservation had been moved, and Aidan was going to come and take care of the baby. Erika was not happy.
In typical, take control, lawyer fashion, Erika decided to take matters into her own hands and come home to get Coco ready for bed before the went to dinner.

The Knight sent her to get Aidan a “treat” for being such a good friend, and to buy us a little more time.
We sent the boys back to the back to finish up with the decorations.
  
There’s her car!

And the Birthday Girl!!!
 

We were going for an aqua, yellow, and orange theme. I am not very good at staying on task, so there were some other colors thrown in as well.
Here is the bar area. Wine, beer, and bellinis! The bellinis were so very yummy! The reipe called for elderflower liqueor (WT?), and when I inquired about it at the gettin’ place, the guy told me it would be like a spring bouquet exploded in your mouth! Loved that description!!


The Knight got Muddy’s cupcakes..the absolute best! Aidan made this toppers and had pictures from Erika’s birth, 1st birthday, wedding day, and awkward teenage phase. They were adorable and everyone loved looking at them!

Food tables.

For our “guest book,” we had everyone leave advice for Erika’s next 30 years (thank you, Tim McGraw!)
        
My stud muffin 
          
Aidan and her treat from Erika…haha!
 
Backyard

Hostesses and Birthday Girl

Our Boys

The Knight even had a surprise at the end of the night!

Her Mama showed up!! I was sitting with two other new mamas of baby girls and we all teared up at the thought of our babies being so excited to see us in 30 year. Erika’s Mama is the loveliest!

Us old ladies partied till after midnight! Megan was watching Kate and I knew it must be late when the partyqueen herself called to make sure we were ok! haha!

Time and Tide wait for no man, but time always stands still for a woman of thirty.Robert Frost

Violet’s Chanel Baby Shower

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I hosted a Chanel insprired baby sprinkle for one of my dear friends, Eden, and her Baby Violet on the way. Eden is also the mother of Juliette, who happens to be Kate’s partner in crime. Well, the relationship right now is more Kate bosses Juju around, but I can see where their future is headed. Haha! Anyway, we went with a Coco Chanel theme, and it really turned out rather perfect. You can see part of the tablescape above. We had just a few finger foods since it was at 2 in the afternoon, but our friend Stefanie did an AMAZING job on the cake. Absolutely perfect. She also made Kate’s pink poodle birthday cake. And she might quit taking cake orders from me!
I also made some baked “V” in honor of the cheese of the month…heehee get it? 

We used this shower for several of our ideas, but Violet’s nursery is going to be yellow and gray so we went with those colors. Before her name was picked, it was going to be yellow, gray, and aqua, and since Violet is her name, it has been thrown in there too!
  
We did an Italian soda bar which was a big hit and oh so delicious!

Fun paper straws and glasses!
  
Wreath for her hospital door.
 
For her well wishes, I came up with the cards below last minute (at like midnight the night before…and I was so proud of my cleverness :)

Example card

My advice to Violet

So glad I am a keeper of mismatched junk. I found this mug with violets on it that morning in my china cabinet!

Sweet friends.

Eden loves pearls, so it was very fitting to have them with our Chanel theme!
 
Leni wants some soda!

Some of our pregnant ladies!

I enlisted the help of one of our Hubbies for this cute sign! He is in graphic design, is extremely talented, and might possibly be the future father in law of sweet Pres.
 
The hostesses and Mommy to be. Crazy that we are the Mommies of 6 littles!


And I cant have a post without my cute kiddies. This was after the shower was over. I will say that hosting a shower with two little ones in tow and a hubby in the middle of exams proved how much he does help when he is able! We had a wonderful time and I hope Eden and Violet felt our love for them.
This is also my first time to use Windows Live Writer…I think I like it?!
A girl should be two things, Sweet with a little bit of Sassy-Amanda Cantrell