Jude's Big Top Birthday!

5463277560_dc8caae4fa_b

Saturday was Jude's first birthday party, and what a fun little fête it was!

5463282026_1d4c8946a0_b-(1)

We served fresh popcorn in vintage style popcorn boxes, sugar cookies frosted with royal icing (so fun to paint!)  and delicious cupcakes with chocolate frosting with little flags made from ribbon and satay sticks - classic birthday treats!

5462747403_ca0d82257b_b

The cake was a yellow cake with buttercream frosting, with a cute little banner (it's been a hot trend this year, and I couldn't help myself - so perfect for the circus theme!) And how perfect were these napkins?  I found them (as well as stripey straws, paper fringe and more) at a super adorable little shop called Shop Sweet Lulu!

DSC_0144

We provided clown noses, for those who didn't happen to have any appropriate circus attire on hand...

DSC_0179

...or who just happen to look ridiculously cute in one...

5463117618_a4921ee2d1_b

spacer

DSC_0122

We made these charming birthday hats out of pom poms, ruffly paper trim, stickers and poster board - so fun!

5463215540_69c645af93_b

One of Jude's birthday presents was this amazing Schylling baby piano that Sabrina picked up at the super marvelous shop  Paxton Gate's Curiosities for Kids which was a big hit at the party - she brought over hers too so we could have dueling pianos...

5463161446_70f177c1e6_b
spacer
Jude, striking a pose...
spacer
DSC_0187
spacer
One of Jude's friends, the ever charming Miss Eva, arrived dressed as a tiger!  How apropos, given the presence of this Ring 'o' Fire - hilarious!
spacer
5463262240_a7a861a236_b
spacer
We painted an upside down flower pot to look like a circus pedestal - a perfect place to pose this vintage Dumbo doll and his strong man friend...and I made simple striped slip covers for our ottomans to transform our living room into an instant big top!
spacer
DSC_0204
spacer
Now, a great party is all about enthusiastic guests:  Sabrina's son James, seemingly unperturbed by his amusing head wear and sporting a natty suit!  Quite the sartorial splendor!
spacer
DSC_0177
spacer
Darling Hugo, who's half French, looking very adorable as a tiny French clown!
spacer
DSC_0163
spacerspacer
5462638935_fff1e3341b_b
spacer spacerOur friends Jillian and Toast of Because We Can, came in hilarious cowboy attire...(props to Jillian for staying up 'til the wee hours the night before decorating cookies!)
spacer
5462590657_f9b7492f3e_b
spacer
The whole family, getting our circus on...
spacer
DSC_0143
spacer
Alas, the birthday boy was a little less than enthusiastic about sporting a birthday hat!
spacer
5462744513_1a03cd1f0c_b
spacer
Sabrina and her son Alex, having a jolly time! (How could you not, while double fisting kazoos??)
spacer
5463302470_625398d0d8_b
spacer
The party reached it's peak with an all kazoo birthday salute!
spacer
DSC_0228
spacer
Happy Birthday, Jude!
spacer
We'll be posting tutorials for the Ring of Fire, Pennants, Circus Sugar Cookies, the cake topper and more, all week, so stay tuned!