Wonderland Sweet 16

Sweet 16s are awesome. I've had the privilege of helping a friend throw 2 sweet 16s for her daughters two years in a row. Last year I helped my friend Marsha with a Glow in the Dark party for her oldest daughter. This year, she hosted a Tim Burton style Wonderland party for her daughter Savannah. Savannah's grandmother Emma (who I consider my cooking and crafting idol) spearheaded the decorating. I am still amazed at the things she made for the party.   Savvanah's sister Ariane and I helped with making decorations.



Guests were asked to enter the party using the side gate.

Emma made this gate out of paint and cardboard.



 

 Using my teapots and teacups, we made centrepieces for the tables.

 

 

Emma, Ariane and I made these flowers out of plastic masks, tissue paper, construction paper, cardboard and paint. 

 

 I made some "Eat Me" labels  that we used for appetizers. I also made coordinating  "Drink Me" labels for cups.

 

 

Savannah didn't want a sweets table with a variety of things. She opted for heart shaped cakes made by her her mom and sister and some cake balls that I made. Her cousin brought a croqembouche cake which we also put on the table. 

 

 

In addition to the flowers, we also made "this way, that way" signs and mushrooms out of cardboard. Emma and Ariane made the caterpillar.

Thanks for stopping by. Check out the facebook page for more photos

Mermaid swim party

 

One day I held held my newborn baby girl Audrey. Then I blinked and we celebrated her 7th birthday.
My kids spent the bulk of this summer in the pool. They even learned to swim in the deep end so a pool party birthday just seemed to be the natural choice when we started planning Audrey's celebration. We had the party at our city's Aquatic Center which is an awesome facility that has water play features and slides.

We decided on a mermaid themed party. I designed the invitations and other party printables.

Our party was in the morning so we served a poolside breakfast. Our buffet included breakfast sandwiches, bagels, Krispy Kreme donuts, scones, cereal, fruit salad and other pastries.

In addition to the breakfast selections, we also had cheese puffs, popcorn, licorice, wafer sticks, lollipops and cookies that guests could eat at the party or take home in baggies.

My friend Kit of Cupkits made adorable fondant topped cookies

We ordered Audrey's favorite fruit tart instead of a cake. I made a mini banner to top the tart.

We also had Oreo cupcakes for the kids

For party favors, each child was given a book and a personalized book mark.

My husband said it best when he said, it seem like the past seven years seemed to go by so fast and yet it feels so odd that it's only been seven years because it feels like our kids have always been part of our lives. Happy Birthday to my (not-so) baby girl Audrey.

More photos from the party are on the Lollipops & Paper Facebook page 

{GIVEAWAY} Candy Making for Kids by Courtney Dial Whitmore

The talented Courtney Dial Whitmore of Pizzazzerie has come out with her second book, Candy Making for Kids. Courtney is doing a Blog Book Tour and I am so excited she's making a stop here.

I love making lollipops and candy and I can already see my girls showing an interest in candy making. Anyone who makes candy knows that boiling hot sugar is not something young kids can work with which is why I am so excited about this book.

Filled with fun and easy recipes, it would make an awesome gift for the budding candy maker. None of the recipes require a candy thermometer so it's great for kids of all ages. 

You can get your copy of Candy Making for Kids on Amazon  and Barnes & Noble 
As an added bonus,  Courtney is offering book plates if you want your book signed. You can email Courtney at courtney@pizzazzerie.com with the subject line BOOK SIGNATURE.  In the email, include a  proof of purchase (screen shot of Amazon order, picture of receipt, etc) along with your address and who to make the greeting out to and she will send it your way.

OR your could try to win a copy here!

Courtney is giving away ONE copy of Candy Making for Kids to one of my readers. This is open to all U.S. residents, age 18 and over. A winner will be chosen on Friday, August 10 at noon (pacific time).

To enter the giveaway:
Head over to  Lollipops & Paper's facebook page and "like" it (or let me know if you already like it), then "share" this post and comment on who you will be making candy with.

How awesome is that?!


Photography by Zac Williams