The biggest surprise and blessing of my and my husbands life, was the news that we are expecting twins.  
Thankfully, upon hearing the news, as first time expecting parents, we were clueless as to what is going to hit us once the muppet's arrived, so we just went about our business super excited!  Which was a blessing, because if parents of twins ever had to know what they were in for when two babies arrived at the same time, ha!  Pregnancy would be very a fearful period.

O boy, I am not going to lie.  I don't think I actually remember a thing of the first 6 months of their lives. It was a blur of feeding, burping, reflux, nappies, putting to sleep, all with very very very little sleep.  It was around month three that I realised and made peace with the fact, that my life, as I knew it, would never ever be the same again.  This was also a very important step, because I think someone once that realisation has been made, it is as if somehow, you suddenly cope better and just get on with it.

But, as all mom's say, it gets better. It gets so so much better. And suddenly you just cannot imagine life without these little guys. And they just bring so much JOY! 
So I had a blast planning their first birthday. We managed to keep them alive for one whole year! Well done us, that is worth a tripple celebration!  

Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed planning it, I am already thinking about our theme for next year.  

I fell in love with the Llama party bags the moment I saw them on Design Studio's Instagram page.  What a surprise to hear that Sammy made them them, when I requested where I could get my hands on some.

So today I am sharing with you how to make these very. very pretty party bags. The best part is that you will be able to customise these to fit any animal theme.

DIY Order and essentials
 
You’ll need

• Scissors
• Crafts Glue gun
• Pritt glue
• White paper bag 
• Pom Poms in theme colours
• White marker
• Tassel (optional)
• Llama party printable available to download. Available to download at the bottom of this post.

 
Instructions

1. Print out free llama printable preferably on 300g glossy paper as this will allow llama silhouette (or cutout) to hold up straight.
2. Cut out Llama silhouette, saddle and name tag – put to side.
3. Cut white paper bag in half and remove handles from top half.
4. Glue Llama silhouette, saddle and name tag cutouts onto bottom half of white paper bag. Do this with normal Pritt glue.
5. Use the glue gun to re-attached handles inside the white paper bag as well as the options tassel.
6. Use white marker to personalize party bags on glued on party pack.
7. Decorate with pom poms. 

 
Suppliers
       Design and Llama party printout  –   Designstudio by Sammy Gomes
       White paper bags and pom moms  –   Any party shop. I got mine from Newlands Accessories
       Glue gun, pritt, white marker, scissors – Any Crafts shop, I bought mine at Arts & Hobbies craft
       shop 
       Flowers in styled shoot Belle Fiore
       Thank you Marethe Grobler for the lovely photography

Just feast your eyes on the prettiest of pretty parties for a second birthday celebration. a Swan Soiree is definitely the correct term to use, swans to be seen everywhere!

I do not have any favourite items, I really love all of it.  The swan theme has been incorporated in such an understated, classical way, and though it is everywhere, it is tasteful and does not seem overwhelming at all.

The peach colour palette is also not something you come across everyday, well done to the team from GnT Designwww.gntdesign.co.za

Enjoy the pictures and happy Monday!

VENDORS

Concept, Styling + Stationery l G 'n T Design
Photographer l D'amor Photography
Flowers + Decor Hire l Bella Fiore
Sweet Treats l Mmm macarons
Cake l 180 Degrees Catering & Confectionery
Catering l Fat Barista
Teepee l MiGi Designs

This cute Tutti Frutti birthday party was hosted by the lovely lady behind lifestyle blog, Ellie Love, Caley Rosenberg, for her little girl, Zoe's second birthday.  Caley is also a party planner and this is clear in all the fun details and fruit themed party decor used through out.

I think this is just such a fun theme for little kiddos, whether a boy or girl.

Some of my favourite details are the jelly lemon wedges, the party packs are super cute and the fruit-themed balloon garland adds a special touch.  
Enjoy the pictures.  

Venue: Family home
Planning & Styling: Caley 
Stationery: Kerryn from The Arty Party https://www.facebook.com/theartyparty1/
Cake & Treats: Jadi Clark https://www.instagram.com/jadiclark/
Food: Kim Shea – Suburban Café https://www.facebook.com/suburbancafe/
Photography: Heather Fitchet http://heatherfitchet.co.za

Feast your eyes on this beautifully styled gold and pink, twinkle, twinkle, little star, themed first birthday celebration by Outlandish Events.  

My favourite details?
- The cake!
- The star and flower candy table backdrop
- The star shaped pinata!

​Enjoy and be inspired. 

We finally have some pretty pictures of the winner of our 'Win-your-Party'competition last year.  Happy birthday Princess Lenieke - hope you had a great first birthday!

When I saw the theme for this first birthday party, the song 'Wild One' immediately popped into my head.  And how appropriate!

"Gonna break it loose, gonna keep 'em movin' wild
Gonna keep a-swingin', baby, I'm a real wild child
Gonna meet all my friends, gonna have our self a ball
Gonna tell my friends, gonna tell them all that I'm a wild one
Ooh, yeah, I'm a wild one"

​Enjoy the pictures! 

​When Josh's mommy, Samantha contacted me about his 1st birthday, I was over the moon to hear the theme! Something original & fresh with a unique colour palette. I had such fun planning this party as Sam was easy going and open to any suggestions and ideas. They celebrated Josh's 1st birthday at one of my favorite venues, Willow Feather Farm in Irene. Apart from the tribal elements we added the trendy foxes, raccoons and deers onto the party packs, which all worked really well with the venue.
All in all, I'm not too sure who enjoyed the celebration more - the party planner or Josh.

Today I am sharing a beautiful Ballerina Themed birthday, styled and coordinated by Zenobia of Blue Olive Events.

I simply love all the ballerina details that Zenobia incorporated into the decor and candy table - very clever!
My favorite details?  All of it!  But especially the ballerina biscuits, cupcakes and table center pieces.

Enjoy the pictures, lovingly shot by Photo Paige.

I’m not a princess and fairytales kind of person, so naturally, I’m not a princess and fairytales kind of mum. But I make an exception for Beauty and the Beast.

How can one not love Belle and her love for books, reading, and adventure? And how can one not love a romance the grows out of friendship? And so Beauty and the Beast became the theme for Madison-Sophia’s first birthday.
​It just so happened to also be the year that the new movie was released, so hey, we would be current, if not anything else.

Today I am sharing the birthday party of 3-year old little Ivy, who is one lucky girl, because mom, Nicky, put together the most precious Enchanted Fairy Forest themed party for her.  I just love the floral elements and the crochet mushrooms are the best! 

I really have enjoyed planning my daughter Ivy’s birthday parties for the last few years… But this year has probably been my favourite. 
Firstly, because now that she is a bit bigger (she turned 3), she understands the concept of her birthday and her party so much more- there has been SO much excitement during the last few weeks, leading up to the “big day”. I am a bit of a sucker for online shopping- and every single parcel that arrived she very excitedly asked “Is that for my party!?”… Luckily, most of them were! 
​
Secondly, I absolutely loved the theme this year. We initially decided on a “fairy princess theme” – Ivy loves anything “pretend & pretty” and dressing-up is one of her absolute favourite things to do. I wanted to do a theme that would allow us to create a fantasy world for her special day, so decided to add “Enchanted Forest” to the theme. Making it her “Enchanted fairy forest party”…

I think it might be something in the water - or maybe creative souls attract creative souls, because today I am sharing the party of a friend of Mom Lisa from the Magical Unicorn Party​, Nicole, who created the cutest ice-cream themed party for her Annabel's 3rd birthday celebration.
Soon I will be featuring another one of their friends' party  - just as stunning!

An Ice Cream Parlour theme for my daughter Annabel’s 3rd birthday party, was an easy choice as she loves Ice cream, and has a sweet tooth just like her mommy:) I love birthdays and thoroughly enjoy putting together a special & memorable celebration for our special poppet. 

While I’m still able to have a say in the party theme I obviously like to go with something that Annabel will love, something that is a little different and at the same time allows room for creativity, fun, interesting decor & other elements that make it an extra special day. I loved working with the beautiful soft pastel colour palette that this theme lends itself.

Today I am sharing the most beautiful of birthday parties.  Mom Lisa wanted to create a magical world for her daughter, Charlotte's, 3rd birthday as she loves everything whimsical and make-believe.
And she completely nailed it!  Who would not love a party like this?!

Details I love?
- The Unicorn head (alice) bands are my favorite!
- The unicorn cupcakes are also very cute.
- The floral '3' used as the backdrop for the candy table is stunning!

"​The party was for my daughter Charlotte Beatrice Hunter who turned 3 years old
 
She is taken with everything magical and make believe , and so it was her choice to have a unicorn party as she is in love with My Little Ponies and so this theme was a definite for her.
I searched pinterest and most of the Unicorn parties are rainbow in colour which I definitely didn’t want as I wanted the party to be tasteful and elegant , so I went with soft pink , mint and gold as my colours and built things from there."

One of our listed party planners, Melissa of Ever After, recently celebrated a very special occasion - her little girl's second birthday.
I love this pink and gold, Minnie Mouse themed birthday celebration, because not only is it cute and fun, but also has a very sophisticated look, an unique trademark of Melissa's work.
Thank you for sharing Melissa and congratulations! 
Look out for the Minnie Mouse cake pops, too cute!

Today I am sharing a few images to give you some great ideas for a Kitty Cat-themed party.  This function was styled by party planner, Bunting & Blossoms, based in Pretoria. 
Once again, I just love their attention to detail!
​Enjoy!

Today I am sharing with you this very fun and very 'so-hot-right-now' 8th Birthday party by Outlandish Events.

Details I love?
~ The customisation of the goodies on the dessert table, attention to detail!
~  The chocolate detail on the desserts.

While browsing Instagram over December I came across this beautiful pink and gold first birthday party styled by The Polka Dot Company based in Durban.

From party planner Nicky, owner of The Polka Dot Company:  
This was a first birthday party setup for twins. The client wanted a glittery gold & pink setup with lots of glitter detail. We immediately got to work. The setup included lots of handmade items such as tissue tassels, paper fans & glittery gold glass jars that we used to display flowers. Our candy cart with pink & white striped canopy was also used to display jars of candy  and personalised glass bottles with paper straw and mini juice dispensers. The candy/dessert table included cupcakes, cakepops, macarons & themed cookies together with jars of marshmallows & sweets to tie in with the theme. The kids table & chair setting included lots of detail such as glitter confetti  on the table and each chair was finished off with a cute little tutu.

Suppliers:
Venue – Durban Country Club
Birthday cakes – Durban Cake Company
Planning, styling, stationery & décor –The Polkadot Company

I love Dr. Seuss.  The quotes always puts a smile on my face and lifts my spirit.  So what better way to  start the week that with this cute Dr. Seuss themed birthday party?

The decor was done primarily in the shades of red, white and blue seen in most of the dr.seuss books and illustrations. The candy on the candy table was labelled using character names and nonsensical words from different stories. Different Dr Seuss books were given as party favours and the kids could help themselves to the different candies. The theme was gender neutral and fun so both boys and girls could enjoy the food and favours and had prior reference to the theme. Dr Seuss stories have wonderful, encouraging messages for the children reading them- like the one included on top of the cake decorated with Truffula Trees, One Fish, Two Fish and The Cat in the Hat.

Details I love?
- That Dr. Seuss is such a great unisex theme
- The Truffula trees in the cake
- That each child received a Dr. Seuss book as their guest favor!

Thank you so much to Karin from Karin Meiring Photography for sharing this lovely party.

Suppliers: 
Venue:  Kinderland Party Venue 
Cake:     Popsillycles
Decor and Planning:  Mom Charlene
Photographer:  Karin Meiring Photography

Have a great week.  

Today I am sharing this beautiful celebration of Yasmeena's 11th birthday.  I apologise for some of the picture quality, but I thought it is such a perfect theme and set-up for a real girly-girl celebration.
The party was coordinated and styled by Avonette from Whimsical Parties.

Enjoy!

Suppliers:
Décor: Whimsical Parties JHB
Red carpet from : Tienkels Red Carpet HIRE
Flowers from : IMPALA FLORIST
Photography : Christo  Greyling
Cake and cupcakes from : Miss Cupcake- Bibi Aysha Ravat

Today I am sharing the owner of Crumble Cake Decandence, Nadine Botha's, party that she held for her little girl.  
It came out lovely and is full of cute decor and styling ideas.  
Thank you for sharing Nadine!

SUPPLIERS:
- Theme: Enchanted Party (Unicorns, Butterflies, etc.)
- Colour Scheme: Cerise Pink, Light Pink, Shades of Green
- Cake and Cake Table: Nadine Botha from Crumble Cake Decadence
- Meringues: Cecilia from Sugar & Eggs
- Decor: Nadine Botha from Crumble Cake Decadence
- Glass Bottles: Marene Theron from M&M Creations
- Plastic Grass (Runners & Underplates): China Mall Centurion
- Plastic/Material Flowers: China Mall Centurion
- Bunting Backdrop: China Mall Centurion
- Other decor: Paper plates, serviettes, wooden cutlery, paper straws, outfit, ribbons, etc. from China Mall Centurion
- Entertainment & Tables and Chairs: Soft Play from Udu Spot Eldoraign
- Photographer: Lilly Leigh Photography

Frozen - I am sure we all agree - is almost on every little girl's lips when when mom asks what theme she would like for her Birthday.
I have been amazed by the detail and creativity of moms and planners alike.
This one, however, has snow!  Enjoy the pictures.
Party Planner:  Bunting and Blossoms