30th Birthday Party

 The summer has been so busy I realized I never shared pictures from my 30th birthday party. I thought 30 was a big one so I wanted to throw a big party with all my friends and family. I just love throwing a big party. I think the planning and preparation is just as much fun as the event itself. I really wanted to do it outside under the stars but weather did not cooperate and we ended up having it in the house. As you know we have been working on the house for a while and it isnt’ done yet, which was one reason I wanted to try it outside, but our guests understood and they looked past some of the imperfections of the house.

When I first started planning I contemplated many different color stories. Black and white came to my head first, because it is so chic and classic. But then I thought – I love color – and you only turn 30 once so go big or go home! Orange and pink it was! I have just been loving orange and pink. It is fun and spunky.

I love layering a table to give it dimension and fun. I used scarves for a little table topper and love the added layer it provided the table. I have used scarves before (as you can see here and here).

 The big balloons were so fun. We put them on our mailbox so everyone knew where we were. For most of my friends this was the first time they came to the new house!

I made all the flowers just from picking some out at our local grocery store. My latest obsession has been to create flower arrangements in cake platters. So luckily I am a crazy person and have many cake platters so I had enough to decorate the tables with them. I also loved that we added in the old fashioned lilac flowers from my new bush in the back yard. I think they added really nice texture.

The flowering branches were also a favorite. They added such nice height to the table.

We had 30 guests for dinner, 31 including myself (which seemed fitting for the 30th birthday!). I rented tables and chairs and then based on lack of additional space we used my normal dinning table as well for some of the guests. Think of how pretty it would have been to have a long table in the back yard! Oh well that will have to wait for another party!

I think my favorite part was the fun colors, flowers, and good friends. It was a night to remember!

Forgive me on the below pictures….as always once the food was out the party started and we forgot to take nice pics!

I made a bunch of appetizers for people to nibble on right away. Cucumber sandwiches, snap pea crostini with Parmesan, shrimp kabobs, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, cheese plate, and two mini per-desserts homemade pistachio macaroons and mini lemon meringue pies.

For dinner I made baked pesto chicken, wild rice, caprese salad, and lemon vinaigrette greens. Simple and easy!

The night ended with a lemon cake with raspberry filling made by my dear friend. Wasn’t it beautiful! We had a great time!