Hey Little Birdie | Shopping Blog

Pretty little cupcake papers in a rainbow of colors.

All found at the irresistible Esty shop, Sweet Estelle’s. You’ll also find the most adorable baking supplies you never knew you needed- until now. I might have to devote a entire kitchen cabinet just to this shop. And I hope it inspires you to take a step towards developing your baking skills too! In the coming months, I’ll devote some of my posts to get you started on the basics of home baking, including my favorite foolproof recipes, essential tools and fun ideas. Pretty soon you’ll be whipping up cake pops for your child’s next birthday party and homemade brownies for a neighborhood potluck with ease!

Hi dearest readers! Head on over to one of my favorite home/design/children’s blogs Ohdeedoh today to see Claire’s lemonade birthday party featured.

If you’ve never browsed through Ohdeedoh before, their site is overflowing with inspiration for nurseries, kids products, tips, tricks, you name it! I am a daily reader and constantly discover new things through them and their amazing contributors. A regular feature is called My Party, and it never ceases to amaze me how many creative parents are out there! Hope you enjoy the pictures and info on Claire’s special day. Thanks Ohdeedoh!

My daughter Claire’s party has come and gone but I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to show you how you can make unique, personalized invites for your next celebration. I was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers and party planner extraordinaire, Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day! Awhile back, she made this baby shower invitation:

Since the theme of Claire’s party was all about lemons and lemonade, I wanted to play off her creative genius by using lemonheads as well. While I couldn’t find the right kraft boxes anywhere like she used (and didn’t want to spend the money to order them in bulk), I was beyond excited to find the most delightful yellow and white polka dot tins during a recent Michael’s trip. And they were only a little over $1 each, making this craft super affordable! I also do not have her print and design making prowess- so I used some bright yellow cardstock, attached a simple printed white sheet on top with all the party info, and then just used a rounded corner punch to fit the tins perfectly. Then, I placed all of it inside the tins on top of a layer of lemonhead candy.

Instead of sealing it with a label like Jordan did, I tied a slim ribbon and attached a tag from Martha Stewart on the outside. Although I didn’t have to mail any of the tins (Claire’s party was small- just immediate family and local, close friends) it wouldn’t be too difficult to stick it inside a mailing envelope for long distance delivery.

I also can see a million ways you could make small changes to this invite for a different themed celebration! Use vintage tins or small boxes, metal tins, glittered boxes or brightly colored kraft boxes as holders. Fill them with sequins, magnets, jelly beans, mini jingle bells, coffee beans, a sachet of bath salts, bags of tea- I could go on and on! Then just make your own little info card on your computer, decide on a label or tag and you would have a one-of-a-kind invitation for your special event. Happy crafting!

(One last pic of them taken by my good friend (and Jina’s hubby!) Mike. Doesn’t everything look prettier through a photographer’s lens?)

So I think I’ve fallen in love with the store Paper Source, and since they aren’t in Arizona (fingers crossed that maybe someday they will be), I have to explore their options strictly online. But don’t worry, I have already started shopping. Some of my favs are…

…These 2 calendars…

The first one can be re-used as a file folder or pillow box. Thanks to the templates printed on the back. The second has quotes, which I am always a sucker for.

Sticker Frames

Floral Garland Kit

…And some of the best wrapping paper I’ve ever seen… which could totally be used in traditional or non-traditional ways, including lining simple white frames or a tray you picked up at your last thrift store excursion.

Happy Shopping!

Love party planning and DIY? Then why aren’t we best friends? Those rank extremely high on my Nicky’s favorites list (slightly behind espresso and cupcakes but you know how it is with priorities!) Anyway, now that we have that established, get ready to jump up and shout for a new website, Hip Hip Hooray!

I got the scoop from a blogger I admire, Jordan Ferney (she is a contributor to the new site) and I have already bookmarked it as a must read. I like that they are focusing on creativity and style when it comes to childrens’ parties because lets be honest… there is a lot of cheeseballness (new word) out there. Plus, they keep affordability in mind which is always welcome! There are only a few posts since they are just starting out, but trust me- you will already like what you see. I cannot wait for more party planning inspiration to drop in the coming months!

I love baking more than many things on this earth. It is my ultimate stress reliever, my favorite creative outlet and my most treasured way to show others that I care. I’m also a sucker for cute displays. And in my book, nothing is sweeter than a cake stand.

I am drooling over the gorgeous cake stands from Fishs Eddy. After spotting them in a recent issue of Martha Stewart Living, I am fixated on their vintage, classic quality. I especially adore this jadeite version, it’s not a material you see commonly any longer. They also carry milk glass stands, another timeless material from days gone by. Fishs Eddy is overflowing with must have housewares that are unique, nostalgic and totally current all at the same time. It’s my new go-to shop!

My husband is a budding photographer. And so, you would think when I started obsessing over this camera way back in February, he would have been all about it for me, right? Like he would have ordered it on the spot for my birthday or our anniversary or just cuz I’m cute, but… geez, sometimes it’s like he doesn’t know me at all.

All kidding aside… isn’t this new school version of a polaroid incredible? How fun would it be for your next BBQ with friends or a Girls’ Night In or just an afternoon at the park with the kids? All those moments when on the spot prints will add to the fun of the event.

Maybe this subtle hint will help my photog husband find his credit card. I promise to take pictures of him with this gem!

So my last feature post about Claire’s “Lemons Into Lemonade” party ideas mentioned my fondness for tissue paper flowers. And since they are popping up everywhere in the blog world as a must-have party decoration, I thought I’d share the easy breezy instructions for making them yourselves. No need to lay down $20 for Martha’s expensive kit- it’s as simple as buying a package of tissue paper in your color of choice, finding a pair of scissors and deciding what you have handy to hold it all together.

Here’s what I started with: 8 sheets of tissue paper, scissors and some floral wire (you can also use string, twisty ties, a staple, whatever.)

Stack the sheets and fold them accordion style. The look will vary depending on how wide you make the folds. I made mine about 3/4 -1 inch thick for this flower.

Then secure the middle of your folded tissue by tying something around it like this:

Next, cut the ends of your paper. I chose to do a pointed end. But a curved, squared or fringed edge would look great as well and totally change the appearance of the flower. (tip: a bunch of flowers in the same shade but with varying edges would look awesome grouped together!)

Then carefully peel apart the tissue layers towards the secured center into a rounded shape. You have to be very gentle so the tissue doesn’t rip and you also want to separate the sheets as close to the middle as you can get to achieve the best look.

It might look funny at first but keep going.

Voila! Instant pretty party!

(another tip: I also make tiny tissue flowers to decorate tabletops, for favors, gift packaging, etc. The basic instructions apply just cut the tissue paper in a smaller size before folding.)

Happy crafting!

My daughter, Claire, was born with rare special needs and because she has battled through so many unimaginable things in her little life, I plan on making her birthday a big deal every year. Plus, ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you that I LOVE planning parties. This year the theme of Claire’s party is “life handed her lemons- she made lemonade.”

I have been scouring the internets for all things lemony and have found tons of ideas! First off- invites. I’m not going to do a super huge party like last year but I still adore a cute paper product. These Gwen Citrus invitations from BitsyCreations are perfect:

and every little girl needs a special dress for her special day. how cute is this one?

Lucious Lemon halter dress from JMBthreedesigns

Of course there will be tons of food. And I have to find a way to incorporate lemon in every bit of it (I am nothing if not thorough!) A hint of lemon in mini chicken salad croissants and pasta salad cups, and outright lemon flavor in the desserts. I plan on making my favorite baked goods- mini cupcakes and lemon bars. But I also will have a hard time ignoring the call to make these precious little treats:

Lemon Blossoms from Paula Deen on Food Network

Onto the decor. Here’s a few images that are inspiring me:

from Silly Bee’s Chickadees

from Lorajean’s Magazine

from Imprintables blog

So adorable, right? I’m thinking lots of yellow tissue flowers hanging from the ceiling (I’m slightly tissue flower obsessed. They are so pretty and super easy to DIY.) Also, white serving dishes and cake stands to display the food, a big glass dispenser of fresh lemonade, glass vases filled with lemons and daisies around the room, framed signs of her lemons into lemonade phrase and a “Claire” banner like the one above.

I also think a little party favor of lemonheads wrapped up in pretty packaging is very necessary.

Oh and the ultimate lemon present?

The Lemon Wedge from Pinky Bleu: a small suitcase filled with a onesie that is too sweet for words.

Your heart just melted a little, didn’t it?

So there you have it, Claire’s perfect lemon yellow party. I can’t wait to see it become reality and to celebrate my little heroine turning two!