Another year has passed (rather quickly I might add) and my daughter is 5 years old! I still can't believe that I don't have any more littles running around the house anymore. It is always bittersweet (I am sure all moms can relate)....I love watching her grow and her personality develop, but at the same time I miss her being a little cuddlebug. But my husband and I are so blessed to be able to celebrate her every year!
This past year my daughter, Ava, has become a huge fan of My Little Pony. Almost a year ago she planned what kind of party she wanted for her 5th birthday....My Little Pony of course and so I went to work planning the perfect party!
When brainstorming the aesthetic of the party, I knew I didn't want the traditional My Little Pony party....it was just a little too colorful. I knew I wanted to limit the overall color palette so that the ponies would stand out a little more. So I decided on a shabby chic style party mixed with My Little Pony and the results couldn't have made me more happy....and Ava was even happier!
The overall color palette consisted of light pink, aqua/turquoise, white, and accents of natural burlap/jute/kraft paper. I love creating a shabby chic look as it is so easy to re-purpose many things and nothing has to be absolutely perfect....the imperfections add so much character! One of the highlights to my table this year was my backdrop. I created a "ripped" fabric banner...well, I didn't actually rip the fabric, I just cut strips, but ultimately the results are the same. I think the banner really made the look of the table exude shabby chic.
Instead of using fake flowers, I wanted to use sweets to fill the table with greenery (since it is a dessert table of course). So I created cake pops to take the place of plants. I used green sprinkles and topped them with white daisy flower candies. I still wanted to add My Little Pony characters here and there, but not overwhelm the table, so I included Pez dispensers that I found, as well as my daughters toys. I even found a Pinkie Pie Piñata (though in hindsight, beating a pony wasn't the best idea I have ever had)!
To amp up the backdrop with the My Little Pony Theme, I designed an image that I framed in a beautifully ornate frame that I found at Ikea. I thought this helped keep with the shabby chic theme with holding true to the My Little Pony theme (without the image, the My Little Pony part would have gotten lost).
I always love using the age as a feature to the table. This year she turned 5, so I used number five cookie cutters. I also wanted to represent the main ponies in the sweets I served, so for the cookies I represented Rainbow Dash. Since she is as colorful as a rainbow, I used flowers to symbolize the rainbow. For my cupcakes, I represented, Fluttershy, whose cutie mark is a pink butterfly. (If you are wondering what a cutie mark is, let me fill you in....it is a picture-like symbol located on the pony's flank or haunch that is related to the pony's personality or talent).
Pinkie Pie (my favorite pony because of her affinity for parties) was illustrated using blue and yellow chocolate covered Oreo balloons (her cutie mark symbols of course). The pony, Apple Jack, could be depicted in many ways....plain old apples would suffice as that is her cutie mark, but I decided to go with the most delicious mini apple pies that my best friend makes!
The pony, Rarity, is my daughter's favorite pony, therefore her cake was more than symbolic of the pony....I actually put Rarity right on top!
Twilight Sparkle is a pink and purple pony, so I found My Little Pony suckers at the candy store and used them for the table to depict that particular pony.
Each child needed to have their own bag to fill up with all of the goodies and the candy they would take from the piñata. I used plain old kraft bags and adorned them with pretty pink doilies and printables from the collection I designed. Simple but pretty!
I wanted my centerpieces to scream shabby chic, so I found pale pink artificial peonies and white daisies and placed them into mason jars that I spray painted white and sanded to look distressed. Then I put them on a metal box wrapped with a white doily and draped it with fake pearl strands.
Like I said before, my daughter's toys made the best additions to the decor! I also love to include my daughter's photographs to show how much she has grown. So I placed photos as well as printable designs in simple and inexpensive 4x6 frames that I get at Ikea. (Tip: these frames can be spray painted any color to go with your color scheme....I use white because it is easy and typically matches everything, but sometimes I like to make the frames pop with a particular color).
Paper pennant banners from the printable collection I designed just look festive all around the house.
You know you made more than enough goodies when they start infiltrating other parts of the house!
I love the look of paper straws with flags in cups or glasses. Just another opportunity to create a very fun and festive look.
I am absolutely obsessed with drink dispensers.....I think I have like 3 different kinds, but I am always eyeing more....I may have a problem, similar to my love for cake and cupcake stands. This year I served Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie lemonade in a dual dispenser stand....who would have guessed that the kids would gravitate to the pink and the adults would like the regular lemonade....I did!
My daughter is not shy in front of the camera, in fact, I think she loves the camera. So getting photos of the birthday girl is always an easy feat!
Her favorite part of the photo shoot was when Princess Celestia (from
Candies' Characters) showed up!
Princess Celestia painted the kids faces with cutie marks....and the birthday girl even got her nails painted!
But the ultimate surprise was when the real Rainbow Dash Pony showed up for pony rides!
So what kid doesn't love beating a piñata until candy comes out....but poor Pinkie Pie!
Blowing out the candle is always fun....I hope all my baby girl's wishes come true!
Happy 5th Birthday sweet girl, words just can't express how much Mommy, Daddy, and Jake love you!
A special thanks to Grandma & Grandpa, Gabby, Aunt Kathy, and Missy for all of your help!
