.blackboard themed graduation party.

OVERVIEW

So proud to say that my youngest brother finally graduated from medical school!  Of course, this called for a celebration.  A celebration to tell him how proud we are of him, and so that he can celebrate with his family and friends that were with him throughout the way.

My sister and I decided that a blackboard theme for this party would be appropriate.  We wanted to use wood, blackboard, and go with black and white color theme.  The invitations we sent out were "prescription" invitations (thanks pinterest for the idea).

DECORS, FOOD & FAVORS

To go along with the theme of blackboard, we hang blackboard signs on the doors, and had a blackboard sign at the entrance.  The centerpieces were planter boxes with faux grass on top of stacked books.  We used blackboard paper sheets as table runners that also served as a "message board".  Guests were asked to write messages on the table runners for the graduate.

We carried out the theme on the dessert table by using blackboard tags for the dessert labels.  Such table consisted mainly of chocolates and coffee flavored treats, as well as a few Filipino desserts.  The thought that the cake should look like stacked books of the courses that he took.  The main food table consisted of the Filipino roasted pig or "lechon" (can't have a filipino party without it, I guess).  And for the first time, we actually set up a "21 and over drink station" table, in addition to our non-alcoholic drink station.

For the party favors, the guests took home "prescription" bottles, which were actually mike ike candies.  They also took home "pill" pens, which were a hit with the nurses that showed up at the party.

VENDORS

photography by flipartimages

cake by jessica's cupcakes and more

pill pen favors from amazon

planter boxes from woodzproducts

water labels printed by mb graphics

rentals from party boutique rentals

.hotwheels themed party.

OVERVIEW

My nephew wanted a hot wheels themed party for his 4th birthday.  Brainstorming for ideas wasn't too too hard, because of pinterest, and other blogs from great mommies or party planners out there.  My sister and her husband decided that they wanted the birthday held at party place this time, with all the moon jumps or inflatables that kids of every age (yes, even the daddies) can enjoy.

The themed was set starting with the invitations.  We sent out "driver's license" invitations, complete with the birthday boy's picture, and the party information.

DECOR, FOOD & FAVORS

For the centerpieces, we had mini trophies and balloons, and table length hot wheels track set up.  We also had little cars on the tracks.  It was actually a hit with the adults and kids at the party.  We also set up different race car driver stations, such as the pit stop station, and the refueling station.  Of course, we can't have a party without a "pit stop"/dessert table.  The cake was made by one of our go-to person.  She did such an awesome job.  The cake really turned out the way my sister had asked for.  The cupcakes were complete with the theme colors frosting, and hot wheels toppers.  We also made brownies to look like traffic lights.  The refueling station had water, soda, juices, and snacks for the everyone to enjoy after running around and playing at the inflatables area.  The main food table, of course, had filipino dishes.

As for party favors, my sister bought little race flag burlap bags, and filled it with the usual goodies.

VENDORS

photography by flipartimages

cake by jessica's cupcakes and more

.happy birthday Bella.

.hello kitty sweet shoppe themed party.

OVERVIEW

Oh how time flies!  My little girl already turned 3 a couple of weeks ago.  She had always loved Hello Kitty.  So after her bear themed 1st birthday, and raindrops and puddles 2nd birthday, I finally gave her a Hello Kitty party for her 3rd birthday.  This, I didn't mind at all.  I love Hello Kitty myself.  Planning this party, I couldn't help reminiscing when I used to collect all these sanrio stuff back when I was in middle school.

There are so many Hello Kitty party ideas online, and so planning this party wasn't hard at all.  Finding things to use for the party wasn't hard as well because it seems like everywhere I turn whenever I go shopping, I see something with Hello Kitty.  But, of course, I still wanted to DIY some things for the party to make it a little more special for my little girl.

I made red and pink jacket (pochette) invitations for the party to give the guests an idea of the color theme.  I also glued a Hello Kitty card on the invitation jacket (pochette).  The main invitation card is designed by paper glitter from etsy, whose blog gave me a lot of ideas for a Hello Kitty sweet shoppe themed party as well.

DECOR, FOOD & FAVORS

The party was held at our home again this year.  We were so lucky to get such beautiful weather in January down here in South Texas.  The temperature was just perfect to have a Hello Kitty moon jump, cotton candy and popcorn machines, even tables and chairs set up in our courtyard.  We set up tables with pink linens and white garden chairs, and used Hello Kitty coloring paper rolls as table runners.  For centerpieces, we had hello kitty piggy banks set up with hydrangea flowers in small vases.  A children's table was also set up, where I put more Hello Kitty coloring paper rolls and some colored pens and crayons and stickers for the kids to enjoy.

For the dessert table set-up, I decided to put up a ribbon backdrop, and placed a couple of vases with cherry blossom branches on the table.  The birthday cake was made by a wonderful cake vendor who also made our wedding cake more than 4 years ago.  She was just wonderful for making such a beautiful cake on such short notice.  I loved how she made the pink ombre color and the rosettes of the cake perfectly.  I placed a Hello Kitty topper and a cake flag.  Of course, a dessert table is never complete without the sweet desserts!  My sister-in-law helped me so much in making the cake pops.  We also had cupcakes, candies, mostachons, and other Filipino desserts.  The dessert labels were made to look like a silhouette of Hello Kitty's head.  For the framed signs, I made it to look like Hello Kitty peeking and saying "Hello."

The main food table consisted of a number of Filipino dishes, a few of which my mother-in-law and mom made themselves, and of course, the lechon :)  This year, I also decided to set up a small chocolate fountain, which was a hit.  Not only did the guests enjoyed the fruits, but they loved it even more dipped in chocolate.

I also made Hello Kitty ears with red bows for the girls to wear instead of party hats.  The guests took home Hello Kitty mini lunch boxes.  My wonderful husband made a little awning for the favors.  It came out perfectly.

ACTIVITIES

The guests got to take their pictures with a Photo Booth by instant memento, which also served as the guest book for the party.  We had a face painter and a balloon twister, which the kids really loved.  As every kids party I've been to, the moon jump was a hit.

VENDORS

• photography by flipartimages
• cake:  Cynthia's Cakes
• invitation & sweet shoppe printables:  paper glitter
• party favors:  party city
• kawaii cookies and chocolate dips:  asianfoodgrocer
• photo booth: instant memento
• face painting and balloon art:  a royal celebration

.hawaiian themed invitation.

I had the pleasure to design or make my mother-in-law's 60 birthday celebration invitations last year. She wanted a Hawaiian themed party, and so, I decided to incorporate the theme in the invitation.  I used some hawaiian themed fonts, and used kraft paper as a backing for the invitation, and wrapped the invitation with hibiscus designed craft paper.

.rustic and vintage themed party.

OVERVIEW

My sister and I decided to do something special for our mom's 57th birthday, which happened to be our parents' 35th wedding anniversary as well.  We managed to put the party together with the help of our brothers and our husbands, of course.  And we were so grateful for everyone who showed up to share such a special day, and our parents' reaction was priceless.  It was just wonderful, and definitely worth all the work planning and putting the party together.  This is actually a late post.  I should've posted this almost a year ago :)

Anyways, we thought a rustic and vintage themed party would be appropriate and just beautiful.  We love how soft laces are and how beautiful they look, and mixing it with some roughness details of rustic elements, such as wood or logs, would be just perfect.  To set the tone and theme of the party, we sent out simple invitations printed on kraft paper, and the invitation wordings in a typewriter font.

DECOR, FOOD & FAVORS

We wanted a simple sit-down dinner and a little bit of dancing after.  So, we decided to hold the party at a nearby hotel's ballroom.  We had round tables with white linens and burlap table runners, and white wooden chairs set up.  A dance floor can be found in the center of the ballroom as well.  For the centerpieces, we had treated cut-up logs, and mason jars.  We used baby's breaths and hydrangea flowers because of how soft they look.  We also used laces and burlaps to add details on the centerpieces.

We also incorporated the color scheme and theme in the dessert table, the main food table, and the drink station, and the favor table.  For the dessert table, we had a few candies and some of my mom's favorite Filipino desserts.  We placed the cake on a log cake stand, and also placed a vintage suitcase and more burlap table runners to add details.  The main food table had Filipino dishes, fruits, and of course, the lechon.  We also set up mason jar beverage dispensers and mason jar mugs for the drink station.

The guests took home small potted succulents wrapped in burlap, which we set up on a table with a vintage suitcase and more cut up logs and mason jars.

VENDORS

• venue Hampton Inn & Suites
• photography by flipartimages
• cake:  jessica's cupcakes and more