Pink & Grey Striped Birthday Party

Mindy recently shared her daughter Mia’s 2nd birthday party. She has loads of fabulous ideas…inexpensive decorating tips, easy/delicious recipes, etc. So so creative….

When brainstorming 2nd birthday party ideas for my daughter, this design from Social Butterfly Ink’s Spa Party kept coming to mind. To make Mia’s birthday party theme unique to her, I incorporated her (stuffed animal) friends.  For the invitation, Marissa did an amazing job recreating Mia’s friends and capturing the essence of the soft pink, grey and white striped birthday party I wanted!

I kept the food and decor simple since the play café had a lot going on already. My theme was clearly pink and grey stripes, balloons and Mia’s stuffed animals. It only takes a few design elements to pull an event together. Seriously, the party was decorated for $60!

(continue reading for all of the details/links to this party & a lot more pics!)

These were the basic elements to Mia’s party, which could be slightly altered to create a Sweet Shoppe, Vintage, Spa or even Circus party:

1. Striped Paper & Large Scallop Punch – The striped paper you see throughout is a FREE pattern from Sprik Space that I printed or used in picnik.com to design coordinating thank you tags, food and drink labels and a banner.
2. Mia’s Stuffed Animals – Marissa did an amazing job customizing the invite as didKat on the cake!  I took a picture of Mia’s animal friends and used this tutorial from Centsational Girl to make a customized coloring sheet.
3. Striped Washi Tape and Baker’s Twine – simple way to add color and continue the striped theme.
4. Balloons – Seen on the invite and used at the food, gift and favor tables.

Just like my décor, I kept the food simple. All the food (I made most of it – the day before) and drink to feed 45 people cost ~ $100 (not including the cake).

1. Ham and Cheese Sandwiches - To make DIY flags: add washi tape to toothpicks. Cut triangle from end to make a flag.
2. Pasta Salad - Not pictured, but recipe here.
3. Fresh Fruit Cups – Tape appetizer forks (from Party City) to cups with washi tape.
4.  Garrett’s Popcorn - Tutorial for the DIY popcorn cones and display can be found here.
5. M&M Cookies - Here’s the recipe. It’s my go-to cookie.
6. Cake from Sweet Kat’s Creations
7. Home Made Thin Mints - You MUST make these. It’s my new go-to cookie recipe. Seriously, you’ll never want a Girl Scout cookie again. Note: I used Andes chocolates because I can’t find the baking chips.
8. Party Favors – treat bags from Pick Your Plum with pink and white frosted animal cookies (from the grocery store).

Vendors:
Party Styling, Crafting, Food and Photography: a {day} with lil mama stuart
Venue - Family Grounds Café
Free Striped Pattern Design - Sprik Space
Striped Straws and Washi Tape – Shop Sweet Lulu
Treat Bags and Baker’s Twine - Pick Your Plum
Custom Invitation – Marissa DeLeon
Custom Cake – Sweet Kat’s Creations