Birthday Tea Party-She turned Five

Birthday Girl

So she is officially 5 years old and loving it.  The party was a success and not as stressful as birthday parties in the past.  This was a first for me.  When I asked her what type of party she wanted, there was no hesitation. An English Tea Party was the first and only idea she had.










So that was it, the next part was to see how many kids we would invite.  We decided that a sit down tea party would be best and to use my vintage china (my past thrift store finds).  At that point, I decided we could have a total of eight girls, my daughter and seven friends.

Waiting for the guests

Are they here yet?

We started our party preparations with the invitations.  I found a large selection of free printable birthday party invitations online.  She picked out her favorite and we printed them out.  The next day she handed them out to her friends.  You can find free invitations by googling, free printable birthday invitations.  This is a great way to save money!

My daughter and I had fun making the party gifts for her friends.  She wanted to have a coloring book based on the tea theme.  So I went and searched google for free printable coloring pages and made a coloring book.  We also made crayons to go with.  For me this was so much fun to do with her and she was proud of the gifts she made for her friends.   She also handed out thank you pictures to her friends.

For her guests

Her beautiful flowers

I then chose to host the party at home and use my vintage china and ribbons for the table.  This was to keep costs down and gave the party a more personalized feel.  The only thing we bought were flowers for the table, and with great luck they were on sale.  She kept them later and smelled them daily.

Vintage style

The menu was kept simple and kid friendly.  I made mini fruit kabobs (berries on a toothpick), for a healthy treat and to add color to the table.  I then made mini open faced turkey and cheese sandwiches and closed egg salad sandwiches.  Individual dried cherry and cranberry fruit cups were next to each place setting.  Then for sweets we served mini lemon poppy seed scones.

Finally, instead of a cake, I made a tower of birthday cupcakes with piped pastel frosting flowers.

When we asked her what she wanted for her birthday from mom and dad, she decided on an "experience," instead of a present.  Wow, how grown up.  So my husband suggested a face painter come to the party as the "experience".  The neighborhood had hired a lady to do face painting for the 4th of July event.  My daughter had loved it and we were impressed at the quality of work.  The hardest part was keeping it a surprise.

When my husband told her she was sooooo happy.  The face painter was a big hit at the party.  My daughter loved it and so did her friends. (I will write a blog about the wonderful face painter.)

The table was beautiful and the party was fantastic.  My daughter said she felt so elegant, like a princess.  This is when she melted our heart.  There is simply nothing sweeter.  This was such a fun party to plan and we are already thinking of next years!

Feature of the Week-Vintage Lace

I am not a frilly person, but I have a slight girly girly side to me.  I was drawn to these following items because of their beauty.  Yes they are frilly, but also have a classic romance to them.  What are they?  Vintage lace, what else!
Vintage lace seems to have a lasting quality and charm.  You can dress anything up using lace.  Add to curtains, a piece of clothing, lampshade or anything else.  The selection below comes from my shop, White Pelican Boutique.  Any additional information, including measurements and additional pictures are at the Etsy shop, White Pelican Boutique! Click on http://www.etsy.com/shop/whitepelicanboutique to purchase!

White Pelican Boutique

White Pelican Boutique

White Pelican Boutique

White Pelican Boutique

 

Wonderful Etsy Shop-Never too Old

There is a fantastic shop that you need to check out.  Never too Old is a Etsy shop that specializes in vintage gems.  There are several things that caught my eye that I want to share with you.  The first three are fantastic salvage pieces.  The first two are perfect for restoring a vintage bathroom or to create a vintage bathroom.

 NeverTooOld

NeverTooOld

NeverTooOld

However, the next item I personally love because I had the Charlie Brown puzzle as a kid.  In fact, I still have it and both my kids used this puzzle when they were younger.  So I can say with certainty that this is a wonderful find.  There are five puzzles that are being sold as a set.  Even better.  Here are a few pictures of the set. You have to get it while it lasts, because his items sell quickly!!!!!

NeverTooOld

NeverTooOld

NeverTooOld

Happy Shopping!!!  Your going to love NeverTooOld at Etsy.  Just click on http://www.etsy.com/shop/NeverTooOld

Feature of the Week-Enamel Dishes

Want vintage in your life, then vintage enamel is the way to go.  These pieces are so versatile in everyday use, decor, planters or to hold the everyday items.  Enamel is timeless and very classic, you simply can not go wrong.
Are you the eco chic type?  Well, then look no further.  Enamel is both eco, green and very chic.  The mugs are perfect to hold your pencils or have a drink from.  The bowls are useful for their intended purpose or even as a planter.  Plates for your meals or use to hold your miscellaneous items.  They are both functional and hold endless vintage character.

White Pelican Boutique

White Pelican Boutique

White Pelican Boutique

White Pelican Boutique

White Pelican Boutique

White Pelican Boutique

Nothing beats the look and durability of enamel.  So go ahead and add these pieces to your decor.

Feature of the Week-Vintage China

This feature of the week is about the beauty and versatility of vintage china.  There is so many benefits to using vintage china either for special occasions or everyday.  There is the obvious, how beautiful they are and the detail that you do not find anymore. 

White Pelican Boutique

The fact that they often have some flaws, not only gives them character, but if you add another, it isn't the end of the world.  Another chip or scratch goes with the rest of the flaws.  I personally love to mix and match my pieces.  This way you are not limited to just one pattern or style.  This is easy to do with vintage and actually looks better than a "perfect set". 

White Pelican Boutique

  

Another advantage to this is when, it always happens, something breaks, it is easier and cheaper to replace.  You do not have to then search and pay a high price for that replacement piece.  

White Pelican Boutique

At our house the kids like to actually set the table when they get to pick out which plate they want.  The table looks beautiful and unique.  We use the plates and other items on the back deck in the garden, no plastic in this house.   

White Pelican Boutique

Vintage china is also more affordable and of better quality.  You can start with a small collection and add as you see a piece or two.  In this economy you want to get good quality for a fair price. Vintage china gives you that and a beautiful table setting in return.  

White Pelican Boutique

It does not matter if you are having a cup of tea, pasta, salad or even a hot dog.  Everything tastes better on china.  Also knowing you didn't pay a fortune for it, always helps.   

White Pelican Boutique