Vintage inspired Tea Party

We celebrated Lydia's 8th birthday this weekend with a fabulous vintage inspired tea party. 

Our original plan was to hold the party in my Mother-in-Laws backyard, but with the threat of thunderstorms we moved the party back to our house and into our living room. We were all heart broken about not being outside, but had a delightful time anyway. How could you not with these cute girls surrounding you? 

The tone was set with our custom invitations, blogged about HERE. 

Once the girls arrived we split the 12 girls up into 3 groups and rotated between activities. 

Activity #1: Nail painting

My sweet sister set up the cutest nail salon. Not only did each girl chose a color and rhinestones, but also she gave them a full manicure. 

Activity #2: Fascinator Hat Making

I didn't even know that "fascinator" was the proper term for these cute headpieces until I started planning this party. 

The girls were able to pick and choose from a variety of embellishments and flowers, to create something just their style. For more info go HERE.

It was difficult for me to give them freedom to design their own but they all did a fabulous job and really enjoyed being unique. 

Activity #3: Croquet

We were so lucky that the sky cleared up after a morning of rain so that we could play croquet in the back yard. 

Many of the girls had never played before but really got into it. Lydia said this was her favorite part of the party. 

After everyone had a chance to do all three activities was finally sat down for tea and lunch. 

One of my favorite parts was to just listen to the girls talk and laugh as they enjoyed each other. 

I love the little pinky sticking out, such proper etiquette.

I made up menu's that matched the invites. My mother was the server in charge of food orders and my mother-in-law handled all the drink orders.

My sister loaded the herbal tea with sugar so they would all really enjoy it.

After the second course we gathered around the sweets table and sang Happy Birthday.

Then the girls were able to pick and choose what ever treats they wanted.
I spent three days in the kitchen baking everything myself.

The sweets included:
Mini cupcakes, cream puffs, two types of sugar cookies, cake balls, mini tarts, meringues, and Lydia's cake. I'll share recipes later this week. 

I loved the vintage lace cookies. So pretty.

We were scrambling to make decor once we decided to move the party indoors. I printed a few banners and luckily had some bunting from my brothers wedding. 

the favors

It was a lot of work, but hopefully it will be a fond memory for the rest of her life. 

I'm linking to THESE parties, Get your craft on, Home Stories A to Z and Made by you Mondays

Hunger Games

I have million things I should be doing today. Instead I made a couple dozen of these cookies for a Hunger Games party tonight. Have you read the books? The final book comes out tomorrow.

Don't be impressed with my piping skills. I cheated. I printed a picture and placed it under parchment paper.

I piped the mocking jays with royal icing and let them dry for and hour or two.

Once they hardened I pealed the off the paper.

They were fragile but I could pick them up and place them on the cookies.

I love this idea because I prefer a buttercream frosting over all royal icing. Now I can have a pretty picture and still have buttercream.

I need to get to work again so I can waste more time reading Mocking Jay tomorrow.