Pinwheel Party! {First Birthday Celebration for Twins}

It’s no small feat, but Jennifer created a super fun First Birthday Pinwheel Party for her adorable twins: Cason & Avery. As if having twins isn’t enough of a challenge, take a whirl at planning a boy/girl twins first birthday party! I love how Jennifer was able to incorporate gender neutral pinwheel elements throughout her party, but still convey a very personal feel.

PARTY HIGHLIGHTS to look out for:

– Color coordinating and matching outfits for the birthday girl and boy

– Detailed pinwheel cookies on a stick

– DIY Bubbles courtesy of HWTM

– Simple, yet sweet Pinwheel Girl and Boy Cake Smash Cakes

– Stylish Pinwheel Party Printables in gender neutral colors perfect for anyone

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PARTY DETAILS, as told by Jennifer . . .
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I initially had trouble finding inspiration for a boy/girl twins party. Outside of the typical Dr. Seuss “Thing 1 and Thing 2″ theme, there really wasn’t much out there that featured unique ideas for boy/girl twins’ first birthdays. I decided I would aim at trying to find something that was gender neutral that I could incorporate both a boy and girl color scheme. For some reason a pinwheel theme stood out, maybe because their birthday is in May and it creates a summer feel or maybe just because there is SO much you can do with it!

Jessica, from Modern Moments Designs, was helping me with my four year old’s Rockstar Party at the time; when I emailed her my idea she loved it and I was sold! I struggled at first with the color palette because I wanted something different from the basic pastel and primary colors. When searching for ideas most invitations and party packages favor one gender which makes it so tough! Jessica and I decided to use the outfit that my daughter Avery would be wearing to the party as inspiration. We pulled the coral, the dark blue, lime green and added a touch of light blue and light pink to make up our Pinwheel Party Palette!! This is what I LOVED about this party; it brought in a touch of girl but completely worked for a boy too!!

At this point in time I left the designing up to her and I started coordinating with other vendors to help make Cason and Avery’s first birthday so special. Everyone I worked with did an incredible job at taking our color palette and creating such amazing details that made this party stand out!

Here’s a BIG thanks to all the vendors that helped make our twins first birthday so memorable! Thank y’all!!

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VENDOR CREDITS & RESOURCES

– Invitations, Straw Flags, Thank You Tags and Candy Bag Labels: Modern Moments Designs
– Pinwheels, Pinwheel Cupcake Toppers, Cupcake Liners: Shana at Pinwhirls
– Pinwheel Cookies: Renee at Bee Knees Creative
– Fondant Pinwheels: Charynn from Two Sugar Babies
– Stripey Straws and Favor Bags: Shop Sweet Lulu
– Tissue Poms: Sweet and Savvy Designs
– Bubbles: DIY Tutorial from HWTM
– Photography: Amanda Green Photography

courtesy of HWTM

Creative Kiss Wedding Ideas

Ceremony Marker

A ceremony marker this X-cellent demands an embrace this thrilling. Frazier & Wing made the mobile shown here and also accepts custom requests (all you have to do is dream up something breathtaking). The details: Mobiles by Frazier & Wing. Modern Trousseau "Wallis" gown. De Beers earrings and ring. Valentino "Garavani Couture" shoes. J. Lindeberg "Nixon" suit jacket, 212-625-9403. Nautica tie. Kwiat platinum band.

Wedding Invitations

This modern suite was designed by art director Daniel Biasatti. Love it? Just send our clip art to a stationer, and let them handle the rest. The details: ForYourParty.com matchboxes. Printing and embossing by Print Icon.

Download Our Clip Art and Make This Stationery

Playful Place Cards

For a unique way to assign seats, give guests a large, wedding-white version of Hershey's namesake treat. Have your caterer pour tempered chocolate into molds (we like the Baker's Nook candy mold #7696); once set, remove from mold, place each on white tissue, add a name flag, and twist to seal.

Flowers provided by Harvest Wholesale.

Photo Booth

There are endless ways to display affection. Have your guests demonstrate their favorite smooching styles in a photo-slash-kissing booth. Provide a Polaroid camera so that they can immediately slip their photos into an album -- and you get an instant guest book. The details: The Impossible Project New Polaroid film.

XO Cake Details

Colorful royal icing Xs and Os can be served with each slide.

Signature Cocktails

Old-school drinks that fit into the party's blushing palette (from far left): a virgin cherry limeade, a raspberry martini, and a sweet Negroni. Set them on custom-printed napkins with a lip logo.

Kiss Confetti

Why not coordinate your toss with your wedding's theme? X-Streamers.com custom-made our colorful lip-shaped confetti.

Marshmallow Kiss Wedding Favors

Marshmallow kisses plus butter cookies equals pure delight. Wrap up a trio in Glerup-Revere clear boxes T109.

Make These Marshmallow Kisses

Confetti Toss

Have them send you on your married way with a flutter of air kisses. The details: Monique Lhuillier "Maya" gown. De Beers earrings. Badgley Mischka pumps, zappos.com. Kirk Kara platinum ring.

Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Real Weddings

Destination Wedding: Gracia and Dan, Miami

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Nearly the second Brooklyn natives Gracia Walker and Daniel Dickson got engaged, they booked The Raleigh Hotel, a Miami landmark where they'd stayed on their very first trip together. Inspired by the property's Baroque-style pool, they created punchy black-and-white patterns, borders, and emblems for everything from the invitations to cushions for the alfresco reception.

On April 16, 2011, guests gathered in the balmy Florida air to watch the radiant couple tie the knot and celebrate with delicious fare and dancing under palm trees.

The Invitations

Daniel, a TV art director and graphic designer, relied on both his heart and his designer's eye for the invitations. With the flourished lettering, he aimed to capture the couple's bold style and shared sense of fun. He also included a typeface used in the work of one of their favorite artists, Lawrence Weiner. "I love how it turned out -- masculine, but romantic," says Gracia.

The Bridal Party

Gracia, in a Bottega Veneta gown, and her bridesmaids, clad in LBDs of their choosing, squeezed in for a pretty portrait. "I wanted them to feel comfortable and be able to wear their dresses again," says Gracia.

Groomsmen (and Woman)

Several guys and one very stylish gal made up the groom's party. The groomswoman is "famous for wearing jumpsuits," says Gracia, and true to form, she rocked a tuxedo-style design for the big event.

Wedding Party Gifts

Members of the wedding party received personalized note cards and monogrammed handkerchiefs from Ful Studio.

The Ceremony

The huppa's bamboo poles and sea-grape foliage fit seamlessly into the setting. Candles atop glass columns filled with monstera leaves flanked the aisle.

Flower Girl Bouquets

Paper blossoms bound with ribbon comprised the flower girls' sweet bouquets.

Welcome Bag

Guests' goody bags were filled with toiletries and a beloved children's book. Daniel contributed postcards, too, which everyone mailed back to the newlyweds.

Sources

Location and Catering: The Raleigh Hotel

Event Planning: Alexandra Kovach of Alexandra & Company

Event Design, Production, and Flowers: E Squared Concepts

Stationery: Daniel Dickson (graphic design); Cranky Pressman (letterpressing and printing); Paper Source (program envelopes and tags)

Music: DJ Lindsey

Rentals: Taylor Creative and Panache

Wedding Photography: Karen Kristian Photography

Gown: Bottega Veneta

Bride's Shoes: Dolce & Gabbana

Groom's Attire: Giorgio Armani (suit and tie); Yves Saint Laurent (shirt)

Flower Girls’ and Ring Bearers' Attire: Crewcuts by J.Crew

Wedding Bands: Amanda Keidan Jewelry

Hair and Makeup: Makara Baker

Officiants: Renee Cantave and Lacey Schwartz

"Lacquer” Trays: West Elm

Handkerchiefs: Ful Studio

Pillow Inserts: United Pillow

courtesy of Martha Stewart

Father's Day Dessert Recipes

Dad Sugar Cookies

It's the one day out of the year you can't scold him for eating seconds (and thirds). Here are 24 recipes to satisfy Dad's sweet tooth on Father's Day.

The sweetest way to give Dad some sugar this Father's Day? Bake him these poppy seed-speckled treats, personalized with our easy templates.

Get the Dad Sugar Cookies Recipe

Chocolate-Banana Pudding

Dad will love this delicious dessert! Thin, crisp chocolate wafers are topped with creamy chocolate-banana pudding.

Get the Chocolate-Banana Pudding Recipe

Tres Leches Cake

Elevate this traditional cake recipe with a whipped topping and your dad's favorite fruit for a dessert everyone will enjoy.

Get the Tres Leches Cake Recipe

Versatile Vanilla Cake

This is the perfect cake to serve to any dad on Father's Day because it's easy to personalize. Just add decorations using his favorite colors and flavors.

Get the Versatile Vanilla Cake Recipe

Strawberry Cream Cake

A sure sign that summer is in full swing is a strawberry dessert. Dad is sure to love this light and fruity cake, perfect for a Father's Day barbecue.

Get the Strawberry Cream Cake Recipe

Rocky Road Brownies

These gooey, delicious brownies are sure to be a new family favorite. They're so good that kids -- and Dad -- won't be able to wait until they're cool.

Get the Rocky Road Brownies Recipe

Chocolate-Ricotta Icebox Cake

A great dessert you can prepare up to two days in advance, this icebox cake takes only 30 minutes to make and will soon be one of dad's new favorites.

Get the Chocolate-Ricotta Icebox Cake Recipe

Velvet Cocoa Cake with Instant Buttercream

Every chocolate lover's dream, this cake is easy to make, beautiful to look at, and will put a smile on dad's face.

Get the Velvet Cocoa Cake with Instant Buttercream Recipe

courtesy of Martha Stewart

We all Scream for Ice Cream!

Very Berry Sundaes

Get the Recipe

Grilled Banana Splits with Hot Fudge and Rum Caramel Sauce

Get the Recipe

Butterscotch Nut Sundaes

Get the Recipe

Neapolitan Sundaes

Get the Recipe

S'Mores Sundaes

Get the Recipe

Rocky Road Sundaes

Get the Recipe

Strawberry-Rhubarb Sundaes

Get the Recipe

Strawberry Pink Splits

Get the Recipe

Vanilla-Raspberry Sundaes with Spoon-Shaped Cookies

Get the Recipe

courtesy of Martha Stewart

Get Your GRILL On! {Summer Grilling Party Theme}

Summer is pretty much synonymous with firing up the grill at backyard get-togethers around here – it’s one of my very favorite things about this time of year!

That’s why I was really excited when Hebrew National asked us to partner with them on a new Summer Grilling Party theme to compliment their “Better-Than-A-Hotdog Hotdogs“… what a great excuse to dream up some fun new outdoor party ideas that can be put to good use this summer – starting this weekend with Memorial Day!

GET YOUR GRILL ON

Hebrew National hot dogs are made with premium cuts of 100% Kosher beef with No Fillers, No By-Products, No Artificial Flavors, and No Colors.

And because one good thing deserves another, I wanted to make sure that thisnew Summer Grilling Party theme came packed with lots of perfect-for-summer printables that you can download for FREE right here, as well as outdoor party ideas that are both creative and approachable. For example, DIY “Mini Charcoal Grill” centerpieces, refreshing popsicle cocktails, super easy s’mores cupcakes, & an all-decked-out hot dog bar!

CLICK HERE to check out the entire party theme editorial-style, or browse the Summer Grilling Party album in our social site. I hope you’re able to use some of these ideas at your own summer celebrations this year – whether it’s a graduation party, birthday party or a just-for-fun get together with friends & family!

PHOTO CONTEST from Hebrew National

You can also click here for your chance to win great prizes from Hebrew National! After you’ve set up your summer grill celebration, you’ll also be all set to enter Hebrew National’s Snap-and-Share Photo Contest.

To enter, just Spot Hebrew National being served (in this case likely at your very own summer barbeque!). Snap a photo of your Hebrew National sighting. Share your photo by uploading it to the contest photo gallery. You’ll be entered to win a $100 grocery store gift card. Winners will be named weekly, so “snap-and-share” as often as possible! (There’s also one grand prize trip to New York City up for grabs!) Click here to enter today!

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And now for more sneak peek images of the full party theme, starting with these ridiculously ADORABLE covered grill cake pops by kCreative:

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CLICK HERE to check out more images & party details!

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FREE PRINTABLE DOWNLOADS

PRINTABLES: Access all of the printables right here.

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VENDOR CREDITS & RESOURCES:

– Party Styling: Jennifer Sbranti / HWTM
– Party Printables Design: Jennifer Sbranti
– Photography: Sonny Sbranti
– Cake Pops: kCreative Cake Pops
– Wooden “Enjoy” Utensils: Sucre Shop
– Aqua Berry Baskets: Pink Lemonade Party

coutesy of HWTM