We celebrated our youngest daughter's first birthday with a lot of love, sunshine . . . and whimsy pinwheels.
I had so much fun dreaming up the details of her party! When I think of Lauren Jane ~ who I call Sunshine ~ I think of sunshine, rays of light, happiness & joy. And so grew the ideas for the details for her special day.
Bright & vibrant, as well as butter-cream soft yellows . . . with hints of lavender here and there . . . set the tone.
Lots of spring flowers . . . vibrant ranunculus and daffodils!
~ the most asked about flower at the party ~
It's hard not to smile when you see pinwheels!
~ diy pinwheels! ~
The tables were covered in white linens, butter-cream yellow table covers, and hand-made burlap runners stitched with ribbon. Hand-made milk glass jars held bunches of fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, daffodils, and whimsy pinwheels.
A welcoming invitation . . .
goblets garnished with fresh strawberries, Parisian glass bottles filled with orange & grape juice, and scalloped bowls held petite powder donuts and hand-dipped marshmallows.
Although this beautiful china is very old . . . and although I've had it for many years ~ I've waited for just the right occasion to use them. And Lauren Jane's 1st birthday was that special occasion! Nestled in my favorite basket, along with linen napkins and silver ~ our brunch-ware waited patiently for our guests to plate their food.
Our brunch menu . . .
with red, orange & yellow peppers
~
with sweet and spicy Italian sausage
~
with lemon curd & blackberry jam
~
Greek Vanilla Yogurt
with Vanilla Almond granola
~
Fresh Berries
drizzled with honey
~ ~
. . . and for the little ones . . .
Golden Grahams
with ice cold milk
A few old-fashioned desserts . . .
I served home-made desserts that were old-fashioned, but with a twist . . .
with lemon mascarpone filling
& sprinkled with powder sugar
~
lemon shortbread cookies
rolled in yellow sanding sugar
& placed in white-eyelet cups
~
~
hand-dipped marshmallows
with white non-perils
Lauren Jane's 1st birthday wouldn't be complete without cupcakes ~ and a birthday cake ~ made by Auntie Alex!
She made a beautiful cupcake mural featuring a flower garden, butterflies, and a birthday banner. The lemon cupcakes were lightly frosted with Swiss meringue butter-cream, and then a fondant disc was smoothed over the top. Alex layered and hand-cut fondant to create the lovely picture . . .
And finally . . .
Lauren Jane's birthday cake!
Alex made an adorable sun, complete with rays of sunshine and a cute face! It, too, was a lemon cake ~ but with Rose Water Swiss meringue butter-cream filling and frosting. The face was made out of chocolate!
. . . and she loved every bite!
It was a wonderful afternoon
filled with family, laughter, smiles, happiness . . .
and the sweet love of our youngest daughter, Lauren Jane.
Happy 1st Birthday, sunshine!
I love you,
mommy
