Sweet 13

The Candy Bar

The Dessert Table

I had a surprise birthday party for my daughter this week.  The planning, shopping, crafting and baking has occupied my thoughts and time for the past several weeks.  I am happy I can move on to other things now.  I'm finding I really enjoy the planning process of things, but not the actual execution of them.  Many of my ideas and recipes I found on the website pinterest or I got from Tori Spellings new book Celebratori.  I also wouldn't have been able to decorate and set up my dessert and candy table without the help of my friend.  She helps to keep me on task and has a good eye for staging things.  I also wish I could take credit for the cake, but I'm not nearly patient enough for cake decorating.  My talented friend and neighbor made it. It was also inspired by an image from pinterest.

My daughter loves sweets and the color turquoise so that was my theme.  She and her friends are into looking at the many hairstyling tips on pinterest like waterfall braids, etc. A good family friend that is a hair stylist and her friend braided and curled the girls hair.  They had a choice of styles from pinterest.  I also had a make up station set up for the girls and a photo booth.

I wasn't quite sure the girls would appreciate all of the little details I put into the party.  I made sugar scrubs as a take home gift and they drank  pink lemonade out of little mason jars rimmed with sugar.
Several of the girls took pictures of the decorations and one posted her photos on instagram.  My daughter came home from school the next day and said everyone loved the decorations and we got 33 likes.  I guess that's how today's generation shows their appreciation.  It made me feel like the extra effort was well spent.  I sometimes have to remind myself I am doing things out of love and because I enjoy the creative process.  Not everyone notices the little details, but it sure feels great when they do!