Category Archives: Kids

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Ask-A-Planner: DIY Edition

Your questions answered by an expert. This week’s question comes from Maggie in Indiana.

Dear Sara, 

I love the projects you show on your blog. I’d love to do some DIY projects for my daughter’s upcoming birthday, but I work full time and don’t have time. Where can I buy these things already made? 

Thanks, 

Maggie 

{Image Credit: Design*Sponge}

Hi Maggie,

Thanks for the great question! It’s always difficult to evaluate whether it’s cheaper to make things yourself or worth it {and easier} to purchase. Especially as personalized touches are the trend at parties right now– its as if you have to stay up all night making bunting just to make a party successful!

First of all, I don’t know how old your daughter is turning, but I’m sure she is grateful for a party, no matter if the cake is homemade or bought from a store. And I truly believe that the mark of a successful party is a fun and relaxed hostess, not the number of items that say the birthday girl’s name. But when I do want personalized elements and don’t have the time to make them the first place I turn is to etsy {www.etsy.com}. Even if I can’t find exactly what I am looking for, many of the vendors are willing to customize items to make them perfect, or looking at items inspires me to be more general in my theme so I can find something that will fit {for example: if I am looking for unicorns, sometimes searching under princess or castle will give me more interesting results}. I also look at Amazon, since they seem to have everything these days, often at the best prices. There are also a few shops with adorable party items {Sweet Shop LuLu, BHLDN} but sometimes are a bit pricey.

To be totally honest, though, I rarely find exactly what I need. I usually want something pretty specific that is not yet available. So I tend to make a lot of things {or ask friends and family to make things}. I often will just try something and see if it works, while my husband does the responsible thing and researches the best method. Whatever gets it done, I say. And I’ve been known to take a monotonous task home {like, say, trimming the edges of 100 cloth napkins} and do it while watching a movie or a tv show. It somehow makes it less painful to me. But remember that DIY isn’t always cheaper, so do it because you want to do it. Also— start early and give yourself plenty of time as it will probably take longer than you think.

Regardless of which route you take, remember that it isn’t about the perfect decorations or food, but about making memories. That’s the most important part of any celebration.

Good Luck!! xoxo

 

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How To: Fruit Filled Unicorn Horns

The most common questions I’m getting right now is asking how-to {like this one, on balloon backdrops}, so this weeks Ask-A-Planner is how to make these fun unicorn horns.

These coated sugar cones were paired with fruit at a little girls birthday. The cones acted as the cup for the rainbow fruit choices {see below}– although that was a little hard to communicate to the guests, since you want to display them so they look like unicorn horns. But I think they turned out really cute and made a big impact.

First, we coated the cones using colored royal icing — the same type you might use for decorating sugar cookies. We just used food coloring to get the shade of purple we wanted. You’ll want the consistency a little thicker so there isn’t too much run-off. Then let the icing dry and harden. If you aren’t happy with the coating, you can give it another coat. {You could also use colored almond bark or candy melt and dip the cones, but the royal icing worked for us.}
Once the coating is dry, use a pastry bag (or ziplock baggie with a small hole in the corner) to pipe white royal icing around the cone in a spiral. Again, you’ll want thicker royal icing that you might use for outlining sugar cookies. It takes a bit to master getting the spiral just right, but after a few practice cones, you’ll get the hang of it.
Here’s some info on royal icing consistency, if you want some more details.
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Colorful Sprinkle Party

I fell in love with this image on pinterest– and it turns out the party behind is just as cute. What a great theme for a 1 year old birthday party. I love the details, down to the activities.{via kojo Designs}

Don’t you just love it? I know I’ll be borrowing ideas from this great party.

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How To: Balloon Backdrop

Happy Labor Day everyone!

I’ve received a lot of questions lately about this background from the Unicorn Princess Party a few months ago. So I thought I would put together a how-to post of how to make one for yourself! {perfect for Labor Day, no?}

Ok, to be honest, this was one of my husband’s tasks for the party, so I had to ask him the finer details to make sure I got them right for you. :)

I knew this was going behind a 6 foot table, so that is how wide our backdrop would be. I measured the length {and a little more} for the streamers and we taped those up first {there was a white board behind, so tape was the best option for us}.

Now for the balloons… we used a bike pump to blow them all up. We used 3 per color block area to create the stripe effect, but if you can used more {like Design Mom did here}. We also mixed in some polka dotted ones to add some texture. {Note: I would not suggest using helium, as I imagine it would be harder to manage in this next step of tying them together}

Now for the fun part— use a needle {very carefully!} and thread heavy twine through the end of tied balloon {you know, not the part with air}. Make sure you thread your 3 {or 4} of the same color in a line, then thread the next group of colors. {Design Mom used a slightly different method of tying the colors together first– use which ever works best for you.}

Once all of your balloons are on the twine, situate and tighten the like colors together. Once you are happy with how they are arranged, it’s time to hang your balloon backdrop! It’s pretty light– I think we used pushpins. 

Now it’s time to enjoy your beautiful backdrop! If you try it– I’d love to see some pictures! xox0

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First Day of School Fun

Even though some of you have already started school {DC doesn’t start until next week}, these free printables were too cute not to share.

What a great idea to print out a sign that will tell you for years to come what grade {and teacher and the date} this picture is chronicling. Click here to print it out.

And I love these adorable notebook printables for notes and signs. Click here to print these.

Parents– are you ready?!

 

 

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New Baby Gift

When one of my friends in NYC had a baby, I really wanted to bring over food. (I have Southern roots–food is the answer to celebrations and tragedies alike.) I wasn’t able to get it together to do it, and I still regret it. So I love this thoughtful box for dinner for the family with a new addition.

2012_3_22-Taco-Box-1-Ed.jpg

To see the components, click here.