As we started having things like our “last summer” & “last Christmas” here in Portland, the move started to feel a bit more real. Then the house went on the market. Reality started to sink in. In my life prior to babies, I was in real estate, so even after we got an offer on our house, I knew it didn’t mean that it had sold. To spare my friends & family from premature tears, I kept that information to myself. But once the inspection contingency was removed and the appraiser was scheduled to come to come out, I realized that our time here was rapidly coming to a close…. and MUCH quicker then I was ready for.
With only three weeks left in this little house, and with a long list of things I wanted to do, I knew I had to move FAST. My oldest daughter turns 5 in May. I couldn’t leave without throwing her one last party. With the weekend of April 13th being the only one free before the move, I would only have five days to put together a party (Five days?!! That is just crazy talk!).
Now, I have gotten pretty good at throwing parties together over the years, but five days was REALLY pushing it….even for me. The hardest part being that I had to decide on a theme in a single day so I could order supplies from the shop & have them arrive in time. Then, it occurred to me that it couldn’t be JUST a birthday party, it had to be a Goodbye party too! So, on top of my already rushed state, I now had to come up with a theme that was not only kid friendly, but was suiting for an adult celebration as well. Feeling a little overwhelmed, I thought taking a bath might help me calm down…..and that was when it hit me, BUBBLES! No adult celebration is complete without popping a bottle of bubbly….and I am pretty sure every little kid loves bubbles….. So bubbles it would be! Whew!
After the theme was chosen, the rest of the party came together beautifully without too much effort. Even though it took the bulk of my party planning time, I am so in love with how the confetti “5” turned out (even if I did stay up into the wee hours of the morning taping paper circles to my wall….and yes, I am well aware of the fact that it might be time for a craftervention!)
Just like the party planning process, the day went perfectly. The kids sipped on bubbly drinks made of sparkling juice and sorbet, while my mommy friends & I chit chatted and reminisced over Prosecco & Rose. The day was so wonderful & bittersweet, I could tell that none of us wanted it to end.
Saying goodbye to dear friends is never easy, but this final celebration couldn’t have been any sweeter & I will treasure the memories for many years to come!
Can you tell that we ALL had a really good time?!
Goodbye, Portland….. We Will Miss You!!
party styling, crafting, baking & photography: stevie pattyn
gold striped straws, polka dot straws, circle stickers, parfait glasses, pink milk glass cake stand, glassine favor bags, circle punches (1″ & 1.5″), 5″ balloons, fancy fringe, tissue paper, warbler whistles, mini paint sets, gold twine, 6″ celebration candles: shop sweet lulu
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Stevie, this is stunning! In February I threw my sister a baby shower in those same colors (plus gold + glitter) and I have a huge crush on that combo! I, too, used paper circles for confetti…nobody can be in a bad mood when happy confetti is involved. 🙂 I love your style and the way you make everything look so put-together and effortless!
I’m not sure where you’re moving (I’m from Portland too, so we’ll miss you!), but I sure hope you continue your feature projects with Sweet Lulu! I’m a big fan of yours. 🙂
Lisa Frank
pinterest.com/ljfrank
Wow! Thank you so much for your kind words, Lisa! You are right…. No one can be in a bad mood when confetti is around. Too bad we never got a chance to meet 🙁 I love meeting other party loving ladies! We are headed to Texas, but I will still be making party prettiness for the shop! xo
I absolutely love every detail! Effortless fabulousness! Are you moving to Seattle? That’s where I am 🙂
I am thrilled you love it! We are headed to Texas. I sure am going to miss the NW. I am a native Oregonian.
I’m a big polka dot and cupcake fan, so I loved this theme. As soon as I can have a party again, polka dot straws are on the shopping list.
I’ve been where you are. Sold a house and moved from Reno to Austin in a whirlwind, and even though it was tough, it was worth it! Good luck!
Aren’t those straws soooo cute?! They are the carnival mix. I heart them! So glad you liked the party! xoxo
Super cute, Stevie! I love the colors and all of the polka dots. I panicked a little bit when I read the FB post – I’m happy you’re not saying goodbye to Sweet Lulu!
This lulu is staying put! Jessie will have to fight me to the death before I ever left SSL LOL.
I am soooo happy you enjoyed the theme & the pics, Michelle! xoxo
Oh my goodness! I can’t believe you pulled this together in such a short amount of time! Swoon! The Pac NW will miss you!
Thanks, Summer! We will miss you ladies too! xo
Beautiful party!Where in Texas? You’ll be right down the road. I’m happy, faster shipping for this Louisiana girl. I can’t throw a party without my Shop Sweet Lulu ice cream cups and spoons!
Thank you so much! We are headed to San Antonio! However, shipping will reamin the same as Jessie, The Lulu’s & the warehouse will remain in Chicago. So happy you are such a big SSL fan! xoxo
This is absolutely beautiful Stevie, what a beautiful party. I’m totally in love.
Oh, Sharnel! You just made my day! I am honored that you love it. xo
Beautiful party! We’ll miss seeing you parade through the park here in Portland. Best of luck to you and your family on the next journey that you’re on.
Thank you, Jody. I am going to miss the park for sure…lots of fun memories there. I am glad you & your kiddos got to “parade” around with us at least once. xo
ADORABLE Stevie….good luck with your move and happy birthday to your little lady.
Thank you so much, Donna! xo
Aww Stevie- you’re a great mom. 5 days to plan in the midst of a move?!? Bravo for pulling it off, and of course it’s beautiful. I must know… what is the heavenly looking frosting on those cupcakes? xo Becca
Awww, thank you so much, Becca! The frosting is the boiled icing from the Miette baking book. I have been DYING to try it. It was like eating a warm marshmallow! I highly recommend it! xo
Love the colors! My daughter’s first B-day is coming up in June and these are the perfect colors! How did you make the party hats?! They are adorable…
Thank you so much for you kind words! I made the party hats by taking pre-made party hats gluing our fancy fringe to them. The flowers I made just like you would make a tissue paper pom pom, but made them small…. then hot glued them on. I hope that helps! xoxo
This is absolutely stunning and visually captivating!
Thank you so much. It was truly a labor of love for me. Glad you enjoyed it!
so cute! i had a bubbles theme for my baby’s 1st birthday last year too and it was the same color theme! LOVE!
Glad you loved it! Bubbles is a great theme for sure! xo
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ohmigosh… stevie… this party… TOO MUCH CUTENESS. so much amazing and creative work and it shows. i adore that big bubbly number 5 – so clever! hope you and your family have settled nicely into your new home town! 🙂
OHMYGOODNESS! This is so charming! I love it from thought to execution (and the styling and photography!) I just adore it, head to toe. I know this was awhile ago so hopefully the move went well and you are happy and settled in your new home by now. I’m always so happy with my Shop Sweet Lulu goodies and I love seeing them everywhere!