We did an adorable first birthday party this weekend that had a “bathtime” theme for the most darling little one year old. When we heard bathtime and ONE year old — we immediately thought “Rubber Duckie, you’re the ONE!!” So that was our jumping off point for the decor and gifts. We did our yellow dots (bubbles) table cloth on the back table — and our yellow swirlie (kind of wave like) runner on the main table. We scattered our felt dots as well as round mirrors on the main table — which looked like bubbles… and filled several round vases with our “bubbles” — clear plastic and Styrofoam balls in varying sizes — and rubber duckies. We did one larger vase in the center of the table as well. Lucinda had done some gorgeous pink and orange flowers that we used (just the pink peonies on the table here) that also made it extra special. We were going straight up orange, yellow and white, when in walked Julie with her fabulous treats — and she told me the mom told her that she wanted elements of pink and blue as well. Always happy to roll with whatever is throw our way — we did a last minute switch to pink plates and blue gingham napkins. I am so pleased with how that curve ball spiced up the entire look! I also did a BIRTHDAY BALLOON… a huge clear “bubble” that I filled (I should’ve filled it more — but we are still working out the kinks on the big balloons… and it seemed QUITE full when it was deflated!) with blue and white sparklie fuzzy balls… which was a really cool effect. Each of our little guests took home a darling goodie bag filled with a rubber duckie, a duck noise maker, and a fabulous assortment of bath time salts and scrubs and sudsie bath markers and such. This was such a cute – but not cutesy in any – way to celebrate a first birthday — and we just loved how it turned out!

Oh my! Lucinda and I did –if I do say so myself – the most AMAAAAZING party for our kids. And I am embarrassed to say it was all the way back in APRIL! We have been so busy with all the parties here at the COOP that we haven’t had a moment to get together our pics from our OWN party to share! Naughty naughty girls! I am just putting this up as a teaser — and to light a fire under our rear ends so we get a full post together that shows all the fabulous-ness that was our WIZARD of OZ celebration for our little munchkins!!! More pics… coming SOON!

This is two different parties — a variation of the same theme, really! We did these cute Spring Fling/ Summer Garden parties — one with just ladybugs for the little ladies — one with ladybugs and bumble bees! The girls got the wings, a tutu in complimentary color and an antennae headband. So darling. The boys got to be the bug catchers…. safari hats and bug nets, and cool little screened bug houses. Both of the parties were beautiful — with fresh flowers and grass runners. And Julie’s cupcakes — again and of course! Feelin’ ready for summer yet?

I first discovered JADEtribe about two years ago when I was on the hunt for a summer vacation gift for Juliet. I succeeded in my mission to buy Juliet something super chic and beach fabulous when I happened upon the small JADEtribe purse with leather wrist strap. Juliet loved it and so began our joint romance with this incredible brand. Once we met the founder Kimberly Hartman we knew it was true-love. Kimberly has managed to combine 100% natural fabrics with ethical work practice. Kimberly hires the women of the rural town of Laos to create and sew the textiles giving us beach(y), bohemian cool bags & purses. The COOP has placed a big order which arrives next week – but you better hurry before Juliet and I scoop up the lot!

It seems that everyday I have several people adults and kids alike remark on how wonderful this Sunflower display is, so I had to share. I created this candy laden vase for my sons birthday party. I discovered the festive colored sunflowers at a party store in Las Vegas – (Yes even when I am on vacation I will hunt out the local party store!). Although Juliet and I prefer NEVER to have anything fake at the COOP, especially flowers I just couldn’t resist these. I then filled the vase with florist foam so as not to have to use too many candies, then spent several hours sorting the hard boiled candies into colors then just filled the vase and presto – a fun, cool easy display that keeps everybody guessing.

We recently had the pleasure of working with a super fabulous mom on a Yellow Submarine party for her Beatle loving son Nicholas. It was a truly gorgeous party and so happy and bright. The mom added some cool Yellow Submarine elements and the stunning flowers made everything pop. The incredible cake (pictured) was supplied by the uber talented Julie of blue-cupcakes along with a whole dessert bar. At cake time all the little ones looked so adorable in the John Lennon sunglasses and yellow boas that made up part of their party favor. This party theme guarantees happy, smiley people enjoying life in their Yellow Submarine!

It’s Peony season! And – I for one — could not be happier! I ADORE peonies… got ’em at the COOP, on my mantel (in my elephant teapot!), on my dining room table, in my kitchen…. I have them everywhere! Just had to share some pics of the peonies all around brightening my days this week!!!

The Midsummer Nights Dreamy Party is one of our most popular here at the COOP. It is generally done for birthday girls — because the fairy wings and tutus and wands and halos are so gorgeous — what little girl can resist? But the boy gift for this party is also simply adorable — the Knight costume (complete with a faux chain mail helmet ) is just darling. And the boys ADORE the inflatable (slightly less hectic!) swords! It’s a pretty party, for sure — but the boys are NOT forgotten! This particular party – in fact — was for a brother and sister. We generally do this party in pinks and purples and whites — or oranges, reds and yellows — but this mom wanted purple only. Which I think looked lovely. I got to use the sparklie paper flowers that I made a while ago, sprinkled on the grass table runners with some real peonies as the showstopping center of the table. Hung a few purple butterflies — and the rest was history. Another gorgeous celebration at the COOP!

We are so excited about this new additional available at our COOP Parties! I got these GIANT balloons for my son Finn’s party back in February and Lucinda and I just LOVED how they looked in the space/ at the party. For his I had done big white balloons with some ribbons and hand made material scraps tied at the bottom to dress them up a bit. Since then — we have been experimenting with the balloons and trying different ribbons and ways to jazz them up. We did a beautiful display of them — red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple… along our back table for our Wizard of Oz party (the rainbow, get it?) tied with beautiful rainbow ombre ribbons and attached with fishing wire — so they looked like they were just floating above the table. Gorgeous. We loved. Anyway — we have further jazzzed them up with the addition of paper tissue balls and loads of ribbons and garland and are now offering them for purchase for $25. We can even do clear ones filled with glitter! It’s a GREAT addition to your party — and we usually tie it to the birthday chair for a real impact. We obviously will customize colors, ribbons etc to your party theme or birthday child’s wishes (favorite colors). Kids ADORE them — and it’s yet another way us ladies at the COOP can be creative! And you KNOW we love those opportunities!!!

Lucinda’s friend had a gorgeous little Princess Party for her daughter at the COOP a couple of weeks ago… and we think it turned out really cute! Lucinda got these really gorgeous long pink capes with hot pink lined hoods that were so darling — and rounded out the gifts with some long blond wigs, pink tiaras and white gloves for all the little ladies. The gifts were fabulous… and the girls really loved them. We did princess pink flowers, and lemonade with fresh cut strawberries and a couple of our giant pink balloons to make it extra special for the birthday girl, and of course Julie from blue cupcake provided delicious and gorgeous cupcakes for the event! It was a beautiful day for a princess extravaganza and everyone had a royally good time!!