8.24.2010

Party In Review

My thirtieth birthday was a smashing success. We got all dolled up and made it quite an affair. I wore this Cynthia Steffe dress, although I found mine on a greater sale. A bib necklace which was a gift from a dear friend and my favorite seychelle heels. Ellie wore a former flower girl dress and thought she had to carry around flowers, makes sense. KJ wore a rather dapper suit and made sure everyone new how handsome he was.


The wreath was laced with fresh herbs from my garden and made for a rather pleasant smell when you walked in the door.


We had the most wonderful coconut cake topped with a bunting from kiki la ru. There was also my very favorite strawberry pie that my dearest friend made, but they were not out yet. The two topiary's along with too other arrangements were a surprise from my Mister. They are simply stunning and so perfectly me. He did well, really well.


If you know me you also know I love to use real plates, napkins, and silverware. It does make for a lengthy clean up, but so well worth it in my opinion. The dishes to the left used to be my grandmothers and the others are from our wedding registry. I believe in using what you love so we also use these on a daily basis.


I set up the drinks in the dining room with an assortment of soda's. The gray and white striped straws I found on etsy.


Here are the other arrangement's from my Mr. Aren't they just gorgeous?


We had lights set up from Ellie's party and we loved them so much we decided to keep them up year round. The two pots are filled with mint from my garden and have since moved there way into the house. No one actually sat outside because of the heat, but I thought it was pretty anyways.


Now these are my girlfriends that I have had since college. Some older and some younger, but I will not reveal who is who. Oh, the husbands did come along, but my home is small so a group pic is simply out of the question.


My husband played chef and we had filets with his most amazing twice baked potaotes. Here are a few more details of the night.


The night would not have been so perfect if it weren't for this man. I am ecstatic to grow old with him. And yes, he had the cutest bow tie to wear, but we couldn't figure out how to tie it. Oh well, I am sure he will wear it another day. I simply adore him.

79 comments:

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

LOVE it all. The details are just perfect! xx- Brooke

molly b. said...

how wonderful & so very lovely!

Dawn said...

You're the most radiant birthday girl in all of Alabama, I'm sure!

Your party looks like it was so much fun. And your wonderful husband did such a great job helping out!

Wishing you a most fantastic 30th year, Paula!

xo Dawn

julie said...

A beautiful party Paula - happy 30th birthday to you!

Ms. Bright said...

Looks absolutely perfect. Hope this is your best year yet!

Tara said...

that looks like a fab party for one fab girl.
the flowers are gorgeous.
happy birthday Paula.

Mary said...

Happy birthday! Looks like a fabulous party!

Julie Holloway said...

You have so inspired me to do a dress up party at home! I know I write this a lot, but you are the cutest...and your family...and your gorgeous home & style.

Design Esquire said...

What a memorable party! Your husband is so sweet - he executed all the little (and big) details perfectly. What a fun night!

ashley sullivan said...

looks just wonderful. i can only hope to such a perfect celebration one day. you have much to be proud of!

Monika said...

Seems like you had excellent time! Everything looked really beautiful. Congratulations!!

Stephanie Sabbe said...

I love so many things about these photos! happy birthday!

Bridget said...

LOVE this! happy birthday and kudos to your man for making it so lovely. and seriously lovely it looked. bunting atop a coconut cake?! yes please.

bluehydrangea said...

Paula, Happy Birthday!! I can barely even remember 30!! You look fabulous as do your children and adorable husband. He should get a gold star for his forehead for such a great job!!!

Jennifer said...

looks so wonderful and you are just glowing in every picture! I laughed out loud when you said Ellie carried flowers around ... I mean, totally appropriate, right?

Hello Lover... said...

Looks like an amazing birthday party - love all the details - you looked like you were on cloud nine which is exactly how you should feel on your birthday. Those flowers your hubby got you are gorgeous!

nelya said...

Thirty never looked so good, Paula! Your happiness is palapable. Truly. What a blessing your family is, especially your wonderful Mr.!

Hope this year only continues to get better!

xx-nelya

My Interior Life said...

What a great party! There's nothing better than sharing a special day with family and friends. Maybe I'll shoot for a fabulous 40 party - I've got 3 years to plan. Happy 30th!

Melissa @ Veranda Interiors said...

So much fun!! And I love you even more for using real plates, LOL!

coolkids said...

awww a lovely lovely party Paula! I adore all the details. You make it look too easy.:)

Kristine said...

Love the dress up party idea! And I, like you, believe in using real plates and silverware. Lovely details, and again, happy birthday Paula!

Anonymous said...

love the thirty sign, the cake decoration, the straws...happy birthday!

Susie (So Blessed) said...

Lovely party...even lovlier birthday girl! My favorite
part would have to be the
flowers from your hubby...
they are great! Especially
love the topiaries! Glad you
had a wonderful birthday
celebration!

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

Um WOW. Wow. Truly classy and stunning.

Unknown said...

Paula! ( I have been dying to see this post :)

You are stunning, and so is your family. I adore that you made it a formal affair. Love the decorations you chose, such detail, so fabulous. It looks wonderful and I hope you enjoyed every minute of it!! Welcome to the thirty's ;) xx

Amanda said...

You look so so cute in that dress! Your hubbie is adorable--wish we would have seen the bowtie :)

Lissa Pierce said...

What a fabulous party set up!!!
I love that photo of you and the girls...you all look like you are having a blast, and I just can't get over KJ in his suit...sooo adorable! Happy Birthday!!!

Aimee@ the Functional Space said...

What a great party! Everything looks so wonderful. I LOVE that necklace you're wearing! My Husband turned 40 earlier this month and had a big freakout before I could throw him a party. He's agreed to a Between the Birthdays (his and mine) in a few weeks. I hope we can have this much fun too!!

Laurel-Dawn McBurney said...

Now, THAT is the way to ring in your 30th year! What a beautiful party! I am going to have to show my Mister Husband these pics... amazing! Thanks, as always, for sharing :) and Happy Birthday again!

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

oh everything looks so precious, I love love love the first photo, and the cake looks amazing!!!

Jackie said...

What a lovely party Paula! You look absolutely gorgeous in your dress. Happy belated birthday.

Wahzat Gayle said...

That dress is fabulous. Have I mentioned before I love ballons :)
Fabulous way to party LOve it :)

Anonymous said...

Simple and stylish. My kinda of gal.

Unknown said...

That first picture is begging for a silver frame asap. You look smashing.

Unknown said...

What a perfect party. You look adorable as does the entire family. I love all the details from the balloons to the cake with the bunting banner (is that right) and those flowers from the hubs are simply gorgeous.

Lindsey said...

LOVE this paula! so glad you celebrated well :) you and your family looked fabulous!

Julie said...

It is seriously a CHIC party! Too beautiful! I love the silver and pewter accents.

Victoria | Hibiscus Bloem said...

That looks a wonderful party. Belated Happy 30th. Love the silver balloons and that cake looks delicious!

Southern Exposure said...

How fun! And Happy 30th!

Rachel

Staley Mc said...

This looks like such a great party Paula! It looks like yall had so much fun!

Trista said...

Your party looks like a ton of fun.

I am also an Alabama girl. I read a couple of Alabama blogs and love them because I can usually spot familiar places. However imagine my surprise when I noticed my 9th grade History teacher in your group photo! I was in Gabby's very first class the year she got married. It's a small world after all...If you see her soon, her tell her Trista and Amber say hello!

Tamara said...

so fun! i completely agree about using real plates & silverware. lovely dress too. you make 30 look fabulous.

Erin Deegan said...

happy birthday darlin! what a wonderful day :)

Jennie Bee said...

Your hair is getting so long! Look great! Looks like a great time!

Katie @ Noodle and Boof said...

How fun! Pretty pictures! Happy Birthday!

Jessica @ Lavender and Lilies said...

Such a beautiful party for such a beautiful person. Love your dress!

Vana said...

such a sweet picture of you and your man! I love all the party pictures! Happy Happy birthday to you girl!

bron @ baby space said...

What a gorgeously perfect 30th party! So cool and loving your decorations - I am inspired!

Also really love that first pic of you with the kidlets and the one of you with your girl friends. Taken by hubby?

:: Lavender's Green :: said...

What a fantastic sounding birthday! Everything, and everyone, looks fantastic!!

x Jasmine

Maria Johns said...

what a party!! love the touches of ribbon and how the girls got all dolled up, you looked amazing!! happy 3oth!

Elizabeth said...

what a fantastic party! i love it all from what your family wore, to the balloons, your friends all dressed up, the food, oh and the fact that your hubby put so much effort into making your day so special. you are blessed!!!! what a great way to kiss the 20's goodbye....

Kim said...

You are all adorable. I love the dress :)

Unknown said...

Lovely! You are blessed gal! It looked like a spectacular event.

Emma said...

What a fabulous evening. Your entrance way looks spectacular especially with your matching dress. I also totally believe in using the fine china and silver ware. That's what it is for!

la la Lovely said...

Looks so elegant and fabulous... glad you had such a wonderful birthday... you deserve it!
xo

Joslyn said...

it looks like a perfect evening! happy birthday friend. you'll love your 30's ;-)
xo

Full House said...

So pretty...all of it little birthday girl. That coconut cake is calling my name..and seriously look how snazzy you all looked.

megan @ a life's design said...

Looks like it was a fabulous fun time!

Logan said...

Wow, how gorgeously understated yet glam. That first photo of you with the kids is too sweet for words. Here's to a whole new chapter for you and your family!

Unknown said...

Such a perfect party! And that dress is just stunning! Happy Birthday... life does get better after 30!

Pink Wallpaper said...

it looks like y'all had a blast and you look beautiful!!

near and far said...

Looks like it was a great party and you looked beautiful.

I'm just finishing a year of being 30 myself and I can assure you, it's a fantastic age. You have a lot to look forward to.

Happy birthday!

-Melissa

ps - tying a bowtie is a lot like tying your shoelaces:) http://www.tie-a-tie.net/bowtie.html

rikshaw design said...

happy birthday! you have such a blessed life and a wonderful family! i love it!

Christi said...

Happy 30th!! I turn 30 in October and am deciding if I want to have some sort of party. Now you have my wheels turning! Lovely details.

xoxo

simply seleta said...

Oh so E L E G A N T and sweet.

Someday please teach me how to have a clutter free home like yours.

leanne said...

just catching up with all my favourite blogs and so have only just seen this post - had to say what a gorgeous party and home! happy belated birthday x

Oh, My Darling said...

Oh wow, your birthday party looks so very amazing, down to every detail! Your party dress is beyond gorgeous!!!

OneCraftyFox said...

Happy birthday!! You look gorgeous, and your home is beautiful!! The little ones look so cute :)

Holly said...

beautiful party, home, dress, family! loved every detail.

Sobrina Tung said...

oh my gosh, you are so pretty and that first shot of you with the kids is soo adorable! makes my heart melt.

Sidney said...

So fun!! Loved all the details!! Happy Belated!!

pve design said...

please divulge your skin care recipe. you are glowing.
pve

pve design said...

I hope it is ok - I had to add one of your party pics to my saturday secret post and I linked it back to you.
Your photographer is so talented.
pve

North of 25A said...

Happy Birthday! Looks like it was very special. Stopping by via PVE - wonderful pictures.
Best,
Colleen

Karena said...

Beautiful images from a beautiful woman's birthday, and many more to com...!!!!

Karena
Art by Karena

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

Happy Birthday! Found your blog via PVE. Great pics!

Save the Date for Cupcakes said...

What a lovely party! I stopped by to see the cake bunting;)

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