Stella's First Birthday - A Haute Mom Never Does It Alone

I know all us haute moms dream about the grand 1st birthday party that we are all going to throw our little ones.  It is natural for us since, as haute moms, we thrive on party planning.  And not just any old party planning, but THEMED party planning!  Secretly, I started months ago when I bought a hot pink zebra birthday banner for Stella from Bannerparty.  I couldn't draw myself away from the sassy hot pink and zebra print in the banner - I felt it was a definite match for Stella's personality.

After the theme was decided, I just couldn't help myself.  My hubby thought I was "getting a little nuts" with the zebra print and hot pink but I shrugged him off as we haute moms do and continued on my merry planning.  We decided to have the party at our tiny little house even though we were expeting about 40 people to come.  My hubby was in charge of cleaning and I took care of the rest.  We invited friends and family and were shocked at the turn out! 

Etsy was a HUGE help in finding matching decorations and items.  Kenzy Bug supplied hot pink zebra gift bags, matching tutus, and even a matching tank top and bows for me and the family.  Her stuff was DARLING and reasonable!  I bought matching cupcake toppers from Get The Party Started that were seriously one of the greatest things I have spent money on in a long time.  The toppers had different messages on them and, of course, fit right in with the theme.  She had so many cute things to buy for themed birthdays but I had to restrain myself.  They came super fast too!  Last but not least, I have to mention the cupcakes.  I got them from Delightful by the Dozen, a local cupcake maker who has the most delicious cupcake AND they deliver! She had a fantastic choice of flavors and she even dyed some of the frosting hot pink to go with the colors!

All in the all, the party was fabulous and we were surrounded by our closest friends and family.  Stella even got to meet her great-grandfather for the first time which, to me, was the best present yet.  Take a look at some of the pictures, and pay close attention to Get The Party Started who has generously agreed to give all Haute Mom followers 15% off a purchase if you enter the code "HAUTE" at checkout!  Kenzy Bug will give all followers a 20% discount if you mention Haute Mom at checkout or send a conversation prior to ordering mentioning this blog. How haute is that?  Party planning anyone?

The birthday girl

Stella and her great-grandpa greeting the birthday zebra.

Gift bags from Kenzy Bug

Cupcakes and those FABULOUS toppers from Get The Party Started

 A closer look

The start of it all - the zebra print banner by Bannerparty

"Going nuts" according to hubby

Stella - The First Year : homemade banner (can't you tell?)

This wasn't me "going nuts" - this was from grandma (I guess that's where I get it)

Stella was a little...uh...overwhelmed when we sang "Happy Birthday"

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Haute Mom Dilemma #43 -Where's the Party

Boxes have been arriving for weeks, full of gifts, favors, and decorations. I haven't seen my UPS man this much since my husband and I got married. As of Thursday, various guests have been coming into town. The invites were sent out weeks ago.
We have all the ingredients for a large event but nobody is getting married. It's Stella's 1st birthday party.

Her big day was actually yesteday (yes I know, Friday the 13th, I thought about that minutes after she was born). We took her to Disneyland and then had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants with grandparents and even her great grandfather. She got a sandbox from us, a "big girl" car seat from my parents, and fun sand toys from her Uncle Jordan. The best gift was my grandfather driving out from.Arizona to meet Stella for the first time.

The rest of the family and friends will be celebrate today at her birthday party. This is definitely a bittersweet feeling for me. A combination of pride for all her accomplishments and sadness that my little baby is growing up with such speed it makes my head spin. I am so happy and melancholy I don't know whether to laugh or cry. So I've been doing both.



I have some great giveaways in honor of Stella's 1st birthday and will be posting them soon, along with all the details of the fiesta in the next couple of days. Since I have family in town (you all know how that is) my time seems to be more limited than usual.

Have a great weekend and happy birthday to my Stella!

Crown 1 year old for the weekend!

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Haute Mom Dilemma #38 - It's Time to Party

I have been throwing around ideas for Stella's first birthday party since she was like 6 weeks old. One glance at my calendar last week sent me flying into reality that not only was it time to start planning Stella's birthday, I was behind! We have attended quite a few kid's birthday parties in the last few months and they have ranged from relaxing, back yard BBQs to over the top petting zoos (no, I am not kidding).

Stella is ready to par-tay!

Our style is more of the backyard gathering but our backyard is well, non-existent. We have some space but after making our invite list, we realized we needed more of a large park. Definitely doable where we live but nobody wants to stake out picnic tables at 8 am and have to guard them all day long. When I looked into reserving a picnic site at one of our city's parks, they were over $300. With that money, I might as well go with the petting zoo!



After much discussion and input, I think we have decided to have a small gathering at our house. My husband just brought home some darling children's yard chairs and from the looks of it, Stella is more comfortable in her own backyard (er, front yard) anyhow. I have decided on a zebra theme and will enjoying all the party supply shopping! This may mean that we have to keep the guest list small but I know that most people will understand. I will just start cutting from the in-law side. :)

Haute Mom Dilemma #34 - That Mom

Well, I have become that mom. I had always wondered if I would be one of those nervous, overprotective moms that others look at and think, “Gee, loosen up”. I totally am. For the first few months after Stella was born, I actually let myself think that there was hope for me. I tried to go with the flow and be open minded, leaving all of my own issues with sharp corners, dust, dirt and germs behind. Well, it didn’t even last a year.

What really has brought this all out is the fact that Stella has been attending quite a few children’s birthday parties. I am usually quite excited for these fun-filled events as I am far away from reaching my birthday party max. My thoughts are filled with seeing some good friends and watching Stella play with other babies her age. It is so amazing to see the babies communicate as they all scream and shriek and point back and forth in a language that is a mystery to all us adults.

At the last few birthday parties, the “that mom” side has come out. When I walk into the party, all I can see is dirt, germs, and danger. I begin to fear that baby Stella is going to get her clothes dirty, contract some nasty, goopy nose illness, or smack her head on something. Even worse, get smacked in the head by the older, more unruly party goers. I start to tighten my hold on her as she squirms and wiggles in attempt to get out of my arms and join the party. What a nightmare.

Breathe, I tell myself, or rather my husband does. As I gingerly place her in what appears to be a safe spot, I smile and try to look relaxed, but am well prepared to shoot my “teacher look” at any child that dares to somehow harm Stella. Unfortunately, my precious child is destined to give her mother a heart attack. The other weekend I looked over at Stella in a baby wading pool of plastic balls just in time to see her sucking the fingers of another little boy. Good thing I know his mom. They should have alcohol at these things. Maybe my husband’s theme of “Kegs and Clowns” for Stella’s 1st birthday isn’t such a bad idea. Stella loves to party.

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