I recently hosted a 50th Birthday party for my friend Christine. We had a fun girl’s night with lots of laughs, an assortment of appetizers and cocktails. I consulted trusty Pinterest to help me plan for the party, but was a little disappointed in that I just didn’t see anything that wowed me. I also made a trip to Party City for inspiration, but once you turn 40 everything is Over The Hill and in black. I wanted this party to be fabulous, personal and rustic glam.
There were six of us which fit perfectly at my table. I tried to use things that I had on hand for my tablescape. I also borrowed a few items from friends. I started with a white tablecloth which I miserably attempted to iron. The wrinkles are part of the rustic glam factor. I then layered a burlap runner over it. I have an obsession with burlap right now.
I had a few pictures of Christine from high school that her husband shared with me. I printed them out on card stock and attached them to glass vases with glue dots. I had some black and white argyle ribbon that I also attached to the vase. Coincidently the ribbon paired nicely with my chevron black and white napkins. I wanted to keep things simple in terms of a color scheme so I stuck with black and white and used mercury glass candlesticks and votives for the glam factor. I used white candles in the vases and the candlelight gave the table a nice ambiance into the wee hours of the night.
I created a burlap pendant banner to hang on my pot rack which was inspired by Pinterest. I simply made a triangle on the computer and printed it out as my template. I cut the triangles out of burlap and hand wrote fab 50 with a black sharpie marker directly onto the burlap. I used a glue gun to attach the burlap triangles to some twine.
I set up a DIY vodka bar so everyone could mix their own cocktail. I had an assortment of vodkas and juices to choose from as well garnishes such as: maraschino cherries, limes, lemons and olives. I bought little bamboo appetizer skewers at Party City and made mini pendants to attach to them that said fab 50. I’ve included a chart for setting up your own vodka bar and a recipe for an Island Cake which was a popular choice among our group.
| Island Cake | Print |
- 2 oz. cake vodka
- 2 oz. pineapple juice
- 2 oz. orange juice
- maraschino cherries for garnish
- Stir vodka, pineapple juice and orange juice in a glass filled with ice. Add maraschino cherries or other fruit to garnish your drink.
I think these napkins express the theme of my party best. “I’m not aging, I’m evolving.” I have a few more years until I reach fifty, but I’ve heard 50 is Fabulous and so is Christine! I was glad I could be a part of her celebration.
Linking to: TidyMom’s I’m Lovin It Party, Inspire Me Please Link Party, Fabulously Creative Friday, Ladies Only Blog Share, Tip Me Tuesday
Oh my goodness, everything looks so nice! It looks like the perfect party! And I love those napkins!
Thanks Michelle. I loved the napkins too 🙂 much better message than Over The Hill!
It all looks fabulous! Happy belated birthday to Christine!
Thanks Anne 🙂
Love the card stock picture idea!
Thanks Kristin! It was very easy to do.
It was a fabulous birthday! Thank you for the b-day wishes!Everything was perfectly decorated. On the table with my pictures and candles, Dawn scattered words that represented me! One was Long Island Lolita! And we used the “blunt ” card all night to describe a lot of us and our stories!! Great memories and laughs ! Thank you, my dear, thoughtful friend Dawn!
Glad I could be a party of your birthday celebration. I took the photos before we did the cards, but I’m glad you liked them. They were a good conversation piece.
Very cute & you can tell you put so much thought & love into the party
Thanks Denise!
Well done Dawn! I’m sooo impressed. You inspire me….
You are too kind Keri!
ok rushed home to see this blog !!!!!!! Love all your idea’s 🙂 I can’t wait to copy the vodka bar 🙂 love it!!!! I can’t understand why you don’t think you are creative … You are awesome!
Thanks Di, I appreciate your kind words. Looking back at my photos I would have added a little something to put on top of the plates, but I was in a bit of a hurry.
Very cute Dawn! Great ideas!
Thanks Betsy!
Great Blog Dawn, it was a great party for a great friend!!!!
First of all, wrinkles are ALWAYS glam. Second, there are those glue dots again (the burlap on the bookshelves)… Third, look at how cute the birthday girl is! Fourth, I love, love, LOVE the vodka bar and mason jars!!!!! Great job! I’m sure Christine was honored! <3
Thanks Cathy and thanks for the inspiration!
That is perfectly rustic glam!! I think you should pitch to party city that you design a whole line for them about how to throw a 50th birthday party. I’m certain there is a market for it!
I love the burlap over white linens, too.
I love your thinking Stacey. That would be a blast. I would have no idea where to start, but I appreciate your confidence in me 🙂 Maybe one day!
DAWN! YOU are FAB!!! Beautifully done! I know your friend must have been wowed! I love your ‘rustic’ tablecloth!
Thanks Angela 🙂 We had a nice celebration despite my wrinkled tablecloth.
This is me next year! What a nice party… I love the positive message on the napkins. So much nicer than the “over the hill” parties.