Sunday, July 11, 2010

Retro Ice Cream Sundae Bar {surprise}



Earlier this summer, we took the boys to an old fashion soda fountain in a nearby quaint farmtown. This helped inspire me to create our own little retro style ice cream shop at home for a family event. I am the biggest fan of the party trend of sweet stations, bars, and buffets. And what could be better than an ice cream sundae bar in JULY?!

Our visit to an old fashion soda fountain in a little farmtown

I planted anticipation in their little hearts by whispering to them that I was going to bring the ice cream shop home with us but that is was a big SECRET on how I would do that! {wink}

Kotah being Kotah outside the old fashion soda fountain shop

I decided to create this ice cream bar for our 4th of July celebration.
I wrote about our All American Soiree here if you want to see all those details.


I bought a beautiful fabric pendant banner from sweet cottage dreams on etsy that I am in love with! It gives that CLASSIC children's charm.





In the past my mom has dipped cones in chocolate for a fun touch and I copied her idea! I dipped them in melted chocolate then covered them with festive sprinkles.

I also printed and cut paper cones for some of the cones.


Nothing beats homemade ice cream balanced on an adorable cone for a hot summer day!


The big empty basket is ready to hold the ICE cold homemade vanilla ice cream!


For the centerpiece I added little touches of retro to complete the look I was creating: A tin of marbles, vintage red and white paper straws twirled in a jar, and vintage art of children from a 4th of July past.

Just in case there were any crazy little people who didn't want ice cream, I made some homemade sugar star cookies! Licorice is a timeless treat, appropriate for a retro theme.


Why are choices so exciting? Strawberry, Caramel, Chocolate, or all three?

The more topping varieties, the more excitement there is! Crushed oreos, mini M&Ms, red and white gummy bears, nuts, chocolate & peanut butter chips, and sprinkles of course!


The boys were the perfect helpers to help sort out the candy so we exclusively had red, white, and blue.


No sundae bar is complete without a bowl full of cherries...



The ice cream was served buffet style, with the super cute parfait cups ready to grab in a basket beside the table.

I covered the canned whip cream in red paper to subtract any commercialized look from the table.


My mom's candy jar nearby fit the style too!

Anxious tiny ones are lined up, ready to create their sweet treats!

I am extra happy about the ice cream sundae bar concept and want to use it again! You can take this idea and change it in many ways. A banana split bar with bright cheerful colors is another idea to have set up for the neighborhood after a day on the big yellow slip and slide. If you've tried this before, please share! I am interested in some serious eye candy inspiration. :)


To See the FULL Celebration, visit ALL AMERICAN SOIREE post.


CREDITS: a BIG HAPPY THANK YOU to: Tweedled Designs, Martha Stewart, Vintage Holiday Crafts, andThe Pink Orange for paper printables





This post is linked to:


Motivate me Monday, Inspired By, I'm Lovin It Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff Thursday, Be Inspired, Topsy Turvy Tuesdays, Making the World Cuter, Its so Very Creative, Tasty Tuesday,Get Your Craft On, Toot Your Horn Tuesday, Market Yourself Monday, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday

60 comments:

Anonymous said...

I Love it! Everything looks wonderful. I especially like the cones.

Melissa Miller said...

WOW!!!! Lisa you are a-ma-zing!
This is just soooo charming and fun. Loved it all! *Smiles*

Nana's Fun Stuff said...

Oh Lisa you did a great job on this and how fun is that! Great job on your own ice cream parlor! Love it!

Michelle @ Delicate Construction said...

That came out so great! I love it!

Alaina said...

Very cute! I love the detail of the paper around the cones. :) Great work!

Our Porch in Hillsborough said...

What a great idea. I love the extra touches, like the paper cones and covered can. I would be so excited to go to a party that had this sundae bar (not to mention homemade ice cream!).

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I'll be giving the dude's party details tomorrow hopefully. But they definitely don't hold a candle to these!

The Taffs said...

Wow-you definitely know how to throw a party! That looks straight from a magazine!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Adorable, Lisa! I loved seeing all of them lined up for their ice cream, and you have tons of special touches. Just the best!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Leanne said...

I know I've said this before, but don't be surprised if I just show up for one of your parties these days. You put so much detail and thought into all your get togethers. I love the paper around the cones. What a fun idea. Have a great week Lisa!

Michelle said...

Your setups always turn out so great! I love it.

Mystica said...

It looks so wonderful.

Diana Ferguson said...

Everything looks great!!!!

mle said...

Yummmmmmmm! What a great party!

Unknown said...

WOW Lisa, you've created a kid paradise...adult one too!! :) It all looks incredible as always!!!

Hope you are having a great Summer!

Hugs ~

:) T

p.s. you asked about my bedding...it's from anthropologie.

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

There are so many things I enjoy about your blog - the photos are always so charming, capturing all of the fun in picture-perfect style; the topics are fun, fresh, and rival any store-bought magazine for their originality, you always have your pulse on new and emerging trends; but it's your writing that truly captivates me the most! You know how to build our anticipation into frenzied delights and then you always come through and deliver on the sweetest, old-fashioned sentiments :)

This is delightful! There's so much forethought and love poured into this concept, but I think the thing that I loved the most was the cones - the paper around just a select few, the dipped chocolate sprinkled edges, and the adorable way you displayed them!

SUPERB!!!

Judy@cutest-little-things

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Hi Lisa! You just amaze me with every detail that you come up with! What a FUN party! LoVe the look of delight on the faces of the children!!

xoxo
Becky

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

ps: thanks for the shout out, too! :)

Christie said...

I am so glad I found your site! Such great ideas! Come see my picnic at http://threepixielane.blogspot.com/2010/06/pink-and-green-morning-picnic.html.

Do you recognize the napkins? Also, check out my 'Swedish Intent!' I am your new follower!

Sarah said...

WOW! That is super neat! Everything is so well put together, with a lot of love! You are like a little Martha Stewart!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

You didn't leave out any details - did you? This is awesome.

Tiff said...

So cute! I love it! We make homemade ice cream here quite frequently but never stray too far from vanilla. Just curious if you could post your ice cream recipe?!?!?! I'd love to give it a try!

Laura said...

Oh my gosh, how fun! I love ice cream!!

Miller Racing Family said...

What a fabulous party. I love the ice cream treats. I love the photos of your guys at the soda fountain.
Have a fabulous day!

Kelly Miller said...

This is so adorable! We had a picnic lunch on Sunday and I thought, man, Lisa would do this so much better. :)

Camie Rae said...

That was amazing! I love it! So stinkin cute!! I had an ice cream sundae bar at my baby's 1st birthday! It really was a hit! Stop by if you like!

http://monkeybidnaz.blogspot.com/2010/05/mod-monkey-birthday-go-time.html

Unknown said...

I loved all the pictures. Everything was so nice!
Be sure to stop by and check out my Best Chicken Strips Ever
Have a great day!

Jessica Loukota Leimback said...

Very fun!!! I can't wait to do something like that and use your fun ideas and talent.

Jessica Loukota Leimback said...

Very fun!!! I can't wait to do something like that and use your fun ideas and talent.

Cupcake Crazy Gem said...

This is amazing! I love everything about it! I'm a big fan of dessert bars too and this is such a cute idea...I love all the details, the sign, the bunting, the patriotic sprinkle covered cones! I can just imagine how well this went down! I've recently become a big ice cream sundae fan too..in my house every Sunday is 'Sundae Sunday'! so was interested to see your ideas for toppings! I've just ordered some smuckers fudge sauce off an american grocery website here in the UK...I'm hoping it's going to be a tasty addition to our Sundae's!

Elisabeth said...

What a fun idea. You really went all out with the time you put into it and the decorations. I don't mind the food part but getting the decorations together always stumps me. :(

Elisabeth
http://homeschoolblogger.com/timbuck2mom/

Faded Plains said...

That is completely adorable...and something your kids will remember for a long time.

Ashlee Marie said...

LOVE IT! I have bad a candy bar at my past few birthday parties, I've done a hot chocolate bar too, but an Ice cream bar is new and SOOOOOOO cute! I LOVE it! I just started a link party and I would love it if you would drop in and add your adorable ice cream bar! http://imtopsyturvy.com/index.php/2010/07/topsy-turvy-tuesdays-1/

Kara @ Mine for the Making said...

What an adorable party! Love the ice cream bar idea (my sister-in-law did that for her wedding!) but I especially love the colors/theme. So cute!

Jami said...

I love this party and your attention to detail...love the ice cream cones and the way you displayed them. I have to follow you for more inspiration!
smiles!

www.blackberryvine.blogspot.com

BLJ Graves Studio said...

It looks amazing! And now I want ice cream. :-)

Quilted Cupcake said...

What a clever, inspired idea. I like your attention to detail, and it's very well executed. Well done!

Anonymous said...

so festive and adorable. i want that sundae! where did you get the cute straws?

Brandy said...

HOW FUN!!

Reunion Committee said...

I am in awe.. utter awe. This is amazing! I am so stealing a few of these ideas for my daughters 18 b day party. She asked for an ice cream bar! love it!
~Tana

Jenny said...

What a fabulous idea!!!

I think I am going to have to borrow it :-) I just know my Grands would love it!!

You are very creative and it looks like it turned out lovely!

Sarah Larsen said...

That is one adorable ice cream bar! Wherever did you acquire all your fun vintage pieces? The patriotic vintage fabric is to die for! I <3 vintage!

Red Couch Recipes said...

Your ice cream bar is smashing and they details are all so special! Joni

Natasha in Oz said...

What a fabulous idea. I can't wait until it's summer over here and I can try this out. Thanks for sharing this.

Best wishes,
Natasha.

Christi said...

How fun! Remembering this for our end of summer icecream party!

Kelli W said...

So fun! I love that you made sure to only red, white, and blue stuff!

Melissa said...

HOW FUN!!! Such a wonderful idea and such cute (and YUMMY!) execution!

Anonymous said...

Come to my house and do this? :0)

Adorable and darling! Makes me want to have one .. oh .. tomorrow!

http://alltheabcsofmylife.blogspot.com

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

Wow! Everything looks just wonderful!

Unknown said...

This post has been selected as one of my top posts of the week. Here is the link: http://www.jdaniel4smom.com/2010/07/great-post-i-came-across-this-week-july.html

Holly Lefevre said...

This is good old fashioned yumminess! I really cannot say no to any ice cream, but I could see multiple trips to this beautiful sundae bar! You have set the standard again!

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

What a fun party! I want to have one of these! I will feature this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com in the next few days!

Ashlee Marie said...

I'm featuring this on my blog today! Come on by and grab a button!

Sarah said...

very cute idea!!!

Unknown said...

You just inspired my twins' first birthday party theme! Thank you so much. I LOVE this. Ice cream is such a nice break from cake. I'll make two fancy cupcakes for the babes though. Following you now!

Happy Tues.

Jami

Stef said...

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Love love love it!!

Room to Inspire said...

What an amazing party - all of the details are just perfect. I would love to surprise my kiddos with a party like this! Thanks so much for linking up to Be Inspired this month.

Chelsea

Jacqueline said...

What a fun party, I bet they all felt really spoiled. I did a giant pig's trough that I posted last week, but nothing as elegant as this. All of your touches were so wonderful. The cones are delightful and I am sure it was hard to decide which cone to pick and what toppings.

Kristin said...

What a cute idea. I love everything that you did. Red/White/Blue is my favorite during the summer.

TidyMom said...

I bet you were THE coolest Mom in the state!! AMAZING job!!.....then again, you ALWAYS know how to throw a fantastic party!!