Orchid Spa Dinner Party

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to help decorate a birthday dinner party for some dear friends.  Derek, of 970Muscle, threw a birthday party for another BIG-TIME 970 muscle girl, beautiful Aome.  970 Muscle is a dynamic fitness team in our Colorado town.  The team often trains for bodybuilding and fitness shows, demonstrating what our incredible bodies are capable of doing!   I've shared about Derek before!  He is the fitness coach who made the surprise visit at Dakotah's Olympic Birthday Party this summer. 

 Click HERE for details on that!  

Aome and Derek at the dinner party

Before we get down and cozy looking at party pictures, I want to ask you, (my lovely readers!) a big-little favor!  Derek Trombetta is in a contest to be the 2013 spokesmodel for Bodybuilding.com.  If you have an interest in exercise and fitness, I'm SURE you've heard of Bodybuilding.com!  Derek, of 970 Muscle, is the IDEAL candidate to be the spokesmodel.  He lives his life with solid dedication to a fit lifestyle and propels forward with passion every day.  He positively encourages all he meets to reach higher.  Our family is blessed to call him friend.  Your vote would be SO appreciated!  And every vote makes a big difference.  Easily, click here and click on Derek (970 Muscle) to have your vote counted.  He is right at the top row.  Thanks so much! 

You can also click on the photo below to vote.

photo banner credit: Jonathan Hobbs Photography

Okay! Onto pretty stuff. And party stuff.  My favorite stuff!

I bought a LOT of potted orchids to start my decorating.  They were so beautiful lined in a pretty row in my home that I wanted to keep them all! 

I chose orchids as the main theme of the party, because this strong yet delicate flower reminded me of Aome.  Orchids are a sign of love, luxury, and beauty.  I also chose orchids because the party venue was at a sushi bar, so this flower would be very appropriate.



Along with the orchids, the theme was focused on elegance with a peaceful spa and serene night atmosphere.  



We had our own private swanky room at a local contemporary Sushi Bar, No Cost Sushi.  Deep red walls, funky colorful lights, and bright art on the walls. We lined tables straight down the middle, to create one line of beauty for our festive night, with the potted orchids balanced straight down the table.




Derek's beautiful mom, Sharon, and my main squeeze, Chris, helping with the set up right BEFORE the party started, as I snapped lots of pictures.  



It was a surprise party for Aome so all the guests are patiently waiting for the birthday girl.  




For party favors, I used plastic champagne flutes filled with chocolate-covered almonds at each place setting.





For the long table centerpiece I used fun, tall vases with orchids floating at the top.  Throughout the decor, I wanted a lot of water to be visible to the eye, to add to the peaceful spa-like theme.

Also, for the main table centerpiece were these two silver-black orbs.  I also had random stacks of smooth river rocks on the table, to compliment the peaceful spa theme.




Every place setting had an elegant black cloth napkin with a beautiful live orchid tucked simply tucked in next to the chopsticks.



The guests still waiting to SURPRISE our Aome!



And the dinner party began!




Our beautiful Japanese food is served!









A gathering of friends around a meal...that's what special moments are made of.



Sparkles, suited vests, and smiles...




Alongside the long dinner table, in the corner, I set up a dessert table.  There was a gorgeous aquarium placed perfectly above the dessert table, enhancing the peaceful-spa like, water atmosphere.   This aquarium was the BEST accent for the theme...I was SO excited! :)



The aquarium made a gorgeous statement!



Tall orchids in front of the aquarium, illuminated beautifully with candlelight.





On the dessert table: 

More visible, peaceful water with lucky bamboo and river rocks.






Candles...




I made a framed birthday banner for Aome to decorate the table with for her to take home.  It was the definition of the orchid, and of her!






Peaceful pretties!






Homemade oreo truffles with the label tied around another water vase with a single orchid:







I also made Pink Lemonade Sandwich cookies with cream cheese frosting:



To follow the main food theme, I use bamboo to hold a stick of fresh fruit and arranged them in a bamboo tray with yogurt raisins.







Instead of a birthday cake, I ordered a tray of simple vanilla and chocolate cupcakes from a local bakery, the Cake Cottage, with delicate orchids on the top!

To make it special, I had a plate of long taper birthday candles with tags, and instructions for the guests to write a little birthday wish for Aome and tie the wish on a candle.  

Aome could later take home her BIRTHDAY WISHES.

We then tied each birthday wish candle onto each cupcake.

Make a wish!

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you,

 happy birthday...

sweet Aome, happy birthday to you!

Aome and her mom

As the party ended, we gave the potted orchids away for party favors.

It was a blessing to take part in

celebrating beautiful Aome's birthday, 

wishing her happiness in her new year. 

 Aome is full of talent, 

she lives life with intention, 

she celebrates beauty, 

and has a gentle heart that exudes love.  

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This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, Nifty Thrifty, Seasonal Sundays, Made by You Monday, Met Monday, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, HOMEWORK: Be Inspired, Tasty Tuesday, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Works for Me Wednesday, Organize and Decorate Everything, Celebrations at Home,Transformation Thursday,Tablescape Thursday, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Ave, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, eighteen25, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up sew many ways Six Sisters Saturday
Bird's Party Blog

Alvin & the Chipmunks and our Enchanted 31st day of October

Our first Halloween Costume fun:

Modern Day Alivn & Chipmunks!

 I had the A shirt made by a local seamstress 

of Daisy Lane Design

and she did an amazing job!  Thank you Allison. :)  

I've shared before in this post, Candy Corn Sunshine, why we don't celebrate Halloween.  I don't like to celebrate ugly, scary, or death.  I prefer light, beauty, and life!  However, I've been doing a lot of thinking (totally normal for me!) and soul searching (again totally normal for me) and I decided to interject some of the exciting, enchanted, harmless, Halloween activities into our lives.  I don't want to sweat the petty things.  I'll forever stand by my core values and I remain solid in my foundational beliefs, but dressing up and cashing on on free candy didn't have a moral impact on our lives this year...oh and did I mention FREE candy?  So, we've come over to the dark side!  ...because they have candy.  {wink}

I celebrated Halloween in some of my early childhood years, and in later years we stopped.  I enjoyed BOTH experiences!  Dressing up and walking our neighborhood was a true delight, but the other years were extra fun too because my parents would plan special alternative fun for us on that day!  

Moment captured of a Halloween past:

My brother and me being super!

     photo via my Instagram account

One of my first Halloweens as a child.  

My Mom made me this lil pumpkin costume!

The ONE thing that thrust my thoughts into a whirl, circling in my head, was when I thought of the idea of dressing our boys up as the Chipmunks.  My Grandpa called our boys the chipmunks.   He passed away this year.  It has been a difficult journey within my spirit.  Talking and writing about it is a great struggle because I really don't like to cry.  Not having one of my most loved people here with us on earth brings sharp pain.  I wanted the boys to be Alvin and the Chipmunks this year in honor of my Grandpa!    Every single time we would talk on the phone, he'd ask how his "chipmunks" were.  He spoke the word, "chipmunks" with gusto and fire, full of life in every syllable.  Talking about our boys (his chipmunks) made him most happy.     Even when we attended his memorial service, we had handfuls of people approach us and say, "Oh! So these are the chipmunks I've heard so much about!".   Therefore, naturally, dressing our boys up as Alvin and the Chipmunks this year reminded us about Grandpa all day.  

Ironically, each boy fit each chipmunk, in birth order! 

 The oldest, Simon, responsible and studious, is definitely our Cameron!  

 The middle, Alvin, who discovers adventure turned disaster, always motivated,  with a happy heart, is definitely Dakotah! 

And, the youngest, Theodore,  who depends on his brothers, takes his time, and enjoys to eat is definitely Titus!  

We thought it was IDEAL that each chipmunk character perfectly fit our boys! 

It all started a few years ago when my boys would sing along with the Alvin & the Chipmunks holiday album.  In their high,  fastforward, best chipmunk voices they would all sing the Christmas carols together.  I shared about that is this past post HERE.

A few years ago, my parents bought them Alvin, Simon, and Theodore stuffed animals for Christmas Eve.  Every Christmas Eve, we pull them out, the boys line up, and they sing their best chipmunk Christmas carols.  This will be our first year that they won't be able to sing the chipmunk carols to my Grandpa over the phone as he chuckles along during the entire song, but we won't forget him as they sing, because my Grandpa's strong, loud, love stays here with us.  

And so, Grandpa! These Halloween costumes are for you!  The boys will always be your chipmunks.  

Allllvinnn!!!!!

We experienced the entire enchanted celebration of the 31st...

trick or treating...

Pumpkin carving! 

More about our pumpkin carving party in a future post! 

 I'll also explain what 1610 means. ;) 

After school treats! Remember our USA Sugar Sips layered drinks?  They kinda did a little viral tour over the www!  I've made a few color combos since then and thought these candy corn colors would be super cool for Halloween!  To learn how to make them, visit my past post HERE. 

Caramels and candy corn taffy!

And to finish off our night, we joined our neighbors at their front porch fire pit to roast marshmallows and make s'mores on this scary night!  Their son, Ryan, was wearing a dark, long, black, robe with a jack o lantern mask and he sat on a stool beside the fire, in the darkness.  He jumped out and scared.me.to.death. as he yelled BOO.  I screamed and jumped like a mad girl.  It was all madness! Well played, Ryan, well played.

To end our day, when I went into our room,

 I found a surprise note from Dakotah. 

It read, "Thank you for letting me do fun things.  I love you."

It was my favorite part of our first Halloween day...

 and these special things are also one of my favorite things 

about my life and being a mama.  

 This simple note of gratitude touched my heart and still won't let go.  I can't stop smiling inside.

I hope your enchanted day of magical fun

on this 31st day of October

 was bright and full of life! 

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This post is linked to: Under the Table & Dreamin, Nifty Thrifty, Seasonal Sundays, Made by You Monday, Met Monday, Tuesday Tutorials and Tips, HOMEWORK: Be Inspired, Tasty Tuesday, Tip Junkie, Get Your Craft On, Works for Me Wednesday, Organize and Decorate Everything, Celebrations at Home,Transformation Thursday,Tablescape Thursday, Strut Your Stuff, 36th Ave, Foodie Friday, Frugal Friday, I'm Lovin It, Tickled Pink, Friday Flair, Design Dazzle, eighteen25, Be Different Act Normal, Funky Junk Interiors, Weekend Wrap Up sew many ways Six Sisters Saturday