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Kate's Mermaid Birthday Party!

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Our little mermaid just turned five and we celebrated with a Mermaid Party! Kate loves Ariel, so we incorporated little touches of our favorite singing mermaid, along with a monochromatic  blue and aqua color scheme. Vicki from Vicki Lynn Photography captured all of the beautiful details of the day. I was hoping our new pool and backyard would be done in time for the party to do a poolside lunch, but it wasn’t quite ready so we held the party right in my home office. (also the backdrop for the sunshine baby shower I styled for Pottery Barn Kids) My white furniture, ivory drapes and crystal chandeliers made for a light and bright backdrop. Now that Kate is getting older and making friends of her own, we decided to keep the party small and have her eight closest friends attend. My desk was turned into the seating table after we gathered additional chairs.

I designed a new printable collection for the party, including invitations, cupcake toppers, food labels, place cards, and a pennant banner. The invitations were hand delivered to our guests with our new gumball tubes filled with pearl white and shimmer blue gumballs. We used our light blue striped paper plates, napkins and striped paper cups and straws at each place setting.

As the girls arrived, they were given an aqua blue ribbon-trimmed tutu made by my mom along with a basic white tank from Old Navy to change into. They were “crowned” mermaids for the day with a pearl necklace from Target and custom tulle mermaid hair clip from Banner Boutique.

I printed an 11×17 “Welcome Mermaids” sign and framed in my gorgeous distressed wood frame from The Savvy Photographer. I found the perfect starfish melamine plates at HomeGoods for the party. Kate was so excited to have her friends arrive. She wanted to wear something a little different that her party guests, so she wore an additional tutu in white under her aqua one.

My main inspiration for color for the party came from the turquoise coral napkins from Williams Sonoma that I spotted a couple months ago. I used three of them to create a runner for the table. For the centerpiece, I used my white tiered cupcake stand from Pottery Barn Kids and filled it with cupcakes I baked in our blue polka dot baking cups. I topped the cupcakes with amazing fondant starfish toppers from Two Sugar Babies. My mom and I made shell and starfish chocolates using candy melts and a mold from Wilton. We topped them with gorgeous edible glitter I picked up on a trip to NYC at NY Cake & Baking.

I used the perfect blue and aqua tissue paper pom set from our shop!

I picked up the clear crystal garland at HomeGoods for another shoot and it worked beautifully hanging from my chandeliers and around the centerpiece on the table. We tied tulle and ribbon from each chair, along with a printable place card to mark where each girl would sit. Of course, Kate loved choosing who sat where.

Toni’s cousin, Mandy made the amazing cookies that matched the invitation perfectly! She is local here in the East Valley and she starting a cookie business soon, so we’ll keep you posted. I adore her handwriting on Kate’s cookie. Could it be more perfect?

I made a simple pennant banner incorporating the “scale” pattern I used in the other printable designs and strung with white satin ribbon.

The dessert table was simple and sweet. The aqua blue ruffle cake was made by my local cake designer, Melissa from Decadent Delights and my mom and I embellished with ribbon, a pearl necklace, a starfish and a little mermaid doll. I placed the cake on one of our white milk glass cake stands filled with raw sugar to create the look of sand.

I baked the cupcakes in our blue polka dot baking cups topped with my favorite Betty Crocker frosting. I designed new printable cupcake toppers and punched with our favorite flourish paper punch. My local cake pop designer, Bonnie from Inspired Occasions did a beautiful job as usual with her creative embellishments on the cake pops! I put them in a white doily pot from Ikea.

After I spotted these round lollipops, I was on a mission to find some or make them for Kate’s party. They just fit the theme so perfectly, like bubbles! Luckily, I found This Charming Candy, a fabulous Etsy shop who whipped them up for the party in Bubble Gum and Blueberry flavors. I filled the white pot with our pearl white shimmer gumballs.

More gorgeous, delicious cookies made by Mandy. I have no idea how she was able to replicate the pattern from the invitation. Amazing!

I bought little Squinkies Ariel rings for the girls as party favors (multi-pack at Target) and tried to think of a creative way to package them, since they are so tiny. I had one of our mini candy jars sitting on my desk and decided it would be cute to fill them with sand (raw sugar) and put the ring and some mini shells in it to create a little beach scene. Since the jars are glass, I waited to hand them out to the parents when they picked up so they could help get the ring out and handle the jar. Kate’s little jar is sitting on her dresser and it’s a perfect keepsake from her mermaid party!

Kate’s friend, Elle brought her a beta fish as a birthday gift! How fun?!

Lindsay from Banner Boutique made a special starfish and tulle hair clip for Kate to wear, as well as one for me that I wore on my dress. Kate also wore a special necklace and bracelet set from our shop. So perfect!

As the party went on, I took a few snapshots of the rest of the afternoon (as Vicki had to leave). Kate blowing out her candles, a mermaid wand craft and gift opening. The party ended with the girls chasing Tommy around the house after he returned from his soccer game. Too cute!

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl! We love you so much and hope you loved your party!

New Mermaid Printable Collection is available here!

Find the coordinating party supplies HERE in our shop!

April 10, 2012

Post Date:

  1. Jessica Rodriguez says:

    This is absolutely stunning! I love every detail!

  2. Jenny D. says:

    Kim, this is SO darling. I just adore the favors in the mini candy jars. So sweet & simple!

  3. Heidi says:

    Stunning and once again couldn’t have been a more beautiful party!

  4. Kim, it’s fabulous and I love that you didn’t go over the top with the dessert table and kept the party small. What a great take on a “character” party!

  5. That ruffle ombre cake is AMAZING! Beautiful job as always Kim and congratulations on your new shop!

  6. Gorgeous!! LOVE the colors, and that sweet birthday girl looks like she couldn’t be happier! And that cake is amazing!

  7. What a sweet party! I love all the pictures!

  8. thaby says:

    kim eres increible! te admiro a morir!

  9. Melissa says:

    Gorgeous party Kim! Love all the details…

    xxoo

  10. Wendy Wise says:

    Kim, this is so stinkin gorgeous!!!!! Love it all! Job well done {as always}, my friend! 🙂 The cake…..are you serious!? Stunning! And you managed to do a “character” birthday party without it being cheesy! {insert applause here!}

  11. Andrea says:

    What a beautiful party! I love all the blue and shimmer touches. Just perfect!

  12. Andrea says:

    Amazing party!!! You did a fabulous job as always!

  13. Absolutely stunning! Gorgeous party, gorgeous girls and gorgeous desserts!!

  14. Deanna says:

    do you have a pattern for the tutus your mom made?? id love to be able to make them for my flower girls!

    • Kim says:

      Hi Deanna! I’m sorry, we don’t have a pattern. I’m not sure how she figured it out…sewing is definitely not my forte!

  15. Oh so gorgeous!!! I feel like I just enjoyed a perfect day at a magical beach!! I LOVE the color scheme and just adore every beautiful detail!!! Beautiful job Kim, it looks like such a special day!

  16. Valerie Perrotta says:

    I absolutely love every little detail you put into this party for your daughter and also appreciate your great finds at Target and Home Goods stores!! So many fun things can be found right under our noses! The jewelry, bows, and tutus, just gorgeous! Loved all the sweets, too! Super job!

  17. Kate says:

    Really awesome, I love how it was themed and anything but cheesy. This is enough to convince me that when my twin girls are older and want a theme party (esp if based on a disney character), I could actually allow it and it would be great. How fun!

  18. Anna & Co. says:

    It’s amazing how Ariel lives in every little girls heart. My little girl is 4 and she adores The Little Mermaid. This is absolutely the most amazing party styling I’ve seen of Tomkat yet. I love every detail and it just happens to be in one of my favorite hues. I’m not one to jump at character parties, but this is breath taking. My little girl might just pass out when she sees it. Thank you for the inspiration.
    Blessings,
    Anna & Co.

    • Kim says:

      Thank you for your sweet, sweet words! I think Ariel not only lives in every little girl’s heart, but big girls too. I think I was in high school when the movie came out…and I belt out the song, “Part of Your World” constantly!

  19. Wendy says:

    Beautiful! What an exquisite take on a commercial character! Simply stunning. The cake is amazing, the color scheme is so pretty, the tutus are gorgeous. It’s elegant yet sweet enough for a little girl.
    Well done Kim!

  20. This is a VERY chic party. Love the color scheme! You did an amazing job, Kim! You Rock unlimited!!!! ~Maitri

  21. Elizabeth says:

    Absolutely truly amazing!

  22. violet says:

    out of this world!!!

  23. Mindy says:

    beautiful! Will your mom post a tutu tutorial?? 🙂

  24. lorelei says:

    Kim, I love it…..will be my daughter’s birthday next year….her birthday is in the summer! what did you use as linen on the dessert table….looks like ruffles?

    PS: please tell me that you can keep those mini candy jars in stock for next year…..i will order them right now if i have to, but i see you are out of stock.

    • Kim says:

      Hi Lorelei! We will be getting the jars back in stock very soon! 🙂
      The ruffles were actually a table runner I had from Easter last year. I folded it over so all the ruffles would show at the front of the table. It was made by Sweet Tea and Linen.

  25. The most beautiful mermaid party ever! Love all the details Kim!! Such a sweet party for such a sweet girl!
    I love how you managed to turn Kate’s love of Ariel, (a very commercialized party theme), into something simple, tasteful and gorgeous! I seriously love it!!

  26. Melissa C says:

    Beautiful! I love all the details and the cookies look amazing.

  27. Sandra says:

    Love it!!!
    beautiful party!!!

  28. Jana Maciag says:

    What a beautiful party! I loved all the details.

  29. I love this! You have to set up a UK base! I’d find excuses to have a party just to use your things!

  30. Luv the colors and those tutus are adorable!

  31. Out of control fabulousness!! Every detail is so fantastic. I LOVE the favor in the cute jar. Love the colors. Love your printables. Love the pearl necklaces in the custom designed bag. The kids looked adorable! You did so well Kim!!

    • Kim says:

      Thank you, Lisa! Lucky enough for me, the pearl necklaces came in those bags from Target! I just trimmed the text off at the top and bottom and resealed them! Perfect color!

  32. What a gorgeous party – and Kate looks both adorable and delighted all at once!

  33. Ruth O'Reilly says:

    Really don’t know what to add after so many wonderful comments. Really AWESOME and BEAUTIFUL every single detail. We are learning so much from you. Thank you for sharing it with us.

  34. You continue to have exquisite taste and style. You can just see how sweet your daughter is 🙂
    Thx again for the “shout out” Kim xoxo

  35. Oh Kim! The whole party is just exquisite! I love everything from your designs to the cookies and that incredible cake!! A beautiful day created with a thoughtfulness and love! Happy Birthday to your sweet Kate!

  36. Kim says:

    Thank you all so much for lovely comments! It was so much fun to see everything come together and Kate enjoyed every moment of her Mermaid Party!

  37. Melissa M. says:

    Unbelievable Kim! Makes me want to be 5 and have a party! You will have to give me ideas for an 11 year old!

  38. Fara says:

    I love everything! We are fans of Ariel too! She is our favorite princess. My 6 year old is going to adore this party and me too! I think this theme could be arrange for BIG Girls TOO! It could have been perfect for my 30 years old birthday! I love PEARLS, BEACH and Mermaids!

    You are amazing Kim, a true inspiration!

    Fara

  39. Julie B says:

    What a beautiful party! I love the colors and that doilies bucket from IKEA! Thanks for being so inspiring!

    Julie

  40. Clyona says:

    Omg Kim this is so beautiful I love the color scheme. The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney Movie so this was a treat for me to see.

  41. Kirsten says:

    I mean, I’m swooning over this party! It’s beyond amazing. The colour scheme, the theme, the styling…everything is perfection…as always!! LOVE LOVE LOVE your work 🙂

  42. Tieshia @ Couturesoiree says:

    I am lost for words! amazing

  43. Tristi says:

    Just gorgeous! My daughter has been begging for an Ariel party and now I have the perfect inspiration! I am not a fan of character parties, and I love how classy this is! Where is the Ariel on the cake from? It’s the perfect Ariel touch!

  44. Lauren says:

    Kim, once again, BEAUTIFUL JOB!! You achieved the the unique combination of being BOTH age appropriate and trend setting all at the same time. I love the subtle inclusions of Ariel paired with the modern and fresh “scales” pattern and monochromatic color scheme. You truly are a leader in the “party industry” as you are setting new trends all the while not totally going over the top for a 5 year old birthday party. Congrats on creating a dream birthday party for your daughter AND showing off your professional talents all at the same time.

  45. Kathy says:

    Wow! Loved this. The colors are beautiful and you have really out done yourself this time. Love your blog.

  46. What a gorgeous party! I think what I like the most is that you shared all the ‘behind the scenes’ secrets that so many people pine over… Looks like Kate had a wonderful day.

  47. amy says:

    LOVE LOVE LOVE your creativity! What color are the walls?

  48. MH says:

    This is STUNNING!

    • Line Larose says:

      Hello! I was looking for ideas for a little mermaid birthday party coming up in May,for my 4 year old daughter and fell on your blog. OMG!! I fell in love with this design. I was wondering if I purchase the printable PDF of the invitations and other decorations, can I personnalize these items with my information. The thing is we are a French speaking family and I would need it to be changed to french. Can I do this, or is it possible to do this?

  49. Stephanie says:

    Simply Stunning just like the Birthday Girl and her Mommy!

  50. Aneta says:

    That is one super adorable party 🙂 Girls looks tryly stunning wearing sweet tutus . Truly magical photos will keep great memories for sure 🙂

  51. Tina Dahl says:

    The cake, the invitations, the cookies, the poms, the colors….love it all! I love that you used a licensed character with such a “light” hand. Ariel is featured perfectly along with the printables and decor. Just gorgeous Kim!!! I think I know the theme to my daughter’s party next year!! The cupcakes and tutus put this over the top, or was it the cake pops 🙂

  52. I love the color blue and this is such a creative and fun birthday party! It’s a great example that a birthday celebration doesn’t have to be big to be fun.

  53. Brianna says:

    Adorable. It makes me want to have a mermaid party (and I’m turning 30!)

  54. suzanne says:

    Wow, Every detail is so beautiful and creative. What wonderful pictures. Thanks

  55. HG Insider says:

    Kim, we’re speechless. Just when we think you can’t outdo yourself – you do! Your creativity and attention to detail are ah-mazing. Thanks for the call out. Stay in touch. Your friends at HomeGoods

  56. Alisa says:

    I love the party. It is so fresh and clean looking. I’m planning a Tangled party for my 5 y/o granddaughter and I love how your mom made the tutu’s with the ribbon on the bottom. Is she willing to share how she did it. I know sewing is involved. I have made the ones with the elastic and tie-on and also the ribbon waistband. Please let me know if she can offer me any advice on how to make on and also where she purchased the tulle. It looks really nice and soft, unlike some that I have purchased.

    Thanks for any help!

    Lisa

  57. I love it! Everything is so pretty!

  58. Richelle says:

    Amazing job!!! As ALWAYS!!! I now want to change the theme of my daughters party to this!!! hehe

  59. Absolutely perfect in every way! I’m in love with this party! And how adorable is your baby girl!

  60. renee says:

    Simple and beautiful. You have one lucky little girl!!!

  61. You have amazing taelnt Kim.. Just beautiful!

  62. what a classy dreamy party. i love this! i hope my baby loves this concept next time. great post!

  63. Kayleigh says:

    What lucky little girls! It is beautiful. Great job on everything. How did you do the cake?

  64. Exquisite! I have a daughter who turned five in April too! 🙂

  65. This *might* be my favorite TKS party yet. The colors, the shells, the tutus – everything about it is just perfect!! Leila already told me (the day after her fifth birthday) that when she turns six she wants a luau. Party. A luau in January, lol! I’ll definitely have to steal some of your ideas. And those cake stands might just be the prettiest I’ve ever seen! (Already put them on my birthday list!)

    Everything about this party is beautiful, especially Kate! Great job, mama!

    xo,
    Heather

  66. Kim!
    What a precious party Kate is a very lucky girl to have such a involved and talented mom 🙂 Love the colors and everything flows beautifully!
    Val

  67. Gail says:

    I am always amazed by your beautiful designs. May I ask where you purchased the milk glass decorative towers on the cake table?

  68. Michele says:

    You are amazing! This is just so gorgeous! I love everything about it!

  69. Tee Wallace says:

    I’m in love with this party!! So adorable! Wish I had waited to plan my daughters party because I would have rather had this theme lol Would love to know how the tutu’s were made!

  70. Katie says:

    Omg!! This party is amazing!!! I love the mermaids in the jars!

  71. AMANDA L says:

    This party is gorgous! I can’t name just one thing that I like about it. Great job and happy birthday to your daughter.

  72. Wow I would love to have this party for my granddaughter Emma!

  73. Leah says:

    So pretty! Did you have the girls wear tops and give them the tutus at the party or did you have them change into the whole outfit when they arrived?

  74. Megan Boyett says:

    Beautiful! I love the cake!!

  75. Sunny says:

    So beautiful as always. It certainly doesn’t look rushed at all. Perfectly perfect.

  76. Tina Dahl says:

    Kim-please do let us know if Mandy decides to open an Etsy store to sell her beautiful cookies……I would order them in a heartbeat. You go girl!!

  77. venus says:

    LOVE IT!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to do something like it for my little mermaid. Of course winning the raffle would help lol…….

  78. Christa says:

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this party. My daughter will be turning 7 in May and wants a Blue mermaid party and this color scheme is perfect!

  79. Lorraine says:

    Everything looks amazing, and Kate is so cute! What a fantastic party!

  80. Daryn Murphy says:

    Just gorgeous!!! Such an inspiration

  81. all I can say is WOW!!! absolutely amazing detail and coordination. You have talent and what a creative eye. Gorgeous all over.

  82. Celeste says:

    My daughter is 9 and OBSESSED with the “H2O, just add water” TV series. So we’ll be putting a little spin on your fun ideas 🙂 Thanks for all of your creativity… PS: I love Banner Boutique too!

  83. JoAnn says:

    Morning,
    I love the mermaid party theme – did you make the tutus or did your purchase them?
    Can you please supply some info – they are adorable.
    Thanks so much!!
    joAnn

  84. Cori Hakola says:

    I absolutely love the detail put into this party. Do you have a tutorial (or know of one) for the tutus? The satin ribbon trim on the bottom makes them so pretty!

    Thanks,
    Cori

  85. Chriss says:

    Can you tell me where you got the mermaid on the cake? We’re doing monochromatic; and, I can only find the green/purple Ariel. Also, where did you find the Tiffany Blue skirts?

  86. Suzi Stout says:

    Cool! This birthday party is awesome! I like all the colors, themes that you used and all the design was very unique!! I would be very glad if you would like me to feature this blog on my site soon at Girls Partys

    Looking forward for more great blogs!!

  87. Andrea says:

    What a gorgeous party – love all the attention to detail. My princess turns 21 this summer and to this day the little mermaid is her favorite movie lol – hoping to have an ariel party for her too

  88. Megan says:

    Can you point me in the direction of the mermaid wand craft? it looks so cute. Thanks!

  89. Marnie says:

    Thank you for the insoiration. NWhat a lovely party. I would love to know where you found the mermaid image for the wand activit. parkmarn@yahoo.com

    Thanks!

  90. Hi there, its pleasant article about media print,
    we all know media is a fantastic source of facts.

  91. Kimberlee says:

    Hey! love the tutu is there a pattern??

  92. I am so in love with this theme! You did such a good job on everything!

  93. Kristen says:

    Where did you find the Ariel that you have in front of the cake?

  94. Anke says:

    Dear Kim,
    I just came across the mermaid Party again and I LOVE it sooo much! I was blown away by seeing it before years and today a am blown away still! Amazing work! Thank you for always inspire me!

  95. Jennifer says:

    This is such a beautiful take on the mermaid theme. Can you share the pattern for the tutu? I’d love to give these as favors.

    Thanks,
    Jennifer

  96. stephany says:

    I lovee the tutu where did you get it from ???

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