Harrison's 4th Birthday | Lego

…better late than never, right? We celebrated Harrison’s birthday back in March, and as a COVID kid, this was his first party with friends so we were all VERY excited to celebrate.

H wanted a lego party, so I did some scooping around to find fun pieces to incorporate the theme while still make it cute and not just everything the same. As you know, I take a different approach with themes, so this was a fun little project to take on.

1. Tablecloth - I have used these tablecloths for both of Margot’s parties, and loved the blue for Harrison’s lego party. The price is unbeatable, and they wash really really well.

2. Lego candy (that actually tasted SO good )

3. Candy jars

4. Lego utensils

5. Lego juiceboxes

6. Invitations - we printed and handed them out at preschool, but this is a very cute paperless post option!

7. Lego favor boxes

8. Lego cake topper - this was the first time I tried a little cake hack and was so happy with not only how it turned out but how EASY it was, I will never stray away - for kids/large parties at least! I ordered a half (depending on your party size) sheet cake from my local grocery store (Wegmans) - white cake, buttercream frosting with NO decorations. Absolutely nothing. I then ordered this cake topper, and covered with my own sprinkles. It was so cute and easy and so much cuter than how the store would decorate it. I loved it so much, I did it again for Margot’s party, and like I said - will never go back to any other way… ha!

9. Lego plates - purchased in green, yellow, blue and red to match everything else

10. Lego lollipops

11. Balloons - my trusty, delivered inflated, 24” set of 4 balloon set - this time in a primary color combo which was perfect for this party!

12. Lego garland

Margot's 2nd Birthday

Margot’s birthday party is quickly becoming one of my favorite days to plan. While I of course love Harrison’s birthday, March is a tough month, and August has been shown to just be a little bit easier. Family and friends summer travel plans have pretty much ended, and we can utilize the pool and backyard.

I come from a large family (hi, 32 first cousins, just on my dads side…) and we grew up spending almost every single holiday together. As we’ve grown up, moved all over, started new chapters, and some of us our own families, it’s really hard to find time to see eachother. I’m hoping Margot’s summer party can be a time we can all get together atleast once a year as the years go on.

I wasn’t going to do any sort of “theme” again this year, but after falling in love with her invitation, I decided to make it a little strawberry day for our lady. When doing a theme, I usually don’t do EVERYTHING in theme, but more so add a few pieces here and there, and then incorporate party supplies I either already have, or can use again within the color palette. I know there’s a lot of shame in “themes” and big parties lately, but ya know what, life is short and these days, very dark, so if you want to have a theme, have a theme. Go wild. We all know how much we love birthdays around here, so I have no shame in it.

Anyways, here are some pieces for Margot’s party - hopefully they can inspire an idea for one of your own!

1. Kate Spade Strawberry Invitation - I’d like to start off by saying, this is my first electronic invitation for a party. I LOVE a paper invitation. But, it’s gotten pricey to print/ship invites and it’s an expense I chose to minimize this year. Thank you cards will of course be paper, and handwritten, and sent out within a week. Because, #manners.

2. Stella McCartney Kids - Strawberry Set

3. Cake Topper

4. Party City 24” Balloons - for delivery, always and forever.

5. Heather Taylor Home - Soho Cassis Kid Napkins

6. Pastel Garland - I bought 3 sets and plan to hang them all across the yard from tree to tree

7. Pink Striped Bags - for pinata treats

8. Strawberry Treat Boxes - planning on using these as part of the centerpieces at each table, filled with little candies.

9. Pearl Street Swim. Strawberries Flutter One Piece - I mean, I couldn’t NOT.

10. Meri Meri Scalloped Compostable Plates - The “paper” version of our favorite birthday plates for party days!

11. Strawberry Straws

12. Petite Plume Nightgown - I always love giving the kids a new pair of pajamas to wear the night before their birthday. It always feels so sweet to gift them something special in anticipation of their day.

13. Customized Scalloped Napkins

14. Minnow x Tuckernuck - French Terry Polo - Big brother party vibes.

15. Pink Gingham Tablecloth - We bought last year for her party and they worked/washed so well

16. Strawberry Pinata

17. HIll House Home - Nap Dress, obviously.

18. Strawberry Paper Lanterns

19. White Elephant Designs - Classic White Shorts - For the big brother.

20. The Little Market - Happy Birthday garland - A birthday staple for our family.

21. Strawberry Fields Sprinkle Mix - Ordered a sheet cake, going to sprinkle these on top with the cake topper and call it an easy peasy day.

22. Terracotta Planters - I love using these around the tables to hold utensils

23. Party Hats

24. Suit Supply - White Linen Shirt - because Dada’s gotta look the part too.

This post contains some affiliate links. I make a small commission from purchases via these links, but these products are being shared on my own accord. These are not sponsored products. I only share what I love!

Birthday Essentials

If you’ve known me for a while, you know I have always LOVED a birthday. What used to mean month long celebrations for myself, have now translated into special birthday breakfast mornings and little traditions I hope we’re only lucky enough to carry on for many, many years.

Over the past four years I have finally discovered my favorite pieces to celebrate with - what to splurge on, and when to not (i.e. lego themed napkins…) I know we will always celebrate first thing with breakfast at home, so I love having pieces that I can pull out for all our birthdays year after year.

Barber Birthday Must Haves:

• Early morning breakfast with sprinkle pancake cake

• Homemade bolognese for dinner (with birthday boy/girl’s choice of pasta)

• Funfetti cake with buttercream frosting

1. Meri Meri Bamboo Plates - I absolutely love having special birthday plates, and these are the perfect colorful mix that can be used for all our birthdays, mixed up with different napkins and other pieces to make the table their own.

2. Oeuf - Happy Birthday Crown - They unfortunately no longer make this version, but here are some other cute options.

3. Party City 24” Balloons - It’s the same day inflated delivery for me. I usually get delivered the latest time slot the night before a birthday.

4. OVO Things - Birthday Candles - I’ve used these for every birthday for a few years now, our favorite!

5. Cake Stand - Ours is no longer available, but similar here and here.

6. Heather Taylor Home - Kid Napkins - I may or may not have an entire cabinet dedicated to napkins. I love pulling out for different occasions, and HTH makes the best, especially her kid sized versions. More colors and patterns here.

7. The Little Market - Happy Birthday Garland - The quality and look of this sweet little felt garland is too good. I’ve bought mannnny happy birthday garland over the years and never love any that we can all use until I found this one. Looks like the rainbow version we have is currently sold out, but you can sign up to be notified when it’s back in stock! Otherwise, there are solid color options here.

8. Grimms - Wooden Birthday Ring - Both Margot and Harrison have their own “collection” of ornaments, and are gifted one each year that represents something they’re loving during that moment in time. I love keeping this ring out all birthday week long to celebrate. MommysGiftShop on Etsy has been the best place to find ornaments. I’ve been collecting the numbers over the years, and Margot will reuse Harrison’s.

This post contains some affiliate links. I make a small commission from purchases via these links, but these products are being shared on my own accord. These are not sponsored products. I only share what I love!

Margot's 1st Birthday

It’s safe to say after 18 months of zero parties or events, I was a little bit excited to start to plan Margot’s first birthday.

I wanted Margot’s actual birthday and her party to feel like her — sweet, colorful, and happy — a celebration of the past first year of her with us. After seeing Meri Meri’s english garden collection, I knew that it was the perfect jumping off point. I used a few of their pieces, and mixed in some beloved Liberty prints, pink gingham, mismatched floral plates and some classic birthday staples.

I worked with Erin Wallace Designs on the sweetest party invitations, and thank you cards.

I always use powerpoint/keynote to put ideas down so I can see how everything will work together. It really helps visualize and keep everything together.

1. One of the first things I bought was this scallop fabric garland by Meri Meri from Wee Mondine. I love the idea of hanging it for all her birthdays, and know it will last because of the well made fabric. This piece really inspired her whole birthday and party. It’s the perfect touch of sweetness.

2. Meri Meri party hats — these tiny hats are TOO cute, and were perfect to decorate her little Maileg mice and stuffed animals with for her birthday morning. I used them at her party sprinkled across the table.

3. Happy Birthday garland

4. Petite floral cloth napkins - I found these on Etsy, and they’re even more adorable than I imagined. They’re all double layered, with a sweet pink pattern fabric on the backside of the different floral fabrics. I will definitely reuse them for Easter, Mother’s Day and other birthdays. They made such a sweet little dimension to the tables.

5. Pink gingham tablecloths — i originally ordered yellow ones to switch it up a bit, but when they arrived they were more neon than a soft yellow, so I ordered these pink cloths from LA Linen instead and absolutely love them. They also washed beautifully and will definitely be re-used!

6. I rented mismatched vintage floral plates, cake stands, and platters from The Borrowed Teacup who’s local to us here in Massachusetts. If you’re looking for a similar concept by you, a simple google search should do the trick!

7. The candy jars were another layer of table decorations that doubled as favors. Each jar was covered with these adorable jam covers.

8. I ended up using these Meri Meri candles for both her birthday cake and party cake, since unfortunately her little cake topper didn’t arrive until the day after her party. Friendly reminder to make sure you leave PLENTY of time for any international shipping these days. Lots of delays, and of course it’s no one’s fault but something to keep in mind. I ordered everything a month+ out and I still had things arriving days before and in this case, after. I also doubled up on her “1” from her Grimms birthday ring with the candle for a makeshift cake topper for her party.

I then layered some simple hydrangeas I cut from our new garden in mason jars on the tables! We had platters of sandwiches, salads and alllllll the wine. Thank god the forecasted rain held off, and we were able to have such a special day for our girl.

1. I originally fell in love with this party hat when Meg Hall originally shared it years ago for her daughter’s first birthday. It is so perfectly classic, and I was so excited to make Margot’s

2. My girl’s first party dress

3. Paired with a custom bloomer

4. Snagged these Liberty overalls by Bonpoint on sale, and they were perfect for her birthday day — especially since her gift was a little climber.

5. Never not thinking of Harrison too, I wanted him to also have a special little outfit for his sister’s party. He wore this Oeuf t-shirt for maybe 30 minutes before changing into his swimsuit, and then having that covered in chocolate icre cream from the ice cream truck, but it was adorable while it lasted.

6. Used as both decor, and as a crown — Margot’s custom Oeuf crown. We bought for her first Christmas, and it usually is sitting on her shelf in her bedroom, but I loved having it out on the tables and with the cake for her party. Keep an eye out, and subscribe to their e-mails — they usually do custom orders around November!

7. My dress was Farm Rio via Rent The Runway. It was so fun for the day, and I didn’t even hate matching the tables.

8. Harrison’s chore shorts, a favorite!

Gift Guide | 3rd Birthday

Buying gifts for toddlers can be challenging, so thought I’d round up some of my favorite things we have or are top contenders to get Harry for his birthday next month! These are (for the most part) pretty gender neutral, but may sway a little boyish since that’s what I know so far. Some of these items we have had in the past, but Harry is really gravitating towards now (he’ll be 3 next month!), and others are items that are on his birthday wishlist!

As you know, I love buying gifts that can be kept for younger siblings, and also also larger things that can be added onto over time with pieces and accessories (kitchens, houses, train sets, etc.).

So, if you have a three year old in your life I hope this helps!

1. Original Wobbel Board

2. Micro Mini Deluxe Scooter

3. Babai Play Tent

4. Hape Train Set — I love that Hape and Brio are interchangeable, and you can continue to add on as they get more interested and excited about building the sets!

5. Baghera Vintage Red Tricycle

6. Hape Cash Register

7. Mini 3-String Guitar

8. Moon Picnic My Calendar

9. Baghera Gas Station

10. Hape All-In-One Easel

11. Green Toys Wagon

12. Gonge River Stepping Stones

13. Milton & Goose Kitchen House Shelf

14. My Fabulous Storyteller

15. Plan Toys Mixer Set

16. Kettler John Deer Ride On Digger

This post contains some affiliate links. I make a small commission from purchases via these links, but these products are being shared on my own accord. These are not sponsored products. I only share what I love!

Gift Guide | 1st Birthday

With summer officially in full swing, it seems like we’ve been celebrating our fair share of first birthdays. I’ve received quite a few inquiries on our favorite/go-to first birthday gifts so I thought it would be easiest to share them all in one post.

With first birthday gifts, as with basically all gifts/toys for babies, I love to go classic, with toys that can really grow with the child - not things that will be used once and then lost interest in. This list is a combination of all price points, things we have received as gifts, given as gifts, and bought ourselves for Harry because I just can’t help myself..

Radio Flyer Classic Walker Wagon

Great for those learning to stand, then learning to walk, and then learning to climb in & out for hours on end, bruising every single surface of their body..!

Grimms Wooden Rainbow

A true toy that only gets better as your child grows — inspires imaginative play — but great for earlier days for stacking, colors, etc. Plus, it looks adorable on toy shelves.

Haba Shakin’ Eggs

Each one makes a different shake sound — Harry is amazed daily.

Grimms Rainbow Wooden Peg Dolls in Bowls

Super fun to teach to match colors, also for role playing with the little people as they get older!

Maple Landmark Name Train

Straight up adorable touch to any playroom or bedroom, made in Vermont.

Rocker

Harry open mouth kisses his rocking horse, so that’s all I need to say about that.

Play Kitchen + Accessories

Hours. Of. Endless. Activity. We got the Ikea Duktig, and customized it — I couldn’t love it more. Harry seems to love it too, which is nice. I absolutely love Pottery Barn Kids kitchen accessories, and have to refrain from buying everything.

Grimms Pull Along Wooden Truck

A class act favorite that gets played with every single day.

Melissa & Doug Wooden Plane + Luggage Set

Harry just received this as a gift from my brother and sister-in-law (who live in Stockholm) a super fun set that also doubles for fun conversation around travel, and taking planes to other places — important for us since we have immediate family in both Sweden and England!

Tegu Wooden Magnetic Block Set

The perfect set for little hands and little builders. We have bought for so many friends as well, and they love it as much as we do.

Oeuf Table + Chairs

A set that will grow old with me, I mean Harry.

Fjallraven Kanken Mini Backpack

The perfect size for little ones to carry themselves!