New Blog Address: www.yinashville.com/blog

Faithful readers and friends, we have moved from this address!  This blog will no longer be updated.  Please visit us at www.yinashville.com/blog
We look forward to you visiting us in our new online home!

-Stephanie and Annawww.yinashville.com/blog

Giddy On Up! These Cowgirls are turning 4

In October, my friend Bethany and I planned our daughter's joint 4th birthday party.  We used lots of pinks and browns, and really tried to incorporate a fun cowgirl theme into the evening.  With 70+ people scheduled to come, we decided to keep it outside and include a bonfire, hay bales with vintage quilts, and a "horse" kids could have their picture taken with as they entered.

Lillie Claire and Hadlee (The Birthday Girls) in their vintage-inspired cowgirl dresses!

When families arrived, we immediately asked them to go to the Dress Up table and pick their cowgirl and cowboy gear.  From hats, to spurs, to fun pop guns, the kids and adults had fun picking out their costumes. We had lifesize cutouts of a cowgirl and cowboy to frame out the back of the shot.  In addition, I borrowed a sawhorse and lined it with a real saddle and saddle blanket.  After the family's picture was taken, I used the smart card from the camera and printed them on the spot using a Kodak Digital Photo printer.  I mounted each picture using double-sided tape on a fun metallic brown cardstock to give away as a fun reminder of the party!  

 My cowboy husband Josh!

 Hadlee and her friend enjoying their "horse" ride

Baby Grayson enjoying the party (all bundled up because it got to be a chilly night!) 

 It's not time for cupcakes yet...but for Will it is!

Some family and friends gathering around to wait for their photo.

 Josh, Lillie Claire, Will (hiding his face) and Steph

 The Alexander Four again (Will is not happy about having his picture made)

 Another little cowboy!

This invitation sparked the whole theme for the party.  It's a Julia Azar cowgirl invite from You're Invited Gifts and Paper in Belle Meade.

The invitation on the s'more station and favor table.

 Custom cupcake toppers by Lisa Marie Designs for You're Invited

 Our favors were real horseshoes tied with raffia with a custom-tag that said "Sharing some Cowgirl Luck!"

 Pony Races

A star-shaped chalkboard featuring the #4 and tags with H for Hadlee and LC for Lillie Claire

 The girls are only a week apart; this photo board showed some pictures of them over the  last four years.

Cupcakes, s'mores (complete with pink marshmallows) and the favor display

Mason jars with custom tags "Drink up Y'all"

More shots of the cupcakes with custom toppers

More b-day guests

Hope you had fun reading about our little cowgirls and their 4th birthday party!
What could be more fun for  kids than cupcakes, s'mores and pony pictures!
~Stephanie

85th Birthday Celebration at the Noah Liff Opera Center

In September, I had the pleasure of working with the lovely Allen family on their father's 85 birthday celebration at the Noah Liff Opera Center.  The birthday honoree was so much fun to work with, and he really wanted his guests to have a great time as he celebrated his 85 birthday.  Music was an important element for this family for the evening.

The evening started off with a cocktail hour in the lobby, accompanied by a pianist on a baby grand piano. After the cocktail hour, guests were whisked into the Opera Studio for a concert by a string quartet.  A formal sit-down menu, by Sargeant's Catering, immediately followed.  After the dinner ended, guests were treated to several surprise operatic performances.  After the opera singers received a standing ovation, guests joined in for a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday!  Leland Riggin's Dessert Designs caramel cake was served, along with homemade apple fritter ice-cream.  I can't think of a better way to end an evening!  

 (The picture below is of me and the birthday honoree!  I had to wear my "O" dress since the event was held at the Noah Liff.  If you haven't been there, you will see recurring "O's" throughout the decor.)

Here are some additional photos that Kristen Steele took at the event.

Creative Touches for the Big 4-0

I had the pleasure recently of working with a client on her husband's surprise 40th birthday party.  We chose a downtown Nashville lower-Broadway bar.  She wanted a fun honky tonk for the event.  We brought in Todd's favorite food, including Hog Heaven barbecue and beans, the Park Cafe's truffle mac-and-cheese, and his mother-in-law's famous Bundt cake.  To commemorate his 40th birthday, 40 different custom-designed photo cards were made by LisaMarie designs for the event.  On the front featured a favorite photo of Todd throughout the years, and guests were asked to write a note or funny memory on the back.  All 40 cards were strung on twine throughout the bar.

Custom monogram napkins and "Todd's Toddies" napkins were placed at the bar.

Custom stir sticks were made featuring the rustic wood and a chocolate brown "S" for their last name.

My client, Todd's wife, had  custom gallery wrapped canvases made of pictures of his favorite places.  We lined the walls with these canvases.  

Whether it's the big 4-0 or another monumental birthday, little touches go a long way to make the party special for both the guest of honor and your guests!