Happy Birthday Baby Chunky Cheeks!!

Today we are celebrating a very special day. No, our shop isn't turning one, but the inspiration for our shop is!

I can't believe it's been a year already since little miss Z has joined us in this world. I remember being SO uncomfortable at this time last year, just waiting to meet the little one I had been growing for 9 months.

I found a lot of inspiration on etsy for her party and made a few purchases. I decided to have a rainbow theme since I LOVE color and it would be impossible for me to stick to a limited colour palette. I wasn't going to make a huge deal out of the party, but after some thought, decided that just isn't like me and figured I might regret not making a huge deal afterwards. Like I always say, go big or go home!! Well, maybe some people thought I went over the top, but I enjoyed every minute of the preparation, baking, decorating, and entertaining.

Here are some pictures from the big event!

Invitations (not actual info)
purchased from Paige Of Style
Super great to work with, speedy!!

I also purchased these cupcake liners from the same shop! I used colored sugar from bulk barn to make the bright colored cupcakes. 

I purchased this onesie and leggings set from Bella Crawlers

Unfortunately it didn't arrive in time for the party, but that was my fault and I really just wanted it for some pictures which will happen some time this week!

This was la piece de resistance, this headpiece was magnificent. It matched the dress that my mom made Z perfectly, I couldn't resist buying it from Loveable Baby Boutique

Great service, fast shipping, great product! I thought this was an adorable alternative to a party hat!

 Z actually kept this in her hair for a good hour and half before her auntie knocked it while wiping her face. Once she realized there was something on her head, she just had to check it out! Here she is in her head piece and the dress hand made by Baby Chunky Cheeks taken during her photo shoot for some pictures to be displayed at the party. 

I asked all the guests to dress in a color of the rainbow. Luckily everyone was a good sport and we were a bright looking bunch. Of course, the food was themed as well. I had candy in all colors of the rainbow, cookies, fruit pizza, punch, monster cookie party favors, and the ultimate rainbow cake with some amazing Moon Mist Ice Cream (purple, yellow, and blue) which I think has now become my new favorite flavor . Here are some shots of the spread. I do admit I went a little over board on the food, but it sure made for delicious left overs!!

Favors. Monster Cookies. FABULOUS! Find the recipe here..Monster Cookies this recipe makes tons of cookies, but they won't last long :)

Delicious Punch. I used, 2L Gingerale, 1 can 7UP, 2 cans of thawed pink lemonade, 1 L of rainbow sherbet. 

Rainbow Sugar Cookies. I used a regular sugar cookie recipe. I was going to make them into lollipop cookies but the dough turned out too crumby to roll so I improvised by smushing the layers on top of one another into a rectangle shape, then cut each individual cookie from the log (like you would when you purchase those ready made Pillsbury rolls of cookie dough) that revealed the different colored layers. I baked the cookies and then sprinkled them with colored sugar. They were fabulous and I will definitely make them again. Make sure to use the paste food coloring for brilliant colors without using a ton of dye. 

The cake, OMG the cake. Each layer had to be baked separately then stacked on top of one another with a layer of icing in between. Again, use coloring paste and not liquid food coloring to get bright brilliant colors! I couldn't wait to cut into this cake. Isn't she beautiful??

Here I am with the birthday girl and the cake. 

My fruit pizza. For the cream cheese base it was one 8oz block cream cheese, 1/3 cup icing sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla. The glaze really finishes off the dessert nicely, it was 1/2 cup orange juice, 3 Tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp corn starch all cooked together. I chose the fruit based on the colors of the rainbow and I was very happy with how it all turned out. The crust is a recipe of my mother in laws, it is an oatmeal and coconut crust which I much prefer over the standard cookie crust. I got a lot of compliments on this one and many recipe requests! I think it's a keeper.

At the end of the day I was exhausted, but it was all worth it. My little girl had a blast and I am so happy to have these memories of her first birthday party. Tomorrow we are going out for tea with the ladies and will celebrate with a special supper tomorrow night with the family. I am sure I am going to cry at 11:07 PM when I realize it's been a whole year and my little baby is growing up. I will give myself a couple weeks to recover and I guess it's time to start planning birthday #2. Ha! 

For today only, in celebration of Z's birthday, receive a special gift with every order made May 17th, 2011. 

Happy Birthday Baby Chunky Cheeks. Mommy loves you!!!