Neighborhood Ice Cream Social

We hosted our first Neighborhood Ice Cream Social last night, Unfortunately, the weather was awful.  While it had been in the 90's all week here in Wisconsin, the weather turned unseasonably cold, even for June.  So despite high temps of 50's all day, the kids were still determined to get their share of sugar and fun.

The inspiration for this party was a red and light blue color palette with a hint of a vintage ice cream parlor.  I am in love with those colors right now.  But also, that color combination is the same for Ethan's upcoming Carnival Party so lots of the items I used for the ice cream social are going to make a second appearance.

As I noted in an earlier post, this party was planned ultra-last minute.  Despite the last minute planning, I think it turned out super cute.  But most importantly, the kids and neighbors all seemed to have a great time and enjoyed the night.  The party was a GREAT way to kick off summer, despite the weather not cooperating!

This post is a picture overload again because I can never narrow down the pictures - even if they are not the best example of photography!  :)  I will list the vendors at the end of the post.

 The Invitation

Decorations

Favor and Float Table

Favors

Make Your Own Root Beer Floats

Toppings and Treats Table

Ice Cream!!!!

After dark fun!

Vendors and Credits:

• Invitations:  Anders Ruff
• Printables:  Dimple Prints
• Root Beer and Whip Cream Labels:  LoraLee Lewis
• Root Beer Float and Floral Arrangement Cups:  Dollar Tree
• Sparkler Cards:  Print Your Party
• Soda Jerk Hats:  Ebay
• Ice Cream Bubbles:  Windy City Novelties
• Small Pinwheels and Pinwheel Clips:  Crossroads Cottage
• Ice Cream Cookies:  Melissa Joy Fanciful Cookies and More
• Sugar Cone Wrappers:  Refresh My Heart
• Grace and Ethan's Shirts:  Stitch This

I just want to thank my neighbors for being the great sports that they are and for being great people!  It is a treat and joy to live in our neighborhood with such great people.  Here's to a great summer!

Party Planning - Ice Cream Social Inspiration

It's been a month since Grace's Prom extravaganza, so I'm finally getting my party groove back on.  Next week is the last week of school for us!  It couldn't come any sooner!  It has been one doozy of a year - a great year for Grace but one to be forgotten for me in my work life (and I'm guessing for a number of people I work for.)  So, I wanted to have a little way of happily sending this year off - and what is happier than ice cream in summer!

If I could, I'd create one of those unforgettable summers for my kids like the movies portray from the 50's and 60's.  I long for the summers like the ones in My Girl and The Wonder Years - when the kids could roam the streets with their sparklers at night or decorate their bikes with streamers and ride aimlessly around the neighborhood.  I can't create that every day for my kids, and for safety reasons, some days not at all, but everyone has to have a goal...

So, that little ideal picture in my head set in motion the theme for our ice cream social.  I did not want to break the bank on this party so I am going with a red and light blue theme which is the same colors as Ethan's upcoming carnival birthday party.  Many things will be making two appearances :) 

I am planning this last minute - way last minute!  Every vendor I contacted has been so gracious in helping me get the items in such a short time  Here is the inspiration for our neighborhood ice cream social.

My go-to-gals at Anders Ruff graciously did a color change for me for the invite and put this adorable invite together.  I love, love, love it!!!

I also turned to Carli from Dimple Prints who also graciously agreed to do a color change of her ice cream printables.  Her ice cream printables create the perfect nostalgic feel! I can't wait to see the color change!

Are you a fan of LoraLee Lewis?  If not, you are missing out.  I want to plan a party just to use her stationery and party supplies!  They scream nostalgia!  Reading her blog, I think we are long lost kindred spirits!  I can't wait to use these bottle wraps and the adorable whipped cream wrapper!

I am obsessed with my kids' outfits matching the theme of the party.  I know - I'm crazy.  I found these adorable shirts for Grace and Ethan from Stitch This.  I think they will be perfect to wear all summer and for the 4th of July!

How about this funky retro shirt?  This one is for me :)

These beautiful sugar cone wrappers from Refresh My Heart will make a great added touch!  Another super vendor to work with for my rush request!

What more says summer than ice cream AND bubbles!  These are great, inexpensive favors for the kiddos!

And finally, keeping with my sparkler fantasies, I found these perfect sparkler wrappers. 

Here's to a great kick off to an even better summer!

Happy Memorial Day!

Hope you are enjoying the long weekend and remembering to remember!

Banner - Cakes Like a Party

Jungle Themed Inspired Banner

My very best girlfriend is hosting a 1st Birthday party for her son Dominic this weekend.  His love for giraffes inspired a jungle theme.  I made this sweet jungle inspired banner for the party.  I hope he likes it!