WARNING! this post contains a lot of pictures! If you have very little patience for people who feel the need to over-document events in their life this post is not for you!
Hello Guys! Sorry I’ve been MIA for a while, but I have a good excuse…I was helping plan my 20th! Ya I guess that may not be a great excuse…but it’s my party and I’ll slack off if I want to. So normally I never do anything terribly over the top for my birthdays, but for my 20th I wanted to do something with a bit of umph, a fun, slightly glamorous, but still laid back-ish in style party. So I decided I would throw a French (Parisian) inspired dinner party, with some of my closest friends. I had such a blast planning, cooking, and spending time with my great friends! I am sort of a foodie so this party was the perfect excuse for me to cook all of the fussy dishes I wouldn’t normally prepare, like French Macaroons, those are some work! But lucky me I have a loving family so I didn’t have to do a lot of the work on my own. So enough talking I am sure you would much prefer to see what my party looked like so here ya go.
We strung up lights and set the table in the living room, so we had plenty of space.
This is the gorgeous flower arrangement my mother put together, might I add she said she has “never done arrangements before”. So even without training or practice my mother puts Martha Stewart to shame!
These are the awesome posters that we found for 60% off!
We decided to even decorate the front door area!
Our adorable little sandwich board. PS mommy wrote this! How cute is her handwriting?
Now for my favorite part…the food! These are the French Macaroons.
The gorgeous red fondant raspberry cake my mommy made me. Isn’t she just the best?
The delicious cheese tray.
Tapenade in endive leaves.
Our entire cocktail menu. Bloody Mary’s, tapenade in endive, cheese tray, and prosciutto wrapped around cantaloupe and asparagus. It was all incredibly delicious.
Quite possibly the most delish dish I have ever made…Boeuf Bourgingon and mashed potatoes. It was so good my mother who really detests beef, loved this meal like crazy!
Tea and coffee break. I of course had tea yummy 🙂
Then onto dessert cake and Shirley Temple’s.
Gifts! My sweet mommy got me real pearls for my 20th! Cute thing was when she gave me my gift I was wearing my fake pearls 🙂
This necklace was given to me by my very best friend (we’ve been inseparable for the past 11 years). This necklace is either from the late 50’s or early 60’s. And I am not ashamed to say when she gave me this I got pretty choked up.
I also got some other fabulous gifts too, I made out like a bandit, I received some lovely perfume (which I am wearing right now) and some great cards and cash (you can never go wrong with cash is all I am saying).
My great friends and lovely family honestly made this one of the most special birthday’s ever! I love you guys.
So I hope you guys enjoyed my post! And if any of you want the recipe to anything feel free to ask. Have a super happy Monday and a great Valentines. Love you!
Ah Paris! So romantic. 🙂 Beautiful photos!
thank you very much 🙂
What an elegant party!
Thank you. I had so much fun!
Sarah, I have nominated you for the Sunshine Award – it’s for bloggers who inspire others. You do. For details go to my blog post entitled “Sunshine Coming My Way.” Dor
What a great idea for a birthday, I’m sure you’ll have fond memories of it for the rest of your life; or, at least until your 30’th!
haha I certainly loved it! one of the best for certain!
That could be the coolest idea for a birthday party ever. As soon as I read “a French (Parisian) inspired dinner party”, I couldn’t read anymore and had to look at the photos.
Hahaha thats really cute! It was a blast. And I love having a theme for a party I feel it makes thing so much easier!
I have a fascination with French culture. Don’t know why.
I sort of feel like everyone has one culture, other than their own, that they are hardwired to love! Of course with time I have found it to be an ever growing fascination with several cultures haha.
A late happy 20th to you! Aren’t pearls the best? I know I love mine. So versatile, and they’re just beautiful.
Pearls really are the greatest! Because like you said they are so versatile! I could wear them somewhere super highbrow or even wear them to the grocery store!
amazing BDP – happy 20th, and one to grow …
David in Maine USA
Awe thank you David 🙂
I love these two! SO PRETTY! 🙂
Beautiful Soirée …. Contagious Smiles …. Happy Birthday Sarah
Awe thank you Miss Rhonda!
Wow! Everything, the food and the decor all looks so amazing!! Congrats on what looks to be a very fun party!
Awe thank you so much! I had an incredible time! One of the best birthdays I have ever had by far!
A belated Happy Birthday! It looks like you had an amazing time, very classy as well by the looks of things! I’m sure it will be a day for you to remember for a long time to come 🙂
Awe thanks 🙂 It is certainly a day that I cherish! I was so happy infact I forgot to make a wish when I blew out the candles! Now that is contentment.
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