Thursday, August 9, 2012

Photos :: Ivan's Birthday

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This past weekend I threw a surprise party for Ivan's 30th birthday. Ok, hold on...let me correct myself. I tried to throw a surprise party but found out that I absolutely cannot keep a secret from Ivan and I ruined the surprise a few times but still ended up throwing a fun party for Ivan even though it was not the least bit surprising. There, that's better.
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Almost all of the delicious food was made my Ivan's mom and her husband who is a chef. Everything was absolutely delicious and it was so nice that I was able to focus on desserts without having to worry about dinner-ish foods. Thank you guys!
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Even though the party was no longer a surprise, we still went forward with the plan of getting Ivan out of the house (thank you Ryan & Kyle) before the party so that I could get the house set up and decorated. I had the help of my mom and a few friends and although I like to think that I can do everything myself it was really nice to have some extra hands. 
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I spent all of Friday at my mom's baking some yummy treats for the party. You wouldn't think it would take all day to bake 3 dozen cupcakes and a batch of boston cream donuts but holy smokes those donuts take a long time! Ivan has been asking me to bake him these vegan bostom cream donuts for I don't even know how long so I finally decided to do it for his party. They were so worth the time and I can't wait for an excuse to make them again. As excited as I was about the donuts, people seemed more into the cupcakes because I am a super pro cupcake baker. Actually I have just been lucky enough to find great vanilla and chocolate cupcake recipes. Oh, and I make good icing. That part is all me.
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Now, I'm going to risk sounding like a jerk to tell you that I made so many signs for this party so that I wouldn't have to repeat myself 100 times to people asking me the same questions. Hosting parties stresses me out a ton and people asking me a lot of questions just adds to that stress. Let me tell you that those signs were very helpful and informative and I did not get asked many questions. Let me also tell you that there were more signs than just these ones. Yeah, I'm crazy, what are you going to do about it?
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Most of the party took place outside even though it was super humid. I hid inside most of the time because I couldn't stand the humidity but I thought I would throw in this photo of the shed for Ryan's mom Kelly. She sent a special message with Ryan to tell me that she likes our shed. So this one is for you Kelly!

Ivan had a great time at his party and I am really happy that so many of our friends and family could join us. As much as parties stress me out I love when people have a good time together.

Are you able to pull off surprise parties or are you a huge blabbermouth like I am?

♥elycia

38 comments:

  1. I'm a huuuuge blabbermouth. Hiding presents for Christmas is like..ehm..beeing in one of those Saw films for me.

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  2. Those deserts look super yummy! Happy Birthday to Ivan!

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  3. awesome! i'm terrible at secrets too but the party looks amazing! yep i totally get how long baking takes, its exhausting too!

    Barnicles x

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  4. Lovely photos lady! I love the color scheme you had rocking. Looks like fun and I bet those vegan donuts tasted great! (Ivan is one of my favorite names)

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  5. I can not keep secrets from my husband! Its particularly hard when your hubby is also your best friend lol

    The party looks absolutely fantastic {& I'm a total fan of the signs~*}

    http://aclosetintellectual.blogspot.com/

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  6. Oh that's so sweet! And I certainly would have a really hard time to not tell him. I can't even keep his gifts a secret!

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  7. Tell Ivan the Northrops said Happy Birthday!!

    Also, I can totally relate to you about the signs. I really hate it when people ask me the SAME exact question, about a number of things throughout the day. When working for the Fitting Room at Ross Dress For Less, it happens at least 200+ times a day for the asking of the bathroom.

    So rather than pointing, I just put up a sign with an arrow so I can be much more productive instead of stopping and being like "To your right....to your right..TO YOUR RIGHT!" lmao

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  8. Looks like a lovely party setup, I like the Happy Birthday clipboard signs! I can never keep secrets from my boyfriend either, at least the food and decorations were still a surprise though. :)
    Faye x

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  9. Happy belated Birthday to Kevin!
    The party decorations and the desserts look fantastic! I've never tried to organize a surprise party, but I bet I'd be really bad at it.

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  10. I love all the decor! Especially that framed happy birthday sign, that is TOO cute!

    I'm a sign maker as well, pointing people to everything and labeling what is what. It gives me a chance to be crafty AND informative!

    xomando

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  11. The party decorations are absolutely perfect and the desserts look sooo yummy!

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  12. You should do a complete house tour! :)

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  13. haha! I hate repeating myself a million times too, so I think those signs are amazing!! I love all the decorations, esp. the clipboard happy birthday sign!! xo

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  14. So bummed I didn't get Boston Cream donuts

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  15. Hope ivan had a blast after all your hard work! And I totally agree that having people over is stressful but your little signs are cute!

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  16. That's such a sweet setup, I love your decorations, and how you filled the picture frame too! Everything looks super delicious as well. What a lucky guy, even if it wasn't exactly a surprise. ;P Happy birthday to him!

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  17. Hi, I just found your website and I have to say this looks really gorgeous! And so do those birthday parties. It's a shame I already turned 30 so I can't get any ideas from here but hey, maybe when I turn 40. :)

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  18. I always make lots of signs for my parties, too. You're not alone.

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  19. Ahh you're making me so hungry, looking at those delicious looking party treats! Your house is so colourful, it's so sweet! I love your signs, I know that if I was at a party, signs would be so much more useful :)
    {Okay, and the 'Oreos' sign is just plain awesome.}
    -charlotte <3

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  20. The decor was sensational! You are my hero!

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  21. The decorations and little dessert table turned out great. - My family threw a surprise party for my Nana's 70th birthday last year, and we all kept the secret. lol - But I think she figured it out anyway.

    - tianna :)

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  22. I wish my house and decorating skills were as aesthetically pleasing. All of your decorations are outstanding!

    <3 Melissa
    wildflwrchild.blogspot.com

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  23. this is the most perfect magazine looking party ever. your friends are some lucky ducks - as is this ivan character. happy birthday to him

    <3 katherine
    of corgis and cocktails

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  24. Eeep! It looks like such a fun party! You decorated it so well!
    I am terrible at keeping secrets. Ugh. I would have probably ruined it too.

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  25. It is very hard for me to throw a party without any signs. I label everything, including closets so people know not to go into them (I don't quite like people rifling through my items). For my birthday party a couple weeks ago I was very lucky because I was having it at my parents house and my dad took over the sign making (I was busy doing everything else). We ended up with some lovely signs, including one in the men's designated restroom saying "Please Aim."

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  26. What a lovely party! All the decorations and signs look great! <3

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  27. Fellow blabbermouth here. Or rather blubbermouth - I organised a surprise 30th birthday holiday for my boyfriend (now husband) to Prague, kept it secret for four months...then blurted it out a week before we went! Why blubbermouth? Because I immediately burst into tears when I realised what I'd done! He didn't mind a bit but even now I cringe when I think of it... ;)

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  28. I adore the "Happy Birthday" frame. Looks like a great party! :)

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  29. This looks lovely! Surprise party or not, he is very loved that you did this for him. :D Very cool.

    xoxo

    http://www.thewholespectrum.com

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  30. Your decorations look fabulous! So sad we couldn't come! Lots of love to Ivan!

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  31. oh wow! it looks like amazing bday! everything is adorable <3
    http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/

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  32. I am a sign maker too! When I lived in a house with other people, and we would host parties, there would be signs all over the place. haha

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  33. What a fun party with so many fun details! I like the idea of the signs- leaves more time for fun-having instead of giving directions to the bathroom all night :) That food looks amazing!

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  34. Wow, everything looks amazing, specially those cupcakes.
    Those signs made me laugh, super fun idea :)
    and happy birthday Ivan, all the best!

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  35. I love all the details you put into the party... the food table set up, banners, the birthday signs. I love that it's quite masculine too. Great job! I hope Ivan had a great birthday!

    Oh, and those boston cream donuts look insanely yummy!

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  36. beautiful blog!!!! congrats!!! ;*

    please visit my blog

    www.majaneverland.blogspot.com

    <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

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  37. i have successfully kept a surprise party a surprise, but it is HARD, and i usually don't even have problems keeping secrets! those donuts look delish, and i wanna try your cupcakes!

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  38. Wow! You have such good ideas to make a reception! THanks for that lovely post!

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