Rockin' 2nd Birthday Party by "Two Plus Us"

                                                                                                  All Photos: http://twoplus.us/

I would have totally scalped tickets to this rockin' 2nd birthday party!  Dreamed up by the dynamic (married) design duo at Two Plus Us, this fete totally hits the top of the charts.

When the ubertalented Matthew and Lori Richmond are done tucking their two boys for the night in at their swanky Brooklyn apartment, they spend their nights burning the midnight oil on their labor of love: totally insane birthday party design. You may remember the Old Hollywood inspired fete they threw for Holden's first last year (I featured it on Chandelier).

Feast your eyes on this rad set of photos from his sophmore celebration.

Two Plus Us is currently designing custom parties. Pricing upon request.

I'd say, this one totally calls for an encore!

Party We Love: Fairy Garden Party by TomKat Studio

So, Chandelier recently entered the Twitterverse--and thank goodness we did! The inspiration from our fellow planners, designers, and party pros is overwhelmingly AWESOME! So glad to have met @ilovelollipops, @paperolive, @prettypenstudio, @weddingchicks and @ruffledblog this week.


We're thrilled to share our most recent style find from our new friend Kim Stoegbauer, the super-talented blogger/party-paper-designer/work-at-home mom of two of The TomKatStudio--what she describes as her "creative outlet to share new party designs, decorating projects and fabulous finds." 


Kim threw this precious Fairy Garden Party for her beautiful daughter Kate. We absolutely adore the "rainbow sherbet" color palette of pink, orange and lime--especially the paisley fabric backdrop!  And, the adorable fairy silhouette motif designed by Pen 'n Paper Flowers, the tissue paper fairy wands, tutus, fairy wings, and sweet candy treats! We've compiled a gorgeous photo recap for you--so beautifully captured by Vicki Lynn Photography.


Want to steal this look for your next little girl soiree? The TomKat Studio Fairy Garden Collection is now available at Kim's Etsy shop where she sells printable party designs and DIY projects. By the way, Kim also contributes to Project Nursery, and contributes to the Homegoods style blog. (Does this girl ever sleep?!) 

Chandelier on Demand: "A Fairy Happy 1st Birthday"

Chandelier Events: Fairy 1st Birthday by chandelierevents on Polyvore.com

This week we received some fabulous requests via our Facebook fanpage! So, by popular demand, here's a little virtual party planning advice. Our first theme: well, we like to call it a 'A Fairy Happy 1st Birthday' (although this can apply to anyone who fancies the girlie side of things). This collection of items would make for a great, DIY girlie birthday bash--and yes, they're all affordable ways to add a touch of sass to your soiree. A few more tidbits:

DECORATE WITH CANDY

Nothing says "sweet" like candy! Bubblegum, lollipops, maltballs, jellybeans, conversation hearts--they all scream "little girl!". Shop online at sites like Sweetcitycandy.com. Be sure to set a candy budget, then work backwards by color or theme. Their consultants can help you get the most candy for your buck. Then display in plastic buckets, vases, pitchers, glass bowls, anything you can find in your cabinet or your local Homegoods.

SET YOUR PLAYLIST
Stock your iPod with girlie tunes by The Ting Tings, Cyndi Lauper, Madonna (Holiday!), and some Disney Radio (Miley, Selena, HSMusical, etc.). Have an iPhone or laptop handy? Create a Pandora station. For a grown-up girls night out, I recommend a "Duffy" station for tunes by Adele, Norah, Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Lily Allen, etc. Nothing like a little "Mercy"!


DRESS UP, REQUIRED
Think costumes are only appropriate for Halloween? Ask any parent, and they'll agree that their child will excitedly dash to their dress-up stash if given the opportunity to come in costume! Request costumes of their choice, or give a theme (a friend of mine threw a Pirates-and-Mermaids party). BYOC -- or Bring Your Own Costume -- makes for amazing photos and an instant activity. 


Stay tuned to Chandelier! Next, we'll address "A Big Boy Birthday Party!", a backyard BBQ, and more!

Here's a list of items pictured above:

Amazon.com: Pink #1 Jumbo Mylar Balloon Party Supplies: Toys & Games, $3.99

Pink Polka Dot Baking Cups (50) Kids birthday party supplies, 1st..., $1.82

Baby Flower Headbands, Daisy Headbands, Silk Flower Headbands, Baby...

Fancy Flours -- Inspired Baking : Baking Cups : Muffin Cup Swirl Pink, $5.25

Amazon.com: Cupcake to Go-Pink: Kitchen & Dining, $3.79