MaddiePalooza ’26: A Lollapalooza-Themed 9th Birthday Party



Nine VIP’s were invited to attend MaddiePalooza for Maddie’s Lollapalooza-Themed 9th Birthday. They arrived to a marquee outlining the event schedule which included getting VIP badges, festival makeup application, DIY hat decorating, food & bottle service, activity pages, karaoke session, outdoor activities, cake + popsicles, and a merch store.

Maddie dressed in her best festival gear and glittered up with glitter gel we found on Amazon, falling star freckle tattoos from About-Face and eye makeup from Pacifica. Her outfit included a meshy off the shoulder cut off top sleeves over a purple camisole and jean shorts. Hair pulled back with a half up/half down style with glitter gel in it. Very ethereal and festival chic!

Upon arrival, guests walk in to see the marquee schedule and wildly textural & bright balloons. Setting the vibe for the fete. The Main Stage was decorated with huge balloon backdrop, merch wall and screen for doing karaoke. The lounge area was covered in bright linens and pillows — the perfect chill zone.

Guests then made their way to the VIP badge station to customized their VIP passes. After that, they made a stop at the glam up table to grab a choker necklace and a lip gloss to fancy up their look. Once they were festival-ready, they headed over to the DIY SWAG station to decorate a hat with patches and fabric markers. There were also Lollapalooza-themed activity sheet placemats for guests who finished their hat early to do.

After making hats, it was time to eat. Tacos, nuggets and fries from Taco Bell and McDonald’s were served and guests sipped on soda pop and lemonade. From dining guests went outdoors for some activities to get out some energy before returning back to the MaddiePalooza Karaoke Lounge. Singing duos took turns rocking the mic for over an hour — it was a fun (and loud) time for all!

After the karaoke fun, the guests sang one more time, this time it was the “Happy Birthday song” and the birthday girl made her wish. The VIPs enjoyed yummy red velvet cake, popsicles and cookies before hitting up the final stop of the festival — the MerchaPalooza shop. We included candy, scrunchies and a balloon dog sculpture for each guest (this was in addition to the choker necklace and lip gloss from the glam table and DIY hat and name badges they made). A lot of fun things to help them remember the fun time had at MaddiePalooza!!!

We finished the party in a circle, watching Maddie open her gifts. MaddiePalooza was a total success!

Details matter. The activity stations also were themed to match the surrounding MaddiePalooza vibes–connected with bold colors, patterns and textures. The badges, signage and containers all labeled to match. The cake, cookies and colorful “flowers” all tied into the theme as well, bringing bold whimsy and overwhelming sense of “WOW!” to the event. The activity “placemats” tied into the Lollapalooza theme with trivia about the famous Chicago-based concert festival.

The cake was a delicious red velvet cake and cookies were designed by the amazing Flour & Flowers by MK. Photos captured by Matthew J Odom Photography.


Example of the Activity Placemats below (I make these for clients too! Just ask!)

VENDORS:

Planning, Decor, Balloons, Faux Flowers, Activities — Kio Kreations
Cake & Cookies — Flour & Flowers by MK
Photography — Matthew J Odom Photography

Camp Wildflower: A Summer Camp Themed Birthday Party


Welcome to Camp Wildflower – a summer camp-themed 10th birthday held at home in Aurora, Illinois. To transport guests to camp, most of the activities were held outdoors, tents and camping chairs were erected and there was a summer camp-inspired aesthetic was applied indoors and out.

Once campers arrived, they were ushered to the “campground area” in the backyard. The camp backdrop included colorful panels with camping pennants, balloons, a camp sign, and A-frame arch leading back to flowers and camping tent. A camper photo was taken and then campers were encouraged to build-their-own trail mix and collect their nature hike dossier. The dossiers included a nature bingo card, hike journal as well as a tiny pencil. The camp backdrop included colorful panels with camping pennants, balloons, a camp sign, and A-frame arch leading back to flowers and camping tent. Camp Counselor Amy then led campers on a hike around the neighborhood pond, with a short stop at the playground and picnic shelter so kids could log their bingo finds and hiking notes.


When the campers returned from their hike, they were greeted with a stunning tablescape of wildflowers, camping supplies, custom name pennants and bright blue vintage enamelware. The mess hall then served a late lunch that including choice of grilled cheese or mac n’ cheese and chips, pretzels, applesauce and ice-cold lemonade. After eating, campers moved to the art barn where Junior Counselor Ari taught them how to make god’s eyes and other arts & crafts.

Campers who finished their crafts early went over to the indoor tent to play a couple rounds of the “Happy Camper” board game. When all arts & crafts activities were complete, campers collected their camping-themed favor items, sang the birthday song and ice cream cake was served.

Birthday presents were opened as a group in the outdoor tent and then campers enjoyed S’mores around the campfire before their parents picked them up for the day. The weather was perfect, the campers were well fed and had a full agenda of activities and everyone had a great day at Camp Wildflower!

Vendors:
Experience design, décor design, signage, flowers, name pennants, activities, food, balloons & rentals:
Kio Kreations
https://kiokreations.com/

Photography
Jennifer Kaye Photography
https://www.jenniferkayephotography.com/

Ice Cream Cake
Batavia Creamery
https://bataviacreamery.com/

Camping-themed favors and large pennants from Target Dollar Spot

Hello Kitty Wellness Retreat


For Maddie’s 8th Birthday we decided to do a Hello Kitty Wellness Retreat. At this “retreat” guests had a one-hour guided yoga session and sound experience followed by a healthy lunch, art therapy and ending with some spa treatments.

Kids walked in to a tall Hello Kitty-themed balloon display and 2 favor walls. An adorable welcome sign listed the itinerary for the “retreat”.

Hello Kitty linens adorned all of the tables around the house. One table held favors, cookies and cake. Another held the art supplies for the painting part of Art Therapy. And another was dressed with a giant Hello Kitty coloring tablecloth. Live tropical houseplants and adorable Hello Kitty centerpieces were used to bring in a organic vibe.

Yoga at a kids party might be one of my best ideas yet. One hour of party was relatively quiet and chill! That never happens. It was fun and they learned something which is always a great thing. Sam was an amazing instructor and really kept the kids engaged.

After yoga, guests made their way to the kitchen and decorated their own tumblers with Hello Kitty stickers. After this, they helped make wraps and fresh fruit smoothies and munched on veggies, fruits, rice cakes and cucumber water. We followed up the health lunch with some delicious Hello Kitty cake (chocolate cake with cookies and cream buttercream filling and vanilla buttercream frosting).

After lunch, the guests split into two groups and went to “Art Therapy” activities. One room had painting with unique materials and the other had a giant coloring and activity page. After about 15 minutes, the groups switched so everyone got to do both art activities.

We then did 5 rounds of “Hot Hello Kitty” (like Hot Potato but what a Hello Kitty bday stuffie) to give out some Hello Kitty PEZ dispensers to the winners. After giving out these prizes, all of the guests grabbed their favors — which consisted of a clear makeup bag filled with a scrunchie, spa headband, sleep mask + Hello Kitty Lip Smacker. They also got a second Hello Kitty scrunchie and a Spa-themed sugar cookie.

We finished the party with “Spa Treatments” that included Hello Kitty eye gels, face masks and hand lotion used for hand massages. All of these spa items were purchased at Ulta Beauty. Luckily for me, Hello Kitty has licensing partnerships with several beauty brands including Lip Smacker, Pixi, and The Creme Shop so there are a lot of products to choose from.

This party was featured as PARTY OF THE DAY on Catch My Party!

VENDORS:
Planning, Signage, Balloons, Flowers – Kio Kreations
Photography – Matthew J Odom Photography
Yoga & Sound Experience – Sam Lenert of The Space for Balance
Cake – Flour & Flowers by MK
Cookies – Just Breathe Custom Cookies

Malibu Maddie’s Beach Barbie Birthday


Maddie is a Barbie girl through and through so for her 7th birthday we went full on Malibu Barbie! Not the all-pink look most people do for Barbie parties, we wanted beachy bright colors and fun beachy things like surf boards and beach balls to be in the mix!

The party was BYOB (Bring your own Barbie) so all the guests brought their favorite doll and picked outfits and accessories for them, and had a Barbie doll fashion show. I made the coolest Barbie-sized Boutique + Surf Shop with 2 pools and a sandbox (filled with kinetic sand) and surrounded by fresh flowers and foliage. The girls loved using it for their Barbies and it also functioned as part of the decorations too!

To the right and left of the Barbie-size play area, 2 colorful panels and 2 favor walls were decorated with balloons, inflatable dolphins and beach balls and cut-outs. Favors displayed on the walls included pink heart sunglasses and Barbie scrunchies + croc charms on cute Barbie cards. Other favors included inflatable Barbie pool toys, Barbie clothes + accessories, beach balls and the cutest custom-designed sugar cookies.

The girls also colored on a giant Barbie-themed coloring table cover, played “Barbie, Barbie, Maddie!” (a derivative of “Duck, Duck, Goose!”), “Keepy Uppy” with their beach balls, Barbie Uno, watched an episode of ‘Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse’ and made doll clothes out of tissue paper and pipe cleaner.

The space was decorated with beachy tablecloths and fun florals. Our favorite piece was a Barbie boat floral centerpiece which looked like it was in motion!

The cake was a masterpiece — combining waves and beach together (with edible sand!) and when we cut into it — a surprise — it was PINK velvet cake!

No party is complete without some yummy food — the guests ate from baskets filled with McDonalds nuggets, cheese burgers and fries and drank pink strawberry lemonade. They also enjoyed Cuties oranges, pretzels, chips, popcorn and some watermelon and strawberry Sour Patch gummy candies.

All of the girls had such a great time. It was a fun + unique party and I am so happy I could make Maddie’s Barbie party dreams come true!

Vendor Love:
Cake: Flour & Flowers by MK
Cookies: Just Breathe Custom Cookies
Photography: Matthew J. Odom Photography


Malibu Maddie and her friends had THE BEST time! Cannot wait until our next birthday bash!
This party was featured as the party of the day on Catch My Party!

Cruella X House of Aria 11th Birthday

My daughter Aria and I loved Disney’s 2021 Cruella movie. It was such a witty, visually interesting, exciting movie filled with fashion, chaos and fun. It was the perfect inspiration for a fabulous party, darling.

A a fashion-inspired black & white motif was chosen for this event. Of course, pops of red had to be included as well as a nod to movie. Taking another cue from the movie, we named our fashion design house “House of Aria”. When Aria chose this party theme, I knew immediately that I wanted to fashion some sort of gown out of balloons and fresh flowers — so I got a dress form and made something truly unique! Ti Leaf, anthurium, baby’s breath, carnations and plumosa foliage accented the bodice and balloons. The balloons and floral touches flowed from the dress form across the room and into an arch in the doorway of the adjoining room. Cruella fabric was used for table runners and Dalmatian-print fabric was made into tablecloths for the food table. Lady head vases, white marble and white ceramic containers served as vessels for all-red arrangements of roses, carnations and anthuriums. These little touches of red perfectly popped around the event space.

A cart with sweet snacks and 2 favor walls sat beside the balloon + floral gown in front of 3 arched backdrop panels in black, white and red. The favor walls displayed the scrunchie favors which were merchandized on custom fashion backer cards. There were also black and white canvas pouches and totes that the guests got to decorate. A custom-designed coloring & fashion sketch table-cover adorned the guest tables and functioned as both an activity and a surface for the other craft activities.

The Cruella movie played during the party while guests ate snacks and designed their pouches and totes.
A build-your-own sandwich bar with toppings and assorted chips were served for lunch along with chic sugar cookies, red bottled Shirley Temple Pop and the coolest ice cream cake you’ve ever seen!

Aria and her friends (who all dressed in black and white) had a truly fabulous time. It was the perfect mix of fashion and fun (with a little chaos thrown in the mix too!) I am so happy that I could bring this Cruella party to life for my tween and her friends!

This party was featured as the party of the day on Catch My Party and on Kara’s Party Ideas!

Talented Vendors who helped make this possible:

Photography
Jennifer Kaye Photography

Ice Cream Cake
Flour & Flowers by MK

Custom Cookies
Just Breathe Custom Cookies

Chair Rental
Funtime Party Services

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