Come Monkey Around - Emerson's 2nd Birthday

Gorgeous party!!! I'll let you know when it's in our Party of the Day. Did you make the ribbon topiary? -- Jillian (Catch My Party)

yes mam I did (using a tutorial I found through Polka Dot Market). Tutu Wreath somewhat found the tutorial online but made some modifications. Thank you so much for the compliment. I've been scouring the internet (and your site) for months to get ideas and inspirations so I'm happy it all came together!

Great wreath! Love to know how to do it.

So cute! We are doing a similar theme for my daughters first birthday party. Her nursery is Pink and Orange with Monkeys and Giraffes so we are using that as the theme. I stumbled on this site from another blog and when I saw the cake I just exclaimed that is exactly the cake that I was asking the bakery about today! I live just down the road from you in Lewisville, TX. Any way that you'd let me borrow the ribbon topiaries or at least tell me where you found the ribbon? I want to make them, but haven't found the ribbon yet. Everything at Michaels and Joann's are too narrow. Also where did you find the polka dot balloons?

@Kristi P - I bought most all the ribbon from Hobby Lobby when they have the 1/2 off ribbon sale (which is most of the time). I originally bought too much of the narrow ribbon and realized it would take forever so I used alot of the wide ribbon (1 1/2 to 2 inch wide). Dont use the wired ribbon as it doesnt work correctly. Hobby Lobby has a great selection of orange and pink... For the island/food buffet topiaries I used the large styrofoam balls from Jo Ann'es. For the kids tables I used the smaller stryofoam balls. For the larger ones, I got a really long dowel from Jo Anne's and had my hubby saw it in half as the dowels in packages were too short (they worked great for the smaller topiaries). I would give or even sell to you BUT we are using them again next month for another party. I was originally going to paint the dowels but with the freezing conditions the spray paint wasnt drying correctly so I just wrapped them with ribbon. The tutorial from the Polka Dot Birthday blog is pretty accurate. I did use a ton of ribbon and it seemed like each topiary took me at least 3 hours to do but I did in front of the tv at night after our daughter went to bed. Also used alot of straight pins too.. Yes the cake is from The Cake Stand in McKinney which I highly recommend. Believe it or not the polka dots and icing were all buttercream no fondant. The top layer was chocolate with english buttercream and the bottom layer was vanilla with strawberry bavarian. So good! The balloons, polka dot straws and some baking cups (which I forgot to use) all came from The Sugar Diva (ordered online through the website). Feel free to ask any other questions :) Sounds like it will be a very cute 1st bday.

@ Kristi P - more info - most of the serving pieces came from Homegoods - also a little trick to make the hot pink lemonade. I originally found a recipe online where you make it from scratch and I ran out of time. I ended up using the liters of pink lemonade purchased in the grocery store (on the aisle with the soft drinks). Then in the microwave I added about a cup of blueberries with a little water and heated for a minute or two. Then strained the juice into the pink lemonade and it made it a hot pink color. Super easy!

super easy - I couldnt find the exact tutorial online. I bought a basic 14 inch styrofoam wreath from the craft store, and cut tulle into about 12-13 inch strips. I tied the tulle strips onto the wreath (knots on the outside). I originally was going to use both pink and orange tulle but it just didnt look as good so after every 25 pieces of tulle I tied a strip of orange wired fabric just to add in that color. It took about 3 or 4 rolls of tulle (cant remember exactly) to make it as I pushed them together really tightly too.

What a great idea! This would make a great gift for anyone with a girl. I have boys so maybe I could make a blue one with flames attached to the tulle. Ha ha.

Love, love, love this party. SO CUTE! Cake is adorable.

gorgeous!!!

so beautiful!

what a beautiful birthday girl!

Thanks for the info! This is great help. I actually went to Hobby Lobby yesterday and finally found the ribbon (Michaels and Joanns have been out of stock for a couple of weeks), but this is the first week in over 4 months according to the clerk that ribbon wasn't 50% so I will just have to watch for it to go on sale. Thanks again!

I just returned about 13 thing of ribbon to Hobby Lobby last week so hopefully I helped their inventory :) I tend to overbuy supplies so the fun of returning has begun. Apparently at Hobby Lobby the sales arent all at the same time either. I've been to the Frisco one and something wasnt on sale then went to the Little Elm store to find it 50%. Can always call another store to see. BTW for this party I had these monkeys painted from an EBAY vendor. She then cut out the faces as I wanted them to be photo opps for the kids. Unfortunately due to weather they did not arrive until the day after the party. They come with a stand and stuff. I think I paid about $70 total for both and included shipping but I'd be willing to sell them for $40. My email is [email protected] if you are interested. I can take a pic and email. They are more the whimsical type monkey that match the party...

Hello, I recently came across your party pics and love them. A question, do you happen to remember where you got the hot pink flower pots you used for the topiaries?

Sorry I can't remember exactly but I think they came from Christmas Tree shoppe (owned by bed bath & beyond) as that's where the orange plates I used as chargers came from. If not there then my guess is Hobby Lobby, michaels or Joanne's. I know after Christmas they start getting in spring stuff. Her party was in February so bought stuff in January...