Leo's Roarin' Safari Party

It was a "wild" afternoon at Leo's 5th birthday party in Los Angeles, CA. Guests enjoyed a made-to-order taco bar with all the fixins, frozen tropical fruit bars, a jungle-themed bouncer inflatable, animal balloon sculptures, animal face painting, and a live animal show, too, featuring exotic snakes and lizards.

• What People Ate

  All-you-can eat made-to-order taco bar with all of the fixins you can think of! Plus, frozen tropical fruit bars (made fresh that morning and delivered right to the party).

• What People Drank

  For the "big cats" only, we featured a fresh cocktail mix, a fancy "jungle juice" for thirty-somethings.

• Desserts

  Custom made 3-tier birthday cake in strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla flavors.

• Party Favors

  The most adorable yet authentic looking "safari swag" bags: each canvas tote was tea stained and hand-stamped with zebra and giraffe pictures, and then filled with safari themed trinkets like animal print bandannas, tiny toy jeeps, and exotic animal figurines.

• Activities / Games

  Kids bounced their wild hearts out in the giant palm-tree style bouncer, got their faces painted like tigers, played with animal balloon sculptures, and enjoyed a live exotic animal show.

• The Taco Guy

  Lunch Caterer

  All the fixins, plus chicken, beef and veggie taco options for guests. Carlos and his wife in particular worked our event and they were lovely, helpful folks. Food was delicious, too; all of the guests gushed about the quality.
  http://www.thetacoguycatering.com/

• The French Confection Co.

  Baker/Irresistable Custom Cake Facilitator

  We love Mallory and her team at The French Confection Co. in Burbank, CA. The cake is always soooo good, the icing is addictive, and their work looks as amazing as it tastes. Large custom cakes like this one get delivered to the party (included in price), a HUGE help for the busy event planner/coordinator.
  http://www.thefrenchconfectionco.com

• Circa Vintage

  Swoon-able Boutique Furniture Rentals

  Circa provided the bar, the wine barrel table, a vintage trunk, and wicker shelf, and if I could have them at every party I plan, I would be sooooo happy. Their pieces are so lovely -- I have a thing for authenticity, so even if the party has a theme, I MUST add a few furniture pieces that look like they might have existed in the pretend-world I'm imagining in my head -- and Circa helps me bring every party theme to life in a real, yet beautiful way. http://www.circavintagerentals.com

• Party On Rental

  Table, Chairs, Linen, and Umbrella Rentals

  Party On Rental has been on my speed dial for 10 years now. They carry a rainbow of table linen colors, several different umbrella colors (love when I get to match the table cloths to the umbrellas, it helps tie together the seating area design), very nice chairs (I can't do plastic chairs, folks, I just can't do it, which is great that the POR carries wooden folding chairs for a good looking, yet budget-friendly option), and more. Their delivery & pick-up times are pretty flexible, too. http://www.partyonrental.com

• Magic Jump

  Inflatable Bouncie Rental

  Magic Jump carries a wide variety of inflatables, including hard to find themes like "jungle". The bouncer I rented featured two tall "palm trees" and a big slide. It was clean, impressive (and classy) looking, and fit perfectly in my client's driveway. And the kids loved it, of course!
  http://www.magicjumprentals.com

• Reptacular Animals

  Live Reptile Show

  Reptacular does live animal shows in the greater Los Angeles area. They can bring reptiles (snakes, lizards), birds (parrots!), and furry critters (chinchillas, guinea pigs). We had "scales and fur" at this party; the animal host brought each animal out one at a time and told the children some facts while she moved the animal around the group so that each kid could see it. Some animals they were able to touch & hold, too!
  http://www.reptacularanimals.com/

• Enjoyer

  Frozen Fruit Bar Delivery

  Paul from Enjoyer (based out of Glendale Galleria, Glendale CA) delivered a box of 50 freshly made (that morning!) frozen tropical fruit and gelato bars exactly at the time I had requested. It was perfect post-lunch / pre-cake timing and the guests really enjoyed cooling off with these unique treats. All 50 bars were devoured within 20 minutes and many guests asked where they could enjoy these bars again.
  http://www.enjoyer.com/