A is for Addalyn First Birthday Brunch

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First birthdays aren't about the kid--we all know that.  It's a chance to gather the family and friends and celebrate with those who love the little one.  There's no need to choose a particularly juvenile theme for first birthdays.  That realization is what inspired the A is for Addalyn first birthday brunch.

I was inspired by classic children's alphabet books, and chose an A is for Addalyn theme.  But with a sophisticated, girly vibe that would work just as well for an adult birthday or a bridal shower.  

Elegant baby shower brunch setup themed around the letter A.

I love the aqua and coral color palette--so fresh and feminine, without being too cloyingly sweet.  

Large A made from fresh roses and greenery at the First Birthday Brunch

The show-stopper of the table was the floral monogram.  I spent $21 on all of the flowers for the party in total.  It's not necessary to spend a lot of money to make a big statement with flowers!  

I made the floral A in the same font that I used for the invitation and other details at the party.  I'm sure nobody else noticed, but it made me happy.

Antique blue ball jar filled with pink and coral roses at the A is for Addalyn First Birthday Brunch

Extra flowers filled antique blue ball jars, making incredibly simple but beautifully coordinated flower arrangements.

DIY tiered tray filled with cookies at the A is for Addalyn First Birthday Brunch

Guess what I made this tiered serving tray out of?  Just wait until I reveal the details in the tutorial later this week.

Classic baby blocks painted a soft peach color

I scrounged these classic blocks out of the box we'd been planning to donate (but hadn't quite gotten around to dropping off).  A bit of spray paint, and they were the perfect easy decorative element for the A is for Addalyn birthday party.

Two tier white ruffled buttercream cake topped with a peach gum paste peony

This was my first attempt at making a ruffle cake, and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out.  The birthday girl can't have dairy, so I had to use a shortening-based buttercream.  I think it would have looked a little smoother if I'd been able to use Italian meringue buttercream.  At least that's my theory, and I'm sticking with it.  ;-)

Peach gum paste peony on top of a cake covered in white frosting ruffles.

I love peonies, and knew I wanted to make a gumpaste peony as the topper for the ruffle cake.  But I couldn't find a gumpaste cutter and didn't have time to mail order, so I had to improvise.  Here's a tutorial of how I made it without a specialty cutter.

Almond cookies shaped into A shapes at the A is for Addalyn First Birthday Brunch

All the food at the brunch started with the letter A.  Almond A cookies.
 

Apricot thumbprint cookies on a square white cake plate.

Apricot thumbprint cookies.

Apple oatmeal cookies on a DIY tiered serving tray made with painted baby blocks.

Apple oatmeal cookies (the winner of one of our upcoming The Hungry Games contests).

Apples at the A is for Addalyn First Birthday Brunch

Apples, of course.

Watercolor painted monogram sugar cookies

A monogram sugar cookies.

Animal crackers at the A is for Addalyn First Birthday Brunch

Animal crackers.

Angel food macaroon cookies on a white serving tray

Angel food macaroons.

Peach gum paste peony on top of a cake covered in white frosting ruffles.

And cake.  Ok, that one doesn't start with A, but we had to have cake at the birthday party!

(Also, not pictured, were asparagus wrapped in prosciutto, and almond croissants.)

One year old little girl eating an apple

Little Addalyn wasn't too impressed with the setup.  She did like the apples, but wasn't really interested in much else.  

One year old little girl with an alphabet book and a floral letter A, frowning at the camera.

Want to look at the book, Addalyn (My favorite alphabet book and gift to give small children, Animalia)?  "No!"  Pretty flower?  "No!"  Wear the party hat?  "No!"  The headband?  "No!"  Play with blocks?  "No!"

One year old little girl tasting the icing from a two tier cake decorated in white frosting ruffles and a gum paste peony.

Do you want cake?  "CAKE!"  Finally, a happy baby.

One year old little girl tasting the icing from a two tier cake decorated in white frosting ruffles and a gum paste peony.

One year old little girl tasting the icing from a two tier cake decorated in white frosting ruffles and a gum paste peony.

One year old little girl tasting the icing from a two tier cake decorated in white frosting ruffles and a gum paste peony.

One year old little girl with her hands smashing a birthday cake and a face covered in frosting.

Happy Birthday, Addalyn!

Navigational image leading reader to Balloon themed birthday party

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Navigational image leading reader to Mud Pie Bakery themed birthday party

Nicole Wills, creator of Tikkido

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