After months I finally got off my tush and started a blog, so here goes! 

I know it's late and so many of you have already seen the amazing photos, but I wanted to clue you in on some of the fun details from Desmond's Circus theme 1st Birthday!

I know that I seem like a crazy Mom doing all this for such a little guy, who probably won't remember any of it, but I just couldn't help myself. I love creating events, weddings and ambiance and what's more fun than a circus (especially without clowns)?! 

Most of the elements I used were actually finds from some of my favorite stores including Dollar Tree and everyone's favorite Target. 

The hats were purchased at Target and I just added the frills and the pom poms using hot glue and patience. 

The elephant cake topper is one of my favorite elements. It was really a labor of love and crazy mommy-ness. I wish I had taken a before photo, but when I bought it (from Ross) it was very aged Asian-Indian-import-wood looking. I spent HOURS painting it to get it right, but I really love the way it turned out. It still has a worldly quality which adds to the circus theme. 

The #1 is from the $ bin at Target and I just covered it with felt. Now it is nice and muppet-fuzzy and was perfect for a first birthday. 

When you have a bunch of little ones running around they will definitely need a place to play. I ended up finding a big teal comforter at a local thrift store for $6! It was the perfect color and just cushy enough to make playing a little more comfortable for the kids. I just hand drew the letters and added the circus touch by painting the edges and the dots. A bit of spray adhesive and it was done. 

The gift bags were my first find at the Dollar Tree, a $1 for 10. I just filled them with other fun finds from the Dollar Tree and Target. 

I know, up until now you were thinking 'wow, she really is crazy doing all this for a one year old'. But wait, there's more!

I had every intention of making a cute tiny top hat for Desmond, but that wasn't in the cards since I was too busy making a little tuxedo shirt and vest with tails. Really, what else was he going to wear?!! 

The shirt was made after I refused to spend upwards of $15 for a tuxedo shirt for a baby. I just hot glued the ruffles, bow and buttons on and whallah! 

The vest is just felt and extra trim and buttons glued together. I was nervous about making it, but I just made up my mind that if it didn't work then it would be okay. 

Being a florist I couldn't skip the flowers. I found the popcorn containers and the peanuts containers in the $1 bins at Target. I used white hydrangeas as popcorn and added the fun lollipops (dollar tree). The kids all took home the fun circus animals too. 

All of the amazing paper elements were made by Elisa of Events by Elisa. She did an awesome job of thinking of everything I didn't. I am really looking forward to working with her again. She is fantastic! 

I would love to tell you how delicious the cupcakes were, but by the time my little guy was done smashing his cake all the cupcakes were gone! They had been devoured! 

I can tell you that the cake pops were not only super amazingly cute, but also super amazingly yummy! I loved them! 

Nikki of Calculated Whisk did a great job with them and I know everyone was appreciative of her sweet treats! 

A very special thank you goes out to Lindsey of Eyelet Images  for the beautiful photos. They are so great and I am loving them more and more every day. 

I am looking forward to her doing our Christmas card photos this year. I know they will be even better than I can imagine!