A Vintage Shabby Chic Birthday Party

Jan 31, 2013 by Mary Anne

I decided to do this post today because today is a very special day.  Today is Amy Polus’ birthday!  She is one of my dearest, closest, friends– one of my best friends.  She has been there for me through many seasons of my life – from being a newlywed,  to being a mother of 3 boys (in a period of 4 years)!  When I looked up the meaning of the word FRIEND in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, this is what it said:

FRIEND- One who is attached to another by affection; one who entertains for another sentiments of esteem, respect and affection, which lead him to desire his company, and to seek to promote his happiness and prosperity

Amy, my friend, you definitely fit that description.  I know I speak for so many, countless women when I say THANK YOU for being the friend that you are.

This year, she wanted to lay low but last year, we were honored to truly celebrate her milestone birthday!

 

 

We transformed the upstairs (office) of our church into a vintage shabby chic area where we can celebrate and honor our special friend, Amy.  I enlisted the help of two very talented friends and I so enjoyed working with these two gifted women, Carol and Soraya.  The three of us basically brought our pretty things from home and picked what we would use.  I pretty much brought my house.  Ha!  We had so much fun beautifying the space that we overlooked the time.  Remember the armoire that I posted about HERE yesterday?  This is why I originally purchased and repurposed it.  My husband, along with many other husbands, were so sweet to entertain my demand to have the armoire there.  This armoire was huge and heavy and had to be carried to the second floor.

 (The night before the party… making progress)

 I have a collection of these window panes and thought it would be neat to put pictures of the birthday celebrant from a young age to present.  There were also accompanying bible verses (her favorites) next to the pictures.  The mirror in the middle is actually from my dining room.  The table cloths I got from Downtown L.A. fabric district.

 Carol did such an awesome job getting the food area set up.  I just have amazing friends!

 

 

 

Soraya did an amazing job with the beautiful flowers!  The arrangements were gorgeous.  How did we not take pics of them all?  Did I mention that Soraya is an Event Planner.  She does a lot of gorgeous weddings in the Los Angeles area.  If you are a bride in the Los Angeles area, looking for someone to help you with your special day, Soraya of A Soiree to Remember,  is your gal!

 

 

 

 The hot beverage area 

 

 

 

The cold beverage area

This picture was taken when we were still preparing for the party so please excuse the cranberry bottle and spillage.  The mirror is actually my hallway mirror and the apothecary jars, I’ve collected.

Here’s the armoire that I posted about yesterday.  I knew that I wanted to use it to put the desserts in the drawers.

 

 

Soraya’s husband put up with our other demand, “We must have the chandelier up!”  Thank you, Al.  It truly added to the ambiance of the room.  Soraya was so clever to figure out a way to make those vertical blinds more pleasing to the eyes.  Do you all see the amazing view outside.  We forgot there are hills and mountains in Los Angeles.

We had four round tables that required manpower to be brought up to the second floor.  That’s where the youth group came in.    Thanks for carrying those tables and chairs upstairs.

I literally emptied my kitchen and brought all of my plates, chargers and utensils to the church.  I love to entertain so one of the ways I like to decorate is by using mason jars, filling it with water and candles from Ikea.  I literally have tons of these mason jars saved from my sauces and such.

Here is Amy with her beautiful daughters.  I wanted them there because I truly wanted them to see and hear the women honor their amazing mother.  I had each woman come up with a word that comes to their mind when they think of Amy.  They also had the opportunity to get up and honor their mom.  Some of the words said to describe my friend– AMAZING, INSPIRING, GRACIOUS, SUPPORTIVE, WELCOMING, GENUINE, ENCOURAGER… and many more.  There was not a dry eye in the place.

Happy Birthday my friend, my confidant, my sister.  I hope that this year brings you the desires of your heart.  Love you.