the morning after...

The morning after the party, I woke up to this madness. 

After a bit of cleaning (not nearly enough!), I decided I wanted the party to continue. We changed into new party dresses, threw on the sparkly accessories I had used as decorations, bought more champagne, and made some pancakes.

 We never cut the cake during my actual birthday party, so Serra decided to dig in.

 Everyone else quickly joined her.

 We still felt like dancing, so my brother played all my favorite songs from my childhood as a birthday tribute. As we moved through my teenage years the music got pretty awkward, but the dancing continued.

By 4:00, I was finally exhausted. 

The Marie Antoinette birthday party

In two busy days of baking, I made chocolate, vanilla, and raspberry macarons, vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, lemon meringue tarts, chocolate mousse tarts with raspberries, strawberry and cream tarts, eclairs, cream puffs with ganache, and a two tier layer cake.

I might have gone a bit crazy with the balloons.

This was the best birthday I've ever had. Only 365 days until the next one...

Party Preparations

I bought this painting from my super talented friend and co-worker, Ben Woodstrup. The colors tie in perfectly to the cake lettering on the other wall! 

Yesterday, I stopped by Bhldn and American Apparel to stock up on some Marie-worthy accessories...as if my dress wasn't girly enough already!

I put together this hair piece using floral arrangement items from Joann Fabrics. I can't wait to wear it, but I hope it holds up through the frenzied dancing that is sure to occur.