KatieSugar's First Birthday Party

Last week I planned KatieSugar's 1st birthday party with a menu that was packed with traditional all American party food, but in miniature sizes. I know that some of you are on diets and in many cases my food is not the most figure friendly. Since I put together a great menu that can be adapted to any sort of party, I thought it would be nice to offer the same menu but with healthier versions. Luckily our friend Hungry Girl does this daily and I took some help from her for this one. Start with a twist on my Mini Crab Cakes by serving her healthier crab stuffed mushrooms. Instead of making my indulging (and perhaps thigh-bulging) Spinach Dip, prepare HG's equally delicious version. Choose her de-pudged pigs in a blanket over my Mini Hot Dogs and pair them with her hamburgers. She's even come up with an almost calorie-free pink drink to wash everything down! To get these amazing recipes read more

Doesn't it seem like the days are just flying by?? I mean it seems like just yesterday KatieSugar could barely crawl and now she's turning 1 and is on the verge of walking. A baby's first birthday is an excellent way to invite your friends and family over to see how much your child has grown within the last few months. Steer clear of inviting lots of other babies (save that for the 3rd birthday) and let the birthday girl bask in all of the attention. Plus, instead of worrying about how your baby is going to interact with a bunch of other children, you'll be able to enjoy your guests and catch up with old friends. Send out stylish striped invitations a month to three weeks in advance and have guests come for a mid day feast of miniature hamburgers, hot dogs, tacos, and more. Both the drinks and the decor will be done in shades of pink creating a party that is youthful, uniformed, and fabulous. The final stages of the pre-planning are upon us and the last thing I have to do is figure out what music will act as the party's soundtrack so read more

KatieSugar sure is growing up fast. Just this morning she was using her walker to toddle around the room and nobody could work because she was being way too adorable to ignore. A girl as special as lil'sugar deserves the most fabulous 1st birthday celebration. Naturally her parents turned to me to deal with all of the party planning details. So I got busy earlier this week (her birthday is June 1 and we want the invites to be sent at least three weeks in advance) making the invitation, creating a delicious menu of miniature party food, and coming up with a couple of all-pink drinks. Today I'm designing the look, inspired by the pink stripes that grace the walls of Katie's bedroom, so for the details read more

KatieSugar is narrowing in on a very exciting "first" moment. Sure she has plenty of first moments to come - her first words, the first time she walks, and much further down the line, her first kiss - but to me her first birthday party is by far the most important. Although she most likely won't remember this party too well (and not from over drinking!) it will be a milestone for Katie's parents, grandparents, and all those who love this little girl. I'm taking on all of the party plans and started with the invites before moving onto the menu. Everyone knows that Katie Sugar will be drinking milk and formula but what about the of age guests? To see the answer to that question read more

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear KatieSugar, happy birthday to you! Katie is almost one year old and I am busy planning her first birthday party. The invite is pale pink and striped and the menu is classic barbecue style down sized. All of the food from the appetizers to the main course are pop-in-your-mouth good, miniature, bite sized pieces. This is after all a party for a baby so all things little will be celebrated. No baby birthday is complete without cupcakes and Katie loves classic vanilla. Wash the cupcake down with a mini milkshake (strawberry!) served in tiny shot glasses. Want the recipes, well please read more

Guess who's about to celebrate her birthday and start her golden year all on the same day?! KatieSugar! My mom always said that the year your age and birth-date coincided is considered your golden year. Since Katie (no that's not her pictured) is turning 1 on the first of June, this will be her golden year so she deserves a super special celebration worthy of any celebrity baby. Hand crafted pink invitations have set the girlie tone of the event, and to emphasize the focus on Katie, all of the food will be miniature. The appetizers include mini crab cakes and three-bite buffalo chicken wings, but for the mini, all-American main course recipes, read more

Little KatieSugar is almost 1 year old! It's amazing watching her grow each day and I'm super excited to announce that I've been asked to plan her first birthday! A blowout bash like no other, the event will be casual and familiar with most of the guests being Katie's parent's friends and families. The party will be chicly decorated in every girl's favorite color (myself included): pink and all of the food will be finger friendly and bite-sized. The invitations are in the process of being mass produced and sent, so now it's time to move on to creating a miniature menu. To see what finger foods, I'll be making for the Sugars, read more

Well folks, KatieSugar is nearing in on a very important date...her first birthday! To commemorate this momentous occasion, I'm planning a fabulous birthday extravaganza for her! KatieSugar is our very own little celebrity baby, so the party should rival the little birthday bashes of other fabulous famous baby girls: Suri, Violet, Ramona and Shiloh. The party is not until June, but it's time to get the planning under way. A baby's first birthday is a celebration more for the parents, family, and friends of the baby rather than for the baby herself. For a parent it's one of the most memorable birthdays in a child's life, so I am going to do everything I can to make it as wonderful as possible for Lisa and Brian. The party will take its theme from the blue and pink stripes that grace the walls of Katie's bedroom and the food will be inspired by all things little. So stay tuned all week for more on KatieSugar's birthday. To see the invitation I'll be sending to her grandparents, aunts, and uncles, and special friends, read more