Thursday, June 17, 2010

{The TomKat Studio} Tommy's Crab Shack Party!

I recently styled my son's Crab Shack Party to celebrate his 5th birthday! The inspiration came from a Pottery Barn Kids crab towel, that he received as a gift a couple of years ago! I love the red, white & blue color scheme and it was so easy to find great things since his birthday falls between Memorial Day and 4th of July! The talented, Vicki of Vicki Lynn Photography captured all of the details of the party! I started by designing the little crab illustration and invitation!

Since I designed a fabulous dessert table for Kate's recent party, it was only fair to design one for Tommy! I planned a full spread of yummy treats and paper goods for the party! As always, I was inspired by the queen of dessert tables, Amy Atlas! Whenever I start brainstorming a party, I go on a hunt around my house (and my mom's) to find anything that could work for decorating. The red metal "T" and navy backdrop (new duvet cover) are from Tommy's bedroom! My mom and I decorated a room in her house for the kids in a nautical theme, so I grabbed the white boxes, sailboat frames, life preserver & lighthouse to use for decorating!

I ordered the sweetest fondant little crabs from Decadent Delights for my cupcakes! The night before the party, while my mom and I were baking, we decided that Tommy needed his own little cake. We used two large ramekins to get the right size and shape for the cake I was envisioning! The little crabs, cherry sours, and cake topper I whipped up made it cute!

I enlisted the help of Kim at Sweeties for the fabulous chocolate covered oreo and oreo pops! She also sent the amazing white chocolate letters, spelling out TOMMY and they worked perfectly under the cake stand!
I used Allyson of Girly Gatherings make custom printed cookies using my party circle designs!
My mom & I made our first attempt at Bakerella's cake pops and balls! After a little practice, they turned out fabulous! The sprinkles are really forgiving for hiding imperfections!
{more tips coming soon in a follow-up post!}
Melissa from Decadent Delights also made the crab shaped cookies, which I used on the table as well as in cello bags tied with a tag for favors!

I made a welcome sign using a life preserver mirror from my mom's house! The beach hut sign has been hanging around in my garage for awhile, and always comes out for the surf /beach/pool parties! Tommy wore an adorable custom crab shirt from Smitten & Company!

I enlisted the help of family and friends to bring some of the food, including my favorite layered salad, queso, tortellini salad and fruit pizza! We also served hamburgers and hot dogs, strawberries & cream, and lots of yummy treats!
{recipes coming soon in a follow up post} 

Nautical details were placed throughout the house!
I continued the red, white & blue theme outside!
(see the towel that inspired the party?)
Lots of fun was had by all, with swimming, water balloon fights, delicious food & desserts!

Happy Birthday to my sweet little boy, Tommy!
Love, Mommy

Sources:
Party Designs/Styling: The TomKat Studio
Photography: Vicki Lynn Photography
Oreo Goodies: Sweeties By Kim
Custom Printed Cookies:
Girly Gatherings

Fondant Crabs & Crab Cookies: Decadent Delights
Custom Crab T-shirt: Smitten & Co
Hair Accessories: Whippy Cake

47 comments:

Hazel from Hazel Loves Design said...

This is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!! I love it all, such great inspiration for us all!! Tommy is so lucky to have such a talented Mommy!!

Thank you so much for sharing, definitely great inspiration for my upcoming parties!

:) Hazel

To The Moon and Back said...

Kim as always, ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! You are amazingly talented and such great inspiration. Your kiddos must love the great parties you throw for them. Can't wait to see what you come up with next:)

KK said...

LOVE this theme!!! Such great inspiration, I'll tell ya! :-)

High Heels and Aprons said...

All I can say is LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Ally @ Girly Gatherings

Amy H. said...

Everything I thought it would look like but times a thousand! Wonderful job Kim.

XOXO

Thank you for inspiring.
Amy

Unknown said...

What a wonderful party! Great colors and so fun! You are nothing short of amazing!

Vana said...

Amazing Kim! I expected nothing less from you!!! And your photographer friend rocks WOW!

amber said...

I see the little light house from homegoods! ANy idea where I can get a beachy sign like the one you have? It, colors and all, would be a perfect addition to the shower I am throwing!!

Amazing job, girlie!

staci @ lizard n ladybug said...

This is just plain fabulous!
Not that I'm shocked..all your parties are FAB!

Such a good lookin' family too :)

Brittany Schwaigert said...

Absolute perfection--as always! I adore this theme. Totally original, and perfect for summer!

A Few of My Favorite Things said...

So so amazing! Your attention to detail is just stunning and I'm inspired by you as always. I can only imagine how much fun it must have been!

Courtney said...

WONDERFUL! All the details are just perfect!! (of course I expected nothing less from you!) Smart to have a photographer there too. I often try to play hostess AND photographer, and usually the photography suffers.

Stacy Tucker said...

OMG, Kim.... Absolute perfection! The details are stunning and I love the theme. So fun and summery. Happy Birthday Tommy.

Lindsey {Bella Grace Party Designs} said...

Great job Kim!!! I always love to see the family pics... you all look so happy! Super cute hair clip.

Bea @ CancunCookies said...

Great job! Love the details and colours...

The "J" Crew said...

absolutely amazing...as always!

Tracy@affectionfordetail said...

I love how the red and blue pop against the white. Sooo in love with the custom cookies. I see another amy atlas feature in your future!

Brittney said...

So adorable! I love all the little details. I think the printed cookies are my favorite!

The Ivory Social said...

This is absolutely amazing! How wonderful to see a stylish boys party in a brilliant colour scheme!
Great job Kim, I am sure you have just started a new party trend- Crab Shack!

sassypackrat said...

What an amazing party! Beautiful job!

Anonymous said...

Kim, you think of everything! This is beyond well done, amazing, or fabulous... It's Brilliant!! Congratulations on this great party. I am definate that your son and his friends will remember it forever! You inspire me.
Katie Herbold
LaPalma, California

Alexis said...

Really an Award Winning party...not a detail was missed. Beautiful pictures!

Melisa@projectnursery said...

Bravo! You deserve a break. Another amazing bash. - M

Unknown said...

love it!! may have to do this for my sons party next year! fantab!!

Style Me Gorgeous said...

Looks fabulous Kim ! and you look stunning as always xx

Lauren @ Crave. Indulge. Satisfy. said...

Adorable party! All of the details are amazing! I love the Crab theme!

Kristy said...

Looks SO perfect Kim and YOU look amazing! So glad you ended up getting a shirt for him, it's adorable:)

christina said...

amazing! what else can we say?!

Emily said...

SO amazing Kim! It looks amazing!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the hair do dads! Im going to have to hop right over there ;-)

A To Zebra Celebrations said...

Speechless! WOW! Your parties are incredible!! LOVE LOVE ALL OF IT!!!

Queen of Tarts Cakes said...

Kim, Congrats on your little boy's party and for sharing in all of the details! Looks like a lot of work paid off and the crab shack concept is super cute!

Tara said...

Amazing, amazing, amazing, AND amazing. Do you take interns?! I'll teach you all I know about shirts if you'll let me stand over your shoulder for 5 minutes. Oh, to be your shadow...that's not too much to ask, right?! Glad Tommy loved his crab shirt, and happy to be a small part of such a big day!

xoxo,
Tara

Courtney @ Pizzazzerie said...

You've done it again :) LOVE LOVE LOVE!

Rowaida said...

Absolutely gorgeous Kim! everything looks perfect! Congratulations on his party! sooo inspiring

Sweet Style said...

Just wonderful Kim - another fabulous party for everyone to remember! Hope you have recovered! Leanne xx

Amy @ Living Locurto said...

This is so cute! I love those cookies, she did a wonderful job. I want to know how you can talk your son into these cute party themes?? All my son wants is Star Wars or Legos! ha.

Nichcole said...

AAAAmazing, you are an inspiration to all!! Love the attention to detail.

Where can I find the ADORABLE silver cupcake stands?

Double the Giggles said...

Awesome! Who says little boys can't have amazing parties, too? You are so talented! I can only hope my little guys' 1st birthday party will be 1/100th of Tommy's bash!

Anonymous said...

As if I should sound the teeniest bit surprised, but this is absolutely fantastic. You are truly amazing. Pottery Barn is truly inspiring isn't it.

kristina said...

Beautiful party!

Shelley@DivinePartyConcepts said...

As always it looks wonderful!!! What a special party!

Anonymous said...

beautiful--- crabby chic!!!!!!

SAMBELLINA said...

So divine as expected Kim - congrats !! (Love that - Crabby Chic) :-)

Unknown said...

holy crabby cuteness! love love love everything!

Christi Bennett @ pisforparty said...

Kim, as always, you did an AMAZING job!! I always look forward to seeing your party posts and what you come up with. Your attention to detail is great! Also, thank you for writing such great posts with lots of party information! It's always nice to see the how-to's, etc.

~ Christi

PS - where did you get your white cake stand?? Love it!

http://cancuncookies.blogspot.com said...

Amazing work, Kim! Love the colour combination and details... the Layered Salad sounds gooooood!

very married said...

wow - i'm so impressed! Tommy is so lucky!