There are but a handful of birthdays that should most definitely be accompanied by epic parties. One of them being your 30th! Lucky for us, Sarah Sherman Samuel of Smitten Studio did exactly that – threw an epic party of Palm Springs and Alice in Wonderland proportions at one of our fav estates, Casa Verona. While the invitation set the stage for a monochromatic color scheme for guests to arrive in black & white, the birthday girl stood out, donning an adorable gold sequins little number.
Pink flamingos are fun. Gold painted flamingos… amazing!
For my 30th birthday I knew I wanted to have a destination party to share with my closest friends, so we picked Palm Springs, rented this amazing house and went from there. I’ve always loved the whimsical sense of “Alice in Wonderland” but wanted to do a modern twist on it to fit my own personal aesthetic. My version is more “Alice in Palms Springs”… what happens when Alice meets the Rat Pack.
This theme was shown through over-sized bow headpieces, Alice and the White Rabbit Place cards, “drink me” labels on the glasses, top hats, cat mask, rabbit ears, gold painted flamingos, giant paper flowers, and the mix of fanciful patterns. Black bow ties served as napkin ties and double as party favors. As the party went on some of the guests wore them on their heads, around their neck and on their wrists as boutonnieres.
I designed and had printed all of the textiles which I then made the napkins, table cloths, and table runners from. I also made circle confetti to dot the table tops and gold geometric bunting to frame out the bar area. The centerpieces where made of candles and drinking glasses that I bought at the 99 cent store. I sprayed them all white, and then I painted the glass candles to look as though they were dipped in gold, and for the glasses that served as candle holders, I used a gold foil pen to pretty them up with a dot pattern.
Accessorizing in a photobooth is a must! For cute bow headbands and balloons like you see in these pics check out the Pop-Up Shop now! We’ve got fun and sparkly statement accessories from ban.do (like this super cute bow headband) and Geronimo Balloon Troopers (one of our fav ways to add color and fringe to your decor is with their balloon arrangements). *Sarah, you may have to throw another party just to include today’s Pop-Up Shop goodies! *
The happiest of birthdays to Sarah and a huge thank you for allowing us all to recognize that each birthday is yet another reason to get creative and throw one heck of a party!
Event Design and decor: Sarah Sherman Samuel / Invitation and Stationery Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel / Photography: Mike Carreiro of Studio Eleven / Fabrics: Sarah Sherman Samuel / Smilebooth: From the 100 Layer Cake Pop-Up Shop / Location: Casa Verona, Palm Springs, CA / Catering: Food Mechanic / Make-up: Ximena Rolfe / DJ: Sven Barth
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Flower Girl
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Looks so fun! Love the gold flamingos and the metallic colors…very pretty!
love every bit of this party!
This birthday party looks very fun and stylish!!
Ha, so funny! I had my 30th birthday in this same exact house! Here are my photos:
http://shannoneileenblog.typepad.com/happiness-is/2010/01/my-birthday.html
Absolutely stunning!
brilliant. looks like an amazing party!
This is SO stylish and yet looks so much fun!! Definitely bookmarking this for inspiration!!
Seriously ADORE everything about this party – especially the gold bunnies and flamingos – how fun!:)
LOVE this party! So stylish and chic. Reminds me of my friend’s 30th birthday party!
http://thisnestisbest.com/2012/02/16/champagne-30th-birthday-party/
Oh my, this was absolutely fabulous! Anything gold and chevron I just drool over! Would you mind to send me an email and let me know where you bought the gold dress from-I’m on a hunt for one for my bachelorette party! Thanks so much!
Courtney
Email- courtneyr.ferry@gmail.com
I’m loving all the details at this party – gorgeous!
I MUST know where that gorgeous gold dress is from!
I too need that dress! LOVE it and a good gold dress is hard to find!
YEAH for celebrating the 3-0 in a big way! I had a little soiree for my 30th with a tented reception in my backyard with dancing, passed hors d’oeuvres, & signature cocktails…it was referred to as my TriDeca Jubilee
Looks lovely!
What a talented lady. Looks like the best birthday party ever!
Hi my names Hannah and I wrote a book called Everything Alice ( http://www.everythngalice.co.uk), a make-up artist friend emailed me this post as she thought I would love it, well I do! I actually think Sarah is my LA alter ego! ( Im a London girl) – such beautiful photos, hope you had a great time Sarah x
Everything about this party is amazing!. Sarah, can I live in your birthday? Also… THAT TRAY!!! please share the info. xo
Great inspiration and execution. I can totally get “Alice in Wonderland” meets “The Rat Pack.” I hope you had a wonderful day!
Love, LOVE the bar area! Very simple and not alot of clutter. The drinking straws and “Drink Me” tags are a nice touch… thanks for sharing
Gorgeous party! Where can we find the flatware? I love that it is accented with gold!
Thanks for all the sweet comments! Was definitely the best birthday ever
FYI: Renee and Anna, The dress is from French Connection.
Victorie: The gold flatware is form West Elm.
and Audrey: I made that tray! They will be for sale in my shop as soon as I have it up and running
Oh and Hannah… I totally have and love your book! LA alter ego for sure! ha
Lovely! I would love to know what font Sarah used for the invite, love it!
Glad to hear it! Would love to see your take on a Wizard of Oz theme… we have Everything Oz coming out next month! he he x
http://www.everythingozbook.com
What catering did you use? OI am having a party in the same house and was curious what caters are good in that area?
Thanks!
@TerryLanett @FoziaRabiyat @samba247 @Obrigada2u I love this #palmspring home to rent http://t.co/pwrhp4zm
LOVVVEEDD IT!! I’m already planning for mine and I have 2.5 years to go, but if it’s looks anything like this it’ll be a hell of a bash.
dry and rough. Regular washing, the use of an exfoliating cream and a modeling mask are the basics Masquerade masks sale of a good skin care regimen.
I just enjoyed everything about the style of this #party. http://t.co/HjRfAC3o
This is amazing! I am especially a fan of the gold flamingos.
I was wondering how many people you had at your party? Did that many sleepover? I am considering booking the house for my 30th.
Thanks!