Queen of Hearts Ballet Event

Photos by Alison Moore

Earlier this month, we worked with Ballet Wichita to put on another whimsical party. To incorporate Valentine's Day, we went with a Queen of Hearts theme, and it was so fun! We loved the idea of hearts, roses and crowns. Plus, it gave the dancers a concept to work with. The party was full of whimsy, charm, and lots of happy littles dancing around.

Photos by Erin Kata Photography

Ballet Wichita put on a gorgeous performance! Katie, a dancer and board member, put together choreography based off of the scene in Alice in Wonderland where the Queen of Hearts comes to check on her roses, which have been painted red. The dancers were wonderful and performed with so much enthusiasm. It is always so fun to see the children watching them perform.

For the backdrop, we wanted to incorporate the theme. We ordered giant and super jumbo playing cards to make the heart. For the balloon garland, we worked with Qualatex balloons. It added the perfect pop of color.

Photos by Erin Kata Photography

Photos by Alison Moore Photography

For the first activity, we had the children "paint the roses red" cookie edition. I reached out to Wendi, owner of Sweet Sugarlicious, and she made these gorgeous rose PYO (paint your own) cookies. Such a fun activity for little ones that isn't too messy. We thought it would be so fun to have the party guests paint roses red, but needed a way that wouldn't be a total disaster. PYO cookies were the perfect solution, plus they serve as a snack when they are done!

We set the table with gold heart and red polka dot plates and napkins. Underneath, we laid out giant playing cards - so easy, fun and quick to clean! We then put white and red roses in the middle of the tables. It is actually a pretty easy theme to work with, and ever thing comes together well.

Photos by Alison Moore Photography

Photos by Erin Kata Photography

Crown decorating was the second activity for the event. We figured everyone needed a crown at a Queen of Hearts party! We kept it pretty simple with foil and foam crowns they could easily add stickers to. They were all so cute running around with their creations on.

Photo by Erin Kata Photography

Photos by Alison Moore Photography

In addition to the cookies, we served a new neighborhood favorite, Miri's Minis. I had them add gold glitter and they were the perfect bite sized snack.

Photos by Alison Moore Photography

Photos by Erin Kata Photography

One of the best parts about the events with Ballet Wichita, is seeing the little party guests interact with the dancers. They are always so smitten and many like to dance around with them. The BW dancers are always so kind and sweet to the children. They are like real life princes and princesses!

Photo by Erin Kata Photography

Thank you Ballet Wichita for putting on such a beautiful performance for our party guests! Also, special thank yous to Erin Kata Photography and Alison Moore Photography, for capturing all these wonderful moments!

Make sure to watch for the Ballet in the Park series coming this summer!

Lots of Love,

Annual Galentine's Party

Last week I had a few friends to the shop for the LOC Annual Galentine's party. It is something I have done for a few years, and I always love hosting. You can see past ones here. I have to admit, in past years I have gone all out, especially the years I had it at my house and wasn't throwing parties regularly. This year with the baby, I'm glad I had the party! Since we got back from Florida a couple weeks ago, I feel like I have been running around with my head cut off, and not going to lie, at times I wondered why I was throwing a party on top of everything. I have to say, I am so glad I did! A girls' night with some friends was just what I needed. It was fun, I got to play with some of our adorable products, and support some local favorites.

I pulled some of my Valentine favorites to use (and had some leftover from a photo shoot we did). As you know, I love to mix and match, so I pulled a little of everything. The lip plates and napkins are so fun! The gold heart plates are a good pop of metallic and the pink "wink" plates are so sweet. On the table I spread out lots of crafting supplies. I have my guests make homemade valentines, and I always get too busy chatting to make any of my own! I also pulled a Prosecco Pong set to use - I see a lot of use for future parties with this cute set. The new pottery mini bowls by local artist Sarah Zepick are perfect candy dishes. We only have a few left, so pop in to snag yours!

Donut Picture by Erin Kata Photography

Food, I wanted to keep simple and easy. Since the party started at 7:30, I figured most people would have eaten with their families. Plus, we have so much sickness going around, I wanted to avoid dips/sharing. I stuck with sweets, I mean it was a Valentine party after all. I ordered cookies from my go to, Sweet Sugarlious by Wendi. I have had a thing for heart sunglasses this year, so I ordered her a cookie cutter in that shape, and I LOVE how they turned out! How fun for any party throughout the year. I also picked up some delicious mini donuts from a new neighborhood spot, Miri's Minis. Highly recommend - so addicting!

To add a special touch to the party, especially since I didn't have the energy to go over the top, I asked Lamphouse Photo Booth Co. to setup their Birdie Booth! It is so cute, took away my need to come up with a backdrop, and captured fun photos. They are so fun to work with. They setup, designed an adorable photo sheet specific to the party (look at those heart sunnies!), and made everything so easy. Highly recommend for your events! Especially here at the shop - great idea for a kids' party activity or as a memory keepsake at a first birthday. Before the party, shop baby and I had some fun attempting to get a cute sheet of pictures. She wasn't really having it, but I love them anyways!

Thank you to everyone that came and helped me have an evening of rosé, grown up chat and silliness in the photo booth! If you are still needing Valentine party supplies for a girls' night, classroom party or just for a sweet breakfast with your kids, we have you covered! Stop in this week and snag your favs.

Lots of Love,