When Mazzy turned two, we threw her a huge birthday bash at my dad’s apartment. Because we couldn’t possibly fit all of her friends in our own apartment. You know, because a two-year-old has extremely close relationships that need to be honored, lest you risk ruining your baby’s big day.
By the time Harlow turned two (one week ago), we realized toddlers do not have good friends and throwing a big bash for a two-year-old is somewhat ridiculous. I mean, to each their own, but a small gathering of family with a couple kids thrown in for good measure (like her cousin and our neighbor) seemed more than sufficient.
We even decided to throw the party at our summer house, a full hour and a half away from the city, to ensure most people would not come. FYI- this is also why my husband and I got married in California. Sometimes the only way to have an intimate affair is to be an a-hole and make people travel.
Even though we were keeping it small, I still wanted the party to look special and festive for Harlow. My friend and office mate, Seri (aka Little Miss Party) has been planning my girls’ parties since we met four years ago. It’s her standing gift to me for all occasions. She helped plan Mazzy’s Milk and Cookies party and Harlow’s Pancakes and Pajama party, which were both beyond amazing, if I do say so myself. She also planned the joint superhero party for Mike and her son that gave my husband major dad points.
Over the past year, Seri and her partner Michelle have been busy planning a new venture called “Litttle Miss Party in a Box“. After getting numerous requests to design parties outside of Manhattan, they decided to package a gender-neutral birthday party with all the specialty items you need, shipped directly to your door in one big box.
No planning necessary.
Even though the site hadn’t launched yet (it launched this morning!), I asked Seri if I could be her first test case. It seemed like the perfect way to keep things low key and simple, but still look stunning. And let’s be honest— instagram-worthy.
The night before the party, Seri dropped off the box.
I thought she was going to stay and help me put everything together, since she is usually very particular about details. But she said, “No. The whole point of the box is that busy moms can make something look great with minimal effort.”
When I opened the box, sitting right on top of a bunch of confetti, was a folder with “party blue prints” of how to make it all look fabulous.
With Mazzy, Harlow and my husband all sleeping upstairs, I got to work. There were party hats, plates, flatware, napkins, cups, a cupcake kit, a Happy Birthday banner, gift bags, stripe-y straws and more.
Turns out, putting it all together is really just taking the stuff out of the plastic.
I called Seri on the phone.
“All I really have to do is put this stuff on the table and hang the sign, right?”
“Yes.”
“I feel like I am supposed to do more but it all looks great as is.”
“Yep. That’s the point.”
With all the details taken care of, including my cupcakes in the oven (I made them from a box because that’s how I roll), I set out on my next project— Harlow’s cake. The week before, Seri had shown me a picture of a carousel cake, which she thought would look adorable with her party decor. I called a cake place to see how much it would cost and they said $150. That seemed pretty insane to spend on a two-year-old’s birthday cake with only close family in attendance. I looked at the cake and decided I could make something similar using items we already had in the house.
Mike thought I had lost my mind.
“You are not a baker.”
“I know! There is no baking involved. I’m buying a plain white cake and then I’m just decorating it like a craft project.”
“You are not good at crafts.”
“I think I can do this.”
I think that’s when began placing bets behind my back that I would not be able to pull my carousel cake off. I was determined to prove him wrong.
And (secondarily), make something special for Harlow.
I’ll save a full homemade carousel cake tutorial for a separate post, but after channeling MacGyver and staying up until 2am with a glue gun, some pom-poms, a bag of M&M’s, a paper towel roll, wrapping paper, straws, plastic animals, ribbon and a kabob skewer stuck down the middle to keep it all balanced, this is how it came out:
Talk about Mom Skillz, am I right?
My favorite item in the box is a jumbo balloon with confetti and rainbow tissue tassel. The only thing we needed to do that morning was take the balloon to our local florist to blow it up. I would never have thought of going to the florist— I probably would have driven twenty minutes to the nearest party store, but Little Miss Party recommended using a florist right there in her Party Blue Prints.
When Harlow woke up the next morning, she was wowed by everything. She put her party hat on before she had changed out of her pajamas. We set up the little table for her four friends and Harlow sat there way before the party started.
By the time Grammy and Grandma Toby and Uncle Eric and Ya-Ya and Cousin Jack showed up, Harlow was in full-on party mode.
Here’s a pic of Harlow with her crush Gavin.
Gavin is otherwise known as Mazzy’s boyfriend.
Everyone thought I went all out on the party, even though with the exception of the cake, I put in no work whatsoever. I think I even sold my sister on using the box for Jack’s second birthday.
Here’s Harlow eating her cupcake in her new Sophia the First dress, a gift from Grandma Toby, who knew Harlow has been dragging around Mazzy’s size four princess dresses for the past year.
Thank you Seri for making Harlow’s low key party look amazing. The Little Miss Party in a Box site launched this morning and I am honored to have been their first test case. Especially since it was a huge success. It’s kind of like giving everyone access, no matter where they live, to the party planner I’m lucky enough to have in my backyard.
Did I mention that Gavin is Seri’s son? Here he is photobombing my family and letting us know he will be causing trouble for the next 10-15 years.
You can place your order for a “Little Miss Birthday Party in a Box” here. They are also selling a New Year’s Eve Party in a Box, with a Baby Shower and a Wine and Cheese Party coming soon.
Plus, I am giving one lucky reader their very own Party in a Box. To enter, just leave a comment from your kid to mine, wishing Harlow a happy birthday.
That way it can seem like she has more friends.
If you’d like a second entry, post this pic on Pinterest using “Little Miss Birthday Party in a Box” in the caption and then leave a second comment saying you did so.
If you’d like a third entry, tweet the following and then leave a third comment saying you did so.
I just entered to win a “Little Miss Birthday Party in a Box” from @mommyshorts— SO FABULOUS! http://bit.ly/1ycyCAi
Winner will be announced December 5th. Good luck!
UPDATE: Congratulations to Kasie and her daughter Charlie Mae who will turn two this January! I know she’ll have a fabulous birthday with Little Miss Birthday Party in a Box! Please contact abby@mommyshorts.com to claim your prize.
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Party photos taken by Karilyn Sanders.
Happy Birthday Harlow from my son Xavier. 🙂
Happy birthday from Ezra, who will be having his first in four months and I am not planning that party 🙂
We wish you a very happy birthday Harlow! From Faye and Amos! Whos 9th and 2nd bdays are both the week of Christmas!
Pinned it, too!
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/152629874847361539/
Clifton says, “Happy Birthday, Harlow! I hope you had a great birthday!!”
Happy Birthday, Harlow! Nora turns 2 in January and we love relating all of your milestones to ours 🙂
My daughter Genevieve says, “Happy birthday, Harlow! I’m two, too!”
I pinned the image to my “Ideas to Rock the Party” board on Pinterest.
I also tweeted; you can see it here: https://twitter.com/lizneilvoss/status/537645861313191936
Happy Birthday to Harlow, from Esme! Esme will be 2 on 12/29 and LOVED the cake when we saw it. Mommy may need to tackle a similar task to make this (almost) Christmas baby a very special day! We will definitely check out Little Miss Party – LOVE the designs.
HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY HARLOW!!
I’ll be two in January.. Wink*wink*
-Noé
Harper says Happy Birthday, Harlow! She wishes she could have helped you with your cupcake. She is jealous of your adorable pigtails as she still doesn’t have a ton of hair at three years old. Your party looked super fun!
Happy birthday beautiful!!!
Happy birthday to Harlow from Lucy! I am turning 3 soon and would love this box for my party!
Happy Birthday, Harlow! From Marlow 🙂 We’d make a fun crime-fighting duo or something! Ha!
“It was just my birthday too! Happy birthday Harlow!” – Max, age 3
Happy birthday cutie! From Vada.
Happy Birthday Harlow!! 🙂 – Giuliana from Oklahoma. P.S. I will be 2 in March and love looking at the pictures when I mom reads the blog.
Dear Harlow – sachem emended just djsnfkfk a nsnsngg abc snfn (translation: Happy Birthday! I see the pictures of you and your crush Gavin. Although I am a younger man (18 months), I have a lot to offer. I can pry open the pantry and get animal crackers, use nothing but a series of squeals and grunts to convey to my mom that I want milk, and you should see my truck collection. If you ever come upstate, look me up, kid. From Aaron)
Happy happy birthday sweet Harlow from Raegan 🙂
“Happy Errr-day, Harlow” – from Noah
He tells me Happy Birthday almost on a daily basis, and I have no explanation for it considering we haven’t attended a birthday party in at least 2-3 months. The word birth usually comes out as errr, but he has happy down!
I checked out the price for the birthday box and I was honestly expecting way more. I’m shocked at how reasonable the price is for such cute birthday décor. Pretty sure I spent well over that amount on my son’s Pinterest 2nd Bubble Guppies birthday, so I will probably be doing a birthday in a box for my son’s 3rd birthday!
Happy Birthday Harlow!! From Aiden, William and Addison in Hawaii<3
Happy Day, Harlow! My birthday is in January! – Eva
**She really does force us to call it her Happy Day, NOT her Happy Birthday**
Happy birthday Harlow!! From toddler dean and baby alex
Happy birthday to Harlow! – from Vander, a fellow two-year-old whose mom did nothing for the big day- not even make an awesome cake like yours. Second child sydrome, am I right?
Happy birthday Harlow! It seems like only yesterday my mom was reading the post about the day you were born! Xo, Lila (soon to be three)
Happy 2nd Birthday to Harlow from Eliot, another little peanut who can get away with wearing last year’s winter coat again this year!
Happy birthday, Harlow! Lots of love, Aven
Harlow! Habby Burfday do you, Habby Burfday do you….
I’m 2 (and a half) and it’s great, I just got invited to my my first 6 year old party. It’s a glow stick rave and I’m so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs and nose nose to you, Raven
I absolutely love the party in a box and it has now been pinned! @talesoflori
and tweeted @talesoflori
Happy birthday Harlow from Avi!
Pinned it to my Entertaining board
Tweeted it 🙂
Happy Birthday Harlow! Let me know how it is being two–i’ll catch up in a few weeks. –Evelyn
Maggie says: Happy, happy, happy birthday Harlow. I think your cake was adorable!
Happy Birthday, To one of the coolest kids online! From, your adoring Midwest friend, Lily. Hope my mom can pull off such a cool second birthday party for me next month!!
Happy birthday, Harlow! From Charlotte Eloise, or as I like to call her, tiny princess!
Happy 2nd Birthday Harlow!!! Sorry I couldnt make your party but it looks like you had a blast!
XXOO
Logan and My Mommy
Happy Birthday Harlow!
My bday is on my babies sister due date so we are having a small family get together too! I loved your party, I hope you have the best day
Love Nora ( 2 in February),
Happy 2nd bday Harlow… what an AWESOME cake!
from Breagh Noel
Happiest of BDAYS to you HARLOW!
ashiuohnoadfuhboaghchgfaihgvikhngvchn cb
from Brooklyn Auli’i
Happy birthday ms. Harlow! It’s looked amazing! We would love to have the same easy feeling of aetting up my sister in law’s first baby shower by winning a party in a box, thanks for the opportunity.
Happy birthday from my girl Alia who will be 2 years old in March!
Happy birthday, Harlow! I have a birthday in a week, and I hope my mom was paying attention because I want a party JUST LIKE YOURS!
I pinned – love the colors and patterns. Having a whole party in a box is such a genius idea!
I tweeted, too!
Happy second birthday Harlow! Your party looks fabulous!
From,
Charlotte
Pinned!
Tweeted too!
Happy 2nd Birthday Harlow from your friends Audra, Tessa & Avery
pinned =)
Happy Birthday, Harlow! xo, Andrei
Happy Birthday, Harlow! From Timothy. I just turned 5. I remember a long time ago when I was 2. It was lots of fun. I really like your birthday balloon!
Nancy hopes you had a wonderful 2nd birthday, Harlow!
This is the most fab thing I have seen in a while! I will for sure check it out for my kiddos 2nd birthday in the spring. Happy birthday miss Harlow, you are a gem. So glad you had a special day with family and friends. Your cake was so amazing!
Happy Birthday from Elijah who is also 2 🙂
Happy birthday, Harlow! XOXO A & O
Happy Birthday, Harlow! ❤️Maya
Happy Birthday Harlow!! I don’t have any kids but my two pups say happy birthday!! Happy Birthday from Laila and Loki!!! 🙂
Happy Birthday, Harlow!! Love, Baby Girl H. My baby shower is in a month!
Happy birthday Harlow.. Hope you have a year fun of fun and mischief, so your Mom can have fabulous posts through the year!
Rey
Happy bday from Sarah who is turning two on Dec 21
[…] the top of the Empire State Building, dropping his jaw at Mazzy’s Frozen birthday party and inserting himself in the middle of our family photo when Harlow turned […]
[…] all the party supplies you need based on specific themes. We used their birthday party box for Harlow’s second birthday last year. The idea is to make party planning so easy, anybody can do […]
Happy 2nd birthday Harlow! (From Remington, who had a little help from her Mama as she is only 6 months old)
Happy birthday Harlow!
I’m two years old, and I I just had my birthday. My birthday is February 1st, and I got a baby sister three days later.
My biggest birthday present was a dinner at Disney Diner. But I did like that my aunt didn’t forget my b-day. She got me a huge inflatable bouncy house that I can use every summer.
Best wishes,
Allie
Very cool party! Love the party box too!
[…] Source: Mommyshorts.com […]
cute
I really like your idea about choosing an arrangement that highlights their passions and hobbies. It makes sense that this could act as a good tribute to who he was and what sort of things he enjoyed. Thanks for the post; it could also be helpful to arrange a grand party at home.
It is so cute and unusual. I got a lot of positive emotions. Thank you for being !!!