Olivia's Book Club

As parents, we all know the joy that our children bring into our lives. From those long months of pregnancy to the sleepless nights, the moments of fear and uncertainty, it's all worth it when we see our little ones grow and thrive. It's a journey filled with unforgettable memories and pure, unbridled love. Our daughter, Olivia Leandrea, has been the source of immeasurable happiness in our lives, and we wanted to celebrate her first birthday in a unique and special way.

Welcome to Olivia’s Book Club

Given our love for books, it was only fitting that we chose a Book Club theme for Olivia's very first birthday party. In this blog post, we're excited to share the details of this literary adventure and how we brought it to life on a budget.

Birthday Decor

We sourced all of Olivia's birthday decorations from the ever-reliable Amazon. For the color scheme, we decided on an all-pink palette, featuring various shades of pink along with a pop of coral. Our Amazon shopping list included various colored balloons, a balloon pump machine, pink scalloped table covers, white scalloped bags, pink tissue paper, Loteria card game, and clear red game coins.

DIY Decor

Bookshelves

One of our most exciting DIY projects was creating bookshelves. We created 2 half-circled book shelves out of cardboard, hot glue, and box knife, all purchased from Walmart. We purchased the paint from Sherwin Williams and selected the following color shades: SW 6879 Daring, SW 6316 Rosy Outlook, SW 6592 Grenadine, and SW 6976 Vanity Pink from Sherwin Williams.

Topo Chico Flower Vases

As a longtime lover of DIY projects, this was right up my alley. Collecting "treasure materials" over the years paid off, as we used Topo Chico bottles to craft flower vase centerpieces for the tables. We used the left over paint we purchased from Sherwin Williams and mixed baking soda to create a thick, clay texture.

Custom 1 Piñata

We wanted to completed her balloon backdrop by building a large number 1 piñata as a centerpiece. I used leftover cardboard, hot glue, and box knife that we purchased at Walmart and pink tissue paper from Amazon.

Prints & Design

Being a designer allowed me to add a personal touch to Olivia's special day. I custom-made invitations, cake toppers, and an Instagram Selfie Poster, all printed to perfection by Walmart Photo Center.

Additionally, I created an acrylic sign with Liv's name on it, perfectly matching her room decor. The style we wanted for the party blended seamlessly with her room's aesthetic, making it a memorable keepsake. All the printing and the production of the book marker party favors were handled by Got Print, a printing company we highly recommend for their quality and diverse shape options.

Entertainment: Loteria and Exciting Prizes

No celebration is complete without entertainment. We added a unique and engaging activity - the traditional Mexican game of Loteria. Loteria, similar to bingo but with a cultural twist, brought a burst of energy to the party. The colorful and whimsical Loteria cards were purchased from Amazon, setting the stage for a fun-filled game. Every winner had the chance to win a prize, and these were no ordinary party favors. We selected coffee mugs from Target, custom-made bookmarks, crossword puzzles, journals, and Starbucks Iced Coffee.

These prizes weren't just tokens; they were meaningful keepsakes, reminding guests of the joy of reading and quality time spent together. Loteria added an extra layer of fun and engagement to Olivia's special day, making it a memorable celebration for everyone involved.

Food & Cake

Finally, no party is complete without delicious food and cake. Supporting local businesses has always been important to us, so we turned to Bolillo’s Cafe, a restaurant we've cherished for years, to cater our event. They brought our Mexican bowl and custom tacos ideas to life, and our guests were delighted with the delectable spread.

For the sweet finale, Cakeland, Bolillo’s Cafe's sister company, created two beautiful cakes. One was designed with a brushstroke style, while the other was a delightful pink smash cake for Liv. It was her first encounter with cake, and she savored every bite!

Olivia's first birthday, with its Book Club theme, was a literary adventure filled with love, creativity, and special moments. We look forward to sharing the joy of reading and creativity with Olivia as she grows, and we can't wait to see the world through her eyes as she embarks on her own literary journey.