My dear friend Tracy from “Photographs by Tracy” came to Baby Girl’s “Hot Chocolate & Cupcakes Valentine” party to snap some pictures for me.  What a difference to have a professional take pictures of my styling!  I wish I had her in my back pocket everywhere I go!

My MOST favorite stand. In my opinion, you can never go wrong with sparkles!

The black and white photo on the left side of the picture is of my great-great grandmother having a tea party with my beloved grandmother, Evelyn and her sister.

I cut up the wrapping paper I found at Paper Source and attached the picture to card board with a scalloped edge I found at Michael’s. I used fabric tape i also found at Paper Source. I LOVE fabric tape!!! The tag hanging on the left side came from a $1 packet of tags I found at Jo-Ann’s.

My $2 fluted ice cream glass that I love.

My canvas from Timree Gold’s art class. The fabric underneath the picture is an old Christmas dress of Baby Girl’s.

Baby Girl’s favorite~Red Velvet cupcakes and my childhood favorite, Strawberry!

I adore this picture! Baby Girl’s artwork from Timree Gold’s art class is in the background. Isn’t it fantastic? To left is a bottle of Trader Joe’s Sparkling Pink Lemonade. I serve it at just about all of my parties {great label, it is pink, yummy and only $2.99} I also have a “small” obsession with cake stands; isn’t the cupcake covered stand fabulous?

This was Baby Girl’s hat for the soiree. She is a HUGE animal lover and just had to have the dog picture.

One of my “sweet” jars.

Whenever I see party pictures, especially on Pinterest, I ALWAYS want to know how much was spent.  {Maybe because I always seem to be doing parties on a rather tight budget!}  Is anyone else nosy about the “economics” of throwing a beautiful looking party?

Because we are all friends here, I am going to tell you what I spent.

• Invitations~ approx. $3.  I printed the invite at home on photo paper {the best paper for invites, birthday cards, tags…}.   The envelopes were left over from our Christmas cards.
• Party hats~ $2 for 16 hats
• Decor for hats~ $3.  I printed the pictures on my printer and glued them to 2 sheets of sparkle paper I had {found it at Michael’s for $1 each clearance} I had the pink shear ribbon {approx. $4}, paint $0
• $19 at Paper Source {I had a $20 gift card- so FREE for me!}.  I bought 1 sheet of wrapping paper $3.75, paper tape $6.95, red and white Baker’s twine $7.95 {I ended up not using any}
• Garland~ wrapping paper, paper tape and card board {5 pack at Michael’s $1}, I had the strawberry and chocolate garland.
• Table “Cloth”~ Book pages from “Pride & Prejudice” dinner party {book was $7 and I still have pages left to use for another project!}, tags $1, wrapping paper cut outs, printed family vintage pictures at home $4

Treats~

• Trader Joe’s Sparkling Lemonade~ $2.99
• Hot Chocolate {my own mix we had}~ approx. $5
• Red Velvet cake mix~ $1.50
• Strawberry cake mix~ $2 FREE {part of a Hostess gift I received at my Book Club dinner party}
• Cupcake liners~ $1 FREE {see above!}
• Frosting~ 4 egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 1 pinch salt, 1 tsp vanilla, food coloring $3 ?
• Red and White mints~ $FREE {left over from a candy dessert table} Thanks Gail!
• Chocolate Lemon cookies from Trader Joe’s, brought by a guest {in a glass jar}
• Coconut Malt balls~$3 {in a glass jar}
• Black and white straws~ $4 for a 20 pack {Shop Sweet Lulu} These were left over from Baby Girl’s birthday party last year.
• Candy hearts~$1
• Pink wafer cookies~ $1
• TOTAL COST $58.49 {I added in the FREE amounts I would have spent}
• OUT OF POCKET COST for ME~$22.99

I have been collecting hostess items for years, so that helps when I am entertaining not to have to buy a lot of new pieces.  The plates, large cupcake holder, small domed cake stand came from Home Goods.  Set of three jars came from Shinoda’s.  Tea cups given to Baby Girl by one of my besties, Pam R.  Mason jars from Smart & Final.

I hope you enjoyed “coming” to Baby Girl’s party.

You were wonderful guests and will be welcomed back anytime with open arms…

Until next time,

Butterscotch Lady