Dinner Party Decor & DIY

 I successfully threw my very first dinner party on Saturday {I feel like such a grown-up} and had such a lovely time planning the decor and set-up. With the help of Bourbon & Bleu and Mint Love Social Club, I created a fabulous board on Pinterest to gather all of our inspirations and food ideas for Aaron's dinner.

Here are a few of our ideas that came to life:

Aaron Profile Toothpick Toppers

• The oh-so creative Sarah Hearts has an amazing template for these babies

• I used  Fotoflexer to remove the background from a profile pic I had of Aaron and  Pixlr to black out the image

• Add the images to the template, print, cut and then glue to the toothpick... ta-da!  

• Bacon wrapped dates never looked so awesome and Aaron loved them

Mason Jar Center Pieces 

• Michael's Buys: Mason Jars, Raffia, Clear Beads and Floating Candles

• Tie raffia bows around mason jar tops

• Add beads to the bottom and fill water just below the jar lip

• Top with floating candle and you have a simple and easy table decoration 

 Dirty Martini Bar & Apps Table

• I was beyond inspired by Sunday Suppers Martini Bar for Aaron's birthday. He hearts dirty martinis so it only seemed natural to have a special cocktail section for him. Plus Dirty 30 just worked so well!

• Ikea Buys: 3 Decanters and 6-12 Martini Glasses

• Cost Plus World Market Buy: Chalkboard Stickers

• Add chalkboard stickers and dirty martini ingredients to decanters: Vodka, Dry Vermouth and "Dirty" {Olive Juice}

• I also added the martini recipe to a mini chalkboard for our guests. I think chalkboards and raffia may be my favorite decor items ever!

• Don't you love the balloons and the tin bucket?!

  I can't wait to throw another shindig... Holiday party countdown begins now!