Cassie Bustamante

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Simple Tween Girl’s Slumber Party

January 23, 2017 by Cassie 39 Comments

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Hi guys!  I hope you all had a safe and happy weekend wherever you were.  We had a pretty gray one but that didn’t stop us from having a great little celebration for Emmy’s birthday.  A couple of years ago, I was chatting with my friend Becky, and she told me about what she does for her kids’ birthdays.  She gives her kids a budget and they can use it as they wish, towards a party and all that entails, or towards a gift or some combination.  That summer when Sawyer’s birthday hit, I implemented that idea in our house and my kids love it.  With Emmy’s birthday rolling around I told her she had $200 to do as she wished.  She decided to have a slumber party and keep things rather simple.  She was involved with all of the shopping we did, selected the food and snacks, chose what activities they’d be done, and I helped her find favors that suited her slumber party theme.  Today I wanted to share our simple tween girl’s slumber party.Simple At Home PartyWe kept all of the decorations to the dining room where the girls would eat, Emmy would open gifts, and they would have their “Soda Pop” floats for dessert.  Emmy did decorate the playroom chalk board as well, but I didn’t get to photograph that.  That’s where the girls spent their time playing, doing karaoke, watching a movie, and sleeping.

Because we wanted to keep the budget down, we decorated with a lot of things I already had on hand as you will see, purchasing only the paper products we needed and a balloon banner.My absolute favorite part was the shelving above the white cabinet (which I still have yet to officially introduce on the blog!)Tween Girl Birthday Photo Display

paper fans / letter board

A friend had sent Emmy some fun paper fans in aqua, white, pink, and gold for Christmas so we decided to use them for the party, surrounding this area.  As you can see, I placed lots of framed photos of Emmy through the years on the shelves and might have cried while doing so.  I also added in some coffee filter flowers in pink that I made last year on a craft day with a friend.  My anthropologie numbered spice jars signified Emmy’s age.  I also added in a disco ball, and a bonjour banner that hung in her room in our home.  My Letter Love Goods letter board (a gift from Chris for Christmas) was filled in with a sweet quote about growing up from Peter Pan, a story our family loves.

I mean, just look at those chubby little cheeks.Birthday Party ShelfieOn the bar cart, we created a little “Vintage Soda Shoppe” space.  Emmy had written on the chalkboard and brought it to me and asked if we could use it.  Of course!  We stocked it with root beer and orange soda, an ice cream scoop, longer plastic ice cream spoons, aqua cups, and a fun light up cactus sign Sawyer gave Emmy for her birthday (along with a cactus sketch book and the most fun cactus erasers.  Emmy is obsessed with fun erasers at the moment).  Oddly enough, the girls all LOVED the ice cream spoons.  They’re nice and thick and reusable, so I washed them all after… one little girl asked if she could take hers home so we sent that with her.Soda Shoppe Bar CartMuch of what we needed we were able to order from Amazon which helped save me from being tempted to shop for things I did not need. ๐Ÿ˜‰ Bar Cart Items for Soda Shoppe

cactus marquis light / long plastic ice cream spoons / ice cream scoop

On the table I placed a pink plastic tablecloth from Dollar Tree just to protect the table from ice cream and more!  I also picked up pink paper plates there, and we used some pink owl napkins my mom put in my Christmas stocking.  To tie it all together, I created an eclectic centerpiece using all items I had on hand.

This teal tray used to be on my nightstand, but I recently removed it.  I filled it with white cacti figures, white owls (similar), a disco ball and some disco ball ornaments and a white glittering ball garland.

white cacti figures / similar owls / teal tray

I also hung one of my disco balls from the light fixture to add a little sparkle.

Disco Ball ChandelierThe last touch came from Target.  I had noticed a fabulous shiny balloon banner at my friend’s daughter’s party the week before.  I texted her and said “Hey, where did you get that awesome banner?”  She replied, “Target.  It’s $5 and I am there now if you want me to get it.”  Done.  She found the last one for me, and saved me a trip to Target as well as the money I may have otherwise been tempted to spend. ๐Ÿ˜‰  I blew it up and hung it in the window.  I kind of want to keep it up forever…it makes me pretty happy.  I feel warm and fuzzy inside when I look at it.Hooray Banner

Now… to give you the full picture of what was really happening with I shot this before the party.  My dogs were napping on the daybed, and the image of passed out pups with a “Hooray!” banner had me cracking up.  If this photo doesn’t just scream hooray, then I don’t know what does.Hooray Banner in WindowNow we get to my absolute favorite part… the party favors!  Since Emmy was having a slumber party, we searched Amazon for fun sleeping masks and nail polish, both of which we found.  Emmy wanted to keep the cost down (more of the budget left for her that way!)  We found some pretty pastel nail polish (some of which ended up on the playroom carpet….. ugh) and the coolest rainbow sleep masks that came in a pack of 12 for just $16. The girls were excited to change into their PJs, put on their sleep masks, and have their ice cream floats.  They all wore the masks on their heads until bedtime.Sleeping Mask Party Favors

Side note… you see that photo above of my 10 year old?  Yes?  Do you know what I see when I look at it.  I still see this (insert weeping):

Anyhow, the sleepover party was a great success, but I have to tell you that my best idea came the morning after while the girls were having breakfast.  (By the way, we made these french toast sticks which my kids LOOOOOOVE.  They’re made with yogurt instead of milk and delicious.)  They were all chatting over breakfast playing “Would you rather” when the question of “Would you rather ride a unicorn” or some other creature came up.  One of the girls replied that unicorns weren’t real. It was a rather foggy and misty white morning outside, so I joined the conversation. “Actually, girls, unicorns come out on misty mornings like these.  They’re less likely to be seen when they blend in with the fog, so it’s safer for them.”  After that, they put on their shoes, grabbed a bunch of carrots, created agent names, and went outside on a unicorn quest, and most of them were wearing their masks once again..

Unicorn Quest

They stayed outside for an hour on their quest while I enjoyed my coffee and some peace and quiet, and everyone was happy. ๐Ÿ˜‰

Have a great Monday!

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Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    January 23, 2017 at 9:00 am

    So cute! Love the bar cart too and of course the unicorn idea. Looks like a fun time.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:14 am

      thank you- these girls seriously had me laughing with the impersonations they were doing of boys in their grade. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
      • Lesley says

        February 12, 2017 at 11:09 pm

        Lol…I’m dying to know more! ?

        Reply
        • Cassie says

          February 13, 2017 at 12:13 pm

          one of them was mimicking some boy who has a lot of hair and tries to act suavely, from what i gathered from the impersonation!

          Reply
          • Lesley says

            February 15, 2017 at 10:10 pm

            Hmmm… I have a guess! This age is so entertaining. ? I should be writing down all the funny moments.

          • Cassie says

            February 22, 2017 at 8:20 am

            yes, you should!

  2. Vicki says

    January 23, 2017 at 9:28 am

    Your decorations are just adorable!! I know she had a wonderful time and it is just the best memories for her. I bet all of her friends are jealous that you know how to rock a party! I’m curious to know what she did with her left over budget..

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:11 am

      she’s going to be using it on amazon… she loves to order from there! ๐Ÿ˜‰ she’s got $72 left to shop!

      Reply
  3. Emy says

    January 23, 2017 at 9:42 am

    It looks like she had a great time! I love the idea of setting a price point for the party.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:09 am

      it really helps the kids focus on what they want to do.

      Reply
  4. Tania says

    January 23, 2017 at 10:20 am

    Everything turned out so cute and it looks like they had a great time! I love all the disco balls!!

    Tania

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:08 am

      thank you so much, tania!

      Reply
  5. Design Chic says

    January 23, 2017 at 11:53 am

    Such a cute party and I love the bar cart. Looks like a great time was had by all! Happy Monday!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:06 am

      thank you so much! it was a blast- these girls crack me up.

      Reply
  6. Kate says

    January 23, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    The party favors were a big hit! And we took 2 unicorns and a dragon home with us…

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:05 am

      we still have a few in our house, and i keep finding the dirt they’re tracking in. ๐Ÿ˜‰ and glitter.

      Reply
  7. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    January 23, 2017 at 12:47 pm

    What a great way to celebrate Emmy!!! I’m getting all emotional thinking about how fast my girl is growing up after seeing Emmy’s baby pics ๐Ÿ™ Love the idea of having them choose how to spend party funds!! Also, well played on the unicorn hunt. How dare that girl say they’re not real!!! The 9 year old girl in me (complete with unicorn Trapper Keeper and unicorn music box) is very upset with her ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:05 am

      hahaha!!!!! oh the trapper keeper!

      Reply
  8. Mila says

    January 23, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    What a fun party! She looks so happy.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:03 am

      thank you, mila! what’s not to be happy about with ice cream floats, rainbow masks, disco balls, and unicorns?

      Reply
  9. Brynne | The Gathered Home says

    January 24, 2017 at 9:52 am

    This is the sweetest! You are such a great mom, Cassie! And it looks like everyone had an amazing time! Will you plan my next birthday party?!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:02 am

      as soon as you move in next door!

      Reply
  10. Stephanie @ Casa Watkins Living says

    January 24, 2017 at 10:24 am

    I just can’t take that photo! Those cheeks!!!! What a great birthday party.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:01 am

      oh i can’t either!

      Reply
  11. Jennifer Griffin says

    January 24, 2017 at 11:08 am

    What a fun party, love all of the special touches you girls added! Happy Birthday to your sweet girl!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 25, 2017 at 8:01 am

      thank you, jennifer! they had a blast!

      Reply
  12. Lisa | Shine Your Light says

    January 25, 2017 at 9:12 am

    The perfect way to end the party, searching for unicorns! So cute, you’re an awesome mama ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 30, 2017 at 8:14 am

      i mean that’s the perfect end to any day, really.

      Reply
  13. keila says

    January 25, 2017 at 2:00 pm

    What a great and gorgeous party! I love the little cacti on the table and the hooray balloons!!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 30, 2017 at 8:07 am

      thank you so much! they had a blast and that is what matters!

      Reply
  14. Scottie says

    January 26, 2017 at 7:40 am

    I love that banner too. I would leave it up- if it makes you smile, it should stay! What a wonderful low key and very special party. I bet she remembers it forever. The unicorn quest was the best part!

    (as a side note, rubbing alcohol should get the nail polish out of the carpet if it’s still there)

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 30, 2017 at 8:06 am

      we are going to try toe rubbing alcohol- thank you!!!!

      Reply
      • Scottie says

        January 30, 2017 at 9:41 am

        Good luck!!!

        Reply
  15. Jessica | Petal + Ply says

    February 1, 2017 at 12:02 pm

    ๐Ÿ™‚ Beautiful little lady!

    Your shelves look like they’re floating. I’m curious how you hung them?

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      February 2, 2017 at 11:00 am

      i plan to share them soon! i promise!

      Reply
  16. Lesley says

    February 12, 2017 at 11:16 pm

    Cassie,
    I love love love your posts and inspiring ways. Thanks for sharing in a real way!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      February 13, 2017 at 12:12 pm

      thank you SO much! i appreciate you stopping by- emmy adores your class and is so into kidblog!

      Reply
      • Lesley says

        February 15, 2017 at 10:05 pm

        She really is!!! Her being a part of my day brings a smile to my face!

        Reply
        • Cassie says

          February 22, 2017 at 8:20 am

          the feeling is mutual. ๐Ÿ™‚

          Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.ย  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.ย  We all get one chance at this life,ย and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read Moreโ€ฆ

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