First, let me start of by saying I got almost all of these ideas from Pinterest.
Pinterest is pretty much the best party planning resource EVER. You can see my party board HERE.
I'll share sources for as many items as possible...and if you have any questions I'll answer them in the comments, as always!shirt(custom):amy tangerine, skirt:borrowed from friend (handmade), hairclip:gap kids (i added a gold shell)
fans:oriental trading,paper lanterns:target(spritz),glass bubbles (added with gluegun): michaels, tulle and sequin trim: michaels
These were tied to the stairs right inside the front door. The balloons are all from oriental trading, but i will NEVER buy balloons there again.
I purchased these Mylar balloons (6 came in the set). And when Jimmy took them to be inflated they were ALL torn. Such a rip off.
More Oriental Trading fans.
This was my favorite decoration. Oriental Trading tissue pom poms, streamers, and glass bubbles from Michaels.
My awesome MIL figured out how to hang these just so. LOVED how it turned out.
For every birthday I scatter scrapbook layouts around the house. There were several on the mantel as well.
The glass pebbles are from Dollar Tree and the faux sea glass is from The Christmas Tree Shops.
Flowers: Chaves' Gardens (best florist in Newport)
Favors:
The favors that I made were "mermaid wands". I just bought dowel rods, painted them turquoise, and then glue gunned starfish to the end.
I added a gem to the center of each starfish and then tied a bunch of blue and gold ribbons to the dowel rod. Pretty easy.
dowel rods,paint,gems,ribbons:michaels, starfish:the christmas tree shops
Note: The gold ribbons are from the dollar spot at Michaels. They come 6 to a card and are just lovely.
Table:
sequins:michaels,starfish,coral,picture holders:the christmas tree shops,giant "H":hobby lobby(i painted it teal,rock candy:amazon,glass starfish:fresh market
silver and white shell platters:marshalls, blue mason jars:vintage, blue bottle with net/shells:the christmas tree shops; milkglass: vintage, cut glass bowls and cake pedestals:vintage
This was the chandelier above the table. I covered it with a net from Michaels and addes shell and rope garlands from The Christmas Tree Shops.
Invitations:
Custom invitations by YourInvites on Etsy. These were digital, I had them printed at Minuteman Press.
I scattered sequins (Michaels), sea glass (The Christmas Tree Shops), and glass pebbles (Dollar Spot) all over the place. Such a pretty, easy, festive accent.
Food
"Oyster Cookies":Nilla Wafers, pink icing, yogurt covered raisins. Frame from Michaels dollar spot, shell tray from Marshalls, Mermaid font.
Swedish fish and gummy sharks.
Under the Sea Jello: Blue Jello with Swedish Fish in the bottom. Frame:Michaels dollar spot,Coral:The Christmas Tree Shops.
Whale Crackers and Goldfish, Rock Candy
Mermaid Punch: 16 servings regular Country Time Lemonade+4 servings Blue Raspberry Koolaid
Lemonade dispenser:Home Goods,Frame:Michaels dollar spot,cake pedestal:Hobby Lobby,coral, sand dollar, sea glass:The Christmas Tree Shops,paper straws:Michaels(4th of July section)
Cake: Cravings Cafe and Cakery- Dartmouth, MA, Pedestal: Vintage, Starfish and Sand Dollars: The Christmas Tree Shops
Let me introduce you to the biggest labor of love for this party. The cake backdrop. It took me about four hours and 293840182308 cupcake wrappers. But so worth it.
Cupcake wrappers- Michaels, Gold glitter paper-Michaels.
I taped four 12x12 sheets of cardstock together. Then I started layering from top to bottom, using the glue gun. I also glue gunned each wrapper closed.
The seven is a template that I traced and cut from gold glitter paper.
Activities- I didn't get a photo but the girls decorated these Mermaid Clothespins.
We also rented a bouncie.
The best part is that everyone wore blue and green. And no, I didn't ask them to!!
Sadie's dress is from Marshalls.
And the best part, as always is seeing the look on her face when we sing to her. Just lovely.
So there you have it. Harper's Mermaid Party. It was a joy and a pleasure to create this day for her, she was so happy and appreciative.
OHHHH MAN OH MAN!! My little girl turns 7 in January & this just made me tear up it all was so AMAZING & so beautiful I know she will be talking about her party till her next birthday. JUST AMAZING. Love it all!
Posted by: Ellie Augustin | 05/05/2013 at 08:57 AM
Fabulous job, Mom! That last photo is just precious.
Posted by: kendra | 05/05/2013 at 09:06 AM
This is simply gorgeous!!! My soon to be 15yr old now wants to have a party just like this!! Love it!!
Posted by: Denise M | 05/05/2013 at 09:09 AM
sooooo sweet! you went all out and I LOVE IT!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | 05/05/2013 at 09:09 AM
Amazing party theme (as always)! Seeing a happy, appreciative kiddo is always the best. Makes all the planning and prep worth every second!
Posted by: Amanda N. | 05/05/2013 at 09:13 AM
Amazing! What a labor of love!
Posted by: Nita K. | 05/05/2013 at 09:16 AM
You're the best mom.
Posted by: sam | 05/05/2013 at 09:40 AM
wow...It sounds like a wonderful birthday..the food seems really tasty but the decoration besides the cake is what it makes it special...Great idea!
Posted by: julis | 05/05/2013 at 09:41 AM
So beautiful!!! Her face is priceless... I think for my 43rd i may have a mermaid party... Harper style... Just sayin... Beautiful!!!!
Posted by: Kim Faucher | 05/05/2013 at 09:50 AM
This.Is.Just.BEAUTIFUL.
Nicely done! Love it aaaaall!! :))
Posted by: Jenny | 05/05/2013 at 10:46 AM
Lovely job Stephanie!
Posted by: Sandi | 05/05/2013 at 10:59 AM
So impressive. Absolutely beautiful!
Posted by: Kristen S | 05/05/2013 at 11:00 AM
Wow Steph!! Unbelievable! Every detail is just so perfect!! You should consider being a kids party planner!! You'd be booked up a year in advance I'm sure!! Everything you do is so magical. The memories for your children = priceless!!
Posted by: Ki Kruk | 05/05/2013 at 11:03 AM
I did ONE theme party in my home during my kids' lives. One. It about killed me. This is stinkin' amazing and I know H. will remember for a loooong time! Good to see that kids showed up too! I was worried when you were concerned about RSVPs and based on how much time/effort/love/excitement went into this, I can understand why!
Posted by: Ally | 05/05/2013 at 11:13 AM
I could live with those decorations every day. And I definitely want a starfish wand.
Posted by: Candy | 05/05/2013 at 11:22 AM
OMGosh how absolutely fantastically gorgeous!! You should do parties professionally!! Harper's face says it all - loved it!
Posted by: Leslie | 05/05/2013 at 11:28 AM
simply WOW!
Posted by: Radhika | 05/05/2013 at 11:32 AM
Out. Of. Control. Gorgeousness!! Officailly the best party I have ever seen in blogland. So many great details. :)
Posted by: Jessica | 05/05/2013 at 11:46 AM
Incredible!! Gorgeous! Both the party and the girl!!
Posted by: Kimberly | 05/05/2013 at 11:55 AM
Hmmm...
How should I put this? You Rock!
Posted by: shannon | 05/05/2013 at 12:21 PM
You totally made my day just browsing through these pictures! Good for you mama :)
Posted by: Sharon Osborn | 05/05/2013 at 12:24 PM
Absolutely beautiful and so, so, so much fun!!!!!!! I'm super motivated to get to planning my daughter's June birthday (strawberry themed - I went right to pinterest after I read this post).
Posted by: Kerry | 05/05/2013 at 12:51 PM
This is super awesome.. totally loved the decors and the cake drop takes the cake!!
Posted by: priya mohan | 05/05/2013 at 12:59 PM
This is super awesome.. totally loved the decors and the cake drop takes the cake!!
Posted by: priya mohan | 05/05/2013 at 12:59 PM
WOW!!!! You have done an amazing job on this! I am soooooooooo... not letting my 7 year old dd see this. I would become such a disappointment to her! :)
Posted by: Tonya Dirk | 05/05/2013 at 01:04 PM
Lovely!
Posted by: Linda Coleman | 05/05/2013 at 01:21 PM
Well done!
Posted by: kate | 05/05/2013 at 01:33 PM
Holy cow! Move over, Martha Stewart! You are a party planning genius, Stephanie. This is so awesome!
Posted by: Jill | 05/05/2013 at 02:01 PM
how special! all the details are just beautiful!
Posted by: Kimber-Leigh | 05/05/2013 at 02:09 PM
I love the sweet look on Harper's face, you can tell she is beyond excited at her amazing party. The decorations are fab, and the tables look so pretty. Love every little detail. I'll definitely be pinning some of your great ideas to my Mermaid Birthday board ;)
Posted by: Mary Ann Jenkins | 05/05/2013 at 02:15 PM
So gorgeous! Love the wands, too cute, such a great favor!
Posted by: Jonnelle | 05/05/2013 at 02:27 PM
Gorgeous decorations! Really like the scattering of sequins/seaglass everywhere! And love the cake backdrop - the good thing about that is you can use the 12x12 cardstock it's made from to possibly make background layouts for that birthday party, then it's an exact match!
Posted by: Mai | 05/05/2013 at 02:39 PM
Amazing! So many awesome touches that make it special!
Posted by: mrsgeek | 05/05/2013 at 03:11 PM
Lucy will be 7 in August can you please come and do this for me?
no seriously i will buy all flights and you can bring your sweet girls to the party :)
LOVE it all. it is sooooooooooooo amazing and i need to get a T shirt for Lucy made, so special
Posted by: Caz Hancock | 05/05/2013 at 03:14 PM
you did a fabulous job-looks like a fantastic party! :)
Posted by: rkokes | 05/05/2013 at 03:15 PM
Wow! Just wow! There is so much inspiration in this post. I love every detail you did and the scrapbook layouts scattered around the house, I just might have to steal that idea! Amazing job!
Posted by: Chelsea | 05/05/2013 at 05:37 PM
Wow, I think it's wonderful that you take the time to make the girls' parties so very special. They will have such happy memories and most of all, know that because you were THERE, they are important, kwim? So lovely. Thank you for sharing!
Posted by: Jenn A. | 05/05/2013 at 07:08 PM
Wow, it looks amazing and the look on her face is just priceless! Love Sadie's dress.
Posted by: Deb | 05/05/2013 at 07:14 PM
Okay so I have to ask, do you SAVE all the decorations? I did a theme party for my daughters 1st party and spent so much time making/collecting things, I feel I should hang on to them "in case" I could find another use for them. What do you do?
Posted by: Lisa S. | 05/05/2013 at 07:21 PM
cute party. my daughter ordered the same balloons with no issues so hopefully it was a fluke.
Posted by: nee | 05/05/2013 at 08:09 PM
What an amazing party!!!
Posted by: Victoria | 05/05/2013 at 08:15 PM
Adorable!
Posted by: Reb | 05/05/2013 at 09:01 PM
Holy moly! You put a TON of work into that party....I know she will remember it for a really long time.
Looks beautiful and I love the expression on her face in the last photo. Absolutely precious.
Great job! :)
Posted by: Christine F. | 05/05/2013 at 10:23 PM
Wow, just amazing! Will you come do a birthday for me? I want a mermaid party. You are an amazing mom, you are giving your girls a lifetime of wonderful memories :)
Posted by: berta | 05/05/2013 at 10:43 PM
Happy 7th Birthday Harper! And what a fantastic birthday party theme. Your mom and family did a wonderful job! Wow Stephanie I just loved everything!
Posted by: rhonda nickol | 05/05/2013 at 10:59 PM
Everything is so amazing! What a blessed little girl!
Posted by: Pat | 05/05/2013 at 11:01 PM
She's so lucky to have a Mummy who makes her feel so special, the party looks amazing and I <3 your cake backdrop !!
Posted by: libbywilko | 05/05/2013 at 11:15 PM
Wow! Stephanie, you have outdone yourself, I am completely blown away, it is breathtaking. Harper is a very lucky little girl.
Posted by: CJ | 05/06/2013 at 01:05 AM
I do not save tissue pom poms. I unfold the fans and globes and everything else and pack them away in my party box this is decor that I save and use every year!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 05/06/2013 at 05:44 AM
Oh man Stephanie! That has to be the BEST party decor ever! Great job and happy birthday Harper!
Posted by: Jacquie | 05/06/2013 at 07:55 AM
oh my, I can't even being to tell you how much I LOVE This! I hope with C's Birthday parties, I can get somewhere close to this level of cleverness! :)
Posted by: LeighErin | 05/06/2013 at 08:40 AM
oh how fun, my fave, those wands!!
Posted by: laurielariviere | 05/06/2013 at 10:36 AM
Wow and amazing!!!
Posted by: Jenny A | 05/07/2013 at 11:28 AM
Your party décor is amazing and honestly - could your girls get any cuter?!! Happy 7th birthday to Harper. :)
Posted by: Rebecca | 05/07/2013 at 11:30 AM
You are the best mom EVER! ♥
Posted by: Vicky Wilbeck | 05/07/2013 at 05:22 PM
YOU AMAZE ME!!!! Pinterest or not, you did a FABULOUS job!!! WOW!! Oh, I love the look on Harper's face in that last photo. :) Lucky girl she is and oh so cute. I can't believe she's SEVEN already!!
Posted by: Christine Campbell | 05/07/2013 at 09:55 PM
You are amazing...any time that you doubt yourself or have a trying momma day just look at these pictures. The incredible memories that you gave that precious little girl of yours...only you could do that! Wow Stephanie, just...WOW!
Posted by: Dolly | 05/08/2013 at 08:54 AM
To have seen this in person, I can tell you that it was as beautiful as in the pictures.
Stephanie, I'm so happy that Harper is part of Victoria's life. She is such a wonderful child. You really have a beautiful family.
I wish we had more time to know each other more.
PS: I thought I let you know before I'll pin your ideas! ;):)
Posted by: Stéphanie | 05/17/2013 at 07:12 PM
You have done amazing job , love the cake too!
Posted by: Chiao tan | 05/21/2013 at 06:24 PM
You did a fantastic job, il's just amazing, and so inspiring !
Posted by: Agnès | 05/30/2013 at 04:42 AM
This is amazing! Thank you for sharing! We are doing a mermaid party for my daughter's first birthday next weekend. Her name is also Harper! :-)
Posted by: Erica | 06/05/2013 at 10:28 PM
Please quit making the rest of us look bad! LOL!
Seriously, you are the BEST. MOM. EVER. Harper is a VERY lucky girl!!
And I'm lucky too, b/c you have some fabulous ideas. :-)
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kim O'Connor | 07/31/2013 at 03:47 PM
This is beautiful…can I ask where you got the starfish for the wands?
Posted by: Sylvia Y | 07/17/2014 at 09:20 AM
Michaels!
Sent from my iPhone
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 07/17/2014 at 01:19 PM
Wow this is amazing and so are you!
Posted by: Rita | 01/18/2015 at 11:31 AM