On Saturday, we celebrated Kensington’s 6th birthday with her family party and this year’s theme was Kensington’s British Bash!
I can’t believe it took me six parties to come up with this theme? It was made for us! Of course my friend Amy made us the perfect sign that will now hang on my birthday wall inside :).
(At this time, Amy does not want to sell her signs to the public, she likes to just make them for close family and friends. I will let you know if that ever changes!)
We hung our Union Jacks and were ready to go! And yes, in hindsight, I realize that one of the flags is upside down…but on busy party day, it’s hard to catch every little detail!
The weather was drizzly and in the high 50s on this day…it was like the Lord gave me London weather for our party :).
My excited little birthday girl ready for her Bash! Andrea found this dress online…isn’t it so cute?!? It was perfect for the party!
It was bright for our selfie…but we did it any way. We love this little girl so very much!
Our guests arrived in their best hats!
I love how festive my family is! They make every party so much fun!!
And of course, we voted Papa Jay for the best dressed award :).
Disclaimer…I do a horrible job taking pictures during the party. I’m usually too busy having fun and enjoying our party that I forget to snap pics…I got some but not a million.
In our foyer, we had their little treats to take home and a big Union Jack sign (Amy also made that) that is now hanging in Smith’s room.
Andrea’s business Slightly Askew Designs made the invites, food labels and mantle banner. And then for party favors, everyone got to take home a few of these delicious cookies!
Erika’s cousin Whitney started making iced sugar cookies about a year ago and it absolutely knocks my socks off how talented she is! She lives in Missouri but I asked if she could ship some to me…and they were not only delicious, they’re gorgeous too!
Look how perfect they are!
If you haven’t noticed, I really love supporting other women and their businesses! I love that my super talented friends like Amy, Andrea, Whitney and Emily (you’ll see her cupcakes in minute) can be a part of my party. I love supporting their businesses and in turn, my parties are even more creative and fabulous than I could ever make them on my own.
My guests loved their cookie favors! Thank you Whitney!!
She was so excited about her party!
My friend Emily makes these extraordinary cupcakes. Just when I thought a cupcake couldn’t be improved…Emily goes and sticks an iced sugar cookie on top. Hello genius.
Not only did they look beautiful, they tasted absolutely delicious!!
Eeks! The cuteness just kills me!
Thank you Emily for always making me the cutest cupcakes! I’m always so impressed with every batch you create! If you live in the North Texas area, you should totally ask Emily to make cupcakes for your celebration…they are so good!!
Other than yummy cupcakes, our menu was as follows:
Coffee
English Breakfast Tea
Ale
Bangers and Mash
English Peas
Scones with Jam
Fish and Chips
I made up a little coffee bar area for our guests.
Plus, some good old English Breakfast Tea.
Ale everyone can enjoy 😉
If you don’t know what Bangers and Mash is it’s a very common British lunch or supper of sausages and mashed potatoes. We grilled 4 different types of sausages and then I made a mashed potato casserole (recipe coming soon to my foodie blog!).
I steamed up some English Peas as a side…
…and of course, we had Fish and Chips ;).
For a little something sweet, we had scones served with jam.
The birthday girl loved her British lunch! (I love how Smith is smiling in the background!)
XOXO
Before we opened presents, we played a little British trivia game. I looked up British monarchy questions, James Bond questions, basic English history questions and some British sports questions and then the winner was given English Toffee as a prize. Let me just say…my family’s knowledge of British trivia is lacking!
Kensington was so sweet opening her presents. She made me really proud :).
My big six year old!
And just like that, my baby turned six.
The British Birthday Bash was a HUGE success! I know I say this every single year…but I think this was my favorite party! The weather, the food, the theme, the fun hats, the sweet family and the precious birthday girl made everything so special.
If you missed Kensington’s other birthday parties, you can catch them here…
And today on my foodie blog…a new series is just so much fun…
…Kelly over at Kelly’s Korner shared with me her very favorite September recipe and I mixed and matched it! Two recipes, one method…both super simple!
Click here to see our Mix and Match Double Batch.
XOXO
Tab & Erika says
Fabulous job, Mama!! The party looks ADORABLE!! Amy did an outstanding job on that sign. It's my favorite so far!!! The cookies…fantastic and those cupcakes!!!
Slightly Askew Designs says
I still can't get over how talented Amy is!!! And Whitney and Emily, too! Everything was fabulous…. the hats, the weather, the DRESS!!! Love it all! PS – did I spy a sombrero in the hat pic??? So funny!!! Now… let's get started on Smith's party 🙂
kimm atwood says
What a perfect party! And talk about some seriously talented women!!!!
Dollie says
Shay, the party looks amazing! You did a fabulous job putting the food together! Our girls have their birthday party coming up, I'm gonna contact Emily for a cake, thanks!!
Aubrey says
Your dad…oh my gosh! He kills me!
You need to come to Cheltenham. Like, today. There is a pub called The Railway that serves ONLY bangers and mash. You choose your sausage (there are at least a dozen choices), type of mash, and kind of gravy. It's awesome!
Can you not get clotted cream in TX? I'm going to be sad if it's not available.
Kelly @ Familiar Joy says
This is just the cutest! What a creative idea! Does she do a "kid party", too? I struggle with this, especially having 4 kids. We've pretty much stopped inviting family (other than grandparents) because the parties are filled with classmates, team mates, church friends, etc. Need to start pairing things down before it gets out of hand!!
Mary says
I'm from the same town as the Shulls and someone mentioned this blog so I had to check it out. Oh my goodness, Kensington is a spitting image of Andrews's mother! So precious!
Rachel says
This is definitely one of the cutest birthday party ideas I've seen. Cheers!
Natalie Zambreski says
I loved your dad's outfit, he's too much fun! And those cupcakes are adorable!
Mimi says
What a wonderful party! It would be fun to incorporate some of these ideas for a "Downton Abbey" party in January to kick off the new season!
Miss K looks SO happy–and isn't that what it's really all about? 🙂 Great job, Mama!
Cheri says
What a wonderful and fitting B-day party. Everything was just so darn cute. You have some talented friends.
Maria says
Cute party idea! And by the way, the lady in the green jacket and red hat could pass for Queen Elizabeth with that purse hanging on her arm!
Liz/ says
Such a cute party, love all the details and those treats all look so delicious!!! Kensington is one sweet and adorable six year old!!!
Liz says
I love it — especially the "fish and chips". That was so creative!
Just a note, from someone who is not from this country — British scones aren't actually the ones you served. Those triangular pastries are something very similar to a rockcake (rather appalling name!) and British/Commonwealth scones are actually a close cousin to the US biscuit, which is VERY good with a dollop of jam and clotted for a delightful Devonshire tea.
melissabunny100 says
SO SO Cute!! What ideas all you girls have!!
Melissa at HOUSEography says
Adorable Shea!! Totally "borrowing" that for my daughter's 9th birthday!
Becky Branch says
This is just an adorable idea! Her party turned out so cute! I know last weekend was crazy in Fort Worth I got all excited and now it's back in the 90's hmph…..oh well!
Elaine says
Love this party! Everything was perfect!And Papa Jay- he must be the best!
Jamie {the celebrating momma} says
Love love love the party! So creative! Where in Missouri does Whitney live? I need her cookie creativeness in my life! I have awhile before I have another party but I will keep her in mind for sure!!
Christy says
What an adorable party.
Shesabigstar says
So so so SO dang cute… every last bit of it!! And such a beautiful and loving family! <3
Meagan says
Oh my gosh those cookies and cupcakes are stunning, so impressive! And the fish & chips is so smart haha!! Looks like a fab party, love the theme. 🙂
Anonymous says
I'm surprised you didn't save this theme for Ashby since her middle name is London but it looks like the relatives had great fun. Will there be a theme for her kids party?
Happy #6 Kensington!
Dana says
What an awesome theme and party! I love the 'Keep Calm' cups too. 🙂 And by the way, I love your decorating style!! Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us.
Wendy says
Kensington looked like she had a fabulous day. Absolutely love your dad! As someone who is half-Scottish and lived in England, he looks like a jockey who is in retirement and now owns a breeding farm (it is truly what they look like). On another note, your Union Jack flags might be collectors items after tomorrows historic vote in Scotland!
Sara Laverty says
Those cupcakes are the cutest things! So fun!
Anonymous says
Wow! What a fabulous party in every detail!
I must know what the paint color in your new kitchen is please!
Erin ruff@cox.net
Renae says
So creative!!
Sarah says
the fish and chips, cracks me up. Love this party, and those signs! So what happens when your birthday sign wall gets full? Do you just start cycling through them? Or do you make the space bigger and expand to other walls? Great job!
Michelle says
Fun details! I saw that "fish and chips" idea on pinterest and thought it was cute when I saw it. Just a side note from someone living in the UK…those are technically not "scones". Scones are more like biscuits in the states and are typically served with clotted cream and/or jam.
Will K be having a kid party and will you use this theme for that as well? Can't imagine planning two whole parties! Is there a reason you have a separate one for just family?
V @ X-tremely V says
What a great birthday theme for Kensington and your whole family 🙂 The party looks amazing! I love the way Kensington is beaming in the photos! Such a sweet girl!
Melanie says
Such a cute theme, it totally fits your family!! I love that you support other women when planning your events:)
Haley @ Cupcakes and Sunshine says
SO sweet! This is the cutest party I think I have ever seen! So creative and such a unique idea. Dying over the fish and chips!
Teresa Posey says
She looks so gracious and sweet opening her gifts. Good job, mama.
Megan says
Love everything!! Such a cute party!
Anonymous says
Shay the party looks so fun! I can't remember if you ever answered this Q before. Do you have Kensington sleep in those old foam/clip rollers to get her hair curly? I think I saw a pic of her in them once. Thanks!
The Yarbrough's says
Very cute!!!
mel @ the larson lingo says
Ahhhh!!!! LOVE this theme, absolutely love it! All the details were so cute! It makes my party loving heart go pitter patter 🙂 Happy 6th Birthday Kensington!
Anonymous says
Sorry, I found the answer – yes on the sponge rollers. A better question – how many rollers do you typically use for K?
Tracy says
Adorable party! LOVE the fish & chips! I have a teenager who loves all things British. She would have loved that party! Do you do a friend party as well? When mine were little we did the big family party and then a friend party too. I know that's a lot of work!
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
you know I love me some British! I miss it so much some days!
I know I say this every time, but Kensington, is one of my most favourite places on earth!
amazing party, I want that sign SOOOO bad, Living in Kensington was one of the most blessed times of my life, I was a missionary working with the Deaf. LOVE that place!!!
Karra says
This is a wonderful theme. I share the same obsession with England/London. Everything seemed perfect. Happy Birthday to Kensington!
Sharon Kruschen says
Very cute party! Do you have a separate party for her friends too or where they included but not pictured?
Ashley L. says
You are so creative, I love it! Looks like she had an amazing birthday 🙂
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Whew! It's been a long day of moving, but I loved getting to sit down finally and read all about the party! I think my favorite thing has to be K's dress! Soooo cute!!!!
Shoshanah says
I absolutely love your take on fish and chips! So clever!!
Jill says
Your daughter's party was fabulous!!
I have a random question. Is her hair curly? I have three boys and we adopted a six year old girl last year and girl hair is an enigma to me. My daughter's hair is thick and curly and gorgeous but I don't know what to do with it. How did you get her hair in ringlets like that?
Questions aside, the party looked great and you have a beautiful home!
Anonymous says
Your little girl is just so beautiful! And your new lipstick color transforms you! It brings out the blue in your eyes and totally brightens your face!! Gorgeous! Fab party! Best part of all was the HATS! Great fun!
Jossie says
Absolutely loved the theme of the party!
{Hi Sugarplum!} says
Such a darling party for a darling girl!!!! So glad it was a perfect day for your sweet family!
Tiffany {A Touch of Grace} says
Adorable! She looks so happy! Great theme choice of course. 🙂 Those cupcakes are perfection!
Unknown says
Love the British themed party… what a fun birthday idea! And also love the Stella & Dot bracelets that support a great cause!
Unknown says
Love the British themed party… what a fun birthday idea! Also love the new Stella & Dot bracelets that support a great cause!
ashley @ Fancy Ashley says
Amazing party!!!! LOVEEEEEE every detail!!!! So fun!!!
Jaren says
Such an adorable party theme! Perfect for y'all!! The fish and chips are my favorite!
Heather Leigh says
What a fun party! Love the fish and chips! Gorgeous bracelets too!
kelly says
Jill re: your daughters curly hair… There are so many products out there now to showcase curly hair. First of all, take her in to have a professional haircut. Oftentimes they will cut light layers into the hair. (they will probably have recommendations on hair products). Invest in a spray bottle and fill it with water. In the mornings, spritz her hair with the water to control the curls the way you like them and to tame the frizz. Add a little gel and kinda scrunch her hair. Top it off with a bow and Voila! Her hair will be beauteous!
AndreafromNoVA says
YAY! Happy birthday to your little beauty. Loved everything, "fish and chips" so cute!
Anonymous says
Where online did you get Kensington's dress? It's lovely! Please please please tell us!!! Thank you 🙂