party on the porch

Party on the Porch = fun party for a good cause! Hello, my name is Jenna and I have Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. I also have amazing support from my friends and family, and that is why I am who I am today suffering from these diseases. Sorry to get personal … but this is very close to my heart …

Every year, I plan to host a party with my good friends Amanda and Lee for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Even writing this short post, I am getting teary eyed with emotion. It is still very hard for me to accept, live with, and suffer with. 1 out of 10 people with Crohn’s and/or Colitis will be diagnosed with Colon Cancer – which is why I am making an effort to be active in finding a cure – not only for me, but for all the children and other adults suffering from these obscure, mysterious diseases. This event is a way to get beloved friends and family together, but more importantly, we are trying to raise awareness (and hopefully a cure in the future) for these awful Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Thanks to everyone’s support for the party this year: Fleur de Lis (a paperie), Raw Perspective Photography (Kristopher Lewis), Justin Donovan Band, The Ruffly Rose, 3o3 Magazine, Denise Plante, and all our friends and family who came out to support this special cause … THANK YOU! I look forward to next year’s Party on the Porch 🙂

Please contact Jenna at Fleur de Lis for more information on donating, sponsorship opportunities for 2012, and more information on the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America and Crohn’s and Colitis Diseases. Thanks to all our loved ones for attending this year, and wearing your white … we hope to see you next year!

{images via Raw Perspective Photography}

bugalicious fun

My sweet babies turned 1-year-old and 3-years-old last week. This year’s party theme…bugs. Caterpillars, ants and worms, and ladybugs for our little lady.

I think it’s just the cute decor possibilities that lured me into throwing a bug party because I am the type to scream and panic when I see bugs, and the thought of anything crawling on me gives me the creeps. But, it was a really fun party for the kids. We did it on a budget this year, so although I would’ve liked to do a lot more, the credit card will thank me at the end of this month. 🙂

We served brunch – egg casserole, blueberry coffee cake, fruit skewers, a delicious french toast casserole and a yogurt bar along with a milk and juice {and champagne for mimosa’s for the adults} bar.

  

We served Potted Chocolate Mint Pudding with gummy worms in 1/2 pint mason jars and “bug candy” for dessert.

I found a frame with wire in the middle, and used it as a prop for photos on the yogurt bar. Jameson, ages 1, 2 and 3 were on display, and for Gabriella, months 1 through 12. I used numbered labels made by Jenna at Fleur de Lis, and used a hot glue gun to adhere them to clothes pins.

I tried the crepe paper weave, and it was super easy and cheap – 2 rolls of crepe paper for 97 cents each. Steal!

Caterpillars, made of balloons, made appearances throughout the inside and outside of the house.

Fleur de Lis designed all the paper products for the party including the adorable invite, water bottle labels, tags and toppers.

 

 We bought bug catchers from Michaels for each toddler and found bug-catching tools to place inside. Before everyone arrived, we hid candy and big fake bugs {from Walmart} in the backyard, so once we were ready, the kids were off on a bug hunting adventure.

Once they caught all the fake bugs, we released 2,000 live lady bugs {bought from O’Toole’s Garden Center} they caught in their catchers too.

Exciting news about all the cute paper products for this party – you can customize and purchase for your little ones at Fleur de Lis in Denver. If you don’t live in Denver, you can order through our etsy store here. All the stationery for this party is available for purchase. yay!

{images via Tutto Bella}