This week I shared some pics of Caroline's first birthday party over on Oh So Beautiful Paper, and as you can probably tell from the photos, I had a lot of fun with planning and crafting for it. I spent hours making paper flowers, and then making party hats, and then attaching paper flowers to party hats. I messed up the malted chocolate pots de creme, but had my heart set on serving them (in the cute little yogurt jars I'd saved!), so I made them twice. I took great advantage of my mom and sisters' help in finishing up the dessert table and setting everything up. I totally forgot to change into my cute shoes so I'm wearing beat up ballet flats in all the photos. And, as I said over on OSBP, it turned out to be a really special day, which had little to do with all the details I planned, and had everything to do with the friends and family who helped us celebrate our daughter.

Credits: paper flower party hats | photo by Leah McCormick

There are two takeaways I hope I can convey here. The first is that, with any party or celebration, big or small, the people are the point, and the details matter only inasmuch as they contribute to the experience. The second is that, details are totally fun, but don't freak out if you can't finish every DIY project you had in mind, or if you can't afford to have 100 custom picnic baskets made, or garden roses are out of season and therefore unavailable, or whatever it is that you have your heart set on for your wedding. Because your wedding is not the last party you'll ever get to throw. It might be the biggest, at least in terms of number of guests, but it certainly doesn't have to be the last. There will be birthdays, anniversaries, holidays - lots of opportunities for fringe-topped swizzle sticks, hand-written menus, or maybe a vase overflowing with garden roses. No need to make yourself crazy trying to cram them all into your wedding day! Do as much as is fun for you, and save the rest for another time.

And with that, I leave you with a handful of weekend links!

The best way to reheat pizza.

What's wrong with marriage in the movies.

I generally don't spend this much on shoes, but I absolutely love these dressy flats.

School playgrounds from Kenya to Japan.

Candy corn on the cob is kind of hilarious.

The ultimate crostini station.

Secrets to decorating like the French. (I'm not convinced the French do everything better, but I do love Parisian interiors...)

I also love classic American design, like these cozy throws.

Boho-chic bride in this New Orleans wedding.
Spring Texas wedding with a kazoo processional.
Laid-back barn wedding on the California coast.
Preppy nautical wedding on Lake Tahoe, plus their wedding ceremony.
Some favorite ways to use fall leaves in your wedding.
Words to Love By from Audrey Hepburn.

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