![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTN3kiIYUat1IneuIXzbFzQ6AJkCzQcVEcWWLwJgPjWfQZ52mzX4SMBsJAmEc_EzRP0E6oM3LB1J0sQvY_NNLwPUfHb3WYD07fjFDfnHB4I2NslzEGOv5cD_3PDXrqphDp7q0Q2QWuAfo/s640/5387340583_a2b225275c_b.jpg)
Our dining room reminded me of a fluffy pink cupcake for Mary Ashley's recent birthday party. The dining room table usually stretches the length of the room, but removing a leaf and tucking the table into a corner gave us room for several different party stations. It was not possible to get a shot of the whole room, but I can give you a little tour through the images photographer Allison Hilyer captured of different vignettes in the room.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC7NxOl_tetXPgL_Oa4cMBXSkimaq0DsNt5f0U0mk6e3IOfA0l34IPBP7twfZZ0-wU9_p33bH2ONs9quY55lOBPS-Rs5Vl1KBOnlkk_VTF4PPtsujeQr3yClYRCKKzDSSxFIYMW-7Xys/s640/5387946676_cc49879588_b.jpg)
The front corner of the room, defined by a rug and pink paper lantern
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShUsIV-FRkhVzYCzcRYA-0eddC12fsVIcBAuo6oS3KIF5NRwlYrNNPfIGWofm3yTfvfYajNexYfDZ2MmWcUM4hrO-wvsIP3am6OKKsXvuFGKmICizw4srrO5fKv83E68SHaegnOpKY-U/s640/5388101585_47e2b24190_b.jpg)
After the girls chose an apron, they moved to the next station to decorate a chef hat. The back corner of the room housed a play area with vintage pink kitchen
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwR_NOZJF00MC0WI70K4ZXqlDU_d4j6A0p4_Xoo-FY7k42OBhYUGJkb1mviCOPqfXr5tMk5H5-Ji6PTvuwQvedXFiRTEY_ydxaEVUCeKp3YxzQZqkhrZXYyDdLEN2yHZPCdgwvGQ3QHdg/s640/5387945358_19aaf0946f_b.jpg)
The left half of the room was a sweet gathering space for the girls to sit and enjoy the fruits of their labor. (Paper lanterns available here in our color scheme of pink
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvYwE7tZ4CYq41DKNVe5aaz7PkuqelzwJxCt0koBFyzCgWm4X0TGxRoU-kK8ONZFjt5zKMoJB19lgbUf0lWzlmy7GtshaP8QL3VwO99FZK_9GwgQFYbxHa3DIv-OclfUqG1b8m2yHyrM/s640/5388707782_6521b56bed_b.jpg)
The girls returned to the dining room, favorite cupcakes in hand, to sing happy birthday and enjoy a sweet snack.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcro_Iij57VMg_7YOphu4z0q6Fyvo9qwBYy4MRWLbfEWWUkA7vsPZaImDDmZ1E1NWHxNaLIIXUsp-I70rJzcGseDretyx_isx1q845AfJNJfLS0XBkmialuTuRRLhcCe7AEzOYhJ58TtU/s640/5388708356_d74c3d4df6_b.jpg)
For this frothy pink tablescape, I used the tablecloth and runner I made for Mary Ashley's "Strawmary Shortcake" 4th birthday. The centerpiece was a large silk floral cupcake, my alternative to a baked cake this year.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2RvqKt6eBdtWGk_tK6-EZN67V4zd5BrEu91DKk_7QHM9zUL5ulpmZ_CeKXAsOLR71AK-oZaGOu0Nzm22wJTpQBoqg8W-CtyzoR6hf5H7c7Cf0DVyfM-oXaTPvEYqkwHy8u6FCXAEKQA/s640/5388101059_3b3d068208_b.jpg)
Paula Deen's Dot Crazy plates were just right for our cupcake party, paired with Joe's late grandmother's Fostoria, paper napkins from Target, and tags designed by Katy Larson.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXZbKwr7FLSXSEfUWWx0wzaBty-JuYpadFsrDy8v_OS_4cqdo54NbmrBYI78EOVA8V590MxK3TH382blWxC8G2RwSBpFb3WT8Vdc68Mac78nTQWr9g0rgnZcdAcQTe1uI3Tr_PwB7Djg/s640/5387340205_a1f109cd8f_b.jpg)
Pink, green and yellow striped and polka dotted straws from The Sugar Diva were even cuter with personalized labels from Katy.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixSl3EWL1WotXIdHf1Z1rTO6SSJiiHfHhLJBnOQ4dqHzFPzKDU54jPSFCcAVjQLLGRi78KQUAYH_x8d8XRd_5WcVwhCy6vEqNLUEfogu1Yik9q4lXLPhehogWDpjkncsRO7oiOFxTcp_0/s640/5387338373_88001ac8d0_b.jpg)
A beverage table in the back of the room held extra glasses and straws for our cupcake bakers, who worked up quite a thirst in the kitchen.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_07FhaW6PSQEmCXRzjTJhZNSHRuHc4LhE9VVw9w_cmLzzWEYI6jzqCXhOriKsJz_SU8fn-wTmnphClr8SM94UdGUszEsCEZ84k_umySI8QTzmjHr7GiGOSDPTc_alBWQuIUh9slk0w7w/s640/5387926066_3ae152acb6_o.jpg)
Strawberry, regular and chocolate milk were the perfect accompaniment to our birthday snack of cupcakes and fresh strawberries. (Carafes from Publix.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqB6krrpd_JuLS_w5GarIDvHhvDIiQ2JehVP5nWR9e1Had2IYIu5NJZ6zZem-MdJVe0MbN8b85GyiG5d0ZX47tYqONPDVMZ_TCayyspuQarTW5efriZeK0yPAwtRp1OK713L7dFZbPoQ/s640/5387340393_8d31bf0f0d_b.jpg)
Our dining room had such a lovely pink glow I could not help smiling each time I entered the room -- but especially when I caught a glimpse of the most beautiful part of the room:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGScaI8oKpkwoh5P4bLuR6zLATF6lQUgF7e4a0TpvUTlwwlrkDA13v1QOxSg2MFLpGbYU-8-6dCgNlhFhOvRawCmMUuYKEnd6rjqPOYTBmE7JBM1snvvF5simrE2CxyLQ9X5QgHhxrvCY/s640/5387943306_6398e1f20f_b.jpg)
The Birthday Girl!
Stop in tomorrow for cupcake party favor ideas, the sprinkles on top of a memorable afternoon.
Photos used with permission of Allison Hilyer Photography
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