Sunday Faves: Tips To Plan A Milestone Birthday Fiesta
Happy Sunday from Alexandra, Mary Ann’s daughter. This week I’ll be sharing a very special Sunday Faves – a 70th Birthday Fiesta we hosted for my mom in Los Angeles. It was a small group of local family and everyone left the evening feeling the love.
Here’s what we did for a Milestone Birthday Fiesta:
A heavy on the florals last minute table scape
I had big plans for this party. As you should when you are hosting the birthday of the Queen of CCH. But life and Etsy shipping delays got in the way, so I had to improvise.
New plan: go really big on florals. I arrived at Trader Joe’s right when they opened and scooped up a colorful selection to set the tone. They loaded me up in a wine box and about an hour later… voila!
I kept the table simple with a white tablecloth, woven runner and hand-dyed napkins my mom and I made over the summer. I also brought out my grandmother’s silver and a few Irish linens, which my aunts and uncles loved.
Then at the last minute I ran to a cute Mexican store down the street and picked up some pom-pom garlands to hang from the pergola for some wow factor.
White Table Cloth | Raspberry Napkins | Waterford Tumblers | Similar Suzani Runner
Prep Ahead Mexican Menu
A San Bernardino, California girlie, my mom requested Mexican food. So I came up with a menu that we could prep ahead and my dad and I headed to Vallarta Market in Pasadena. It’s brand new and amazing. There’s a guacamole station, fresh ceviche, great produce and a tortilla area. I love it there!
We grabbed the essentials and spent the afternoon prepping and hanging out together. At one point I mentioned to him “Dad, we are a great team!” to which he responded, “We always have been!”. <3
My style of cooking is more of a see a picture and “wing it” but here are a couple of recipes that are close to what we landed on and my inspo:
- Mini Shrimp Ceviche Tostadas (… may have gotten this at the market). Mercedes has an easy shrimp ceviche recipe, too, that my mom has featured.
- Watermelon Skewers with Tajin (a real crowd pleaser)
- Roasted Corn Salad (great leftovers)
- My Dad’s Cabbage Caesar (more fun with purple cabbage!)
- Birria de Res (Beef Birria) (we served this with fresh tortillas)
A note on the Cabbage Caesar. It’s so fricken delicious. I think because it’s even crunchier than romaine and can hold the dressing better. I begged my dad to make me more to keep in my fridge. Add your croutons as you eat it so they don’t get soggy in the fridge.
Stainless Steel Platter | Pomelo Casa Plate
A piñata for kids and adults
Continuing with the theme, my husband and daughter sourced a really pretty piñata. Fun for both the decor and a party activity. Louisa stuffed it with candy and my husband bought $1 scratchers called “Set For Life.”
Nobody won any money but every guest smacked the piñata and we all walked away feeling happy and “set for life” anyway.
I purchased my mom’s colorful ribbon crown at the Mexican store, too.
A few last touches
The caftan I wore that night was vintage but there are a lot of cute items out there with similar patterns – like this guy!
The mosquitos around here have been horrible lately but I found this citronella incense that honestly smells great! I just lit a few around the garden. I also had the Santa Novella bug spray for guests.
We ended the night singing happy birthday over Julian pies with dulce de leche ice cream. My Aunt TC brought them from San Diego and my mom recognized them immediately.
All in all, it was a very joyful night to celebrate a wonderful mother. Please join me in wishing her a very happy (and now belated!) birthday!
Happy Sunday,
Alexandra
Shop The Fiesta:
PS. Mary Ann here…
One thing that Alexandra didn’t mention is that while she, Luca and Howard were preparing the party, my sister and I were at the Langham Huntington spa. Alexandra and my son Tommy gifted both of us spa treatments (so luxurious) and lunch, so that we arrived refreshed at the start of the party.
To be honest, I was dreading turning 70. But with all the love I feel, I’m so fortunate to be entering a new decade this way!
Please check out Cindy and Annie’s Sunday Faves!
Happy belated Birthday, Mary Ann 🎂. I also recently turned 70, and was surrounded by family. They are our best presents 🎁. Also looking forward to what joys this decade will bring us.
The most fun party! Fresh and beautiful. The flowers……..perfection! I turn 70 in Dec of 2027.
Alexandra you did a great job. What a fun way to celebrate your mom. Love that you all did parts of it. How nice she got to have a spa day too. Adore the caftan and your table was beautiful.
Happy Birthday Mary Ann! You still look the same as when I met you.
Hope it is a fun and you extend the birthday all year long. xo
I meant to mention the adorable baby picture of you on the table with the cute red party hat on. I see a big resemblance to you and Louisa. 😊
Kudos Alie!! What a perfect party and such a fun theme! The menu looks superb, the decorations sublime! What a fabulous family you have…and that little Luca what a cutie!! Happy Birthday and welcome to the 70’s Mary Ann!!
Thank you so much!
Alexandra, What a lovely and festive birthday party! For my birthday parties growing up in NorCal, my favorite thing was to go to Cost Plus Imports and pick out a pinata! But we wore a blindfold ;-}
I LOVE you in that caftan! Mary Ann, Happy 70th — I know what you mean about the emotional side of a decade birthday, but you are living life to its fullest (judging from CCH) and have love and joy around you — what more is there?
Thanks Joan. Alexandra just went to her Cost Plus today for a cute wicker lamp!
Hi Mary Ann and Alexandra,
Such a fabulous party!!! Gorgeous colors and textures and the flowers!!! Just heaven. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful family celebration! Loved the photographs! So joyful!
It was heavenly, Francesca!
Mary Ann, & Alexandra,
Wow, everyone contributed so much love and the endless hospitality and the joyful hearts that went into the endless detail from the gift of spa day for the beautiful sisters to the tablescape, the flowers, food. The team thought of everything.
Mary Ann, you must still be feeling overjoyed. You look awesome, hopefully you are happy you did not give this birthday away, and no one wanted it. The seventies are great, just keep doing what you are doing. The most treasured you have is a family that adores and loves loves loves you. That is your best gift of all.
Alexandra, your vintage maxi floral dress is gorgeous. It’s so colorful.
Great pic of you, your children are just adorable.
Thanks Katherine…the team DID think of everything!
Like mother like daughter! A charming entertainer-Alexandra used her own style and imagination to create a special event for you emphasizing all the most important things in life: family friends and fun while sharing fabulous food. They are all a delight to follow. And 1956 was a very good year, MA!
Love
Yes, Sylv…a very good year!
Happy Birthday, Mary Ann!
Such a beautiful start to a new adventure. A new decade. Remember, it is only numbers, and enjoy the ride. We will be watching as you inspire us with your good taste and thoughtful advice.
Alexandra! Truly amazing celebration for your fabulous mom. Love your colorful fiesta theme and the food looks divine. The thought you put into every detail shows and I know this will be a night your family reminisces on for a very long time.
Happy Birthday, MA! 70 never looks so good … you’re just getting started. xoxo
You are the best, Juliet.
Happy belated birthday Mary Ann! It looks like you had a wonderful celebration with family.
Thanks, Amy!!
Looks like a great party. Love your caftan, Alexandra.
Nothing better than a little boy running around with a stick! Haha. 🙂
He couldn’t wait to get that the pinata!
Happy happy birthday,Mary Ann! What a delightful way your whole very special and loving family honor what a treasure you are to them. AGE is just a number,you are beautiful!
Warmest wishes for a whole year of love from a daily reader enthusiast 🧡,
Sharrie
Such a great comment, Sharrie!
Happy Birthday, Mary Ann! What a joyful and pretty party. Our family had a second home in Julian for many years. Those pies are delicious and made me homesick. I hope you enjoyed every last bite. Wishing you a wonderful and happy year ahead.
I had some of the pie for breakfast, Catherine!
As you should!
Alexandra and Mary Ann! What a beautiful and special birthday! All the details, from the flowers and piñata to the pom-pom garlands, your dress, and the food, ahhhhhhmazing! There is nothing like all of this to show how much you care and how much you know what they like! I am sure there were many happy tears! Happy birthday, Mary Ann!
xx
Thanks, Annie.
Alexandra is surely her mother’s daughter. Fabulous birthday celebration! Being from Texas we love a fiesta too! Best wishes for a great year ahead.
I bet! And I love Mexican food.
Thanks for documenting this wonderful evening, Alie. And many thanks to Howard, Luca and Louisa for all their efforts. I love you!