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!

Cindy Hattersley Design

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