You all know how much I LOVE birthdays! And that I always throw myself a party. Well, this year my hubby wanted in on the action. He debated making it a surprise, but since he knows how much I love planning a party, he asked for my help. 

This year was all about sparkles and champagne!

We used Paperless Post to design our own invitation using all our favorite sparkly quotes. We also printed them and scattered them on tables all around the party. They looked so festive with these fake icy crystals I got on Amazon. 

We had two kinds of sparkles. Veuve Clicquot - my favorite champagne! And prosecco from Cupcake Vineyards. 

We set up a prosecco bar with various juices, ginger beer, and sparkling water. 

As well as fresh mint, raspberries, blackberries, limes, lemons, and fresh lavender (not pictured).

We foods that pair well with champagne like shrimp cocktail, BBQ chicken (weird but true!), sweet and sour meatballs, artichoke-spinach dip, and a couple of platters with various cheeses, crackers, grapes, marcona almonds, figs, and dried apricots. And we made these Vanilla Poppy Seed Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting (RECIPE) which paired deliciously!

The party was sparkly! Our friends were sparkly! And now I have beautiful, happy, sparkly birthday memories. What more could a birthday girl ask for?  :)

FOODS to SERVE with CHAMPAGNE

Shrimp
BBQ Chicken and potato rolls
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Artichoke-Spinach dip
Platters with various cheeses and crackers, grapes, marcona almonds, figs, and dried apricots
Dark-Chocolate covered Almonds
Spring Rolls
Sushi
Sweet Potato Chips
Vanilla Poppy Seed Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting (RECIPE)
Lemon Tarts
I'm Loving Chocolate Cake (RECIPE)