#lilys5th

Hey Y'all. I'm usually a direct-from-instagram poster on Tumblr. Unless the event is truly special.

Enter, my daughter's 5th birthday party. I am like most moms. I think my child is the center of the universe and will spend all my free time for months cruising Pinterest brainstorming the world's BEST birthday party ever. Right? Right.

I spent a lot of time on this party. Like, more than I spent on prepping for the SATs. But I have to tell you after it was all said and done it was totally worth the work. AND I did have a lot of help. 

Let's rewind to a few months ago. I traveled for work to Bentonville, AR for "Accelerators Training" for Women Owned Businesses for the Walmart's "Empowering Women Together" initiative. It was a week long intensive training with female business owners that have products in Walmart or Sam's Club. Our founder, Jennie brought me along so that we can work as a team to have a successful launch. All week I was going on about my daughter's impending birthday party. During our time together we grew close and they all graciously offered their products to be a part of her special day. Crazy, right?! Working moms stick together, yo.

The party was at the Santa Monica Pier Carousel and the atmosphere was perfect! Below is a digital scrapbook of the party and the awesome people and products that made that day so very special. 

Here is the invitation. I ordered the design on Etsy and printed it out on photo paper at Walmart for $.40 a piece. It looks like a golden ticket and it is awesome.

From left to right: Duinkerken gluten-free brownies I baked from a mix available at Walmart Canada. Cake pops my mom and I made from donut holes and melting chocolate. It was SO easy. That little stand was a few bucks at Walmart. Cotton candy I got at Sam's club and I put them in cupcake holders. and lastly, chocolate chip cookies I baked from pre-made dough from  600 lb Gorrillas available in Walmart.

And those glass stands? I made them from candle holders and plates I got at the dollar store. YES.

The favors table. My favorite part of the party. I work for The Green Garmento. We make eco-friendly laundry/dryclean/organizational products that eliminate waste. We are most known for our Green Garmento reusable dry cleaning bag that was on Shark Tank. Yes, that Shark Tank. We put the party favors in our Gargantote, its a bag and a basket available in Walmart Alaska (and hopefully soon the entire US).

Inside the Gargantote, we included a Green Garmento (for the parents, because they deserve something too). "Back to the Beach" mini nail polish set from Anise Cosmetics, available at Walmart. And of course a number 5 cookie topped with Fondarific fondant, available at ...can you guess? Yes! At Walmart. My sweet mother-in-law made 80 of these bad boys. They were a hit and so good. And I need to stop eating the extras. 

Lily's friend Zoe striking a pose with her newly polished nails!

What party would be complete without a photo booth? #lilys5th. I got both the props and backdrop at Walmart for next to nothing and the kids really loved it.

Birthday girl sash was one dollar at Walmart. A DOLLAR. She wore that thing like it was the crown jewels all day long.

Lily enjoying her gluten-free Duinkerken brownie.

The look on my daughter's face says it all. SUCCESS!

I hope my party inspires you to be bold and go all out for your kid's party. 

Tip #1: Walmart is where it is AT. Im telling you. I got 90% of the stuff at Walmart and a few things at the dollar store. Renting the carousel was the most extravagant expense. The rest was incredibly affordable. The proof is in the pudding. I truly did save more and live better.

Tip #2: Give the parents something as a favor. Seriously. They've earned it. How many weekends have you sacrificed for some kid's birthday party? Let the other moms and dads know that their effort is appreciated. They parent favors were an enormous hit. They loved their Green Garmento products and I still get "thank yous" when I see them at school pick up and drop off.